USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > Centennial memorial of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts > Part 11
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HIe was one of the carly adherents of the anti-slavery cause, and never deserted it. The " Lynn Colored People's Friend Society " was organized in 1832, having " for its objects the abolition of slavery in the United States, the improvement of the character and condition of the Free Blacks, and the acquisition to the Indians and blacks the enjoyment of their natural rights in an equal participation of civil privileges with white men." In 1835 this society numbered 185 members, and we find Mr. Davis named as corresponding secretary.
In other moral and reformatory labors we also find him conspicuous. The " Lynn Young Men's Temperance Society " was organized in 1833, having, two years af- terward, a membership of 350, at which time he was its president.
In 1838, being an active member of the old Whig party, Mr. Davis was elected a Representative to the General Court. And soon after the formation of our city government was elected to the Council. In 1852, '53, '56 and '57 he was President of the Common Council. It was in 1859 and 1860 that he was called to fill the Mayor's chair ; and down to the last date had been six years ex-officio member of the School Committee.
In 1834 he was commissioned as a Notary Public, and in 1837 as a Justice of the Peace, which last office he still holds.
In his religious views Mr. Davis has, from his youth,
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EDWARD S. DAVIS.
been a consistent Episcopalian ; and that church is in- debted to him, probably, more than to any other, for its establishment in this place. From the organization, in 1834, until the present time, he has continued to mani- fest his devotion to her by labor and by pecuniary con- tribution, and in the parish of St. Stephen's still continues in an important official position.
During his administration as Mayor several projects of public interest were accomplished. The city debt was funded ; the first street railroad located ; the more sys- tematic grading of the public schools commenced ; and the substitution of brick school houses for those of wood decided on -two of the former material being erected while he was in office. But perhaps the most notable, at least the most stirring event, was the great Shoc- makers' Strike, which commenced in February, 1860. No occurrence of the kind in this part of the country, probably, ever before created such a sensation. The whole country seemed to have their eyes momentarily turned on Lynn, and through the daily journals and illus- trated weeklies her travail was magnified to an extent far beyond what was dreamed of in her own borders. Nevertheless, it was a serious affair, and required the ex- ercise of prudence and coolness in its management. The city was in a ferment for some seven weeks ; processions were frequently moving along the streets ; large meet- ings were held ; and the drum could be heard at almost any hour. After all, however, there was little actual violence committed. The object of the strikers was the same that is common in all such movements, namely, the obtaining of more adequate remuneration for labor ; and perhaps, on the whole, the occurrence was not inju- rious to the general interests of the place. During this
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disturbance Mayor Davis, by his prudence, foresight and forbearance, often exercised against the strong urgency of those in favor of more forcible measures, probably saved the city from the odium of violence, and himself and friends from lasting regrets.
The habits of Mr. Davis are somewhat retiring, and he may be said to lead the life of a thinker quite as much as that of an actor. Having a taste for literature, he has collected, doubtless, the largest and most valuable private library in the city ; and among his books he spends many pleasant and studious hours. He has also collected a variety of interesting objects of fine art. Agreeable manners, intelligence, and freedom from low prejudices mark his daily walk ; and few can spend many hours in his society and not feel improved.
In 1836 he married Elvira, daughter of Capt. Na- thaniel and Martha (Chadwell) Newhall, both belonging to old Lynn families, but has no children.
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Hiram W. Breed
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HIRAM NICHOLS BREED.
MR. BREED was born in Lynn, Sept. 2, 1809, and was a son of Asa Breed, born Feb. 21, 1783, a direct de- scendant from Allen Breed, who settled in Lynn in 1630. The Breed family, during our whole history, has main- tained the highest rank, numerically, with the exception of the Newhall, which considerably outnumbers any other.
The subject of this sketch, after receiving a district school education, was put to the common employment of the youth of that period in this place, namely, the trade of shoemaking. And that occupation he has pursued for the greater portion of his life. The old-fashioned shoc- maker's shop was an unrivalled school in its way -a school in which the free discussions on every topic of public or private interest had a tendency to make men intelligent in every way except, perhaps, in mere book- learning. The discussions often led to reflection and in- vestigation, and whoever possessed ability was pretty sure to have it recognized.
