Biographies: Clark-Conner. Hopkinton, Merrimack County, New Hampshire **************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net. Submitted by: Glenn Campbell grc1@charter.net Date: February 10, 2002 **************************************************************************** From a book called "Life and Times in Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts" by C. C. Lord published 1890 LIFE AND TIMES IN HOPKINTON, N.H. Section VII --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jacob Knight Clark, The son of Jacob Clark and Betsey Huse, was born in Hopkinton, April 4, 1812. Excepting six years in Weare, the subject of this sketch has always lived in Hopkinton. His home is in the Hatfield district, where his grandfather, Jacob Clark, from Newbury, Mass., settled. His father, Jacob Clark, Jr., died at 46, and weighed 400 pounds. Jacob K. Clark is a farmer, but has been officially prominent in various ways. In 1830, he was commissioned ensign of the Hopkinton Rifles; in 1831, lieutenant; in 1834, captain. From 1848 to 1850, he was a selectman; in 1854, an assessor or appraiser; in 1851 and 1853, a representative to the General Court. In 1835, July 19, Capt. Clark married Mary Straw, daughter of Samuel Straw and Betsey Burbank, of Weare. They had three children,--Helen M., Warren, Ellen T. Mrs. Clark died December 27 1873. With Moses Hoyt, Capt. Clark enjoys the distinction of being the first to employ a machine to thresh his grain. The machine was owned by James Colby. The popular prejudice against the innovation was arrested by Hoyt's and Clark's encouragement of its use. Experience showed that it didn't spoil the grain or set the barn on fire, and at length it became a main reliance of all the leading farmers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Warren Clarke, son of Jacob K. Clarke and Mary Straw, was born in Hopkinton, March 29, 1837. He was educated at Hopkinton academy and at Norwich (Vt.) University, where he graduated in 1857, being the same year lieutenant of the Norwich Cadets. During six months of 1858, he taught military science and mathematics at Mount Pleasant academy, Sing Sing, N.Y., and the same for the same length of time at Randall's School for Boys, Bloomfield, N.J., in 1859. Devoting his attention to the law, he studied with George & Foster, of Concord, and was admitted to the bar in 1862. Mr. Clarke's home was in Hopkinton till 1863; in Henniker, till 1870; since 1870, in Concord. In 1862 and 1863, he was moderator of Hopkinton town-meeting; from 1861 to 1862, superintending school-committee; three or four years superintending school-committee of Henniker; from 1874 to 1876, judge of probate of Merrimack county; much or all of the time, since 1875, connected with the school-board of Concord; since 1888, post-master of Concord. Mr. Clarke married Fannie S. Otis, daughter of Alfred Otis and Sophia Worthington, of Colchester, Ct. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Clement, the first physician in Hopkinton, came to this town from the vicinity of Haverhill, Mass. The site of his first home is on Putney's hill, a few rods south of the old cemetery, on the opposite side of the road. It is indicated by a slight depression and a quantity of stones. In the course of time, Dr. Clement, in company with a son, built a larger, two-storied farm-house on the road leading from Gage's hill to West Hopkinton, a little north-west of his first residence. This house was taken down years ago. Dr. Clement seems to have been a popular physician, as his practice extended to as many as fourteen towns. He is said to have been socially genial and mirthful. His wife, Molly, was probably from Salisbury, Mass. They had sons,--John, Timothy, Phineas, Benjamin, James; and daughters,--Ruth, Polly, Sally, Betsey. Dr. Clement died November 20, 1804, aged 61; his wife, February 12, 1817, aged 72. Their remainslie in the Putney's Hill cemetery. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phineas Clough, the son of James and Ruth Clough, was born July 28, 1783, in Hopkinton, where he resided till his death. He lived many years where his grandson, M. Tenny Clough, now resides. In early life, he learned the trade of a carpenter, but spent most of his life on the farm. He was much occupied in public affairs, and was often called to settle estates or assume the guardianship of minor children. He was also a surveyor of land. In 1829 and 1830, Mr. Clough was a representative to the General Court; from 1823 to 1825, and again in 1835 and 1836, he was a selectman; in 1850, a member of the state constitutional convention. In 1811, February 3, Phineas Clough married Judith Currier, daughter of Daniel and Abigail Currier, of Warner. They had children,--Willard, Moses T., Daniel C., Martha J., Stephen. Phineas Clough died July 12, 1866; his wife, September 3, 1868. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moses Tenny Clough, the son of Phineas Clough and Judith Currier, was born in Hopkinton, November 22, 1814. In early life, he attended the school of Master John O. Ballard, but on the opening of Hopkinton academy he inproved the opportunities of that institution. In 1830, he entered Dartmouth college, graduating in 1834. Seeking a knowledge of law, he entered the office of Eliphalet Pearson, at Ticonderoga, N.Y., and subsequently that of James J. Stevens, of Albany, N.Y. Being admitted to the bar in 1838, he located to Ticonderoga, where he resided till 1857, and then moved to Troy, N.Y., his present place of residence. Mr. Clough has been supervisor of Ticonderoga one year, assessor one year, post-master from 1845 to 1849, supreme court commissioner four years, master in chancery five years, and district-attorney of Essex county, New York, from September, 1844 to January 1851. In 1847, when the office of district -attorney became elective in New York, Mr. Clough, though a Democrat in politics, was chosen in a county strongly in the majority of his political opponents. In 1851, he refused a renomination. He was at one time a director of the Commercial Bank, at Whitehall, N.Y. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- William Clough, from whom Cloughville receives its name, was a native of Hopkinton. He once lived near or on Mt. Kearsarge, where he owned 1,600 acres of land. He was a bridge-builder, who is said to have constructed a number of bridges across the Contoocook river. He was also a farmer. He married Mary Couch, daughter of Benjamin Couch, of Boscawen. Her mother's maiden name was Heath. William Clough had children,--Rachel, James Stark, Phineas, Benjamin C., William, Charles F. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phineas Clough, the son of William Clough and Mary Couch, was born in Hopkinton, February 18, 1811, and has lived most of his life in this town. He is a farmer and carpenter. He has shown an aptitude for compounding remedies, some of which have secured more or less local reputation. He is popularly known as Dr. Clough. He has been many years a justice of the peace. Dr. Clough married Abigail Beck, the daughter of Clement Beck, of Hopkinton; he has two daughters living,--Victoria, Jenny Lind. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Benjamin C. Clough, the son of William Clough and Mary Couch, was born in Hopkinton, February 20, 1815, and has always lived in the town. He is a farmer, and one of the wealthiest of his class. He has never married. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles F. Clough, the son of William Clough and Mary Couch, was born in Hopkinton, November 9, 1821, and has always lived in this town. He is a farmer and mechanic. In militia days, he was a staff-officer of the 40th Regiment, being commissioned a major in 1849, and a lieutenant-colonel in 1850. Charles F. Clough married Mary J. Hardy, daughter of Joseph Hardy and Eliza Chase, of Warner. They had children,--Joseph S., Sylvia E., Mary E., Flora E., Charles E., Nancy E., Josie E. Mrs. Clough died nearly eighteen years ago. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gilman Clough, the son of David Clough and Hannah Winslow, was born in Bow, October 26, 1801. In 1818, he came to Hopkinton. He attended the school of Master John O. Ballard, and at length became a teacher of common schools. He taught numerous terms in Contoocook and other parts of the town. He was also a cooper. He continued to reside in Hopkinton till his death, February 23, 1889. In 1822, November 28, Mr. Clough married Melinda French Bickford, daughter of Samuel Bickford and Ruth Howe, of Hopkinton. They had children, --Henrietta Adelia, born June 24, 1824; Alfred Winslow, born April 10, 1829; Horatio Edson, born March 15, 1835; Fitz Edgar, born January 15, 1839. Gilman Clough married a second wife September 7, 1857; she was Mrs. Elvira Wallingford (Hildreth) Silver. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moses Colby, the son of James Bryant Colby and Susanna Story, was born in New London, December 31, 1796. In February, 1797, his father moving to Hopkinton, Moses was brought in his mother's arms, riding on an ox-sled, to the homestead of his grandfather, Anthony Colby, the spot where now lives Melvin Colby, on Beech hill. Moses Colby was a farmer, who had considerable local prominence. He was a captain of militia. In 1844, he was chose a representative to the General Court, in opposition to the railroad interest in the controversy then prevailing. In 1820, December 28, he married Elsie Abbott, daughter of Moses Abbott and Mary Batchelder, of Concord. They had children,--John Gilman, born November 21, 1821; Mary Eliza, born June 30, 1823; George Herrick, born June 22, 1825; Melvin, born June 20, 1828; Sewell Gage, born April 17, 1835. Moses Colby died January 28, 1876; his wife, December 3, 1882. Anthony Colby, the grandfather of Moses, is said to have been the thirteenth settler in Hopkinton, coming from the vicinity of Newbury, Mass. He was the grandfather of Gov. Anthony Colby, of New London. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Melvin Colby, the son of Moses Colby and Elsie Abbott, was born in Hopkinton, June 20, 1828, and has always resided on the Anthony Colby homestead in this town. He is a farmer and painter. He has frequently been prominent as a musician. He has served as leader of the Congregational Church choir, and was leader of the Hopkinton Cornet Band at its organization in 1859. In 1852, September 8, he married Hannah Paige Edmunds, daughter of Horace Edmunds and Bridget Whipple Cilley, of Hopkinton. They have had children, --Ellen Hazeltine and Helen Hamilton (twins), Sarah Belle, Charles Carroll, Melvin Crawford, Hannah Paige, Fred Harvey, Arthur Putnam, Mary Atkins, Melvin Forrest. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Isaac Colby, a former physician of Hopkinton, is said to have come here from Bradford, about 1825, and, about 1849, to have gone to Salem, Mass. He afterwards returned to Concord, where he died. While in Hopkinton, he practiced allopathy; subsequently, he adopted homoeopathy. He did much to improve the appearance of Hopkinton village, being specially instrumental in setting the present row of elms within the Main street and running from the townhouse to the Baptist church. Dr. Colby married Abigail Chase, sister of the late Hon. Salmon P. Chase. They had a number of children that died young. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- William Colby, the son William Colby and Mary Darling Hildreth, was born in Hopkinton, November 30, 1809. His father lived on Beech hill, on the westerly slope, where now live Messrs. Waldron and Gleason. William Colby, being born in the old militia days, was in childhood and youth subject to all the exciting influences to which the younger generation of his time paid specially enthusiastic attention. Young Colby doubtless was unusually impressed by the frequent display of soldiery of his early years. Becoming of military age, and legally competent to train, he rose to be one of the most notable martial characters of his native town. He was at one time captain of the Hopkinton Rifles, and afterwards commander of the Coldwater Phalanx, both military companies independently organized and thoroughly uniformed. He was also once colonel of the 40th Regiment of New Hampshire militia. Colonel Colby was also one of the original Amoskeag Veterans. He was a very efficient officer of drill, perhaps the best the town ever raised. When the arrangements were made for an old-fashioned training on the Fourth of July, 1881, Col. William Colby was selected commander of the day, and upon the attempted assassination of the President, the proposed training being suspended, he was chosen one of the committee of citizens to arrange for observances in accordance with the ultimate facts in the president's case. During most of Colonel Colby's life, he was a Hopkinton farmer. He was once master of a river boat plying in the carrying trade between Concord and Boston before the time of railroads, and when canals were in operation in this state and Massachusetts, and later a freight conductor on the Boston & Providence Railroad. He was at one time a steward in the asylum for the insane at Concord, and for a number of years deputy sheriff of Merrimack county. He was twice doorkeeper of the state senate. In 1837, July 9, William Colby married Eliza Barret, daughter of Eleazer Barret and Olive Emerson, of Nashua. They had no children. Residing in Hopkinton many years previously to his death, Colonel Colby eventually moved from Beech hill to the village, where his widow now resides, and where he died September 4, 1881. His funeral occurred on the sixth day of the month, being remarkable on account of its similarity to the dark day of May 19, 1780. He was buried from St. Andrew's Espiscopal church, which was lighted for the funeral service. