USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Roxbury > Eliot memorial : sketches historical and biographical of the Eliot Church and Society > Part 18
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her cunning." His eighteen years' presidency and pas- torate of Olivet College was a period of most happy influence upon students and upon the surrounding com- munity. An unusual combination of gentleness and firm- ness, of cordiality and dignity, of sympathy and conscien- tious fidelity, always commanded affection and respect. Everywhere he exhibited more of the Christian man than the savant. His personal qualities and his high aim in administration were an important factor in securing to that College the reputation of being a place of specially safe and healthful influence. What ambition can be more noble in one occupying such a position than to promote the religious well-being of undergraduates, and through them the religious welfare of society at large and the efficiency of the church ? What satisfaction can be greater than to see, in pulpits and in other positions of power, the fruits of college training and college revivals? In religious opinions and measures Dr. Butterfield was con- servative; the doctrines of grace were his delight; with suppression of truth and with compromises he had no fellowship. A more healthful or a more decided religious atmosphere could be found at few, if any, of our colleges, west or east.
From 1883 onward, President Butterfield was a Cor- porate Member of the American Board. From 1850 on- ward, he retained a warm interest in the Eliot Church; and in conversation as well as correspondence with me always said, "My Dear Pastor." From the beginning of
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our acquaintance with him, he exhibited such good sense, such an unassuming yet self-respecting deportment, as won confiding regard from all who knew him, and won the affectionate regard of those who knew him intimately. February 16th, 1894, his remains were laid beside those of his wife in the cemetery at Newton Centre in this state.
6. CHARLES SHORT, LL. D.
Mr. Short, who came from the First Church in Cam- bridge, was one of three on our roll who afterwards received the honorary degree of LL. D. He was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, May 21, 1821; graduated from Harvard College, 1846; and was for several years princi- pal of the Roxbury Latin School. The corporate name of that institution is The Grammar School in the Easterly Part of the Town of Roxbury, though popularly known in the way previously given. Of all the institutions of learning in our country it ranks on the score of age as the third, having been founded in 1645. The two which antedate are the Boston Latin School and Harvard Col- lege. This school holds the enviable position of being, so far as known, the only one of existing schools in the land which has "never received from state or town any endowment, grant, or subsidy, or anything from the pro- ceeds of taxation except a small annual payment for a few years from the town in consideration of an enlarge- ment of its course of study, and is as free to all the inhabitants of the town, or in later days of the territory
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within the original town limits, as the public town or city schools."1
In the year 1863 Mr. Short was elected president of Kenyon College, Ohio, where he took the chair of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. From 1868 till the time of his decease (December 24, 1886) he was professor of Latin in Columbia College, New York City. He was on the Committee of Revision of the New Testament, and served as its secretary. Dr. Short was a member of several learned societies, to which he made valuable written contributions, besides furnishing articles for various reviews. Several school books were revised by him, and his treatise on The Order of Words in Attic-Greek Prose is acknowledged to be the ablest work on that subject which has yet appeared. Dr. Short was a thorough classical scholar; a man of great refinement, of unusual painstaking industry, and of very agreeable social qualities.
7. PROF. WILLIAM RIPLEY NICHOLS.
Of all who have been connected with the Eliot Church, Professor Nichols takes the lead in the depart- ment of science. His short life - only thirty-nine years being allotted him - bore the fruits of intense industry.
He was a son of C. C. Nichols, Esq., and was a native of Boston. After graduating from the Roxbury Latin School at the age of sixteen, he went to Europe with two classmates, under the guidance and instruction
1 The Roxbury Latin School. By J. Evarts Greene. 1887.
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of Professor Buck. The two years' absence were spent chiefly in France, Germany, Italy and Greece. The lan- guages of the three former countries were mastered; and an acquaintance, not wholly superficial, with the lan- guage of the one last named was also formed. On re- turning home he entered Harvard College with the class of 1869. Midway in Freshmen year he withdrew and joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A trouble with the eyes may have had influence in this step, but the leading consideration was a preference for science. At that time the elective system had not been adopted at Harvard as it has been since. For a youth of eighteen he had unusual maturity of judgment and decision of character. It is not known that he ever for a moment regretted the change or wavered in his devotion to the Institute. During the undergraduate course he gave in- struction in languages; and upon graduating was imme- diately made an instructor in chemistry. The year 1870 found him Assistant Professor in general chemistry ; and 1872 a Professor. That position he held till his decease in 1886. All his work was characterized by patience and scrupulous accuracy ; nor did he merely plod; the funda- mental principles of scientific investigation were kept clearly in mind. Nothing crude or unproved was allowed in his statements. For securing exactness neither time nor money was spared. He was at the expense of send- ing an assistant to England for the purpose of studying under Frankland and of mastering his methods.
