OP . E lip ha let Trask, born Ja7iuary 8, i8o6y died December g, i8go. Rtiby Sqttier Trask, born August 22, i8i I, died November 26, i8go. Married March j, i82g. Ci.AiiK W. Bryan & Co., Pkintkus. SriiiNGKiEi.i). Mass. TRASK MEMORIAL. W ;;^ LIPHALET TRASK came of a sturdy ancestry. He belonged unmistakably to that class who consider _^ useful labor the highest condition of New England manhood ; and to produce that which is useful far more impor- tant than to consume the results of other people's labor. He had quick perceptions of the rights and the wrongs of his own community, and of the State and the Nation. He had warm sympathies and a tender interest in the misfortunes of others. He loved justice for justice's sake, and he was not easily turned from his convictions and from whatever he held a duty. He was during his early life a hard worker and a busy man. As years brought larger means and better opportunities he more fully entered into that rest which had been earned in the full strength of his own powers. The Trask family, like many of the early settlers in New England, are of English origin. The earliest probable ancestor of Eliphalet Trask was Osmond Trask, who, in 1645, came from Somersetshire, and settled on Cape Ann. Somersetshire, in the South of England, was the cradle of the Trask family, as it was of some of the earliest emigrants to this country. ^ rHASK MKMOUIAL. There is lucking ii complete registei' <>l llic various familv lines to clearly connect them with Osmond Trask,biit there is niiicli to strengthen the belief that Eliphalet Trask was one of his descendants. His great-grandfather, Josiah Trask, was born in lieverly, Mass., in 1720. He married Annie Putnam of Sutton, Mass., October 31, 1745, and they settled in Monson. Their son, Peter Trask, was born May 22, 1746, and he married Rachel Colburn of Stafford, Ct., who died in Wales, August 9, 1845, aged ninety-nine years one month and twelve days. Their son, Josiah Trask, the father of Eliphalet Trask, was born in 1776, and he married, in 1801, Elizabeth Weljb of Staf- ford, Ct., daughter of Eliphalet and Jemima Webb. Their third son, Eliphalet, was born in Monson, January 8, 1806. He was one of eight children — six boys and two girls. His childhood was spent with his parents on the old farm in Monson; but at twelve years of age he went to live with his grandfather Webb in Stafford, Ct., where he remained most of the time until he began working in different ])laces. His parents desired that he should be a farmer, but farming seemed to offer but little inducement for him, and as soon as he was old enough he was woi'king at anything he could find to do. He found employment in drawing the brick used in build- ing the Lafayette furnace in Stafford. When it was finished, some time in 1826, he began work in it to learn the trade of an iron founder. The business did not prove successful and the furnace was closed within about a year. There was another furnace in the town, where an older brother was employed, and he went into that, where he remained a year. Then, lor a TRASK MEMORIAL. 7 brief time, he went to his home in Monson, and while there he learned of the furnace in Brookfield, at which he applied for employment. Securing it, ho went there in 1828 to begin work. The next year, March 8, 1829, he married Ruby Sqnier in Monson. His father died a short time before and the farm was sold to settle the estate, fie bought it of the other heirs, and for a time made that his home after he was married. His great-grandfather, Josiah Trask, who was the first of the Trask family to live in Monson, came there as a colonist and took up the land for the farm upon which the family lived, giving it the name of Ziklag, a name derived from the Bible, and a part of the farm still retains this name. It descended to Josiah's son Peter, then to his son Josiah — father of Eliphalet — and then, by purchase, to Eliphalet. He continued to own it for some time, but finally disposed of it. His wife remained on the old homestead until 1830, when he moved her to Brook- field. Before taking his wife to Brookfield, it was his custom to walk every Saturday night, after finishing his day's work in the furnace, to his home in Monson, to spend Sunday with her. Sunday night he walked back to Brookfield, covering a distance both ways of forty miles. His wife. Ruby Squier Trask, was born in Monson, Mass., August 22, 1811, and died in Springfield, November 26, 1890. She was the daughter of Solomon and Sarah Moulton Squier, both of Monson, and the youngest of fifteen children. Her childhood was spent in her native town, where she was married, by the Rev. Dr. Ely, to Eliphalet Trask, March 3, 1829. She was the mother of ten children, five girls and five boys^one of f> TRASE MEMORIAL. whom, a son, died in infancy, the other nine living to manhood and womanhood. Her ancestry is I<]nglish, her great-grand- i'ather, Daniel Monlton, and his wife (who was a Miss Wolfe, and a near relative of Gen. Wolfe, famous in the Ijattle of Queijec), having come from England to America about the year 1750. Her grandfather was born during the voyage, and was named Freeborn Monlton, because born out of the king's dominion. His parents settled in Monson, where, in 1763, Daniel Moulton erected the old Monlton Manor House, now a quaint old farm-house, with a large, square stone chimney surmounting it, and Ijcaring the date of its erec- tion. Tiie place is still held by his descendants, and for years, so the story ran, the old broadsword carried by Daniel Moulton in the Revolutionary War was one of the treasures of its garret. Mrs. Trask's childhood's home, and her home for the first two years of her married life, was within a short distance of this old family home. It is easy to believe that the virtues of patience, gentleness and unselfishness which were not only her strong individual characteristics, but traits common to her brothers and sisters, wei'e developed and strengthened by the home-life of so large a family ; while loyalty and devotion, not only to her immediate kindred, l)ut to all her friends, was a part of her every-day life and education. She was a woman of almost Puritanical simplicity of character, and although singularly modest and unassuming, she was clear in her views of right, and firm in her adherence to those views. In her own home she was (he true housewife and mother. Under TRASK MEMORIAL. 9 her quiet rule, the neccssarv work of a Inrac household seemed to move on like well-kept machinery. Always busy and in- dustrious, until age compelled her to relinquish her cares to others, with every hour of the day full of duties, yet her child ren never remember to have seen her impatient, or fretful. Yet this unvarying gentleness was not the calm placidity of one who lacked energy, or force of character. On the contrary, she had the ability to plan, and the force to execute her plans, and whenever she had once decided on the right of her method, she was firm and unyielding. While her husband was interested in business and public affairs, all the care of a large family and the management of her children came upon her. It was not a household of rules and regulations, yet her government was absolute down to the last detail. Her rule was guiding rather than authoritative, leaving to her children that sense of individuality and freedom which made their home life'so pleasant. She belonged to the race of old-fashioned mothers, who were wholly devoted to home and family. She was to her children the friend, the peacemaker, the adviser, the physician and nurse, as well as the lawgiver. All authority was left with her, because " the heart of her husband did safely trust in her." Yet, with all her cares, she had always time for the entertainment of friends, who were constantly coming and going ; time to devote to the social pleasures of her children ; time for much quiet and un- ostentatious charity to those needing aid, and time for much active work in the church of her faith. Her religion was not a subject of tali<, or a matter of words with her, but a very 10 TRASK ME MORTAL. active piu't of lici liiL'. One ol' (he |ile:tsantes( pictures Ihat memory brings ol' her, is, as slie sat on many a quiet Saturday evening, the week's work all done and laid aside, and. with the influence ol" the strict Puritanical habits of her childhood stronfield. The two l)i'others. wlieii tiiey went to South street to live, occu- pied the duuide house. The single house remained unoccupied. Mrs. Trask desired to move to the single house. Her husband was not in favoi' of it; l)ut slie thought it would be !)etter to have a house that was entirely separate from any other, even if it was smaller. During the day, in the absence of her hus- band, she moved everything, except the largest articles, and when he came home at night he found the family occupying the single house, much to his surprise, but to the enjoyment of himself to know that whatever his wife undertook to do was done. The few remaining articles he moved over to the new (piartcrs, thus establishing themselves in a more desirable place. When he was working in Brook field he received about ninety cents a day for his labor, and his accumulations were necessarily slow. The blast furnace was running on full time, seven days in the week, and, during the three years he had his familv in Brookfield, he