History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 262

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 262

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All that was choice and noble in literature was dear to him, and both directly and indirectly, he led others to "give attention to reading." Thus his varied tastes and culture had a large and abiding effect upon the whole community, while they formed a store of resources from which he drew as a preacher. Yet all were brought into beautiful harmony by the subordina- tion of all to his sense of responsibility as a shepherd of souls and a guide of lost and sinful men. A theo- logy based upon the strong rock-foundations of the fathers had, as he presented it, a grandeur, solemnity and strength, which were yet full of yearning tender- ness. All that vivid and poetic sensibility of his nature took fire when touched with the flame of the altar, and in its light and glow, the truths of an invisible and spiritual world became living realities to his hearers. He did not claim to be a logician or a theologian ; he was not an orator in the strict sense of the word, and he had an utter abhorrence of any- thing like clap-trap or pretense. Yet his sermons, marked by patient thought and careful preparation, were transparent in style and diction, full of indi- viduality, occasionally flashing into that characteristic wit which never lost dignity,-always simple, earuest and magnetic.

As he touched upon the loftier themes of religious truth, his face kindled and his voice thrilled, till his hearers were uplifted on the wings of his faith and spirituality.

The same characteristics entered largely into the less formal services of social meetings, while his prayers gave evidence of deep acquaintance and sym- pathy with human needs, as well as of personal near- ness to the Father of spirits. In certain special occasions, to use the words of one who knew him intimately, "his supplications reached a sphere that was wholly unearthly, becoming awful for spirituality, resignation and rooted trust in God."

As the years rolled on and Mr. Hosford grew in intellectual and spiritual strength, his church gained in influence and numbers, sometimes with large addi- tions, made after periods of special religious interest, but oftener through the steady ingathering of those who felt the attractive power of Christianity as showu forth in their pastor's words and life.

At the time of Mr. Hosford's settlement in 1845, the church embraced one hundred and sixty-eight mem- bers. During the fifteen years following, one hundred and seventy were added. In 1859, ninety-eight members were dismissed to form the North Church. There were constant accessions after that date, and at the time of Mr. Hosford's dismission in 1863, the membership numbered two hundred and fifty-two. Such a record of numbers, however, is only a slight indication of the power for good exerted by a faithful minister of Christ, and in the city where he so long labored, Mr. Hosford's influence still lives as an in- spiriug and elevating force.

His work as a writer was by no means limited to the production of sermons. He was the author of two interesting volumes, entitled "The Catacombs of Rome " and "The Footsteps of St. Paul." Through the entire period of his ministry he was a frequent contributor to the press. His published articles in newspapers and magazines covered a wide range of topics,-science, music, theology aud criticism,-in all which he showed himself almost equally a master. These papers were marked by grace and versatility of style, and especially by a keen appreciation of the ludicrous, which appeared, now in the most playful of fun, and again in some thrust of satire, too good- natured to wound.

In Mr. Hosford, as in other sympathetic natures, this sense of humor lay side by side with a fine sensi- tiveness to the pathos of life. Both found utterance, not only through his pen, but still more in the daily intercourse of life, rendering him a most delightful companion, full of surprises, ready in repartee, un- failing in responsiveness to both the brighter and the sadder moods of his fellow-men.

What he was in social life it would be hard fittingly to express. Ilis tall, erect figure, his black eyes, with the keen glance that seemed to look one through and through, his scholarly cast of features and his thio-

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rough manliness of bearing, made him, even exter- nally, a marked mau among a thousand. While dignified and somewhat reserved in manner, and im- patient of anything that savored of display or con- ceit, his kindness and affection went out without reserve to all who had any claim upon them, and especially to the afflicted, the weak and the children and youth of his congregation.

The beautiful home, overlooking the windings of the Merrimack, was the centre of his earthly happi- ness. Here were born to him four children, of whom three-two sons and a daughter-are still living. When a precious child was taken away by death, at the age of seven, the father's grief for her was of an intensity that could never quite be comforted.

In striking outward events, the most complete and rounded lives are often almost wanting. The twenty years of Mr. Hosford's pastorate were marked by few startling incidents. The tide of human life in Haver- hill ebbed and flowed, and the devoted pastor was a large part in it all, ministering at wedding and funeral ceremonies, standing by the sick and dying, taking the little child in his arms for baptism, welcoming into church-fellowship the young believer, who saw in the minister himself a type and likeness of that Master in whose footsteps he yearned to walk.

