Norfolk County, Massachusetts - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1884

Biographical sketches

ing Charitable Society has 228 volumes. The | schools for different parts of the town are 10. The | number of scholars in 1838, from 4 to 16 years of age, was 840; and in 1839 the scholars were 911. The amount raised by tax for public schools the latter year was $1900, and the sum for 1840 is $2000." | dolph in 1793. An ecclesiastical parish had been formed here May 28,1731. On the 8th of June, 1881, corresponding in the new style with the date above mentioned, the church at Randolph celebrated _ its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary with appro- | priate and deeply interesting services. Had this event occurred in the days of Dr. Alden's strength and activity, no man would have borne a more prominent part in it than he, for this was a field in which he was especially at home. As it was, the manuscripts and published articles which he had left behind became the chief sources of information for those who took the principal parts in this commemoration. Throughout the services his name came up continually as authority for statements made, and was mentioned | always with gratitude and love.

Dr. Alden was of the seventh generation from | John Alden, of the ' Mayflower.' The line of suc- | cession from this honored founder, as traced by himself and gathered from his volume entitled "The Alden Memorial," is as follows :

Of the eleven children of John and Priscilla (Mullens) Alden, the second was Joseph, who was born in | Plymouth in 1624. In early manhood he became a citizen of Bridgewater.

Of the five children of Joseph and Mary (Simmons) Alden, the second was Joseph, who was born in 1667. He was known as Deacon Joseph, and lived in what | is now South Bridgewater.

Of the ten children of Deacon Joseph and Hannah (Dunham) Alden, of Bridgewater, the eldest was | Daniel, who was born Jan. 29,1691. This Daniel remained an inhabitant of Bridgewater for a time,

Of the eleven children of Daniel and Abigail | (Shaw) Alden, the second was Daniel, who was born Sept. 5, 1720. This last Daniel lived in Stafford, | Conn., in Cornish, N. H., and in Lebanon, N. H.,_ where he died. He was known as Deacon Daniel.

Of the three children of Ebenezer and Sarah (Bass) | Alden, the eldest was Ebenezer, the subject of this sketch, who was born (as previously stated) March 7, L788.

_His mother, Sarah Bass, was also a lineal descendant of John Alden, of the '' Mayflower," in the line of Ruth, his daughter, who married John Bass, of Brain- | tree, son of Samuel Bass, deacon of the First Church in Roxbury. By the same line the family was con- | nected with the Adams family of Quincy, the mother |

Going back now a single step, let us make our departure from the first Dr. Ebenezer Alden. The track over which we have just traveled will serve to show that he came of a religious stock. He was educated at Plainfield Academy, Connecticut, and having pursued his medical studies with Dr. Elisha Perkins, was invited, in due form, to settle in the South Parish or Precinct of Braintree. He was called there in 1781, as the man the people had chosen for their physician,

When Dr. Alden, Sr., died at Randolph (of typhoid fever), Oct. 16, 1806, his pastor, Rey. Dr. Strong, said of him, "The duties of his profession he discharged with reputation to himself and great usefulness to his employers. His circle of business, though small at first, gradually increased until it became extensive. Asa physician he was remarkably prudent, attentive, and successful.

in his vicinity. No physician in this part of the country possessed the love and confidence of his pa- This was evident from the universal sorrow felt at his decease."

Church ; and, so far as is known, having honored their Christian profession." Not only was he an able physician with a wide and increasing practice, but he was also a medical teacher. Quite a number of young

The childhood and youth of the son were passed, therefore, in a home of intelligence and Christian worth. He grew up amid the associations and traditions of the old style of medical practice, when the country physician compounded his own medicines and carried | them with him in large variety to suit the various exi- At that time the homes of the people were widely scattered; the roads were rough and hard, and in the plain country towns apothecaries were almost unknown. 'To do business in any proper and efficient way, the physician must have his medicines and his instruments always with | him.

