History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 158

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 158

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The general's family consists of his wife and three children. Again and again, when he was sick or wounded during the war, Mrs. Dodge travelled great distances to be at his side, and to tenderly and faith- fully nurse him into health and strength once more for his country's service. The children, who have received their education abroad as well as at home, are Lettie, Ella and Annie. The first is the wife of Mr. R. E. Montgomery, a lawyer of Fort Worth, Texas; the second married Mr. Frank Pusey, son of ex-Congressman Pusey, of Council Bluffs ; the third lives with her parents, and " has displayed considera- ble literary talent, being an occasional contributor to some of the magazines." The family mansion is one of the finest and most attractive in the city, elegant in its appointments and beautiful for its situation. Nathan P. Dodge, the brother of the general, is a banker, and a prominent and very highly esteemed citizen of Council Bluffs. Julia, sister of the two brothers, married, as previously stated, Mr. J. B. Beard, and they also reside in the same place with their two sons. Living amongst this circle of her children and descendants of two or three generations is the venerable mother, Mrs. Sylvanns Dodge herself, now in her eighty-sixth year and much burdened with the infirmities of old age. From this remarka- ble woman the renowned engineer and soldier inher- ited no small share of his fortitude, energy and deter- mination. In all her changeful and checkered life, and amidst all its manifold struggles and solicitations, her devotion to her family, and her faith in their

brighter future, have never flagged or wavered. For many years she has seen her hopes for their prosper- ity and usefulness pass into fulfillmeut, and she still survives to receive the grateful care and undying affection of the objects of her maternal love and ser- vice.

PHILIP H. WENTWORTH.

Philip Henry Wentworth, though not a native of Danvers, was a valued citizen of the town during many of the last years of his useful life, and there ended his days. He was born in Boston, July 6, 1818, and was the son of Philip Wentworth, who was born in the same city, in 1787. His mother's name, previous to her marriage, was Eliza Orrok. While yet very young he was sent to a boarding- school in Dorchester, kept by a Mr. Vose, and after- ward to school at South Hadley. Subsequently, he at- tended the English High School in Boston. At the age of sixteen he entered the dry-goods commission house of Sayles & Hitchcock, better known in later years under the name of Sayles, Merriam & Co. Of this firm he became a partner when but twenty-one. In 1841 he married Mary M. Loing, of Newburyport, but formerly from the State of Maine. A twelve- month or more afterward he went to New York and accepted a partnership with Mr. C. Langley, in that city ; but in 1848 returned to Boston, and thenceforth was prominently known as of the house of Stanfield & Wentworth, or, still later, Stanfield, Wentworth & Co. He had been for some years a resident of Rox- bury, when, his wife having died, he was again mar- ried, Jnne 4, 1856, to Miss Harriet Lucetta Daniell, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Daniell, also of Roxbury, and both of blessed memory. Mr. Dan- iell will be remembered as having long been at the head of a large dry-goods establishment in Summer Street, Boston, and all who ever dealt with him or knew him, gratefully call to mind the purity, recti- tude and loveliness of his character. Mrs. Daniell was a worthy helpmeet of such a man ; possessing a singn- larly sweet and beautiful spirit, and richly adorned with the virtues and graces of Christian woman- hood. The influence of such a parentage found a new sphere for its exercise as the new bride entered the home of the husband and his four motherless children. Early in 1865, he removed, with his family, to Danvers, and established himself on a large and valuable estate which, with its elegant mansion and charming grounds, continued to be the place of his residence to the end of his life. It was after four other children had been born to him under his second marriage and while yet he was pursuing still his suc- cessful business in Boston that the great fire which devastated so extensive a portion of that city and swept away in an hour the fortunes of so many of its merchants visited, with the rest, the house of Stan- field, Wentworth & Co., with its destructive fury. Like so many others, Mr. Wentworth never quite re-

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

covered from the terrible effects of the calamity. Says an obituary notice of him, which appeared in the Commercial Bulletin, shortly after his death,- "IJe met with heavy reverses at the time of the great fire ; but, having the undiminished confidence of his business connections soon reinstated himself, and was for several years in active business in the firm of Wentworth & Case. Of late, he had withdrawn to a large extent from active business, spending much of his time at his home in Danvers, retaining, however, an office in Boston, where he was to be seen during business hours."

