183 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



We have a short paper in memory of Mr. Wilder. If it 

 is not too late we can have it now. 



MARSHALL PINKNEY WILDER. 

 B? J. C. PLUMB. 



The close of a life so full of weal to horticulture as was 

 that of the subject of this "sketchy is worthy of more than 

 the mere mention possible in the brief space allotted to me, 

 a life the ending of which, has called out more regret and 

 honorable reference than that of any before in the pomolog- 

 ical history of our country. 



Col. Wilder was born at Ringe, New Hampshire, Septem- 

 ber 22, 1798, and died at his home near Boston, Massachu- 

 setts, December 16, 1886, in his eighty-ninth year. With 

 only one year of academic schooling and three of private 

 tuition from the " Village Clergyman " he chose the farm 

 and business, rather than classics, and at the age of twenty- 

 five became the head of a mercantile firm in Boston, from 

 which time through life he was identified with the industrial 

 business of that city as a merchant, and was officially con- 

 nected with several insurance and banking companies; in 

 all of which he was financially successful, amassing quite a 

 fortune. He was at the same time, active in public matters; 

 at twenty-six Colonel of state militia, and in later life com- 

 manded the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. 

 From 1839 to 1854, he held several official positions in the 

 Massachusetts House of Representatives and State Senate, 

 with other political distinctions not necessary here to men- 

 tion. 



Long and successful as was his business, political and 

 domestic life, it was in the field of horticulture that his 

 greatest triumphs were won. His home grounds at Dor- 

 chester, evidenced his skill and taste as a gardener, fiorist 

 and fruit grower, and which his delight was to show to all 

 lovers of such art. 



One writer has recently said, "besides a love for true garden 