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Even before graduation Professor Nichols had pre- pared two scientific papers, which were widely copied and were quoted in foreign periodicals. Inorganic chemistry attracted him at first; then he gave himself specially to sanitary chemistry, devoting great attention to questions of water supply and other matters relating to public health. In 1870 he began investigations of the chief rivers in the Commonwealth for the State Board of Health, and was soon recognized widely as an authority. His opinion was sought by Water Boards of many cities and by Com- mittees of Legislatures with reference to the conditions of public health, and his opinions carried weight not only in the United States but in Europe. A diploma with an accompanying medal was sent to him from the London Health Exhibition. Publications from his pen, under the head of Sanitary Chemistry, amount to forty-four, that of 1883, on Water Supply, being best known. Other pub- lications of a kindred nature, and the result of collabora- tion, carry the number up to sixty or more. He also furnished a valuable revision of two works, Manual of Inorganic Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis. Member- ship was accorded Professor Nichols in numerous scientific societies of this country, as well as the London Society of Chemical Industry, and the Deutsche Chemische Gesellschaft. He had a wide acquaintance, personal and by correspondence, with men eminent in the same depart- ment, both in Great Britain and on the Continent. He- visited Europe not less than seven times.
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But enthusiasm for learned pursuits by no means wholly absorbed Professor Nichols. Membership in the Eliot Church began at the age of fifteen (1863). A few months before that he became convinced that his was a deceitful heart ; that it was sinful to live for self, and that the atoning blood of Jesus Christ was what he needed. The Bible became a new book to him, and prayer three times daily a new practice. Several years later (1870) his relation was transferred to the Highland Church, in the gathering of which he felt a deep interest. He was one of its trustees and was clerk of the Ecclesiastical Society. In the course of his last prolonged sickness he became Superintendent of the Sunday School, and was indefatiga- ble in preparing exercises for the concerts, and in attend- ance upon teachers' meetings as well as upon church gatherings. Nor was such activity merely local. While scientific labors had a philanthropic aim, his interest in the moral well-being of the community at large was not slight. He took part in the formation (1878) of the New England Society for the Suppression of Vice, and became one of its directors. Professor Nichols was deeply con- scientious both as a Christian man and a scientist. He had the genius of resolution and the heroism of persever- ance. Overwork brought on empyema, and the last five years of life were years of progressive suffering and weak- ness ; and yet a time of but partially diminished industry. Literary and educational work, even night work continued. An extra course of lectures at the Boston University was
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undertaken. Unable to travel to and fro from home, or even from the railroad station, he uttered no complaint, but removed to Hotel Brunswick that he might be in close neighborhood to the place of chosen labor, and not miss an exercise. In 1886 a second and very critical operation became necessary. For this purpose he went to Hamburg, having arranged, before sailing, a cable code to be sent back. The word Prepare signified " The patient is sinking ; " and the word " Worst " denoted " The patient did not survive the operation." These mes- sages, flashed beneath the ocean, filled many hearts with profound sadness.
His library, unsurpassed in collections of books and pamphlets relating to sanitary chemistry, was bequeathed to the Institute of Technology, and by that institution has been named, " The William Ripley Nichols Library."
8. PROF. FRANK EUSTACE ANDERSON.
At fifteen years of age, the same age as Prof. William R. Nichols, he joined the church on confession of faith. His testimony at that time to a hearty accept-
1 A Memorial, 1887, containing - Funeral Address by the Rev. W. R. Campbell. Memorial from the Institute of Technology. Memorial from the Alumni Association. Annual Catalogue of the Institution for 1886-1887.
