USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 17
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 17
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 17
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Nahant > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 17
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynn > History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant, 1864-1890 > Part 17
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MARBLE, EDWIN - son of Hiram who in 1852 commenced, under supposed spiritual supervision, the excavation of Dungeon Rock. If possible, Edwin was more firm in the faith than his father. He died at the Rock, January 16, 1880, aged 48. See Annals, ISSO.
MARBLE, HIRAM - a devoted spiritualist, who in 1852, under- took the herculean labor of excavating Dungeon Rock in search of gold and jewels supposed to have been secreted there by pirates, in 1658. He died at the Rock, November 10, 1868, aged 65. See Annals, 1658 and 1868.
MARSHALL, THOMAS- a jolly landlord of the old Anchor Tavern, in its palmy days ; and otherwise distinguished among his fellow-townsmen. His autograph adorns the Armitage Peti- tion, page 106. See Annals, 1635, and other early dates.
MARTIN, Dea. GEORGE. Deacon Martin died on the 17th of December, 1868, aged 68. He was a native of Lynn and deacon of the First Church - Trinitarian Congregational - for the long space of forty-one years, and superintendent of the
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Merritt. Moody. Moore. 173
Sunday school for twenty-five years. His death was by heart disease, and occurred without warning, during a prayer meeting in the vestry of the church, on South Common street, corner of Vine. He had just closed a fervent prayer, when he fell and expired. He was a man of intelligence, kindly feeling, and great integrity of character ; was industrious and unobtrusive, and by his example turned many to a better life. He was zealously engaged in the temperance cause and other reformatory enter- prises of the day.
MARTIN, JOSIAH - an eccentric character, much given to " practical jokes," so called. He was landlord of the old Anchor Tavern, about the commencement of the Revolution. See An- nals, 1782.
MERRITT, CHARLES- for many years a Deputy Sheriff of the county, and otherwise conspicuous in public office. He lived on Western avenue near the junction of Summer street, and died March 13, 1877, aged 72. See Annals, 1877. A fac-simile of his signature is here given.
That. Mentt.
MONTOWAMPATE - Indian Sagamore of Lynn. See History of Lynn, 1865 edition, page 36.
MOODY, Lady DEBORAH - a lady of great worth, wealth and influence, but being unsound in puritanical doctrine, was subjected to persecution and loss. See Annals, 1640.
MOODY, TRUE - a faithful sable out-door attendant at Lynn Hotel, in its palmy days - a man of scrupulous honesty and much favored by travellers. He died June 17, 1855. See Annals, 1855.
MOORE, HENRY - for more than twenty years principal of the Cobbet grammar school. He lived on Boston street, near Con- gress, and died March 29, 1879, aged 52. See Annals, 1879.
MOTTEY, Rev. JOSEPH - minister of the Lynnfield Parish, for many years. See Annals, 1821.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Moulton.
MOULTON, JOSEPH. Mr. Moulton was a native of Lynn, and spent most of his life among us. On the maternal side he was a descendant from Andrew Mansfield, the first Town Clerk. For many years he owned and occupied the house on Boston street, nearly opposite the foot of Marion, in which he was born and in which he died, and which is supposed to be the oldest dwelling now in Lynn. A few of his earlier years were spent in Vermont and western New York, where his fortunes were varied and not always free from hardship and discouragement. But industry, self-reliance, and perseverance, carried him successfully through. He was a tanner and morocco-dresser by trade and on his return to Lynn, in 1837, established himself in the latter branch, which he diligently pursued till it finally yielded him a competency ; and his latter years were passed in quietude, and far above pecuniary want, though he was not exempt from a share of phy- sical suffering, as cruel asthma long held its grip upon him. He was an accomplished antiquary ; was for more than twenty years a member of the Massachusetts Historic and Genealogical Soci- ety and furnished some interesting papers for their publications. In viewing the memorials and contemplating the scenes of the past, he took unwearied delight. With English history and literature he was more than commonly familiar, and there was scarcely a point of New England history on which he did not possess almost exhaustive knowledge. On matters pertaining to our local history he was often applied to for information. And he possessed one trait especially, rare as it is valuable, namely, a readiness to admit ignorance when it existed, and an equal readi- ness to resort to patient investigation. Often have we heard him say to an inquirer, "Well, well, I declare to you I do not know; but will try to find out ; come again." His reading, however, was by no means confined to historical works. Many delighted hours he spent over the volumes of the old poets, essayists and novelists ; and his memory was so retentive that even in common conversation, he frequently quoted passages - sometimes in an amusing, always in a pertinent manner. He had a library, small but valuable, embracing a few rare works, and was not often deterred by any reasonable expense from gratifying his taste. The writer remembers one day meeting him with a couple of small volumes in his hand. "There," said
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Moulton. Mudge.
he, "I have just received these little books from England, and they cost me thirty dollars."