The year after Dr. Alden's birth, ze. in 1789, the Rev. Jonathan Strong, D.D., was settled in the parish as colleague pastor with the Rev. Moses Taft, | who had been in office there for nearly forty years, | and was now in the feebleness of age. Mr. Taft died two years later, in 1791, when Dr. Strong remained ister, vol. viii. p. 54, says of him, " Dr. Strong's labors were much blessed in three revivals during his minis- | try, in which he numbered more than two hundred The Massachusetts Missionary Magazine and the Panoplist |

One hundred years ago schools to fit boys for college were rare. This educational work was largely Some of them, here and Dr. | Nathan Perkins, of West Hartford, Conn., Dr. Samuel Wood, of Boscawen, N. H., and many others, became noted teachers, though they had parish cares also continually on their hands. Young Alden, in preparing for college, pursued his studies under the direction of his minister.

Dr. Jonathan Strong was a native of Bolton, Conn., born in 1764. was a farmer. When the boy was eight years old the family removed to Orford, N. H. Dr. Eleazer Wheelock had just then gone up to plant his |

Indian Charity School in the woods of New Hampshire, and so to lay the foundations of Dartmouth College. Here young Strong was educated, graduating with honor in 1786. He became a man of much more than usual mark in his generation. Quite a large number of the early graduates of Dartmouth were from Kastern Connecticut, and especially from the towns of Lebanon, Hebron, Bolton, Coventry, Windham, ete., where Dr. Wheelock was familiarly known and much admired. Jonathan Strong went from Bolton, and was graduated at Dartmouth in 1786, and three years after was settled in Randolph.

Young Alden was made ready for college at the age of sixteen, and entered Harvard in 1804, graduating in 1808. After finishing his college course he went to Dartmouth College to study medicine. Using his own language, as copied from '''The Alden Memorial," he " pursued his professional studies with Nathan Smith, M.D., at Dartmouth College, where he received the degree of M.B. in 1811; then attended the lectures of Drs. Rush, Barton, Wistar, Physick, and others, in Philadelphia, and received the degree of M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1812. He settled as a physician in his native town."

His father had died in 1806, while he was in college. Had his father been alive, very likely the medical education of the son would have gone on Other men resorted to that home for their medical education, and it would have been altogether natural that he should have done the same. As it was, he was fully educated professionally, and entered upon his work under happy auspices at the age of twenty-four.

Six years later, April 14, 1818, he was united in marriage to Miss Anne Kimball, daughter of Capt. Edmund Kimball, of Newburyport. She was born June 14, 1791.

Dr. Alden was now fully launched upon his lifework, and by degrees came to fill the place which the father had left vacant, until at length he more than filled it. By virtue of his superior education, both as a physician and surgeon, and by his native powers and faculties, eminently fitting him for success, he was widely known and recognized as a leading member in his profession. Not only was he thoroughly instructed in matters pertaining to his special calling, but he had also an innate love for studies historical and ecclesiastical. He grew to be a prominent Coneregational layman, and his knowledge and experience in this department were often called into use. He was a Pilerim of the Pilgrims, and he understood well the difference between the Congregationalism that in 1648, in the Cambridge Platform. great satisfaction in tracing out the way by which the latter style of church polity was gradually displaced in New England and the former brought to the front. The writer well remembers the pleasure Dr. Alden had, between twenty and thirty years ago, in a new edition of John Wise's famous book, "The Church Quarrel Espoused," and what measures he took to promote its circulation. He recognized in the Rev, John Wise - settled 1683-1725 over the Second Church, Ipswich (now Essex) - one of the stoutest defenders of the liberty of the New Hngland churches as against the dominating power of the ministers. | It was in 1710 that the above book was first published, and it was largely through this volume and another

Dr. Alden was a bibliophile, and early began to be a collector of rare books and pamphlets, especially those appertaining to the civil and ecclesiastical history of New England. He built up a choice private library at a time when such enterprises were not so common as now. That library still remains, and doubtless contains many specimens, in the shape of pamphlet and bound volume, which the collectors would call precious nuggets.

last forty or fifty years (until laid aside by blindness and extreme age) he has been an active worker in It would probably be difficult to find another man who has been identified with so many religious and educational interests for such long ranges of time. The year after his marriage, 7.e., in 1819, the first Sabbath-school was organized in Randolph.

