USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Genealogical history of the town of Reading, Mass., including the present towns of Wakefield, Reading, and North Reading, with chronological and historical sketches, from 1639 to 1874 > Part 62
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110 00
Daland, George A.
20 00
Arrington, Geo. B.
Cardell, E. Lyman 75 00 Davis, John
10 00
Aborn, F. W.
Cheney, Chas. H. R. 60 00
Davis, C. Horton
10 00
* Allen, Richard W.
Chapman, Amos W. 55 00 *Danforth, A. H.
Blanchard, Abner J. 150 00
Currier, Samuel E. 50 00
*Day, Joseph L.
Brown, James, Jr. 100 00
Cowdrey, Waldo E.
50 00
*Dunn, William A.
Buck, Aaron D. 60 00
Clark, Asaph
25 00 Doe, Albert
Britton, Richard
55 00
Clark, Sylvanus
25 00 Davis, Talbert C.
Beach, Horace H.
55 00 Cash, William L.
25 00 Dennett, John F.
Blanchard, Abner N. 50 00
Cash, J. T.
25 00
Day, John
Brown, Charles B.
50 00 Carter, Charles, 2d
10 00 Emerson, John H. 50 00
10 00 Emerson, Čhas. S. 50 00
Burbank, B. B.
25 00 Colby, George
Eames, Joshua
50 00
Brierly, J., Jr.
25 00 Clements, Chas. E.
Burditt, M. B.
20 00 *Carey, George E.
Eaton, John Sullivan 50 00
Barker, H. F.
10 00 *Carter, George
Emerson, James E.
35 00
Burgess, Edwin B.
10 00 *Coon, William L.
Eaton, Levi B.
25 00
Bayrd, C. L.
10 00 *Carr, Thornton B.
25 00
Butler, William
5 00 Copp, John H.
Butterfield, E. A.
5 00 Dole, William
50 00
Burditt, Sylvester
3 00 Dole, John
50 00 Eager, John
10 00
Boardman, John T.
Degen, H. D. 50 00 Emerson, D. W.
10 00
Butler, Henry
Draper, James D. 50 00 *Emerson, Rufus H.
Butler, Aaron, Jr.
Dearborn, George E. 50 00
Emerson, Howard
Burrill, Alonzo P.
50 00 Churchill, L. O.
Bishop, James H.
50 00 Carey, Daniel
Emerson, Putnam
50 00
Boardman, Moses B. 25 00
Cox, Timothy
15 00 Emerson, James F. 150 00
10 00 Evans, Montello C. 55 00
Bliss, Charles R. 50 00 Carey, Gilman
Carter, Charles S.
20 00 *Draper, Rufus F.
Bancroft, Joseph W. 50 00 50 00 Chadwick, Joseph
50 00 *Danforth, N. F. Drake, Alvan, Jr.
Bicknell, Alfred 150 00
Currier, A. A.
Bailey, Isaiah W. 60 00 Coombs, A. B.
50 00
Bullen, George
Eaton, Henry L. 50 00 Eaton, Isaac F. 50 00
Eaton, Chester W. Eaton, Everett W. 25 00 Evans, George W. 25 00
OF THE TOWN OF READING.
655
Emerson, L. N.
Kidder, C. E.
$10 00 Oliver, David B. $10 00
Evans, William O.
*Knight, Albert M.
Oliver, Charles M. Oliver, John
Eaton, Henry
Kennedy, Patrick
Oliver, John G. Oliver, Ernest E.
Eaton, S. A.
*Knight, Jason H.
*Kingman, William W.
Philpot, Cyrus A. 75 00
Fields, H. G.
$25 00
Flint, Luther W. 25 00
Le Baron, Ziba 50 00
Peacock, Frank R. 60 00
Fifield, Charles A. 25 Leighton, Jacob 25 00
Parker, Samuel, Jr. 50 00
Flint, Silas W.
5 00
Lord, George
15 00
Phipps, J. W.