worked nine hundred and ninety-nine days. After beginning business in Springlield, the (ii-st money the two brothers made came from getting scrap iron out of the ruins caused by a fire. An old factory, situated in VV\are, had been burned. There was considerable scrap ii-on in the ruins, and Eliphalet and his brother went to the owners of the mill to make arrangements to buy it, who said, in reply, that not enough could be got to pay them for their trouble. " Never mind that ; we are willing to try it," TRASK MEMORIAL. ]3 was the response. Arrangements were made, and when the work was over, they had obtained a sufficient quantity to give each 1400, besides paying for the iron and the expense of get- ting it out, and it was this that gave the two brothers their first start in business. His first trip to New York to buy iron for his foundry, and what followed in connection with it, were without doubt the turning point in his life towards success in his early business career. He carried with him to New York some -1300 or $400, but, before leaving home, he had computed the expense, and made up his mind as to the quantity of iron he could buy. As he had never been to New York before, he did not know precisely where to go ; so he went through the streets looking at the signs, and liunting for a place where iron was sold. He noticed bars of such iron as he wished to buy displayed out- side of a store, and, on entering, he met an elderly gentleman, who proved to be Thomas J. Pope, the proprietor. After in- quiring the price, he informed Mr. Pope of the quantity he wished to get, who, looking over his youthful customer, and as Mr. Trask afterward used to say, " right in the eyes," in- quired if he had a business of his own ; if he was married ; if he owned his own house ; the kind of work he was doing ; and other questions of like nature. To these Mr. Trask made direct answers, and then Mr. Pope said, " Young man, let me give you some advice. I have a vessel at the dock loaded with iron. Let me send that right up to Hartford for you." Mr. Trask demurred ; said that he had not money enough with him to buv so much, and could not take it ; that he was a U TRASK MEMORIAL. sti'iuigcr ill New York ; no one knew him, and he did not like to take as much, anyway. To this Mr. Pope again said, "Young man, let mo advise you further; take your money home with you to pay your men ; keep them paid up, and if you will take that vessel-load of iron you can give me notes for the amount of the bill." Mr. Trask was still averse to taking so much ; but Mr. Pope finally persuaded him to do it, and he gave three notes in settlement — one due in three months, the second in six months, and the third in nine. When the notes were ready for signing Mr. Trask's courage beuan to fail him again, and he was in favor of takintr onlv what he could pay for. " Never fear, young man," said Mr. Pope, "I will trust you for any amount. If you cannot meet these notes when duo, I will renew them ; do not worry about the jiayment ; the business is a good one, and you will come out all right." The notes were signed, but the transaction began to hang over his mind on his way home like an unpleasant dream. He was sick at heart, and if ho could only undo the bargain he would gladly do so. He had taken three or four times the amount of iron that he really needed for immediate use ; but it was too late to make any change, and he soon formed the determination never to ask for a renewal of the notes. When the first and second notes became due, he had no trouble in meeting them ; but just before the last one was due he began to think ho should have to ask for a renewal. This he dreaded to do, and put it off until it was too late. The after- noon of the day the last note was due, some ono who was TRASK MEMORIAL. 15 owing him came in and paid a bill that he was not expecting so soon, and that gave him a sufficient amount to take up the note and leave him ^125 besides. Immediately upon getting it, he rushed over to the bank and made the payment, and he afterward frequently said, "I was the happiest man alive when I took up that note. I was young and green, but he trusted me, and I will never forget his kindness." This transaction not only made Mr. Trask a customer with Mr. Pope and his successors for life, but it left a lasting impression on his mind, and in frequently alluding to what Mr. Pope said to him, "You look like an honest man," he would often say, "You can tell an honest man by his face; there are more honest men in the world than thieves; thieves are not plenty, and if we trust people they will be more apt to be worthy of our confidence." This belief and this practice were tlie guiding impulses of his whole life, and it was not often that he was mistaken in his estimates of men and of character. He saw the bearing of private and public questions quickly, and their importance and relative merits. He readily discerned the due proportion that each bore to the other in the consideration of events, as they awakened interest in the community. His parents and grand-parents were Baptists, and his early reliaious traininu' came from that denomination ; but as soon as he began to exercise individual responsibility, his own relig- ious belief broadened beyond the church and the prevailing theolouical sentiment of his home and neighborhood. His grandfather Webb, although a firm Baptist in religious belief, was a fair-minded man, who paid deference to the religious 16 TliASK MEMORIAL. faith and riulits of his neighbors, and it was this regard, no doubt, which had its inflnenco upon the early convictions of his grandson, and led him to think for himself, and carefully weigh the words and opinions which he heard expressed. In the earlier days of Stafford, those who held the Universalist faith were not sufficiently strong in numbers to support a reg- ular minister. Some of them were attendants of the Baptist church, and it was agreed that the Universalislic sentiment in this section oi New Entrland. ''The doctor was a ujan of (^\ti-aoi-dinai-ilv TRASK MEMORIAL. 21 strong- sentiments and force of character. lie feared nolKjdy. Fie had the coiirag(! of his convictions, and labored with all the force of his will ;md his intellect in whatever he iindei- took. Everybody respected him. His infhicnce was thrown boldly and earnestly on the right side in two most import- ant movements of national interest dnring his pastorate. As regards the first, the anti-slavery movement, Dr. Osgood was one of the pioneers in the noblest humanitarian enterprises of the century. He was a leader in the second, the Wash- ingtonian movement, which so intimately affected this city. He was a good man and he had a good word for every one, and he never frowned and looked down on any one. I have said many times, and I say it now, that he was the only true reformer in Springfield. When he preached, three sides of Court S(|nare used to be lined with horses, Sabbath after Sabbath, until they ate up the fence. How different it is now! It has got to be the fashion to hold services in the morning and in the evening, and the day has become a half- holiday and all seek after pleasure. So far as I can learn, nothing is said from the pulj)it or by the i)ress against it. Is not this true V And is it not a step backward from the time and teaching of Dr. Osgood ? " On the evening of the Sunday when the First Baptist Church Society held its farewell services in the old edifice at tile corner of Main street and Harrison avenue, Mr. Trask was invited to attend, and, as one of the oldest citizens, to tell what he knew of the church. In the course of his remarks, he said that he had always been interested in it, as an aunt 22 TRASE MEMORIAL. of his, who lived in Chicopce Falls, was one of the original nienibeis, and that she, with her husband, used to drive down every Sunday from there to attend its meetings. The minister, in s])eaking with him afterward, paid him a hai)py compliment by saying, " I always knew you had a good Baptist streak in you." lie always entertained a conciliatory spirit towards other denominations, even if he could not agree with their theological tenets, and as he grew older he was pleased to be recognized and invited to their im})ortant gatherings. He did not so much hold this as a personal compliment to him- self as he did to its being an indication that the times had changed. As he looked back upon the past, he could see that there was a better feeling prevailing among the differ- ent religious sects, which was a great source of pleasure to him. lie was in every ])articular loyal to his church, and it was unpardonable on the part of his own family to criticise the minister, or to say that the sermon was not good. In reply to them he would say, " If you cannot say anything good, do not say anything at all." "Now," sometimes, a differing member of the family would say, "you do not think it was a good sermon, yourself, do you ? " " Yes, I do ; it was a good sermon, and if you think it over, you will find many good points in it." He woidd never breathe a word against his church, or his pastor. No one could have been more devoted or more willing to overlook a minor defect in sermon, or in minister. He was a regular attendant, and he and his family went to church, through rain or sunshine, twice every TRASK MEMORIAL. 