He was an intelligent horticulturist, and took much pleasure in his garden, especially in experimenting with fruit trees, vines, and flowers, producing some valuable seedlings and some novel and interesting results by inoculation.
Soon after the breaking out of the civil war, he became the possessor of a bell which had done service on a Louisiana plan- tation, and this he sometimes, on occasions which seemed espe- cially to call for the expression of patriotic feeling, sent clanging through the streets, mounted on wheels. He afterwards gave it to the trustees of Pine Grove Cemetery, and it now hangs in the tower of the keeper's house.
Mr. Moulton, while in Vermont, was united in marriage with Relief Todd, and by her had five children, to wit, Anne, James T., Charles H., John T., and Walter S. James T. and John T. inherit in a marked degree their father's love for antiquarian studies. He died, very suddenly, Feb. 10, 1873, aged 75 years.
MOULTON, SOLOMON - a writer of prose and poetry, of much promise. He died May 26, 1827, aged 19. For a biographical sketch, with specimens of his writing, see 1865 edition of the History of Lynn.
MUDGE, BENJAMIN. Mr. Mudge was born in Lynn, Sept. I, 1786. He was the seventh child of Enoch Mudge, who was the father of fourteen children, and was in his turn the father of eleven. Till 1815 his life was passed in Lynn, excepting that for a short time he followed the seas under his brother Joseph. In 1808 he married Abigail Rich, who became the mother of all his children. She died in 1847, and the next year he married Miss Ardra Cobb, who, surviving him, died on the 14th of December, 1880, at the agè of 92.
In 1815, with his family, Mr. Mudge emigrated to the then " far west," settling at Cincinnati, Ohio. The journey thither was at that time long and wearisome. At Laurel Hill, he had the misfortune to have his leg broken by being thrown from the top of a stage, the accident causing a tedious détention of some two months, and making a serious inroad upon his limited means.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Mudge.
He opened a shoe store at Cincinnati, which he continued till 1822, when he gave up and returned to Lynn, in anything but a satisfactory condition, pecuniarily. Possessing an active and enterprising mind, and being urged on by the requirements of a growing family, he industriously set to work, and for some years procured a livelihood by semi-literary pursuits. He was con- nected with Zion's Herald, the Masonic Mirror, and one or two other newspapers, appearing at one time as editor of the Lynn Mirror. In 1831, he commenced, in Lynn, the Essex Democrat, a weekly paper, warmly spiced with politics of what was then known as the Jacksonian stamp. This he continued about two years, and afterwards derived a moderate income from minor political offices.
In 1840 he was elected a Representative to the General Court. He was also an acting justice of the peace, county commissioner, and overseer of the poor. He was likewise postmaster from 1843 to 1849.
In 1854 he had the misfortune to fall near the rail-road track, in Ipswich, and before he could recover himself a train passed over his foot, so injuring it that amputation was necessary. Thus he became lamed for the remainder of his life.
When about seventeen years of age he connected himself with the First Methodist Church, of which his father and mother had long been members, and thence pursued an exemplary walk, through his long life.
He was Captain of the Lynn Artillery, from 1813 to 1816, and on a night during the war with England, on a sudden alarm instantly summoned his company and marched towards the quarter supposed to be in danger. It proved, however, to be a false alarm. His eldest son, Robert R., born in 1809, graduated from the West Point Military Academy, in 1833, and in 1835 was ordered to Florida, to take part in the Seminole war, as Lieutenant under Major Dade, and was killed at Withlacoochie, together with the whole company of one hundred and seventeen, with the exception of three.
Personally, Mr. Mudge was tall, well-formed, and erect ; active in movement, and of pleasant countenance. He died on the 21st of March, 1874, at the age of 87 years, and was buried from the First Methodist meeting-house, where he had so long worshiped.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Mudge. 177
A large concourse gathered to take a last look upon the remains of one who in his various social, public, and business relations had maintained a high character for integrity and fellow-feeling.