He was chosen its superintendent, and con- In 1827 he was made one of the trustees of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society. He held this office by re-election and performed its duties for forty-two years, until 1869. In the year 1837 he was chosen one of the trustees of Phillips Academy and of Andover Theological Seminary. This office he retained forty-four years, till his death, though in his later years he was not able to attend the meetings of the trustees. For forty-one years, from 1840 to his death, he was one of the corporate members of the

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis- From 1841 to 1874 he was a trustee of Am- From 1842 to 1867 he was a director of the American Education Society.

There was another class of organizations for which he had a lively sympathy, and with which he was in active co-operation. He had a strong love for antiquarian and genealogical pursuits, and especially as they appertained to the origin and growth of New England. In all these connections he was an industrious worker. He early became a member of the American Antiquarian Society of Worcester. He bore a prominent part in the formation and growth of the American Statistical Association.

He became a member of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society in 1846, the year after its organization, and soon after its present building was erected in Somerset Street, paid, of his own good-will, five hundred dollars towards the librarian fund. With all the early movements toward the formation of the Congregational Library, now grown to fair proportions, he had the most cordial fellowship and participation.

Then, again, as a prominent member of the medical profession, he was brought into quite another set of associations. He was connected with medical societies, county, State, national, not as a mere looker-on or listener, but as one who contributed interesting papers and valuable information for their meetings. Of an observing and studious mind, he held also the

Still, again, he was a bold and aggressive worker in the temperance movement, especially in its earlier days, and before it had become so intermingled with party politics. He was for many years known as a public lecturer upon this subject, and, from his established character as an able physician, his lectures carried with them unusual weight.

Then, in addition to all his other talents and activities, he was a singer, and took a lively interest in Through the whole of his public life in Randolph he was a leader and organizer in this department, and this love continued with him to the In the year 1869, at the time of the National Peace Jubilee in Boston, the writer well remembers a brief interview with him as he was about to enter the great building erected for the concerts on the back bay. had his singing-book under his arm, and entered into the whole business with the enthusiasm of youth. He was at that time eighty-one years old. Of the creat multitude of singers who made up the chorus for that first jubilee, he was, without much doubt, the oldest, but he yet carried with him a large measure of the zeal and energy of his earlier years. He made one of the vastly larger chorus in the International Jubilee of 1872, being then eighty-four years old.

Not long after this his eyesight began to fail him, and little by little the shadows of night gathered about him, until at length he was wrapped in total darkness. His last years were passed in the quiet of his home and in the society of his kindred and neighbors. But with the eye of his mind he still watched the goings-on of the great world, and was interested in all passing events. He died Jan. 26, 1881, aged ninety-two years, ten months, and nine days.

1845, and spent five years as a pioneer home missionary in Lowa, being a member of the " Towa band." Since 1850 he has been the pastor of the First Congregational Church in Marshfield. While he was yet young in the ministry, he had as one of his parishioners no less a man than Daniel Webster, and it fell to his lot in 1852 to conduct the simple mansion at Marshfield. It was like Mr. Webster to prefer that his funeral should be in the plain New England fashion, and should be conducted by his country minister. mund Kimball Alden, D.D., who was ordained to the Congregational ministry in 1850, and, after serving for some twenty-six years as Congregational pastor at Yarmouth, Me., Lenox, Mass , and in Phillips Church,

Dr. Alden was connected in his life came up before him for remembrance in this final disposition of his property, such as the American Board, the Massa-

College and Educational Society, the Seamen's Friend Society, Amherst College, Iowa College, Phillips Academy, the American Antiquarian Society, the American Statistical Association, the New England Historic-Geneaological Society, the Congregational Library, Stoughton Musical Society, ete.

