History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 183

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 183

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In 1877 Bowdoin College conferred upon him the honorary degree of A. M.

In April, 1874, he was appointed a member of the board of trustees of the "Manning School Fund," and on the decease of its president, Otis Kimball, Esq. in 1878, he was chosen his successor, a position which he still retains.

A gentleman whose knowledge of the care of this fund is not to be questioned says of Dr. Hurd: "Dr. Hurd brought to the councils of the board rare advisory and executive abilities, and has ever since discharged the duties of his trust with intelligence and fidelity. Having in early years been a successful teacher, he has by his experience and hy his friendly advice and co-operation, stimulated and encouraged the teachers, contributing thereby very largely to the success and usefulness of the school."

In 1879 he was appointed by his excellency, Gov- ernor Long, as medical examiner for the Second Essex District, resigning in 1883.

He is at the present time a trustee of the Ipswich Savings Bank and a director of the Ipswich Gas-Light Company-offices which he has held since the date of the charter of these corporations.

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Dr. Hurd was married to Mary Ann Twitchell, of Lempster, N. H., May 17, 1853, who died October S, 1858. He was married again November 5, 1861, to Ruth Ann Brown, of Salisbury, Mass. They have no children as the result of marriage, but adopted one who has since married H. K. Dodge, of the firm of Dodge & Spiller, of Ipswich.

WILLIAM G. BROWN.

Says an old philosopher : " All men, whatever their condition, who have done anything of value, ought to record the history of their lives." Eventful periods occur at rare intervals in the lives of men the most distinguished, but even in their more retired walks of private life, there are few whose lives are not marked by some vicissitudes of fortune, which, however triv- ial they may seem, are yet sufficient to excite great interest. The events which give the highest interest to biography are of a volatile and evanescent nature, and are soon forgotten. It is the part of the biogra- pher to collect these passing events and fix them in- delibly on the page of history, that succeeding gene- rations may know how their predecessors lived, what ideas governed them, what trials and difficulties they encountered, and how they overcame them, and even their domestic relations ; for all these teach a lesson that will be serviceable, by pointing out what paths lead to success and what roads are to be avoided as lead- ing to failure. There is none so humble that his life can fail to be an object of interest when viewed in the right light. How much more will this interest be en- hanced when we contemplate the life of a man who, by his own heroic struggles, has hewn out his own pathway to success, and compelled the fates to grant him his reward. Most certainly one, who, entirely by his own efforts, has attained affluence and social position, and through all the changing events of life has preserved his integrity unimpaired, is well de- serving of the pen of the historian.

William Gray Brown, son of Jacob and Frances Quarles Brown, was born in Ipswich, January 27, 1830. His parents were both born in Ossipee, N. H., from which place they came to Ipswich, and made a permanent home. They had six children, four sons and two daughters. Three died in early childhood. One daughter, Mary F., a young girl of lovely dispo- sition and of bright promise, died in 1846 at the age of fifteen years.

Jacob Franklin, the eldest, was educated in the public schools of Ipswich, and graduated at the State Normal School at Bridgewater, Mass. He had thus fitted himself to be an instructor of youtli, and de- voted his whole after-life to that vocation. He wrought well in this his chosen profession. His knowledge was exact, his discipline strict, his mode of imparting instruction clear and precise, and hie soon gained a reputation which placed him in the front rank of able instructors. For a long series of years

he taught in Salem, Mass., and just prior to his de- cease, April 26, 1877, he was head master of the Brown School in that city.

Jacob Brown, the father, was a farmer, and in ad- dition to his farming did considerable teaming about the village. William G. lived with him and worked for him, when not at school, and at an early age learned the need of industry and frugality, a les- son which he never forgot in after life. His educa- tional privileges were limited to the schools of his native town, but in them he became thoroughly grounded in the elementary principles of a good Eng- lish education.

In his fifteenth year he left school, and from that time till the present he has been hard at work, either for his father or for himself. At the time the first church was erected, in 1846, William G. Brown, then a mere youth, volunteered to assist in the work, and to him was assigned the duty of drawing the lumber from Salem, and for six consecutive days he drew from that city to Ipswich an enormous load each day, helping to load and unload, and taking the sole care of his horses.

