as an enthusiastic
amateur.

William Wallace Crapo was born in Dartmouth, May 16, 1830, and was the
only son in a family of ten children. He inherited his father's passion
for learning and knowledge, and although his father's means were
limited, he was given all possible opportunity for study. He was first
in the New Bedford public schools, then at Phillips Academy in Andover,
where he prepared for college. He graduated at Yale--which has since
conferred upon him the Degree of Doctor of Laws,--in the class of 1852.
Deciding on the study of law, he attended the Dane law school at
Cambridge, and subsequently entered the office of Governor Clifford in
New Bedford. In February 1855, he was admitted to the Bristol bar, and
in the following April was elected City Solicitor, an office which he
continued to hold for twelve consecutive years.

Mr. Crapo's first active part in politics was about a year after his
admission to the bar. Fremont and Dayton were in 1856 nominated as the
Republican candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency. Mr. Crapo
was an earnest surporter of the candidates and made very effective
speeches in their behalf in his section of the state. In the same year
he was chosen to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and the
following year, when only twenty-seven years of age, was tendered a seat
in the Massachusetts Senate, but declined the honor. His father this
year removed to Michigan, and the son who remained became a worthy
successor to the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He was
actively interested in the establishment of the New Bedford Water-works,
and from 1865 to 1875 held the office of Chairman of the board of Water
Commissioners. As Bank President, as director in extensive manufacturing
corporations, and in other similar positions of trust and responsibility
he acquired the reputation of being a sound business man, and an able
financial manager. In all of these positions he has ever enjoyed the
complete confidence and respect of his associates.

Mr. Crapo has been a diligent student of the history of the Old Colony
and especially of the early settlement of Dartmouth, and he has rendered
valuable contributions to the historical literature of the State. The
address delivered by him at the Bi-Centennial Anniversary of the town of
Dartmouth in 1864 and his address at the Centennial Celebration in New
Bedford in 1876 exhibit his accurate research and his facility of clear
an