CLASS OF 1856

Dr. Benjamin Newell Towle died at Effingham, N. H., September 28, the cause of death being old age, joined with an acute attack of asthma. Dr. Towle was born in Freedom, N. H., January 17, 1829, being the son of Lovell and Mary (Bennett) Towle. After obtaining his medical. degree he practiced in Newmarket, N. H. October 14, 1862, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Fifteenth New Hampshire Volunteers, and remained with the regiment until the close of its term of service, August 13, 1863, having served in the Department of the Gulf. He then for a time resumed practice in Newmarket, and later removed to Biddeford, Me., where he remained until 1874. He was then for a year in Somerville, Mass.,- and then in Charlestown, Mass., where he continued in practice till 1898. Then retiring from active work, he lived for the rest of his life on his farm in Effingham. He was married first to Albrona Demeritt of Effingham, who died in 1872. In 1876 he married the sister of his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Demeritt, who died in 1888. A son and a daughter survive -their parents. Dr. Towle was an active member of the Congregational church, and while living in Charlestown was at one time president of the Y. M. C. A. He is characterized as .a man of great moral courage, and of much energy and determination.