Joseph W. Somerby of Portsmouth, NH Biography from A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire (1915)

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

Page 1070

   JOSEPH W. SOMERBY, Who is associated with Mr. J. M. Buswell in
the ownership of the New Method Laundry, is one of Portsmouth's most
enterprising young men.  The business had its inception in January, 1912, and
has made steady progress ever since, enjoying a very liberal patronage.
   Mr. Somerby was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, April 28, 1881, and
is a son of Charles and Catherine (Riley) Somerby.  He was four years old
when his mother died, leaving him and two other children, namely, Edwin and
Mary.  Charles Somerby formed a second union with Annie Noyes of Byfield,
Massachusetts, and they have two daughters and a son: Ruth, Helen, and
Charles.
   Joseph W. Somerby, after leaving the grade schools, attended and was
graduated from Newburyport High School.  For five years he was employed

Pages 1071 and 1072 contained a portrait for a different biography.

Page 1073

as paymaster for a large contracting firm, and then for three years worked
in the railroad ticket office at Lynn, Massachusetts.  He then came to Ports-
mouth, New Hampshire, and with Mr. Buswell started the laundry business
as before related.  They do wet washing and flat work ironing only, and
employ an average of twelve people.
   In 1909, Mr. Somerby was joined in marriage with Mary E. Pike who
was born in Salsbury, Massachusetts and was one of eight children, seven
daughters and a son, born to John B. and Ella (Hughes) Pike.  Her father
engaged in farming operations.  In politics Mr. Somerby is independent,
working always for the best interests of the community.  He is a member of
the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge at Newburyport.  In religious belief
they are Methodists.