Mr. Breed was, at a comparatively early age, called to take a part in the management of public affairs ; and for many years has held responsible offices. He was in various positions in the old town government, and held the office of Selectman when it expired. On the adoption of the city form he was one of the first Board of Alder- men, being likewise returned for the same position the next year. He was a member of the Legislature in
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1848 and 1850; and a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1853. By Governor Boutwell he was ap- pointed a Coroner, which office he continues to fill ; was City Assessor in 1858 and '59, and Surveyor of High- ways from 1869 to 1874, inclusive, with the exception of 1871. And while speaking of him as filling the im- portant office of Surveyor of Highways, it should be re- marked that he seems always to have taken a lively interest in the condition of the streets. Many years ago his services began to be appreciated in that department ; and some of his suggestions then, and at later periods, have been highly approved. We have extensive avenues besides those devoted to business, to be looked after. And while nature has furnished so much that is grand and delightful in scenery, it would be a pity to have the roads so neglected that our own citizens, and the many strangers who gather here in the watering season, could not enjoy their recreative excursions. Under Mr. Breed's administration the public ways have not been neglected ; but in saying this there is no disposition to intimate that they have under any other ; and we must congratulate ourselves on the common reputation that the drives about Lynn arc surpassed by hardly any in this part of the country, both as regards their natural location and condition.
Mr. Breed was elected Mayor for 1861, a year espe- cially filled with unusual demands, anxieties and perplex- ities, for it was the opening year of the great Rebellion. New duties and responsibilities were then pressing, and untried measures were to be adopted. It required firm- ness to withstand unreasonable demands, and judgment to meet all proper claims. The success of his admin- istration under these circumstances entitles him to much
HIRAM N. BREED. 177
credit. It was a difficult task to shape and put in operation the measures that resulted so favorably to the soldiers and their families, while at the same time other public interests were vigilantly guarded. Something of the modest spirit with which he entered upon his duties as Mayor may be gathered from the opening pas- sage of his Inaugural Address : " Called from a laborious but honorable occupation to fill the position of Mayor of this city, and well acquainted with my many deficiences for this important trust, I feel confident that, seeking to know my duty, I shall be able by assiduity and industry to discharge the duties with a measure of satisfaction to myself and my constituents." Perhaps his habit of careful investigation, before proceeding to action, in matters of real importance, is one of his most prominent characteristics -never too hasty, and never liable to be driven on by the unadvised urgency of those who always stand ready to press others while no responsibility rests on themselves.
Mr. Breed belongs to one of the old families of the eastern section of the town, and has lived to see great improvements in the vicinity of his birth place. Ocean street, which is now justly reckoned one of the finest avenues in the county, if not in the State, he has seen opened through lands, not indeed barren, but occupied only for purposes of husbandry. He also had much to do with the laying out of Breed, Foster and Nichols streets, now filled with a thrifty population. And to his energy and enterprise that whole section is indebted for many of those improvements which have changed it from its former quaint and rather ancient aspect to one pleasant and attractive.
Mr. Breed, though considerably in years, as the dates
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in this sketch show, is still remarkably vigorous, both mentally and physically, the result, no doubt, of a tem- perate and prudent course of life, with the basis of a naturally good constitution. On the 4th of July, 1830, he married Nancy, a daughter of Caleb Stone, and by her had ten children, namely, Henry N., Asa N., Edwin E., Betsey A., Martha E., Laura J., Abbie M., Julia F., Nathan D. C., and Clara L.
Am Meals
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MAYORS OF LYNN.
PETER MORRELL NEAL.
MR. NEAL, the tenth Mayor of Lynn, was born at Doughty's Falls, a small village in North Berwick, Me., Sept. 21, 1811. His parents, Elijah and Comfort (Mor- rell) Neal, were worthy members of the religious Society of Friends, who instilled into the minds of their children the principles of sobriety and temperance, and an abiding faith in the doctrines of Christianity unmixed with sec- tarian prejudices. Mr. Neal has continued his connec- tion with that society, whose cardinal principles he believes in, and whose mode of worship he admires.
