SELECTED PAPERS. 



MARSHALL PIXCKNEV WILDER. 



1798-1886. 



■''The man of all others wliom the pomologists of America respected, 

 admired and loved." These are the words of Hon. Charles W. Gar- 

 field, Secretar}' of the American Poraological Society-, in announcing 

 the death of Col. Marshall P. Wilder, which occured at his home in 

 Dorchester, Mass., on the morning of Thursday, December 16, 1886. 

 *'One of the most noted men in the science of pomology of the pres- 

 ent century," is the language of Mr. S. D. Hillman, Secretary of the 

 Mmnesota State Hortionltural Society. Similar expressions have 

 been made by the oilieials of every horticultural and pomological 

 society in the country, and by the press generally, especialh' by the 

 agricultural and gardening journals. It seems eminently fitting that 

 we should preserve upon the pages of our Transactions some memorial 

 of Col Wilder's life and services ; and, accordingly, the follow- 

 ing sketch is published. It has been chosen from several sources, all 

 of which are believed to be trustworth}', although we have deemed it 

 best to omitmanj' details pertaining to his political and business career, 

 and to give prominence to that which pertains to his love for and de- 

 votion to pomology and horticulture. 



The death of Hon. Marshall Pinckney Wilder occurred at his home 

 in Dorchester. Thursday morning, December 16, 1886. Mr. Wilder 

 was at the breakfast table as usual, and died about half- past nine 

 o'clock. His death will occasion a widespread feeling of regret. 

 Though he had attained an age beyond fourscore years, he had by 

 no means outlived his usefulness. For many years Mr. Wilder has 

 been honored in this community as a man who was living with the 

 most unselfish aims. While he ap[jreciated the respect shown to him 

 t\v public honors and private acts of kindness, he was never happier 



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