MUDGE, BENJAMIN F. - the second Mayor of Lynn. He died at his residence, in Manhattan, Kansas, November 21, 1879, aged 62 ; and so great was the respect for him, that the citizens of that place erected a monument over his grave. See Annals, 1879. In the Centennial Memorial, is a biographical sketch, with a portrait. A fac-simile of his signature is hereto appended.
N.F. Andge.
MUDGE, Rev. ENOCH-an esteemed minister of the Metho- dist connection, and a writer of some note. "Lynn, a Poem," published in pamphlet form, in 1826, was a production of his .. His son Enoch Redington, was the donor of the beautiful St. Stephen's Memorial Church, erected in 1881. He died in Lynn,. April 2, 1850, aged 74. In the 1865 edition of the History of Lynn may be found a biographical sketch.
MUDGE, ENOCH REDINGTON-son of the Rev. Enoch, just noticed, and the munificent builder of St. Stephen's Memorial Church. He died Oct. 1, 1881, aged 69 years. See Annals, 1881.
MUDGE, EZRA -a well-known citizen, much in public life. He died May 25, 1855, aged 75. In the 1865 edition of the History of Lynn, a biographical notice may be found.
MUDGE, EZRA WARREN. In the Centennial Memorial appears. a biographical notice of Mr. Mudge, with a portrait. He died at his home, on Neptune street, September 20, 1878, aged 66 years. Few persons have ever left the busy scenes of our community more respected and beloved or more worthy to be held in grate- ful remembrance. His father, Hon. Ezra Mudge, was thrice married, and by the second and third wives each had seven
12
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Mudge.
children, the first wife having died childless. Ezra Warren was the fourth child by the second wife. He received his education in the schools of Lynn, and in 1828 entered the dry goods store of Chase and Huse, near the west end of the Common. In this store, first as clerk and then as partner, he remained till 1849, at which time the Laighton Bank - afterwards the Central Na- tional - was established, and he was elected cashier, and contin- ued to fill the office in a most satisfactory manner till his last · sickness rendered it necessary to resign. He held various responsible positions under the old town government ; was a Selectman, Town Treasurer, and member of the School Com- mittec. And after the City Charter was adopted he was for six years City Treasurer. In 1856 he was inaugurated as the sixth Mayor, and administered the office two years, his administration being marked by prudence, integrity, and impartiality. During the civil war he was a member of the board of Aldermen, and with that body his opinions deservedly had great weight.
He had a taste for literature and took great interest in all educational enterprises, was identified with the Public Library, from its foundation, and at the time of his decease was president of the board of trustees. He had a well selected library, cm- bracing, at the time of his death, some three thousand volumes ; and many an hour of pleasant retirement did he spend with those refreshing though silent companions.
In carly manhood he married Miss Eliza R. Bray, of Salem, and became the father of nine children, four of whom survived him. His burial took place from the Second Universalist meet- ing-house, where he had for many years been a worshiper, and was attended by a large concourse of friends and citizens. His autograph, so familiar from its appearance on the bills of the bank with which he was so long connected, is here represented.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Mulliken. Munroe. Neal. 179
MULLIKEN, SAMUEL- third postmaster of Lynn. He died November 25, 1847, aged 86. See Annals, 1847.
MUNROE, Col. TIMOTHY. Colonel Munroe was not of a tem- perament to pass noiselessly through the world ; yet though for many years conspicuous as an ardent politician, and otherwise active in local affairs, he was most widely known by his military record. He was a native of Lynn, and died at his residence in Franklin street, on the 25th of May, 1873, at the age of 72 years.
He was for a number of years Captain of the Lynn Light Infantry, of which company he became a member as early as 1817-a company which has ever maintained a high character for discipline. He was likewise commissioned as Colonel of the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment, and was in command at the time of the breaking out of the civil war; at which stirring period his regiment was hastily summoned and departed for the scene of conflict, joining in the perilous march through Baltimore. He however continued in active service but a few months.
In his religious views he was a steadfast adherent of the Uni- tarian faith ; was one of the early members of the society here ; and from their meeting-house his remains were followed to their last resting place in Pine Grove Cemetery.
In early manhood he married Miss Rachel Lakeman, and became the father of five children.
Munroe street, which was laid out through his father's land perpetuates the family name.
NAHANTON -an Indian "wise man." See History of Lynn, 1865 edition, page 41.
NANAPASHEMET - an Indian Sachem of extensive jurisdiction. See 1865 edition of History of Lynn, page 34.
