1889 History - Biography - John W. Sanborn

From the earliest days of New Hampshire the name of Sanborn has been more or less connected with its matters of public and private interests. The first of the family in America were Lieutenant John Sanborn and his brothers Stephen and William, born in England, who came to Hampton in 1640. Their mother was the daughter of the celebrated Rev. Stephen Bachiler. From the first they were active and influential citizens, and often chosen to places of trust and responsibility. They were most strenuous opponents of Mason's claim to New Hampshire, and of Cranfield's administration. They had numerous descendants, and were the paternal stock of the widely extended family bearing the name in the United States. Every one of Hampton's historic events shows a Sanborn as a prominent actor. Six were signers of the Association Test in 1776, and in the official records many are credited with long and brilliant service. Richard, Josiah, John, and Joseph, sons of Lieutenant John, were signers to Weare's petition.

The first of the family to locate in Wakefield was Joseph (born in Hampton about 1735), who came in middle life as one of its early settlers. He was accompanied by his two sons: John, son of his first wife, and Elisha, son of his second wife. He was one of the solid farmers of the town, and had sons Samuel, Joseph, Reuben, and John, born in Hampton or Brentwood. Samuel and Joseph settled in Acton, Maine, where they became leading citizens. Samuel was a deacon for many years.

John Sanborn, youngest son of Joseph and Sarah (Lane) Sanborn, was born in Brentwood, November 21, 1767, married, in 1792, Hannah, daughter of Daniel and Patience Hall, and made his home near the centre of Wakefield on a farm, later removing to that of his father-in-law, with whom they lived. Their children attaining majority were Daniel H., Joseph W., Sarah L., Susan, Ann, and John G. Mr. Sanborn was an industrious, substantial farmer, a good citizen, and attained old age, dying January 29, 1854. His wife was born May 24, 1772, and died in May, 1841. It was said of Mr. Sanborn that "he had not an enemy in the world."

Daniel Hall Sanborn, son of John and Hannah (Hall) Sanborn, was born May 31, 1796, in Wakefield, married Lydia, daughter of Joseph Dorr, of Acton, Maine, December 25, 1821. She was born in Acton, June 16, 1796, and was a descendant of that Brackett family prominent in early New Hampshire history. Mr. Sanborn was a farmer, and died September 25, 1872. His wife died March 2, 1854. Their children were John W., Joshua H., Enoch E., Daniel H., and Lydia S. (Mrs. F. N. Dixon).

Hon. John W. Sanborn was born in Wakefield, January 16, 1822. From an early age he was a member of his grandfather Sanborn's family, receiving the educational advantages of the town schools and its noted academy. In these he had the power to gain the best of the knowledge, while in the fields and at other labor incident to a farmer's life he acquired a robust constitution, and a practical education of great value to himself and others in subsequent years. When eighteen he became a teacher of winter terms of school, gave satisfaction both as an instructor and disciplinarian, and taught twenty terms with success. This sphere was not broad nor active enough for him. He had the confidence in his powers born of possession, and the strength and genius to rise above the circumstances of life, to obtain knowledge however opposed by difficulties, to advance his own station beyond the one inherited, and to secure for himself commanding positions of affluence, integrity, and eminent usefulness in the town and state of his nativity. His career has not been a sudden elevation brought about by extraneous circumstances, but a gradual upward progress through the successful application of inherent capability, fidelity, and honest endeavors to do thoroughly the labors incumbent upon him. Very soon after attaining his majority he purchased a farm and industriously engaged in its cultivation; when twenty-four years of age he began buying, selling, and shipping cattle, and gradually connected with these the manufacture of lumber, which from 1864 to 1870 attained very large proportions for this region. He early became interested in probate business, and for many years conducted causes in its court, and at one time did more of this work than any other in the county.

