a farm, his boyhood and youth were spent there, and his naturally strong
constitution was improved by the outdoor exercise and labor which are
part of the life of the farmer's boy. But the future Governor did not
intend to devote himself to farming. With the aim of obtaining a
collegiate education he attended the Academy in his native town, and
followed his studies there by further preparation at the Hopkins
Classical School in Cambridge. Entering Harvard University he was
graduated at that institution in 1856, and receiving an appointment as
Principal of the High School in Chicopee, Massachusetts, he accepted it,
filling the position with success during a period of nine years. He
retired from it in 1865. Meanwhile he had devoted much time to legal
studies, which he continued more fully during the next few months, and
in 1866 he was admitted to the bar in Cambridge. Chicopee, the town
wherein his active career in life had begun, he made his permanent home,
and with the various interests of that town he identified himself
closely and pleasantly, exemplifying in many ways the character of a
true townsman, and associating himself with every movement for the good
of his fellow citizens. In 1873 he was elected to represent the town the
ensuing year in the State Legislature, and as a member of the House he
was noted for the promptness and fidelity with which he attended to his
legislative duties. Two years later he was a member of the State Senate,
and here, as in the House, he displayed conspicuous ability as a
legislator in addition to that fidelity to his responsibilities which
had long been characteristic of him in any and all positions. His
qualifications for public life received still wider recognition the year
he served in the Senate, and he was nominated by the Republicans of the
old Eleventh District as Representative in Congress. He was re-elected
for two successive terms, and after the re-apportionment was elected
from the new Twelfth District in 1882, but before taking his seat was
nominated by the Republicans for the office of Governor, to which he was