USA > Massachusetts > Massachusetts of today; a memorial of the state, historical and biographical, issued for the World's Columbian exposition at Chicago > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
S ALEM is a rare old municipality, - rare because of its individuality, history, and the many distinguished men it has reared and sent out into the world. It was first settled in 1626 by Roger Conant and others, and incorporated as a city in 1836, Leverett Saltonstall being the first mayor. Many of the buildings seen about the city are after the colonial style of architecture, some of which were built more than a century ago, and present an ancient but pleasing appearance. The place would be great in history were it to risk its laurels solely on the record and achievements of the old-time merchants and ship-masters. In 1825 there were 190 vessels owned in Salem, and it was her ships which were the first from this country to display the American flag and open trade with Zanzibar, Sumatra, Calcutta, Bombay, Batavia, Arabia, Madagascar, St. Petersburg and Australia.
Salem has the high honor of having had as a resident the first governor of the colony. July 20, 1629, was set apart by Governor Endicott "to be a solemn day of humiliation for ye choyce of a pastor and teacher at Salem." Rev. Mr. Skelton and Thomas Higginson were chosen to the respective positions. The vote was taken by each person in the colony writing in a note the name of his choice. This was the origin of the use of the ballot on this continent.
In 1692 the Witchcraft delusion sprang up in the colony. Much of the history which has been written on this subject is misleading, in that Salem seems to be the only place designated or given prominence where the delusion prevailed, when, as a matter of fact, it was widespread, extending over many countries of the Old World. Nineteen persons condemned for witchcraft, among whom was Rev. George Burroughs, were publicly executed in Salem.
The wars of the Revolution, 1812 and the Rebellion found Salem men well to the front battling for the supremacy of the old flag, many of whom fell in action. The first provincial congress assembled in Salem, Oct. 5, 1774, which passed, during its session, a vote renouncing the authority of the British Parliament. The first blood shed in the war of the Revolution was at North Bridge, Salem, Feb. 26, 1775, where Colonel Timothy Pickering and his brave compeers successfully disputed the march across the bridge of Colonel Leslie and his regiment of British redcoats.
In 1812 Salem furnished for the war nearly as many privateers as the rest of the country. In the latter part of the last century and the beginning of the present, the town outrivalled Boston in maritime importance, having almost the entire monopoly of the East India trade.
Salem is widely known for its inventions. The first electric light in a dwelling-house in this country was used by Professor Moses G. Farmer, at his home on Pearl Street, in July, 1859, while the first practical test ever made of a telephone was by Professor A. G. Bell, who sent a dispatch from Lyceum Hall to the Boston Globe, Feb. 12, 1877.
Salem is the birthplace of many noted men, including Timothy Pickering, the famous statesman ; Rev. Samuel Johnson, the noted liberal preacher ; William H. Prescott, historian; Nathaniel Hawthorne ; John Pickering, the scholar and Greek lexicographer ; John Rogers, whose character groups are everywhere familiar ; Benjamin Pierce, the mathematician, and Nathaniel Bowditch, the world-renowned navigator.
There are radiating from the city proper several lines of electric railways; also several lines of steam railways. The Willows and Juniper Point, about two miles from this city, are well-known summer resorts. Among the educational institutions are the public library, Salem Athenaeum, the Essex Institute for the promotion of history, science and art, Essex County Natural History Society, the Peabody Academy of Science, and the Marine Society, composed of ship-masters. The charitable institutions are the Associated Charities, Old Men's and Old Ladies' homes, Woman's Friend Society, Plummer Farm School, Seamen's Orphan and Children's Friend Society, Orphan Asylum, The Fraternity and Young Men's Christian Association.
There are many points of historical interest within the city, among which are the First Church, built in 1629 ; Roger Williams's house, erected in 1635 ; the witchcraft sites ; the house in which Hawthorne was born ; Timothy Pickering mansion, built in 1649, and other places which have been designated by bronze tablets.
