This testimonial was given by William L. Guy, Governor of North Dakota (1961-1973) at a Northwest Farm Managers Association meeting. Gov. Guy grew up in Amenia; his father was one of the Company's Farm Managers

Our family was fortunate that Dad should be attracted to Amenia in 1926 to manage the Carrie T. Chaffee estate. We found ourselves in the midst of a community of fascinating families. Like all other small towns and the people who live in and around them, Amenia had its strengths and weaknesses its heroes and villains. One of my early heroes was H.L. Chaffee. His interest and concern for the kids of the Amenia community provided some of the fondest memories I have.

H.L. could skate better and ski further than anyone. His car seemed to be always ready to take a load of kids to the toboggan runs, the ski slopes or the river ice. He wasn't a watcher from the sidelines -- he pitched right in and showed us how. When the ice went out, it was H.L. who knew how to flick your wrist to keep the canoe bow going straight. He was the man on the springboard showing the young folk how to do a back flip. An arrow driven through both ends of an apple box, or a perfect score in his basement .22-rifle shooting range were Saturday afternoon demonstrations which got many a youngster interested in target shooting. There were no birds to be seen through his binoculars which he could not identify, and all the bug-eyed urchins around got a chance to look at them.

It was H.L. who led the hymn singing every Sunday night for the Congregational Church's young people's group. His excellent voice was in even finer fettle setting the pace for the Community Club singing every month during the winter. His voice was at its best when we were sitting around an evening campfire and he was leading the singing, strumming a guitar. When it came to starting a campfire without matches, or cooking in the open, or portaging a conoe, he was the best. His willingness to talk with young people on any subject from North Dakota history to willow whistles marked him as the most knowledgeable and interesting fellow you could ever run into.

By this time, you must have guessed that he was not only the leader of Amenia Community activities and church affairs, but he was also my Boy Scout Leader. He was the best Boy Scout Leader who ever lived.

I know you are honoring H.L.Chaffee as a past President of the Northwest Farm Managers Association and probably think it strange that I should stray from the agricultural part of Laurance's life. But really, a lot of people can have the honor of being President of the Northwest Farm Managers Association, but very few can say they were the positive influence in the lives of as many young people as can H.L.

-William Lewis Guy, Governor, N.D. (undated)