We have already implied that Dr. Alden was a writer as well as a busy actor, but most of his writings were of a kind to servethe purposes of the passing time, and cannot well be reported in a paper like this. Nevertheless, he has left behind some published works in the shape of pamphlets and books, among which are the following: '" Address before the Dartmouth Medical Society,' Boston, 1820; " Medical Uses of Alcohol ;" " Tribute to the Memory of Deacon Ephraim Wales," Boston, 1855; " Historical Sketch of

Deacon Wales Thayer ;" '" Tribute to the Memory of Mr. Samuel Whitcomb ;" '' Early History of the Medical Profession in the County of Norfolk, an Address before the Norfolk District Medical Society," Boston, 1853; 'Memoir and Correspondence of Mrs. Mary Ann Odiorne Clark," Boston, MSS., 1844;

Some of these publications required a large amount of labor and careful study. For example, ' The Early History of the Medical Profession in the died June 9, 1852. There were three daughters, of whom Mary Kimball died Aug. 18, 1860, and Anne Kimball died Dee. 28, 1854. Sarah Bass Alden, now occupies the homestead at their judgment, gave them certain discretionary powers that they might decide matters according to the circumstances of the case at the time of his death.

numerous physicians of the county during the earlier generations, a work to be accomplished only by much correspondence and patient research,

But these few publications would give only a faint idea of all that he accomplished by his pen. In a local paper he published a long series of articles on the history of Braintree and Randolph, going into the business minutely, taking up the several portions

By his intellectual character, as also by his large enterprise and activity, he was a man to come to the front wherever he might happen to live, and bear a large share in human affairs. The totality of life within him was greater than in ordinary men, and it was natural for him to put himself forth in thought and action. Hence through the long years of his active life he was intensely busy, aiming to fill his place punctually and thoroughly in all his multiplied relations. Though connected with so many societies and associations, hardly any one was more likely to

In the year 1861, July 3d, occurred in Braintree the fiftieth anniversary of the ordination and settlement of Dr. Richard 8. Storrs. The occasion was one of very marked interest, both from the eminent | character of Dr. Storrs himself, and from the conspicuous men who took prominent part in the services. followed the Rev. Dr. Park in the exercises of the afternoon. The presiding officer of the day was the Rev. Richard S. Storrs, Jr., of Brooklyn, N. Y., and in introducing Dr. Alden he said, '' We have heard of

From this address of Dr. Alden we will, in conclusion, select two or three passages, which will illustrate more perfectly than any general description can do the style of the man and his manner of thought. He said, -

"T have been requested to present some 'reminiscences of Braintree fifty years ago,' by which I understand in the olden time; but with a special caution to be very brief - ' ten minutes better than an hour' - as if by any necromancy it were possible to bring up not only Samuel (Rev. Samuel Niles), but three generations of his people, and cause them to pass before you Nevertheless, as it was my privilege to commence professional life with him and sometimes to prescribe for him, it is but reasonable that I should now consent that he prescribe to me; which I do not only cheerfully, but thankfully, because it affords me opportunity publicly to express the respect I have long entertained for him and for his people."

"The ancient Brantry was bounded north by Neponset River and Massachusetts Bay ; east by Narraganset; south by the Old Colony and 'terra incognita' long in dispute; west by Punkapog and Unguety - including the present towns of Braintree, Quincy, and Randolph. Monatiquot, or modern Braintree, was bounded north by Merry Mount; east by Iron- Works' line; south by Cochato and Scadin Woods; west by the Blue Hills, extending, in the dialect of Father Niles, 'from Dan to Beersheba.'"' last century. Throughout almost every part of New England the fierce discussion went on, and many churches were well-nigh rent asunder by the violent feelings awakened. The beauty and majesty of ancient New England conservatism are strangely ex- The effort was to bring the people out of the miserable droning habit of singing

"The evil became so intolerable that Rev. Thomas Walter, by request of several ministers of Boston and the vicinity, prepared and published, in 1721, a musical manual and tune book. And here is a copy of it, the identical one minister and executor of his estate. The names of twenty-two of the most eminent clergymen of the colony are attached to the recommendatory preface. But the name of Samuel Niles isnot there. He insisted upon the 'old way' and his own way.

