Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 8.djvu/337

son), Nathan K. Abbott, Deacon James Moulton, Joseph Robinson, Moody Currier, Edwin D. Sanborn, and T. D. P. Stone. The old academy was on the hill just south of Washington Street.

Among the residents of the town, not already mentioned, were Judges Ira Perley, Josiah Bellows, Matthew Harvey, and William H. Bartlett; Govs. Walter Harriman and Nathaniel B. Baker; George A. Pillsbury, Parker Lyon, Chandler E. Potter, and a long list of honorable and worthy men and women.

The lawyers of the city rank very high in their profession, and there are a great many of them; and the same is true of the medical fraternity.

The city is far enough away from any great centre to be cosmopolitan. The society is very refined, its members having had the advantage of extensive travel.

The great event with the ladies of the city is the annual meeting of the "Old Charitable Society." All the churches are represented, and the electioneering going on for officers and the balance of power is refreshing to a ward politician.

Politically the city is strongly Republican, but there is very little animosity in politics. The county of Merrimack is so very close, however, that both parties are always on their good behavior.

A Rip Van Winkle would see the most startling changes, however, on the central part of Main Street. Mother Osgood's Tavern stood on the site of Exchange Block. The Benjamin Gale Tavern has been replaced by the State Capitol bank building, while the Centennial Block replaces the residence of Deacon William Gault. Low and Damon made chairs there later. William Low, a brother of Gen. Low, postmaster for many years, had a tavern on the site of the board-of-trade building.

As the older generation passes away, their places are taken by younger people. The citizens of the city to-day are an active, wide-awake body, determined to keep Concord in the front rank as an enterprising and attractive city. The time is approaching when the vast forces, now almost entirely unused, at Sewall's Falls and at Garvin's Falls, will be utilized.

As time rolls on, the great plains of the West will have become settled, and the young men and women of the city will not be drawn away to distant States. Here will be the goal of their ambition. Every available foot of land will be utilized. Every pound of water-power will be employed to clothe the nations, and provide for their numerous wants.

Here will be the site of schools, colleges, cathedrals, libraries, hospitals, and parks. Here will be homes of culture and elegance, distinguished as in the present and past by the virtue, intelligence, and generosity of the citizens.