His disposition was frank and generous, as his mind was fearless and independent.

From his earliest years he craved, and was always in pursuit of, some daring adventure, yet he was the most sober and apparently contented youth in the village, loving hard work, even seeking to perform a man's task at daily labor, while yet a mere stripling.

Brought up mainly on the farm, spending his days in severe labor and his nights in sweet slumber, he became the peer of all his companions in athletic feats involving strength and skill.

He could "pitch the bar," run, leap, wrestle with the best of them, and more than held his own with the most doughty champion.

But he never boasted of his strength, nor sought occasions to display his skill, being content with their mere possession.
His sense of fairness and self-respect, however, would not allow him to become the butt of other people's ridicule, and when the need arose for putting forth his energies in a good cause, he held nothing in reserve.
Such an occasion occurred the first time he paid a visit to Boston, the metropolis of his State.