Robert I. Sugden 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 1039

   ROBERT I. SUGDEN, a member of the extensive lumber firm of
Sugden Bros., Portsmouth, N. H., is one of a family of two children born
to Robert K. and Lavinia (Cleough) Sugden. The father was a shoe-
maker by trade, and was a highly respected citizen up to the time of
his death, which took place September 19, 1912. He was a native of
England. His wife survives him and resides with her son, the subject
of this sketch.
   Robert I. Sugden was born in Portsmouth, N. H., in May, 1871,
his brother; John H., who is his partner, being the older, born in 1868.
They were both educated in the public schools of this city, where Robert
with his brother subsequently engaged in a general contracting busi-
ness, which they carried on until 1899. In that year he and his brother
became associated in their present business, purchasing an old milling

Page 1040 

plant near the site of the Boston & Maine depot, at the corner of Vaughn
and Green streets. The business has grown to large proportions, the
concern manufacturing or handling everything used in the house build-
ing trade from the cellar to the roof, including various kinds of lumber
of all dimensions, lath, sheathing, flooring, mouldings of various pat-
terns, windows, window screens, cord and weights, doors, drawer cases,
wall board, porch and stair balusters, porch columns, stair posts, stub
posts, piazza brackets, lattice, fence rails and pickets, dowels, gutter,
shingles, roofing of different kinds, clapboards, hardware trimmings,
glass, paint, lime, hair, King's Windsor patent plaster, cement, sand,
brick, pipe, flue linings, metal lath, metal corner bead, Taylor's flashings,
the above all being carried in stock; besides which they are agents for
mantels, slate and steel ceilings, and in short deal in mill work of all
kinds. Their business motto is expressed in the brief formula: "What
you want when you want it," which they live up to, the concern being
widely recognized as one of the best and most reliable of its kind to
be found anywhere in this section. Both brothers are members of the
Masonic order, and are independent in politics, while Robert I. is a
member of the Warwick and Country Clubs, and has served in the city
council, his brother being a member of the board of Public Works,
Portsmouth.
   Robert I. Sugden married Bertha M. Davis, a daughter of Louis
G. Davis, who was one of Portsmouth's leading photographers. He
and his wife are the parents of three children. They are members of
the Episcopal church and reside at No. 1231 Islington street.
   John H. Sugden married Dora B. Pendexter, a daughter of Daniel
P. Pendexter. They reside at No. 230 Cass street. They have no
children.