James Arthur Tufts of Alstead and Exeter, NH Biography from A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire (1915) Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Louise Temples - pc_genie@ix.netcom.com Copyright. All rights reserved. ************************************************************************ Full copyight notice - http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm USGenWeb Archives - http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Source: A History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill, 1915 Page 1064 JAMES ARTHUR TUFTS, professor of English at Phillips Exeter Academy, is one of the best known educators in the state, and a veteran teacher, having held his present position since 1878. He was born at Alstead, N. H., April 26, 1855, the son of Timothy and Sophia P. (Kingsbury) Tufts, his paternal grandparents being James and Sarah (Labaree) Tufts. Both his parents were natives of New Hampshire, the father being a merchant by occupation. The subject of this sketch was their only child that grew to maturity. He began his education in the public schools of Alstead, subse- quently attended Miles Military School at Brattleboro, Vt., and was later a student at The Phillips Exeter Academy and at Harvard University, being graduated from Harvard in 1878. In the same year he returned to Exeter to assume the duties of his present position as teacher of English in the Academy. His efficiency is evidenced by his length of service, and is enhanced by his agreeable personality and unfailing tact, by means of which he excites the attention and holds the good will of the students, while his relations with the faculty have always been pleasant and harmonious. He has served as a member of the library committee of the town for many years, and is, besides, trustee of Robinson Seminary, the State college at Durham, N. H., and the library at Kensington, N. H. That his popularity is not confined to educational circles is evidenced by the fact that he served in the state legislature in 1905-08. Prof. Tufts was married, December 21, 1878, to Miss Effie Locke, who was born in Arlington, Mass., a daughter of B. Delmont and Sarah (Child) Locke, both her parents being natives of Massachusetts. Prof. and Mrs. Tufts have been the parents of six children, namely: Effie Miriam, who died at the age of twenty-three years, Irving Elting, Theodora, Delmont Locke, James Arthur, jr., and Helen. Prof. Tufts is a member of the Unitarian church, and has been its treasurer since 1891. He and Mrs. Tufts are popular members of Exeter society, having many friends both here and elsewhere in the state.