Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 7.djvu/369

 THOMAS PERKINS CHP:NEY.

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��•Charles Wright, of Holderness. VII. Daniel P. Cheney, born July 27, 1840 ; was in the Union army, a member and Orderly Sergeant of Co. E, 12th N. H. Vols. Two of the brothers re-
 * side in Sioux City, Iowa, and one in

Dixon, 111.

Thomas Perkins Cheney was born February 24, 1833, iu Holderness vil- lage, now included in the town of Ashland, in the same house where his father and mother died. His early education was received at the district schools of his native village, and at the Holderness High-school, where he had the advantage of instruction from Miss Nancy St. Clair Perkins, who after- wards married his relative. Rev. Dr. Oren B. Cheney, president of Bates' College, and from his cousin, C. G. Che- ney, Esq. During the last of his school ■days, young Cheney attended the New Hampshire Conference Seminary, located at that time in Northfield. As a scholar, he possessed a quick and retentive memory, and early in life developed those characteristics which have since distinguished him. He was popular with his school-fellows, and a leader both in his studies and all boyish sports. He was specially Teady in debate, illustrating his point by an apt and well-told story, which made his speaking effective.

At the early age of twelve years, he -displayed his self-reliant disposition by obtaining employment in a woolen factory, thus earning the money to be used in his future education. In the mill and in the school-house, at work and at play, he was constantly storing his mind for the conflict with the world. At home, he had the tender training of a wise and judicious moth-

��er, who carefully and patiently attend- ed to his moral training and the form- ation of his character, and cultivated his sturdy uprightness and fine sense of honor. His wit and humor need- ed no training : they were inborn or indigenous in his temperament. Dur- ing his school days, he worked for some time in the paper mill, and, at the age of sixteen, entered the busi- ness man's most practical college, a country store, in which was the village post-office. There he learned the in- tricacies of commerce, and studied the various phases of human nature to the best advantage — acquiring at the same time some knowledge of the requirements of that branch of the public service which later was to occupy so much of his attention.

In the store, around the warm stove would be gathered of a winter even- ing the Solons of the town, the free- men of America, who discussed with- out fear or favor public men and pub- lic measures, wisely or otherwisely. In this school, the naturally active mind of the boy received the best of training. At that time, the great speeches of Webster, Clay, Calhoun, and Benton were familiar topics of conversation. In considering the teachings of those old political mas- ters, the yeomen of the country be- came wise and erudite on national issues and the great questions of the day. Mr. Cheney came of a schol- astic and talented family. The quali- ties of earnest and deep thought, strong convictions, and inflexible pur- pose were inherited by him from a long line of rugged and strong ances- tors who had battled man and nature for the grand idea of personal liberty

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