In 1861, as Mr. Hosford's health was beginning to wane, the War of the Rebellion broke out, causing an antagonism of feeling and interest that divided the North almost equally with the country as a whole, Haverhill proving no exception. Conservative though Mr. Hosford was by nature and principle, his sym- pathies were ardently on the side of the Union. During the declining years of his life his prayers followed those whom Haverhill sent forth to the strife, the triumphant end of which so many of them were, like himself, never to witness.

He spent two or three years in the pursuit of health, with varying hopes and fears, deepening at length into certainty that the end was near. In Oc- tober, 1863, he was, at his own request, dismissed from the pastoral office which he had so long hon- ored. Ten months later, August 10, 1864, his earthly course ended, after an illness which, in spite of long pain and languor, was radiant with a beauty and peace that made it the fitting culmination of a noble and holy life.

It is well that such a career should be held in grateful remembrance. Ending at the age of forty- seven years, it might seem to have been mysteriously cut short in its mid-day of usefulness. Yet Christian faith looks forward to the glorious possibilities of the life beyond deatlı, while unbelief itself recognizes that such souls "join the choir invisible" of those who are immortal on earth through the ever-per- petuating influence of pure and lofty character and unselfish devotion to mankind.

EDWIN BOWLEY. 1

Edwin Bowley was the son of Eben and Mary Nichols Bowley. Ile was born on the River road, in the East Parish of Haverhill, November 17, 1822. He died at his house on Emerson Street, in the city proper, June 11, 1884, wanting some months of com- pleting his sixty-second year. His parents were poor, and his opportunities of education were ex- ceedingly limited. He went when very young to live with Varnum Ayer, a farmer on Washington Street. The farm he thus worked upon as a boy, he bought years after, and made a very profitable in- vestment of it. He afterwards went to work for one Buswell, who kept a grocery store on Water Street. He was later in the employment of Mr. Bartlett in the same business, to whom he and Mr. Eben Web- ster were successors in 1847. After several years of successful business Mr. Webster retired, and Martin V. B. Hoyt became a partner, the style of the firm being E. Bowley & Co. Later, Mr. Hoyt was suc- ceeded by Carlos P. Messer, who continued with Mr. Bowley until the latter's death, but the firm-name never changed, and the familiar sign of " E. Bowley & Co." was not removed from Merrimac Street until August 22, 1884. During the many years of its dis- play, there was never any time when the credit of the firm doing business under it was not undoubted, or when it failed to give satisfaction to its numerous customers.

Mr. Bowley had the sagacity to see the probable increase and prosperity of Haverhill from the begin- ning of his business career, and the courage to act upon his convictions. The large fortune he left at his decease was due to his real estate operations. He began to invest in real estate as early as 1846. And the first piece of land he bought is still in the pos- session of his family. He sold land in Ilaverhill the day bnt one before his death, On the same day he went to Newton and bought the well-known estate, called " The Travellers' Home." The whole number of parties to conveyances in which he was interested was one thousand three hundred and twenty-five. He made between six and seven hundred transfers of real estate. At his death, he owned seventy-eight parcels of land. The Grammar School on Mount Washington, where he toiled as a little lad, no one caring much whether he went to school or not, bears his name.

October 4, 1848, Rev. Arthur S. Train, then pastor of the First Baptist Church in Haverhill, married Edwin Bowley, " a trader by occupation, aged 26 years," to Miss Dolly C. Messer, of Haverhill. Mrs. Bowley was an invalid for years before her husband's death, but has always been respected as a very benevolent woman. They had three children,-Mary G., who married George A. Hall, of Haverhill; Sarah T., and William M., a grocer in Haverhill atter his

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father's death, and city alderman in 1886. Mrs. Hall died suddenly in Boston, January 22, 1888, leaving one son.