" I well remember," said the subject of this sketch, "the first money I ever earned. It was ten cents paid me by Mr. James Fuller, for drawing home his grist from mill, when I was nine years old. The next was thirty cents earned in planting." These sums were not spent for notions, so dear to the boyish heart, but were deposited on interest, and have never been dis- turbed. To this principle of economy and the habit of saving and making money may be attributed much of his subsequent success. Hard work, prudence and foresight were the foundation-stones upon which he reared the superstructure of a successful business career. At the age of eleven years he commenced the sale of pastry, made by his mother, to the passen- gers on the trains that stopped near his father's house for water. One-half the money he gave to his mother, the other half was carefully saved and put away. At the age of eighteen his father gave him "his time," and he began life on his own account, supporting him- self and every year adding something to his store. With some of the money he had earned in his various yonthful business ventures he purchased a pair of horses and commenced, in a small way, the business of teaming and the letting of horses.

With a steadfast resolution not to go beyond his means, he worked until the increase of his business obliged him to add to his facilities, by purchasing more horses and by employing men to do what he himself could not do. His father was a pioneer in the ice business, and among the first who brought coal (Anthracite) into Ipswich. Both the ice busi- ness and coal business were then small, the markets being limited.

For many years he was the sole dealer in ice and coal. Jacob Brown died in 1863, and his son William G. succeeded to the business, and since that time he

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David J. Perby

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Nathaniel Shalswell

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has constantly and continuously increased it. By close application to the principles laid down and the habits formed in early life, by constant and untiring labor, and by prompt attention to the necessities of the hour, he has established the most varied and the most extensive business iu his native town. He deals in ice, cutting and storing annually about four thou- sand tons. He deals extensively in coal, handling from six to seven thousand tons every year, most of which is sold at retail. He still retains the farm where his father lived and where he was born, and carries it on. He is the owner of the "Agawam House," a famous Ipswich hostelry. This honse he has thoroughly repaired, renovated and enlarged, so that to-day it is an ornament to the town and a con- venient and agreeable stopping-place for its guests.

At the stable in the rear of this house he conducts an extensive livery business. He employs many men in his varinus business operations. He is a large owner of real estate which brings him a good rental every month, and is the largest individual tax-payer in the town. By steady application, prompt decision, sound judgment, and carefully looking after every- thing personally, he has made all his business ventures profitable. He married Elizabeth M. Cogswell, daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth B., January 12, 1853.

Mrs. Brown proved a true help-meet to her hus- band. She is a bright clear-headed woman. Pos- seesing both business tact and energy, she has ably as- sisted her husband by her advice and counsel, and with a capacity for business possessed by few women, she has made herself familiar with the immense busi- ness of her husband, and thus has been able to advise him intelligently. She is a woman of intellect, taste and judgment, she is vivacions and sociable, fond of her home, and a capital manager of her household.

William G. Brown has a generous, charitable dis- position, free from every miserly taint. His hand is ever ready, and his purse ever open to assist and aid any one in suffering or want. He is never a harsh creditor, but always ready to extend to the deserving all possible leniency. His manners are kind and af- fable. He has never sought or accepted any official position, although repeatedly urged so to do by his fellow-townsmen, preferring to give his whole time to the interests of his constantly increasing business.

He enjoys the confidence and respect of the com- munity in which he dwells, and is recognized as a representative business man and a prominent factor in the growth and prosperity of his native town.

DAVID TULLAR PERLEY.

David Tullar Perley I was born in Linebrook Par- ish in Ipswich, Jannary 17, 1824. He is of Puritan stock and a descendant in the seventh generation from Allan Perley, who came from London in the

ship "Planter," and settled in Ipswich in 1635, where he died in 1675, aged sixty-five years. His youngest son Timothy, born 1653 and died 1719, married Dor- othy , by whom he had Patience, born March 28, 1682; Stephen, born June 15, 1684; Allan, born March 1, 1688; and Joseph, born June 3, 1695.

Stephen died 1725, leaving a son Allan, born 1718, who died 1804, leaving a son Allan, born 1763, who died 1843. He left a son Abraham, born 1793, who died 1861, who was the father of David, the subject of this sketch.

Abraham Perley was a farmer and dealer in cattle. He lived in Linebrook Parish, where he owned a large farm, and carried on an extensive- business. David was educated in the public schools and at Topsfield and Dummer Academies. He succeeded to his fa- ther's business, and owns the largest and best con- ducted farms in the western part of the town.

