Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/295

 A SKETCH OF BRISTOL. 267

per annum. The teacliers in the district schools of the town, the last year, are reported as having been, with a single exception, former scholars of the High School.

LAWYERS.

Since the organization of the town quite a number of representatives of the legyl profession have been located here, for longer or shorter periods, some of whom have become distinguished in public and professional life. Among the earlier practitioners, whose names are recalled, were Uavid Smiley, Moses H. Bradley, Nathaniel G. Upham, Benjamin Weeks, and Samuel H. Stevens. Ralph Metcalf had an office here for a short time, about 1840, and Napoleon B. Bryant, now of Boston, was also once located in Bristol. Judge Josiah Minot, now of Concord, a native of the town, and son of Capt. James Minot, the first representative from Bristol, also commenced the practice of law in this village. Frederick Bartlett, a son of Ichabod C. Bartlett, prominent in the early history of the town, although now retired, was in law practice here for several years. Geo. \V. Tenney and Geo. B. Burns were also, at one time, prominent lawyers in Bristol. There are now four lawyers in practice in this town ; namely, Hon. Lewis W. Fling, Hon. Samuel K. Mason, Kenson E. Dearborn and Ira A. Chase.

Mr. Fling is a native of Windsor, Vt. but pursued the study of law in the office of ex-('hief Justice Sargent, at Wentworth.and was admitted to the Grafton County bar at the November term in 1851. He was in partnership with Judge Sargent at Wentworth about a year. He established himself in practice in Bris- tol in February. 1853, and has since remained, acquiring what may be regarded as an extensive business for a country village, and gaining the confidence of his clients and the respect of the people at large as a reliable counsellor and honorable practitioner. He has been prominent in educational and church affairs, was a member of the New Hampshire Senate in 1S71-72, and in the latter year received the honorary degree of A. M. from Dartmouth College.

Mr. Mason is a native of New Hampton, born May 17, 1832. He grad- uated from New Hampton Institution in 1854 ; read law in Prof. Fowler's Law School at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. ; attended Hamilton College Law School, grad- uating thereiro'm in July 1855 ; continued his studies in the office of Hon. E. A. Hibbard, at Laconia, and located in practice at Bristol in 1856, where he has since remained. He has been successful in his profession, and also largely in public life ; was postmaster of Bristol from 1861 to 1868; representative in 1868-69-70 ; Judge of Probate for the county of Grafton, from 187 1 to 1873, and has twice .served as county commissioner by appointment of court, once for three years and again for a short term. He was the candidate of the Lib- eral Republicans for governor of New Hampshire in 1873. For some time past he has been physically prostrated and confined to his bed, but his mind remains clear and active and he still transacts business to a considerable extent.

Mr. Dearborn, a native of Hill, pursued the study of law in Mr. Fling's office, was admitted to the bar in May, 1873, ^"''^ ^'^^^ since been in practice in Bris- tol.

Mr. Chase is a native of the town, a son of Dr. Chase, born March 25, 1854. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College of the class of 1877, studied with Mr. Fling, was admitted to the bar in March, 1881, and is now a partner with Mr. Fling in legal practice.

Harry M. Cavis, a native of Bristol, son of Geo. M. Cavis, and a great grand- son of Capt. James Minot, studied law with Hon. H. W. Parker, at Claremont,

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