Mr. Bowley was never actively engaged in politics until the autumn of 1882, when he was unexpectedly nominated for the State Senate by the Democratie party, the district being regarded as strongly Repub- lican. There was unquestionably some sneering at the nomination, on the ground of Mr. Bowley's sup- posed illiteracy and want of familiarity with public affairs. But he certainly had not sought the office, and some who knew him well, and who were familiar with his native good sense and good judgment, as well as with his intrinsie integrity, kindliness, pru- dence and modesty, had no fear but he could bear the test. And the result more than realized their most sanguine expectations. He was triumphantly chosen, and, although it might have been elaimed that the first election was the result of accident or surprise, arising from an unexpected condition of politics, he was re-elected in 1883, and was therefore a member of the Senate at the time of his death.

In the first place, the unlooked for honor, worked no change in the man. He was the same simple, unobtrusive person as before. Secondly, his as- sociates in the legislature, who had doubtless all heard something of his remarkable rise in condition from very humble circumstances, perhaps expected to meet au obtrusive and ignorant man. They found a quiet, simple gentleman, who sought nothing for himself, and only desired to learn how best to do his duty. The result was that in the Senates of 1883 aud 1884, no one was more considered, none more esteem- ed and beloved, than Edwin Bowley. And of this, ample evidence will be given.

Soon after his first election, upon his sixtieth birth- day, a considerable number of his friends without distinction of party, tendered Mr. Bowley a reception and dinner at the Eagle House. In the course of the proceedings, B. F. Brickett, Esq., who presided, presented Mr. Bowley, in the name of the company, with an elegant gold watch and chain. Speeches, expressing their high regard for the guest of the evening, were made by Mayor Moses How, W. E. Blunt, F. O. Raymond, Warren Ordway, (of Brad- ford), David B. Tenny (city clerk), E. B. Bishop, Raymond Noyes (who read a poem written by Mrs. John E. Brown), W. II. Moody, C. W. Morse, T. J. Taylor, D. C. Bartlett and others.

Shortly before taking his seat in the Senate, Mr. Bowley received from the late IIon. N. S. Howe, then at Washington, a letter with which he was nat- urally gratified, and from which we make an extract. " During the forty years of our acquaintance not for one moment that I am aware of, interupted by an inharmonious word or act on the part of either-I have never known or heard of anything on your part, inconsistent with the highest honor and in- tegrity. To such men, the interests of the old Com-

monwealth may be safely intrusted, because they will endeavor to impress upon the publie legislation the principles which have controlled their private life, and aet from considerations of duty, without yield- ing to the weakness or wickedness of party demands and contaminations."

In the Senate of 1883, Mr. Bowley served upon the Committee on the Fisheries, and the Committee on Roads and Bridges. In 1884, he served on the same Committees, with the addition of that upon Woman Suffrage.

During the session of 1884, Senator Bowley was seized with severe illness which detained him at home, preventing his resuming his seat ; but he apparently recovered from this attack, and seemed strong and active again. But he was fatally stricken on the morning of Tuesday, June 10th; and, although he lived till the next day, he gradually passed into a state of unconsciousness, from which he never rallied. His funeral on the afternoon of Saturday June 14th, was attended by a large concourse of people, includ- ing many from abroad, among whom were several of his Legislative associates.

The grocers of Haverhill and Bradford closed their stores as a mark of respect. The flag at City of Hav- erhill Engine House hung at half-mast.

Mr. Bowley wasone of the originators of the Haver- hill Iron Works, and served till his death as a director and its treasurer ; September 15, 1884, the directors adopted resolutions reported by Messrs. Little and Thomas Sanders, expressing their "respect and esteem for him in every relation of life," in which they had been brought in contact with him.

Mr. Bowley was a member of the Bradford Farmers' Institute, which also adopted appropriate resolutions.

He was treasurer and a director of the Brown Hotel Company, and president of the Haverhill Steamboat Express Company.

In his domestic and social relations, Mr. Bowley was one of the kindest and most thoughtful of men.

During the hurry of breaking up at the close of the session of 1884 (June 4th), at half-past twelve P.M., twenty-one of the senators found time to write Mr. Bowley a joint letter, expressing their regret at his compulsory absence.

Hon. John D. Washburn, of Worcester, wrote of Mr. Bowley : " He was a straightforward and honorable as- sociate." Senator Burt : " I had learned to love him for the true man that was in him." Senator Morrison, of Lowell, wrote: "I certainly most sincerely admired the man himself.