Among the most marked features of Mr. Went- worth's character were his indomitable courage, en- ergy and perseverance. Not even the appalling disas- ter that had befallen him, and that has just been referred to, had any effect to frighten or paralyze him. It only nerved him to more heroic exertions, and it was quite touching to see with what manly patience and determination he bravely strove, through successive years and against fearful odds, to retrieve his shattered fortunes. Thoroughly honest and just, he could not bear to owe a debt which he could not pay, and if ever one purposed and labored that none should be losers by any mishap or calamity of his own, it was he. It was quite wonderful what victory he wrung from the jaws of such defeat. His losses were great, but his gains were greater.

Whatever his discouragements, his cheerfulness never forsook him. His fine face was always lighted with its glow of good feeling and of the joy that was within and that was too deep to be much disturbed by change of outward circumstances. He was habitu- ally hearty and cordial. His welcomes were warm and free, and his hospitality was gennine and boun- tiful. He was one of the most generons of men and was one of the truest of friends. He scorned things that were false or base, and impressed all who knew him or had to do with him with a sense of the noble- ness of his nature. Nothing was more characteristic of him than his straightforwardness and transpa- reney of mind and conduct. It was an element that revealed itself in every word, look and deed. He was just what he seemed, and no one could for a moment mistake his thought or motive, or misinter- pret his action or life,

eastern side a row of shops and stores, there was a continuous line of handsome residences of princely merchants, "Harry " threw a snow-ball that went directly through a window of one of these fine man- sions. The little urchins all knew very well that the proprietor was a hot-tempered and violent man, and at once cried out, "Rnn, Harry, run !" And run he did; not away, as doubtless many a boy would have done, but straight up the steps to tell the family with- in just what he had done. Before he had a chance to ring the bell, the old gentleman of the house appeared at the door in a furious state of mind, but at once grew calm and gentle as the little fellow openly ac- knowledged himself to be the offender and offered a manly apology. The affair was instantly treated as of no consequence, and "Phil's" companions were quite amazed at the friendly consideration which was accorded to him.

Very soon after their removal from Roxbury to Danvers, Mr. and Mrs. Wentworth were foremost in starting a new Unitarian Church in their adopted town. The history of this enterprise is related else- where in these pages, yet the briefest sketch of Mr. Wentworth's life would be defective, indeed, without a conspicuous reference to his agency and activity in this work and to all which such a beneficent service implies. It is no disparagement to the efforts and zeal of others who were associated with them to say that he and his wife were exceptionally prominent in the movement, watching and guiding faithfully the fortunes of the young society, and giving to it their time, means, energy and constant sympathy and presence for more than twenty years, and until their common devotion to it was broken by death. It was at their beautiful home that Rev. L. J. Livermore, who was so long the pastor of the church, and the many others who from time to time supplied its desk, were most heartily welcomed as guests and there found strength and encouragement in the work of the ministry. Both and all had the satisfaction of seeing that their unselfish labors and care were not in vain. A tasteful and convenient house of worship was ere long built and paid for, and it stands as no unfit monument of the earnest and unfailing fidelity of those who ensured its erection, but especially of him who was the one main reliance in " the day of small things," as also afterward in seasons of greater prosperity. In such relations or interests Mr. Went- worth was ever ready and prompt to discharge any task or duty which seemed to be required of him, or in which he might be useful to the cause. Nothing here appeared to be menial or trivial. No matter what the service, it was to him important, and he was glad to do it, as unto the Lord. He made small pretensions or professions, but he was a man of deeds, and his whole soul was in what he wrought.

