Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 2.djvu/100

 92

��DYER HOOK SANBORN, A. M.

��ceded him, and was probably at that time at its climax, and extensive. An unusual advent of students from abroad was anticipated and realized. So many pupils, it was said, (the writer does not speak from data or personal knowledge) had not attended that institution at one time for many years, as did attend it during Prof. Sanborn's preceptorate; and it is doubtful if so many ever did in any one term afterward.

As the writer was walking home one evening he was accosted by the Profes- sor,to whom he had never before spoken. The popular teacher made enquiry in an easy and kindly way as to the opportu- nities, position and antecedents of the boy mechanic, and learning that the me- chanic was not altogether content to re- main as he was, gave him some encour- aging words, advised him about his reading, and was the first man who ever showed to him the possibility of pursu- ing those studies toward which he had looked with longing eyes afar off.

The acquaintance thus begun by the condescension of the Professor was by him encouraged and improved, and eventually ripened into a closer and more intimate friendship than often ex- ists between two of such disparity of years. In the days of his activity many men doubtless enjoyed his confidence, and thoroughly knew him in the various relations which he sustained to society. But during the years of his retirement at Hopkinton, the writer believes there were few men to whom the Professor spoke, of himself, of his history, his af- fairs and designs, more unreservedly than to himself.

While therefore he feels conscious that he thoroughly understood the man, and appreciated him for not more nor less than he actually was; and esteemed him mor.e highly as he knew him more inti- mately than the generality of his towns- men; he confesses himself disqualified, by the very circumstances, from attempt- ing an impartial analysis of his charac- ter and acquirements.

But Professor Sanborn's life was busy and fruitful, his talents versatile and va- riously employed. He sustained at dif-

��ferent times relations to interests widely diverse and unrelated. His influence with the young of both sexes was marked and unusual. For full fifty years he was an instructor of youth, and at the time he laid down the ferule had had perhaps a greater^number under his tuition than any other man in the State. For a gen- eration at least his name was familiar to the people, and the positions he filled, if not eminent, were at least not incon- spicuous in public affairs. His personal acquaintance was vast beyond any enu- meration. And yet, so far as the writer is aware, no connected history of the la- borious services rendered by this man, or the changes that marked his useful career, has ever been put on record.

Of the facts herein brought together some were obtained from an obituary in a Seminary paper printed at Tilton, some from his brother, Prof. E. D. Sanborn of of Dartmouth College, some from an ex- amination of catalogues, registers, ma- sonic proceedings, school reports and other documents, and many were com- municated by the gentleman himself in the latter years of his life. He has served his generation and his record is on high. These scanty and partial mem- oranda may also serve to preserve some knowledge and remembrance of it to the posterity of those who were in early years his pupils, and in after life his friends.

Dyer Hook Sanborn was named for his maternal grandfather, Capt. Dyer Hook of Chichester, formerly (1760) of Kings- ton, and one of the original proprietors of Wentworth, whose daughter, Hannah, married David E. Sanborn of Gilmanton, and became the mother of three sons who rose to distinction. Of the father, David E., and of the Hon. John S., his youngest son, a slight account is given in the sketch of Prof. Edwin D., Gran- ite Monthly, I, 289.

Dyer H. was born in Gilmanton, 29 July, 1799; and died in Hopkinton, 14 January, 1871. Brought up on his fa- ther's farm, which was a mile square, he was early engaged in the rural pursuits common to the life of a farmer's boy at that period. But having an active and

�� �