International Exhibition at London, and was then made one of the jurors.
The favorable exhibit made by the textile fabrics of Manchester was in
no small degree owing to the care with which he looked after their
disposal. His appointment gave him unusual facilities for study and
observation in the highest circles of London and England, and he was
also accredited from the various associated bodies with which he was
connected at home to the Royal Agricultural Society. Upon these and
kindred topics he wrote some interesting letters, which were published
in the _N. H. Journal of Agriculture_. He also took a trip on the
Continent, accompanied by C. L. Flint, Esq., secretary of the
Massachusetts board of agriculture. The gathering proportions of the war
at home, however, led him to cut short his travels, and he arrived at
New York, via London, in September. He now gave his time to the care of
the banks, encouraging subscriptions to the national loans, and taking
active part in measures calculated to strengthen faith in the
administration.
In May, 1863, a fair was held in Smyth's Hall in aid of the sanitary
commission, at which nearly four thousand dollars were raised. Mr. Smyth
gave the use of the hall and his personal efforts as chairman of the
committee, sparing no pains to make the occasion successful; and his
enthusiasm and zeal stimulated that of others. After the battle of
Gettysburg and of the Wilderness, he went to the front and gave
efficient aid in caring for the sick and wounded. One result of exposure
to the burning sun and malaria of the battle-field was the first serious
illness of his life. In that same year, when the importance of good
municipal government was felt to be superior to partisan considerations,
at the solicitation of men prominent in both parties, Mr. Smyth allowed
his name to be used as a candidate for mayor the fourth time. He was
elected practically without opposition, and his election had the desired
effect, to give confidence to all classes and stability to the financial
standing of the city.
It has been noticed that he was thought of before this as a possible
candidate for governor, and the feeling had so strengthened that in 1865
he was nominated for that office, his chief competitor in the convention
being the late Hon. Onslow Stearns. The nomination proved a very popular
one, and after an active canvass he was elected by a majority of over
six thousand, the highest given to any man for twenty-four years. Such
support was very gratifying to the governor-elect; but, nevertheless, he
felt that he had undertaken no light task. The state debt, which
heretofore in times of peace seldom exceeded a few thousands, had now
arisen to millions. Moreover, loans must be made in competition with
other states and with the general government. State bonds were hard to
sell at any price, and all the time expenditures were going on. In less
than three months from Governor Smyth's inaugural message he had raised,
by personal solicitation, largely from banks at Manchester, over one
million of dollars, and the credit of the state, strained but not
impaired by its patriotic efforts, was firmly re-established. Much time
in this year was occupied in the reception and discharge of returning
soldiers, and from June until Christmas day, when the last regiment was
mustered out, the state echoed to the tread of the home-coming veterans.
Governor Smyth's correspondence at this time reveals great care taken
for the needs of the men, for inmates of military hospitals, or for
companies unnecessarily detained in camp. In this busy period he found
time to make brief practical speeches at Portsmouth, Milford, and
various other places, each of them calculated to draw attention to the
resources and credit of New Hampshire, and to foster a healthy
confidence in our ability to overcome every difficulty. He also
delivered in Concord the annual address before the New England
Agricultural Society, the late Govs. Andrew of Massachusetts and
Buckingham of Connecticut, with other N. E. governors, being present,
and highly commending the address. This year Governor Smyth was made one
of the corporators of the national asylums for disabled soldiers, and
served on the committee whose duty it was to arrange the working
details, with Gen. Grant, Admiral Farragut, Gen. Butler, Surg.-Gen.
Barnes, Hon. H. J. Raymond, ex-Gov. Todd, and Admiral Davis.
In 1866 he was unanimously nominated for re-election as governor, and,
as before, chosen by a handsome majority. Some events of the second year
are of much interest. The appointment of Dr. Bouton as state historian,
resulting in the preservation and publication of the Provincial Records,
was a peculiarly fitting act; laws in regard to the river fisheries were
carried into effect; and initial steps taken toward the foundation of
the Agricultural College, of which Gov. Smyth is at this date a trustee
and the treasurer. The financial and executive report of the two years'
work is very concisely given in the valedictory address of June 6, 1867.
