Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/15

SAMUEL WHITNEY HALE. The son, William S., is in business with his father, and the daughter, Mary Louise, is at home with her parents. In addition to these Mr. Hale usually manages to have in his family, sharing his hospitality, some worthy persons, and it is very rare for his home to be destitute of a child, toward whom he manifests the most tender affection; indeed his love for children is proverbial, and is shown on the street, in railway cars, and wherever else children are to be met.

The home of Mr. Hale is one of the most elegant and attractive in the state. It is situated on Main street, and consists of a large mansion house, built by ex-Gov. Samuel Dinsmore in the year 1861, surrounded by five acres of land, largely in lawn. The house is tastefully and richly furnished, and the library is one of the largest in Cheshire county. The barn is a marvel of convenience and neatness, and the conservatory and grapery are the admiration of all visitors — grape raising being carried to a wonderful state of perfection. In this charming home Mr. Hale's family dwell in contentment, and here is exemplified the higher type of New England civilization and culture.

Mr. Hale's first vote was cast for a Free-soil candidate, and naturally enough he joined the Republican party at its organization. During the quarter of a century that has since elapsed he has been a true and uncompromising member of that political faith. Thoroughly believing in the principles of anti-slavery, and of the equality of all men before the law, he has steadily sustained every effort that was calculated to accomplish the results which he believed were just and right. Appreciating his political fidelity, his fellow-citizens have not allowed him to escape the honors and burdens of political office. He was elected a member of the state legislature in 1806, and was reelected the next year. In 1869 he was chosen a member of the Governor's council, to which position he was reelected in 1870. In 1880 he was selected as one of the delegates to the national Republican convention, at Chicago, and on the twelfth day of September, of the present year, after a most exciting and hotly-contested canvass, he received the Republican nomination as candidate for governor, to which exalted position he will undoubtedly be elected on the seventh day of November next. In all the places of trust and responsibility, political and otherwise, to which Mr. Hale has been called, he has shown great industry, rare sagacity, and profound integrity, and those who know him best predict that, as chief executive of the state, he will achieve as great renown as has been gained by any of his predecessors in that office.

No better illustration of the superiority of American life over that of other nations can be found than is supplied in the history of Mr. Hale. A poor boy, reared on a farm, he looked out over the world and saw the possibilities that were before him. With a brave heart and an indomitable will he grappled with the problem. Industry, integrity, and thrift were the principles that governed his conduct. An active temperament and a rare insight enabled him to triumph over obstacles in the presence of which most men would have faltered. Success followed as the result of energy and ability. The poor boy soon came to be the successful man of affairs, and the acknowledged leader of his section in all matters requiring business foresight and sagacity. The victory was not an easy one, but it came nevertheless, and it may justly serve as an incentive to all who are willing to engage in the struggle for wealth and eminence under similar circumstances.

Mr. Hale stands to-day before the people of New Hampshire in a representative capacity. Trusting fully