Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men
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.
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