136 STATE rOMOLOGlCAL SOCIETY. 



than when il was in his power to make others happj'. The accumu- 

 lation of large wealth was not within the scope of his ambition. His 

 love of horticulture and of genealogical pursuits gave ample occupa- 

 tion to his active mind. His promotion of pomology has been of 

 benefit to the people of the whole country. 



Col. Wilder was born at Rindge, N. H., September 22, 1798, 

 coming from an old Massachusetts family. His father, Samuel Locke 

 "Wilder, removed to Rindge from Sterling, Mass., and engaged in 

 mercantile pursuits there with a brother. He became an honored 

 citizen of his adopted State, serving in the Legislature thirteen years, 

 and holding other important positions. Marshall was the oldest son. 

 Placed in school at the early age of four years, he continued his studies 

 until sixteen years old, becoming a pupil in the New Ipswich Academy 

 at the age of twelve. When read}' to enter college he was allowed 

 by his father to choose between continuing his education, entering 

 the store or becoming a farmer. The taste for husbandr}' which has 

 been the prominent characteristic of his life led him to choose farm- 

 ing as his occupation, and he went to work on a farm. But his 

 father's growing business soon demanded his services in the store, 

 and, forsaking his chosen calling, he assumed a subordinate position 

 under his father and uncle. Industry and faithfulness marked his 

 course here and he rose step b}' step until finally, on attaining his 

 majority, he succeeded his uncle in the firm, which became S. L. 

 Wilder & Son. 



BUSINESS LIFE. 



The partnership with his father continued about four years. In 

 1825, his ambition for a larger field of operation led him to remove 

 to Boston, where he began a wholesale business in West India goods 

 as head of the firm of Wilder & Payson, locating on Union Street, 

 removing subsequentlj' to North Market Street, when the firm name 

 was changed to Wilder & Smith, and finally taking the entire busi- 

 ness in his own hands and locating at No. 3 Central Wharf. In 1837, 

 he changed his line of business, becoming a partner in the commis- 

 sion house of Parker, Blanchard & Wilder, rising eventually to the 

 leading partnership in the concern. As a business man he attained 

 and held a high position, and was honored with a number of impor- 

 tant trusts. One of the original directors of the Hamilton Bank 

 and of the National Insurance Company, he held his position in each 

 many years. He was a director of the New England Mutual Life 