Prof. L. M. Norton in American Chemical Journal, Vol. VIII, No. 6. Prof. G. F. Swain in Scientific American, April 30, 1887
Prof. F. H. Storer, an Article for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1887.
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ance of all the distinctive truths of evangelical Chris- tianity and to his purposes in life was gratifying, as well as his expressed preference for solid reading instead of fiction, his reverence for the Word of God, and his habit of prayer. Dr. William Everett declared publicly that our Latin School "never graduated a brighter intellect, a warmer heart than that of Frank Eustace Anderson, of the class of 1860." He was born November, 1844, at Goff's Falls, New Hampshire. The family came to Boston when he was four years of age. His father, like some others of the same name, hailed from the Scotch element in the north of Ireland, and was senior partner in the house of Anderson, Heath & Co., Boston. In the Roxbury Latin School Frank Anderson was recognized as a scholar of great promise. From Harvard College he graduated, 1865, among the highest in the class, his record in Greek scholarship being very exceptional. He was then enrolled in Trinity College, Cambridge, England. Excellence in the classics secured for him a scholarship, and after taking his degree there, in 1869, he studied for some time at Heidelberg and Berlin. For two years he served as tutor at Harvard College, and then received appointment as assistant professor. His enthusiasm and his improved methods of teaching gave a new impulse to the study in his chosen department.
Professor Anderson's constitution was not naturally strong ; he neglected to observe duly the laws of health, and frequent visits to Europe failing to bring relief from
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the neglect of required regimen, he was obliged to tender his resignation in 1878. He afterwards resided chiefly at Leipsic, still pursuing favorite studies, though with con- stantly declining health, and the end came July 15, 1880. His remains rest in the new cemetery of that city.
9. HORACE ELISHA SCUDDER, LITT. D.
The family of Deacon Charles Scudder resided here for a few years, but without sundering their ecclesiastical relations to the Essex Street (now Union) Church. Their presence with us was a benediction. The youngest son dedicates one of his books, The Bodleys Afoot (1879), " To the Memory of the Best of Parents;" and in so doing was at least not far from literal correctness. In the same book our Warren Street is spoken of.
Horace E., when a lad of about a dozen summers, was a favorite with those among us of similar age, as well as of those older. He was a leader in social activities, especially such as were of a charitable nature. On attain- ing his majority, Mr. Scudder, referring to a Juvenile Association, which was largely due to his agency, wrote, " We used to hold our meetings in the large vestry, and I recall one of them now-the assembly of children and some older people, the missionary intelligence read from the desk, and, what was the most interesting exercise to the children, the announcement of the sum of money that had been contributed. I wonder if any of my asso- ciates recollect a sermon one rainy Sabbath, by a veteran
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missionary, Rev. Dr. Poor, from the text, 'The churches of Asia salute you'- and how in the course of his sermon he called upon the members of the Juvenile Association to stand up, which they did."
Mr. Scudder, who was born in Boston (1838), after graduating from Williams College (1858), had private pupils in New York for three years. The stories written for their birthdays were afterwards published in book form, with the title of Seven Little People and Their Friends. This was followed by numerous other books designed for the young, entertaining, healthful in tone, and instructive. He approved himself as the man to prepare a work on Childhood in Literature and Art; with some Observations on Literature for Children. The young people of our country are greatly indebted to Mr. Scudder. The Life and Letters of David Coit Scudder, a brother, whose brief missionary career in India came to a sudden close; biographies of George Washington and Noah Webster were also by him. Mr. Scudder had charge of The Riverside Magazine for Young People; and in 1890 became editor of The Atlantic Monthly. He wrote two school histories of the United States, besides contributing to Bryant and Gay's History of the United States, as well as to the Memorial History of Boston. The number of volumes from his pen, not including compilations, is between twenty and thirty. Princeton University, on the occasion of its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, conferred upon Mr. Scudder the
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degree of Litt. D. In the Riverside Literature series of Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Twenty Amer- ican Authors, Mr. Scudder's name appears along with the names of such writers as Bryant, Cooper, Emerson, Hawthorne, Holmes, and others.
CHAPTER XX.
LAWYERS.