Distinct from these varied interests Mr. Sanborn found other and weighty matters were demanding his time and attention. His ability was appreciated by his townsmen, who chose him selectman in 1856 and 1857, and representative in 1861 and 1862. This was at that critical juncture in our national history when the country first felt the misery of civil war. Mr. Sanborn was an active and untiring Union man, and gave his energies to the momentous questions to be settled. His clear, dispassionate judgment and comprehension of the situation gave influence to his words and action, and his services were demanded in the counsels of the highest circle of the state's officials. He was elected a member of the executive council in 1863, and was one of the valued advisers of the state administration. Party feeling ran high in those days, and, although a candidate for councillor in 1864, and running far ahead of his ticket, he failed of an election by a few votes. He was, however, of too much importance to be put one side, and he was appointed by the governor one of a committee to adjust the unfinished business of the old council, and also one of a committee to arrange and adjust the state aid to soldiers. It is conceded that, although a Democrat, no other man in the state possessed more influence with the Republican officials, and no man rendered the state more valuable service through the entire war period. He enlisted a company of soldiers in 1862, had much to do in raising men under every call for troops, and expended much time and money in this and other fields of patriotic activity.

During this period Mr. Sanborn's private enterprises had increased. He was interested in providing better means of transportation and travel, and active in procuring the extension of the Portsmouth, Great Falls, and Conway railroad, and the construction of the Wolfeborough railroad. In 1874 he was appointed superintendent of the Conway division of the Eastern railroad, and is now superintendent of the Northern Division of the Boston & Maine. The thriving village of Wolfboro Junction owes its existence to him. He laid out the wild land into lots, built the Sanborn House and other buildings, secured the erection of the railroad shops, and gave inducements to business men to locate there. All of this time of activity he was also carrying on farming and lumbering and giving employment to many men.

In 1874 and 1875 he was elected state senator, and in 1875 his abilities as a leader and executive officer were recognized in his election as president of the senate. He was eminently fitted for the onerous duties of this office, and won many friends by his graceful and dignified performance of them. He was a member of the constitutional conventions of 1876 and 1889, and was the Democratic candidate for member of congress in opposition to his kinsman, Hon. Joshua G. Hall, of Dover. Although receiving a gratifying vote, he was not elected, as the district was largely Republican. He has held other official stations: trustee of New Hampshire Insane Asylum, New Hampshire Agricultural College, Wolfeborough Savings Bank, director of the Portsmouth, Great Falls, and Conway railroad, of the Manchester and Lawrence railroad, and of the Wolfeborough railroad, a director of the Portsmouth Fire Association, and a director and the vice-president of the Granite State Fire Insurance Company. Originally a Whig and an ardent admirer of Daniel Webster, he became a Democrat on the dissolution of the Whig organization, and has ever been one of the leading spirits of his party; has been a member of its state committee for over thirty years, and of its state executive committee for about the same time, and has represented the party at all important conventions. He is popular with his townsmen, as is shown by his having been chosen moderator of the annual town-meeting of Wakefield nearly every year since 1860.

Mr. Sanborn married, February 22, 1849, Almira J., daughter of Thomas and Almira (Robinson) Chapman, of Wakefield. They had two children: Charles W., born December 19, 1849, who was graduated from Dartmouth, and died, in the commencement of a brilliant legal career, January 17, 1886, and Lillian, who married Herbert E. Rogers, and has one child, Herbert Sanborn Rogers. Mr. Sanborn is descended from John Hall, of Dover, 1650, deacon of the First Church, and is connected with Hon. J. G. Hall and Colonel Daniel Hall. He is Episcopalian in his religious affiliations, and contributes generously to the church of that faith and to other worthy objects.

Mr. Sanborn was fully equipped for success. In him a vigorous vitality inherited and cultivated, a mind of judicial cast, keenness, and fairness, and an indomitable will are united with a tireless industry, persistent energy, a rare knowledge of men, a uniform affability, strong common-sense, and that faithfulness to principles, duties, and associates that rounds out a noble character. At the same time he is positive and aggressive, and rarely fails to accomplish his object. Starting when a mere lad to conquer fortune, his success has been well won, and he is an acknowledged leader in the field of business enterprise, and in the management of financial and political affairs.

Contributed 2022 Jul 11 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Carroll County, New Hampshire by Georgia Drew Merrill, published in 1889, pages 521-524.