such as were usually taught in those days. It was the custom then to have a three months' summer session, taught by a lady, for the younger children, and a three months' winter session by a gentleman for large scholars. His father being a farmer and requiring Edward's services on the farm, his schooling during the six or nine months' vacation was necessarily suspended. His inclination being mechanical, he was not so well satisfied with farming, so he was apprenticed to the house and ship carpentering trade, working in his native town until he became of age. He then set out on a tour through the Southern States and the West Indies, working at his trade wherever he stopped. After two years he returned home, engaging in ship and house building on his own account, continuing until 1845, when he removed to Massachusetts, following his trade in Boston and adjacent cities until 1852. The climate of Boston being unfavorable to his health, he accepted a position as agent of a coal company in Maryland, where he has remained among the mountains, engaged in the coal and lumber business, with the exception of three years on a farm in Centralia, Boon Co., Missouri, during the late war. Mr. Tilson being a captain in the State Militia of Maine, was in 1832 elected colonel of the 4th Regt., 2d Brigade, 4th Div., which he held for several years, when he resigned. During the period of his command the Aroostook War occurred. He was detailed to command a regiment of drafted men to protect the timber interests on the Northeast boundary, but before the troops came in collision the trouble was settled by Gen. Scott and the British minister. Col. Tilson has been postmaster in both Allegany and Garrett counties, Md.; has also been justice of the peace, county surveyor and president of the board of county commissioners of Garrett county. In 1829 he became a member of Orient Lodge of Masons in Maine. Removing to Massachusetts, he became a member of King Solomon Lodge, Charlestown. Has been a retired member since he went to Maryland. He had been a prominent member of temperance organizations for more than forty years, addressing the public on that subject. In his travels between the States and the West Indies in 1830-31, he several times encountered in the Gulf of Mexico pirates that infested the coast of Florida and other localities, and had several running fights, but escaped. At one time while a passenger on a brigantine in the Gulf of Mexico, the yellow fever broke out and the crew reduced to one man. With his assistance, and such knowledge as Mr. Tilson had acquired of navigation while a passenger, they managed to reach Moro Castle, Havana, after 18 days. Signals of distress were made, and some boats from an English ship of war and United States man of war brought them into port in a crippled condition. Nearly all the sails were blown away, there not being men enough to take care of them.

In early life Col. Tilson was trained in the Congregational Church, but afterwards accepted the Universalist doctrine. His first vote