William H. C. Follansby of Tilton, NH 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 871 WILLIAM H. C. FOLLANSBY, president of the Union Five Cents Savings Bank, also of the Exeter Banking Company, also trustee and treasurer of the Exeter Cottage Hospital, was born in Tilton, N. H., May 1, 1845, a son of William and Mary (Sweatt) Follansby. The father, William Follansby, was for many years engaged in mercantile business in Tilton, and was prominent both in business and politics. He was twice married, first to a Miss Wells, of which union there were four children. Of his second marriage, to Mary Sweatt, the subject of this sketch was the only issue. Both of Mr. Follansby's parents were natives of this state, and both are now deceased, the father dying when his son William H. C., was four years old. William H. C. Follansby was educated in the public schools of Belmont and of Laconia, N. H. He began industrial life as clerk in a general store, but on reaching the age of twenty-two years went into business for himself in the same line and was thus engaged for thirty- three years, or until the year 1900. In 1895 he helped to organize the Exeter Banking Company and is now its second president. He was a member of the legislature in 1893 and 1895 and a member of Gov. Charles M. Floyd's council in 1907-1908. He is one of the trustees of the George A. Wentworth estate. A man of more than ordinary busi- ness ability, and of attractive personal character, he stands high in the community, and his opinion is often sought by his fellow citizens upon matters of importance affecting its moral or material welfare. In the Masonic order he belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council at Exeter and to the Commandery at Portsmouth. Mr. Follansby was married December 31, 1866, to Miss Ella L. Winslow, a native of Tilton, N. H., and daughter of Darius and Hannah (Haines) Winslow. Mrs. Follansby died in 1907, her death leaving; a sad void, not only in her own family circle but in the hearts of hun- dreds of admiring friends. A woman of exceptional ability and of the highest personal character, she was greatly beloved by all who knew her. She was a member of the State Board of Charities and was for years closely associated with various philanthropic enterprises, in particular with the Exeter Cottage Hospital. To enable the reader to better appre- ciate her unselfish devotion to every good cause, we reproduce in full the following tribute to her memory, which was published in the annual report of the hospital for the year ending December 31, 1907: "The Board of Trustees desires to place on record an expression of their appreciation of the character and services of Mrs. Ella L. Fol- lansby, for many years one of their more efficient and devoted members. Mrs Follansby was a woman of that rare type whose entire life was given most cheerfully and unselfishly to the service of others. She was one of the best known and best loved women of the state. She was promi- nently identified with many organizations of the town, the county and the state, serving them with all that earnestness, zeal and devo- tion which was so essential an element in her well-rounded character. Fond of all that is best in social life, she constantly opened her home in generous hospitality, not merely to friends whom she loved, but to Page 872 worthy causes of every kind. To the orphaned, the needy and the friendless, her warm heart went out in fullest measure, and it has been well said that 'To their welfare she devoted her ample means and the best days of a most active life, with no thought of return except that the world might have better men and women.' She was a helpful and uplifting friend to every wayward or unfortunate child whom she could privately or officially reach. As a member of the State Board of Charities she was untiring in her devotion to its special work and to the betterment of conditions for the poor and unfortunate among the people of the state. She was a zealous member of the First Church, greatly interested in all activities of church and parish. "Mrs. Follansby was especially devoted to the Exeter Cottage Hospital, with which she had been prominently identified since its be- ginning. Its interests of every form were very dear to her. She was a member of the committee which secured and furnished its first home, the Stratton House, on Pine street. She served continuously as trus- tee until the time of her death, and for several years had been the hos- pital's efficient treasurer. In work and plans for the present building she took a prominent part. Her energy and enthusiasm won friends for the cause and greatly aided in the successful completion of the work. Her life abounded in 'good works.' Few have accomplished so much. Mrs. Follansby's many associates in philanthropic, religious and social work will bear most willing testimony to the inspiring example of her noble life. In the beauty and strength of such a life, in its tireless devo- tion to worthy things, in its gentleness and sweetness, she has left us a rich legacy. In her death, not merely the Hospital, but the town, the county and the state have suffered irreparable loss." HARLAN P. AMEN, AMANDA M. CILLEY, Committee. As an additional tribute to her memory we may add the remark of Secretary of State Edward N. Pierson; that "There never was before nor for the next hundred years would be, another woman like Mrs. Follansby." Mr. and Mrs. Follansby were the parents of a daughter, Daisy L., who is now a student in Robinson Seminary. Mr. Follansby is a trus- tee of the Congregational church, of which his wife was so devoted a member.