Both the Neal and Morrell families were among the first settlers in the southwest section of Maine, then a part of Massachusetts, which was known as the District of Maine till 1820, when it was admitted into the Union as an independent State. The Morrell family was a large and influential part of the community in those carly days, and from it have sprung many men of distinction, some of whom have filled the highest places of trust in the gift of the people of the State of Maine.
Sixty years ago the district schools in the country were not of a high grade, but such as they were Mr. Neal in his youth attended till he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Providence, R. I., and became a pupil of the Friends' Boarding School, where he remained most of the time till he was twenty-one years of age ; teaching school, however, in the country during the winters, and pursuing his studies at the institution during the remain-
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der of the time, with the exception of one season, when he attended the Academy at South Berwick.
In 1832 he went to Portland, Me., and continued his studies, principally in the languages, under a private tutor, preparing himself to enter college; but the next year, there being what he and his friends considered a good opening, he abandoned his college prospects, and commenced a school there, and was quite successful. IIe can now enumerate among his former pupils some of the best professional and business men in that section of the State.
In 1836 he married Lydia, daughter of Edward Cobb, of Portland. They have four children, Edward C., Mary Louisa, Ellen M., and William E.
In 1842 the inhabitants of his native village concluded to establish a High School there, and invited Mr. Neal to become its Principal. He accepted the position, returned to North Berwick, and taught school till 1850. From too close application to his duties his health failed him, and he made up his mind that he must quit teaching and engage in some business that required more active and out of doors exercise.
He came to Lynn, and formed a partnership with Philo Clifford, to do a general lumber business on Beach street. They dissolved in 1859. Mr. Neal continued the busi- ness alone till 1863, when he formed another partnership with Nehemiah Lee, at the old stand, and did quite an extensive business till 1870, when he sold out his in- terest to Mr. Lee. In 1872 he again commenced the lumber business on his new wharf, called Yacht Club Wharf, on Beach street, opposite Tudor street.
Very soon after he came to Lynn he was elected to the Common Council, and subsequently for a number of
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PETER M. NEAL.
years he was a member of the School Committee, and at one time Chairman of the Board.
On the 6th of January, 1862, he was inaugurated Mayor, and was re-elected to that office the three fol- lowing years.
In those stirring times, during the War of the Rebel- lion, when loyal individuals were doing all they could to preserve the Union from disruption, the cares devolving upon the chief magistrates of our towns and cities were varied and constant. During the four years of his ad- ministration he generally worked from sixteen to eighteen hours daily, rarely leaving his office till one or two of the clock in the morning. He was indefatigable in his exertions in alleviating the sufferings of our soldiers and their families, and many times visited the army and hos- pitals, carrying relief to the sick and wounded, and good cheer to those who were doing their duty in camp. He has often been heard to say that, although attended with much sadness, he looks back upon the time spent among the wounded, sick and dying, with more satisfaction than upon any other period of his life, because he was en- abled to relieve much distress both of body and mind - carrying as he did news from absent ones at home, and returning the last sad messages to wives, mothers and children, from the dying soldier.
During these visits he sometimes, within the space of two or three weeks, visited no less than twenty thousand sick and wounded soldiers, and bears testimony to their fidelity and patriotism, for there was very little murmur- ing at their lot. Even under the greatest physical suf- fering they were cheerful, and endured all with the greatest fortitude, evincing to the world that they at least believed they were in the line of duty.
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Mr. Neal's labor for the soldier did not cease with the close of his official duties, but for many years he was almost daily consulted upon matters connected with the war, and obtained, for many soldiers and widows, pen- sions from the government, for which service he would never receive any compensation, although many times urged to do so.
In politics Mr. Neal was originally a Whig, and cast his first vote in 1832, for Henry Clay. He afterwards joined the Free Soil party, and on the formation of the Republican party he was their first candidate for a seat in the Legislature of Massachusetts, but was defeated.