288
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
R OBERT S. RANTOUL has been elected mayor of Salem, by an increasing vote, four years in succession. He is the son of Hon. Robert Rantoul, Jr., and Jane (Woodbury) Rantoul, and was born at Beverly, June 2, 1832. The name is Scotch, and has been traced back, in Kinross, to 1355. His early education was received at the Beverly Academy and at the Boston Latin School, where he prepared for college. He was graduated from Harvard in 1853, and, having pursued his legal studies in the Dane Law School and in the office of Hon. Charles G. Loring, began the practice of law in Salem in 1856. He soon interested him- self in local and national politics, and was, in 1856, secre- tary of the first Fre- mont Club in Essex County ; represented Beverly in the lower branch of the Legis- lature in 1858, where he formed an ac- quaintance with Gov- ernor Andrew which ripened into a life- long friendship ; took an active part in the Lincoln campaign of 1860, and was the working officer of the Salem Union League until Lee's surrender, conducting a mem- orable series of meetings at Me- chanic Hall in support of the war. He was appointed by President Lincoln, in 1865, collector for the port of Salem and Beverly, and served until 1869, when Gen- eral Butler, whose election to Congress Mr. Rantoul had publicly opposed, defeated his reappointment, though it was asked for by every merchant doing business at the port. Mr. Rantoul was, until 1888, allied with the Republican party, and was active in both city and State committees. Of late years, however, the position of the
ROBERT S. RANTOUL.
Democracy on the tariff and other questions more nearly according with his views, he has identified him- self with that political party. He was a member of the Legislature for Salem in 1884 and 1885, and was first chosen mayor in 1889, being annually re-elected since that year. His administration of this office has been conservative and businesslike.
In 1863-68 he was largely instrumental in bringing the water of Wenham Lake into Salem, was arbitrator between the Common- wealth and the Mas- sachusetts Historical Society in the matter of the Hutchinson papers in 1873, was orator at the centennial celebra- tion of American in- dependence at Stutt- gart, Germany, in 1876, spoke for the United States at the dinner given to Gen- cral Grant in Paris in 1878, and was ora- tor at the commem- oration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Win- throp's landing at Salem in 1880. For a period of six or eight years he was engaged in antiqua- rian pursuits and in editorial work on the Boston Evening Transcript. His many published writ- ings include "'The Cod in Massachu- setts History " (1865), "Notes on Old Modes of Travel" (1872), "The Essex Junto " (1882), "The Name and Family of Rentoul - Rintonl - Rantoul" (1885), "The Ancient Family of Woodbury " (1887), "The Spirit of the Early Lyceums" (1888), "Port of Salem," "The Long Embargo," and "The Great Tops- field Caucus of 1808." Mr. Rantoul was married at Salem, May 13, 1858, to Harriet C., daughter of David A. and Harriet (Price) Neal.
289
SALEM.
W ILLIAM CROWNINSHIELD ENDICOTT was born in Salem, Mass., Nov. 19, 1826. He is a lineal descendant of John Endicott, the first gover- nor of Massachusetts Colony. In his veins also min- gles the blood of the Putnams and Crowninshields, the latter being his maternal name. Crown-in-shield was a German nobleman, who came to this country in the early days of the colony and settled in Salem. John Endicott was the head of the first popular local government estab- lished in America. He was among the six original patentees of the grant made by the great council at Plymouth. Gov- ernor Endicott was an impetuous man, but clear-headed and liberal. He dealt judiciously with the Indians, and in a friendly spirit. The famous sword with which Governor Endicott cut cross from the King's colors, has, together with the original por- trait and other relics of the governor, been handed down through the line of the oldest sons, and is now in the posses- sion of the subject of this sketch. He was always promi- nent in public affairs, and if at times seem- ingly intolerant, this manifestation, as history has shown, was confirmatory of his devotedness to the new government. With such an ancestry it is not to be wondered at that William C. Endicott has made his influence felt in the world. Salem, the place of his residence, is dear to him, with its many pleasing and historical associations, connected with his early ances- try. The house in which he lives is situated on Essex Street. It is a large, two-story structure with hip roof
and dormer windows, the interior of which is divided into spacious wainscotted rooms, which are adorned with antique carvings. Large open fire-places are conspic- uous, suggestive of the early times. In this house he passes the pleasant days of his retirement. Not an old man either in years or appearance, yet he is not court- ing political honors, as both the county and State have richly remembered him in this direction. Mr. Endicott was married, Dec. 13, 1859, to Ellen, daughter of the late Colonel George Peabody, a wealthy and talented gentle- man of the old school. He received his preparatory edu- cation for Harvard College in the Salem Latin School, and graduated from the University in 1847. He was admitted to the bar in 1850, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in Salem. His abilities as a lawyer were soon recognized, and these, combined with a grace of de- portment and dignity of character, won for him from Governor Washburn the ap- pointment of justice of the Supreme Ju- cial Court, in which capacity he served from 1873 to 1882. He was elected pres- ident of the Peabody Academy of Science in 1863, and was president of the Salem National Bank from 1857 to 1873. In 1884 he was the Democratic candidate for governor of Massachusetts, and in 1885 he entered President Cleveland's cabinet as secretary of war, in which office he continued the full term. He has two children, a son and daughter, the latter the wife of Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, of England. Mr. Endicott was one of the most scholarly judges the State has known.
