LEVI W. BARTON.
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��Being anxious to enter upon the practice of his chosen profession at the earliest possible day, he commenced the study of the law with Hon. Daniel Blaisdell of Hanover, during his senior year.
Immediately after graduating, Mr. Barton commenced teaching the Canaan Academy, and at the same time entered as a student the office of Judge Kittredge, where he remained until January, 185 1. While there he taught the Academy five terms, the Academy being then in a flourishing condition. He was also appointed postmaster of Canaan, which office he held until January, 185 1, when he went to Newport, and completed his course of legal study with Messrs. Metcalf and Corbin, and where he was admitted to practice in July of the same year. In 1854 he became the law partner of Hon. Ralph Metcalf, and continued one year in business with him, when the latter was elected Governor of the State, and retired from practice. Mr. Barton then formed a partnership with Shepherd L. Bowers, Esq., then just commencing the practice of the law, and continued the partnership until 1859.
While his professional duties have claimed the greater share of his atten- tion, he has found time to engage in house-building, having erected and completed four entire sets of buildings ; in practical farming, for which he has a strong liking ; in stock raising and in fruit growing, in both of which he has had much practical experience.
In 1855, 1856 and 1857 he was Register of Deeds for Sullivan county ; was County Solicitor from 1859 to 1864; was representative to the State Legislature in 1863, 1864, 1875, 1876 and 1877, and State Senator in 1867 and 1868. During his entire term of service in both branches, he was a member of the Judiciary Committee, and for five years its chairman. In 1866 he was chairman of the board of Commissioners appointed by Gov. Smith to audit and report the war in- debtedness of the state. In 1876 he was a member of the convention to
��revise the constitution of the state, and the same year, one of the Republican Electors of President and Vice-Presi- dent of the United States. He was ap- pointed Bank Commissioner by Gov. Harriman, but declined the office. In 1877 he was appointed by Gov. Pres- cott one of the Commissioners to revise and codify the laws of New Hamp- shire.
He has been twice a prominent can- didate for Congress, but has failed of a nomination through local divisions, though his qualifications for the posi- tion no one questioned, nor could any one say that the nomination was not due to him if long continued, faithful, public service could confer such right on any one.
As a teacher, Mr. Barton had few su- periors. He taught in all seventeen terms, the last three in Newport, after his admission to the bar. For four years following he had charge of the district schools of the town.
When he opened an office in New- port, he found there the Hon. Edmund Burke, Messrs. Metcalf and Corbin, Amasa Edes, Esq., David Allen, Esq., and William F. Newton, Esq., all in the practice of their profession. The field seemed to be fully and ably occupied. No wonder that some predicted that Mr. Barton would be starved out. But a man who had supported himself for sixty cents a week at the Academy, and for less than two dollars a week at Col- lege, was not the man to starve easily. He knew what economy meant, and how to practice accordingly. His early training had made him muscular and self-reliant. It soon became apparent that he had come to stay ; for from the outset his success was assured. It immediately became apparent that he would bring to the discharge of the duties of his new position the same en- ergy and devotion to principles, which had heretofore characterized his ac- tions. From that time to the present he has enjoyed the confidence of the public.
As a counselor he is cautious and careful, dissuading his clients from en- gaging in litigation, rather than en-
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