He represented his district (consisting of Ward Four, Lynn, and the town of Nahant), in the House of Repre- sentatives in 1870 and 1871, and was the Senator from the First Essex District in 1876.
Forbes Co
1
G. Usher
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MAYORS OF LYNN.
ROLAND GREENE USHER.
THE USHER family was founded in New England some time previous to 1638 by two brothers, Hezekiah and Robert, from the latter of whom the subject of this sketch is directly descended. The family was prominent during the Colonial and carly Provincial days, as is shown by the abundant evidence in the contemporaneous records. From the above date to the present its members have constantly resided in this vicinity, having become es- pecially identified with Boston, Medford, Cambridge, Charlestown and this city.
Hezekiah, one of the original founders of the Old South Church, Boston, was the first bookseller and pub- lisher in English America, and indeed the only one in New England as late as 1664. IIe was Representative and one of the Selectmen of Boston for several years, was possessed of considerable wealth, and was a man of great activity and influence. Robert became associated with the New Haven settlement, and held various offices there, but on his death, in 1669, his family rejoined their relatives in this vicinity, in accordance with a desire ex- pressed in his will. John, son of Hezekiah, continued his father's business, receiving in 1672, by special act of the General Court, the first copyright ever granted and secured by law in this country. He was Colonel of the Boston Regiment, at one time Treasurer and Receiver General for New England, and later was Lieutenant Gov- ernor and Commander-in-Chief of New Hampshire for
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quite a long period. He was also one of the councillors of President Dudley, and later held the same relation towards Sir Edmund Andros. He was employed by Mas- sachusetts to negotiate the purchase of the Province of Maine from the heirs of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, which he effected in 1677 - " an absolute, perfeet and independ- ent estate of and in the said county Palatine," being conveyed to. said Usher. Robert, above mentioned, had a son Robert, who had a son John, who had a son Rob- ert, who had a son Eleazer.
Roland Greene, the eleventh Mayor of Lynn, son of said Eleazer and Fanny (Bucknam) Usher, was born at Medford, Jan. 6, 1823. At an early age he, with some other members of the family, came to this city, where they have since resided.
After learning the morocco dresser's trade, he chiefly engaged, till the breaking out of the war, in mercantile pursuits, having, however, been for several years a mem- ber of the Common Council and Board of Aldermen ; he had also represented this city in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. In the year 1840 he joined the Lynn Light Infantry, was afterwards elected its First Lieuten- ant, and on the formation of the now historic " Eighth " Regiment became its Lieutenant Colonel. He was on the staff of the Eighth as regimental Paymaster when it left for Washington, on the 17th of April, 1861.
In the following July he was commissioned by President Lincoln as Paymaster in the regular army force, in which capacity he served till the elose of the war, his principal appointments being as Paymaster-in-Chief of the famous Department of the Gulf, also of the Department of An- napolis, and later of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina ; having at these times the supervision and direction of from twenty to thirty paymasters,
ROLAND G. USHER. 185
The responsibilities, the arduous and trying duties, the anxieties and dangers of a disbursing officer, amid the excitement and confusion of the camp, the difficulty at- tendant on safely transporting at such times the very large sums of money needed, give a peculiar significance to the following letter, indicative of his record with the War Department :
PAYMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, February 14, 1871.
MAJ. GEN. B. F. BUTLER : - My Dear Sir: - In reply to your request for a letter from this office, indicating the official record of Col. R. G. USHER during the time he served as an officer of this department, it affords me pleasure to respond, because from an in- timate personal knowledge in his case I am able to bear emphatic testimony to the value and excellence of his services.
Col. Usher was appointed a Paymaster at the beginning of the war, in 1861. Hle served through the entire war, and retired to civil life on his own application for discharge.
That he was an active and faithful officer is well attested by the records of the department. But that he was more, an energetic, intelligent and reliable officer in positions of unusual responsi- bility, I can, of my personal knowledge, certify.
During his term of service, he disbursed upwards of thirty-one and a half millions of the public money, promptly, faithfully, and satisfactorily accounting for every dollar entrusted to his charge.
Ilis conduct and bearing won the confidence and esteem of this office, and caused me to regret that his own interests and inclina- tions were averse to a permanent continuance in this department.