"Meanwhile some of his people had provided tune books, and were bent on 'making melody to the Lord' by note. Then came the 'tug of war.' Original sin, with which the pastor was familiar, and afterwards wrote a treatise upon it, as he did upon ' Indian Wars,' broke out into actual transgression. The people assembled for public worship, but no minister came. They sent him word that they were all ' present before the Lord to hear all things which were commanded him of God.' He responded that he would not preach in the meeting-house unless they would sing by rote; and he invited all who were so disposed to repair to the parsonage, where he would preach, and they might sing 'in the old way.' Council after council convened without success to settle the controversy. At adopted, but never, so far as I can ascertain, recorded on the church books: ' Voted that the council recommend to the pastor and church at Monatiquot, that in conducting public worship they sing part of the tune by note, and the rest of the tune by rote."

There were probably a great many churches in New England where the old system of rote singing went out at last by some such compromise as_in this case.

"A patriarch among us has fallen. He has died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and is gathered to his fathers. We have long regarded him as avenerableman. Yet we are surprised to find how far back we are carried by this one It covers a period longer than that of our American Republic. When Dr. Alden was born the first President of the United States had not been inaugurated, nor the Federal

"For those primitive times the circumstances of his early life were very favorable. His childhood was largely spent in the noble old mansion of his father's, which till lately formed so His education was carefully He passed from stage to stage in his studies till he

"By nature our honored friend was richly endowed. He | would have been a man of mark in whatever calling in life he | might have chosen. His mind was clear and acute, broad and masculine; his perceptions were quick, his judgment discriminating, his will strong. and rigorous discipline of his powers. Providence gave him was faithfully improved.

To nature's gifts he added a careful The material which | His habits of thought were excellent; his study of a subject was systematic and searching ; his cross-questioning worthy of a trained law- | yer. He went to the heart of amatterand brought his mind to a decision he did not often have to reverse. His improvement | of time, his methods of investigation, his orderly and patient arrangement of knowledge, his readiness in recalling what he wished to use, his conscientious care in reaching a conclusion, furnish a fine model for young men, whether in business or literary pursuits.

'But his mental powers were not those to which our friend gave the most interested attention. His mind was directed at an early period to the claims of religion. Always respectful to the subject, he came at last face to face with the personal duty of | repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was a serious hour, a bitter struggle, - one to which he re- At that | time, as he believed, he learned a lesson, never to be forgotten, of human depravity and divine grace.

His long and unalterable devotion to the Saviour and the teachings of Scripture bear Witness to the genuineness of the change he had experienced. He united with this church in 1816, at the age of twenty-eight | years. From that period the enlargement of Christ's kingdom in the world was the object to which he devoted his talents. His whole life confirmed the interest with which he sang the hymn,

"The church of Christ was to Dr. Alden as a citadel which he was appointed to aid in strengthening and defending. He | thoroughly studied its necessities. Its weak points and its | grand strategic points were well understood by him. The call for defensive and aggressive warfare he heartily responded to. He loved the work. Nothing else in life was of so much account to him.

" He perceived that if the church of God is to prosper, the ut- | most care must be paid to the family. By counsel and example he impressed this principle. His own home he sought to make a model Christian home. Its hours of prayer and praise he With him it was a strong point that family worship should not be merely formal, but interesting and instructive. And he was accustomed, with great plainness and tenderness, to encourage Christian parents to special fidelity in all the duties of household piety. He also felt the need of some method of religious instruction additional to that generally enjoyed in the family.