23 Sunday. He would say to liis children, wlio niiglil plead ill- ness as an excuse for \V!intin,u' to stay at home, " Yon will icel just as well sitting' in church, as sitting" iiere at home, so come along,"' and along they all went. On a certain Sunday it snowed very hard, but, as usual, his family went to meeting, and there were just twelve persons in the church on that day, nine members of Mr. Trask's family, the minister, and two others. For twenty years he gave the society free use of the church, and, of the four members of the choir, three were members of his family. He was always a warm friend of the leading lights in the church. In fact, liis home on Water street might be said to have been, throughout his residence there, " the minister's house." He used to say to every minister of his church, " When you come to Springfield, come right to my house." He always enjoyed his friends, and he was well acquainted with every prominent man in the church. There was scarcely a man in the ministry whom he did not know, and his warm- est friends were among the older ministers in the church to which he was so strongly attached. His sympathy with his church was the same as it was with his home life — it was everything to him. Charles Spear, who was formerly a Universalist minister, who had given up preaching to devote his whole life to the improvement of prisons and of prisoners (doing a similar work in this country that Elizabeth Frye and George Howard did in England), was one of his more frequent visitors. He went all over the country, and the fact that he was devoting his life to such philanthropic work touched the 24 TUASK MEMORIAL. liiiuuinc side of Mr. Trask, ami he nlways gave liini a warm welcome whenever lie came. Mr. Trask always attended the animal conventions of his church until within very recent years. He went to every United States convention for more than forty years, and to the State conventions until within a year oi- two. He greatly enjoyed them, and his marked personality made him a con- spicuous ligure in all the gatherings of the denomination. He found in these gatherings hearty greetings and sincere friend- ships, and a bond of union grew up between him and the leaders of the church, that increased, rather than diminished, as the years passed, and which were sundered only as death took from earth those whom he chei'ished with a sincere and lasting affection. Right living was as equally imj)ortant to Mr. Trask as right believing. Hence, the temjierance question very early came to his notice, and it impressed itself upon his mind. It stood next in importance with him to his religious convictions, in his work and line of duty. He had early seen the evils of in- temj)erance, and had had fre(pient occasion to feel its baneful influence u]>on those within his own circle of ac(piaintance. When he was a boy, it was one of the customs to offer s|)irituous li(juors to such friends as called, or had come to make a visit. The jug of rum was even brought out to treat the minister when he came to preach, or to make a {lastoral visit. It was not thought strange of at the time — it was the way jyeople had in those days of showing their hospitality. This early belief and interest in temperance principles was TRASK MEMORIAL. 25 iilways k('|»t ii)), and after coming to S|)iMn.u(i('l(l 1o livo, liis interest was not abated, bnt grew with liini as new circum- stances brought it before liim. Come wliat might to liis personal fortunes, or future jjrosjjects, he stood (irmly by his early convictions, and what he held as best for the community. However zealous he might have been in the cause of temper- ance, there was at no time acrimony in his opposition to rumselling, nor to the rumseller, as an individual. He bore in personal feelings against the practice, and to the individual, the same good natui-e which at all times marked his treatment of everv one. While he did detest the business of rumsellino:, he did not quite give up to the feeling that there was abso- lutely no good in the man. He was firm and decided at all times, and he never left anything undone which would in his belief further the triumph of the temperance cause. He never entertained the slightest feeling of personal fear, or that injury to his property would come fi'om any action he might take. He never turned to the right, or the left, to placate those who entertained different views. The writer of this well remembers a speech he delivered in the police court room against transferring Hampden Park from the custody and ownership of the Hampden Agricultural Society to the iSpringfield Club, fearing that the change might bring an influence that would lead some from sobriety to intemperance. It was a heartfelt appeal, and the picture he drew of young men who could not resist temptation, and were led to give way to overmastering apj)etite, was as eloquently expressed as the utterance of the most i)olishcd orator. The words were 26 TRASK MEMORIAL. well chosen, and liis earnest appeal to the better instincts of the audience was lull of pathos, and carried a decsp conviction to those who watch the results rown decliniHl to serve, and on the following day, April 2V>, Theodoi'e Stebbins was elected. At (he first meeting it was voted to choose a board of live men, and as that number had not been elected the town clerk hesitated to administer the oath of ollice to those who had been elected ; but he changed his mind, and on the fifth of May they were duly sworn. Tin; newly elected members issued a call tor a meeting, which was ht?Jd May !'.». At tlie o|)ening, a series of resolutions were offered, which wei'c adopted, and which declared, that as " no legal boai'd had been chosen to succeed the old board, the TRASK MEMORIAL. 35 attempt by three individuals to assume control of the public affairs, in direct opposition to a recorded vote of the town, is high-handed and revolutionary, and calculated to seriously embarrass the town ; that we deny the right of such persons to act in our behalf; and that this bold attempt can be excused only by the charitable supposition that their eagerness for office made them blind to the rights of the community and the interests of the town." It was voted to jilaco these reso- lutions on the records of tbe town, but at the next meeting, held May 30, public feeling had changed, and they were expunged from the records. This closed the heated strife, but all the patterns which the Armory had at Mr. Trask's foundry were immediately taken away, and he received no more work from the Armory for several years. This, how- ever, did not change his views ; on the contrary, it served to strengthen his determination to stand by the friends of free speech. At a town meeting, held March 1, 1852, called by the select- men, steps were taken to make application to the Legislature for a city charter. The measure passed the Legislature, and Mr. Trask was one of the committee to divide the town into wards, previously to holding the election for city officers. He was also elected alderman, to represent Ward Two in the first city government, receiving 1,155 votes out of the total of 1,370. In 1855 he vvas chosen mayor. The whole number of votes cast were 1,393, and he received 904. The opposing candidate was E. I>. I>each. In the autumn of 1856 he was elected Representative to the Legislature, receiving 1,333 votes. 3G TRASK MEMORIAL. He was nominated at the next city election for mayor fur tlie second term, but Ansel Phelps, Jr., the Democratic candidate, was elected over him, receiving 195 more votes than were cast for Mr. Trask. Mr. Trask had for a few years identified himself with the American })arty in State politics, and was a su{)porter of Henry J. Gardner for governor. At the State convention held in Boston in 1856, fifty-eight votes were cast for him as a candidate for lieutenant-governor, on the ticket with Gov- ernor Gardner, but Henry W. l>encliley, then in office, was nominated, he receiving 144 votes more than cast for Mr. Trask. The? next year the disintegration in the American party which had begun was openly manifested, and the anti- Gardner party held a convention in IJoston, June 16, at which N. P. Banks was nominated for governor and Eliphalet Trask for lieutenant-governor. June 24 the Republicans held a convention at Worcester, and nominated Nathaniel P. I3anks for governor, and Oliver Warner of Northam])ton for lieuten- ant-governor. In the autumn a committee, representing tlie anti-Gardner party and the Republicans, met and made changes in the State ticket, placing Mr. Trask on the Re- pu))lican ticket, as candidate for lieutenant-governor, and Oliver Wai'iier on the ticket, as secretary of state, thus uniting the two iiolitical interests in one ticket. The entire Republican ticket was elected by a large majority over op- posing candidates. Mr. Trask was twice subseciucntly re- elected, serving during 1858, 1859 and 1860, through the entire administration of Governor J]anks, and taking nnicli TRASK MEMORIAL. 