(The publication date of the following biography is unknown.)
Elias Pike of Goshen, an ex-member of the New Hampshire Legislature and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in this town, October 12, 1838, son of Wilson S. and Julia Gil(martin) Pike. His grandfather, Jarvis Pike, who resided in Newport NH, was a prosperous farmer.
Wilson S. Pike, who was reared to farm life in Newport, removed when about twenty-one years old to Goshen, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for the greater part of his active period, and died in September 1866. The maiden name of his first wife was Harriet Currier. Her five children by him were Mary, now widow of Ezekiel Bates, late of Cohasset; Mae Mohala, the widow of James Homer, who was formerly in the livery business in Boston; Lodema, the wife of William Morgan, a retired jeweler of Providence RI; Julia, who died in 1849; and Cyrus F. who died at age of twenty two years. Wilson S. Pike’s second marriage was contracted with Julia G. Martin of Alexandria NH who became the mother of eight children. These were Elias W., the subject of this sketch: William Henry, Martha, Ezra G., Harriet and James Homer who are deceased; Ruth G., the wife of Eben Purington, a prosperous farmer and a Selectman of Goshen; and Ezra G. (second) who married Emma L. Purington and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in this town. Mrs. Wilson S. Pike is still living and resides in Goshen.
Elias Pike was educated in the district schools and at the New London Academy. He was engaged in farming until October 15, 1862, when he joined Company F, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hampshire volunteers, under Colonel James Pike and Captain James Woods. He served in the Department of the Gulf upon the lower Mississippi during the war, and contracted a severe illness that necessitated his discharge on August 20, 1863. After his return home he settled upon a farm located in the western part of this town, and was there engaged in farming until November 20, 1894, when he purchased his present farm at Mill Village.
On this property, which contains one hundred and twenty acres of land, he carries on general farming and dairying, raising considerable poultry. He makes a specialty in dealing with cattle. In politics he supports the Republican Party. His record in the public service is one of which he has every reason to be proud. For eight years he was a member of the Board of Selectmen, and he was its chairman for four years of that time. He has also served as town treasurer, collector of taxes, and member of the school board; and he was Postmaster for some time and Census Enumerator in 1880 and 1890. As a member of the House of Representatives in 1887 and 1888 he made himself conspicuous by his able committee work and the zeal with which he labored for the best interests of the state. On July 3, 1859 Mr. Pike wedded Mary F. Purington. She was born in Goshen, February 6, 1843, daughter of Imri and Mary (Lear) Purington, natives respectively of Henniker NH and Goshen. Imri Purington settled on a farm in Goshen, where he resided until his death, which occurred about the year 1891. Mrs. Pike’s mother died within the same year. They were the parents of four children, namely: Mary F. now Mrs. Pike; B. Jennie, the wife of E.H.Carr, a livery man of Newport NH; Eugene I., who married Luella J. Gregg, and resides in this town; and Emma L., Eugene’s twin sister, who married Ezra G. Pike of Goshen.
Mr. and Mrs. Pike have had eight children: Dora M., Etta F., Fred W., Sherman L., Jennie L., Hatch C., Harry E., and Josephine F. Dora M. is the wife of W. O. Sides, 2nd, a letter carrier in Portsmouth NH; Etta F. married Frank W. Baker, of Goshen, and died April 15, 1881, leaving one son Fred W., Fred W. Pike, who is a prosperous farmer of this town, wedded Mary J. Oakes of Vermont, and has one son Howard E., born July 21, 1893.
Sherman L., who is operating a grist mill in Newport NH married Bertha J. Russell, of Goshen, and has two children — Bernard T. and Gladys E. Jennie L. is the wife of Ernest H. Hurd, of Lynn, Mass. and has one son. Harry E. Pike and Hatch were twins.
The former is a shoemaker in Portsmouth NH. Hatch C. and Josephine B. is residing at home. Mr. Pike Sr. is Master of Pomona Grange of Sullivan County, and is connected with Sunapee Mountain Grange No. 144, of Mill Village. He takes a loyal interest in the general welfare of the community. Both he and Mrs. Pike are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