40 00
Fogg, Lewis
Leathers, Albert N. 10 00
Pratt, George 35 00
Farnsworth, C. P. *Foster, Albert A.
*Lucas, Edward *Lucas, James H.
Parker, James E.
25 00
Goodwin, Andrew 60 00
Lawrence, Henry
Putney, Samuel
Godfrey, Warren H. 50 00
Lowe, Joseph K.
Gilman, George K. 15 00 Leavitt, Freeman
60 00
Perkins, David 10 00
Grey, Israel 10 00
Martin, William
50 00
Pillings, Joseph 10 00
Griffin, Francis J.
5 00
Martin, Frederic Mansfield, Benjamin Merrill, Greeley
50 00 Phillips, Micah
5 00
Griffin, Woodbury
50 00 Pitman, Lawrence J.
Hartshorne, Jacob C. 75 00
Morton, Joseph Mayo, N. C.
50 00 Plummer, William J.
Hawkes, Albert 60 00
Mason, D. P.
50 00 Parker, Henry
Harrington, C. T.
55 00
Murkland, Robt. L.
30 00 Perkins, Zenas
Hutchinson, A. J.
55 00
McCarty, J. B.
25 00 Putney, George H.
Harrington, Wm. H. 50 co
Morton, J. R.
25 00 Parker, John Q. A.
Haskell, Daniel F. 50 00
Merrian, A. E.
20 00 Ripley, Thomas W.
50 00
Hartshorne, John W. 50 00 Moody, L. J.
15 00 Rayner, William E.
50 00
Hartshorne, H. G.
McMahan, Thomas
15 00 Rayner, James
50 00
Hartshorne, Jona. F. 50 00
McMasters, Samuel
10 00 Reed, John J.
50 00
Hutchinson, Oscar
50 00
Magner, William
10 00
Reagan, P. J.
30 00
Hawkes, L. B. 50 00 Maxim, Charles R.
10 00
Richardson, Warren 25 00
Hollis, John B. 50
Mayo, Samuel
5 00 Ryder, Verenas H.
25 00
Holt, F. J. 50 00
*Marshall, Cyrus E.
Ripley, A. N.
10 00
Hart, Henry J.
25 00
*Mckay, Joseph C.
Rayner, John
5 00
Hill, Hiram P. 25 00
*Mansfield, Edward G.
Ripley, Daniel S.
Hamblin, Wm. A. 25 00 *Morse, John S.
Rand, John
Hartshorne, Chas. F. 15 00
*McAllister, David
Russell, George W.
Hartshorne, W. H. 10 00
Martin, Harvey
Richardson, S. O., Jr.
Hopkins, E. G.
5 00
*Mayson, James
*Ransom, E. M.
Hawkes, Adam A.
*Marshall, Benjamin
Reed, Luther
*Heath, William S.
Mansfield, Eugene E.
*Hartshorne, Jere. W.
*Morrill, James M. *Moulton, Erastus
Stevens, John 100 00
Hoyt, Henry D.
Niles, Charles E. 50 00
Swain, S. O. 100 00
Hill, G. S.
Newhall, John S.
25 00
Stoddard, Wm. O.
60 00
*Hanglin, William -
Nickerson, S. H.
20 00
Sweetser, John E. 50 00
* Hart, John F. Harding, James
Nichols, James
10 00
Stowell, H. W. 25 00
*Hurd, Joseph L.
*Newhall, Elbridge
Spear, William 25 00
Hawkes, John
Nichols, George R.
Stearns, Charles H. 25 00
Jenkins, J. W. 50 00
*Nichols, George H.
Sweetser, E. Felton 25 00
Jameson, James
35 00
Nickerson, Franklin
Seaver, R. 20 00
Jones, A. N.
10 00 Newhall, David
Sawin, Lyman 10 00
Jordan, Charles
*Newınan, J. Frank
Strong, W. G. 10 00
Jameson, Edward
Oliver, B. W. 30 00
Sheldon, Isaac F. 10 00
Keene, Lorenzo D.