37 of the practical details of the work uj)on himself. Governor Banks was frequently away, and in such absences the duties of Governor often fell upon him. In 18G0, when George Ashmun was sent to the Chicago convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln as the Re- publican candidate for ])i-esident, Mr. Trask, at his urgent request, accompanied him as a companion to Chicago. At the close of the convention, Mr. Ashmun as president of the convention, and the committee which had been duly ap- pointed, went to Springfield to officially inform Mr. Lincoln of his nomination. Mr. Trask, at the request of Mr. Ash- mun, made one of the party. After their arrisal in Spring- field they called upon Mr. Lincoln. Each was presented to Mr. Lincoln, and Mr. Trask, who was six feet two, when in- troduced, remarked as he took Mr. Lincoln by the hand, "I am glad to meet a man whom I can look up to^ " Six feet four in my stockings," was Mr. Lincoln's quick reply. Mr. Trask, as did others, formed a very favorable opinion of Mr. Lincoln at the time of their visit to him, which grew in sub- sequent years into admiration. During the war of the rebellion he was actively interested in every measure which would crush secession, and his in- fluence and aid always went towards sustaining the Govern- ment. He frequently went to Boston to recommend to Governor Andrew such men as he thouuht would make ijood officers, and he had the personal satisfaction of knowing that his requests were granted. Nothing would induce him to recommend an unfit person for any position in the army. ;J8 TRASK MEMORIAL. lie WHS often solicited to goto Wasliiiiji,loii to assist in getting sonic unfortunate soldier out of lri)ul)lc. or 1o have the re- mains of one killed in l)attle sent home to friends, and during the entire war he was active in doing what he could to assist the unfortunate, and in fui-thering the cause which every patriotic Northern man felt it a duty to uphold. Distress of every nature appealed (piickly to his feelings, and when his sympathies were aroused lie took hold with great determina- tion to relieve those who had ai){)ealed to him. The last time he held an elective ol'lice was in 1870, when he served on the Board of Aldermen, making four terms that he sat in that board from Ward Two; hut he always con- tinued to take great interest in both state and national i)oli- tics. lie was a warm fiieiid of Andrew and Sumner, and firmly held to the cause to which they had given the best years of their lives, lie often acted independently in both state and city politics, but his impulses were always on the side which he held as best f(ji' the Cily and iState. His iiiui adherence to principle often brought severe criticism in the local newspaper, which, however, gave him no pain or trouble, so long as he was correctly reported; but when misrepre- sented he insisted n\m\\ being set right before the community. In all j)olitical disagreements he was never in the slightest degree disturbed by the criticism of his opponents, even if they at times became angry and abusive. Daring his entire residence in Springheld he fully entered into the life of the town and city, and whatever interested the people in general, interested him. lie was an active member TRASK MEMORIAL. ?,u n\' f]\o TTorso fiunrds. and in 1.S4i' lioiifonnnt in tlio conififinv ami in IS;")! ils (tajitain. Ik' took i^rcat interest in educational matters, and desired that not only his own diildren hut others should enjoy good educational advantages. There was a good deal of discussion concerning the location of the High School ])uilding, when it was erected on Court street, and not a few were opjjosed to having a high school, and during this conflict of opinion he was chosen one of the committee to erect the new building. He favored building a good, substantial structure, while others opposed him. He kept on, and some one in authority for a time refused to audit his accounts. He advanced his own money and kept the work progressing, willing to take his chances of getting his money back. Subsequently he was fully reimbursed by the town. When the Iniilding was fin- ished, there was still lacking a good sidewalk. At that time there was trouble in getting brick ; he, however, found one dealer who had just enough pressed brick on hand to make the walk. On estimating the cost of ordinary and pressed brick he found the difference was only -ii^S or $4, and he ordered the walk to be made of the pressed brick. This raised another accusation of extravagance, and there was some hesitation about paying the Ijill. Mr. Trask told the authorities that they might estimate the cost of the two kinds and he would pay the amount in excess of ordinary bricks. The amount was carefully figured up, and the differ- ence found to be so small that nothing more was said about it, and the town paid the bill. 40 TRASK MEMORIAL. It was during his administration as mayor that the City Hall was built, and ho favored, in that as in other matters with which he had been connected, thoroughness of work. He wanted an iUuminated dial on the clock, so that the time might be seen at night as well as by day. It would cost $300 more; but as it could not be readily obtained he yielded to the views of others. The delivery of the bell had l)een de- layed, but it finally came just in time to be rung at the dedi- cation. There had been some intimation that the dedication should be made a very select affair. To this Mr. Trask said, " No ; this hall is for the people ; let every one come." His view was adopted, and the people were in attendance. In 1856 he was appointed by Governor Gardner one of the trustees of the Northamj)ton Lunatic Hospital, in which capacity he served for nineteen years, until 1875. He had charge of the erection of the buildings, sometimes furnish- ing funds, before the accounts could be audited and passed by. the state authorities, to those in need of payment. He was an active member of the board during his entire ad- ministration, and was as zealous in administering its affairs as he would have been in the management of his own busi- ness. His sound, practical advice carried weight, with the other members of the board, to such an extent, that it has been said of him by one who had occasion to know, that " he was the whole board." In ISTO he was ap})ointed by Mayor W. L. Smith one of the Board of Managers of the Springfield City Hospital on its organization, and by the board he was chosen its lirst TRASK MEMORIAL. 41 president, which office he held until 1879, giving during his term of service the same careful attention whicli marked his connection with other institutions. He was connected with the Hampden Savings Bank in an official position from its organization to the close of his life. He was one of its incorporators when it was chartered. May 21, 1852, and at the first meeting held. May 29, 1852, he was elected one of the Vice-Presidents, which office he held until February 16, 1871, when he was elected President. He con- tinued as such up to his death. He was made a member of the Finance Committee at the first meeting of the Trustees, June 5, 1852, upon which he served faithfully until his death, a period of more than thirty-eight years — a service which he gave freely and gratuitiously for the sole good of the institution and of those who were the bank's depositors. An excellent portrait of him hangs in the banking rooms. The records of the Fi- nance Committee show that his habit of attending faithfullv to all his duties was continued to the end, and that nearlv every loan and investment made by the bank, during his term of service, was passed upon by him and received his approval. He was a Director of the First National Bank, of the Agawam Paper Company, and of the Hampden Mutual As- surance Com{)any, where he gave his services with as much interest and regularity as characterized all his other busi- ness transactions. He was President of the Agawam Paper Company from its organization, in 1858, up to his death, and during the more than thirty years in office he never failed being present at its annual meetings. 4_' TliASK MKsMOIilAL. Few iiicii maintain sucli youihfulnpss ol' fcclin.u' iij) to the close of lite as did Mr. Trask. Uc liad a waim interest in the worhl's affairs, and onjoycd the society of his friends down to his hist ilhiess. Struu-g-les for hir<>cr liherty in its truest sense, for hiuher conditions on the part of the people, always interested him Among- the many newspajicr clip- pings which he had preserved, and which were found after his death, was one relating to the struggles in Ireland during the advocacy of the disestaldishment of the Irish Protestant Church, as a government institution, running l)ack to events which took -place more than thirty years ago. His last at- tendance at a puhlic meeting in the City Hall, was to listen to an address on Irish affairs by T. P. O'Connor, and others, only a short time before he died, and at the close of the meeting he passed his contribution to the collector. During his last sickness his mind seemed to go back to that meet- ing. " See there," motioning to a member of the family, not long before he died, " they are passing the hat ; got a five? Put it in; perhaps they will get it, and perhaps not ; but put it in." In his long l)usiness career in Si)ring(ield he came in con- tact with a larger part of its inhabitants, and no one had more sincere fi'iends who were always pleased to meet or exchange a passing word with him. To more than a usual degree he embodied the highest character of New England manhood. He was in its best sense a typical New Englander, maintain- ing the sturdy convictions, the habits of industry, and of frugality, the characteristics of the early settlers. He seemed TRASK MEMOJilAL. 