History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 109

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 109

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In 1832 Mr. Fay married Catharine Sanders, daughter of the Hon. Dudley L. Pickman, of Salem, and resided many years in Boston, in the diligent and active practice of his profession. In 1848 he took his family to Europe, and after an extensive journey on the Continent, he took up his residence in England, where he resided several years on an estate in Shropshire, known as Moor Park, one of the most beautiful and cultivated of those landed properties of England, in which are combined the elegance and luxury of a well-appointed home, and the best prac- tical system of agriculture.

It was undoubtedly this experience in England which increased Mr. Fay's natural love of rural pur- suits, and cultivated those tastes which made him an ardent and useful promoter of agriculture in his native State, to which he returned in 1853. He had previously purchased a large estate in Essex County, known as Lynn Mineral Spring Hotel, comprising more than five hundred acres of diversified land, in which fertile valleys, picturesque and rugged hills and a beautiful lakelet were combined. He com- menced at once the improvement of this place, now called Lynnmere, by draining the lands and covering

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the hills with innumerable trees, many of which he planted with his own hands. He imported larches, maples, firs and pines in large quantities, planted acorns constantly in his walks about the estate, and succeeded in converting a rough and somewhat unat- tractive landscape into a variegated forest, through which winds an avenue of great beauty, bordered by deciduous and evergreen trees distributed with great taste, and constituting a charming combination of variety and luxuriance of foliage. The forest which Mr. Fay planted has now become a profitable wood- land. The bare hills which he covered with Scotch larches, the rude stone walls and the waste pasture where, originally, there was only a growth of red cedars and huckleberry bushes, through which the approach to the house led, have given way to shade- trees of great variety, which now after forty years are in magnificent beauty. Huge rocks were drawn ont of the barren soil, now verdant in lawn, grass-fields and rich crops. The place is one of the most picturesque in New England in natural beauty, and in its present condition is a memorial of the taste and genius of the man who developed and added to its attractions.

In addition to this extensive forest and ornamental tree-culture, Mr. Fay encouraged by precept and practice many of the most important branches of agriculture which belong especially to the practical farmer. While in England he had observed the im- portance attached to sheep-husbandry, for the pro- duction of coarse and middle wools, and, for the sup- pły of mutton as a healthful and economical article of food, at that time not in general use in this coun- try. He selected from all the heavy and rapid-grow- ing breeds in England the Oxford Downs, as larger than the South Down, and finer than the Cotswold; and from his large flocks he made for a long time a wide distribution throughout the country. In this branch of agriculture he was considered as authority ; and in connection with it he encouraged the growing of root-crops, the most improved Swedes and Man- golds, which English flock-masters and cattle-breeders consider indispensable to their calling.

To the establishment of market-days in Essex County Mr. Fay gave early and earnest attention, and contributed much instruction on this system of trade, so common in England, through the agri- cultural press of the country. His attendance at the meeting of farmers was frequent. As a trustee of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, in which body, Robert C. Winthrop, George W. Lyman, Chief Justice Bigelow, George Peabody, of Salem, Charles G. Loring, Stephen Salisbury, George B. Loring, Leverett Saltonstall and others were his asso- ciates, he did good service, and edited the first issue of the records of the society. As president of the Essex Agricultural Society, he called around that as- sociation the most eminent patrons of farming known in the country, and did much to place it in the posi-

tion it now occupies, He had a sincere love of rural life, and although connected from time to time with business enterprises, he never forgot that agriculture is the foundation of all our prosperity, and that a knowledge of its economics and a taste for its pursuits add much to one's usefulness and happiness.

Mr. Fay was a man of great determination, strong impulse and wide observation. His natural powers were great. Highly favored by fortune, he never lost sight of the efforts required for the development of human enterprises, and was somewhat impatient of those theories which disturbed society and endan- gered its perpetuity and success. He lived in a time of great transitions, in which, although occupying no official position, he gave strong expression to his views and equal impress to his exertions. Early in the breaking out of the Civil War he organized at his own expense a company known as the Fay Guards, which did brave and honorable service in the great conflict. This company was attached to the Thirty- eighth Massachusetts, and was in the following en- gagements: Port Hudson, May 17 to July 9, 1863 ; Cane River, La., April, 1864; Mansion Plains, La., May, 1864; Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Va., September 21, 1864; Cedar Creek, Va., October 19, 1864. Mr. Fay lived to see the glorious and happy termination of his country's trial.