And the suggestion of the modern Sabbath-school was, therefore, cordially welcomed by him. In 1819 he organized the school in this church, For thirty-nine years he continued its superintendent, and then as a teacher held his place for a score of years longer.

higher education. That the church should pay most careful attention to her future pastors and teachers and educated men was to him self-evident. He entered into the study of methods of education with his accustomed energy and thoroughness, And he was thus introduced to one of the most important spheres of influence which Providence called him to fill. His services as a member of the Board of Trustees of Phillips Academy and the Theological Seminary at Andover, and of Amherst College, are by the nature of the case but little known to the world. They will be alluded to by one especially qualified to speak of them. But we know something of the intelligence and fatherly solicitude with which he followed young men through school, college, The day of ' prayer for colleges" was always an occasion of much interest in the Randolph Church, and one to which our friend was ever ready to contribute stirring words and fervent prayers that the Lord of the harvest would send Hehad a peculiarly kind feel- From his wide professional experience he had seen how great are the

"Young ministers were sure of a welcome to his home and heart. He entered into their plans with zest. Were they to remain in New England, or to plant new churches in the growing West, or to seek yet more distant fields of labor among heathen nations, he followed them all with love and prayer. Their trials, their reverses, their progress were watched by him with intelligent sympathy as he studied the missionary reports of theday. These organs of home and foreign work have had few more constant and appreciative readers for the past fifty years.

"The Home Missionary Society and the American Board were objects of his special interest. He gave efficient aid in organizing and maintaining among the churches of the Norfolk Conference the Palestine Missionary Society formed in 1820, one of the earliest auxiliaries of the Board.

""Meanwhile his own home church was never neglected by reason of his many broader fields of influence. He gave to it the energy and enthusiasm of his young manhood, and for sixty years it has been strengthened by his counsels and example and prayers. He loved the sanctuary, and all the ordinances Long professional rides were often necessary before services, and again after services were over, but they were always timed so as to give him the calm enjoyment of the house of God. His seat vacant, signified to all that some case was very critical. And for years after he was wholly deprived of sight one of the greatest comforts in bis affliction, and which he would not readily forego, was to be led to his familiar seat in the church twice every Sabbath day. The silent influence of such an example has reached many hearts. Those who did not believe as he did, yet cherished a silent respect for his fidelity to his convictions and his strength of purpose.

"By the members of the church, it is not invidious to say, no one of their number was regarded with so great veneration and affection as Dr. Alden. He possessed a rare knowledge of the Bible, an ex-

Few were so well qualified to advise and encourage. tensive and accurate acquaintance with theology, a profound personal experience of religious truth, a deep insight into human nature; adding to these attainments his wide intercourse with men, his relation to many societies and institutions, and his rich endowments of mind and heart, and we see that he was fitted in an unusual manner to guide and instruct the church. Many an anxious inquirer has he wisely directed to the Saviour Christian friends, beset with temptations or perplexed with doubts, have often found in him the safe and

Randolph

He introduced the Sabbath-school when there was much prejudice against it. He was an outspoken friend of total abstinence when such a position was extremely unpopular. He aided many a good cause in in its infancy and weakness, which has now grown strong in the hearts of the people. He found them feeble, he has left them vigorous. isfaction. He could see that the world has grown better since first he knew it, and he rejoiced. He did not, indeed, indorse every modern idea of professed reformers; some of them he stoutly refused to accept; yet he spoke of them with charity. Instead of the characteristics which often come with age, he seemed to us to grow more gentle and mellow. He was clothed His words fell with more love and tenderness, and all felt that he was ripening for his home above."

"Tn the death of Dr. Alden a strong and vigorous light has Its rays were not confined to this town or to this vicinity; it was far-reaching, healthful, and helpful in all its influence.