THE legal profession has been honored by those who belonged to it while in the congregation, or who entered it after leaving the congregation. With varying degrees of eminence a uniformly high tone of character has been maintained on their part. Though the number is not large, it is all that might naturally have been expected. The first lawyer came to Boston over two and a half centuries since (1637). The present corps in this city is not far from one thousand.
I. HON. SAMUEL HURD WALLEY.
Three years after the organization of the church, Mr. Walley became a member, and for more than twenty years rendered invaluable service. His seat in the sanctuary on the Lord's Day was never vacant, save when sickness or absence from town intervened; and he could be depended upon for a helpful share in all week-day devotional meet- ings. Religious training in early life, and a good educa- tion, contributed to qualify him for Christian work. He enjoyed the blessing of pious parents and grandparents - his mother being a daughter of Governor Phillips. He graduated from Harvard College (1826) in the same class with Drs. N. Adams, George Putnam, and A. P. Peabody ;
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and studied law in the office of Hon. Samuel Hubbard. The powerful ministry of Dr. Lyman Beecher, with whose church in Boston Mr. Walley became first connected, had large influence in shaping his religious views and char- acter. The consistency of his profession he maintained in secular relations, such as various pecuniary trusts, the treasuryship of moneyed institutions, the presidency of Revere Bank, membership for eight years in the Massa- chusetts legislature - of which body he was the Speaker for several sessions-and as a representative in Congress. But it is church life and activity of which more especial mention should be made here. Mr. Walley was the effi- cient superintendent successively of the Mason Street and the Bowdoin Street Church Sunday Schools, and for nearly twenty years was president of the Massachusetts Sunday School Society. It was an unusual circumstance that, on retiring from the charge of the former of those two schools, he was succeeded in the superintendency by his father, Samuel Hall Walley, who held the position for seventeen years, till his death in 1850.' While with us he conducted a large Bible class of young ladies, and their uniform punctual attendance showed their interest. As one and another of them was removed by a lingering illness, it became manifest that the good seed sown by their faithful teacher bore fruit.
Mr. Walley was a man of joyous temperament - frank, genial and kind. His presence was a benediction
I Memorial of Samuel H. Walley, 1866.
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to any neighborhood and any church. I once said to him in his office, "Mr. Walley, how comes it that you always have such a streak of cheerfulness, enough for yourself and to make everybody else happy who comes in here?" "Whatever I have is from God," he replied. " My earliest recollection is the prayers of my mother. I was an ugly boy. At four years of age my grand- mother bade me do something which made me exceed- ingly angry. I went outdoors and sat on the wood-pile, pouting. All at once it occurred to me, 'There is no use in this; I'm making myself miserable, and others too; I'll now try and make them happy.' And from that time to this it has been a study with me to make people happy." He removed from Roxbury to Boston, and died at the age of seventy-three, August 27, 1877.
2. HON. CHARLES THEODORE RUSSELL.
One of the earliest representatives of the legal pro- fession was the Hon. C. T. Russell, who became a mem- ber on confession of faith in 1838. Fifteen or more years later he removed from Boston to Cambridge and con- nected himself with the First Church of that city. Princeton, Massachusetts, was his birthplace, but the earliest ancestor in this country was a Puritan, William Russell, a citizen of Cambridge in 1645. Mr. Russell's parents attained unusual longevity, his father, after voting at state elections for sixty-nine consecutive years, died at
I Memorial Sermon by Rev. J. M. Manning, D. D., 1878. p. 13.
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nearly ninety years of age, while the mother lived to her ninety-third year. She was descended from a younger brother of the Earl of Huntington.
Mr. Russell ranked high in his class at Harvard Uni- versity, and after graduation studied law. The firm of C. T. & T. H. Russell has been well known for full half a century. During that time Mr. C. T. Russell was elected to a series of public trusts. On the School Committee of Boston he took right ground regarding the admission of colored children to the public schools on an equality with other children, and ably defended the position, though in consequence he failed of reelection. Sentiment has since undergone a favorable change. At different times he represented Cambridge in the lower house of the Leg- islature, and the County of Middlesex in the Senate. While Mayor of Cambridge, 1861 and 1862, he cooperated efficiently with Governor Andrew in filling up quotas of State troops, and it was upon his suggestion that Cam- bridge offered the first large bounties. He was a pro- fessor in the Law School of Boston University from its foundation onward; and for many years was a corporate member of the American Board of Missions, and one of the Board of Visitors of the Theological Seminary at Andover. Mr. Russell's last sickness was a very short one; and his death was almost as sudden as that of his son, the late Governor William E. Russell, though he had lived twice the number of years, seventy-nine.
