Part 41

During the four years he represented the third district in the house, he served upon the committees on Railroads and Accounts, and several special committees. In the senate of the forty-sixth congress, upon the committees on Education and Labor, Agriculture, Transportation, Routes to the Seaboard, Election Frauds, Pensions, and Exodus of the Colored People: and in the present congress is chairman of the senate committee on Education and Labor, and a member of those on Pensions, Public Lands, Agriculture, and Woman Suffrage.

Soon after entering the house he introduced and advocated with great ability a proposition to amend the national constitution so as to prohibit the manufacture or sale of distilled spirits in the United States after 1890, a measure which gave him a national reputation, and caused him to be recognized by the temperance people of the country as their leader and champion in the national capitol. The woman suffragists have also found in him a vigorous and unwearying defender; and his speeches in support of his bill to extend government aid to the common schools of the South are among the most carefully prepared and conclusive arguments on that subject. When the financial policy of the country became a subject of discussion, and many of its strongest minds were carried from their moorings by the Greenback cyclone, Senator Blair stood sturdily for an honest currency and strict honesty in dealing with the government creditors, and by his speeches in congress and on the stump contributed in no small degree to the triumph of those principles and the incidental success of the Republican party. The veteran soldier has always found in him a friend who lost no opportunity to speak and vote for the most liberal pension laws, and who never tired in responding to individual calls for assistance at the department. His other service as a senator has been most conspicuous in his speeches against the Texas Pacific Railroad Subsidies, upon Foreign Markets and Commerce, Election Frauds in the South, the Exodus of Colored People, the Japanese Indemnity Fund, the Public Land Bill, and the Commission of Inquiry into the Liquor Traffic; his eulogies upon Henry Wilson, Zachariah Chandler, and Evarts W. Farr; and his reports on numerous subjects which have claimed the attention of his committees. He is rarely absent from his seat, and when present never declines to vote. His first term expires March 3, 1885.

From this brief sketch it will be seen that Mr. Blair owes his exceptional success in life to no extraneous or accidental aids. His parents were poor, and their untimely death deprived him of their counsel and example. His boyhood was a struggle with poverty, of which his youth was only a continuance. All he had, he earned. What he became, he made himself. As a man, he has shown great capacity for work and a disposition to do his best in every position. He is always intensely in earnest. He has indomitable perseverance and persistency, and never allows his abilities to rust in idleness. He is an outspoken and aggressive but practical reformer; a radical but sagacious Republican. Though his early advantages were few, he has been a voracious reader and a close student, and does not lack for the help which familiarity with books gives. He is an easy writer and a fluent speaker. He is generous to a fault; and his most prominent weakness is a disposition to magnify his obligations to his friends.

Senator Blair married Eliza Nelson, the daughter of a Methodist clergyman, of Groton, and has one son,--Henry Patterson Blair,--aged fourteen years.

RUFUS A. MAXFIELD.

BY J. P.

RUFUS A. MAXFIELD was born in Nashua, N. H., on the fifth day of March, 1835. His father, Stephen C. Maxfield, was a native of Newbury, Vt., was married to Clarissa Staples, a native of Chichester. N. H., at Nashua N. H., when the now populous city was but a small village. There were ten children born to them. Four died quite young; six are now living, viz.: the subject of this sketch; James G. Maxfield, M. D., surgeon at the National Home for disabled volunteer soldiers at Togus, Me.; J. P. Maxfield, treasurer of the Hiscox File Manufacturing Company, at West Chelmsford, Mass., who resides in Lowell, Mass.; Stephen W. Maxfield, a mechanic, now living in Nashua; Susan T. and Helen A.; the former married and resides in Wolfeborough, N. H., the latter in Lowell, Mass., with the widowed mother, who is still living at the ripe age of seventy years. Stephen C, the father, was employed for seventeen years by the Nashua Manufacturing Company, and was a faithful servant to his employers. He early became identified with the Methodist denomination, and was among the most zealous workers in building up the two societies in those early days. He died in Lowell. Mass., August 10, 1862, having lived a consistent Christian life, at the age of fifty-three years.