Full often the child is the father to the man, and a pretty story is told of Mr. Wentworth as a lad, that goes to show how the truthfulness and frankness that marked him in all his mature years, was with him even at the very first. It seems to us as good as the story of young George Washington and his hatchet, and we venture to say it is much more authentic. The boys of the neighborhood where "Phil," or "Harry," as he was also called, lived, were once on a time at their winter play on the Com- mon in the vicinity of Tremont Street. There was He died in the fulness of his manhood, April 10, 1886. His funeral obsequies took place on the 14th, then no fence, as now, between the mall and the thoroughfare, and where to-day extends along the ! at the church he had done so much to erect and in

Alfrece Trash

565

DANVERS.

which he had so often worshipped. The services, consisting of the reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Mr. Hudson, of Peabody; prayer by Rev. Mr. Israel, of Salem, and an address by Rev. S. J. Barrows, editor of the Christian Register, were very appropriate and impressive, and a memorial pamphlet has since been published, giving just and eloquent tributes, from Mr. Barrows aud others to the noble qualities of the departed. One who knew him perfectly has written of him,-" His spiritual and religious life grew and deepened to the end. He so loved to think and talk of the future life that, when the summons came, he was only happy in the thought of exchanging his faith in the unseen to the light of the glorious reality. It was such an accustomed thought that the change, though it came so suddenly, did not disturb his peace more than a summons to take a day's jour- ney would have done."

Mr. Livermore, his beloved pastor, survived him just seven weeks. In death, as in life, they were not divided. Their friendship for each other was peci- liarly strong and affectionate, and the trust and ad- miration which the minister is well known to have cherished towards his parishioner could not have been warmer or profounder than the same sentiments entertained toward him by the writer of this sketch, who knew him even longer, had sustained like rela- tions with him, had seen him much in the church, in the home and in society, and can only think of him as one who was, indeed, a man, in the true sense of the word.

ALFRED TRASK.

Alfred Trask was born in Newport, N. H., Decem- ber 7, 1811, his father, John Trask,1 having moved from Beverly, Mass., the previous year. He was the youngest of nine children, five sisters and three brothers. Mrs. Benjamin Woodbury, Mrs. John Moulton and Mrs. Andrew Boker resided in North Beverly; Mrs. Timothy Endicott, Mrs. Nathaniel Bachelder and a brother, John Trask, residents of Newport and Sunapee, N. H. Another brother, Isra- el Trask, settled in Gloucester, Mass.

From boyhood blest with perfect health and great energy, he early displayed good judgment and execu- tive ability, developing in manhood sagacity in busi- ness affairs. He was repeatedly urged to accept posi- tions of honor and trust, thereby proving the confi- dence and esteem reposed in him by his fellow-men, but preferred, with his retiring disposition, to see others enjoy the honor, and rely on his helping hand to sustain them in keeping it. With equal generosity is he ever interested in matters pertaining to the pub- lic welfare of the town.

At twenty-one, with an extremely limited school education, he started in life to make his own fortune

without a farthing. His mother gave him the making of a freedom suit, the cloth being afterwards paid for from his own earnings. For two summers he hired out for ten dollars a month, and the rest of the season logging and wood chopping engaged his attention. His twenty-third year, in company with others, he worked a farm on shares, clearing one hundred dol- lars profit. At twenty-four, tired of farming he left Newport and came to what was then called Danvers Plains, resolved to try his hand in business as drover. With the small amount of money saved he made short trips into the country, buying pigs and cattle, selling and trading them on his way home, where he arrived after two weeks' absence, nsually with a profit that was an incentive to continue in this line of busi- ness, the same in which his father before him had en- gaged.

His indomitable will and self-reliance gained for him the encouragement he craved from business men who recognized his ability, and an offer of money to execute his plans was kindly tendered from an old resident of his boyhood home. The indebtedness of one hundred dollars was promptly paid and a contin- uance of the favor politely declined, bnt, with an en- ergy redoubled and a renewed will to do and dare, he pluckily kept on. At twenty-eight years of age, on .the 5th of March, 1839, he married Mary J. Blackey, of Sandwich, N. H. Of this union nine children were born.

Alfred Moulton Trask, born June 25, 1840; Julia Ann Trask, born December 15, 1841; Charles Wesley Trask, born February 14, 1844; Mary Eliza- beth Trask, born February 26, 1846 ; George Edward Trask, born February 6, 1848 ; Sarah Bachelder Trask, born September 1, 1850; Nancy Ellen Trask, born January 18, 1853; Henry Woodbury Trask, born No- vember 10, 1856 ; Frank Boker Trask, born February 12, 1859.

Realizing how much he lacked from his own limited amount of schooling, it was his greatest desire that his children should enjoy the advantages of a liberal education, and to further the project no expense was spared. After completing their education, with rare forethought and generosity, he established each in a good business and also purchased homes for those who were married.

