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He is remembered by us all as a young man of exceptionally brilliant talents, and a most genial companion and
friend. He immediately took the first rank among us as a scholar, and maintained the
position of class-leader during his connection with us. His patriotism outweighed his love of
study, and he left us in the Spring of 1861, and enlisted as a private in the Ninth New York
Cavalry, and soon rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant. For a short time, he was a
member of tile body-guard of President Lincoln; but during most of his term of service, he
was in the Department of the Southwest, in General Banks' division. He served until the
close of the war in 1865. Upon his return to Haverhill, he commenced the study of law,
entering the office of John J. Marsh, Esq., where he remained until he was admitted to the
Massachusetts bar in 1868. The Haverhill Police Court was established in 1867, and he was
appointed clerk of that court, which office he filled until September, 1872.
When the first City Government was inaugurated, he was elected Clerk of the
Common Council, which office he held in 1871 and 1873.
He was elected Mayor of Haverhill in 1876, and re-elected in 1877. During these two
years, he was associated with D. C. Bartlett, Esq., in the practice of law, the partnership
terminating upon his retirement from the mayoralty.
At the municipal election in 1879, he was elected for the three years' term as a
member of the School Committee. At the time of his death, he was the senior member of
the law firm of Jenness & Moody. His physical constitution, which was never very robust,
was for two years giving way to the pressure that his mental activity and close application
to business made upon it. In 1880 he became convinced that he must for awhile give up
business cares, and take time for a rest. This he did, and though appearing to have received
benefit, there was no permanent improvement. After again entering upon his duties, his
failing health proved that his disease had not left him. As the spring of 1881 opened, his
friends became anxious about him, and advised him to again seek rest and recreation. He
went to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, where the invigorating sea-air seemed to revive
him for a time; and after an absence of several weeks he returned home, thinking he had
gained in strength; but this hope proved a delusion, and it was evident to his friends that
he was passing away. For a month he sank rapidly, and finally breathed his last on Monday,
August 29, 1881.
The cause of his death was paralysis of the brain. His funeral services were held on
the Wednesday following, and were attended by family and relatives only, in accordance with
an oft-expressed wish of his during life.
He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Royal Arcanum and the
Knights of Honor. In his profession as a lawyer, he displayed much ability, and built up a
worthy reputation, not only in Haverhill, but throughout the State.
He was an attendant at the Methodist church. In politics, he was a Republican.
He was married June 23, 1870, to Miss Gertrude Jane Barrows, of Haverhill,
Massachusetts, who survives him. They had three children: Ella Gertrude, born August 5,
1871; Albert Kendall, born July 20, 1873, and Howard Cornelius, born March 15, 1875.
Source: "Memorialia
of the Class of '64 in Dartmouth College" complied by
John C. Webster, Shepard & Johnston, Printers, 1884,
Chicago
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