When Rufus was eight years old he was employed in the carding department of the Nashua company's mills during his school vacations. It was here that he was first taught the rudiments of cotton-manufacture. For awhile he worked as back boy in the mule-spinning department. In 1846 the family removed to Lowell, Mass. After attending school here for a short time he again went into the mill in the carding department on the Lawrence corporation. From here he was transferred to the mule-spinning department. In 1853 he left the mill temporarily to attend school at Northfield, N. H., where he remained two years, when he returned to the mill and to his mule-spinning. He passed through the various grades until he reached the position of second overseer. He was married on the 10th of May, 1856, to Mary A. Spaulding, daughter of Joshua Spaulding, of Pepperell, Mass.

Soon after the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, the mills of Lowell suspended operations, and thousands were thrown out of employment, Mr. Maxfield among the rest. In 1863 he entered the employ of the Naumkeag Mill, at Salem, Mass., as second overseer under Charles D. McDuffie, Esq., who had charge of all the spinning in these mills. Mr. McDuffie is now agent of the Manchester Mills, Manchester, N. H. Mr. Maxfield remained in the employ of the Naumkeag Mill until the close of the war, when, the corporations in Lowell resuming operations, he was tendered the position of overseer of the mule-spinning in the hosiery-mill of the Lawrence Manufacturing Company, who were then starting. Here he remained until the spring of 1866, when he took charge of the mule-spinning in number five mill, then the largest mill owned by the Lawrence company. During the latter part of 1868 he had charge of all the spinning in this mill.

In 1869 he was appointed superintendent of Ida Hill Mill, Troy, N. Y. Under adverse circumstances, with a mill cramped for power, and with old machinery very much out of repair, he was very successful, earning satisfactory profits for the owners. In the year 1872, the management of the Tremont and Suffolk Mills in Lowell, Mass., offered him the position of superintendent of their large mills, where, under Thomas S. Shaw, Esq., agent, he remained until 1875. During his connection with this company, the quality of the Canton flannels, which are a "specialty" with these mills, was brought up to a standard that made them rank among the first in the market, commanding ready sales and good prices.

The directors of the Nashua Manufacturing Company, on the death of Oliver Hussey, Esq., in January, 1875, realizing the qualifications of Mr. Maxfield for such a position, appointed him agent of their large mills in Nashua, N. H. During Mr. Maxfield's administration to the present time, there have been extensive alterations and improvements in the direction of economy of manufacture and increased production, so that the reputation of the company that owned the model mills of New England has been maintained. Thus we find the boy who at eight years of age took his first lesson in cotton-manufacture, returning, after the lapse of thirty-two years, to the same mills as agent. Little did the youth dream what thirty-two years would bring to pass in his career.

Socially Mr. Maxfield is a very agreeable gentleman; and, while he has devoted his energies during all these years to his chosen calling, he has found time to connect himself by social ties to beneficiary organizations, thus lending his influence to the great work in which they are engaged. He was prominent for many years in the management of the affairs of Mechanics Lodge of Odd Fellows of Lowell, Mass., passing through the various positions until now he is one of the "Past Grands" of this lodge. He is also a member of Pentucket Lodge of Masons, Royal Arch Chapter, Ahasuerus Council, and Pilgrim Commandry of that city.

He is a regular attendant of the Methodist church, and is respected by the people of Nashua for his upright and honorable course of life. He is prompt to decide questions that come before him; but his decisions, though firm, are tempered with that affability of manner which relieves them of much of the harshness that many men manifest. May he be spared many years to pursue his favorite calling; and may the day be far distant when the Nashua Manufacturing Company shall lose his services, or the city of Nashua lose so worthy a citizen.

