OUR GOVERNOR ELECT.
��foundation for that robust manhood, without which, complete success is al- most unattainable in every department of human labor.
The first mental training, outside the district school, of which he secured the advantage, was afforded by a private school at the village, under the tuition of Samuel H. Worcester, who subsequently became a noted teacher, and is now a well known physician of Salem, Mass. After this he attended several terms at the Blan- chard Academy in Pembroke and in the fall of 1850 he entered the preparatory course at Phillips Academy, Exeter, a year in advance, remaining three full years, so that in the fall of 1850, he was enabled to enter the Sophomore class at Dartmouth, where he graduated with honor in 1859. Among his class mates at Exeter was Jeremiah Smith of Dover, subsequently an Associate Justice of the Supreme Ju- dicial Court, and among the same at Dartmouth were F. D.Ayer now pastor of the North Church at Concord, Sullivan M. Cutcheon, late Speaker of the Michi- gan House of Representatives, and Ly- man G. Hinckley of Chelsea, Vt., subse- quently Lieutenant Governor of that State. While at Dartmouth he was a member,and at one time president, of the United Fraternity literary society, and at Exeter he was a member of the Golden Branch society in which he occupied the position of president and orator.
Soon after his graduation Mr. Prescott entered the office of H. A. & A. H. Bel- lows, at Concord, as a student at law, where he diligently pursued his studies until 1859, when he was admitted to the Merrimack County bar and commenced the practice of the profession, which he continued at Concord for about two years. In 1861, upon the appointment of Hon. George G. Fogg, editor of the In- dependent Democrat, as Minister to Swit- zerland, he was offered the position of associate editor of the paper, which he accepted, remaining with Mr. Hadley, in charge of the paper until Mr. Fogg's re- turn from Europe in 1866. The period of his editorial service covered that of the war of the Rebellion, and the develop- ment of the reconstruction policy of Congress, and the vigorous support
��which the Independent Democrat gave President Lincoln and the measures of the Administration party was clue in no small degree to the earnest nature and forcible pen of Mr. Prescott. During the latter part of Lincoln's administration he received an appointment as Special Agent of the Treasury, which position he held until the change of policy under President Johnsoii,when he was removed and Harry Bingham of Littleton ap- pointed in his stead. Subsequently he held the same position for a time under President Grant. After the death of his father in 1866, Mr. Prescott devoted much of his time and labor to the im- provement of the old homestead at Ep- ping, which thereupon came into his pos- session, though retaining his voting res- idence in Concord until some three or four years since. In 1S72 he was chosen by the Legislature, Secretary of State, and was re-elected the following year, as he was in 1875 and 1876, holding the po- sition at the present time. Through his long incumbency in this office he has not only become intimately acquainted with the leading men of both parties in all sections of the State,but has also acquired a thorough understanding of public af- fairs, which qualifies him in an eminent degree for the discharge of the duties of the Executive office, which he is to as- sume next June. Moreover, it will not, we trust, be improper to remark in this connection, that, in all his relations with the public in the performance of his duty as Secretary of State, he has given the highest degree of satisfaction to men of all parties, and his unfailing courtesy, as well as faithful attention to duty, has un- questionably drawn to his support some, who, had any other individual been the candidate in his stead, would have given their votes to the opposite party.
As is well known to many, Mr. Pres- cott has a decided taste for historical and antiquarian research, which he has in- dulged in no small degree. He has long been an active member of the New Hamp- shire Historical Society, and is now First Vice President of that association. He is also a member and Vice President of the New Hampshire Antiquarian Society which, although established but a few
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