60 00
O'Leary, Richard
15 00 Stimpson, Geo. W. Jr. 10 00
Knight, H. C.
20 00 O'Niel, Michael
15 00 Spaulding, Frank
5 00
Eames, Daniel
Kirby, Thomas
Eaton, John B. Eustis, Joseph S.
Lewis, William W. 100 00 Locke, John W. 75 00
Pierce, James M. 60 00
Fairbanks, David S. 20
Lane, Loami C. 25
Patch, Charles
50 00
Porter, Elam 25 00
20 00 20 00 Pope, J. Holman Phillips, Joseph A. 10 00
Gammon, Orlando 15 00
Mansfield, A. A.
50 00 Parker, W. D. 5 00
Gould, Thomas
50 00 Plummer, William
Hart, Everett 75 00
50 00
Rimrey, Jonathan C. Riley, P.
Hewes, Edwin L.
*Hilbourn, Henry E.
Newhall, William J. 50 00
Savage, J. G. 60 00
Nichols, Everett
20 00 Stowell, Issachar, 3d 50 00
Packard, George 65 00
656
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
*Stoddard, Geo. W. Skinner, Benjamin D. Sweetser, Thomas *Spaulding, John W. Sweetser, Jewett B. *Smilie, John H. *Simons, Artemas Sharpe, Daniel W. Smith, Thomas
Thomas, G. W. $10 00| Williams, Leonard T. $5 00
Twisden, Thomas
10 00
*Tibbetts, Albert H.
Thompson, John F.
Twiss, A. J.
Tucker, John P.
Tarbox, Charles W.
*Tuttle, H. B.
Tuttle, Joseph
Seaver, George A.
Tibbetts, George E.
Trask, Charles
Simms, John *Sheafe, Joseph P. *Sawyer, Sylvester Smith, Frederic
Stowell, Elbridge W.
Varney, Charles
*Wiley, Baxter J. Wiley, Enos *Wiley, Ira, Jr.
Simons, John A.
Woodward, Jas. F.
75 00
Wiley, David
*Sweetser, James M.
Winship, John
65 00
Walton, James C. W.
Sweetser, E. Leroy
Wiggin, Samuel J.
60 00
Weldon, William
Toppan, Charles $200 00
Walton, E. H. 50 00
*Wiley, Elbridge A.
Tasker, Eben
100 00
Welch, Michael
25 00
Winship, Samuel
Trow, Charles 55 00
Woods, Albert C.
25 00
Walton, Oliver, 2d
Townsend, Warren 50 00
Wiley, James M.
25 00
Total,
$8,472 00
Taylor, Marcus C.
20 00
Williams, F.
10 00
Tyler, George L.
15 00 | Wiley, Warren
10 00
AMOUNT RECEIVED FROM CITIZENS NOT ENROLLED.
Allen, Daniel
$125 00| Greene, Thomas
$25 00 | Oliver, Daniel S.
$10 00
Atwell, John
35 00
Gardner, Samuel
20 00
Oliver, William
10 00
Beebe, Lucius
50 00
Greene, C. W.
10 00
Oliver, E. S.
3 00
Baker, F. M.
5 00 Gammon, Nelson
10 00 Parker, Samuel T.
10 00
Boswell, James O. 2 00
Gammon, H. W.
5 00 Richardson, S. O.
200 00
Coffin, N. R.
50 00
Hurd, F. P.
200 00
Raddin, R. H.
10 00
Cowdrey, Jonas
25 00
Hardy, George A. Hill, C. H.
5 00 Sweetser, A. G.
25 00
Crocker, L.
10 00
Kingman, Samuel
15 00
Sweetser, A. N.
15 00
Clifford, Curtis
5 00
Knight, Manasseh
50 00
Swift, S. B.
10 00
Dolliver, Horatio
15 00
Kimball, J. H.
10 00
Upham, E. S.
10 00
Dager, Haley F.
15 00
Knowles, H.
5 00 Walton, Daniel G.
75 00
Donnavan, Timothy
5 00
Lane, D. P.