Mr. Fay died in Liverpool July 6, 1865, leaving a widow and four children.

HENRY NEWHALL.

Henry Newhall was descended from one of the oldest and largest families in Lynn, his earliest pater- nal ancestor, Thomas N. (the son of Thomas, who came from England and settled in 1630), having been the first child born in the town. He was born March 10, 1797, and was the son of Winthrop and Elizabeth (Farrington). Winthrop Newhall was a tanner. Henry, having associated himself with his older brother, Francis S., in the morocco trade and manu- facture, became a prominent merchant, the business of the firm being one of the largest in the town, having its headquarters in Lynn and Boston, with a branch house for a short period in New York. In 1850 ill health compelled him to retire from the firm, and it was several years, partly occupied in travel at home and ahroad, before he was sufficiently restorcd to resume the responsibilities of business. Upon the death of his brother Francis, president of the Laigh- ton (now Central National) Bank, in 1858, he was elected to the office and continued to hold it until his retirement in 1876, at the advanced age of nearly eighty years.

Henry Newhall belonged to a family marked for intelligence and capacity, and inherited those sterling qualities of mind and character that always command the respect and confidence of a community. His in- tegrity, his quiet but penetrating insight into human

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nature, his firmness of character, his careful and intel - ligent judgment, together with his kind and friendly spirit, made him a most useful citizen, especially in business circles. He had, also, a broad and vigor- ous mind, and if there were any deficiencies of early education they were more than made up through his large and thoughtful reading, his keen appreciation of the best things iu thought and life and his unabated interest in human affairs. Few business men were so well-read in the literature of history, politics, biography and fiction. He was never with- out a book at hand, and little of the current litera- ture that was worth reading escaped his attention. Then he was known for independent and positive opinions, for which he had no lack of courageous and positive expression ; at the same time he was most tol- erant and considerate of others. He was a man of great sincerity and plain-spokenness, and his convic- tions had weight and influence with those with whom he was associated. In business relations he was re- markable for tact and discretion, and it was a matter of common remark that he never obtruded himself upon the interests of others.

One of his especial characteristics was a strong patriotism. And from the first he believed in anti- slavery, and, though prudent and conservative by nature, was an ardent supporter of the cause of humanity at a time when it was most unpopular. In- deed, he was a patient listener to every reform, an ad- mirer of fair play in the advocacy of opinions and principles, and a believer in the honesty of human nature and the progressive tendencies of society.

In religious matters his convictions were not so much traditional as founded upon the dictates of cou- science and reason. Of Quaker extraction, he was one of the leaders of the liberal movement in Lynn which culminated in the formation of the Unitarian Society, of which he was a constant and liberal sup- porter. The mottoes of his life may be said to have been sincerity, honor and fidelity, good-will and jus- tice towards men, and there was nothing toward which he expressed a severer repugnance than their opposites.

He was a genial and companionable friend, and pos- sessed unusually interesting powers of conversation.

He held few public offices, but was identified with most of the important business institutions of the city,-the Lynn Institution for Savings, the Lynn Gas-Light Company, the old Mechanics' Insurance Company, was president of the Exchange and Lyceum Hall Associations, held a number of offices under the old town government, and was one of the first com- missioners of the Lynn City Hall and City Debt Sinking Funds, a benefactor of the Lynn Public Li- brary in fact, a friend and adviser in all the business interests of the city.

In his old age his mind was remarkable for its vigor and clearness, while his warmth and kindliness, his patience with sickness, his serenity and cheerful

temper drew around him a host of admiring friends. To the young he was as companionable as to the old. He died July 15, 1878, in his own home, situated upon Nahant Street, upon land that had been occu- pied by many generations of his ancestors, and was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery.

He married Ann Atwell, who died in February, 1863. His surviving children are Charles Henry and Sarah Catharine, wife of Benjamin J. Berry.

ISAIAH BREED.

