Charles A. Preston
New Ipswich Historical Society
July 29, 1916
ACTIVE LIFE HAS COME TO ITS END
Charies A. Preston, paymaster of the Columbian Manufacturing Co., and one of the leading an and most highly respected men of this town, died at 1:30 this morning, following a shock of the day before, He is survived by a wife and one brother, William F. Preston, of Bank Village.
Mr. Preston was born in Bank Village on Nov., 19. 1867, son of Charles A. Preston and Maria Chapman Preston. He attended the public schools of Bank Village and Appleton academy and taught school in New Ipswich for a number of years, and was a member of the school board there. He married, on March 99, 1891, Miss Hattie A. Stiles of Wilton.
He was a member of the Congregational church and choir, and was a member of and had held leading offices in the following societies: Watatic lodge, A. O. U. W.; Dunster Hill lodge, I.O.O. F.; Souhegan lodge. A. F. and A. M. being a 32d degree Mason: Ivy Rebekah lodge; the Grange; King Solomon chapter, St. George Commandery of Nashua.
Mr. Preston was treasurer of the Greenville Fire Department, trustee and Secretary of the Mason Village Savings bank, and had been a member of the school board for over 20 years.
Twenty-five years ago Mr. Preston entered the employ of the Columbian Co. and for about eight years has been paymaster, He was also se secretary and treasurer of the Country club.
Funeral of Charles A. Preston:
The funeral services of Charles A. Preston were held at his late home Tuesday afternoon, and were in in charge of C. H. Austin, commander, and Ed- ward O. Fiefield, chaplain of St. George Commandery, K. T. of Nashua, of which the deceased was a member. Rev. Robert M. Grey, pastor of the Congregational church, offered prayers and paid a fitting eulogy to the departed. The last sad rites at the grave were Masonic, and were in charge of Dr. Currier, assisted ted by members of St,. George Commandery.
Alvin Greene was conductor and the pall bearers wars Fred K. Parker, Victor L. Parker, John F. McCuddy, John E. Fowler, Edwin F. Frye and Edwin A. Leedham. The honorary bearers were Joseph Caouette, Thomas Logan, William H. Doonan and Henry F. Howard. The floral tokens were. many and beautiful. Interment was in the family lot in New Ipswich beneath the shadows of the hills he loved.
The death of Charles Albert Preston came to all who knew him as some- thing scarcely to be believed. His passing came in the midst of the reaping of a just reward for his earnest and honorable life work.
His rare intelligence, unwavering application and quick apprehension of the duties and requirements of one who had his calling at heart, very soon made him a young man of mark in the great establishment where he had cast his fortunes, and his advancement, always earned, was steady. From assistant bookkeeper to bookkeeper, then to paymaster he rose, where a big responsibility devolved on him.
He was a man of unimpeachable character, sterling worth, a constant student, ever alert for the betterment of his fellow men, possessed of a great memory and versatile talents, a true Christian, the potentiality of whose personality permeated every organization with which he affiliated himself. Gifted as are few men with the pow- er to make and to hold friends, and because of his energetic and sterling qualities, he was invariably performing some special service for the many organizations to which he belonged and always held some official capacity.
But the load was too great. A year or so ago Mr. Preston, while still in the prime of his useful life, became subject to severe headaches and aged rapidly. He was a patient, cheerful sufferer, and, always optimistic, he refused to believe that hope was gone, even when others saw that a gentle faithful and beloved soul was passing.
He was familiarly known as "Bert" A. Preston, a name which was given him when he was a star player on the famous Greenville baseball team back in the early nineties. His love for the national game never diminished, and he frequently held the indicator in the years that followed and was always an enthusiastic spectator whenever and possible. He was also very fond of golf and automobiling.
His life had been an exemplary one. He was ever ready to espouse the best interests of humanity and to raise his the voice in every assembly for the benefit of mankind, either in behalf of the church or state. He was a man who would not swerve from the path of justice or the knowledge of right.
Greenville suffers the loss of a beloved citizen, one who was an inspiration to all who knew him and be will be missed by his many friends, associates and co-workers. In his immediate family circle Mr. Preston is mourned by a heartbroken wife and one brother.
Photo Archives
James Roger diary entry
3rd February 1913
Snow; wind west to east. David went for grain in forenoon and cleaning up brooder house in afternoon. I swept Hall and filled lamps for dance tonight. A fair attendance at the dance, which closed about 2:00 a.m. Got letter from Hamish per evening mail.
Quite an obituary! New Ipswich had some amazing people (still does I assume). The Prestons were a memorable part of my youth. During the hot summer days of the 1940's my mother would take us to the Preston beach. Mr. Preston would collect 10 cents per car at the gate. Other times I enjoyed playing around the Preston home while Mrs. Preston measured and pinned a dress for my mother, she was an excellent seamstress. She later (after her husband died) lived with us. I think her name was Eva. Not sure of her husband's name. They were always Mr. & Mrs. Preston to us. They must have been related to Charles.