But the service of none of them
has been in the same field as his. Indeed, as I have just
said, we must go back to the days of the Revolution to find
a conspicuous character who united so completely absolute
disinterestedness of character, inflexible integrity, passionate
love for Massachusetts, devotion to the loftiest ideals, and
was at the same time a most skilful and efficient organizer
of political forces.
Adin Thayer was born in the town of Mendon, in the County
of Worcester, December 5, 1828. His birthplace was near Chestnut
Hill, in the territory which was incorporated into the town
of Blackstone in 1845. He was the son of Caleb Thayer and
Hannah, the daughter of Peter Gaskill of Mendon. His ancestors,
so far as known, in all the line of descent, were New England
farmers. No better race ever existed for the development
of the highest intellectual and moral quality. They wrung
a difficult livelihood from the soil and forest. They were
educated by the responsibilities of self-government. They
were accustomed to meditate and discuss with each other the
profoundest questions of theology and of the State.
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