WILLIAM C. ENDICOTT.
290
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
S SAMUEL ENDICOTT PEABODY, president of the American Loan and Trust Company, was born in Salem, Mass., on April 19, 1825, the second son of Colonel Francis and Martha (Endicott) Peabody. Martha Endicott was a direct descendant of John Endi- cott, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who settled in 1628 in Naumkeag, which was afterward known as Salem. Colonel Francis Peabody was a famous Salem merchant and a very large ship owner. Mr. Peabody's early education was gained in Salem and he en- tered Harvard, but remained only one year. Preferring a life and career of more activity than his col- lege course seemed to promise, he went to sea in one of his father's vessels. Soon after his return from that voyage Mr. l'eabody engaged in business in Boston, on India Wharf, with Franklin Curtis, un- dler the firm name of Curtis & Peabody. The firm was in the India and China trade and owned many ships, and con- tinued in business many years. Mr. Peabody's home was all these years in Salem. In 1875, with his wife and five children, Mr. Pea- body removed to London, England, and became a partner in the house of J. S. Morgan & Co., American bankers. This house had formerly been known as that of George Peabody & Co. He remained there in busi- ness eight years, and then again removed to America. He purchased the old family residence, formerly owned by his father, known as "Kernwood," in Salem, and he makes that his home now, being there seven or cight months of each year, and in the winter months at 205
Commonwealth Avenue, in Boston. It was Mr. Peabody's intention to retire from business when he returned to America, but his mental and bodily activity soon again led him into the old accustomed paths, and he was induced to accept the position of director in various moneyed and industrial enterprises, among them the American Loan and Trust Company, now located in the new Exchange Building, 53 State Street, Boston. Upon the death of the late Ezra H. Baker, Mr. Peabody was made president, which position he still fills. The Ameri- can Loan and Trust Company is one of the most widely known and soundly conducted institu- tions of its kind in the country. Mr. Peabody has in late years been interested in electrical manufac- turing enterprises, and was, until the formation of the Gen- eral Electric Com- pany, a director in the Thomson-Hous- ton Company. He is also a director in various other institu- tions. He was for many years president of the Salem National Bank, and is at pres- ent largely interested in real estate in that ancient city, and he has always taken an active interest in her progress. Mr. Peabody's life has been one of constant and busy occupation, though he has never held public office. At Salem, in 1848, Mr. Peabody married Mari- anne Cabot Lce, daughter of the late John C. Ice, a former partner in the house of Lee, Higginson & Co. Their children are : John Endicott, Colonel Francis, Rev. Endicott (who has established a school for boys at Groton, Mass.), Martha® Endicott, wife of John Law- rence, and George Lee Peabody.
SAMUEL ENDICOTT PEABODY.
291
SALEM.
JOSEPH BARLOW FELT OSGOOD, the second son of William and Elizabeth Curtis (Felt) Osgood, was born in Salem, Mass., July 1, 1823. He was given the full name of his uncle, Joseph B. Felt, D. D., the noted antiquarian and annalist of Salem, whom Mr. Osgood has justly memorized by presentation of the doctor's portrait, and a good portion of his rare library, with additional liberal gifts of the donor's own books and money, to the Salem Public Library. Mr. Osgood was educated at the English High and Latin Grammar schools of Salem ; in 1842 he matriculated at Harvard, graduat- ing in 1846. He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar July 25, 1849, and immediately opened a law office in Salem, where he has prac- tised until the pres- ent time. Availing himself of proffered positions, he laid the foundation of a suc- cessful business while serving as a member of the Salem Com- mon Council from 1849 to 1853, inclu- sive, and during the same period served as representative in the General Court session of 1850, in the famous Coalition Legislature of 1851, and in the Legisla- ture of 1852, with his classmate, Senator George F. Hoar. He was also a senator in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1859 and 1860. Mr. Osgood regarded all these positions as aids to success in his legal profes- sion, and gradually smothered all future ambition of political preferment under the self-persuasion that even in the quiet city of his birth professional work would yield him a comfortable support of a happy and unob- trusive life. In December, 1864, while absent from
JOSEPH B. F. OSGOOD.