On two occasions the governor spoke briefly at the annual dinner of the
sons of New England, at Delmonico's in New York, and was very warmly
received. Some of the most influential and respectable papers of the
state advocated his nomination for a third term; he, however, definitely
declined the honor in a letter to the _Statesman_. He was a delegate at
large to the Republican national convention which renominated Gen.
Grant, and was also a member of the last constitutional convention of
New Hampshire. In 1866 he was chosen, by vote of congress, one of the
managers of the military asylums for six years, other members of the
board being Hon. R. J. Oglesby of Illinois, Gen. B. F. Butler, Hon. L.
B. Gunekel of Ohio, Jay Cooke of Philadelphia, and Gen. Martindale of
New York, with the President, Secretary of War, and Chief-Justice, _ex
officiis_, any one of whom had authority to admit to the Homes on
application being made in due form. The proper discharge of these duties
involved a vast amount of correspondence, much travel, and constant
care. Gov. Smyth was re-elected for a second six years' term in 1872,
and was vice-president of the board. In 1878, the house being
Democratic and the senate nearly a tie, Gen. Shields was proposed as his
successor, but failed of an election. Two years later, however, the
Democracy were able to unite on a successor.
Since the close of his term as governor, he has delivered addresses on
several occasions,--one before the Vermont State Agricultural Society,
another at the dedication of a soldiers' monument at Washington, N. H.,
and, later, the "Oration to the Unknown Dead," delivered on "Decoration
Day" before Louis Bell Post No. 3, G. A. R., in 1880; and in 1881, an
address on a similar occasion, at Rochester, N. H.
In 1878 he was appointed, by President Hayes, honorary commissioner to
the International Exposition at Paris. Accompanied by Mrs. Smyth, he
left New York, April 24, in the steamer Russia, for Liverpool. Visiting
London and some English cities by the way, they reached Paris at the
grand opening. Soon after they left Marseilles for Alexandria, Egypt,
and from thence made a tour of the Holy Land, _via_ Cairo, Ismailia, and
the Suez canal, afterward journeying to the Levant, stopping at
Constantinople, Smyrna, Athens, and other points of interest. They were
received with uniform courtesy and attention by officials at the U. S.
legations, and particularly spoke of the interest manifested in their
welfare by Ministers Noyes at Paris, Maynard in Constantinople, Reed at
Athens, Consul-General Fairman at Cairo. Nearly everywhere they seem to
have found friends to smooth the roughness of the traveler's path; and
on their return to Paris, which they did by way of Rome, Switzerland,
and most of the continental cities, it was regarded as an exceptional
piece of good fortune to be present at the memorial celebration in honor
of M. Thiers. Ex.-Gov. Smyth was there also received as a member of the
Stanley club. While thus absent, he wrote a series of interesting
letters, which were published in the _Mirror and American_, and read
with pleasure by a large circle of acquaintances. Since returning from
the East he and Mrs. Smyth have made an extended trip into Mexico,
touching at Cuba by the way. Their experience in that land of the sun
appears to have been equally pleasant with that in other places.
The ex-governor, frequently if not always accompanied by his wife, has
visited almost every nook and corner of our own land except, possibly,
Alaska, and is therefore well qualified to make comparisons. This long
and varied experience in affairs, in acquaintance with men, and in
travel, has made him a very interesting man in conversation whenever he
chooses to indulge in the reminiscences of a not distant past. His house
abounds in tokens of travel, curious and rare bits from many lands, and
he has entertained there, from time to time, many distinguished guests.
Before local associations and to personal friends he has given some
familiar and delightful talks on what he has seen in these vacations of
a busy life. He also pays the penalty of success in other ways, which,
if flattering, are not always agreeable. His advice is daily sought, not
only, as is natural, in financial and political matters, but on matters
more remote from his habits of thought. But, whatever it may be, he
gives cheerfully, and no man more readily lends a hand to those who are
trying to help themselves.
