Norfolk County MA Archives Biographies.....Fisher, Milton Metcalf 1834 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ma/mafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 10, 2006, 11:02 pm Author: E. O. Jameson (1886) HON. MILTON METCALF FISHER, A. M. MILTON METCALF FISHER, to whom the town of Medway is much indebted for its established industries and business enterprise, and who has contributed largely to the social, educational, and religious development of the place, was the son of Willis and Caroline (Fairbanks) Fisher. He was born Jan. 30, 1811, in Franklin, Mass., and came of a godly and somewhat distinguished ancestry. Vid. The History of Franklin, Mass., The Published Works of Dr. Emmons, and The History of Norfolk County. Mr. Fisher became a resident of Medway in 1840, when about thirty years of age. His manhood was fully fledged and he was well equipped for an honorable business career. In his earlier and preparatory life he had received the benefits of an education in the public, private, and classical schools of his native town and of Medway, and had had the training of two years in Amherst College, Amherst, Mass. Mr. Fisher had had the experience, also, of several years as a teacher in the public schools, and had been in business and held official positions for a few years in the town of Westboro, Mass. All this qualified him to assume at once a prominence which for nearly half a century he has continued to hold, much to the welfare of the town, and with credit and honor to himself. Upon his settlement in Medway he became a manufacturer of straw goods, which business he vigorously pursued for a period of more than twenty years. In 1S63 he retired from it and established an extensive Insurance Agency in which he is still active, his younger son, Frederick L. Fisher, Esq., being associated with him. He has had an official as well as business prominence during his residence in Medway rarely equaled by any citizen. As early as 1840 he was chosen a Deacon in the Village Church which office he still holds. His townsmen have repeatedly called him to fill the various municipal offices within their gift. He was appointed in 1856 to 1865 the State Commissioner for the New York and Boston Railroad and a State Commissioner to establish the line between Danvers and South Danvers. In 1859 and i860 he was chosen to the Massachusetts Senate, and in 1863 he was elected Commissioner for Norfolk County. He continued in this office twelve years, until 1872, serving for three years as chairman of the board. In 1871 he brought about the establishment of the Medway Savings Bank of which he has been the only and honored President from then to the present, 1885. He was the one who set on foot measures which resulted in the erection of Sanford Hall the same year, and in 1881 he was prime mover in securing the building of the Sanford Mills. To a large extent he has been the moving spirit in the business and enterprise of the town for forty years. His connection with the development of the railroad facilities of the town was marked and full of interest. He was often upon the board of school committee. He held and advocated liberal and advanced views upon the subject of public education. He was a pioneer in the anti-slavery movement, and as a young man in college, startled the professors in their seats by his bold and fervid utterances in an oration before the college on the subject of "Human Freedom." He was a delegate in 1833 to the first anniversary of the American Anti-Slavery Society. He addressed public meetings, and wrote many articles for the press upon slavery and kindred topics of modern reform. In 1845 he prepared a petition, numerously signed, to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions as to the matter of slavery in the churches under the patronage of that society. This petition led to the formation of the American Missionary Association. Thus "Deacon Fisher," as he is familiarly known, has been a force for good in the town, the Commonwealth, and the nation, by his energy, his advanced sentiments, his earnest devotion and eminent ability, as a man, a citizen, a philanthropist, and a Christian disciple. On the seventieth anniversary of his birth, Jan. 30, 1881, Sanford Hall, crowded with guests, and the air eloquent with laudatory greetings, manifested something of the wide public esteem in which the subject of this sketch was held. "The hall was tastefully decorated with bunting and evergreen. Supper was served and the tables groaned under the load of viands prepared, consisting of all the solids and delicacies of the season. About two hundred guests sat down to supper. The Rev. Mr. Cutler, of Auburndale, offered prayer, after which an hour was spent in discussing the viands. The tables were cleared away, and then the Rev. R. K. Harlow called the meeting to order, on behalf of the committee of arrangements. Mr. Harlow welcomed all to the occasion, and on behalf of the people assembled tendered the congratulations of the townspeople to Mr. Fisher, and in a humorous manner referred to his other days of like import. When he celebrated his twenty-first birthday he doubtless thought that he was of considerable importance in the world. Mr. Harlow paid a tribute to Mr. Fisher's services, in both public and private life. He read letters from relatives, and a telegram from George P. Metcalf, Esq., of Framingham, who said: 'Give my congratulations to the old Locofoco, and the sincere well-wishes of his kinsman.' Mr. Wellington G. H. Hunt, of Boston, was called upon, and responded in a felicitous manner. The Rev. Alexis W. Ide, of West Medway, responded to a call in his earnest, happy way. After Mr. Ide's remarks the audience arose and sang one verse of Hebron — 'Thus far the Lord hath led me on,' after which the Rev. E. O. Jameson, of East Medway, made remarks full of pleasant reminiscences of his intercourse and acquaintance with Mr. Fisher, and tendered the congratulations of the old First Church in Medway. Mr. Jameson read a poem by the Hon. Charles Hamant, of Medfield, appropriate to the occasion. The