The eldest, Alfred M. Trask, attended school at New London Academy, N. H., and afterwards was started in the stock business in Canada, and some years later settled in Brocton, where a house was presented to him.

The eldest daughter, Julia Ann, was graduated at Tilton Academy, N. H., but died September 7, 1862, in her twenty-first year.

Charles Wesley Trask, after graduating at the Dan- vers High School, also attended school in Tilton, and for a business was started in a fine market in Wal- tham, but for several years has been living on an ex- tensive farm given by his father in Sandwich, N. H.

1 John Trask was a major and fought at Bunker Hill, also used his own oxen, horses and teams to throw up the earth works at the building of the entrenchments.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Mary Elizabeth Trask married quite young, but died when only twenty years of age, leaving one son, William Alfred Patch.

George Edward Trask was graduated from Danvers Iligh School and afterwards attended a Commercial College in Boston. A house was given him in Wes- tern, and he started in the slaughtering business.

Sarah B. Trask attended school at the Female Academy in Ipswich, Mass., and on her marriage with Roswald D. Bates, was presented with a house on Co- uant Street, Danvers.

Nancy Ellen Trask was a graduate from the Iligh School in Danvers and later from the Abbot Acad- cmy in Andover, and on her marriage with Henry W. Swett, was given a house in Haverhill, Mass.

Henry W. Trask also graduated at the Danvers High School and then attended the school of Tech- nology in Worcester, Mass. At present he is unmar- ried and living in the State of Colorado.

The youngest son, Frank B. Trask, is the only member of the family residing in the old home. He learned the upholstery trade, and has recently opened an extensive furniture establishment on Maple Street, Danvers.

Aside from the benefits conferred on his own fami- ly, to numerous others has his helping hand been ex- tended. By some the confidence has been abused,. while others have profited by the aid rendered, to the mutual pleasure of all concerned. It is well to note the prominent characteristics that mark Alfred Trask one of the most successful self-made men of Essex County.

His business of drover was carried on for a period of thirty years, then he changed it to a wholesale butcher for ten years more, when he concluded to re- tire from active business and attend to private affairs and the care of his spacious house and grounds,-the realization of his hoyhood's hopes, acquired by years of constant toil, backed hy energy and courage, which the rising generation would do well to emulate.

June 8, 1872, he met with a great loss in the death of his wife who, with marked energy and frugality, had ever been a ready helper in amassing a compe- tency for the future.

His second marriage occurred September 1, 1873, to a very estimable woman, Dora T. Webster, of Law- rence, Mass., who has made herself much beloved by all those who enjoy her acquaintance, and for the many Christian acts of unostentations charity and kindness. To do good for others is the one thought uppermost, having great sympathy for young and old, and their good and welfare. The esteem in which she is held by the little flock of grandchildren must indeed be flattering to her, with her keen appreciation of the beautiful in all things in life,

May the Angel of Peace and Contentment hover for many years over the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Trask, is the heart-felt wish of their numerous friends and acquaintances.

EBEN GARDNER BERRY.

For many years no man has been more familiarly associated with Danvers Plains than Eben G. Berry, and no portrait will be more generally recognized, not only by Danvers people, hut by many others through- out the county, than that of him which here ap- pears. For a period extending from 1808 the site of the present Hotel Danvers has been sufficiently iden- tified by the name of " Berry's Corner." In the year named Ebenezer Berry, who had come down from Andover, bought out the old tavern and began inn- keeping. He married Hitty Preston, a daughter of Captain Levi Preston, of Danvers. The subject of this sketch, the son of these parents, was born Feb- ruary 19, 1809. He was the only son, and about the time of his coming of age he succeeded to his father's business. Since then, for nearly sixty years, both in the old tavern and in the new hotel which he himself built, he has either himself or by lessee entertained such of the public as sought his hospitality.

The hall of the old tavern was the scene of many events of great local historical interest, concerning which Mr. Berry has contributed many reminiscences, which have been incorporated in the sketch of the Plains in previous pages. These reminiscences, very properly a part of his biography, Mr. Berry modestly insists are sufficient to accompany his portrait. He has been twice married-first to Elizabeth J. Abbott of Andover; second to Mrs. Sarah (Nichols) Page. The latter died recently. He has but one survi- ving child-Mrs. Emily B., wife of Deacon John S. Learoyd. Another daughter was Caroline, wife of the late Captain James A. Johnson, who left two children, now living in Danvers. He has a sister, Mehitable, widow of Henry Sperry, living in close neighborhood to him. A few years ago he built the fine dwelling in which he resides, on Conant Street, next east of the hotel.