Offices of trust also flock to one who has proved himself capable of
taking good care of his own affairs, and among appointments which he
holds at this date, not before named, are: 'director of the Concord,
Suncook Valley, and Boston & Acton railroads; director and treasurer of
the Manchester Horse-Railroad; vice-president of the New England
Agricultural Society; president and director of the Northern Telegraph
Company; treasurer of the Elliot hospital; cashier and manager of the
First National Bank of Manchester; trustee and treasurer of the
Merrimack River Savings Bank: vice-president of the American Pomological
Society. In 1866 the faculty of Dartmouth College conferred on him the
degree of A. B.
CHARLES ELLIOTT TILTON.
Charles Elliott Tilton, son of Hon. Samuel Tilton, was born in
Sanbornton, September 14, 1827, and in that part set off and
incorporated as the town of Tilton. He received his early education in
the common schools, and at the age of fifteen was put under the
instruction of Prof. Dyer H. Sanborn of Sanbornton Academy. Later he was
admitted into the Norwich University (a military school), where he
remained three years.
When war was declared with Mexico, Gen. Ransom, the president of the
university, was commissioned to raise a regiment, and induced nearly
every student to enlist, offering young Tilton the command of a company,
which honor, through the influence of his father, was declined. About
this date he left home, going to New York, where he remained with his
brother a short time.
He then sailed for the West Indies and South America in pursuit of a
fortune. At this point a business career was inaugurated which for
thirty years called for untiring labor. He visited all the islands,
prospected the Orinoco and Amazon rivers to their head waters, went
overland to Caracas and La Guayra, thence to Maracaybo, St. Martha,
Carthagena, and Chagres. Here he heard of gold discoveries in
California, and proceeded at once to San Francisco _via_ Panama. A hasty
survey of the outlook satisfied him that "merchandising" rather than
digging for gold afforded better chances for success, and on this
foundation determined to build his fortune. In 1850 he went to Oregon,
and in the succeeding year formed a copartnership with W. S. Ladd. Esq.,
for general mercantile pursuits, which continued until 1859. That his
operations were diversified and on a large scale, the public prints of
that era are ample evidence. He was interested in establishing a line of
vessels to run between Oregon and China, one of which, the "C. E.
Tilton," had made the quickest passage from New York to Oregon on record
to the present time. She was subsequently sold to the Japanese
government and by them converted into a man of war, and was finally sunk
in an encounter with the U. S. ship "Powhattan." In 1859 the
banking-house of Ladd & Tilton, Portland, was organized, so favorably
known and generally advertised during the settlement of the presidential
vote of that state in 1876. He remained a partner in this institution
twenty-one years, retiring in 1880.
In all this period Mr. Tilton was interested in many other enterprises
on the Pacific coast and frontier. Among these may be mentioned the
navigation of the Columbia and Willamette rivers. He was one of five who
controlled what has developed into the Oregon Railway & Navigation
Company, with a capital of $24,000,000. He had an interest in the
banking firm of Ladd & Bush, Salem, in the First National Bank of
Portland, and First National Bank of Walla Walla, W. T. At the same time
he was largely engaged in transportation across the plains. He fully
understood the requirements for merchandise in Utah, Montana, Wyoming,
and Colorado. He furnished and dispatched large trains from San
Bernardino, Cal., to Utah, and from St. Joseph, Mo., to Colorado, and
from there to Montana, giving his personal attention to them all. This
was no pastime twenty years ago. A country largely held by hostile
Indians had to be traversed, and few trains reached their destination
unmolested. Desperate encounters frequently occurred, resulting in more
or less loss to life and property, and once ending in the capture of an
entire train by the "Red Devils." Other obstacles had to be met,
incident to such undertakings, like storms, swollen rivers, and
break-downs, which would have seemed insuperable to any one of less
force of character. Realizing what the great West might be, he purchased
land in all the territories, which investments have proved advantageous.
