Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 7.djvu/385

 THE WILSONS OF KEENE.

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��put an end to the war and, for a time, to the manufacture of cotton at the North Factory. James then went to work on his father's farm ; but, when his father removed to Keene, he de- cided to resume his studies and picked up his books and went back to school. He entered the Middlebury College in 1816, and graduated in 1820. He delivered the class oration at the si)ec- ial class exercises near his graduation. Among his classmates was Rev. Dr. Olin, with whom he ever main- tained the clo.sest friendship. James immediately began the study of law with his father, and was admitted to the bar, in Cheshire county, at the fall term, 1823. He succeeded imme- diately to his father's business in the office and in the courts. At first, he practiced in Cheshire, Sullivan, Graf- ton, and Coos counties, but after his father was stricken with paralysis, in 1836, and required much of his son's attention, he abandoned the north- ern counties and practiced only in Cheshire.

In the military service of his state. Gen. Wilson was deservedly popular. He was appointed Captain of the Keene Light Infantry, Jan. i, 182 1, and rose through all the various ranks until he was made Major General of the Third Division of the N. H. Mil- itia.

In 1825, he was chosen as one of the two representatives to the general court from the town of Keene. In 1828, he was elected speaker of the house of representatives of the state of Kew Hampshire. While in the chair, the Hon. John Bell, tlte father of Hon. Charles H. Bell, Ex- Governor of New Hampshire, was in-

��augurated. In the legislature at that time, were Hon. Ezekiel Webster, the Hon. B. M. Farley, the Hon. Joseph Bell, the Hon. P. Noyes, and other noted men from different parts of the state. From the year 1S25 to the year 1840 inclusive. Gen Wilson rep- resented Keene in the state legisla- ture, excepting the years 1S33, 183S, and 1S39. In the last two of the years just named, he was Whig candi- date for governor, but ums defeated by his Democratic opponent.

The year 1840 was a notable year in the history of this country. No political campaign ever exce-eded this in interest and excitement. The Dem- ocrats had nominated Martin Van Bu- ren for a second term, and the Whigs had nominated Gen. W. H. Harrison. The shouts for " Tippecanoe and Ty- ler too," the long processions in which were the log cabins and barrels of hard cider, and the excited political debates and stump speeches, will nev- er be forgotten by any one who partici- pated in the eventful campaign. Gen. Wilson remarkably distinguished him- self in this exciting struggle, deliver- ing stump speeches in all parts of the country, and contributing largely to the success won by the Whig party. He had been famous as an orator and advocate before, but his rhetorical triumphs, at this time, extended his reputation to all parts of the land. His presence was unusually impres- sive. He was six feet four inches in height, straight, well-built, with black curling hair and bright blue eyes, as fine a set of white, sound teeth as was ever seen, of a stern and deter- mined, yet fascinating and impressive countenance. He delighted to joke

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