Ceylon Spinney

• General Notes
  • Excerpt from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Illl., 1915:
    
    Ceylon Spinney, sheriff of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, and one of the county's most prominent citizens, was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, June 6, 1867, being one of three children of Daniel H. and Ruth Hall Spinney. The father, a native of Portsmouth also, followed the vocation of a wood dealer until he retired from active business life. His death occurred August 13, 1884. The mother of our subject is spending her declining years with her son in comfort and ease.
    Ceylon Spinney obtained his elementary education in the public schools of his native town and graduated from the high school in the class of 1884. Immediately thereafter, being ambitious, he gave his services, in the capacity of clerk, to the Boston & Maine Railroad, remaining thus occupied for two years. He next located on the farm, where he continued until 1901, having been elected in 1900 as county commissioner and qualifying for the same in 1901. He remained in that office for four terms and until he was elected sheriff of Rockingham County in 1908, qualifying for the office in 1909. He was re-elected sheriff of Rockingham County in 1911 and again in 1913.
    Sheriff Spinney belongs to the Red Men, Lodge No. 16; also to the B. P. 0. Elks, the St. John's Lodge of Masons, the Royal Arch Chapter, De Witt Clinton Commandery, and Davenport Council No. 5. Politically he is a staunch Republican and takes an active part in the politics of Rockingham County. He has under his supervision thirteen deputies, they being scattered over the county. He is also interested extensively with his partner, W. L. Conlon, in the insurance business.