William H. Belknap of Exeter, N.H. Biography from A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire (1915)

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Louise Temples - pc_genie@ix.netcom.com
Copyright. All rights reserved.

************************************************************************
Full copyight notice - http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
USGenWeb Archives - http://www.usgwarchives.net
************************************************************************

Source: A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
         by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill, 1915

Page 1059

   WILLIAM H. BELKNAP, formerly engaged in the real estate and
insurance business in Exeter, but who is now living a retired life in this

Page 1060

city, was born in Exeter, N. H., March 20, 1836, a son of William A. and
Ruth {Poor} Belknap. The father, a native of Westboro, Mass., was a
jeweler by occupation, carrying on business in Exeter for a number of years.
He had but a common school education but was a man of intelligence and
industry and was fairly successful in life. He had a thorough knowledge of
his trade, which he learned in Boston when a young man. By his wife Ruth,
who was born in Newbury, Mass., he was the father of five children-
Augustus, Rosina, Rose, Julia, and William H.
   William H. Belknap was educated in the common schools of Exeter. He
then learned the printer's trade, which he followed as a journeyman for about
eight years. He then became clerk in the office of the register of deeds
and performed his duties so satisfactorily that in 1865 he was himself
appointed to fill that office, to which also he was elected in the following
spring, subsequently serving therein for seven years. He then opened a
general office, handling real estate, insurance and probate business, continu-
ing in this occupation until 1904, when he retired.
   Mr. Belknap was married in July, 1875, to Miss Adelaide Jewell, a native
of Exeter, N. H. She died in 1881, leaving no issue, and he married for
his second wife, in 1889, Miss Josephine Treat, of Bangor, Me., whose
father, Samuel Treat, was at one time treasurer of that city. Mr. and Mrs.
Belknap attend the Congregational church. The former is a Republican in
politics. He has been a member of the Masonic order since 1865, and was
town clerk of Exeter for twenty-six years. Few citizens of the town are
more widely known in this vicinity and few are more respected.