The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-24

It is always good to contemplate a life
which has been marked by lofty aspirations
and noble achievements.
Many men comparatively unknown to
the general public have lived lives more
worthy of admiration and of imitation than
others whose biographies have been read
by thousands
The subject of this sketch was not a pub
lie man in the popular acceptance Of the
term, yet those who were best acquainted
with him often remarked that he would
have graced high public position. How
ever this may be. it can with truth he said
OF him that whatever he did, he did well.
On account Of his brief but important con-
nection with this Seminary in it's early days
1t has been thought desirable that a sketch
of his life should be presented on this oc-
casion.
While it may be pleasant, it is by no
means an easy task for a son to write the
biographical sketch of father. Hence !
shall call in the aid of others somewhat, in
endeavoring to furnish what believe to be
n correct estimate of man.
John Aiken was born in Bedford, N. H.,
January S0th, 1907. Each of his ancestors
for four generations had been called to All
the honorable and responsible position of
deacon in the church.
Edward Aiken, the original ancestor in
this country, came to America in COM
pany of colonists from the north of Ireland
in the year 1919.
They were descendants of emigrants
from Scotland, who had settled in London
derry, and other towns in northern Ireland.
Not finding their home in the old country
coDgenial by reason of Papist opposition
and political feuds, the Scotch Irish, as
they were called, crossed the wide ocean,
and named their new home in New Hamp-
shire, Londonderry.
From Londonderry the original company
with after accessions from Ireland, took
possession of all the adjacent territory in
which was the town of Bedford, where
John Aiken Of the third generation grand.
father of the subject of this sketch removed
with his intelligent and devout wife. Bed
ford has long been one of the best farming
towns in New Hampshire, and the church
there which still is denouinated Presbyte.
rian, is large and influential.
The grandmother of Mr.. Aiken had
remarkable influence in forming his char
acter. She was a woman of strong mind
and considerable culture. She was famil-
idi I'M pOSiiS Va Ouuk,
while she had at her command many inter.
esting historical facts with which she ted
the inquiring mind of her youthful grand
son. In speech at centennial celebra-
ton in Bedford, lie remarks. ave are
largely indebted to the character of our
grandmothers, many OF whom were large
hearted, noble women of rare energy, in =.
telligence ard worth"
Bedford was so fortunate as to possess n
teacher of peculiar ability and excellence,
who had a wonderful influence over the
youthful mind for half a century. Her
name was Ann Orr. The celebrated Hor-
ace Greeley was one Of the pupils. John
and his brother Silas, the late Rev. Sias
Aiken of Park street church, Boston, and
afterwards of Rutland, VT, daily wended
their way to her school. At the centennial
just referred to, it was said of her: "Here
was a life of calm, quiet, steady devotion
to one great end and purpose, namely the
moral, religious and intellectual culture of
the youth Of her time. 1t is perhaps praise
enough to say that at the time of her death
she could undoubtedly have summoned
around her more well instructed pupils
than any female of her age in New Eng
land
Mr. Aiken's parents were endowed with
strong mental and physical characteristics,
while religion threw its peculiar charm over
their daily life. With all these influences
for good it is not strange that the boy grew
up with desire to make the most of life.
During the vacations he worked on the
farm with manly vigor, and we may be sure
that when at school he wasted none of his
precious time. Ere long he began to pre-
pare himself to enter college, studying first
at Derry and then at Hanover, and after
somewhat hasty preparatory course he en-
tered Dartmouth college in 1916, being
then noarly nineteen years of age. This
college was already celebrated. Its Pres
ident at that time was Rev. Francis Brown
the father of President Brown, of Hamil-
ton college. lie was man of profound
learning and great ability, and his death
before he had reached the meridian of life
filed with pain and grief the hears of all
who loved the college. How greatly Mr..
Aiken enjoyed his college life could be in
ferred from his frequent illusions to it in
after days. How much he profited by it
was shown by his graduating with high hon
or surpassed in scholarship only by one,
who afterwards shone star of peculiar
brilliancy, the late Rufus Choate. He re-
manned at Hanover one year after gradua
ting, in which he performed the congenial
duties of tutor in the college. He then
studied law, and located in this beautiful
village. His life as lawyer continued
about ten years. He had as partner Judge
Bennett, a man of learning and ability, as
friend and adviser Governor Skinner, and
as an associate in practice, Mr.. Leonard
Sergeant, who has since filled the office of
Lieutenant Governor, and who, in great
mental if not physical vigor, though eighty
years have silvered his hair, is with US on
this occasion. From him / have learned
that his friend had one excellent and per-
haps rare quality as a lawyer, which made
it always agreeable to meet him as an OPP
ponent at the bar, perfect self-control.
Mr.. Aiken's career as teacher in Burr
seminary was short. lasting not quite
year, lie then removed with his family to
Lowell, Mass, where he became agent first
OF the fremont and then of the Lawrence
manufacturing company. lie resided in
Lowell from 1884 until 1850, when he was
appointed to still more responsible posi-
ton, that of treasurer of the Cocheco man.
ufacturing company in Dover, n. H., and
also of the Salem Falls manufacturing
company. having his office in Boston. This
position he held until 1865, when he retired
from business cares to the quiet of his
home at Andover, Mass, where ten years
a'er he died
Mr.. Aiken's connection with Burr SEM
mary is the portion Of his life which is the
most important in this biography.
That | may give as clear an idea as pos.
sibe of the nature and value of his SER
vices at that time will quote from letter
written by his friend and pastor, and the
devoted friend of this institution Rev. James
Anderson.
This includes a quotation from letter
of Mr.. Aiken, written in behalf of the
Congreg ational church and society to in.
duce MIR. Anderson TO settle here in the
ministry. lie thus shows his interest In
this seminary as well as in the church of
which he soon afterwards became mem.
Der.
"Another fact in relation to Mr.. Burr we
will mention, which is that he has left &c..
g..sI g. ~