largest individual stockholder, and of each was the first treasurer. When the Conway road reached Rochester, Mr. McDuffee resigned its treasurership. The other road, after various difficulties, became the Dover and Winnipesaukee by the incorporation of its bond holders, and Mr. McDuffee continued to be a director. Rochester was thus doubly accommodated; but another avenue was needed, and Mr. McDuffee took part in the Portland and Rochester, which secured a route eastward, of which road he was a director; and he invested liberally in the Rochester and Nashua, which opened a line to the west. The result has been that Rochester is the "billing-point," and its various manufacturing interests have felt its impetus.

The beauty of the "McDuffee Block" in Rochester, built by him in 1868, exhibits the owner's public spirit.

As a Mason he joined Humane Lodge on the very day he became "of lawful age."

In religion, Mr. McDuffee was brought up under good old Parson Joseph Haven, and has remained a liberal supporter of the Congregational Society.

In politics he was an earnest Whig. His first vote was for the electors who chose John Quincy Adams president, and his postmastership was ended by Andrew Jackson. He has always been a decided Republican.

Mr. McDuffee's great amount of labor has been possible only by the vigorous constitution which he inherited. The boy who, before he left home, "carried the forward swath " in the hayfield made the man who now accomplishes an amount of work which would surprise many younger men. Monday is always given to the Strafford Bank

at Dover; Tuesday he presides at the Rochester Bank meeting; Wednesday, at the Savings bank; and no day is idle.

Of Mr. McDuffee's happy domestic relations nothing need be said. Of his eight children, naming them in the order of birth, (1) Joseph, who followed the sea, died (single) on the ocean, at the age of thirty-five. (2) Franklin, left two sons, John Edgar and Willis. (3) John Randolph, graduated at the Chandler Scientific Department in 1857, was a civil engineer in Rochester, and died single, aged twenty-five. (4) Anna M. is the wife of Frank S. Brown of Hartford, Conn., of the firm of Brown, Thompson, & Co. She has one son and two daughters. (5) Mary Abbie is the wife of Charles K. Chase, a merchant in Rochester, and has two daughters. (6) Sarah, died single. (7) George, the only surviving son, is engaged in extensive grain, mill, and lumber business in Rochester. He married, first, Lizzie Hanson, who died leaving a son; afterward he married, second, Nellie, daughter of Dr. James Farrington of Rochester, her father being nephew of Dr. James Farrington M.C. (8) Oliver, died in infancy.

Judged by the sucess of his work as a banker, as developing by a liberal and wise help every worthy manufacturing enterprise, and as foremost in the building of the various railways centering in Rochester, it is clear that Mr. McDuffee nobly comes into the list of those spoken of in our first paragraph, whose record is in the prosperity of his native town, where ability, sagacity, integrity, and kindness have united to make that record, as well as his own personal success.

FRANKLIN MCDUFFEE, son of John and Joanna (Hanson) McDuffee, was born at Dover, Aug. 27, 1832. He entered Gilmanton Academy at the age of twelve years, and graduated with honor at Dartmouth College in 1853. He read law for a short time with Hon. Daniel M. Christie of Dover. In May, 1854, he accepted the position of cashier of the Rochester State Bank. In 1857 he was seriously injured by exposure incurred while on an expedition to the White Mountains, from the effect of which he never fully recovered.

He married, Dec. 4, 1861, Fanny Hayes of Rochester.

In 1866 he was appointed treasurer of the Norway Plains Savings Bank, which office he held until his death. Two years later he became one of the firm of "John McDuffee & Co., Bankers." In 1874 he was appointed cashier of the Rochester National Bank. He was initiated in the Humane Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Dec. 9, 1856. The next year he was chosen secretary. He was master of the lodge in 1863-64. In 1866 and 1867 he officiated as District Deputy of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire. He served the town as selectman, and many years as superintending school committee; was a member of the Legislature in 1862, and of the Constitutional Convention in 1876. He joined the Congregational Church in 1868, and was chosen deacon four years later. After a sickness of a few weeks he died at Rochester, Nov. 1, 1880.

The character of Franklin McDuffee

was one of rare excellence, blending many valuable traits. As a lad he was studious, thoughtful, kind, and mature beyond his years. He was thorough and exact in his studies, faithful and exemplary as a student, and esteemed by his associates. He was industrious and honest, modest and retiring.

In politics he was a stanch Republican, an unflinching friend of temperance and good order. He had decision, energy, and sturdy pluck, without malice or bitterness. He was an effective speaker, his words having weight from the influence of his character. He was one of the most entertaining lecturers in New Hampshire. He took a deep interest in education, and zealously sought to elevate the schools of Rochester. From his interest in historical subjects, he was elected a member of the New Hampshire Historical Society; and wrote a series of valuable historical articles for the "Rochester Courier," which have lately been gathered into book form and will shortly be published. His mind was essentially mathematical, with keen powers of analytic thought. His methodical turn of mind fitted him especially for business, in which he was a model of diligence, exactness, and integrity. His neighbors and townsmen highly appreciated his sterling worth, and his intimates prized his friendship.

His firm and substantial character was beautified and crowned with the graces of a Christian life. His religion, like every other part of his character, was genuine.