Rev. Dr. Spaulding, of Newburyport, related his early acquaintance with Medway and the honored guest of the evening, interpersing his remarks with illustrative anecdotes. The Rev. James M. Bell, of West Medway, in the absence of the author, after a few preliminary remarks, read the following poem, written for the occasion by Dea. Anson Daniels: "THE GARDEN BEYOND THE IRON GATE. "Across life's road there's an iron gate, Bolted and barred by the hand of fate; Three score and ten are its iron bars, Three score and ten are its rusty spars; It is riveted thick, again and again, And the number of rivets is three score and ten. Remorselessly shut on the human crew, It noiselessly swings for only a few — Only a few of the struggling crowd Arrive at this portal, toil-worn and bowed, With heads all white with the dust of the way, Or a polished scalp above the gray — Like a mountain dome above the pines, Or a boulder, 'round which the snow reclines. Their eyes are dim with the constant strain, Observing the scenes through which they came; Far have they journeyed, far and long, At first with a gay and hopeful throng Who fell by the thousands, or one by one Dwindling away with each setting sun. All the long way there were flowers in bloom, But the brightest group overshadowed the tomb; And the sweetest perfumes of summer's breath Were mingled and soiled by the odor or death; And the soft, sweet voices that cheered the day, And the eyes of love full of beauty's ray, Were hushed and smothered in low mounds by the way. But they who have passed the narrow door, Behold its repulsive side no more; But looking back on the gate, behold Three score and ten shining bars of gold, Three score and ten bright rivets, like stars Holding together the golden bars. And all around is a garden fair, Where the sunshine gilds the purple air, And shining through the leaves overhead, It flecks with light the ground they tread. 'Tis the golden light of the afternoon With the deeper tints, brown Autumn's boon; For the flowers and the grass that are growing here, And trees, have the hue of the closing year; Golden, and brown, and crimson, and gray, Like the woods on a soft October day. The paths are clean for the aged feet, And under the trees there's a cool retreat, There's a dreamy sound of the fountain's play, And the murmuring sigh of the breeze alway; And the chirp of the birds indistinct on the ear, And the soft, slow rhythm of footsteps near; All mingled in murmur soft and sweet, That soothes the spirit and rests the feet. The bell from its tower, with sober tone, Pronounces the name of the hour that's gone; From the great mad world of strife and sin There comes but the hum of its ceaseless din; The boom of a gun, or the rumble of a train, Or shriek of a mill when its wheels start again; No more is heard of its worry and rage In this garden of God, this home of old age. And there in groups do the inmates sit, As in early life they often met; Some still ruddy and lithe and strong, Ready to join in labor or song — Others their thin hands lean on a staff, With a wheezy voice and a creaky laugh, Recounting the deeds of earlier years, And laughing again till their eyes fill with tears, At some reminiscence of school-day fun, Some narrow escape when the birch nearly won. Another recounts his earliest joy When he first started out, a fisher boy, With a stick and a string, a bent pin for a hook, He dabbled along in the edge of the brook, And caught his first fish, a prouder prize Than any that since has gladdened his eyes. Or he talks of his loves, of the Janes and Bessies, With radiant eyes and immaculate dresses— How they flirted, and danced, and bantered, and sung — All the smiles he received and the hearts that he won, Remembering the joy of their weddings and wooings — Or they talk of more serious sayings and doings: As what they have suffered for church or state, How often their vote was the fiat of fate, How many elections they helped to carry, What political foes they helped to bury, What changes they've seen in nations and men, What reforms they have aided again and again; And with such reminiscence is mingled the fear That the true age of heroes will soon disappear. Or they talk of the future, and try to forecast Its greatness and glory compared with the past. The sisters are there of these elderly brothers, Sweet, thoughtful women, and large-hearted mothers, With soft, quiet faces, white, ringleted hair, And the warmth of affection that smiles away care. O! what were a garden all sunshine and flowers — Even Eden, if woman were not in its bowers, To join in its chatter, bring beauty and grace, Truth, purity, love, in the smiles of her face ? There wait they the ferry across that river On which the stars of eternity quiver, And glance o'er waters so heavy and black That the noiseless keel never leaves a track. And never is heard the dip of an oar; And they who step from the silent shore Into the stillness, are never seen more. But beyond this dark and silent stream, Figured afar in the evening's gleam, Are the domes and spires in purple and gold, And glories too bright for the eyes to behold, Indistinct in the outline and soft as the light, And mixed with the purple and gray of the night; And those in this garden that linger and stray, May look on this vision of visions alway. May he who yesterday stepped through the gate, Find the joys that abound in this garden of fate; And be cheered by the music that floats from the shore Beyond the dark waters, where is life evermore." Additional Comments: THE BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND The Genealogical Records OF MANY EARLY AND OTHER FAMILIES IN MEDWAY, MASS. 1713-1886. Illustrated WITH NUMEROUS STEEL AND WOOD ENGRAVINGS. BY E. O. JAMESON, THE AUTHOR OK "THE COGSWELLS IN AMERICA," "THE HISTORY OF MEDWAY, MASS." ETC. MILLIS, MASS. 1886. Copyright, 1886. E. O. JAMESON, MILLIS, MASS. All Rights Reserved. J. A. & R. A. REID, PRINTERS, PROVIDENCE, R. I. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ma/norfolk/bios/fisher5gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mafiles/ File size: 12.5 Kb