Call, Joseph L.

The following data is extracted from Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies.

Joseph L. Call, who was a leading resident of Franklin and dealt largely in cattle, was born in this town, August 31, 1840, son of Hazen H. and Mary (Thomas) Call. His father was a native of Franklin; and his mother was born in Sanbornton, N.H. His parents' family comprised eight children. An account of his ancestry and immediate relatives will be found on another page in the biography of Dana W. Call.

After attending the common schools for the usual period, Joseph, at the age of seventeen, began to work as a farm assistant in this locality. When twenty years old, he engaged in the cattle business, which was thereafter his chief occupation. He became one of the best known drovers in this part of the State. For many years he was an extensive buyer of cattle, sheep, and hogs, which he shipped to Brighton, Mass. He was unusually successful. Some years ago he settled at the homestead. He owned about four hundred acres of land, and at the time of his decease he was one of the largest general farmers in Franklin. In October, 1861, he married Ann G. Severance. She was born in Salisbury, N.H., December 25, 1841, daughter of Stillman and Martha (Lowell) Severance. Her parents resided in Salisbury until 1850, when they moved to Franklin and settled on a farm in the northern part of the town. Stillman Severance died in 1862, and his wife in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Call had two children, namely: Cora Belle, born in 1862, who is now the wife of Frank W. Foster, a prosperous farmer of Hill, N.H.; and Katherine L., born December 12, 1865, who is now the wife of Arthur B. Simonds, an employee of the needle factory in Hill. Mrs. Simonds is an accomplished singer and teacher, and has sung in different church choirs in Concord and Nashua. She and her husband reside with her parents. Mr. Hall died June 16, 1897.

Politically, Mr. Call always supported the Democratic party; but in 1896 he voted for McKinley and the gold standard. He rendered valuable service to the town as a Selectman for two years. The family are connected with the grange in Hill. Both Mr. and Mrs. Call attended the Christian church.

Source: Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies

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