He engaged in many other transactions which his keen perceptions led him
to believe would be remunerative, so that, in fact, there were but few
enterprises of importance connected with the growth and development of
the Pacific slope, whether pertaining to its finance, internal
improvements, or its foreign and domestic commerce, in which the cool
and sagacious subject of this sketch was not a participator.
[Illustration: C. W. Tilton.]
To organize and direct successfully such varied and extended operations,
outlined here only in part, required a mind strong in perception and
purpose. A union of these qualities, with that adventurous spirit which
led the youth of eighteen to the sources of the Orinoco and the pampas
of the Amazon in pursuit of wealth, constituted a mental alliance which
could well measure the possibilities of a new country and avail himself
of their fulfillment.
In all this time Mr. Tilton enjoyed excellent health and immunity from
serious accident. After living amidst the steaming malaria of tropical
lagoons, sleeping by the side of his mustang on the plains, blockaded by
the storms of the Sierras, assailed by the hostile Apaches, he returns
to his native hills unscathed, with a sound constitution and the early
purpose of his will fully accomplished.
Mr. Tilton's munificence has manifested itself most liberally to his
townsmen within two years. In that time he has erected and conveyed to
them a town hall finished in an elegant and substantial manner. It
contains a market and town office, a store and post-office, all
commodiously arranged, no expense being spared which would add to
convenience. They return to the treasury a handsome rental. The hall
proper is easily approached, is finished in hard wood, as is all the
interior of the building. It is artistically frescoed in water-colors
and gilt, lighted with gas, has a stage fitted with drop-curtains,
changes of scenery, a beautiful proscenium, proper furniture, a Steinway
piano, all after the most approved styles. The building, with its
appointments, is the admiration of visitors and the pride of
towns-people. He has placed an iron bridge, the present season, from
Main street to Island Park, costing over eighteen hundred dollars. The
public are allowed at all times to use and occupy this delightful
resort. Its airy summerhouse, built after an European model, surrounded
by works of art, is unmatched in loveliness. For remodeling one of the
village churches he contributed more than three thousand dollars; and
donated five hundred towards an iron bridge between Tilton and
Northfield, which act results in two by the towns named. He expended a
large sum in the purchase of land and improving it for a public park
near by the village, and, including the gift of the fine town hall,
January 4, 1881, must have appropriated forty thousand dollars for the
pleasure and benefit of his townsmen. During this period he has paid
thousands of dollars for improvements on his own premises, giving
employment to a large force of laborers and mechanics.
Mr. Tilton's elegant and spacious residence is situated on an eminence
commanding a magnificent prospect, and overlooks the village that bears
his name. When built, a few years since, it was deemed one of the best
in central New Hampshire. In the last two years it has been materially
improved, while large additions have been constructed, consisting of an
extensive conservatory and aviary on the one side of the main building,
and a spacious drawing-room on the other; it is unequaled in its
appointments, perhaps, in New England. It is twenty-eight feet by
thirty-eight feet in area, and twenty-two feet in height. Seven thousand
five hundred feet of mahogany were used to complete it. To the height of
four feet the most elaborate work in wainscoting is produced, while
pilasters in the same wood, ornate in their design, extend from the
floor on either side and meet in the ceiling above. This arrangement in
finish running at right angles leaves the walls and surface overhead
checked into panels, either square or oblong, each of which is filled
with an individual conception of the artist, but collectively form a
general design. An exquisitely designed gablet holds the porcelain tiled
fire front, its three sides partly filled with French plate mirrors, and
a Swiss styled hooding covers the apex which contains the clock. Carpets
and rugs, drapery and furniture, mirrors and chandeliers, were
manufactured for the room. We know the owner is averse to anything that
attracts attention to himself. The public on proper occasions have had
the pleasure of seeing these premises; and what we have here recited has
been gathered from sources that have been open to all.
Mr. Tilton is cordial and pleasant in his intercourse with his neighbors
and acquaintances, and in feelings and tastes one of the people. The
steel portrait is an excellent one. He is in the prime of manhood and
intellect.
