he had been reared, but in 1856, in common with thousands more, in the
whirlwind which swept the North after the passage of the Nebraska bill,
and the troubles which had arisen in Kansas, he supported by voice and
vote the nomination of John C. Fremont, speaking in all the large towns
and in nearly every county in the state. From that time until he left
the state in 1860, he probably made more stump-speeches than any other
man in it. In 1857 he was elected representative from ward six in
Concord, was re-elected in 1858 and 1859, and was speaker the last two
years. He originated and carried through, against a violent opposition,
the act making parties witnesses. At this day the act seems eminently
proper; but then it was regarded by many as portentous of evil,
subversive of social order, and revolutionary in the extreme. Its
constitutionality as applied to pending suits was affirmed in Rich _vs._
Flanders (39 N. H., 304), against the dissent of two of the six judges,
Chief-Justice Bell and Judge Bellows, who, as a member, had strenuously
opposed its passage.
When the Know-Nothing party, so called, carried the state in 1855, one
of their first acts was to overthrow the entire judicial system of the
state, by repealing the acts creating it, and to erect a
Siamese-double-headed-partisan one upon its ruins. The system proved
expensive and became odious, not only to the entire Democratic party,
but to the bar and influential class, irrespective of party relations,
and to potential forces in the then Republican party.
In 1859, Mr. Bryant devised the system, which, with a brief exception,
has been in force to the present time. It was carried after an intensely
bitter contest. He made up the committee on the judiciary, to whom the
bill was referred. It consisted of ten members, four of whom were
Democrats headed by the veteran Quincy, five radicals, and one
conservative Republican. Two of the six were for the bill and one was on
the fence. The moss-backs, politicians, and lobbyists swarmed, and great
efforts were made to defeat it. The four Democrats on the committee at
first voted for their own bill, and then notified the friends of the new
one that on the test vote they should give them a solid support, which
would enable them to bring an affirmative report into the house.
Caucuses were held almost every night of actual session to hold the
timid ones in line, and prevent their yielding to the great pressure to
which they were subjected.
An incident occurred during his speakership in 1859, which illustrates
Mr. Bryant's readiness, courage, and political forecast. The theory that
it was the right of every state and everybody in it to nullify the laws
of congress whose constitutionality had been affirmed by the federal
supreme court was much more popular in the North then than it became
after the election of Mr. Lincoln. Lengthy petitions headed by A. T.
Foss, A. Folsom, and Stephen Thayer, "praying for the enactment of a law
that no person held as a slave shall be delivered up within this state,"
were presented. They were referred, as a matter of course, to the
committee on the judiciary. Parker Pillsbury, Elder Foss, Dr. Hawks, and
others appeared for the petitioners at the hearing, and made eloquent
speeches in support of their petition. They had the candor, courage, and
directness which characterized the old-time Abolitionists. They did not
attempt to deceive the committee or any one else, but avowed that their
purpose was by the bill proposed to array the state against the general
government. The hearing closed. The four Democrats voted against the
bill, and the chairman with flushed face demurred at such legislation;
but five out of the six Republicans voted for the bill, and without a
word of warning it was reported to the house by a party vote. It was
read the first time without objection, and upon a division was ordered
to a second reading by a vote of one hundred and thirty-four to one
hundred and one. Mr. Bryant called Mr. Parker of Lempster--since a
member of congress--to the chair, took the floor, and in an eloquent
speech denounced the bill as nullification pure and simple, and moved
its indefinite postponement. A sharp debate followed. Three lawyers who
had voted for the bill in the committee defended the principle of it
mainly upon the ground that everybody had the right to judge of the
constitutionality of the bill at which the proposed law was aimed, and
that the opinion of the supreme court was of no more account or binding
force than the opinion of a like number of other persons. Mr. Bryant
replied, and the result was that two members of the majority of the
committee voted to sustain their nullification report, four, including
the one who reported the bill to the house, voted against their own
report, and the bill was defeated by a vote of two hundred and
seventy-nine to nineteen. He had a natural gift for the position, and
left the speaker's chair with the respect of all for his ability, his
fairness, and his unvarying courtesy as a presiding officer.
