In 1862, Mr. Chandler married Miss Flora A., daughter of Hon. Darwin J. Daniels, an ex-mayor of Manchester, who died in May, 1868, leaving an infant daughter, who did not long survive her mother.
His second wife, who now presides over his mansion, is the only daughter of Col. B. F. Martin, of Manchester, to whom he was married in 1870. Three children—Benjamin Martin, Alexander Rice, and Byron—are the fruit of this union. Of these, the oldest and youngest are living.
N. B. Bryant.
HON. NAPOLEON B. BRYANT.
BY HON. J. M. SHIRLEY.
The subject of this sketch was born at East Andover, N. H., on February 25, 1825. His mother was of Revolutionary stock, and from one of the oldest families in town; and was one of those sunny-souled "Mothers in Israel," who, half a century ago, were alike the glory and honor of our New England homes. His father was a man of high character and fine natural endowments; but was in straitened circumstances. As there was no lawyer in that part of the town where he lived, nor within several miles, he acted as a magistrate, trial and otherwise, for many years; and his services were sought in making deeds, wills, and contracts, formulating notices and the like, organizing voluntary corporations, settling the estates of deceased persons, and in this class of business usually intrusted to lawyers. His son grew up in this atmosphere, the influence of which, with his father's strong desires, determined the choice of his profession.
The world lavishes its praise upon, and often loads with honors, the self-made man, for that implies a successful one. It too often forgets the rugged path which leads thereto, and the hard discipline—the heroic treatment that so often kills—which enables him to attain that position. As a rule, it crowns with honors the victors as they sweep the summit-heights, but furnishes no headstone for the dead that mark the ascent and block the pathway.