Rand, John S.

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

John S. Rand, a leading business man of Pittsfield, Merrimack County, and a member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born in Barnstead, N.H., September 14, 1855, son of Hiram and Harriet N. (Hoyt) Rand. His great-grandfather, Samuel Rand, was a native of Barnstead, and a farmer and a mechanic by occupation. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Hill. Of his four children Moses H., grandfather of John S., was the oldest. Moses H. Rand was brought up to farming, which occupation he followed in Barnstead during his active period In politics he acted with the Democratic party, and in his religious belief he was a Free Will Baptist. He lived to reach the age of over eighty years. He married Ann Bunker, a native of Barnstead; and her death occurred at about the same age as that of her husband. She reared four children, three of whom are living: Dr. Joseph B.; Hiram; and Mary, who married Isaac A. Fletcher, of Lowell, Mass. The latter's only daughter, Anna D., married George Rogers, of that city, and has five children.

Hiram Rand, John S. Rand's father, grew to manhood in Barnstead, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits from an early age. At the present time he owns a farm containing fifteen acres of fertile land, which he cultivates successfully. His wife, who was before marriage Harriet N. Hoyt, a daughter of Benjamin Hoyt, of Barnstead, has had two children, of whom John S., the subject of this sketch, is the only one living. Hiram Rand is a Republican in politics, and, though not an office-seeker, he takes an active interest in local affairs and the cause of good government. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church, of which he is a Deacon. He is also superintendent of the Sunday-school.

John S. Rand was educated at the Pittsfield Academy. He taught schools in Pittsfield and Alton, N.H., and on Deer Island, Boston Harbor, being thus engaged for about two years. He was also connected with a shoe manufactory in Boston for a time. Since 1884 he has conducted a flourishing dry-goods business in Pittsfield. His progressive and enterprising nature has led him into various fields of business activity, and he is now President of the Pittsfield Shoe Company and a Director of the Farmers' Savings Bank.

On November 30, 1879, Mr. Rand was united in marriage with Miss Hattie M. Foote, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Eastman) Foote, of this town.

As an active supporter of the Republican party Mr. Rand has long been a prominent factor in the political affairs of Pittsfield, and he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1896. He is connected with Suncook Lodge, No. 10, I. O. O. F. His religious affiliations are with the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Rand is a member; and he was formerly superintendent of the Sunday-school

Source: Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies

  Go Back