Page:One of a thousand.djvu/597

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STODDARD. STONE. 533 served twelve years, and on the board of cattle commissioners, of which he has been chairman since 1868. He was called to a professorship in the Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, in 1867. From 1876 to '79 he was acting president, and president from 1880 to the present time. Some of Professor Stockbridge's most interesting experiments were made in measuring the force that plants exert in their growth ; especially worthy of men- tion, also, are his experiments, unique and original, made on the effects of moisture. His experiments on percolation, evapora- tion and dew, were made with instruments of his own invention. But of his investigations and experi- ments, those which resulted in the most practical results to agriculturists were made in 1S6S, '69 and '70,011 the chemical composition of farm crops, and the effect of supplying the constituent elements needed. These led to the use of special, instead of general, or random, fertilizers. He has been called to serve various agricultural societies, and has delivered many lectures on his specialties in New York as well as the New England states. In addition to his contributions to the an- nual reports of the Massachusetts Agricul- tural College, he has published numerous other articles of weight and merit, espe- cially illustrating the results of his experi- ments and discourses in his chosen life work. Professor Stockbridge resides in Am- herst. STODDARD, ELIJAH BRIGHAM, son of Elijah and Zilpah (Nelson) Stoddard, was born in Upton, Worcester county, June 5, 1S26. After passing through the public schools of his native place, he fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H., and was graduated from Brown University, Provi- dence, R. I., in the class of 1847. After graduation he studied law in Wor- cester, with John C. B. Davis, and was ad- mitted to the Worcester county bar in June, 1849, an< J began the practice of law in partnership with Mr. Davis, under the name of Davis & Stoddard, which continued until 1852 ; then with Hon. Isaac Davis until 1 85 7. Mr. Stoddard was elected to the House of Representatives in 1S56: district attor- ney in 1857 ; a member of the Senate, 1863 and '64, and a member of the govern- or's council, 1 87 1 and '72. He was mayor of Worcester, 1882, and his administration was marked, as has been his management of all public affairs, with ability and con- scientious adherence to duty. Mr. Stoddard was married in Worcester, June 16, 1852, to Mary E., daughter of Isaac and Mary H. (Estabrook) Davis. Of this union were three children : Edward D., Mary G., and Amy L. Stoddard. For nearly twenty years he was engaged in the full practice of his profession, and withdrew from court practice in 1866 to accept the secretaryship of the Merchants' & Farmers' Insurance Company. Mr. Stoddard was elected president of the Quinsigamond Bank in 1884, which position he still holds. He is also presi- dent of the Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank. He has been a member of the Wor- cester public school board nine years, and for the past ten years has been a member of the state board of education, where he has rendered zealous and lasting service. His native tact and business discretion have been recognized by thirty years' con- tinuous service as a director of the Provi- dence & Worcester R. R. ; as a solicitor and trustee of the State Mutual Life Assur- ance Company, and as a trusted counselor of various public and private enterprises. In politics he is well known as a consistent and influential Republican. STONE, ANDREW C, son of Aaron and Mary (Ward) Stone, was born in Marl- borough, Cheshire county, N. H., May 16, 1859. He received his early education in the public schools, and in the higher branches at the Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H., from which he graduated in 1S60. He afterwards commenced the study of law with the Hon. Daniel Saunders. In 1S62 he enlisted as a private in the 33d Massachusetts regiment, and served three years. On being mustered out he went to Ohio and resumed the study of law, and was ad- mitted to the Ohio bar in 1867. He re- turned to Lawrence, where, having been admitted to the Massachusetts bar, he com- menced practice. He took an active interest in politics ; was president of Lawrence common coun- cil for one year ; was chairman of the Re- publican city committee ; member of the Republican state central committee, and delegate to the national Republican con- vention at Chicago, in 1884. He was elected state senator for 1880 and '82, dur- ing which time he was a member of the judiciary and railroad committees. In 1885 he was appointed city solicitor, and in 1887.