Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 10.djvu/300

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288

��Hon. Amos y. Blake.

��remained several months, and was engaged as a school teacher.

After a brief residence in New York, he married, November 29, 1785, Jerusha Gerould, daughter of Gama- liel and Jernsha (Mann) Geronld, of Wrentham, and settled in Stoddard, N. H. In 1792 lie removed to Rindge, where he continued to reside, follow- ing the occupation of a farmer and wheelwright.

Under the ministry of the eminent Dr. Seth Pay son, he was chosen dea- con of the Congregational church, in which capacity he officiated until 80 years of age. The blameless charac- ter of Deacon Blake, his unimpeach- able integrity, and his Christian coun- sels will long be treasured by his townsmen and acquaintances. He died September 27, 1852, aged 95 years and 6 months.

The father of the subject of this sketch was the youngest child of Dea- con p]leazer Blake, and was born in Rindge, November 16, 1800. His oc- cupation was that of a farmer and carpenter. He was a man of sound mind and sterling character. He al- ways took a deep interest in public affairs, and for many years held and discharged with fidelity the office of justice of the peace, and several town offices. He died April 8, 1883, aged 83 years. He was admitted a member of the Congregational church October 26, 1834.

The mother of the subject of this sketch was the daughter of Amos and Lydia Jewett, of Rindge. She was a woman of superior endowments, a de- voted wife and motlier, uniting exem- plary Christian piety with an uncloud- ed disposition and many excellences of character. The light of her exam-

��ple will long continue to shed its cheerful rays around the pathway of her surviving children. She was admit- ted a member of the Congregational church on the same date with her hus- band — October 26, 1834. She died November 10, 1874, aged 72 years.

The subject of our sketch attended the common and select schools of his native town, until, arriving at the age of 17 years, he determined upon a higher course of education and mental training; pursued a classical course of studies, and the higher branches and mathematics, at Mt. Csesar Sem- inary, Swanzey, N. H., Green Moun- tain Liberal Institute, Woodstock, Vt., and at Appleton academy, New Ipswich, N. H., until July, 1859, when he was fitted to enter college a year in advance, having taught sciiool during each winter to procure the means for pursuing his studies. Upon leaving Appleton academy, he finally concluded to abandon the idea of go- ing to college, commenced the study of law at Keene in the office of F. F. Lane, and remained there until Feb- ruary 28, 1861, when he entered the office of D. H. Woodward, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1862. He commenced the practice of the law at Fitzwilliam, July 13, 1863, and has been in active practice of the law ever since.

He was appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue October 13, 1862, and held the office until June, 1871. Was elected representative to the state legislature in 1872 and 1873, servino; durins; both sessions of the legislature on the Judiciary Commit- tee. Was appointed state bank com- missioner in 1876, 1S77, 1878, and 1879. Was appointed and served as

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