4:5 to look (lir()u,'ht luiul we leave the spirit- of our brother, and bear his lifeless form to its kindred dust. IX. Singing. Clianl. — " (jATllKIMNCi iloMK." Tl ey're jiathcrinj;' homeward from every land, One by one, one by one. xVnd their weary feet touch the shininjf strand. Yes, one by one. I heir brows are inclos'd in a golden crown, 1 heir travel-stain'd garments are all laid down, And cloth'd in white raiment they rest in the mead, Wlieie the Lamb of God his saints doth lead. TUASK MEMOlilAL. 73 Gatheiiiij:: home, s^tlieriiig home. Foidiiiji the river one by one. Gatherine, No. 27, Harrison Jolin.son, Chapkiin ; Daniel A. IIo])kins, Noble Grand. RESOLUTIONS. RESOLUTIONS. First Universalist Society. Whei-en.'^, Since we last met, Eliplialet Trask and IJuby Sqnier TiMsk, his beloved wife, both organizers of this Society, botli founders of its Church and Sunday School, have been called to their home on high. In one we have lost our presiding officer for all onr years, our most faithful and efficient worker, our most consistent and devoted friend, counselor and brother ; in tlie other, a tender and devoted sister, alwaj-s with us in all good works and deeds. In both, our chiefest man and woman ; therefore, Reil- lowing resolutions were passed : Eesolvcd, That in the removal by death of the Hon. Eliphalct Trask, the President of this Company since its organization in 1851), we recognize the loss of one who has always taken an intel- ligent interest in the affairs of the Compaii}^, and has contributed by his counsel and advice to its business and prosperity, and the community has lost a valued and honorable citizen. Jiesolved, That we tender to the children and friends of our late President our heartfelt sympathy in their deep affliction. Resolved, That these resolutions be recorded in the records of the Company by the Secretary, and a copy be transmitted to his family. Attest : Wm. K. Baker, Secretary. Hampden Savings Bank. At a special meeting of the Trustees of the Hampden Savings Bank, held December 11, 1890, the following resolutions Avere adopted : Resolved, That the Trustees of the Hampden Savings Bank in fulfilling the sad duty of recording the death of our honored President, Eliphalet Trask, cannot refrain from adding to their expression of great regret at the loss of his valuable services to this Bank, the expression also of their own personal feelings of grief and bereavement. Eliphalet Trask as he grew to an hon- ored and ripened old age, kept fully abreast with the times. His personal virtues, his intellectual vigor, his kind heart, his prac- tical interest and help, and his rare business judgment, all kept bright and active to the end, and render his death not alone our loss, but a loss to the community in which he lived so long, and which he loved so much. 80 TJIASK MEMORIAL. Bcs-olved, That our profound sympiitliies are hereby tendered to the family of our deceased friend in tlieir deep affliction. Resolved, That these resohitions be entered on the records of tlie Bank, and a copy be sent to his family. First National Baxk. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the First Nationnl Bank of Springfield, held Tuesday, January 13, 1891, the following resolutions were offered by James Kirkham, and were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That in the removal by death of the lion. Eliphalet Trask, a member of this Board the past twenty years, we recog- nize the loss to this Board of one of its most etlicient Directors, .'ind to this community of a valuable and honored citizen. Resulred, That we tender to the children and grandcliildren of the deceased the sincere sympathy of the meml)ers of this Board. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be jilaced upon the records of the P>oard, and also be transmitted to the family of the deceased as ;i, token of our real sympathy and respect. D. A. FoLSOM, Clerk. Mutual Fire Assurakck Compaxy. [Extract from tlie Records. ] .Mr. \'. N. Taylor then presented the following resolution, and moved that it he accepted and adopted by a rising vote, and it was so voted : Resolved, That in the death of Hon. Eliphalet Ti-ask, for eighteen years a Director in this Company, who died of pneu- monia, on Tuesday, the ninth of December, instant, after a short illiu'ss of four ila3's, at the age of eigl*fcy-four years and eleven months, and who was so long and pleasantly associated witli the TRASK MEMORIAL. 81 members of tins Board, (lemunds of us h williii,s; expression, not only of our deep sympathy with his family, but also of our appreciation of his services to the Company, and to this commu- nity, as well as to our high respect to his memory. Of strong ami commanding will ; of incorruptible integrity ; considerate and charitable in his judgment of men; fearless in doing his duty as it Avas given him to see it ; thoughtful and kindly in all liis relations to the members of this Board ; interested heartily in the things of the present, and interesting in his reminiscences of the things of the past, we feel that in his death has gone a good man, a good friend, a good citizen. Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to his family and spread upon the repords of the Company. A true copy. Attest: Frank E. Youno, Secretary. TRIBUTES OF THE PRESS. TRIBUTES OF THE PRESS. The obituary notices printed by the Spring-field newspapers immediately following the death of Eliphalet Trask are here in- serted as they appeared. For w^ant of time in which to prepare them, it is but reasonable to expect that they should contain a few unimportant errors. Those have been corrected in the biographical sketch given in preceding pages. They are, in the extracts, so closely interwoven with statements of opinion that it is difficnlt to make changes in them Avithont materially alter- ing the spirit of each. They very truthfully reflect the estimate placed upon Mr. Trask by his neighbors and friends. Right thinking, right believing, industry, temperance and frugality were the inspirations of his own life — principles which he held as of the highest importance. It gave him great satisfaction when others seemed to be gnided by the same high impulse, and he rejoiced to see them following in the same path which he had chosen for himself. It was my privilege to have known him during his most active political life, wlien devotion to the right cost something. He carried through victory and defeat the same hopeful nature — never unduly elated by success, nor cast down by defeat. I have presented in the preceding pages the man as I knew him. The minor iocidents, as well as those of higher importance are given that a just estimate may be placed npon him by those who are yet to follow, and who are to be inspired by his most worthy example. Henuy M. BuiiT. so TRA SK MEMOR I A L. From the Ckrislian Lcadcf, Dcccntbcr 18, IS'JU. A sharp pang of personal grief came to nic with the news that this honored citizen and noble Christian Avas dead. His eighty- live years might liave suggested that he w;is in tlic period of precarious old age; but wlien I have met liim he has been so buoyant of heart and so hale, and I have heard so uniformly tliat he was completing his eighty-firth year with vigor and confidence, that 1 have naturally expected to meet him again under these earthly skies. I now recall tiiat he has never seemed to me like an old man, or like one approaching age. He has had such fel- lowshi}) with young people ; he has kept sucHi a discerning eye on the i)resent aspect of alfairs ; he has be(.'n so ardent in his hope of human progress, so devoted to good causes that have en- gaged his heart — that he has always seemed to me, in perceptible degree at least, as I now recall, like a young man with life all before him. Occasionally, it is true, he would delight in telling of the old times ; he did not forget his early struggles or limita- tions ; it was a i)eculiar 2)le;isure to him to speak to a sympathetic listener of the slights and sot;ial ostracism he endured in e.irly manhood for the s;ike of his dearly-cherished Universalist faith. But his yesterdays were all cheerful. lie made no suggestion, in tone or word, that to him the foimcr days were better than these. So I had come to feel toward liim as 1 would toward one who could not grow old — a pereimial in earth's garden, a stand- ard for the generations. During the twenty years that I have known him, I have scarcely noted the customary signs of age in- creasing upon him. Those wdio have been constantly in his presence nuiy have observed them, hut there was such light of youthfuluess in him whenever it was my good fortune to see him, tiiat the usual signs of fourscore years were most conspicu- ous by their absence. Uut now the word comes that, from the time when his estima- ble wife, who IkuI l)een the light of his earthly dAvelling sixty-one years, Avas called to her long home — 'twas, as I count the time, TRASK MEMORIAL. 