President Bruce of the Senate of 1884 wrote of him : " Whom I had learned to respect aud esteem for the simplicity and purity of his character, and his con- scientious discharge of every duty assigned him :" Senator Gilmore, of Cambridge, says: " His genial and unselfish intercourse with his associates will always be remembered with unfeigned pleasure." Senator Sessions, of Hampden, says : "I found him always

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RESIDENCE OF THE LATE E. J. M. HALE, HAVERHILL, MASS.

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affable, frank and companionable. His large experi- ence and sound common sense made his opinion valuable to us all. We all loved and respected him, and every Senator felt his loss as a personal afflic- tion."

Hon. George G. Crocker, president of the Senate of 1883, and Hon. A. E. Pillsbury, of the Senate of 1884, and president in 1886, also wrote expressing coudo- lence and sympathy.

At the first reunion of the Senate of 1883, held April 1, 1885, resolutions were unanimously adopted, expressing their appreciation of Mr. Bowley's "ser- vices and character."

" Resolved, That in our intercourse with the deceased, we were always impressed with his sterling integrity, modesty, industry, sound judg- ment and interest in the welfare of the Commonwealth.

" Resolved, That we always found in him a kind friend, a genial com- panion, a safe and prudent legislator, and we sadly miss his presence on this occasion.

" Resolved, That to the family of our late associate, we offer our most tender sympathies, we join with them in mourning his loss and will ever cherish his memory."

These are tributes of which any man might be proud ; but even better than these the thanks and tears of the poor, who always found in Edwin Bowley a kind employer and faithful friend.

This sketch was read to an active and leading citi- zen of Haverhill, who said : " That is all right, and I agree with the whole of it, but you might have made it a little stronger as to what Mr. Bowley did for Haverhill." "In what respect do you mean ?" " I mean in the aid he rendered to poor aud struggling men. I had particularly in mind the encouragement he gave young men about acquiring homesteads. He would sell a young man a lot on such easy terms that he was as good as a co-operative bank." "Do you not think that Mr. Bowley was a very good judge of human nature ?" "Excellent ; it amounted almost to an instinct;" and then he related an incident or two, illustrative of Mr. Bowley's shrewdness and tact.

E. J. M. HALE.1

Ezekiel James Madison Hale was born at Ilaver- hill, March 30, 1813. Ezekiel Hale, his grandfather, born at Newbury, 1762, married in 1785, Phoebe Co- burn, of Dracut. From Dracut, he removed to Derry, N. H., and thence to Haverhill. He was a pioneer in the manufacture of textiles. He made cotton goods very early. In 1804, he established a Woolen factory at Little River. His son, Ezekiel, born at Dracut in 1788, succeeded his father as a manufacturer. He married Hannah Church, daugh- ter of Samuel Crookson, a retired merchant of Bos- ton.

E. J. M. Hale fitted for college at Bradford Acad- emy, under Benjamin Greenleaf, entered Dartmouth

College in 1831, and graduated in due course in 1835. John Plummer Healey, the well -known lawyer of Bos- ton, Harry Hibbard and Amos Tuck of New lamp- shire, were among his classmates. He began to read law with Gilman Parker of Haverhill, but liking business better, he connected himself with his father's mills. As a boy and young man, lie was quiet and studious. Being succesful as a manufacturer, he purchased extensive woolen mills at Littleton, N. II., where he made flannels. Purchasing the mill pri- vileges and factory at South Groveland, in 1859, he built two additional establishments, and concentra- ted his manufacturing at this point. The water power was improved and supplemented by steam-power. Continually extending his business, Mr. Hale pur- chased the remaining mill sites on the stream. Up to 1875, he constantly increased his buildings and en- larged his operations till the mills gave employment to four or five hundred operatives, and a village of about one thousand inhabitants grew up. Mr. Hale erected many blocks and single dwellings, occupied by the operatives. He did much to foster the growth of the village. He gave a lot for a Catholic church and helped to build it. The site and structure with the furnishing of the St. James Episcopal Church, were entirely provided by him.

