|
Immediately after graduating, he commenced the study of law with Hon. Samuel
N. Bell (class of 47), at Manchester, New Hampshire, remaining with him for three
years, with the exception of the Winters, when he taught school at Gloucester,
Massachusetts. He was admitted to the bar of Hillsborough county, Supreme Court of
New Hampshire, in September, 1867.
He started West immediately, and located at Seymour, Indiana, October 14, 1867,
where he has continued in the practice of his profession up to the present date. He holds
a high rank as a citizen, as well as a lawyer, enjoying a lucrative practice, and possessing
one of the largest and best selected law libraries in the State of Indiana. He was honored
by his fellow citizens by an election to the office of Mayor of Seymour, from May, 1870,
to May, 1872. He declined a reelection at the next term, but in May, 1874, he was again
elected, and served two terms, until May, 1878, when he positively declined to again be a
candidate, although persistently urged to do so.
In the Fall of 1880, he was the Republican nominee for Congress from his
District, and made an active and laborious canvass. This District is the greatest
Democratic stronghold in the State, and he was defeated by his Democratic opponent, as
he expected to be, but by a very largely decreased Democratic majority, running far
ahead of his ticket, polling a larger vote than any Republican candidate that ever
preceded him.
He was a member of the Board of Trustees, and Treasurer of the School Board
from June, 1880, to June, 1883, and was then reelected for the term ending in June,
1886. He is noted for his zeal in educational matters.
He is also the Attorney of several Building and Loan Associations, which
aggregate a capital of over half a million dollars. He is the Attorney, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Seymour and Jonesville Gravel Road Company; Secretary and
Treasurer of the Seymour Gaslight and Coke Company, and Attorney for the Seymour
Amusement Association.
He has taken an active and deep interest in Freemasonry, making a careful and
thorough study of its workings. His library contains nearly one hundred and fifty bound
volumes of Masonic literature, not including innumerable reports in pamphlet form.
He has held the following offices: In the Grand Lodge of Indiana, he was Grand
Lecturer from 1875-7; Grand Marshal, 1877-8; Junior Grand Warden, from 1879-80;
Senior Grand Warden from 1880-2; Deputy Grand Master from 1882-3, and Grand
Master in 1884.
In the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, he was Grand King from 1880-1;
Deputy Grand High Priest from 1881-2, and Grand High Priest from 1882-3.
In the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, he was Grand Principal
Conductor of the Work from 1875-6; Illustrious Master from 1876-7; Deputy Illustrious
Grand Master from 1877-8, and Illustrious Grand Master from 1878-9.
He is very pleasantly situated, as some of us who have visited him can testify. His
home is a model one, and abounds with every convenience that good taste can suggest.
He was married October 27, 1874, to Miss Belle C. Thurston, of Seymour,
Indiana.
They have had four children: George McC., born April 26, 1876; Albert P., born
October 19, 1879; Frank C., born April 22, 1882, and a boy, born March 7, 1884.
Frank C. died October 26, 1882.
|