GEORGE BURLEY SPALDING, D. D.

BY REV. A. H. QUINT. D. D.

GEORGE BURLEY SPALDING, the present pastor of the First church in Dover, was born in Montpelier, Vt., August 11, 1835, son of Dr. James Eliza (Reed) Spalding. The line of American descent on the paternal side as follows: Edward, of Chelmsford, Mass., immigrant; Benjamin, whose will was proved April 5, 1670; Edward, of Canterbury, Conn.; Ephraim, of Connecticut; Reuben, of Connecticut; Reuben, who married Jerusha Carpenter, and lived in Sharon, Vt.; Dr. James; and Rev. George Burley.

Deacon Reuben Spalding, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the early settlers of Vermont, whose life was not more remarkable for his toils, privations, and energy as a pioneer in a new country, than for his unbending Christian integrity. He entered Sharon in 1769, and lived on the same farm eighty years. He was a member of the church sixty-one years, and deacon forty-two years. He was distinguished for "the best qualities of the old New England Puritanism."

Dr. James Spalding was the third of twelve children, and for many years a successful practitioner of medicine in Montpelier, Vt., but especially eminent in surgery. He graduated at the Dartmouth Medical School at the age of twenty years. He was more than forty years a member of the Vermont Medical Society; its secretary over twenty years, its president in 1866, 1867, and 1868. "His life," says a printed sketch, "was that of the good Samaritan, a life of toil, prayer, and sympathy for others."

By the line of Reed, the family is of the same blood with Rev. Dr. Gardiner Spring and Rev. Dr. Edwards A. Park. The grandmother of Dr. George B. Spalding, and the grandfather of the late Senator Matthew H. Carpenter, were sister and brother.

George Burley Spalding was the seventh of nine children. He fitted for college at the Washington County Academy, Montpelier, and graduated at the University of Vermont in 1856, being twenty-one years of age. He read law one year in Montpelier, with Hon. Charles W. Willard, and then went to Tallahassee, Fla., where he read law another year with Judge W. C. M. Davis. While in the South, he was a regular correspondent of the _New York Courier and Enquirer_, of which his brother, James Reed Spalding, was one of the editors. As such he attended the noted Southern commercial convention in Savannah, in 1858, where Yancey, Rhett, Barnwell, and DeBow poured out their hot invective. In the following year he mingled with the great southern leaders, on the eve of the great events which were soon to burst upon the country. Doubtless in his law study and in his intercourse with men in different phases of society, he acquired that practical acquaintance with human nature which makes available his instinctive and common-sense power of meeting all classes of men.

Flattering offers were made him by Judge Davis to remain and enter into practice with that eminent lawyer, at a large assured income. But Mr. Spalding had already changed his purpose for life. He returned North, abandoned the law, and began the study of theology in the Union Theological Seminary in New York city in 1858. Here he remained two years. Here, also, he did regular editorial work on the _New York World_, of which his brother was founder, and subsequently wrote for the columns of the _New York Times_. This experience enabled him, later, to write, for five years, a large portion of the editorial leaders of the _Watchman and Reflector_. While in Union Seminary, his spirit of independence and industry was so strong that he supported himself entirely by his literary work. Leaving New York, he entered Andover Theological Seminary, where, after one year's study, he graduated in 1861. On the 5th of October of that year he was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Vergennes, Vt., a position to which he had, in fact, been called before his graduation, as well as to another field. He resigned his successful pastorate at Vergennes, August 1, 1864, to accept a call to the Park church, Hartford, Conn., formerly Dr. Bushnell's, where he was installed September 28. He resigned that charge, and was dismissed March 23, 1869, and was installed pastor of the First church in Dover, September 1, following.

