THE subject of this Memoir was born at Croydon, N. H., June 16, 1801. His father, Peter Stow, was born in Grafton, Mass., June 21, 1771, and his mother, Deborah Nettleton, in Killingworth, Ct., February 11, 1775.

The family of which Peter Stow was a member were pioneers in a new settlement, and their occupation that of farming. Having an eager desire to acquire knowledge, he availed himself of such books as he could obtain, and improved all leisure hours in study. The only periodical then taken in the town was one small weekly paper. At an early age he commenced teaching, and for several successive years devoted the winter season to that employment.

When twenty-one years of age, Peter Stow became a subject of renewing grace, and united with the Baptist church, where, until death, he maintained a consistent Christian character, and was prominent as a faithful member and officer, winning the confidence and respect of all who knew him. The town honored him with the office of first selectman for many years in succession. He was also representative to the

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legislature. "The poor," says his son, "found in him a ready benefactor, the rich a welcome visitor, the afflicted a sympathizing companion and counsellor. As a husband he was kind, affectionate, appreciative; as a father, strictly exemplary, judiciously indulgent, implanting in the hearts of his children an abiding impression that the homage and respect divinely inculcated were preeminently due to such parents as God had given them."

Peter Stow seems to have cherished an admiration for the memory of Baron Steuben, so well known as a Prussian officer, who came to this country in 1778, and distinguished himself in our revolutionary war. He had resigned the high offices of government which he held at home, and, by the persuasion of Count de St. Germain, French minister of war, and of other gentlemen connected with the French cabinet, with whom the baron had come in contact while in Paris, he came to this country at the age of forty-eight, "a soldier of fortune," says Irving, "to the rude fighting-grounds of America, to aid a half-disciplined people in their struggle for liberty." It is easy to conceive that the advent of such a distinguished military officer, once the aide-de-camp of the great Frederic himself, landing on our shores at a time when our affairs were in their most desperate condition, must have formed a theme of conversation, not only in the larger circles of city life, but in the rural homes of the dwellers in the villages and hamlets of the land. Peter Stow was a boy of nearly seven years of age when this event took place. For several years the baron was identified with the fortunes of his adopted country, and his career was undoubtedly watched with deep interest in every section of the land. We find that as late as 1789 he was present at the inauguration of President Washington. It is believed, either because he was pleased with the name, or because he had a high appreciation of his services, that Peter Stow called his first-born son Baron Steuben Stow. The middle name was subsequently dropped, and this son was known as Baron Stow.

We have been able to glean but few facts concerning his