Through life, so far, he seems to have been conscious that his capacity
was for business and not politics. He has never sought or held public
office, and says he never will. The frequent mention of his name in
political circles and sometimes in the press, in such connection, is not
inspired by him.
He comes back to a common welcome after thirty years of incessant labor,
from amidst surroundings, which, if detailed, would seem stranger than
fiction.
Mr. Tilton was married December 29, and sailed in the "Gallia" from New
York for Liverpool, January 4, 1882. We understand it is the intention
of the happy pair, if Providence permits, to stay abroad as long as
pleasure or profit can be derived from their trip.
[Illustration: Chas. E. Balch]
COL. CHARLES E. BALCH.
Charles Edward Balch was born in Francestown in 1834, and is the son of
Mason and Hannah Balch, his mother being a daughter of Joshua Holt, of
Greenfield. His boyhood was spent upon a farm, and his education was
obtained in the common schools and Francestown Academy. When eighteen
years of age he began life for himself as a book-keeper in the dry-goods
store of Barton & Co., in Manchester, and two years later had so
established himself in the confidence of the managers of the Manchester
Savings Bank that he was called to a clerkship in that institution. In
this position his industry, courtesy, and excellent judgment won good
opinions from all with whom he came in contact, and when the Manchester
National Bank was organized, in 1865, he was chosen its cashier, and has
filled this responsible position ever since. He has also been a trustee
of the Manchester Savings Bank since 1862, is a member of its investing
committee, treasurer of the Manchester Gas-Light Company, a director and
member of the finance committee of the New Hampshire Fire Insurance
Company, and a trustee of many large estates. In all these positions,
Mr. Balch has proved himself a sagacious, careful, and safe financier.
The banks to which he has given the most of his time and energies
reflect in their strength and uniform success his honesty, reliability,
and prudence; and those whose funds have been intrusted to his
management have always found their confidence justified by steady and
satisfactory returns.
Mr. Balch is, moreover, a man whose private character is above
suspicion, a citizen whose public duties are never left to others, a
friend whose fealty is never doubted, and an acquaintance whose
courtesy, candor, and affability command universal respect and good
will. He has been too modest to ask, and too busy to accept, political
honors; but his influence has been potent in advancing the party to
which he belongs, and in shaping the policy of the city in which he
resides. In affairs of state and city, as in business matters, he makes
little noise; but his work tells, and his convictions of duty bring
substantial results. He was commissioned a colonel of the state militia
in 1879, and served on Gov. Head's staff for two years.
In July, 1867, Mr. Balch married Miss Emeline R. Brooks, daughter of
Rev. Nahum Brooks, then of Bath, Me., but now of Manchester, who
presides over and dispenses the hospitalities of his pleasant home.
HON. JOHN CARROLL MOULTON.
BY COL. THOMAS J. WHIPPLE.
The ancestors of Hon. JOHN C. MOULTON were among the fifty-six
inhabitants from the county of Norfolk, England, who first settled in
the town of Hampton, then Winnicumet, in the year 1638. The names of
John Molton and Thomas Molton appear in a partial list of these original
settlers, which may be found in "Belknap's History of New Hampshire."
Vol. I. p. 37.
General Jonathan Moulton was a descendant of this family, and the
great-grandfather of John C. Moulton. He was born in Hampton, N. H.,
June 30, 1726, and died at Hampton, in the year 1788, at the age of
sixty-two. He was a large proprietor in lands, and several flourishing
towns in the interior of this state owe their early settlement to his
exertions and influence. This fact is mentioned in "Farmer & Moore's
Gazetteer," published in 1823. When he was thirty-seven years old, the
town of Moultonborough was granted to him and sixty-one others, by the
Masonian proprietors, November 17, 1763. He was already noted for the
distinguished service which he had rendered in the Indian wars, which
ended with the Ossipee tribe, along the northerly borders of
Moultonborough, in 1763. Many of his adventures during this bloody
period have been preserved and transmitted to the present time; enough,
indeed, to fill a large space in this brief sketch. It may be well to
preserve one of these incidents in this record:--