He married first Sophronia O. Plummer, of New- bury, June 12, 1851, by whom he had one child, Oscar Wentworth, born March 3, 1853, who now resides in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. Perley's first wife died March 14, 1853. His second wife was Abigail Kent Stevens, of West Newbury, whom he married May 16, 1861. They had three children, namely :

David Sidney, boru February 21, 1862. He married Annie L. Hart, of Ipswich, February 21, 1887, and resides on the old homestead with his father.

Roscoe Damon, born August 11, 1864. He fitted for college at the Ipswich High School and Dummer Academy, and entered Dartmouth College at the fall term, 1887.

Carrie S., born October 18, 1865. She graduated from the Ipswich High School in the class of 1885.

The mother of these children died June 19, 1879, aged fifty-three years. He married Lizzie, daughter of Nathaniel H. Lavalette, of Ipswich, October 18, 1880, by whom he has had three children, viz: Ches- ter G., born November 13, 1881; Mabel A., born Au- gust 19, 1883; Bertha C., born December 18, 1886.

Mr. Perley has never sought or held any public office, but has devoted himself entirely to his business and has been very successful, both as a farmer and dealer in cattle.

COLONEL NATHANIEL SHATSWELL.

Colonel Nathaniel Shatswell was born in Ipswich, Essex County, Mass., November 26, 1834. He was the son of John Shatswell and Anne Shatswell nee Lord. The name of his grandfather was Moses Shatswell, that of his grandmother Sarah Lord. His . ancestors came from England in 1634, settling in Ips- wich on High Street, building the old homestead, still owned by him. Here they have always lived, a sturdy race of thrifty farmers distinguished for their pluck and indomitable energy. All seem to have been imbued with a military spirit and each genera- tion furnished its soldier. In all the campaigns and wars which the earlier settlers waged against the In-

I By C. A. Sayward.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

dians the name of Shatswell appears among the troops. The great-grandfather of Colonel Shatswell served with distinction in the American army during the Revolution. John Shatswell, his father, was captain of the Ipswich troop, a cavalry company at- tached to Gencral Low's brigade of the militia of Essex County. The early life of Colonel Shatswell was passed on his father's farm, and did not differ from that of every farmer's son-working on the farm in the summer, attending school in the winter. He received the rudiments of his education at home under the instruction of his mother and afterwards was sent to "the old Pudding Street School" under the famous master, Jonathan Pressey. Sub- sequently, he attended the Latin grammar school. Leaving school, he remained with his father at work on the farm until the spring of 1855, when becoming a little tired of farming life and with the resistless curiosity of an energetic young man, wishing to see something of the world beyond the limits of his native village, he went to East Boston to live. Here he found employment in a planing-mill and remained two years. The old Shatswell military spirit began to stir within him, and in December, 1855, he joined the old Boston Fusiliers and continued his member- ship with this company until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion. In the spring of 1857 he re- turned to Ipswich and since that time has resided, with the exception of the years spent in the service of the United States, at the old homestead on High Street. During the lifetime of his father he assisted him in the management of the farm and since his decease has had the exclusive control of it. When in April, 1861, news came that Sumter had been fired upon and war began the great tidal wave of patriot- ism that swept over the country reached Ipswich, and the historic old town not unmindful of her ancient renown at once proceeded to enlist and organize a company. Nathaniel Shatswell was one of the first to enlist and was chosen first lieutenant and commis- sioned May 14, 1861, by Governor John A. Andrew. June 24th the company left Ipswich for Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, to join the Fourteenth Regiment Massachusetts Infantry. On July 5th the company was mustered into the service of the United States, and Lieutenant Shatswell was commissioned captain. The regiment remained at Fort Warren, drilling and learning the duties of a soldier, until August 4, 1861, when it was transferred to Washington, and went into camp at Kalorama, On the 12th of Angust the regiment was ordered to Fort Albany, across Long Bridge on the south side of the Potomac. Here it remained two years, doing duty in the fortifications around Washington, and guarding Long Bridge and other bridges across the Potomac. January 1, 1862, the regiment, by orders from the War Department, was changed from an infantry to a heavy artillery regiment, two additional companies were enlisted and the regiment was recruited to its maximum strength

