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��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
��of occupation. The Nashua Tele- graph had for many years been edited by Albin Beard, a genial, witty, and, withal, accomplished writer. Under him the Telegraph had acquired a marked local popularity. He died in September, 1862. Its present pub- lishers were inexperienced writers, and illy qualified to satisfy the admirers of its former editor. The Telegraph was rapidly deteriorating in value and influence. The senior proprietor in- quired of Mr. Dearborn what he would give for his half of the estab- lishment. A somewhat nominal price was offered, and much to the surprise of Mr. Dearborn was accepted. He at once entered upon the duties of editor and financial manager. Under his direction the Telegraph was rap- idly recovering its patronage and in- fluence, but at the end of two years his health failed, and a change of oc- cupation became a necessity. He disposed of his interest to the present editor, Hon. O. C. Moore, and re- sumed the practice of law.
Since his residence at Nashua, Mr. Dearborn has contributed largely to the improvement of real estate, to the erection of improved school buildings, and to the reconstruction and greater efficiency of the public schools. He was appointed register of probate for Hillsborough county in 186S, and held the office till 1S74.
For several years he was treasurer of the Nashua & Lowell Railroad, and is still one of the directors. In his official action he aided largely in sus- taining the measures which have placed that corporation in the front rank of profitable railways. He is also the treasurer of the Underbill Edge Tool Company, and is at this time president of the board of edu- cation.
Twenty years ago, while a res- ident of Peterborough, he was ap- pointed by the governor one of the bank commissioners of New Hamp- shire. In that capacity he became acquainted with the extent and pe- culiarities of the financial institu-
��tions of the state. In 1864 and 1865; he actively superintended, in his offi- cial capacity, the converting of the- state banks of discount into the na- tional banks of the present system. In March, 1S66, he was appointed examiner of the national banks for the State of New Hampshire, a posi- tion which he still holds. He is the only person who has filled this posi- tion since the organization of the na- tional banking-system.
In the discharge of the duties of bank-examiner, official fidelity requires that the investigation shall be thorough and exhaustive. That during the past eighteen years but a single instance of defalcation has occurred resulting in loss among the forty-nine national banks in the state, is pretty conclusive evidence of a diligent and careful su- pervision. From the length of time he has held the position he has become familiar with the indica.tions of laxity, lenity, negligence, not to mention, recklessness, which mark the first steps of danger to a banking institu- tion ; and his suggestions and warn- ings to bank officials have not infre- quently been of advantage to the public generally, as well as to stock- holders, where no publicity has been, gained through the press or otherwise.
Personally, Mr. Dearborn is not an ostentatious, obtrusive, aggressive man. He has no fondness for newspaper notoriety, no solicitude lest he should be overlooked by the public, and has a special dislike for unmeaning titles. In politics and religion he is liberal and tolerant, conceding to others the utmost freedom of opinion. Attend- ing to his own duties, it is not his- habit to interfere with the personal affairs of others. But when attacked without reason or provocation, no matter what his pretensions, his assail- ant will speedily find that he has need of a prudent husbandry of his re- sources.
Mr. Dearborn is a member of the Congregational church. His two chil- dren are sons. The older, John Ea- ton, born November, 1862, is acquir-
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