George Little Pillsbury

George L. Pillsbury was born in Boscawen, NH on May 17, 1839 Father : Joseph Pillsbury: 1799-1861 Mother: Martha Little: 1803-1884 Spouse: Lucina Quimby: 1851-1881 Children of Lucina & George L. : Joseph H. Nov. 20, 1875- March 20, 1876 Mary Agnes Dec. 15, 1876-Unk. Ralph W. Pillsbury March 20, 1880-Unk.

"An honest man is the noblest work of God." The most honest man the writer ever knew was George Little Pillsbury. Not only was he honest to the extent that "his word was as good as his bond," but honesty was infused into every board he sawed and every nail he drove. By occupation a lowly carpenter, he never in his entire life received over two and one-half dollars for a ten-hour day, but he soon earned the deserved reputation that "anything Pillsbury built was solid." A worthy disciple of that Lowly Carpenter of nineteen hundred years ago. Not a confessed Christian, as the world uses the term, but a firm believer in a controlling Deity, he conducted his life in keeping with true religious faiths; was a regular attendant of the Congregational Church, and a life-long member of the Sunday School, at one time officiating as its Superintendent. He was a man of sound judgment and clear discernment, and had a remarkable grasp of the current events of his time. His reading was extensive, and instinctively he leaned toward the "heavy reading" of the literary-minded. He greatly desired a public library for the town, and when the "Library Act" was passed he saw a chance of his dream being fulfilled, and interested others in the project. From this modest start which he was able to encourage has grown our present beautiful modern library. He, and his two good friends. Dr. E. E. Graves, and Deacon Edgerton Raymond, became the first Board of Trustees, - - a trust which Dr. Graves and Mr. Pillsbury held till death removed them. Acting as temporary librarian he diplomatically guided the younger patrons' reading habit into channels both entertaining and beneficial; perchance substituting "Treasure Island" for "Deadwood Dick"! A member of the School Board for years, he was instrumental in securing the services of high grade teachers, as he felt that the quality of the teacher was the keynote of the school situation. He also served several years as Selectman and here, as elsewhere, he manifested his integrity of character and stood four-square for the course he believed right, regardless of politics or political influence. George Little Pillsbury, the youngest child of Joseph and Martha (Little) Pillsbury. was born May 17, 1839, on the farm now known as the Will Goodhue Farm. He attended the public schools of Boscawen and the Elmwood Literary Institute. Here he lived until he reached his majority, then, as his father had died the previous year, the farm was sold and he went to the then west (Indiana and Iowa) to join his two older brothers who were successful hydraulic engineers. Later he went to Canada where for some years he operated oil pumps for the new industry of drilling for oil. Subsequently, he returned to Boscawen to care for his aging mother, and on December 2, 1873, married Lucina T. Quimby, who died October 17, 1881, and whose loss he poignantly mourned till his death on the 23d of January, 1912. They had three children.” From: History of Boscawen – Webster Fifty Years 1883 – 1933 Compiled by Willis G. Buxton Pages 410-412