20 00
Winship, Thomas
75 00
Emerson, Thomas
125 00
Loring, Thomas D.
10 00
Waite, R. P.
25 00
Evans, L. B.
50 00
Mansfield, Edward
100 00 Waite, W. B.
25 00
Eaton, Lilley
25 Mansfield, J. D.
25 00 Wheeler, P. C.
25 00
Folsom, Peter
125 00
Nash, Stephen G.
125 00
Wiley, Leonard
20 00
Fairbanks, Lewis
10 00 Newhall, William
12 00
Wheelock, D. B.
20 00
Ford, Edward
10 00 Newman, J. H.
10 00
Gould, Samuel
25 00
Norcross, Daniel
3 00
Total,
$2,077 00
Greene, Jeremiah
25 00
Nichols, Hero
2 00
50 00 Sweetser, P. H.
50 00
Coffin, A. H.
10 00
Walton, J. Dunn
50 Woodward, Thomas T.
Travis, Henry H. 25 00
Wright, J. W.
15 00
*Walton, Samuel L.
Upton, E. A. 25 00
Upton, E. P. 10 00
Walker, James
Sweetser, Oliver S.
Walker, Thomas B. 110 00
Tasker, Lyman H. 100 00
Unknown, 4 00
White, Cyrus N. 5 00 *Wiley, William H. Wiley, Joseph L. *Wiley, J. Barnard *Wheeler, Morris P. *Wright, Frank M. *Wilkins, E. L. Walker, Charles R. Whitney, Edward W. *Wright, Dexter C.
OF THE TOWN OF READING.
657
TREASURER'S REPORT.
CONTRIBUTORS TO THE RECRUITING FUND IN ACCOUNT WITH GEORGE W. CUTTER, Treasurer.
CR.
Amount received from Contributors -
$10,549 00
DR.
Amount paid 43 Recruits ($175.00) $7,525 00
Amount paid 6 Recruits ($200.00)
1,200 00
S. O. Richardson, Jr., aid in procuring Substitute for 3 years 200 00
James F. Emerson,
66
200 00
J. G. Aborn,
200 00
S. O. Swain,
200 00
T. B. Walker,
for I year
175 00
William H. Atwell,
175 00
Printing and Stationery
40 00
Uncurrent Money -
10 00
Amount deposited at State House for I representative Recruit 125 00
Balance on hand
499 00
RECAPITULATION.
Amount received from Enrolled Men -
$8,472 00
" Citizens not enrolled
2,077 00
$10,549 00
NAMES OF VOLUNTEERS
WHO ENLISTED TO FILL THE QUOTA OF SOUTH READING, UNDER THE CALL OF JULY 18, 1864.
Charles B. Williams.
Charles A. Fifield.
Henry Hunt.
John H. Emerson. W. C. Pasco. Patrick Kelley.
C. H. R. Cheney.
Daniel H. Wadlin.
L. C. Lane.
Joseph Morton.
Charles W. Adams.
W. F. Cowdrey. Caleb S. Wiley.
John W. Phipps. William Butler.
William A. Hamblin.
George L. Tyler. Warren H. Godfrey.
James H. Pierce. Allen M. Ripley. James Harnden.
John W. Lyons. Patrick Green.
Patrick Forbes.
John W. Madden.
Thomas Rowland.
Albert N. Leathers. John Hawkes. F. C. Williams. Andrew J. Dow. A. H. Danforth.
John F. Thompson. Andrew Goodwin. Henry D. Churchill.
Noah M. Eaton. George A. Seaver. George H. Jackson. George Hunt. Frederick W. Aborn.
Marcus M. Sherman.
Charles H. Davis.
Edward L. Wilkins.
Varenus H. Ryder. James D. Draper. D. C. Smith. Thomas Kirby.
83
1
O
O
0
William McQueeney. Nathaniel C. Mayo. John Davis.
$10,549 00
.
658
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
CHAPTER XV.
IN MEMORIAM.
" So shalt thou rest.