home, Mr. Osgood was nominated and elected by the Republican party as mayor of the city for the closing year of a great public trial and anxiety, but he brought to the unsolicited position the same admirable good sense, unselfishness and independent spirit which he had elsewhere displayed, and by his administration- a model one in temper and tone and practical results -- gave to the city true, faithful and honorable service. He is now the oldest surviving mayor of the city. In July, 1874, Governor Talbot appointed Mr. Osgood justice of the first district court of Essex County, when first established. He had not essayed to be a pleader in courts, but as a veri- table counsellor-at- law had reaped such emoluments from a large probate, trust and confidential practice as justified him in accepting the new honor extended. His superior legal training and strong mental and moral traits for fourteen years placed the court distinctly upon the side of law and order, of temperance and social purity. thereby securing for himself the lasting respect and confi- dence of the com- munity. He resigned this commission in January, 1888, and returned to the less disheartening business of his office, to there quietly illustrate that a distinct aim of early life, persevered in with self-reliance, made steadfast with honorable motives, must lead to a true and well-merited success in life. His long and honorable record of public service, extend- ing over nearly forty years, has won for him an enviable name. Mr. Osgood was married, Nov. 23, 1853, to Mary Jane Creamer, who died Sept. 16, 1865.
292
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
C APTAIN JOSEPH MONROE PARSONS is one of the most active and useful men in his day and generation, and has been successful in business as well as in military affairs. Evidences of his skill and workmanship are seen on every hand about the city of Salem, and in several other places. He is one of Sa- lem's reliable and best-known contractors and builders. Captain Parsons was born in Portsmouth, N. H., April 2, 1840, and educated in the public schools of that city. He came to Salem in 1857, and learned the mason's trade. When the War of the Rebellion broke out, the spirit of patriot- ism was roused within young Par- sons, and laying aside his trowel he entered the service of his imperilled country. He enlisted in the Salem Mechanic Light Infantry, a company of the Fifth Regiment, and was at once made cor- poral, leaving Salem for the seat of war April 17, 1861, and participated in the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. At the end of this, his first campaign, his military ardor was not in the least abated, but on his return home, at the expiration of his three months' service, he immediately re-enlisted in the First Unattached Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and was commissioned as second lieutenant, July, 1862, and promoted to first lieutenant, November, 1863. He was assigned to duty in Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, and was appointed provost marshal of the fort in 1863, dur- ing a part of the time when rebel prisoners were con- fined there. Lieutenant Parsons was also detailed in the service of transporting conscripts from Gallop's
JOSEPH M. PARSONS.
Island, Boston Harbor, to Washington, D. C. In 1864 he was commissioned captain, and was assigned to duty in the defences of Washington, being placed in com- mand, at different times, of Forts Ricketts, Maryland ; Scott, Virginia ; Slemmer, Lincoln and Reno, District of Columbia. He was in command of Fort Slemmer when President Lincoln was assassinated, and was called upon to throw out a picket guard to prevent the escape of the assassin. He remained on duty in this fort until September, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service of the United States. Captain Parsons joined the Masonic Fraternity in 1862. He was a charter member of Starr King Lodge, April 17, 1865, and is now a member of Washington Chapter, and Winslow Lewis Commandery of Knights Templar. He became a mem- ber of Phil. H. Sher- idan Post 34, G. A. R., of Salem, in 1869, and was elected commander of the post in 1881, and served his term, to the great accept- ance of his comrades. In whatever posi- tion Captain Par- sons has been placed he has fully met the most exacting re- quirements in his line of duty, and has always acquitted himself nobly and well. On returning from the war Cap- tain Parsons took up building and contracting as an occupation, in which handicraft he was well skilled, erecting a number of government buildings in Salem and vicinity. In 1892 he built the handsome stone church for the First Congregational Society in Lynn, the St. Joseph school-house and the Gardner Building, in Salem.
293
SALEM.
C HARLES ODELL is one of the well-known busi- ness men of Salem. He rose to prominence through his own untiring industry, and a determination to accomplish whatever purpose he undertook. This latter trait has been a marked one in his career. As a railroad director and manager he has shown rare capa- city. With him success has been a duty. Mr. Odell became connected with the Naumkeag Street Railway Company as director in 1882, and in 1884 was elected president of the cor- poration when it was considered by many a losing venture, and when energy and hard work were im- perative in order to bring it up to a prosperous condi- tion. He succeeded. Under his adminis- tration the road was extended from about seven miles, to Mar- blehead, Wenham, Asbury Grove in Hamilton, and Bev- erly Cove ; its pres- ent length being thirty-eight miles, and it is one of the most prosperous and paying roads in the State. In 1886 he became president of the Newburyport & Amesbury Horse Railroad Company, which line has been extended and equipped for electric traction. He also is interested in other street railway lines. It can in truth be said that he was the great mov- ing spirit in the upbuilding and development of the Naumkeag road. He took hold of it, as has been stated, when the road was not a paying property, and when many capitalists looked upon it with distrust. All honor to him for his push and enterprise. For beauty of scenery the line of this road is unsurpassed in the State. For some distance it passes along the
CHARLES ODELL.
