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- http://books.google.com/books?id=hCoTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA440&dq=obituary+Hoar&lr=&ei=ndyKSrrYConOzQTauo2GDg#v=onepage&q=Hoar&f=false
BAINBRIDGE WADLEIGH.
Son of Evans Wadleigh ; born, Bradford, January 4, 1831 ; admitted, 1850 ; practiced, Milford ; died, Boston, Massachusetts, January 24, 1891.
Mr. Wadleigh was prepared at the Kimball Union Academy in Plainfield to enter college, but his slender health interrupted further study, and for two years he led an outdoor life. Then he entered the office of Mason W. Tappan of Bradford, as a student, and completed his preparation for the bar. He was but little above nineteen years old, but he began at once to practice in Mil- ford. In no long time he made himself known as a lawyer, and as an aspirant of promise in the political field. He was an early and outspoken anti-slavery man, and naturally belonged to the Republican party on its formation.
He was elected a representative to the state legislature in 1855 and 1856, in 1859 and 1860, and from 1869 to 1872, inclusive, and became one of the most popular and influential members of that body. His personal appearance was attractive, his manners were cordial, and his gift of extemporaneous speech never failed to engage the attention. He treated his opponents with courtesy and fairness ; he was ready to do much more for his friends.
In June, 1872, his friends availed themselves of a peculiarly favorable opportunity to present his name to the legislature for election to the Senate of the United States. He was successful, and took his seat in the December following. His course in that body was such as to fully justify the anticipation of his supporters. His bonhommie and amiability of character brought him many friends, his service upon committees was assiduous and creditable, and his intellectual strength and ability in the discussion of public questions placed him among the strong men of his time.
Upon the close of his senatorial term, he returned with undiminished energy, his mental resources quickened and invigorated by his wider experience, to the legal arena. He established his office in Boston, Massachusetts, and during the residue of his life was employed in a large and important professional business in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. As a jurist he was much above mediocrity, but his forte was in the court-room, and especially in the laying of his cases before a panel of his countrymen. His hearty voice and candid address disposed his audience to .hear him without prejudice. His words were not wasted in trying to answer the unanswerable. He spent his force on the real gist of his case. As was said by a contemporary of his own profession, and well towards the head of it, he was " a fine, able, strong lawyer, and a forcible and attractive speaker."
He was married, January 6, 1853, to Ann Putnam of Milford. She died before him, leaving two daughters, one of whom is the wife of Samuel Hoar, a lawyer of Massachusetts.
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