In 1860, Mr. Bryant was at the Chicago convention as a substitute
delegate, working strenuously and effectively for the nomination of Mr.
Lincoln. He stumped the state for him, and after his election removed to
Boston.
Since he has resided in Massachusetts, he has refused to hold any
political office whatever, and has only interested himself in politics
in speeches during the state and national campaigns. Since his residence
there he has devoted his time almost entirely to an active, extensive,
and constantly increasing general practice in several counties in
eastern Massachusetts, in both the state and federal courts, and not
infrequently has been called to his old circuit in New Hampshire, when
he could spare the time. The importance of the cases in which he has
been engaged, and the character of those opposed to him, are sufficient
evidence, if any were needed, that he is a trained lawyer, a skillful,
eloquent, and able advocate.
He delivered the centennial oration in his native town in 1879, and, for
some reason unknown to the writer, rendered the same service for the
town of Brandon, Vt. He has also occasionally delivered lectures before
lyceums and the like.
When twenty-four, he married Miss Susan M. Brown, of Northfield, N. H.,
a woman of high personal character and accomplishments, and who proved
all that any man could wish as a wife and mother. Three children still
survive.
In private as in professional life, Mr. Bryant is noted as a genial and
courteous gentleman.
[Illustration: Oliver Pillsbury]
HON. OLIVER PILLSBURY.
BY HON. J. W. PATTERSON.
WILLIAM PILLSBURY, from whom most and probably all of the Pillsburys of
this country have descended, emigrated from Dorchester, England, and
settled in old Newbury, now Newburyport, Mass., about the year 1641.
OLIVER PILLSBURY, the subject of this sketch, sprung from this line. He
was born in Henniker, N. H., February 16, 1817. His parents, Deacon
Oliver Pillsbury and Anna Smith Pillsbury, were both persons of unusual
physical and mental strength. The writer recalls distinctly, after a
lapse of more than thirty years, the amiable expression and serene
dignity of Mrs. Pillsbury, and the masculine thought and deep, solemn
voice of the deacon as he led the devotions of the religious assemblies
of the people. He was one of the strong men of the town and a pillar in
the church. Others might veer and drift, but we all knew that the deacon
was anchored within the veil, and was as sure to outride the storm as
the hill upon which he had fixed his home. He was a man of strong
powers, a stern will, and constant devotion to the great ends of life as
he saw them. The qualities of both parents were transmitted in large
measure to their children. Our state has produced but few men who were
the peers in intellectual strength and moral courage to their first
born, Parker Pillsbury. Not many men in our country, indeed, in the
years that preceded the civil war, struck heavier blows for, or clung
with a more courageous, self-sacrificing devotion to, liberty than he.
Those of us who knew him could hear the deep undertone of the deacon's
voice in his, and knew he would conquer or die. In the roll-call of the
imperishables in the great struggle for liberty, his name will be heard
among the first.
Of such stock is Oliver, the fifth son of Dea. Oliver Pillsbury. During
the first seventeen years of his life he experienced the usual fortune
of the sons of New England farmers,--a maximum of hard work and a
minimum of schooling; but at that time, having been overtaken by a
lameness which threatened to be permanent, he was sent to the academy,
that he might prepare for duties suited to his prospective infirmity. He
entirely recovered, but this circumstance gave a new drift to his life.
For nearly five years he pursued his studies with unabated interest and
industry, giving thoroughness and a practical character to his
acquisitions by teaching during the winter months. Mr. Pillsbury had few
equals and no superiors among those who taught at that time in our
public schools. He was master both of his school and his studies, and
had the faculty of inspiring his pupils with his own spirit. Many who
have since done good work in life look back with gratitude to those
years of pupilage.
