CLASS OF 1878

George Weare Stone died September 2 at his home in Andover, N. H. He had been in poor health for some months, and failed to rally from an Operation.

He was born in Plymouth, N. H., November 11, 1857, his parents being Charles J. F. and Abbie Anna (Weare) Stone. His preparation for college was obtained at New London Institution, now Colby Academy, together with his brother and classmate, Charles W. Stone. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon.

For the first year after graduation he taught at Acworth, N. H.( and then began the study of law in the office of John M. Shirley of Andover. During his law studies he taught a part of the time in Proctor Academy, Andover. In 1881-2 he attended Boston University Law School, graduating in 1882. In September of that year he was admitted to the bar, and January 1, 1883, entered upon a partnership with his former law instructor. This was dissolved by the latter's death in 1887, and from that date he practiced alone, gaining wide recognition as a lawyer of high ability. Outside of his profession he held many posts of trust and responsibility, and was active in politics. During the war he rendered conspicuous service in the administration of the draft law.

He was a prominent member of the legislatures of 1885 and 1887, and Democratic candidate for speaker in the latter year. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1912. He was clerk of the Concord and Claremont Railroad; a trustee of Proctor Academy; a trustee of the New Hampshire State Library since 1913; member and clerk of Merrimack County Draft Board No. 2; for twelve years a member of the board of education in Andover. He was a Unitarian in his religious connections, a Mason, and a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.

April 28, 1887, Mr. Stone was married to Stella M. Prince, who died December 28, 1914. They had three children, of whom but one .survives, Charles S. Stone, Dartmouth 1913. Another son. Fred W., was lost at sea while in the merchant marine, and a daughter, Florence G., died in 1906.

John Tapley Welch, familiarly known among his classmates as "Tap", died at his' home in Dover, N. H., September 22.

Mr. Welch entered college with the class of 1878 but left at the end of freshman year. He was born in Dover in 1857, son of Joseph W. and Mary E. (Tapley) Welch. He was a lifelong resident of his native city, was city treasurer at the time of his death, was previously (for eighteen years) postmaster, and was one of Dover's best known citizens, enjoying a wide acquaintance among public men throughout the state.

He was prominent in the councils of the Republican party for more than thirty years, and had served in both houses of the state legislature.

He was a member of the New Hampshire Historical Society, and of various fraternal orders, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Red Men, and perhaps others. He leaves a widow.