Vet not to thine eternal resting-place Shalt thou retire alone, - nor couldst thou wish Couch more magnificent. Thou shalt lie down With patriarchs of the infant world, - with kings, The powerful of the earth, - the wise, the good, - Fair forms, and hoary seers of ages past, All in one mighty sepulchre.
" As the long train
Of ages glide away, the sons of men - The youth in life's green spring, and he who goes In the full strength of years, matron and maid, And the sweet babe, and the gray-headed man - Shall, one by one, be gathered to thy side By those who in their turn shall follow them."
Bryant.
DR. NATHAN RICHARDSON,
Son of Nathan and Mary (Belknap) Richardson, was born in Brook- field (Worcester County), Mass., Nov. 16, 1781.
His early education was limited to the town school, which was usu- ally kept about seven months of the year, and during the remainder he assisted on his father's farm, which comprised many acres in extent. As a boy, he was very fond of books, and read everything that came in his way. His mother used to relate many anecdotes of his love of reading,-as, when sent to the post-office, several miles distant, he would buy a book with the money given him to purchase his dinner, and on his way home would let the horse stroll leisurely along at will, while he was absorbed in his newly acquired volume. His father, becoming exasperated at his over-fondness for reading, and the neglect of his labor on the farm, threatened to burn every book he possessed. This compelled him to conceal his books in the barn, and while pitching
E.W. Smith Sc
Nathan Richardson
659
OF THE TOWN OF READING.
down hay from a loft one day, his father was surprised at the sudden appearance of a shower of books.
This love of reading continued through life. Poetry seemed to pos- sess the most attraction. His memory of what he read enabled him to repeat the whole of Pope's "Essay on Man," Milton's "Paradise Lost," and the " Book of Job." Although never a disputant, yet he would not hesitate to measure weapons with any minister who chose to argue with him. His general information was extensive, and he had a large fund of humorous anecdotes in constant readiness.
In what year he commenced the study of medicine it is not recol- lected ; but he was a student of the famous Dr. Kittredge, in company with Dr. D. A. Grosvenor, who settled in Reading.
Nov. 28, 1805, when twenty-four years of age, he married Asenath Rice, of Brookfield, and went to North Reading, where he began the practice of a physician. That he possessed a peculiar aptitude for his calling was immediately apparent. He soon had the custom of that entire community, and also of the neighboring towns. While residing in North Reading, two sons were born, - Winslow and Solon Osmond. Winslow died at the age of eighteen, in South Reading; and Solon Osmond was educated as a physician, became eminent, and died Aug. 31, 1873.
After several years' residence in North Reading, Dr. Richardson removed to Reading, and occupied the house now owned by Mr. Apple- ton, on the road leading to Woburn. His wife died here Sept. 8, 1820. He then determined to remove to Cambridge, sold his place and prac- tice to Dr. John Hart, of South Reading, for the occupancy of his son, and pledged himself in the sum of two hundred dollars not to practise within ten miles of Reading; but on the eve of his departure from Reading, some of the prominent citizens of South Reading, headed by the late Burrage Yale, unwilling to have so excellent a physician leave their neighborhood, prevailed upon him to remove to South Reading, and sacrifice his bonds, offering him, as a special inducement, the large tract of land on a part of which his residence was built ; the estimated value of the land, at that time, being $1,500. He thereupon removed to South Reading, occupying what was known as the "old Prentiss House " while his own residence was building, which was subsequently . that of his son, and is now occupied by his grandson.
Perhaps some of the present inhabitants of Wakefield remember the occasion of the "raising" of the frame-work of the Doctor's house. It was a general holiday for the town ; every man, woman, and child participated, and gave a helping hand. Cider, lemonade, " Medford,"
662
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
1847, he has contributed almost weekly to the editorial columns of this paper, the last of which contributions appeared in our last issue over his well-known signature (TT), and which was simply a correction of an erroneous idea conveyed in a somewhat lengthy religious article of the preceding week. This correction was written on Tuesday, three days previous to his death, in a clear and steady hand, and was probably the last paragraph ever penned by him. From that time he continued to grow weaker, and on Friday afternoon he sank into an easy slumber, from which he never awoke.