NEAL, PETER M. - the tenth Mayor of Lynn. For notice, with portrait, see Centennial Memorial. A fac-simile of his signature is hereto appended.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Newhall.
NEWHALL, ANTHONY. See "Newhall, Thomas and Anthony."
NEWHALL, ASA T., of Lynnfield -an intelligent farmer, con- siderably in public life. He died December 18, 1850, aged 71. A biographical notice appears in the 1865 edition of the History of Lynn.
NEWHALL, BENJAMIN F., of Saugus - a man active in business, public spirited, and full of industrial resources, intelligent, and a frequent writer for the public journals. He died October 13, 1863, aged 61. For biographical notice see History of Lynn, 1865 edition.
NEWHALL, FRANCIS S. - was largely engaged in the shoe and leather trade, a Senator, and first president of Laighton - after- wards the Central National - Bank He died Feb. 2, 1858, aged 62. See notice in 1865 edition of History of Lynn.
NEWHALL, HENRY. Mr. Newhall was a lineal descendant from Thomas, one of the first settlers, and his father was Win- throp Newhall, who for many years successfully prosecuted the trade of tanner, his vats being on the west side of Market street, near where the Eastern Rail-road now crosses. The subject of this sketch, in company with his brother Francis S., just named, followed his father in the occupation, and added to it the manufacture of morocco. This was really the business of his life, though other pursuits to some extent engaged his attention, and he retired from active business with ample means but failing health. His habits were rather retiring than bustling, though he did not shrink from the performance of important public duties. He filled various municipal offices, was a bank director, and on the death of his brother Francis succeeded to the office of president of the Central National Bank, which he continued to fill till a few years before his death. His opportunities for education were limited, but he was fond of reading, and soon began to store his mind with information on almost every current topic, by no means overlooking the literature of the imagination. He was much esteemed for his gentlemanly manners and in rather a marked degree received the social deference so often
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Newhall.
accorded to wealth. The Unitarian society, which was incorpo- rated in 1822, counted him among its early members, and to the end of his life he continued in the faith. He died July 15, 1878, aged 81 years ; and his remains were interred on Linden avenue in Pine Grove Cemetery, by the side of those of his brother Francis, in accordance with the expressed desire of both, who, having through life enjoyed uninterrupted brotherly attachment, wished to lie near each other in their final rest.
NEWHALL, Dr. HORATIO. Dr. Newhall was born in Lynn, on the 28th of August, 1798, and was a lineal descendant of one of the first settlers. His mother was Lucy, a daughter of Col. John Mansfield, who was commander of the Lynn regiment at the time the Revolution broke out.
He fitted for college, at Lynn Academy, partly under the tuition of Samuel Newell, who, with his wife Harriet, afterwards became so famous for their missionary labors in India, and partly under Solomon S. Whipple, subsequently a lawyer in Salem. He entered Harvard College on his birthday, the 28th of Au- gust, 1813 ; and in his class were some whose names will long remain conspicuous among the famous of our land ; among them George Bancroft the historian, Caleb Cushing the jurist and statesman, Rev. Dr. Tyng the divine, and Judge Emerson. He graduated with honor, and soon applied himself to the study of medicine, taking his degree in 1821. There had at that time been an emigration of a number of families from Boston and its vicinity to the then new State of Illinois ; and being in want of a reliable physician, they applied to that distinguished professor of the theory and practice of medicine, Dr. James Jackson, for the selection of one ; and he cordially recommended Dr. Newhall, who very soon after, with his letters of introduction, commenced the long and toilsome journey towards the western border of civilization, animated by youthful ardor and manly determination.
He reached the then little French village of St. Louis in just one month, after travelling day and night. His place of destina- tion lay some fifty miles beyond, and how to reach it was a serious question, there being no public conveyance, and hardly a possibility of securing a wheeled carriage of any kind. However, he finally succeeded in obtaining a French pony and a sort of
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Newhall.
light wagon. And thus equipped he set forth with the phthisical apprentice of a friendly shoemaker as a guide and companion, and by whom the travelling equipage was to be returned. Dur- ing the first day they got lost on the prairie, but at night reached a log hut, where they were hospitably entertained by the propri- etor, whose name was Mather, and who proved to be a lineal descendant of Cotton Mather the celebrated New England divine.
