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��Joseph Emerson Dow.
��a suitable location for the practice of his profession. Early in the year he became a resident of the north part of the town, and commenced busi- ness. Several stores and shops, the post-office, the distillery, and most of the influential inhabitants were in that section. The site of the present village was then called Amonoosuck, but it was never a post-office point until 1820, when one was established and named C41yuville.
Of Mr. Dow's law practice there is not much to be said. He had little of it at home, and carried less to court. His house was the one now occupied by George "W". Fuller, but his office, the old settlers say, was kept in his hat ; and the extent of his practice was commensurate with the office.
An eminent lawyer has said it would be better for a beginner in the prac- tice of law to go to some place where business was plenty and tr}' for a share of it, than to go where there was none and try to make it.
Mr. Dow, perhaps, proved to his own satisfaction the truth of the proposition at Littleton, Franconia, and Thornton, where he successively located.
While a resident at Littleton he held several town offices. He was a member of the second town school- committee, or board of school in- spectors, as they were then desig- nated (Act of December 22, 1808). At this time the town had never had a settled minister, but the Rev. Da- vid Goodall, the ancestor of several attorneys who have been prominent at the bar, had been for many years a resident. He was an extensive land-holder, a leading citizen, and,
��though formally retired from the ministry, he often officiated at the religious gatherings of the vicinity.
The Rev. Mr. Goodall. Dr. Wra. Burns, then a young practitioner of medicine, and Esquire Dow consti- tuted this board of school inspectors. An important improvement in the system of education was thus put in operation. The board left no formal report of their doings. The schools were populous in those days of in- crease and multiplication, and no doubt the inspectors did their whole duty. They are certainly entitled at this time to the benefit of the legal maxim. Omnia lyyoesumunttir rite esse acta.
The impression made upon the minds of people and pupils by this board when sitting in official state cannot be accepted as portrayed in the irreverent rhymes passed down to us by tradition. The Muse of David Goodall, Jr., is held responsible for the production :
" Lord, have pity- On this committee,
That stand before us now. There 's old Bald Head, And Wooden Leg,
And Popple Headed Dow."
Mr. Dow was a good school-teach- er, and his services were had in that employment for many years at Fran- conia and in the neiohborins; towns.
In 1811* he moved to Franconia, f where he remained until 1830. He was a selectman of that town from 1818 to 1828 continuously, with the exception of two years, and, with the
- He was followed in the practice at Littleton by
Elisha Hinds, Esq., who settled here about the time of Mr. Dow's removal and remained about 20 years.
tThe dates given to mark periods of residence are from assessment records, etc., on town books
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