" In the death of Mr Prentiss, Keene loses one of the citizens who connected her present history to her past, and whose name was a by- word for merit and deserved fame. He came to this town in March, 1799, at the age of twenty-one, and established the 'Sentinel,' under many embarrassments, and with a list of subscribers numbering only seventy. His first printing-office (as we learn from the ‘Prentiss Family Genealogy ') was in a low building standing where S. W. Hale's house now stands, and for some time afterwards in the new building south of Dr. Edwards' tavern. Subsequently (in 1825) he erected a fine block on the west side of the square, where he, in connection with his son, John W., carried on the printing, publishing, and book busi- ness up to 1847, when he retired. In 1808 he built his homestead and planted the fine elms in front, and has since enjoyed under their shade a sufficiency of this world's goods, acquired by his own industry and exertions. During his half century of active business life, he held various offices of trust, having been town clerk, town treasurer, repre- sentative in the legislature, and a member of the Senate. He was also for many years president of the New Hampshire Historical Society, and during his whole life was prominently identified with religious and
educational matters. After retiring from business in 1847, at which time he was one of the oldest editors in the United States, he presented to each of the fourteen school districts of this town a set of the Massa- chusetts School Library of thirty-eight volumes ; and his love for and interest in the schools never abated. In 1850 he travelled over Great Britain and the European continent, attending the peace convention at Frankfort-on-the-Main, as delegate from New Hampshire. His inter- esting letters from abroad were published in the 'Sentinel,' attracting much attention and interest. For sixty-seven years he was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Master Mason in 1806, Royal Arch Mason in 1813, and a Knight Templar in 1867.
" The influence for good which Mr. Prentiss exercised upon the com- munity in which he so long and prominently figured, cannot be over
American B Mp Ou Boston
Emerson This Emerson
663
OF THE TOWN OF READING.
estimated. Strictly temperate in all things, cheerful, kind, and benevo- lent, with a disposition to encourage and aid every individual, local, and general enterprise, he was ever a leading and popular citizen. He was the fearless champion of every good cause, and unqualifiedly denounced wrong and oppression wherever they existed. He was firm and outspoken on all questions of public policy, and at the same time treated with deference the opinions of those who opposed him.
"Mr. Prentiss survived all the members of his family except his daughters Corinna (wife of Judge Hopkinson of Lowell, deceased), and Pamela (wife of Judge French of Concord, Mass.). His son's widow, Mrs. John W. Prentiss, has had the superintendence of his home since the death of her husband in 1863, and has ministered to his wants and necessities with untiring devotion. He was surrounded with every comfort which wealth and filial affection could bestow, and his life closed peacefully, and without a groan."
HON. THOMAS EMERSON.
Among the worthy sons of Wakefield who have recently died, none received a larger measure of respect than the honored citizen whose name is given above. Descended from a Puritan ancestry, among whom were clergymen, patriots of the Revolution and of former wars, and leading men of this and other towns, he illustrated in his own life and character the principles for which the founders of New England are justly famed. He was born Oct. 2, 1785, and died Nov. 29, 1871, reaching the advanced age of 86 years.
Obliged from very early years to work at the bench or on the farm, and enjoying but the most limited means for gaining knowledge, he showed the native force of his mind by rising above all the difficulties of his lot, and taking a leading part in the affairs of the town. He was advanced to almost every office in the gift of his fellow-townsmen, and always discharged his duties with exact punctuality, sound wisdom, and inflexible integrity.
He was chosen to represent the town in the Legislature eight years, and filled the office of Senator two years. He was prominent in the formation of the South Reading M. & A. Institution in 1833, was made its first vice-president, and for many years was its president. In 1844, at the organization of the bank, he was elected its president, which position he held until his death. One associated with him for
-
664
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
many years, once said of him, " In financial matters he was long con- sidered an oracle, a safe counsellor and adviser."
