He was married to Mathilda Gordon Thompson, March 11, 1863. He received the degree of A.M. from Amherst college. Among the organizations to which he belongs are : The Grand Army of the Republic, Loyal Legion, Medal of Honor Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, Society of the Army of the Potomac, and the Metropolitan club of Washington. In politics he has always been a Republican. His religious connection is with the Unitarian denomination. The books which he has found most helpful he names as, the Bible; the works of Shakespeare, Scott, Burns, Tennyson, Dickens, Holmes, Lowell, Emerson, Longfellow, Browning, Whittier, Higginson, Channing, Spencer, Bulwer, Thackeray; and books on history. He has given some attention to physical culture from which he has received great benefit. The relaxations, sports and amusements which he has enjoyed are riding, driving, hunting, fishing, dancing, checkers, chess, baseball and whist.
In early life he had the usual tasks which fall to the boy on the farm, but they were not so exacting as to interfere with his studies. He was fond of reading, and he enjoyed the common country sports and pastimes. Circumstances over which he had no control determined his line of effort, but when his career was once chosen, he entered heartily into his work, and for forty-three years he served the government with zeal and fidelity. To the young he would say that "forgetfulness of self" should be the guiding principle of life.
