The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

ITS SOURCE AN'D ITS TRIBUTARIES.
MTanufleturing Company. At the same time that he has been so
successful in his manufacturing operations, his urbane manner and
quiet and unostentatious courtesy have not failed to secure to him the
respect and regard of a host of friends in the cities where his arduous
duties have been performed.
"Col. Robert Read was born at Amherst, in October, 1786. IHis
grancdfather, Robert Read, moved to Amherst from Litchlifield at an
early date. Ilis father, William Read, was a vwell-known and influential citizen of Amherst. Robert was apprenticed as clerk, with
Messrs. Haller and Read, merchants of Chelmsford. Ie afterwards
went into trade with his father, at Amherst, under the well-known
firm of William Read & Son. Subsequently, hlie formed a connection in business with Isaac Spaulding, Esq., which continued until
a dissolution precedent to the commencement of manufacturing in
Nashua, where Mr. Spaulding removed and went into business.
Few firms were more enterprising, or better known in our State, than
that of Read and Spaulding, of Amherst, and very few were more
successful. Mr. Read, active and enterprising, soon became a leading man in the town. He was elected town-clerk in 1815, and
was re-elected to the same office the twelve following years. He
was also representative of the town for three years; namely, in 1826,
1827, 1828. Prior to this time he had been in command of the
West Company of Infantry, in Amherst, one of the most efficient
companies in the State, he having served in all the intermediate
graftes from private to commander. In 1828, Capt. Read was appointed aide-de-camp, by Governor John Bell, with the rank of
colonel. In 1835, Col. Read moved to Nashua. In 1837, he was
appointed agent of the Amoskleag Manufacturing Company, and
entered immediately upon his duties, succeeding Mr. I-lartshorn in
tliat office. Ile continued to perform the arduous and responsible
duties of his office for fourteen years, until January 1st, 1852, when
h1e resigned and removed to Nashua, where he has since resided.
During the period of his agency, and under his general supervision,
a large portion of the operations of the Amoskeag Manufacturing
Company, in the way of buildings and real estate generally, were
completed. lIe performed his duties faithfully to the company by
which he was employed, as every one will testify who had business
to transact with him. Strictly a business man, he mingled very
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