Isaiah Breed was born in Lynn October 21, 1786, and was the son of James Breed, of that place. Like his father, he entered into the shoe business and pur- sued it successfully for nearly fifty years, becoming one of the most extensive and wealthy manufacturers in that busy and thriving town. Mr. Breed was one of the first directors of the Eastern Railroad, and president for more than thirty years of the Lynn Mechanics' Bank. He was also, at one time, a Repre- sentative in the State Legislature, and in 1839 a State Senator. He took an active interest in the welfare of his native town, and was one of the organizers of the Central Congregational Society, of which he was for some years a deacon. He was a liberal, public-spir- ited man, of great strength of character, and always distinguished in all the relations of life, as not mere- ly an honest man, but one of deep convictions of duty and a high sense of honor. He was one of those sterling men who gave life and spirit to Lynn as a town, and so added to the wealth and population as to finally establish it as a city of enterprise and continuous growth.

D. C. BAKER.

The immediate ancestors of Daniel Collins Baker lived in Dighton, Mass., and were engaged in farm- ing. Elisba Baker left his father's farm at an early age and went to Lynn, where he married Ruth, daughter of Samuel Collins. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker were members of the Society of Friends. He had five children, of whom Daniel Collins, the oldest son and the subject of this sketch, was born in Lynn October 12, 1816. His early education was such as the town school of his native town, under the care of Master Hobbs, afforded, and afterwards, for a year and a half, he attended as pupil the Friends' Board- ing School at Providence, R. I. At the age of thir- teen he was apprenticed to the shoemaking trade, to which he applied himself with such an earnest desire to master its details that while yet a young man he established himself in the manufacture of shoes on his own account, and by his industry and skill soou built up a successful business.

From the manufacture of shoes he became inter- ested in the leather and shoe finding trade, and be- came a partner iu the firm of F. S. Newhall & Co., of Boston, in that business. In later years he resumed

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the manufacture of shoes, and at the time of his death was doing business in the South, having a shoe house established in New Orleans. He died in New Orleans July 19, 1863, whither he had gone to gather up something of the fortune which the war had scat- tered and swept away. He married, December 19, 1838, Augusta, daughter of John B. Chase, of Lynn, and had three children,-William E., who married Lydia M. Marshall, and is an esteemed and successful merchant in Lynn; Helen A., who married A. Mitch- el Collins, of Georgia; and Sarah E., who is unmar- ried.

· Mr. Baker, aside from his legitimate business, always felt a deep interest in public affairs, and pos- sessed qualities specially fitting him for their admin- istration. In earlier times he was an active member of the Whig party, and his services were acknowl- edged by his nomination and election to various prominent positions. As a member of the Whig State Central Committee, which was always composed of the most useful men in the different sections of the State, he performed his full share in promoting the interests of the political organization which it repre- sented. In 1849 and 1850 he was a member of the Massachusetts Senate, and in 1852 was a Presidential elector, and cast his vote for Winfield Scott. He took a leading part in the controversy, which resulted in the adoption of the act incorporating the city of Lynn, passed April 10, 1850, and as a friend of the charter was chosen a member of the first Common Council, and made its president. In 1853 he was chosen mayor over John B. Alley, his opposing can- didate. In both of these positions he exhibited the highest qualities of an executive and presiding officer, and won the confidence and respect of both political friends and opponents.

As president of the Council his services were espe- cially valuable in putting the wheels of municipal machinery, in the first year of the life of the city, successfully in motion. As a speaker he was logical and effective, and always ready without apparent preparation. As an administrator of public affairs, he was as prudent and economical as he was liberal and free in his private life. The public schools of the city reaped the advantages of the warm interest he felt in their welfare; perhaps all the warmer be- cause his own opportunities for education in early life were not such as he felt every youth should pos- sess.

He was also a member of the Bunker Hill Associa- tion, and his fondness for decorative gardening and for the choicest fruits and flowers, led him to become a member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and cnabled him to do a good work in developing and cultivating higher tastes among those about him.

As a wise and careful financial manager Mr. Baker was recognized by those in charge of money institu- tions, and his services were sought as director of the

Exchange Bank of Boston on its establishment in 1847, and as president of the Howard Banking Com- pany of that city, when it went into operation in 1853.

Though many years have elapsed since his death, he is remembered for his genial disposition, his gen- erous impulses and his large benevolence, which en- deared him to his neighbors and friends, and for the faithful and competent service in the performance of every public trust.

EZRA WARREN MUDGE.