The next day they continued their journey over prairie lands in splendid floral garniture, it being the eighth of June. They also saw herds of deer roaming in every direction. The young doctor was so inspired by the romance and beauty of the scene that he shouted and capered till his poor companion was seized with amazement and fears that he had become suddenly distracted. In the afternoon he arrived at the border of the prairie, where were a few settlers. There he dismissed his companion with good advice as to the treatment of the oppressive disease under which he was suffering, and began to administer to his first regular patient.
At Greenville, in Bond county, he immediately opened an office, and soon found himself in a practice extending over all the adjacent counties. He was in no sense given to idleness ; and besides being very industrious in his profession, was active in public affairs, working diligently to promote the prosperity of his new home. In benevolent enterprises he took an unwea- ried interest ; and it may safely be said that to him are attribu- table the foundation and success of some of the most worthy institutions that have proved such blessings to the great West. And he was a man who never despised small beginnings. In March, 1825, the first Sunday school in Bond county, and the second in the state, was established through his efforts, and of it he was the first superintendent. It was at about that period, too, that he, together with a few other kindred spirits, succeeded in establishing a Bible Society, and one in aid of Domestic Missions.
In 1827 Dr. Newhall removed from Greenville into the midst of the Indian country to the mining region. He arrived at the site of Galena, on the 31st of March, having occupied twenty-six days in the tedious and dangerous journey from St. Louis. For a short time he turned his attention to mining ; but in 1828
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Newhall.
resumed his medical practice, as more congenial. In 1830, he was stationed at Fort Winnebago, as an acting surgeon in the United States army. But in 1832 he returned to Galena and again went into practice there, and in the Black Hawk war, had sole control of a general hospital. The Asiatic cholera, during its devastating march over the country, a couple of years later, proved a great scourge to this region ; and when General Scott removed his head quarters from Galena to Rock Island, he wrote to Dr. Newhall, beseeching him to come to the latter place and exercise his skill in the endeavor to arrest the progress of the pestilence. It fortunately happened that he had made the disease a matter of careful investigation, and was able to render very efficient service.
During the civil war he did his utmost for the Union cause, though his advanced age was an impediment to his active parti- cipation in the stirring scenes of the field. In 1861 he was appointed physician of the United States Marine Hospital, at Galena, and continued to perform the duties till the institution was closed, in 1866.
The first newspaper published north of the Illinois river - the " Miners' Journal," commenced in 1827- was edited by him. And the Galena Advertiser, first issued in 1829, was likewise under his editorial charge.
Having secured a comfortable home in the West, he became solicitous to share the blessing with a conjugal companion, and accordingly, in 1830, married Elizabeth P. P. Bates, a daughter of Moses Bates, of Richmond, Va. She was a superior woman ; of large and cultivated mind and amiable disposition. The union was a most happy one, and continued till 1848, when death deprived him of her endeared society. They had three sons and three daughters, all of whom survived their father.
The religious element was marked in the character of Dr. Newhall from an early age. In 1835 he joined the First Pres- byterian Church of Galena; some eight years afterwards was chosen an elder, and continued in the office during the remainder of his life.
From his extensive correspondence many papers of exceeding interest might be selected. But we are compelled to be chary of our space. The following letter to an old college class-mate,
1
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Newhall.
however, which it will be observed was written but a few years before his death, contains such points of interest as will fully justify its insertion :
GALENA, JULY 8th, 1863.
Col. James W. Seaver, Boston :
DEAR SIR: Your note inviting me to meet the surviving members of the Class of 1817, at the Kevere House, on the 14th inst. is received. Absence from home must be my excuse for not answering it at an earlier day. I could not realize that a half century had elapsed since we entered college, until I reflected upon the vast stride our country has made in its wealth and population during that period. Since I became a resident of Illinois the population of the State has increased from fifty thousand to two millions and a half. Then, I was on the frontier of civilization ; now, my oldest son is a citizen of a State, two thousand miles farther West. It is only twenty-five years since I hired a Sioux guide to conduct me to C'arver's cave in a wilderness where now is the beautiful city of St. Paul, the capital of Minnesota. Thirty-three years ago, when I was stationed as surgeon at Fort Winnebago, I passed through an Indian encampment of twenty-five hundred Winnebagoes on the Four Lakes, where now is Madison, the seat of government of Wisconsin ; and I have just returned from commencement at Beloit college, of which institution I am a trustec. Thirty years since it was the hunting ground of the Winnebagoes. Less than forty years have passed since this city (Galena) was the favorite dwelling place of the Sacks and Foxes, and to-day we are celebrating the brilliant victories of our townsman, General Grant, the great Captain of the age.
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