This contains a transcription of the Daniel W. Tenney of Marlboro, NH biography from Biographical Review Volume XXIII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties, New Hampshire, Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1897.
Pages 25-26
DANIEL W. TENNEY, a retired business man of Marlboro and an ex-member of the legislature, was born in this town, September 12, 1834, son of Calvin and Tabitha (Baker) Tenney. The first of the family to settle in Marlboro was William Tenney (first), who came from Littleton, Mass., and was accompanied by his son, William Tenney (second). The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Proctor, and the family became permanently located here about the year 1775. William Tenney (second), Daniel W. Tenney’s grandfather, after buying lot No. 6 in the second range, for which he paid thirty pounds, converted it into a good farm. He died September 14, 1823, and his farm is now owned by Amos A. Mason.
Calvin Tenney, the father of Daniel W., was born in Marlboro, and became one of the stirring farmers of his day. In the days of stage-coaches, he kept a hotel for twenty-seven years, and then moved to the village, where he spent his last years in retirement. In his younger days he took an active part in political affairs, and held various town offices. His wife, Tabitha, belonged to a prominent family, whose ancestors were early settlers of New Hampshire. She reared five children; namely, Cosbie, Goodhue, George W., Henry C., and Daniel W. Goodhue and Henry C. are no longer living. Cosbie married Barton Blodgett, of Marlboro, and has three children. George W. is married, and resides in Westmoreland, N. H.
Daniel W. Tenney’s education, begun in the district schools, was completed in an academy. After entering business as a clerk, he was later associated with a partner in the dry-goods trade for about two years. At the end of that time he went to Greenfield, and was there employed by Potter & Richardson for a year. For the succeeding two years he was engaged in peddling fancy goods upon the road. Then, selling his outfit, he started in the manufacture of woodenware in Marlboro, a business which he followed for several years. He next formed a stock company, which manufactured blankets and other woollen goods for a number of years. After this he was associated with Clinton Collins for two years, and with Fred Adams for a considerable length of time. Finally he sold out his interest to Mr. Adams, and retired from active business pursuits. Mr. Tenney cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has since been an ardent supporter of the Republican party. As a member of the Board of Selectmen he ably assisted in the administration of the town’s business for a number of years, and during his two years as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives he carefully guarded the interested of this locality.
Mr. Tenney married Jane A. Tenney. His children were: Willie W., born January 18, 1864, who is married and resides in California; Jennie May, born May 8, 1865; and Daniel H., born November 15, 1868, who died March 14, 1888. He is a member of Hugh de Payens Masonic Commandery, Knights Templar, of Keene; and he is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men. Besides attending the Universalist church, he serves it as a member of the Governing Committee. Mr. Tenney has long occupied a prominent place among the representative men of Marlboro, and has always been ready with his aid and influence to forward measures calculated to be of benefit to the community. The family live in a handsome residence, which was erected by Mr. Tenney in 1894.
Daniel W. Tenney