shores of Wenham Lake, and has its terminus at beau- tiful Asbury Grove. Mr. Odell is not a theorist, nor have his talents and life-work been circumscribed by the narrow and exacting conditions of speculation and trade. The new and handsome brick block he erected on Washington Street in 1891 attests to this fact, which structure, it is hoped, will remain as a permanent adorn- ment to the city. Mr. Odell is a firm believer in build- ing up rather than in pulling down. He is eminently practical in his way and manner of doing business. The cap- italist, he thinks, should, as a rule, in- vest largely in per- manent improve- ments-in other words, a little more of the "salting" process should be adopted by men of means ; that money is not necessarily " tied up" because it is represented in real estate and busi- ness blocks where trade is carried on. Riches would not so frequently take unto themselves wings and fly away, if Mr. Odell's suggestions and plans were adopted. Mr. Odell was born in Salem, Mass., Oct. 26, 1838, and is still young, vigorous and healthy. He was educated in the Salem public schools, and after leaving school en- gaged in the hardware business for several years. In 1878 he interested himself in the real estate and broker- age business, in which he became very successful, and through placing the bonds of the Naumkeag Street Rail- way Company he really made his first great move in railway matters. All the various enterprises in which he has been interested have been carried through by his energy and enthusiasm.
294
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
D ANIEL BARNARD HAGAR, principal of the State Normal School at Salem, Mass., has been for many years one of the strong pillars in the temple of our State and national education. He was born in Newton Lower Falls, Mass., April 22, 1820, the son of Isaac and Eunice (Stedman) Hagar. When a boy he spent several years in a paper mill in his native village, and was later a clerk in a Boston dry goods store for two years. His early education was obtained in the village district school, and in the private academy of West Newton. He pre pared for college chiefly under private tutors, and entering Union College, New York, he graduated in the class of 1843, being a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and a commence- ment orator. While connected with the college he taught for some months in the academy at Schuyler- ville, N. Y., and at Kingston, N. V. Mr. HIagar received from Union College the degree of A. M. in 1846, and of Ph. D. in 1871. His peda- gogical experience has covered a period of fifty years. Hle was principal of the Canajoharie (N. Y.) Academy five years ; of the Norwich (N. Y.) Academy in 1848-49 ; of the Eliot High School, Jamaica Plain, Mass., from 1849 until 1865, and since the latter year has been principal of the State Normal School at Salem. He has been president of the Massachusetts State Teachers' Associa- tion, the American Institute of Instruction, the Ameri- can Normal Association, the National Teachers' Asso- ciation, and the National Council of Education. He was editor of the "Massachusetts 'Teacher," 1852-56,
DANIEL B. HAGAR.
and 1865-70. He has given numerous educational addresses, and is author of a popular series of mathe- matical text-books which have an extended use in the best class of schools. He has often been solicited to leave normal school work by invitations to other fields, but he has uniformly declined ; among these are the position of State commissioner of schools in Rhode Island, supervisor of schools in the city of Boston, and superintendent of schools in four other cities of Massa- chusetts. The Salem Normal School, of which Dr. Hagar has been the honored principal so long, is one of the oldest, best- known and strongest institutions of its kind in Amer- ica. Twenty - eight years at the head of such a school as this has given Dr. Hagar the opportunity for great usefulness, and the impress of his accurate analytical mind has been stamped upon the schools and the school system of Massachusetts and the neighboring States. Dr. Hagar has been president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Salem ; vice-presi- dent of the Essex Institute of Salem, and in 1884 he was one of the presidential electors of Massachusetts. His honorable and extended career of educational usefulness has been of great value to the cause of public educa- tion, with which nearly his whole life has been identi- fied. Dr. Hagar was married, in 1845, to Mary Bradford McKim, of Schenectady, N. Y. Of this union there have been seven children. He is the author of " An Abstract of the Proceedings of the Massachusetts Teachers' Association from 1845 to 1880."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.