CHARLES BENJAMIN GAFNEY.

BY LESLIE P. SNOW, Of Rochester.

Although it is not well defined, and few of us are really conscious of entertaining it, a belief has nevertheless existed in all ages and among all people that deceased friends are in some way acquainted with the rites which are performed in memory of them. If this belief were well-founded, and Brother Gafney could make any suggestion to us at this time, it would be in the interest of brevity and rugged honesty in what we should say of him. But a review of his life convinces me that one cannot at the same time be brief, and truly just to his memory.

I am indeed sorry to say that I enjoyed an intimate acquaintance with Judge Gafney only during the last seven years of his life, as from that seven years' experience I am sensible that there were practical and invaluable lessons to be gathered from an association with him that can never be taught in schools nor laid down in text-books.

Because of this comparatively brief acquaintance, however, I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to others for much of the data relating not only to his military but to his earlier professional life.

Charles B. Gafney was born at Ossipee, N. H., September 17, 1843. He was an only child and was left an orphan at the death of his mother when a boy of only four years. As an orphan boy, however, he found sincere friends among the good country folk of his native and adjoining towns, forming friendships which in his later and successful years, he never forgot. Among his staunch friends was his guar

dian, Sanborn B. Carter, Esq., of Ossipee, then one of the leading members of the bar of Carroll county. He was under the care of an aunt for a time, and from the age of 11 to 14 lived at the home of Jacob Ballard of Wakefield. His inheritance consisted principally of a strong physique, a generous, noble-hearted disposition, and a vivacious temperament.

He was educated at the public schools in Ossipee, at the academies in Sandwich, N. H., and Lebanon, Maine. He then pursued the study of law under the tutorage of Mr. Carter, his guardian, and with Hon. Charles W. Woodman,

of Dover.

Although less than eighteen years of age when the Civil War broke out he was early to enlist. On September 27, 1862, he was enrolled in Company A, Thirteenth New Hampshire Volunteers, under the command of William Grantman. He was enlisted by John W. Sanborn, who was acting as recruiting officer, with whom he then formed an acquaintance which ripened into a friendship which endured during his life. He was mustered into the service as second lieutenant. He was promoted to be first lieutenant June 1, 1863. He participated in battles of Fredericksburg, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, and in numerous other important engagements, and was seriously wounded at the Battle of Petersburg, June 15, 1864, by a minie ball which he carried in his thigh for seventeen years.

When his wound had partially healed he returned to the front and was aide to Generals Roulston and McCullom of First division, Eighteenth Army Corps, and to General Ripley of First brigade, Third division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps. On May 30, 1865, he was commissioned captain for gallant conduct and so mustered out at the close of the war.

Although constantly reminded of his military experi ences by the presence of this wound for so many years, he seldom talked of his military exploits except in some jocose

way. Notwithstanding his creditable record as a soldier he never spoke boastingly of it. He often expressed no little contempt for those, who, having performed little service for their country, sought preferment by great claims of loyalty. Although the junior of his fellow-officers in the service, his comrades bear willing testimony to his superiority as a commanding officer and his courage and gallantry as a soldier.

At the close of the war he accepted a position as clerk in the treasury department at Washington. There he formed the friendship of Hon. A. H. Cragin, then senator, and Jacob H. Ela, a congressman from this state, and many other eminent public men, gaining much valuable experience which was of practical use to him later in life. He served for several years as clerk of the Naval Committee of the United States Senate, of which Senator Cragin was chairman.

During this period he pursued his study of law at the Columbian Law school and graduated from that institution in 1868. By reason of the friendship formed with Hon. Jacob H. Ela he came to Rochester in 1871, and formed a copartnership with Joseph H. Worcester for the practice of the law, for the next two years dividing his time between Rochester and Washington. After 1873 he gave his exclusive attention to the practice of his profession until January, 1890, when he accepted the position of secretary to Hon. Frank Jones, president of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and spent the most of his time until October, 1893, in Boston. He then returned to the practice of his profession, and in May, 1896, was appointed judge of probate for Strafford county, which position he held until his death. The writer was associated with him in the practice of the law after 1893.

He was twice married. His first wife was Mary Ellen Grant, of Ossipee. She was an invalid and a great sufferer many years prior to her death in 1888. His second wife was Ida A. Peavey of Farmington. She, too, for the last few years suffered from ill health. He was very fond of