Very respectfully, B. W. BRICE, PAYMASTER GENERAL.
Upon the re-organization of the State militia, in 1866, he was appointed Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Major General B. F. Butler, commanding, and held that po- sition during the ten years following.
For three years, beginning January, 1866, he was 24
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Mayor of this city. During this time the police force was re-organized, a complete system of sewerage commenced, and the fine City Hall, with the exception of the base- ment, put under contract, erected and dedicated.
Such a building for municipal purposes had been so long needed that the occasion of its dedication was a genuine gala day for Lynn, hardly equalled by any sim- ilar event since that of the " Old Tunnel." Its erection indicated a fresh and vigorous impulse which affairs in Lynn had felt in consequence of the very large business developed by the necessities of the war, and the rapid growth of the country.
Colonel Usher assumed the duties of the mayoralty at this time when, the war having ended, the city, which had meanwhile grown largely in wealth and population, seemed to have aroused itself to new life and vigor.
IIe was elected a member of the Executive Council of the Commonwealth for three successive years, under Gov- ernors Bullock and Claflin, serving on the Hoosac Tunnel Committee and signing the memorable contract for its completion.
IIe was appointed March 3, 1871, by President Grant, United States Marshal for the District of Massachusetts, and at the expiration of his term, in 1875, was re-ap- pointed, receiving the compliment of the recommenda- tion, by letter, of Justice Clifford, of the U. S. Supreme Court, Judge Shepley, of the U. S. Circuit Court, and Judge Lowell, of the U. S. District Court. This po- sition he at present occupies.
He married, June 5, 1844, Caroline-M., daughter of Daniel-Lee and Mary (Barry) Mudge. Their children were, Caroline-Anna, Abbott-Lester, Edward-Preston, and Caroline-Mudge.
James N. Buffum
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MAYORS OF LYNN.
JAMES NEEDHAM BUFFUM.
MR. BUFFUM, the twelfth Mayor of Lynn, was born in North Berwick, Mc., on the 16th day of May, 1807. His parents were prominent members of the Society of Friends, held in high esteem for untiring devotion to the best interests of that society, and a faithful discharge of the duties of life. Ilis father was widely known and beloved as the "peace maker," from his success in settling the quarrels and disputes of the neighborhood. Euergy and courage distinguished his mother, whose un- flagging hope and serene faith sustained her husband in the dark hours of life.
Mayor Buffum's opportunities for education in early life were meager. Three winter months, under a poorly trained teacher, was all the town could give its children. At sixteen years of age, with little learning and less money, he left home to seek his fortune. Beginning at Salem, Mass., to learn his trade of a house-builder, he stayed there and at Lynn till 1827; then, eager for a better education, he went to the Friends' School, at Prov- idence, and remained there a year. The expense of this year was defrayed by the hard work and self-denial of three subsequent years spent in Salem, in the organ factory of Messrs. Hook. Though his genius for me- chanics soon made him skillful in that business, he re- solved to return to Lynn and resume his old work of building houses. Faithful and thorough, he was for twenty years a leading carpenter of this rapidly growing
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town ; and by his sagacity and active interest in all public improvements did as much as any other citizen to build up and ornament Lynn.
Ile was the first to use the first steam engine set up there, and to him is owing the introduction of the " planing machine." Hardly anything has more facilitated the shoe trade of Lynn than this great invention. Bitterly opposed at first, Mr. Buffum has lived to see this great instrument of saving labor recognized as the best friend of the working man.
The opening of new streets, the improvement of do- mestic architecture, the introduction of gas, had in Mr. Buffum one of their earliest and most efficient friends. One of his most remarkable and successful enterprises was taking the neglected and unsightly acres of Rocks Pasture, a mass of rock overlooking Lynn, and con- verting it into a garden, with land and ocean views un- surpassed by any spot on Massachusetts Bay ; now crowded with pleasant homes. Mr. Buffum may safely claim that he has never lived on the toil or genius of others ; but he has himself created wealth, enriching others and benefitting the city while pursuing his own career.
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