Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 9.djvu/206

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184
Hon. Thomas Cogswell.

and served two years, and as his successor named Professor Jeremiah W. Sanborn, who has since done so much to elevate the farm and the farmer. He was President of the Belknap County Agricultural Society in 1883 and in 1884, and was a charter member of Crystal Lake Grange, number one hundred and one. Patrons of Husbandry, of Gilmanton Iron Works, and has been its Lecturer since its formation. He takes especial pride in his horses, for one of which he took the first prize at the New England Fair a few years since. His farm, as a whole, is one of the best in the town of Gilmanton, and is excelled by only a few in the State. It is good, strong land, and is very carefully cultivated.


CITIZEN.

Mr. Cogswell was commissioned colonel by Governor Weston. His fighting rank was captain, won on the field of battle at the age of twenty-two years, and very acceptable to him when used in addressing him by an old comrade of army days. The Colonel is a very generous man to his needy townsmen. Many good men are ready to help the "Lord's poor;" Colonel Cogswell always has a kind word and a helping hand and purse for that other kind of poor not so often in high favor. A ten-dollar bill, given or loaned at times by him, has saved many a poor fellow from trouble and distress of a serious nature. The Colonel is public-spirited. He supports all measures calculated to better his immediate locality, his native town, the State, or the nation. The village at the Iron Works has been improved and the value of property enhanced by his efforts with others in erecting there a shoe factory, which gives employment to above one hundred operatives. His large house is the home for the whole family of Cogswells where-ever scattered, and his many personal friends are there hospitably entertained. For many years he has been a liberal supporter of the Congregational Church of Gilmanton Iron Works, of which society he is a member, and he attends meeting regularly every Sunday. He is a member of the executive committee, which has charge of a fund of some $3500. He is not bigoted in his religious views, however, but contributes to the support of the gospel in all the neighboring churches. He is a member of the John L. Perley, Jr., Post, No. 37, G. A. R., of Laconia, and has frequently been called upon to deliver Memorial Day addresses. He is a member of the Winnipisseogee Lodge, F. and A. Masons, of Alton, and for two years was Master of the Lodge. He possesses a retentive memory and is an eloquent speaker, his off-hand addresses being especially pleasing to his audiences. He is a storehouse of facts relating to the early history of Gilmanton and its pioneers, and is especially interested in genealogies and subjects of antiquarian interest. He is a man of large frame, large head, large heart, popular with all who know him and with all who can appreciate a thoroughly good fellow. In the entertainment of company at his hospitable home he is ably seconded by his bright and vivacious wife, who heartily enters into all plans and aspirations of the Colonel's life.


ANCESTRY.[1]

The Cogswell family of America can trace their descent from John Cogswell,
——

  1. Largely compiled from "The Cogswells of America." by E. O. Jameson.