The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-08-27

ANaat AAN tNtN f6AAHk1A y tt@ Aft7 AaAtAtsH
60 Lowell, Mass, when be became agent
dfs, Of The Fremont and then ~ the
Lawrence Manufacturing Company. lie
resided iH Lowell from 1884 uulil lsd0,
when he was appointed 10 a stu more
responsible position, thai Of treasurer Of
the Coehceo Manufacturing Company in
Dover, n. a., and also Of dc salem Falls
Manufacturing Company having his
office in Boston. This position he held
unit, 1850, when be retired from business
cares 10 the quiet Of his home al Andoyer,
Mass, where ten years later he died
Mt Aiken's connection with Burr
Seminary is the portion Of bis life which
Is the most important in this biography.
That ! may give as clear an idea as
possible Of the nature aud value OF bis
services at that time | win quote from a
letter written by his friend aud pastor,
aud The devoted friend Of this institution
Rev. James Anderson.
Tbisiucludes a quotation from letter
Of Mr. Aiken, written in behalf Of the
Congregational Church aud society to
induce Mr., Anderson to settle here ia
the ministry. lie thus shows his inter
est ia this Seminary as well as in the
church Of which be soon afterwards be-
came a member;
"Another fact In relation TO Mr.. Burr
we will mention, which Is that ho has
left $1,000 as a permanent fund for the
education Of INDECENT and pious youth
10 this village, with condition that at
least an equal sum shall be raised from
other sources. His object was to estab :
lisb here an academy of high order on a
firm and permanent basis. Aud If this
object is carried into effect il will render
the place more important as well as
desirable post for clergyman, CATER
"A period of litigation," Mr.. Anderson
continues, ''tho will Of Mr.. Burr was
confirmed, a charter was soon obtained
and the effort commenced TO raise the
money required to establish the Semi
nary" Mr. Aiken was one of the exc
cutors of this will, and probably drew up
the form of the act of incorporation, ana
/ Immediately on the organization of the
| board of trustees, he took very promi.
nent and active part in all Of the proceed.
ings. The plan for the Seminary build
| ings was furnished by him, and the con.
/ tracts for the erection of the same, to.
| gether with know not how many other
papers requiring skin aud judgment Ia
give them a binding and legal char.
acter came from his hand. He was the
first clerk OF the board after the organ.
ization was perfected, bylaws and need
cd regulations established member al.
so Of the prudential committee, and final.
ly treasurer of the institution. In all
these relations he devoted himself with
untiring energy TO the various duties
ipvaIund 10 the e'vat saUliucU Vcen, ]
think, OF his private and personal duties
and interests. Few at the present day
have any idea idea Of the strain and
struggle involved in the establishment o.
this institution in all of which he bore
his part in full proportion.
1t may be said that Providence pro
vides for the doing of that which is or
dained to be done. But had the presenct
the interest, the capacity, and persever
ing efforts of Mr.. Aiken been absent il
this emergency, it is difficult to see how
by any other agency of the board, thel
visible, the establishment of the Seminary
could have been rendered success. No
that he toied alone, for there were man,
others who laborod diligently to promot
the same object. The names of Governo
skinner, Judge Bennett aud certain 9th
ers Of our citizens are identified with th
early history of this institution Rev
DR.. Proudlit, DR.. jackson, DR.. Walker
Rev Mr.. Shepherd aud others iron
abroad gave their time and influence Il
promote its welfare, which Rev. Dr.
Coleman, upon his taking charge of tn
institution as principal rendered mos
valuable aud indispensable service, tn
nature of which was clearly shown at th
former reunion.
It remains only to notice that at tn
D end of more than three years Of struggl
{ aud effort the point was gained, and tn
b. institution, with due formalities, wa
Z opened, and speedily filled with as fin
a class Of young men as were ever Co
lected IN public seminary.
II Mr.. Aiken then accepted the appoint
meut Of associate principal with ID
Coleman, and as long as he RENAME
4 here filled this position with great abilit
e and success.
or Mr. Aiken as teacher one Of bi
pupils who himself aiterward taugI
for many years thus writes: "The schoc
was originally designed exclusively fc
yonng men, aud especially for those pr
+ paiug for the ministry. I do not thin
, that be ever intended to remain as
teacher permanently, though highly qua
.fI fled for the position in the best sens,
The number Of students at the openin
Of the school was about one hundred an
twenty; bali or two-lhirds Of them If
p remember rightly, were studying Il
d. classics with ths design Of entering co
\ lego, OF taking shorter coarse into II
=. ministry Ne had great tact IN mana
Ing the school. He was kind aud col
a ciIialory, sccaring the confidence 81
-, affection OF his pupils 10 q remarkab
g degree; aud yet 10 al matters which /
4 saw needful to be accomplished be VI
, "as Grm as lhe hills lie had The facu
- ~ --Lu-.--..-- Ii. .uunL.r. In 9 49,. :