87 only fifteen days before his going — he rapidly sank. The light of his earthly life then went out. An attack of pneumonia came. He quietly submitted. His old wish to live among his well-loved fellow-men failed in him ; he went yonder in peace. My sense of personal loss is fresh upon me as I write such words of the good and true man as my heart prompts. He was once my parishioner ; and since the day of our first acquaintance he has favored me with a kindly friendship. His home — his patriarchal home, as it might well be called — has been tempora- rily mine repeatedly during the two decades past. To spend an evening and a night with "Gov. Trask" in Springfield, was a ple;isant break in many a journey east or west. These things I say only as suggesting my right to speak of my old friend. The external facts of his life have, I doubt not, before this been stated for public reading. For fifty-four years he was in the iron-foundry business in Springfield, and had growing and ample prosperity. Did ever one in all that period question his integrity or his leaning to the generous side in business ? As well question whether the sun dispenses light. His integrity, his honor, was ingrained and transparent. He was Mayor of his city ; he was a Representative in the State Legislature ; he Avas for three years Lieutenant-Governor of the old Bay State ; he was in the marrow of his bones, a patriot. In the war-time he gave himself unreservedly to the raising of regiments for the front, and was so true a friend of the soldier that he achieved the distinction of being elected an honorary member of the Grand Army of the Republic without having himself been an active sharer in the hardships of the field. His patriotic sagacity had its best opportunity at home. His most conspicuous trait, however, has been his steadfast and earnest devotion to the cause of temperance. His love for men made him hate alcohol with might and main. l\\ the temperance^ cause he was ready to fulfill any duty, stand at any post, lead any forlorn hope, endure any human enmity. Nothing could discourage him in the good cause. In the hist conversation I was privileged to bold with him, I re- S8 TRASK MEMORIAL. call how coiilidently he predicted the time, yet himself scarcely expecting to live to see it, when the American people would arise in moral indiefuation and drive the saloon out of the land. lie believed in law as an agent, but far more believed in the moral majesty and irresistible power of the right. It is a peculiar delight to remember Eliphalet Trask in his home. What a home-loving man he was I Many of our clergy- men have ex[)orienced the liosj)itality of the old mansion on Water street, and every one, I am sure, has been made to feel that the old place was thereafter, in some sense, his own home. Mr. Trask, and his wife as well — how perfectly the two were one in goodness and true greatness I — clung tenaciously to that old mansion. AVhen his earthly fortunes warranted, he built an ex- pensive modern house for his home. It was comi)letcd ; the question arose whether, after all, he could leave the old place which had become sanctified by such memories of children and sorrow and happiness ; and the dear old couple, who had fulfilled the very ideal of marriage, honored their past and exalted their true home love, by choosing to remain in their old home to the end of their days. Truly, it was a home-like place I If wanting in modern embellishments, it was beautified — on some familv anniversaries almost glorified — as a memorial of hapi)y years. One of the pleasantest things I remember of Gov. Trask, is a ride witli h'm through the city of Springfield one autumn day, when, after lie had with a citizen's pride exhibited the architectural improvements, he drove to the lower end of the city to show me the house in wliich he lived when he first came as a poor yTung man to Springfield. His moist eyes as he spoke of the children born in the angular little house, the affectionate interest with which he noted every change made in the place, revealed what an inward fountain he had in his home memories and do- mestic affections. And what citizen of Springfield, what brother of our ciiurch in Massachusetts, does not know how truly, how ])rofoundly, how zealously and generous he was a Universalist ? lie could as TRASK MEMORIAL. 89 soon have lived witliout his home as without his cliurch. At one time he entirely owned the Universalist J\Ieeting-honse, and gave freely its use to the struggling Universalist parish, and in addi- tion paid freely towards the pastor's salary. And lie was so simple, so cheerful, so fraternal in his great giving I *' Never fear the one-man power in a church," said a former pastor to me while I was in Springfield, "if the one man be Elijahalet Trask." Never was a man more free from self-assertion in the objection- able sense. Never was there a truer or more generous friend of any pastor who even moderately tried to do his best. Yet what a determined and heroic believer this rugged man could be. When it was seen that he was prospered in the things of this world some members of the First Church, in the days when the denominational lines were rigid, waited on him with an invita- tion to come into their church. '•' But I am a Universalist," he said. " Yes, but you want to stand well in the community ; you know the Universalists have no standing ; you can, if you have such religious hopes, be free to enjoy them quietly by yourself while among us," " I am as much obliged to you as I can be," said Mr. Trask, ''but I feel it my duty to say that my j^rincii^hs are not for sale." More than once I have asked him in reference to an anecdote which was current in reputed orthodox minister circles, and of which he was said to be the subject, if not the hero. Eev. Dr. Osgood of the First Church was passing the Universalist Church, the first one, while in process of building. ''What building is this?" he asked of Mr. Trask. "It is a church, where the truth Avill be preached." " If it is," said the old wit, "some of your ears will tingle, I guess." "Yes," said Mr. Trask, "something like that occurred; but Dr. Osgood lived long enough to preach in that UnivcTsalist Church one Snnda}^ and to testify that its influence had been good in the community. These anecdotes will suggest to those who did not know Mr. Trask, the spirit that was in him. From the deeps of his soul, in every fibre of his great nature, he was a Universalist Christian. A member of the church, humble and reverent, a 00 TRASK MEMORIAL. toucher in tlie Suiiday-scliool I believe to tlie very last, a Chris- tian so good and true that he was in his later years — to his mani- fest joy- -recognized as such by Christians of all denominations in the city. What an exami)le in devotion and in the uplifting power of the great hope was he to all his brethren. I have not attempted to analyze the character of this honored father in Israel. I write under impulse, rather than in calm re- llection. Yet what a grand specimen of manhood he was. His commanding presence, his massive head and abundant shaggy hair, his penetrating yet kindly eyes, and not unhandsome fea- tures ; these are the items I see in the photograph in my memory. And in the album photograph his hand once gave me — that hand, how hard to think it, now cold — I see the same characteristics. Some day the qualities of his personality may be fittingly summed up. He shall be my personal benefactor who does this work as it ought to be done. It was a pang to me to hear of Mr. Trask's death. Now it has become, after a little reflection, a gladness to me to think of it. Beautiful that the two, Eliphalet Trask and his wife, who had shared life together more than threescore years, should go almost together into the world toward wliicli they had so long looked with growing hope. In life they were united ; in death not divided. Among all the victoi'ious Christians it has been my blessing to know, I can recall none more worthy of praise than these. She Avas as great in her home as he was in the world. To them, if to any of any historic age, belongs the Crown of Life. Rev, Dr. Oscar F. Saflord, Deering, Maine, December 11, 1890. TRA8K MEMORIAL. 91 From the Sprinyjield llepitMican, December 10, 1890. The venerable Eliphiilet Trask of this city, who was eiglity- four years and eleven months old, passed away last evening after a brief illness. He was out driving on Thursday, but a cold rapidly developed into pneumonia. His indisposition was not regarded as serious until Monday, when a nurse was engaged. Undoubtedly the recent death of his wife had much to do with his breaking down. With the departure of this man, once Lieu- tenant-Governor of Massachusetts, the most picturesque figure on the streets of Springfield has been removed. He was of striking appearance, and kindly and comijanionable nature, liked by everybody, one of the links that bound the new life of this progressive city to the old days of the town, and he will be greatly missed. He had shared in public movements during all his mature life, and was full of the memories touching them all, and this made him exceedingly interesting. His appearance was attractive and grew more genial as he aged. He was of uncom- mon stature, and always carried a cane, which seemed to be a part of the man. His head was well shaped, crowned with abundant gray locks, the eyes deep set and looking out from under heavy eyebrows, the nose firmly cut, and under his gray and drooping moustache a cigar was always lurking. He was invariably present on important public occasions, being the one Avliose attendance had been longest and most faithful on the cer- emonies