"Tt is now nearly thirty years since I first made Dr. Alden's acquaintance. I was invited by his friend and my friend, the late Rev. William A. Stearns, president of Amherst College, to take a seat as one of the trustees of that institution. Trained as I had been to a business life, I hesitated to accept the position, to step within the circle of Christian education, and might not, had not Dr. Alden so kindly and so encouragingly taken me by the hand and given me a warm welcome. We were at once made colleagues on the finance committee, and thus I began to know of his fidelity and conscientious discharge of his duty. There as at Andover, where we were similarly connected on the Phillips Academy board of trusceased to burn on earth.

tees, he was scrupulously exact in the discharge of every duty. It was not enough that the treasurer reported sundry funds as in hand, but he must see them, and verify every item. He did not accept the position as trustee for the small honor such an election conferred, but to attend the meetings promptly and meet every varied duty as work he had assumed and that must be accomplished. His judgment was sound and leading. firmness was tempered with kindness. differed from others, were given with manly courtesy. At Andover, where I met him most frequently, he was ever faithful, shrinking from no toil. marks of fidelity; he pored over them as conscientiously as over his Bible.

vanced students. those who were to fill our pulpits, to be our legislators, and exert an influence in the world; in the true spirit of the founders of that school he would have their hearts cultivated, while the head was educated, and would have religion and education go hand in hand.

"Por a professional man he had, largely, business habits, habits of exactness, application, fidelity, frugality, the conditions of success. His views of Christian duty were as broad as the Gospel plan; he drank of its living fountain. He was alive to the elevation and salvation of men in all lands and all climes. I have rarely met a man whose whole being was so permeated with the idea of loyalty toduty. This one thing I must do, and do well, was his constant aim.

Alexander E. Du Bois

Alexander Edson Du Bois was born in Braintree, Vt., March 22, 1801, and was the second child of Joseph and Polly (Spear) Du Bois. Joseph Du Bois was the son of a ship-carpenter of Huguenot descent, and was born in Providence, R. I., Aug. 1, 1775. He was educated as a physician, and practiced his profession for many years in Vermont with marked success. Polly Spear was born in Randolph, Mass., Aug.

At the beginning of this century our New England villages did not afford the facilities for education which they now do, so that the subject of this sketch

He often worked for the neighboring farmers, and took pleasure in thus being able to add to the family income, as the profession of a country physician was far from lucrative when a fee for a visit was only twenty-five cents, and - At the age of twenty-one he came to Randolph, Mass., and Mr. Du Bois won the confidence of his employers, and in a few years entered into partnership with Col. Royal Turner, and still later carried on the same business himself with good success. He was honest and just in his dealings, and gained for himself a well-deserved

His good judgment and deep interest in all that concerned the welfare of the town made him an excellent citizen. His townsmen's appreciation of these qualities was shown by his election as a member of important committees chosen to advise on questions Mr. Du Bois was one of the committee appointed in 1833 to years he was a fire warden, and was always much interested in the laying out of new streets, and in whatever else tended to promote the growth and prosperity of Randolph. He was made deputy sheriff of Norfolk County in 1839, and held the office a number of years, and also received a commission as justice of the peace. Mr. Du Bois was one of the directors of the Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In 1825 he became a Free Mason, and afterwards held various offices in the lodge of which he was a member.

Notwithstanding the limitations of his youth, he by self-education became a man of more than ordinary attainments, and his advice and assistance was much sought in the settlement of estates and in other legal matters. His keen sense of justice and clear insight into human nature, together with his strong persuasive powers, made him an excellent arbiter, and he was often called upon to adjust difficulties between individuals. Mr. Du Bois took a deep interest in young men struggling to establish themselves in business, and was ever willing to give them assistance. His kind and sympathetic nature led him to listen to the needs of the poor, and they found in him a generous helper.

At the age of forty-three he united with the Baptist Church in Randolph, and was ever an active and consistent member of that body. He contributed liberally to the support of the gospel in his own town, as well as to the cause of home and foreign missions and other objects of Christian benevolence. Ever cherishing a deep love for his early home, the Baptist Church in his native town, by his exertions, was repaired and occupied after having been closed for a number of years.

born Sept. 4, 1832. George E. Du Bois was married Nov. 25, 1856, to Clara P. Fowler, of Danvers, Mass., and died Nov. 3, 1859, leaving one child, Ellen T. Du Bois.

Christian life, respected and beloved by all who knew him, 1867. kind and generous in his nature, his genial disposition winning for him many friends.