and was known as the First Regiment Massachu- setts Heavy Artillery. In August, 1862, when General Banks was retreating down the Shenandoah Valley the regiment was hurried to the front and at Fairfax Court- House, Va., met the Union army in full retreat. Cap- tain Shatswell led the advance. Halting his men across the turnpike he afforded an opportunity for the tired Union troops to reform in his rear and holdly charging with his own men he checked the advance of the enemy, and after a sharp skirmish saved a battery from capture which becoming demoralized early in the day, deserted their guns as soon as halted by the skirmish line. As a reward for these services the guns were assigned to the companies under the com - mand of Captain Shatswell. Captain Shatswell was commissioned major December 31, 1862, and for the next year he was with his regiment continu- onsly, building roads, guarding bridges, doing picket duty, drilling and exercising his men and making it one of the best disciplined and drilled regiments in the army. Returning to the forti- fications around Washington Major Shatswell re- mained until May 15, 1864, when the regiment was ordered to the front, and started at once from Alex- andria, Va., for Belle Plain with its full complement of twelve companies and each company with full ranks, marching from Belle Plain by way of Frede- ricksburg, May 18, 1864, it reported to General Meade near Spotsylvania. General Meade assigned the regiment to General R. O. Tyler's division of heavy artillery, placing its Colonel, Thomas R. Fan- nalt, in command of the brigade. May 19th the brigade while supporting a battery on the extreme right of the Union lines was exposed to a terrible fire from the rebel troops. Leading the advance Major Shatswell's regiment was engaged with Rhode's divi- sion of General Ewell's Corps. At the first fire the senior major of the regiment was killed and the com- mand devolved upon Major Shatswell who, from that time till the close of the war, commanded the regi- ment. All through the terrible fight of that day Major Shatswell held the enemy in check until they were finally repulsed, and the supply train of Gene- ral Grant, which was the objective point of General Ewell, was saved. In this engagement the regiment Jost ninety-one killed and three hundred and four wounded. Major Shatswell was severely wounded in the head by a minnie ball which partially stunned bim. He was taken to the rear, and his wound was dressed. Recovering consciousness he returned to the command of his regiment and remained until the retreat of the rebels at dark gave him an opportunity for rest. On the 2d and 3d of June, the major was engaged at Cold Harbor, successfully repelling five attacks made hy the rebels on the regimental line of breast-works.

Crossing the James River on June 14th, Major Shatswell arrived at Petersburg in time to engage in the night attack on the rebel works June 16th ;

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during this engagement his sword was shot away from his side. On June 18th, the major was or- dered to charge the rebel lines in front of him. Driving in their picket-line he charged with his whole regiment, the enemy drawn up behind a sunken road, and succeeded in driving them from their posi- tion. While leading this charge Major Shatswell was struck in the side by a minnie ball, which prostrated him to the ground. Quickly regaining his horse, he continued to lead his men. After the enemy had been driven from his position the major examined his side and discovered what a narrow escape he had had. He found in the pocket of his blouse a small book filled with papers and orders through which the ball had penetrated, lodging in the cover of the book against his side. The colonel has the hook, papers and ball now in his possession. June 22d, while division officer of the day he was ordered to examine carefully the ground in front of his lines and ascer- tain if it was practicable to advance the picket line. He reported that it was practicable to advance a short distance. Receiving orders to advance five hundred yards he endeavored to carry out the orders. While doing this the rebels attacked his flank with three lines in echelon and drove him back. Many of his men were captured and he himself was only saved by the cover of a friendly thicket. At one time the rebel line passed all around him and he was nearly certain of being captured. Keeping closely under cover he remained concealed from nine o'clock in the morning until dark, when he succeeded in gaining the Union lines.