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3. HON. WILLIAM GASTON, LL. D.
Huguenot blood always suggests pathos and special genealogical interest. Mr. Gaston's ancestor, Jean Gas- ton, one of the French Huguenots who suffered perse- cution and confiscation, fled for refuge to Scotland, where he married. Two of his descendants came from the north of Ireland to New England about 1730, and settled at Voluntown, Connecticut. A son of one of them, John, had a son John, who was Governor Gaston's grandfather, and who married a daughter of his pastor in that town, the Rev. Alexander Miller. Their son, Alexander Gas- ton, removed to Roxbury in 1838. Our William was then in the family, having been born in Killingly, Con- necticut, October 3, 1820. At the Brooklyn and Plain- field Academies of that state he fitted for Brown Uni- versity, which he entered at the age of fifteen, and from which he graduated with honors, 1840. He entered Judge Francis Hilliard's office in Roxbury, and afterwards pur- sued legal studies in the office of those eminent lawyers and jurists, Charles P. and Benjamin R. Curtis of Boston. Mr. Gaston opened a law office in Roxbury, and came to a leading position at the bar. After about twenty years he formed (1865), with Hon. Harvey Jewell and Hon. Walbridge A. Field, a Boston law firm which be- came noted. As an advocate Governor Gaston was one of the comparatively few who achieve well-sustained emi- nence of the first grade. He devoted himself with wisely- directed enthusiasm to his profession. To clear and logi-
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cal thinking he united an unusually forcible and convincing manner of address. An air of honest conviction on his own part contributed to his success.
He never solicited office, but office solicited him. He became President of the Roxbury Common Council (1852-1853); City Solicitor for five years; Mayor of Rox- bury (1861-1862); member of the House of Representa- tives (1853, 1854, 1856); and of the Senate (1868); Mayor of Boston (1871-1872); President of the Boston Bar Asso- ciation ; Governor of the Commonwealth (1875). In all these positions he was courteous and unassuming. Sound- ness of judgment and purity of life were acknowledged by all. His integrity was never impeached. Simplicity of manners, and a preference for domestic enjoyments were characteristics. His decease occurred January 19, 1894.
4. NEHEMIAH CHASE BERRY.
Was born in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, November 28, 18II. His grandfather did service in the Revolutionary War, holding the rank of captain. An English ancestor settled at Portsmouth before 1640. Dartmouth College was Mr. Berry's Alma Mater; and after graduating (1839), he became first principal of the Stetson High School at Randolph, Massachusetts. In 1847 he was admitted to the Norfolk County Bar, and three years later began the practice of law in Boston.
On removing to Roxbury, Mr. Berry brought to us a letter from the First Church in Randolph, and in a nar-
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rative of religious experience spoke, as many another has done, of the Christian earnestness of his mother, and of the conversion of a brother and sister, as a special bless- ing to him when a young man. While in college and in the churches with which he was afterwards connected, Mr. Berry maintained a decidedly consistent character as a professing Christian, uniform in attendance upon meet- ings and the discharge of obvious duties. To the Bible he gave earnest study. Great sobriety of judgment and utterance was a characteristic. His presence and opinions were much valued in ecclesiastical councils when embar- rassing questions came to the front. Unemotional, his mind was distinctively of a judicial stamp. Late in life he prepared a small law-book, entitled Pleading and Prac- tice. Unusual vigor was retained until seventy-eight years of age, when a severe sickness compelled him to relin- quish much of his business, though still continuing to practice law till eighty, indeed till the last day of life. When passed fourscore he argued a case, which involved a nice question of law, before the full bench of the Supreme Court, the decision of which, in his favor, was rendered after his death. That event was due to a rail- road accident, March 19, 1892.
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