Mr. Hale was the largest private manufacturer in the United States. Ile was a strong and able busi- ness man. He naturally was called to give his aid to many enterprises. He was many years a director of the Boston and Maine Railroad Company, and for some years of the Manchester and Lawrence. For twenty-three years he was president of the Merrimac Bank of Haverhill, giving it up shortly before his death. In 1848, he represented the district in the State Senate. February 3, 1837, Mr. Ilale married Lucy Lapham, daughter of Benjamin Parker, a mer- chant of East Bradford, now Groveland. They had seven children-six sons and one daughter. Ilarry H. Hale of Bradford, born July 7, 1847, who is one of the trustees under his father's will, survives him. Mrs Hale died in March, 1856, aud Mr. Ilale, February 5, 1862, married her sister, Ruth C. Parker. Their only issue was, Edward, born May 29, 1863.

Mr. Hale's business success was proportioned to his abilities. He left a very large property, including valuable real estate in New York and Chicago. llis mills are still carried on by the trustees of his estate.

His death occurred June 4, 1881. In charities, as in business, he was apt to be decided and even curt in his response to the numerous applications made to him for assistance; but some of those nearest to him say that his private benevolence was much more extended than the world knew. In his public bene- factions, he was thoughtful and considerate, and took great care in studying details, that his gifts should work to the best advantage.

lle took care to provide for the permanent support of a resident clergyman for the church he had built

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

at South Groveland, and a sermon was preached there on the first Sunday after his burial by his friend, the Rev. Charles Wingate, of St. John the Evangelist, Haverhill. Of his religious faith, Mr. Wingate could say : "Precious to him was the church, with her sweet communions, her solemn vows, her hymns of love and praise. Their serene and sober light cast its brightness over the joys and sorrows of many years, and cheered him when the shadows were gathering round his mortal path."

Some brief account has been heretofore given in these pages of the proposition made by Mr. Hale to the city of Haverhill January 29, 1873, in reference to the establishment of a public library, and of its acceptance by the city. August 1, 1873, the City Couneil elected six trustees of the library, who were E. J. M. Hale, James H. Carleton, James E. Gale, James R. Nichols, R. S. Chase and John L. Hobson. To these the mayor was joined, ex-officio. The con- ditions of the gift having heen complied with, in November, 1873, plans for building were invited from architeets, and the building was erected in 1874-75, accepted and ocenpied May, 1875. Mr. Hale himself was chairman of the building eommit- tee, and gave the matter much of his time and atten- tion.

November 11, 1875, the building was dedicated. The mayor, Alpheus Currier, delivered the introduc- tory address ; prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Seeley ; a poem written by John G. Whittier, was sung; Mr. Hale himself gave an historical sketch of the library, showing that it had been built at a cost of less than fifty thousand dollars, and books purchased at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars, mainly under the care of James E. Gale, one of the trustees. Interest- ing addresses were made by Hon. Leverett Salton- stall, of Boston, General William F. Bartlett, of Pittsfield, Judge Charles S. Bradley, of Providence, R. I., Professor James B. Thayer, of the Dane Law School, Cambridge, all of whom were connected with Haverhill by birth or descent. A letter was read from John G. Whittier, who wrote: " Half a century ago, as I have good reason for knowing, there were few books to be had in Haverhill and vicinity. There were some not very readable volumes in the old So- cial Library. ... I have travelled miles of a winter evening in search of a book." Governor Gaston was present on this occasion.

Edward Capeu, who had been already for more than twenty years connected with the Boston Publie Library, was appointed librarian by the trustees, November 23, 1874, and has ever since been in that honorable service. Under their joint care, the library has much increased and flourished. The good done by the Haverhill Public Library is inestimable. Thousands upon thousands will have reason to thank the memory of Mr. Hale for his thoughtful and judicious liberality. After much consideration, Mr. Hale also determined to found a hospital in his native

city. To this end he himself purchased a site and procured needful steps to be taken by the eity govern- ment. The Legislature passed an act which was ac- cepted by the City Council February 13, 1882, au- thorizing the city to erect and maintain the Haver- hill City Hospital. Mr. Hale left by will fifty thousand dollars for a hospital fund. The site heing considered unsuitable was sold under authority of the Supreme Court by the trustee-, and an estate pre- sented to them by James H. Carleton, in 1886 was adopted for hospital purposes and formally dedicated December 29, 1887, when suitable addresses were made by Hon. Joseph H. Sheldon, the mayor, Dr. John Crowell, who gave an interesting historieal ad- dress, and others. Within a few days, a frightful railroad accident in the vicinity, caused the resources of the establishment to be taxed to the utmost.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 262

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672