July 27th, the major led an attack at Deep Bottom, charging across an open field and relieving a battery. August 15th and 16th he was engaged in another battle at Deep Bottom. August 25th he was fighting on the Weldon Railroad. From that time till Octo- ber he was in fort Alec Hays in front of Peters- burg. He was at the battle of Poplar Spring Church, October 2d, in which his regiment lost heavily in killed and wounded. The battle at Boydton Plank Road, October 27th, was one of the most desperate of all the battles in which the colonel was engaged. The whole corps was cut off from the rest of the army, and so near were the combatants to each other that each side alternately drew men through the fence that separated the two opposing forces, and made prisoners of them. In this battle the colonel performed one of the most difficult tactical move- ments which is ever attempted, and then only under the pressure of dire necessity, that is, to change front in line of battle while under fire. The colonel with keen military sagacity seized just the right moment to issue the necessary orders, which were promptly executed, and the movement was a success, the rebel assault repulsed and the day won. Until the middle of December the colonel, with his regiment, was in the field continuously and constantly under fire. January 27, 1865, Major Shatswell was commissioned

lieutenant-colonel and the next day received his commission as colonel.

In January, in consequence of a cold, contracted in a raid on the Weldon Railroad, which brought on a serious attack of rheumatism, Colonel Shatswell was granted leave of absence for sixty days, and came to Ipswich. He again reported for duty March, 5, 1865, aud never left the regiment again until the expiration of its term of service. The rebels charged the Union lines for the last time March 25th. After that, until the surrender of General Lee at Appomatox, Colonel Shatswell was engaged in one continuous skirmish, closely following the retreating forces of General Lee, and was present when that general surrendered. Major Shatswell was breveted lieutenant-colonel and colonel for meritorious conduct on the field. Colonel Shatswell was mustered out, with his regiment, at Washington, August 16, 1865, and soon after re- turned to Ipswich, where he immediately resumed the occupation of farming. In April, 1869, Colouel Shatswell was appointed assistant superintendent of insane at the county institution, situated in Ipswich, and continues to hold that position at the present time.

In 1883 he was elected a member of the board of selectmen for the town of Ipswich and re-elected in 1884 and 1885. Colonel Shatswell is a member of John T. Heard Lodge, of F. & A. M., of which lodge he was W. M. five years. He is also a member of Washington Royal Arch Chapter and Winslow Lewis Commandery of Knight Templars, of Salem He is an active member of General James Appleton Post G. A. R. Colonel Shatswell was married, June 15, 1861, to Mary White Stone, and has two daughters, Fannie W. and Annis L. Shatswell. Colonel Shats- well is a man of indomitable will, cool, firm and with a wonderful power of commanding men.

With steady courage, undismayed by repulse or defeat, under fire he never faltered, but was as calm and undisturbed as on dress parade. He carried the same characteristics into civil life. In the admin- istration of affairs of the town and in his position as assistant superintendent of the county insane he was and is an able executive officer, far-seeing, skillful and well versed in the requirements of his position. Steady in his private attachments, his affection is warm and sincere; open and social in his temper, his generosity is limited only hy his means; with a lively and delicate sense of honor, neither public trust or private interest was ever betrayed by him. Intel- lectually strong and vigorons, he weighs carefully every matter, and is firm and tenacions in his opinions without obstinacy. He was a brilliant soldier, and he is an exemplary private citizen. Modest, quiet and nnassuming in his demeanor, he has shown him- self capable and efficient in every position he has been called upon to fill. In politics he is a staunch Republican without being a bitter partisan. In stature the colonel is rising six feet, his frame of.

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body is remarkably robust, and his physical strength fully developed.

JAMES PEATFIELD.

James Peatfield was born in 1804, at Arnold, a small town three miles from Nottingham, England. He was the son of Joseph Peatfield, a man somewhat remarkable in his day. He was a bleacher by occu- pation, and carried on an extensive bleachery works at Arnold, doing work for the Nottingham spinners. Afterwards he came to the United States and was one of the first to engage in buying coal lands in Penn- sylvania, having firm faith in the enormous coal-fields that were just then beginning to attract the attention of miners and capitalists. Mr. Peatfield did not live to realize the full extent of the immense resources of the Pennsylvania mines, or to see this gigantic in- dustry assume the controlling interest in the United States. He did acquire a competency by his mining operations, and died at a ripe old age in St. Clair, Pennsylvania, where his remains now lie buried. Joseph Peatfield married Jane Speuser. She bore him five children,-James the subject of this sketch. Mary afterwards married to Jabez Mann, Sandford, Joseph and John, all of whom came to the United States and settled at Ipswich. James Peatfield se- cured his early education at home, under his mother, and afterwards in the schools at Bulwell and Three Knights Bridge.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 183

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