attending the induction of our mayors into office, and large social gatherings were sure to attract him. He retained a wonderful degree of interest in life up to the last day on which he appeared in our streets. He had an absorbing attachment for his home, which was extended to everything relating to Spring- field, and to the Universalist Church here, in which he was a pillar. The story and incident of his career offer materials of uncommon interest for such a sketch as this. Eliphalet Trask was the son of Josiah and Eliza Webb Trask, and was born in Monson, January 8, 180G, His father died when <)2 TBASK MEMORIAL. he was ii mere lad, and as there was a hirge family he had to shift for himself. For a time he lived with his grandfather in Staf- ford, C!t., working for his board and clothes and attending school when he could. His trade as a foiindrymiin was learned at East Brookfield, and he often related how he walked out there from Monson Sunday night so as to be on hand Monday morning for work. March 3, 1829, he married Ruby Squier of Monson, and two years later the couple moved to East Brookfield, where they lived until coming to Springfield in 1834. Here his brother, Lauren Trask, Avhose homestead stood nearly where Kinsman's store now is, was engaged in the foundry business, and this was continued by the two brothers at the South End. They soon sep- arated, however, and Eliphalet Trask moved into a little white house at the foot of Court street, in the rear of which he fitted up a foundry. Then came the beginning of his prosperity, for the railroads were finding their way to Springfield and iron founderies were scarce. There are a few older residents who re- member the horse-power blast furnace in the rear of Mr. Trask's house, where most of the hands in the shop boarded. Each new railroad increased the busiuess. Mr. Trask secured valuable patterns and he made most of the frogs for the switches. He also set up the first stationary engine in the city. The foundry was soon moved to the west side of Water street, and forty-nine years ago last April the family moved into the house near the foot of Vernon street, which they afterward occupied, and where so many of the delightful reunions have been held. Politically Mr. Trask did his first service of consequence to Springfield as one of its selectmen. It was a famous town meet- ing, that of April 7, 1851, for he was the only selectman sworn into office, such were the complications attending the anti-slave- ry agitation. AVhen the city government was inaugurated Mr. Trask was elected alderman from AVard Two. He had early act- ed with the Federalists, but was soon identified with the Whigs, and the only one of the latter party chosen on the Board of Al- dermen in 1853. lie kept his seat on the Board of Aldermen TRASK MEMORIAL. 93 until elected mayor on a tidal wave in 1854. Tlis administration was a stormy and conspicuous one. lie was an uneomj)romising Prohibitionist, and chose Levi Roland for his marslial when he started to close the rum shops. No one questions that an honest effort was made to prohibit liquor selling, but with 2iu1j]ic senti- ment against total abstinence, success was much hampered. One principal feature of his administration was the completion of the City Hall and the purchase of a bell, which had to be hurried on from Troy in order to be rung when the hall was dedicated. On retiring from the mayoralty Mr. Trask was elected to the Legis- lature, was returned in 1857, and again sent to Boston in 18G2. He reappeared in the Board of Aldermen in 1870, but had held no public office in recent years, although repeatedly nominated on the Prohibition ticket. In social and religious life ex-Grovernor Trask was active. He was one of the organizers of the First Universalist Church, and Mrs. George S. Lewis is the only survivor of ;those who labored with him. He organized a stock company that built the Uni- versalist Church, now occujDied as Sibley & Moore's grain store. When the Society was pressed, he bought nearly if not quite all the stock, and allowed the Society to use the building free of rent. Though an earnest supporter of the Universalist faith he was far from narrowness, and many will remember his recent re- marks in the First Baptist Church dedicatory exercises. He helped Ariel Parish start the first high school here and went deep into his pocket to meet the expenses. His friendship with Governor Andrew gave him influence during the war, and he took an interest in the recruiting of regiments and their home support. At the recent Eeunion of the Twenty-Seventh Regi- ment he was one of Captain Dwight's principal guests. He spoke, and his son, Henry F. Trask, sang a war song, and the veterans voted honorary membership to both with considerable enthusiasm. When the old company of Horse Guards flourished, there was no finer ajipearing man in red coat, flourishing a heavy sabre, than Captain Trask. With Odd FellowshiiJ he was early 04 TRASK MEMORIAL. identified, joining Hampden Lodge, in which lie passed through the chairs of the principal offices. lie held the uniqiie position of "Past Warden'' in the Grand Lodge, resigning from the of- fice before the expiration of his term. He was also a Slason, hut in late years had not taken a prominent part in that organi:^ation. In business matters Governor Trask held many positions of trust. He was one of the directors of the old Western Bank, and for years had been a director of the First Xational Bank, where he succeeded the late T. W. Wason. He was a director in the ''Stonewall " Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and presi- dent of the Hampden Savings Bank, taking an active interest in its affairs up to his last sickness. He was also president of the Agawam Paj^er Company of Mittineagne. For a time he was active in the Hampden Agricultural Society, serving for a time as its president. He was a stockholder in the Boston and Alba- ny, and New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroads, and attended the annual meetings with regularity. He went down to New Haven this fall to vote at the Southern Railroad meeting. Since the sad accident to Mrs. Trask last March, which result- ed in growing weakness and death November 20, ex Governor Trask has not been the same man. The strain told on him greatly, and when he attended church the Sunday after her death it was remarked that for the first time Governor Trask appeared like an old man. He kept his grip Avith remarkable power, how- ever, and insisted on voting at the recent city election, good- naturedly chaffing Mayor Bradford on the prospects the day before. His last appearance on a public platform was when the Irish envoys were in City Hall, and he was particularly impressed with Mr. O'Connor, of whom he spoke frequently. Eliphalet Trask rose to prominence in State affairs when Na- thaniel P. Banks secured the governorship in 1858, and the Springfield man served as lieutenant-governor during the three years that his chief sat in the executive chamber. Those were interesting times in politics. In 1854 the flood of Know-noth- ingism had risen in Massachusetts to sweep down the Whigs and TRASK MEMORIAL. 05 to lift Henry J. Gardner to the governoi'ship l)y 79,000 votes, to 26,000 for Governor Emory Washburn, Whig, with 14,000 for Lawyer Beach, the Democratic candidate and a Springfiekl man, and 7,000 for Henry Wilson, the candidate of the young Repub- lican party. Gardner was given three terms. In 1857, General Banks, fresh from his brilliant career as Speaker of the National House, was made the candidate for governor by the Republican party. The convention Avas held June 24, and Oliver Warner of Northampton was placed with him as the candidate for lieuteu- ant-srovernor. Banks had also taken awav from Governor Gard- ner a wing of the American party, and on that ticket Eliphalet Trask had been named for lieutenant-governor. But as the campaign progressed, the State committees of the Republican and Banks American jmrties met and pooled their issues on a single ticket. Oliver Warner retired as the candidate for second place and Trask was retained, while Warner was made candidate for secretary of sta'te — the post which he held from 1858 to 1876. Another Western Massachusetts man, by the way, Jonathan E. Field of Stockbridge, was candidate for lieutenant-governor on the Democratic ticket. Governor Trask enjoyed his experience in Boston, and was re-elected for the three terms with Banks ; but in 1860, just before the Republican State convention. Gov- ernor Banks declined a re-nomination, and with his retirement went that of Lieutenant-Governor Trask. John A. Andrew was then elected governor, with John Z. Goodrich of Stockbridge as his lieutenant. Governor Trask stood with the Republican party thereafter until his temperance convictions led him to Join the ranks of the Prohibitionists, where for almost a quarter of a century he had been a leader. Until advancing years lessened his activities he was the foremost man of Springfield in the third party, the leader in its caucuses and meetings, and prominent at the State con- ventions. The Governor was fond of telling how as chairman of the platform committee he on one occasion secured Benjamin E. Butler to draw up the platform for a Prohibitory convention. no TRASK MEMORIAL. wliich was duly accepted. The Governor, by