Mr. Cogswell was noted for his energy and force of character; and, when he had once made up his mind as to a certain course to pursue, he never changed it until he was thoroughly satisfied that he was wrong. He was a natural leader among men, and possessed the characteristics of a great general. He was a ready and fluent public speaker, and few men could better entertain an audience. He excelled in strong common sense, and could state exactly his position on any subject that interested him. He was always well informed, particularly on the history of his country and its many political changes. He was of commanding appearance, and was a noticeable person in any assembly. He was of an affectionate disposition, and sympathized with the afflictions of others. He died August 8, 1868, and was buried in the old historic burying-ground in Gilmanton near the dust of his illustrious ancestors; and in his death the town lost a wise counselor, the poor a generous friend, and the community at large an honest and upright man.
There are four children now living,—Mary C. Burgess, wife of the late Dr. Burgess, now living in Boston, Mass.; Martha B. Batchelder, wife of the late Dr. Batchelder, also residing in Boston; James W. Cogswell, sheriff of Belknap county; and Thomas Cogswell, a lawyer, residing on the old homestead at Gilmanton.
HON. PERSON C. CHENEY.
BY COL. DANIEL HALL.
Person Colby Cheney was born in that part of Holderness, N. H., which is now Ashland, February 25, 1828. He was the sixth child in a family of five sons and six daughters,—children of Moses and Abigail (Morrison) Cheney,—nine of whom still survive.
Of his sisters, Sarah B. is the wife of Rev. S. G. Abbott, of Needham, Mass.; Abby M. is the widow of George Washburn, late of Goffstown, N. H.; Ruth E. is the wife of Joseph W. Lord, of Wollaston, Mass.; Marcia A. is the wife of J. P. F. Smith, of Meredith, N. H.; Hattie O. is the wife of Dr. C. F. Bonney, of Manchester, N. H.
Of his brothers, Rev. O. B. Cheney, D. D., is the president of Bates College, Lewiston, Me., and has mainly laid the foundations of the success and popularity of that excellent institution of learning; E. H. Cheney is the editor and proprietor of the Granite State Free Press, Lebanon, N. H.; and Moses Cheney, a manufacturer of paper at Henniker, N. H., is retired from business.
The square, old-fashioned New England house, where the family resided, is still to be seen. It stands in the picturesque village of Ashland, overlooking the valley below, and commanding a view of lofty hills and beautiful scenery. The childhood of the subject of this sketch was passed in this venerable mansion, but his boyhood and early manhood were passed at Peterborough, N. H., where his father was engaged in the manufacture of paper. This gave him an early and intimate acquaintance with the paper business, enabled him to gain a knowledge of all its details, and gave him those habits of industry and self-reliance, which, upon the basis of a strong natural sagacity and force of character, have distinguished his business life. He acquired a fair education in the ordinary branches of knowledge, in the academies at Peterborough and Hancock, N. H., and Parsonsfield, Me.