Stephen G. Sleeper of Epping, 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
************************************************************************

See the portrait of Stephen G. Sleeper at
http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/rockingham/biopics/SleeperStephenG.jpg

Page 830

   STEPHEN G. SLEEPER, who for many years has been engaged in
agriculture in the town of Fremont, was born on the old Sleeper home-
stead about a mile and a half southwest of Epping, N. H., October 15,
1842. His father, Gardner Sleeper, born in Fremont, this county, was one
of the prominent men of this locality in his day, holding many town offices
and serving as representative in the legislature in 1859. He married Sarah
M. McQuillan of Brentwood, and they had six children, of whom but three
are now living, namely: Stephen G., the subject of this sketch; Lizzie,
widow of D. Frank Fellows; and Charles E., manager of the Castle Square
Hotel at Boston, Mass. Mr. Sleeper's early ancestors were English on
both sides, and his paternal grandfather, Stephen Sleeper, fought against
the British in the War of 1812.
   Stephen G. Sleeper was the second child born of his parents. He began

[Pages 831 and 833 contained a portrait of Stephen G. Sleeper]
   
Page 833

attending the district school in his home neighborhood when he was about
four years old, and continued to do so until he was fifteen, at which time he
had to give up his studies in order to make himself useful on his father's
farm, which was a large one of 500 acres. Not long after, on the breaking
out of the Civil war, he was anxious to enlist and took some preliminary
steps towards organizing a company at Exeter, of which he was to be first
lieutenant. About this time, however, his father took him to Washington
and there persuaded him to give up the idea of entering the army, procur-
ing him instead a position under an uncle in the Clarendon Hotel at Wash-
ington, where he remained for a year, receiving $14 per month to start
with. His salary was later increased and by the end of the year he had
received nearly $1,000, of which he saved nine hundred. He then returned
to his father's farm, of which he became proprietor on the father's death in
1865, and here he has since resided. In 1873 he purchased 65 acres ad-
joining the homestead, and still later another tract of 80 acres. His resi-
dence, which stands on the 65-acre tract, was built about 200 years ago,
and is in the old colonial style of architecture. It has been improved and
kept in excellent condition, and is in every respect a convenient and comfort-
able dwelling. Mr. Sleeper is a Democrat in politics and at various times
has taken a useful and active part in public affairs. He served as selectman
for fourteen years, was also a member of the school board, and in 1868
and 1869 was representative to the legislature, being elected the second time
by a large majority. While a member of the House he served on the claims
committee and also on the committee on military accounts.
   Mr. Sleeper was married, June 2, 1877, to Emma G. Currier, a daughter
of True W. and Abbie Stephens (Whittier) Currier of Deerfield, N. H.
Of this union were born seven children, as follows: Emma G., wife of
Charles L. Philbrick (no children); Stephen Gardner, Jr., who married
Miss Jessie Campbell, of Dorchester, and has two sons, Stephen G., and
Donald; Mary L., wife of Ruel Goodrick, of Epping; Ethel A., wife of
Charles R. Bean, of Boston; Ruth F., single, a teacher, who resides at home;
Charles E., who died at the age of four weeks, and Howard, who died when
six months old. All of these children, except the two who died, were edu-
cated in the schools of Epping, and at Sanborn Seminary. Ethel also grad-
uated at Haverhill and Kingston Academies, while Ruth is a graduate of
Robinson Seminary at Exeter. All the children have taught in the same
school which they attended when young. Mrs. Sleeper also taught school
for thirty terms. On the maternal side she is a descendant of the noted
poet Whittier. Her knowledge of educational matters is extensive and
widely recognized, and she has served as a member of the town school board
for nine years. She is an active worker in the Woman's Christian Tem-
perence Union, of which she was vice president in 1913. Her father, True
W. Currier, was prominent in political affairs and held numerous offices,
while her grandfather, also named True Currier, was a soldier in the War of
1812, and her great-grandfather Whittier in the Revolutionary War. She
and her husband are affiliated with the Baptist Church. Mr. Sleeper's great-
grandfather, Stephen Sleeper, was the first deacon when the Baptist church
was established in Brentwood. Mr. Sleeper belongs to the Masonic Order,
and in politics is a democrat. He is widely known as one of the older resi-
dents of the town and as a substantial and public-spirited citizen.