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edwin S. Coller, the present pastor of the M.E. church in Contoocook, was born in Northfield, Mass., April 27, 1859, being a son of Aaron Coller and Mary E. Gillford. Since the age of eleven years, he has resided in Greenfield and Athol, Mass., Woonsocket, R.I., Brockton, Mass., Peterborough and South Acworth, N.H. The present is his second year at Contoocook. In 1887, November 24, Mr. Coller married Hattie B. Wardwell, daughter of Oliver N. Wardwell and Augusta M. Wilson, of Jamaica, Vt. One child, Ethel C., is the offspring of this union. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- David O. Collins, son of Timothy Collins and Jane Osgood, was born in South Hampton, May 28, 1805. while the subject of this sketch was an infant, his father moved his family to Amesbury, Mass., were David O. resided till he attained to manhood. In his earlier life, David O. Collins worked in the woollen manufactories of Salisbury and Amesbury, but, having aspirations toward the medical profession, he at length entered the office of Dr. Towle, an allopathic physician of Amesbury, and pursued study until he attained a proficiency equal to that of most of the young practitioners of his time. Then he became interested in the system of Dr. Samuel Thompson, whose practice was highly favored by many people at the time, and adopted it. IN the year 1842, he opened an office in Manchester, in partnership with Dr. John Russel. Subsequently he practiced in company with Dr. J. M. Hawks, now of Florida, and to whom he sold out his interest in 1849 and moved to Hopkinton village. His patronage becoming located more in that direction, he soon moved to Contoocook, where he continued in active practice till age and failing health prevented him. In the year 1879, he moved to Providence, R.I., where he now resides with his only son and living child. Dr. Collins has been three times married. His first wife was Nancy S. Crown, whom he married in February, 1826. She was the daughter of Joseph Crown and Hannah Worthen, of Amesbury. She died August 2, 1834. Three daughters were the result of this union. Their names were Nancy J., Nancy C., and Mary J. The second wife of Dr. Collins was Achsah A. Moores, of Deerfield, N.H., whom he married October 2, 1835. She was a daughter of John Moores and Hannah Dearborn. She died September 7, 1864, leaving a son, David S. For a third wife, Dr. Collins married Susan E. Smith, daughter of Bimsley Smith and Mary Hinsman, of Ipswich, Mass. She died September 26, 1879. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles J. Conner, the son of Samuel Conner and Mary Creighton, was born in Sanbornton, April 22, 1816. In early life, he attended school at Exeter. He lived in Sanbornton forty years, in Concord twenty-five, and has since resided in Hopkinton. He is a merchant by calling. He was fifteen years a deputy sheriff in Belknap and Merrimack counties, and two years a collector of taxes in Sanbornton. Mr. Connor is a lineal descendant of Dr. James O'Connor, a surgeon of the Revolutionary army. In 1838, September 5, he married Mahala Ingalls, daughter of Jesse Ingalls and Hannah Chase, of Sanbomton. They had children,--Estelle P., Vianna A., Jerome B. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- James M. Conner, the son of James Connor and Lydia Kimball, was born in Henniker, August 21, 1828. When about three years old, he came to Hopkinton, where he has since resided. He is an enterprising and prosperous farmer. In 1864 and 1865, the subject of this sketch was a selectman of the town. In 1886, he was a candidate of the Democratic party for state senator. Mr. Conner is a frequent contributor to agricultural papers. He was the originator of the Granite State Dairyman's Association, and has been its president since the organization. He is a prominent member of the order f Patrons of Husbandry; has been master of the county Pomona Grange, and an official of the State Grange. He is one of the trustees of the New Hampshire Patrons' Fire Insurance Company. He was two year the president of the Kearsarge Agricultural and Mechanical Association. In 1859, December 20, Mr. Conner married Judith M. Putney, daughter of Ira A. Putney and Hannah Muzzy, of Hopkinton. They had children,--Maria P., Carrie J., Charles H., and Grace E. Mrs. Connor died May 9, 1877, and on September 6, 1881, Mr. Connor married Catharine S. (Hoyt) Watson, daughter of Joseph G. Hoyt and Catharine C. Parmelee, of Warner.