In 1839, Mr. Pillsbury left New England and went to New Jersey, where he
opened a tuition school, there being no free schools in the state at
that time. There, though an entire stranger, he gained the confidence of
the whole community at once, and held it during eight years of
successful work. During the last six years of this time he taught the
academy at Bound Brook, Somerset county. While there he married Matilda
Nevius, who died in 1847, leaving a young daughter, an only child. The
position which Mr. Pillsbury acquired among the educators of New Jersey
may be learned from the fact that he was prominent among the few
gentlemen who held the first school convention at the capital, over
which he presided, and which was followed by similar conventions in
other cities. The movement thus begun resulted in the establishment of
public instruction in that state. To have been a leading spirit in the
accomplishment of so beneficent a work, in a sojourn of only eight
years, should be a perpetual honor to the life of any man.
At the end of this time, Mr. Pillsbury's health having become impaired,
he returned to his native place, where he purchased the paternal
homestead and entered again upon the work of his boyhood. For seventeen
years he followed the life of a farmer, but did not move in its old
empirical ruts. He applied the knowledge and improved methods which
modern investigation has given to agriculture, and in a little time
doubled the productive power of his farm. The successful factor in every
industry is brains, and in this case even New Hampshire farming proved
no exception to the rule.
In 1850, Mr. Pillsbury contracted a second marriage with Miss Sarah
Wilkins, of Henniker, his present esteemed and accomplished wife.
Though assiduous in the pursuits of agriculture, his benevolent
instincts led him to take an active interest in the causes of
temperance, anti-slavery, and whatever else the public welfare seemed to
demand. His efforts in this direction, in co-operation with those of
others, produced a change in the politics of the town, which resulted in
his introduction to public life. He was elected moderator of
town-meeting fourteen times, selectman six times, and to the legislature
three times. In all these trusts he showed himself wise, able, and
efficient. As a legislator, he did not seem anxious merely to shine, but
to be useful, and to advance the interests of the state. Such qualities
and service commended him to public favor, and in 1862 he was elected a
councilor for the last year of Gov. Berry's administration, and
re-elected to the council of Gov. Gilmore. This, it will be remembered,
was while the hardships and horrors of the civil war were upon us, and
when questions that could not be settled by precedent, and that tested
the authority and resources of the state, were brought daily before the
governor and his council for decision. The exigencies of the government
would not suffer delay. Not only great permanent interests, but the very
life of the nation was in peril, and large and frequent demands were
made upon the states for supplies of men and money, when every resource
seemed exhausted. In such times means must be invented and resources
created. Criticism becomes silent, and waits for the return of peace to
awaken into unreasoning activity. Under the pressure of such events,
weak men are likely to be paralyzed, avaricious men corrupt, and bold
men to abuse power.
The qualities which Mr. Pillsbury developed in these trying
circumstances ought to make his name historic. The writer has received
communications from two gentlemen who were associated with him in the
council, and whose services to the state are universally acknowledged,
and, as they express more forcibly than any words of mine can do the
part which the subject of this sketch took in that eventful period, I
take the responsibility to publish such portions of their respective
letters as bear specially upon the subject of this paper. The known
character of the writers will give additional weight to their strong
language of encomium. Hon. John W. Sanborn, of Wakefield, writes, as
follows:--
"Learning that you are to prepare a biographical sketch of Hon.
Oliver Pillsbury, I take pleasure in saying that I formed
acquaintance with him in 1863, being then associated with him in
Gov. Gilmore's council. His great executive ability, patriotism,
honesty, and integrity won the respect and admiration of all his
associates. At that time the country was engaged in that
terrible war for the support of the government and its own
salvation, and grave questions came before us relative to the
prosecution of the same. Although an ardent Republican, he never
let partisan feelings warp his judgment in his official acts. He
had strong convictions of right, but was always ready to discuss
all questions with that frankness and fairness which
characterize men of noble minds, and he fully appreciated the
opinions of his opponents. I had the honor to serve with him on
the military committee of the council, which had important
matters to consider,--questions involving the rights and
interests of the soldiers, their families, and the state. The
duties of this committee were arduous and often difficult, but I
can attest to the fidelity and untiring energy with which he
performed his part. He took great interest in the welfare of the
soldiers, particularly the sick and wounded, and was ever ready
to minister to their wants. In a word, he was a model councilor
for the time in which he served, and the future historian will
class him among our ablest and most efficient men."