This church is the second in point of age in this state, being organized in December, 1638, and preceded by Hampton only. The old Exeter First church itself later, became extinct in 1642, and the present First church of Exeter dates from 1698 only. The Dover First _parish_ dates from October, 1633, and is unquestionably the oldest in New Hampshire. A long line of able men has been on the roll of the pastors of that venerable church. Under none has it been so strong and so influential as under Dr. Spalding. Its numbers have largely increased; its pews are at a constant premium; its pew-occupants number men of the highest distinction in the state. Three years since, the whole of the handsome church edifice was refitted at an expense of over twelve thousand dollars, besides the amount necessary to purchase the pew property, and no debt remains. An elegant and commodious parsonage has also been purchased and paid for. Without disparagement to others, it is safe to say that public opinion accords to Mr. Spalding a foremost place among the ministers of New Hampshire. Certainly no pastor of the ancient First church ever had a greater public respect or a deeper personal affection. His administration of a strong and thinking society goes on without even a ripple. He has been frequently called to attend distant councils, some of great and even national interest, and some where delicate questions required the wisest consideration; and in all cases his calm and deliberate judgment has had an influence inferior to none. One of these was the great Brooklyn Council, of national interest, in 1876.

In his preaching, one has to study him to get the secret of his influence. There is nothing in it to startle. There is no dramatic exhibition. It is the farthest possible from the sensational. There are never any protruding logical bones. He never indulges in any prettinesses of diction. But a critical analysis (the last thing one thinks of in listening to him) reveals the elements of his power. His themes are always elevated themes. One sees the most earnest convictions held in perfect independence and honesty; a natural development of thought in an always fresh and orderly way; a diction as clear as a pellucid brook; illustrations drawn from wide observation, always simple and frequently beautiful; a genial, sometimes intense, glow pervading his whole discourse; and a dignified but simple manliness throughout. Fully six feet in height, and with liberally developed physique, he impresses one at first mainly with the idea of manly strength. But it takes no great time to see that commanding intellectual abilities are fully parallel with his physique; and those who hear him, and especially those who know him, find an equal development of a generous nature which inclines always to sympathy, and with which he answers, in public and private, to every appeal to his helpful power. In doctrine he is understood to hold the main tenets of what is called _old_ theology, but as forces rather than dogmas, and liberally instead of severely applied.

Mr. Spalding's literary work has been extensive, but mainly upon current newspaper periodicals. This has given him, of course, a valuable directness and clearness of expression. A few sermons and other productions have been published: A sermon on God's Presence and Purpose in the War, November 26, 1863; a discourse commemorative of Gen. Samuel P. Strong, February 28, 1864; a discourse on the 250th anniversary of the settlement of Dover, May 18, 1873; a discourse commemorative of the character and career of Hon. John P. Hale, November 27, 1873, which the poet Whittier characterized in the highest terms,--a fine specimen of judicious analysis, in which he does justice to the pioneer of the anti-slavery cause in the United States senate,--a justice now lately apparently purposely ignored out of a desire to magnify a brilliant but later laborer. The Relation of the Church to Children, November 6, 1873. The Dover Pulpit in the Revolution, July 9, 1876,--for which he searched and well used the manuscript of his eminent predecessor, Dr. Jeremy Belknap. The fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Conference of Churches of Strafford county, June 18, 1878. The Idea and Necessity of Normal-School Training, December 26, 1878. Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Normal School, June, 1879. Memorial on the Death of Garfield, September, 1881. Historical discourse on the one-hundredth anniversary of the Piscataqua Association, October 26, 1881. On the death of Wells Waldron, November 13, 1881. On the death of John Riley Varney, May 5, 1882.

In addition, however, to his other work, he has been, and is, the editor of the _New Hampshire Journal_, a successful weekly in the interest of the Congregational churches, from which some of his keen editorials have met with favor throughout the country.