CHAPTER XLI.

IPSWICH.

BY M. V. B. PERLEY.

PRE-HISTORIC.

DISCOVERIES.

1. Phoenicians and Norwegians. - This territory, once the abode of the red man, and known to him by the name of Agawam, was settled by our ancestors some more than two hundred and fifty years ago. It was, however, known to the white race, no doubt, at a very much earlier period. The learned suspect

Eng ª vy AH Ritchie

Elen G Berty-

567

IPSWICH.

that the Phoenicians visited our New England shores in ancient times, and that Norwegian adventurers sojourned here about nine hundred years ago. Certainly, their annals treat of voyages of adventure and discovery, and it only remains to find the places they describe. Their "vinland," Mr. Fewkes, a summer sojourner with us, and an archæologist, de- clares to be located here, citing the ocean beacon, the changed channel, the cellars and foundations of niue houses, and the remains of three wells, which evince a greater antiquity than do any known works of a similar nature of Puritan origin.

2. Maps .- In the eagerness of navigators to find a short northwest route to the East, Canada was well and very accurately mapped, while New England's " cartography," says Kohl, " remained very defective through nearly the whole of the sixteenth century.

3. Champlain .- In 1604 Champlain, who afterwards attached his name to the beautiful lake at Vermont, explored the coast from the St. Lawrence River to Plymouth Bay, following the sinuosities of the shore. At Saco Bay he observed a marked change in Indian habits, mode of life and language. The tribes at the East were nomadic, living wholly by fishing and the chase. At Saco and at the West they were sedentary, and subsisted mainly on the products of the soil. Around their settlements were fields of Indian corn, gardens of squashes, beans and pumpkins, and a gen- erous patch of tobacco. At the headland we call Cape Ann, the land of Masconnomet, of whom we are soon to speak, the natives were cordial and highly in- telligent. Furnished with a crayon, they made an accurate outline of Massachusetts Bay, and indicated their six tribes and chiefs by as many pebbles.

4. Hardie et al .- In 1611 Captain Edward Hardie and Nicholas Hobson were kindly received here. In 1614 the famous adventurer, John Smith, found "a multitude of people." He explored and mapped the territory, naming it Southampton, at the suggestion of Prince Charles, and thus described it,-" Here are many rising hills, and on their tops and descents are many corne fields and delightfull groues. On the east is an isle of two or three leagues in length, the one halfe plaine marish ground, fit for pasture or salt ponds, with many faire high groues of mulberry trees. There are also okes, pines, walnuts and other wood to make this place an excellent habitation." A mere mention of these must suffice ; though they may have left traces of their handiwork, they embalmed no thought or feeling.

INDIANS.

1. Territory .- The Atlantic Ocean on the east, Cochichawich (now Andover), on the west, the Mer- rimack (Sturgeon) River on the north, and the Naum- keag (now North) River, at Salem, on the south, en- closed the beautiful territory of one hundred and eighteen thousand five hundred acres, called Agawam. The name signified "Resort for fish of passage," and I

was eminently appropriate. With the spring came the myriad-swarming alewife and the bone-burdened shad, and river and brook and pond became an Eden of new life. In late summer schools of mackerel darkened the waters of the bay, as they migrated to their southern sequestered home. Here the blue fish sported aud the doughty sturgeon pursued his prey.

2. Sagamore .- The name of the Sagamore of this princely domain was Masconnomet, sometimes called Masconnomo, or John. His exact relation to other tribes is unknown. He may have been a sub-tribe of the Massachusetts, or the Aberginians, a great na- tion, the power of whose sachem is said to have ex- tended from the Charles River to the Merrimac; but he seems to have been under the leadership of the powerful Pennacooks. His subjects are represented as kind-hearted aud tractable. Captain Hardie and Nicholas Hobson, exploring the coast in 1611, testi- fied to kinder treatment by these natives than by others.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 158

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