Hon. John W. Noyes, of Chester, who was also in official association
with Mr. Pillsbury, says:--
"I was with him a very considerable portion of the time for two
years, while we were members of Gov. Gilmore's council, during
the war. He was the most important member of the council, on
account of his past experience and familiarity with the duties
of the situation; in fact, his information and judgment were
exceedingly valuable to the governor, and all the other members
of the council.
"I regard Mr. Pillsbury as one of the best-informed and most
competent business men in this state. I hardly think that there
is another man in the state that could fill his present position
as well as he does. I told Gov. Stearns before he made the
appointment, that, if he knew Mr. Pillsbury as well as I did, he
would not need recommendations, but would urge his acceptance of
the place."
It would be idle to add anything to such commendations.
In 1869, Mr. Pillsbury was appointed insurance commissioner, by Gov.
Stearns, for a period of three years, and has been re-appointed from
time to time to the office, which he still holds. Soon after his
appointment he drafted and secured the enactment of the present law of
the state relative to insurance companies of other states and other
countries. This law established the department of insurance, and has
given to the people a degree of protection against the frauds and
impositions of unreliable companies never before enjoyed is this state,
and has brought into its treasury, by tax on insurance premiums, over
hundred and twelve thousand dollars, in addition to the compensation of
the commissioner.
During the whole term of his office, Mr. Pillsbury has worked quietly
but assiduously to eliminate unreliable companies from our borders, and
has carefully avoided the admission of all such as are not regarded as
perfectly trustworthy. It is universally affirmed by men familiar with
the insurance business, that the commissioner of this state has
administered his office with unusual skill and success, and his reports
are much sought for and often quoted and referred to as authority in
other states. The state may well congratulate itself on having had the
continued services, for thirteen years, of one so able and experienced
in an office so intimately connected with the material interest of the
people.
In 1871, Mr. Pillsbury moved to Concord, and the estimation in which he
is held in the community is attested by the fact, that, during the
eleven years of his residence at the capital, he has twice been elected
to represent one of its wards in the legislature, and has been a member
of its board of education for seven years, and was president of the
board at the time he tendered his resignation. When a member of the
legislature, Mr. Pillsbury was eminently practical, and whenever he
spoke was listened to with marked attention; for he only addressed the
house on subjects that he had thoroughly considered, and it was
understood that his remarks were likely to aid the members in reaching a
wise and just conclusion.
As one of the supervisors of the educational interests of Concord, Mr.
Pillsbury was exceptionally intelligent, conscientious, and painstaking.
His views on the general subject were comprehensive, and he kept himself
informed as to all real improvements in methods of instruction. He
discountenanced shams, and labored faithfully to make the schools
sources of knowledge, of discipline, and of virtue. To the other public
trusts so honorably held by the subject of this sketch, we may add that
of trustee of the State Industrial School. He has had a deep and abiding
interest in this institution since its founding, and has given to it an
active and efficient support.
We can only realize how pure and unselfish his labors of this character
have been, when we reflect that Mr. Pillsbury has no children of his own
to kindle and feed his sympathies, but that they spring from a general
benevolence toward all children of whatever condition in life. His only
child was a daughter of rare mental activity and attainments, and of
unusual sweetness of temper. She married Mr. J. S. Eveleth, of Beverly,
Mass., where, after a residence of nearly two years, she died of
consumption, in the flower and promise of early womanhood, leaving two
homes stricken and desolate.
In this brief sketch we have unconsciously drawn a model citizen,--a man
in all the relations of life faithful to the claims of duty; in the
family, society, and the state, blameless; benevolent without
ostentation, patriotic without the claim of reward, and true to every
trust.
"While we such precedents can boast at home,
Keep thy Fabricius and thy Cato, Rome."
[Illustration: C. V. Dearborn.]
CORNELIUS VAN NESS DEARBORN.
Early as 1639, and only nineteen years after the landing of the
Pilgrims, John Wheelwright, a dissenting minister from England,
gathering a company of friends removed from Massachusetts bay to Exeter
in the province of New Hampshire. Among the thirty-five persons who
signed the compact to form a stable and orderly colony is found the name
of Godfrey Dearborn, the patriarch of the entire Dearborn family in this
country.