Mr. Spalding was a member of the constitutional convention of New Hampshire which met January 8, 1877. He represented Dover in the New Hampshire house of representatives in 1877. He is also a trustee of the state normal school, by appointment of the governor and council, his first appointment, for two years, being made in 1876, and his chairmanship of that board commencing soon after and now continuing. He became a member of the school committee of Dover in 1875, and still continues, having been its chairman from 1876. He was chosen trustee and one of the executive committee of the New Hampshire Missionary Society is 1873; and still retains each position. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth College in 1878.

Dr. Spalding married Sarah Livingston, daughter of Rev. Dr. John W. Olmstead, manager and editor of the _Watchman and Reflector_; her mother, Mary, was daughter of Richard Montgomery Livingston, a lawyer of Saratoga, N.Y. Their children are Mary Livingston, Martha Reed, Catherine Olmstead (who died August 29, 1881, aged fourteen), Gertrude Parker, and George Brown.

JAMES F. BRIGGS.

BY HENRY M. PUTNEY.

John and Nancy (Franklin) Briggs were of that class of working Englishmen who had the courage to flee from hard surroundings which no strength could overcome, and seek in a new world, among strangers, a chance to improve their condition. They were factory operatives at Bury, Lancashire county, England, where their son JAMES F. was born, October 23, 1827. When he was fourteen months old they took passage on an emigrant ship for America, and after a rough voyage of more than seven weeks landed in Boston, March 4, 1829. Going direct to Andover, Mass., the father found employment in a woolen-factory there. From that place he removed to Saugus, where he worked a short time, and from thence to Amesbury, which was the family home until 1836. In the fall of that year the father, in company with two brothers, bought a small woolen-factory at Holderness, now Ashland, N. H., and, having established his home near by, commenced business on his own account, in manufacturing woolen cloths. But few operatives were needed to run this mill, and they were mainly the three proprietors and their children, among whom was the boy James, then a lad nine years old, who had begun to earn his living in a factory before the removal from Massachusetts, the family circumstances being such that all had to contribute to its support as soon as they were able. He was continuously employed in the mill for the next five years; but during this time he had learned enough of books to make him ambitious to know more; and, as the affairs of the family were fairly prosperous, at the age of fourteen he was sent to the academy at Newbury, Vt., and afterwards to the one at Tilton. Being an expert operative, able to take the wool from the fleece and convert it into cloth, by working in the factory a part of each year he earned the money to pay his expenses at these institutions one or more terms every year until 1848, when he arranged to commence the study of law with Hon. William C. Thompson, at Plymouth; but in February of that year his father died leaving a family of eight children, six of whom were younger than James, in destitute circumstances. This affliction, which threw the care of the family largely upon the young man, compelled him to change somewhat his plans; but he did not for a moment lose sight of the object he had in view, and, as he could not enter the law office at Plymouth, he borrowed books from it and pursued his studies during such time as he could get at home, for a year, when he entered the office of Hon. Joseph Burrows, then a practicing lawyer at Holderness.

In 1849 the family removed to Fisherville, in order that the younger children might obtain employment in the factory there, and he completed his studies in the office of Judge Butler, from which he was admitted to the bar in 1851. A few months later he commenced the practice of law at Hillsborough Bridge, whither he went a perfect stranger, without money or reputation. But he had ability and energy, was willing to work, knew how to live within a small income until he could make it larger, and little by little he gained clients and friends, who gave him a lucrative practice, accepted his counsel, followed his leadership, and established his reputation as the most popular and influential man of the town. In 1856, 1857, and 1858, he was sent by a nearly unanimous vote to represent Hillsborough in the legislature, where he was at once accorded a prominent position as a member of the judiciary committee, and the third year was honored by the nomination of his party for the speakership. At this time he acted with the Democratic party, and continued to do so until the war of the rebellion, when he felt that all loyal men should unite to save the Union and maintain the national authority, and, having been nominated by the Democracy of his district for councilor upon a platform which enunciated peace-at-any-price doctrines, to which he could not assent, he declined the nomination, and from that day has been an ardent, active, and enthusiastic Republican.