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- DORT, Obed Gilman, Banker, Keene, was born in Surry, New Hampshire, January 25, 1828, son of Eliphalet and Lois (Bemis) Dort. He is descended from Richard Dort, or Dart, as the name was then spelled, who came from England in 1633, settled in Connecticut, and founded a family whose members have filled most useful positions in the community. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools and academy in Keene. He left home at fifteen, and learned the trade of carriage and sign painter, and at the age of twenty-two began business in Keene, dealing in drugs, paints, and paper hangings. He continued in this business as druggist until 1875. He was active in the organization of the Keene Five-cent Savings Bank in 1869, and was its Treasurer until 1875, vvnen ne resigned and accepted the Cashiership of the Citizens' National Bank, in the organization of which he has taken an active part. In 1878 he was elected President of the bank, and has held the office ever since. He was also prominent in establishing the Keene Guaranty Savings Bank, and was Treasurer of that institution until 1892. In his younger years he was a member of the Keene Light Infantry, and held a commission as Lieutenant when the old military system was abolished. When the Rebellion broke out, Mr. Dort took a heartfelt interest in the safety of the Union, and in the fall of 1861, enlisting a company of three years' men, was commissioned Captain of Company E, Sixth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers, afterwards being promoted to Major. The regiment was assigned to the Ninth Army Corps under General Burnside. The regiment accompanied the famous Burnside expedition to North Carolina, which suffered severely in the great storm off Hatteras. In the summer of 1862 it was ordered to aid General McClellan, and upon the arrival at Fortress Monroe encamped at Newport News. At this time Major Doit's wife and son Arthur, aged six years, in company with the wives of Colonel Scott and Captain Cummings visited the camp. The regiment was suddenly ordered away and the ladies started for home, taking the steamer West Point for Washington. On the trip up the Potomac on the evening of August 13th. the West Point collided with the steamer George Peabody, and almost immediately sank, Major Doit's wife and son, with both the other ladies losing their lives in this terrible disaster. Among other victims were many wounded and sick soldiers. When the collision occurred the Captain attempted to beach the boat but was unsuccessful. Colonel Scott and Dr. Newell of a Pennsylvania regiment directed their energies to saving the ladies, but as soon as a boat was lowered frantic men leaped in in such numbers that boat after boat went down until all were carried away. Then Colonel Scott and Dr. Newell lifted the ladies upon the hurricane deck and supported them until the water was above their waists. In this moment of agony and despair Colonel Scott saw a capsized boat drifting by and swam towards it with the hope of rescuing the ladies. The boat drifted by him and at the same time the steamer's deck gave way, and all upon it were thrown into the water. He endeavored to return to the weak, and finally caught an iron rod which braced the smoke stack, to which he clung until he was rescued. Dr. Newell, the ladies, and the child were swept away and lost their lives in the flood. When Major Dort enlisted in the service he had left a well-organized business in the charge of his wife, but after this terrible disaster on the Potomac, with no one to whom he could entrust the business while he remained at the front, and with the care of his one surviving child, left motherless at the age of four years, he felt it his duty to leave the service. Therefore, in the fall of 1862, he regretfully resigned his commission. To leave the service from no bodily disability, when every surrounding was satisfactory and the country was in need of every man's aid, might seem unjustifiable to the superficial observer who stayed at home to make money, but he has considered that perhaps it will be agreed that one year's service is better than none at all. While Major Dort was at the front with his regiment he participated in the battle of Elizabeth City, Camden, North Carolina, Second Hull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, and Antietam. In his younger days Major Dort was active in the clubs and societies, a Mason and an Odd Fellow, but of later years he has regarded his own home as the best club house. He was for many years Vestryman and Warden in St. James's Episcopal Church. In politics he has always been a Democrat, believing the end and aim of government should be the greatest good for the greatest number. He has held very few political offices, for in Keene the tide is very strongly Republican. In October, 1851, he was married to Julia N. Wakefield, daughter of James Wakefield of Marlborough. Of the children born of this marriage. Arthur Wakefield, born February 25, 1856, perished with his mother in the sad disaster to the West Point; Frank Oilman, born December 17. 1857, now lives in Keene; Mary Ellen Dort, born February 15, 1861, died November 27 of the same year. On December 17. 1863, Major Dort was married to Sarah Jane, daughter of Governor William Haile of Hinsdale.
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1828 - 1908 (80 years)