Forty years before, he was born in Exeter, England, and in 1637 landed
at Massachusetts bay. He lived at Exeter ten years, and in 1649 moved to
Hampton, built a framed house which is still standing, became a large
land-holder and town official, and died February 4, 1686. Few men of the
early settlers have left a family name so widely represented as Godfrey
Dearborn. His descendants are numerous in every county of New Hampshire,
and are to be found in every part of New England.
It is worthy of note, that among the descendants of Godfrey Dearborn the
practice of medicine has been a favorite occupation. Benjamin Dearborn,
of the fifth generation, graduated at Harvard in 1746, and, entering
upon a successful practice at Portsmouth, died in his thirtieth year.
Levi Dearborn had for forty years an extensive practice at North
Hampton, and died in 1792. Edward Dearborn, born in 1776, was for half a
century the medical adviser of the people of Seabrook, and acquired a
handsome estate. Gen. Henry Dearborn, who gained a national reputation
by his brilliant services in the Revolutionary war, and as the senior
major-general of the United States army in the war of 1812, was a
practicing physician in Nottingham when summoned to join the first New
Hampshire regiment raised in 1775. To-day several of the ablest
physicians of the state bear the name.
Toward the middle of the last century the Dearborn family had been quite
generally distributed through Rockingham county. Peter Dearborn, the
great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Chester in
1710. Of his children, Josiah, born in 1751, married Susannah Emerson,
the daughter of Samuel Emerson, Esq., a substantial Chester farmer. He
learned the trade of a shoemaker, but, on the breaking out of the
Revolutionary war, entered the army as a private, and was stationed at
Portsmouth under Col. Joseph Cilley. Afterwards he did honorable
service, first as a private, and then as lieutenant in northern New
York, and finally closed his enlistment by an expedition to Newport, R.
I., in 1778.
Returning from the war, he and his family found a new home thirty miles
westward in Weare. It was not an unfitting location. With its sixty
square miles still mostly covered with a dense forest of oak, maple, and
beech, with its uneven surface nowhere rising into high hills, it had a
strong soil, which, when cultivated, yielded large crops of hay and
grain. It was already a growing township, and thirty years later became
one of the four leading farming towns of the state. Here Josiah Dearborn
passed his life, raising a family of eleven children, nine of whom were
sons. Samuel, the fifth son, and father of the subject of this sketch,
was born in 1792. The district-school system was not organized in New
Hampshire until 1806, and the children of that time had scanty
opportunities for instruction. Young Dearborn and his brothers were
reaching manhood, when farming in the eastern states was depressed by
the recent war with England and the occurrence of several cold summers.
Migration westward had commenced, and the Dearborns for a time debated
the expediency of a removal to the Western Reserve. They at length
decided to locate in Vermont, and in 1816 five of the brothers and a
sister removed to Corinth, a town in the eastern part of Orange county.
Here Samuel Dearborn settled upon a farm, soon after married Miss Fanny
Brown, of Vershire, whose parents were natives of Chester, N. H., and
here he passed a long and useful life. He died December 12, 1871, in the
eightieth year of his age. His wife had died in 1836. Of scholarly
tastes, he was for many years a teacher of winter schools. An active
member of the Freewill Baptist denomination, his religion was a life
rather than a creed.
CORNELIUS VAN NESS DEARBORN, the son of Samuel and Fanny Dearborn, was
born in Corinth, Vt., May 14, 1832. His name was in compliment to the
then ablest statesman of the state, who had filled the offices of
governor and minister to Spain. Cornelius was the youngest but one of
seven children. His childhood was passed in a strictly agricultural
community. Corinth, lying among the foothills of the Green Mountains, is
one of the best farming towns in eastern Vermont. Without railway
facilities, with scanty water power, its inhabitants depend for a
livelihood upon the products of the soil, from which by industry they
gain a substantial income. Few in Corinth have ever accumulated more
than what is now regarded as a fair competency, and very few have
encountered extreme poverty. A more industrious, law-abiding,
practically sensible people would be difficult to find.