Ezra Warren Mudge was born in Lynn Decem- ber 5, 1811, and was the son of Ezra and Ruth (Chad- well) Mudge, of that town. Ezra Mudge, the father, was born in Lynn April 10, 1780. He was first a shoe manufacturer, then a dealer in dry-goods in Lynn, afterwards a wholesale and retail dealer in shoes in New York City, and later a weigher and gager in the Custom-House in Boston, where he died May 25 1855. He served the town of Lynn for sixteen years as Representative from 1807, was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1820, a member of the Council, and was, in the War of 1812, the captain of the Lynn Artillery Company, in the formation of which he was specially active. He married, first, June 28, 1801, Betsey, daughter of Captain John and Mary Brewer, of Salem ; second, December 20, 1804, Ruth, daughter of Harris and Ruth Chadwell; and third, November 1, 1819, Hannah Bartlett, daughter of Lemuel and Sarah (Bartlett) Drew, of Plymouth. By his second wife he had Ezra Alden, November 17, 1805; Eliza Brewer, November 5, 1806; Ruth Chadwell, May 9, 1809; Ezra Warren, December 5, 1811; Nathan and Hannah, twins, September 12, 1814; and Sarah Wiggin, March 2, 1819. By his third wife he had Lemuel Drew, August 6, 1820 ; William B., May 3, 1822; Hervey Mackay, October 3, 1823 ; Sarah Elizabeth, May 25, 1825; Sarah Caro- line, January 1, 1827 ; Jane and Evelina, twins, March 14, 1829; Mary Evelina, November 21, 1830; Maria Augusta, March 2, 1833; and Robert Rich, June 14, 1835.

The father of Ezra Mudge was Nathan Mudge, who was born in Lynnfield September 21, 1756. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and died in Lynn Feb- ruary 8, 1831.

He married, first, September 2, 1776, Hannah, daughter of John and Sarah Ingalls, and had Nathan, January 26, 1778 ; Ezra, April 10, 1780; John Park, November 27, 1782; Mary, March 19, 1785 ; Samuel, May 15, 1787; Joseph, November 15, 1788; and Hannah, December 20, 1790. He married, second, July 24, 1794, Elizabeth, widow of Shubael Burrell, and had Joseph, June 17, 1795 ; Enoch, October 18, 1796; Hepsey, March 13, 1798; Simon, December 5, 1799; Hepsey B., August 19, 1801; Lydia B., June 14, 1803; Shubael, July 14, 1805; Ann Alden, June

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22, 1806; and Caroline, April 2, 1808. He died in Lynu February 8, 1831.

The father of Nathan was John Mudge, who was born in Malden December 30, 1713. He was a farm- er, and settled in Malden, but afterwards removed to Lynnfield. He married, May 4, 1738, Mary, daugh- ter of Samuel and Anna Waite, of Malden, and had Samuel, March 22, 1739; Mary, April 20, 1740 ; Ly- dia, February 28, 1742; John, December 3, 1743; Simon, April 8, 1748; Ezra, April 7, 1752; Enoch, August 1, 1754; Nathan. September 21, 1756; Samuel, February 1, 1759. He died iu Lynnfield November 26, 1762.

The father of John was John Mudge, who was born in Malden November 21, 1686. He was a farm- er, and always lived in Malden. By a wife, Lydia, he had John, December 30, 1713; Joseph, May 28, 1716 ; Lydia, January 7, 1718-19. He died in Mal- den November 26, 1762.

The father of the last John was John Mudge, who was born in Malden in 1654. He was a farmer and tanner, and always lived in Malden. He married, in 1684, Ruth, daughter of Robert and Hannah Burditt, of Malden, and had John, October 15, 1685; John again, November 21, 1686; and Martha, December 25, 1691. He died in Malden October 29, 1733.

The father of the last John was Thomas Mudge, who was born in England about the year 1624, and was in Malden as early as 1654. By wife, Mary, he had James; Mary, 1651; Thomas, 1653; John, 1654; George, 1656 ; Samuel, 1658; Jonathan and Martha, 1662.

Ezra Warren Mudge, the subject of this, sketch, was educated in the public schools and the Lynn Academy. He first partially learned the book-binder's trade in Fall River, and in 1828 entered the dry-goods store of Chase & Huse as clerk, where he remained until 1838, when he took the business and conducted it alone until 1842, at which time he became partner in the house of William Chase & Co. In 1849, when the Laighton Bank was incorporated, he was selected as its cashier, and he continued to hold that office until 1868, three years after the bank became the Central National, when, on account of failing health, he resigned.

