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NOBLE. NOBLE. 441 found time to travel extensively, having visited in the last few years many of the European countries, the West Indies, the Bahama Islands and California. NOBLE, JOHN, son of Mark and Mary C. (Copp) Noble, was born in Dover, Straf- ford county, N. H., April 14, 1829. He received his early educational train- ing at home and in the private and public schools of his native place ; attended Roch- ester Academy, N. H., one year (1842) ; Phillips Academy, Exeter, two years (1844- 46) and, fitting for college, entered Har- vard, and was graduated in the class of 1850. He was usher and sub-master in the Boston Latin school, 1850 to '56 ; entered Harvard law school the latter year, and was graduated LL. B., 1858 ; practiced law in Boston till 1875; was appointed clerk of the supreme judicial court, by the court, August 31, 1875, for the remainder of the unexpired term; was re-elected November, 1876, and each term thereafter until the present time. Mr. Noble was married in Deerfield, June n, 1873, to Katharine Williams, daughter of William and Catherine (Williams) Shel- don. Of this union are two children : John and Isabel Helen Noble. His residence is Boston. NOBLE, REUBEN, son of Charles and Sophia (Fowler) Noble, was born in West- field, Hampden county, October 26, 1820. Mr. Noble is a lineal descendant in the sixth generation of Thomas Noble, born in [632, in England, and who died in West- field, January 20, 1 704. Thomas Noble was one of the early settlers of Springfield, from which place lie removed to Westfield. His early educational training was re- ceived in the public schools, and Westfield Academy. Leaving school at nineteen years of age, he engaged in teaching a portion of the time for two years, and at twenty-one began his commercial career as traveling salesman for a whip manufac- turing company. He afterwards was en- gaged for two years in Ohio, as salesman in a dry-goods house. He then returned to Westfield and became a partner with his brother — firm name J. & R. Noble, manufacturers of whips and cigars. These relations continued until the organization of the American Whip Company in 1855. In 1856 he became treasurer of this com- pany and held the position until 1885, with the exception of one year. He was for years a director and a large owner in the company, and has been largely instru- mental in its growth and prosperity. Mr. Noble was married in Pittsfield, March 29, 1854, to Eliza C, daughter of Asa and Betsey (Rice) Foote, a lady who still lives to adorn and bless his later years. They have no children. Mr. Noble has been a member of the Westfield school board ; was chairman of the board of water commissioners, est- field, from its organization in 1874 until 1887. Under his skillful management were constructed what are claimed to be the best water-works in the Common- wealth, noted for the purity of the water, and for the high pressure, making each fire hydrant equal to or better than, any fire steamer. He has been a director of the Hampden National Bank of Westfield since its organization; elected president and held the position from January, 1882, to June, 1886, when he resigned upon assuming the duties of postmaster. He is vice-president REUBEN NOBLE of the Woronoco Savings Bank, Westfield; was a member of the state Senate in 1872, serving on the committee on harbors and public lands. During the year 1S71 he with his wife traveled through Europe and the East. He was appointed to the state board of health by Governor Benjamin F. Butler, but resigned two years previous to the expiration of his term of office. He was