In the year 1810, he formed a partnership, with Ebenezer Nelson, for the manufacture of shoes, which continued with a fair measure of success, till Mr. N., thinking it his duty to become a preacher, it was amicably dissolved. Mr. Emerson took the business and increased it from year to year till it more than equalled that of all the other manu- facturers in town. To him was given the main credit of inaugurating a system of cash payments to workmen, in place of barter, as was the early system. By the frequent introduction of improved machinery and methods, he was able to furnish profitable occupation to large numbers of people.
His personal traits of character were such as to gain for him the respect and affection of all who knew him. Affable, sympathetic, and kind to the poor, he had numerous friends in all ranks of society. He was a liberal contributor to many philanthropic and missionary enter- prises. He was youthful in his feelings, even in his old age, and many a young man derived from him not only the help of kind words, but the more effective assistance of generous deeds. He retained his energies to the last year of his life, and with a clear mind and an elas- tic step attended to his daily duties at the bank. He was a trusted and leading member of the Congregational Church, and fulfilled his duties in that relation with great zeal and discretion. An extract from the records of that body, showing the esteem in which he was held by his Christian brethren, may properly be inserted here. It was made soon after his death, and is as follows : -
" Few members of this church have ever filled a larger measure of usefulness. Successful in business, he employed his wealth for pur- poses that reflected the highest honor upon his judgment and his heart. Honored by his fellow-townsmen with official position and duties, he guarded with entire faithfulness every public interest. Intrusted dur- ing many years with the management of important financial matters, he always merited and received the most thorough confidence of all men. As a member of this church he was faithful, earnest, liberal, and devout. Scrupulously exact in the discharge of every duty, strongly attached to the house of God and to its worship, a constant teacher in the Sabbath school, attentive to the truth, and keenly alive to those portions of it which relate to personal piety, he was a Christian whose sincerity was never doubted, and whose example was a source of perpetual instruction."
Mr. Emerson was married in early life to Miss Betsey Hartshorn, who survived him less than two years, departing this life Sept. 26, 1873.
665
OF THE TOWN OF READING.
HON. LILLEY EATON.
An honorable and useful life is a precious legacy. Such a life was that of Mr. Eaton. He was born Jan. 13, 1802, and at his death had completed his seventieth year. His ancestors were among the early settlers of this town, and during successive generations were distin- guished for many public and private virtues. In early manhood Mr. Eaton showed a remarkable aptitude for public business, and during a long series of years the confidence of the people in his capacity and integrity was manifested by intrusting to him almost every public office. He was selectman twenty-five years, and a member of the school board nearly as long, and generally chairman in each. He was town clerk twenty years, representative seven years, senator two years, justice of the peace thirty-eight years, and a member of the Constitu- tional Convention in 1853. He is, said to have shaped, to a great extent, the policy and action of the town upon almost all subjects, during a long period of time. The practical wisdom which he brought to the solution of public questions gave great weight to his counsels, and often an opinion from him was sufficient to decide any matter. Thoroughly conversant with the laws, in their application to the various interests of business and to town affairs, and also with the opinions and spirit of the people, he was able to suggest the best measures for their consideration and decision. There was nothing dictatorial in his nature. He always appealed to the judgment of the people, and advo- cated nothing for which he could not give sound reasons. Progressive in his spirit, he was a friend of all improvements. He introduced system in the mode of conducting town business, and officers of other towns adopted some of the features which he devised. He was deeply interested in the schools, and it was mainly to his suggestions, ably seconded and carried out by his associates, that the town is indebted for the admirable system upon which its schools have for many years been conducted.
His well-known integrity and ability gave him great influence in private affairs. Those who were in trouble, the poor and the destitute, found in him a safe counsellor and friend. The settlement of estates, the investment of money, and the temporary control of funds, were often intrusted to him, and never did any one have reason to say that he ever failed to manage the business committed to him in the most upright and honorable manner. He had much to do with financial affairs. In conjunction with Mr. Thomas Emerson, he was mainly 84
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