Mr. Mudge was a selectman of Lynn in 1843 and 1811, a member of the school committee in 1843, '46, '56 and '57, town treasurer, treasurer of the city for six years after its incorporation, and in 1856 and '57 was mayor of the city. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1862, '63 and '64, a member of the board of trustees at its organization in 1862, and its president in 1865. His religions views were those of the Universalists, and he was one of the founders of the First and Second Universalist Societies of Lynn.

Notwithstanding the early training of Mr. Mudge was purely a business one, he was by nature a man of refinement, to whom habits of elevated thought

naturally came, and he early in life formed habits of study, which moulded him into a man of literary taste and more than ordinary culture. His honora- ble and thorough business methods, controlling the routine of his active life, were supplemented by the graces and pleasures which attach to a life of study. He was a thoroughly rounded man, and when he died, September 20, 1878, if it can ever be said of any one, it can be said of him that death closed a finished life.

Mr. Mudge married, January 23, 1836, Eliza R., daughter of John and Margaret Bray, of Salem, and had Ezra Warren, April 18, 1837; William Ropes, July 18, 1839; Mary Chadwell, August 13, 1841 ; Hervey Mackay, October 6, 1843; Howard Murray, December 9, 1845 ; Florence Howard, November 28, 1850 ; Arthur Bartlett, December 14, 1853 ; Benjamin Cushing, February 10, 1856; aud Kate Gertrude, June 30, 1857.

Mrs. Eliza R. Mudge, the widow of Mr. Mndge, has since died, and the living children are Dr. Arthur Bartlett Mudge and Benjamin Cushing Mudge, both living in Lynn, and Florence Howard and Kate Ger- trude, the latter of whom is a practicing physician in Salem.

Benjamin Cushing Mudge was educated in the common schools and graduated at the Lynn High School. He afterwards entered the Institution of Technology, Boston, and gradnated in 1867, taking the degree of S.B.

Mr. Cushing was four years assistant agent of the Washington Mills, Lawrence, Mass., which are the largest in the world. He started the selling agency of the Dean Steam-Pump Company, Boston, and built up a very large business, was then called to the Boston office of the hydraulic works of Henry R. Worthington, becoming their New England sales- agent, increasing their business five-fold, in addi- tion, organizing and constructing from four to five large water companies each year, and is now officiat- ing as their treasurer. He has recently been elected the president and director of Pascoag and Webster Railway Company of Rhode Island.

EDWARD S. DAVIS.1

Mr. Davis was born in Lynn, on the 22d of June, 1808. His parents were Hugh and Elizabeth (Bache- lor) Davis, the latter being a descendant from Rev. Stephen Bachelor, first minister of the Lynn Church, settled in 1632.

The subject of this sketch received his education partly in the public schools of Lynn and partly in the academy ; which latter he left in 1826. He was soon after appointed clerk of Lynn Mechanics' Bank, and in that position remained till he became of age. His health heing now such that a change of residence seemed desirable, he removed to Philadelphia, and

1 By James R. Newhall.

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commenced business as a commission merchant. There he remained till 1833, when Nahant Bank was established ; and being offered a position in that in- stitution, accepted, and returned to his native place. In the bank and in the Union Insurance Company he continued till 1837, and then resigned.

Soon after leaving the bank he began business as a shoe manufacturer, but relinquished that and returned to the institution on being appointed cashier, and re- mained till its affairs were finally closed up. He then spent several years of enforced idleness on ac- count of ill health, though occupying a part of the time as book-keeper. Subsequently he was appointed to a place in the United States Bonded Warehouse, in Boston. In 1861 he entered as a clerk in the State Auditor's office, and from that time to the present he has remained in the same department, filling the offices of first and second clerk.

Mr. Davis was, in early manhood, something of a military man ; was in 1835 elected major of the Regi- ment of Light Infantry attached to the First Brigade of Essex County, and remained in commission as major and lieutenant-colonel, most of the time in command, till 1843.

He was one of the early adherents to the anti- slavery cause, and uever deserted it. The "Lynn Colored People's Friend Society " was organized in 1832, having "for its object 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 of the enjoyment of their natural rights in an equal participation of civil privi- leges with white men." In 1835 this society num- bered one hundred and eighty-five members, and we find Mr. Davis named as corresponding secretary.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 109

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538