Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/89

 HON. EDWARD ASHTON ROLLINS. 71

rest from toil of every kind, his active mind sought a new outlet for its energies ; and, upon his return to Philadelphia, he conceived the idea of establishing a new National Bank. The Centennial Exposition was about to be opened, and at the request of the Centennial Board of Finance the bank became its fiscal agent, was nam -d the Centennial National Bank, and he was elected its President. This office Mr. Rollins continues to hold, to the great advantage of the bank.

• In addition to his presidency of the Centennial National Bank, Mr. Rollins is a director of a bank in the West, and of several railroad companies, where he has large interests. For most of his life he has been an active member of a Christian Church, and always a scholar or teacher in the Sunday-School. At the present time he is a member of the session of the Walnut Street Presby- terian Church, in Philadelphia, — of which Rev. S. W. Dana, D.D.,is pastor, — and he is also a trustee of "The Presbyterian House," and a manager of "The Presbyterian Board of Publication."

'■ Mr. Rollins's studies and large experience have made him cultured and well-informed on all subjects of current thought. A constant reader, he is also a careful and logical thinker. His mental judgments are never hastily formed, and are, therefore, almost always sound and true. His inability to take a par- tial or one-sided view of any question makes him a most valuable friend and , counsellor, and, with his habits of patient research, would make him a model judge in any court. New Hampshire has seldom produced a man of such well-balanced, mind and well-rounded character, or more intellectually com- plete or capable than Mr. Rollins. In family and social life, his patience, vivacity, and cheerfulness make him much beloved. No more united or hap- pier family than his could be found, and their social life always sparkled with innocent mirthfulness. It should also be said, with truthfulness, that his whole plan of existence is founded upon deep religious convictions, which have never ceased to control his private and his official and public life. With few or no enemies (for a man so just can really have but few or none), Mr. Rollins is appreciated, respected, and loved by his troops of friends."*

Mr. Rollins was married, September 27, 1855, to Ellen Hobbs, daughter of Hon. Josiah Hilton Hobbs, of Wakefield, New Hampshire. Of their chil- dren, AViliard Ashton and Margaret Ellen died in infancy ; Marion, a beautiful child of eleven years, died in Washington, in 1867; Lucy Ward, Louise McCulloch, and Philip Ashton brighten their father's home. The only son, Philip Ashton Rollins, born January 20, 1869, is a studious boy, already preparing for college. Mrs. Rollins died May 29, 1881, and was buried in Great Falls.

At our request, the following sketch of Mrs. Rollins has been prepared by the Rev. H. Clay Trumbull, who, as her neighbor in her Philadelphia home, enjoyed her friendship, and had opportunities of knowing her well.

Mrs. Ellen H. Rollins

was born in Wakefield, New Hampshire, April 30, 1831. She was a descend- ant of one of the three families which, in 1623, made the first settlement on the Piscata(iua river, and by themselves and their descendants did so much to give an impress to south-eastern New Hampshire.

From her two parents Mrs. Rollins inherited strong and opposite qualities, which showed themselves in her nature in a striking and admirable combina- tion. Sound good sense was enlivened and adorned by an active imagination ;


 * Letter to Mr. McClintock from Hon. William E. Chandler.

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