the way, was always a warm friend of (general Biitlcr, and his position in the Prohi- bition camp did not prevent him from supporting " the old man "' during his campaigns for the governorship, and he was one of the most enthusiastic local admirers of Butler. Governor Trask was a democratic man, and a truly "^ Jefferso- iiian simplicity" characterized his life and surroundings. As he clung to his old home on Water street, so he kept his old oHice unchanged when everybody else was refitting and refurnishing. It is a quaint old-fashioned corner room in a two-story brick house contiguous to the foundry-yard, with ancient, well-worn liigh desks and stools, imd plain armchairs of the early part of the century : on the shelves scattered castings and packages. Mere the politics of nation, state and city were discussed with great wealth of reminiscence, between the Governor and his old friends, and many a hard-fought game of checkers absorbed their attention of an afternoon. The foundry before it burned down some fifteen years ago was even a more modest building than its successor; and as Governor Trask witnessed the ilamcs conquer the weather-beaten flag-staff that surmounted it, he recalled the day when that staff was raised, in the Harrison log-cabin and hard-cider campaign. To few people have been accorded happier home relations than to Mr. and Mrs, Trask. The golden wedding came in 1879, the sixtieth anniversary, also the occasion of a gathering of children, gi'andchildren and great-grandchildren, came ten years later. Six children survive : Henry F. Trask, Albert Trask, Mrs. Har- riet F. Davis, Mrs. E. A. Chapin of this city, Mrs. Edward Newcomb of Albany, N. Y., and Mrs. William H. Hawkins of Schagbticoke, N. Y. No arrangements have yet been made for the funeral, which will, of course, be held in St. Paul's Church. TRASK MEMORIAL. 97 From the Spring field Daily Union, December 9, 1800. Ex-Lieutenant-Grovernor Elipbulet Trask, whose illness with pneumonia was first announced in yesterday's Union, died last evening at his home on Water street. His death coming so sud- denly is a shock to the community in wliich he has been promi- nent for over half a century, and was no doubt hastened by the recent loss of his wife. Governor Trask has been one of the most picturesque figures in the Connecticut valley, and he was a man held in universal esteem. No man in any community has had a more honorable record than he made during his fifty-six years' residence in this city. Active in church and social life, trusted and successful in business, and honoring the important offices to which he was called, his whole life affords a good example of the best New England manhood. Eliphalet Trask was born at Monson, January 8, 1806, and was a son of Josiah Trask and Elizabeth Webb, the latter a resi- dent of Stafford, Ct., at the time of her marriage. Mr. Trask's father was a farmer and a natural mechanic, seldom finding it necessary to employ a man to do any piece of work. Eliphalet attended the common school at Monson till he was twelve years old, when he went to live with his grandfather at Stafford. While there he worked summers and attended school winters at '^ Fur- nace Hollow." He began work in a foundry when about twenty years old, and was engaged in that business till his death. He became an expert molder, and from 1828 till 1834 was employed in a foundry in East Brookfield. The work was hard and wages low — not more than ninety-two cents a day — but Mr. Trask was industrious and faithful, and few men can point to a record of more day's work in a year than he accomplished during that time. Those were the days of the old-fashioned blast furnaces, and it was necessary to work on Sundays as well as other days. One year he worked 329 days, the next 330 and the third 340, making a total of 999 days in three years. 98 TliASK MEMORIAL. During his residence at East liruuiviield, March 3, 1829, Mr. Trask married Ruby, daughter of Solomon Squier of Monson. the ceremony being performed by Rev. Dr. Ely. The marriage was on Tuesda}^, and the day following was that of the inaugura- tion of President Jackson. In 1834, Mr. Trask and his wife decided to come to Springfield and make their home here, and the journey from East Brookfield was made by stage, October 1. In partnership with his brothers, Lauren and Abner, he established a foundry on South street, at Mill river, below the bridge, and Trask's pond took its name from his works. He remained there two years, and then sold his interest in the business to his brothers and built a foundry on Court street, on the present site of his brick dwelling houses, one of which is now occupied by his son, Henry F. Trask. After three or four years he established the foundry on Water street, which he has conducted ever since. The foundry now employs about ten men, but years ago the business was much larger than at present. Much work was done for the Western Railroad Com- pany, and the patterns and castings for the first locomotive built in this city were made at Mr. Trask's foundry. He at one time had five pattern makers engaged on work for the railroad comjoa- ny, and the heavy iron arches which supported the roof of the old Union depot were made under Mr. Trask's direction. As many as forty men have been employed at different times. Governor Trask began political life as a Whig, and his first presidential vote was cast in 1828 for John Quincy Adams, who had been nominated for a second term and was defeated by An- drew Jackson. He remained a Whig until the " Know-nothing " party came up ; but he was no fugitive slave law Whig, and he and the late Rev. Dr. Osgood of the First Church worked to- gether for years in connection with the so-called " underground railroad." When George Thompson of England came to Spring- field in February, 1850, to speak against slavery — a public hear- ing having l)een refused him at Boston — Mr. Trask refused to join in the clamor which was raised against Thompson, and said TEA SK MEMORTA L. 99 that he did not believe in muzzling any man. Tie and Dr. Os- good were with Thompson in the old Hampden House when the excited crowd gatliercd about the building. In the fall of 1857, just as the tidal wave of Know-nothingism was receding, the Republicans and part of the Know-nothings nominated and elected N. P. Banks for governor and Eliphalet Trask for lieu- tenant-governor. Henry J. Gardner was nominated for his fourth term as governor that year by a remnant of Know-noth- ings, and E. I). Beach was the Democratic gubernatorial candi- date. Banks and Trask were twice re-elected, the Democratic candidate for governor in 1858 being Mr. Beach and in 1859 General Butler. The Democratic candidate against Lieutenant- Governor Trask in 1859 was the late Stephen C. Bemis of this city. In 1860 Governor Trask went to the National Reiiublican Convention at Chicago, not as a delegate, but as a companion to the late George Ashmnn and as a close friend of Governor Banks, who had developed considerable strength as a candidate for vice- president. Only a few months ago the Governor spoke to the writer of that convention, and referred to the many courtesies he received from Mr. Aslimun, who was chairman of the convention. Mr. Ashmun insisted upon his accompanying him to Springfield, Illinois, to notify Mr. Lincoln of his election, and of the little group which surrounded Mr. Lincoln when he was notified of his nomination. Governor Trask was one of the last survivors. When the Republicans of Massachusetts divided upon the issue of nom- inating General Butler for governor. Governor Trask espoused the Butler cause very warmly, and in recent years had not been closely identified with any party, but had voted as he pleased. In municipal politics he had been for many years a Prohibition- ist, but in national politics he voted for Clevehind in 1884, and also, we believe, in 1888. When he was lieutenant-governor, 11. Q. Sanderson was a representative from Ward Five, and they boarded together at Boston in the old Bromfield House, kept by Mr. Crockett. The Governor was as fond of backgammon and checkers in Boston as in Springfield, and whoever dropped into 100 TRASK MEMORIAL. the Bromfield of an evening was pretty sure to find the Governor measuring his skill at one of his favorite games at the hotel office. Governor Trask was a member of the last Board of Selectmen which Springfield had, and under whose administration Spring- field became a city. Probably there was never a more exciting election than that for town officers for the year 1851. The Thompson episode had stirred the town to its very depths, and even the United States Armory stopped work on town meeting day that the workmen might have an opijortunity to vote. The only member of the Board of Selectmen who was elected at the regular town meeting was Mr. Trask, and a special meeting was necessary to complete the Board. When Springfield became a city, Selectman Trask was elected an alderman from Ward Two, and he was twice re-elected, and thus served under Caleb Rice and P. B. Tyler. Mr. Rice was mayor for two terms and was nominated by the AYhigs for a third term, P. B. Tyler was the Democratic candidate, and there was also a third candidate, and there was no choice at the December election. At the special election in January, 1854, for the city government of 1854, the Whigs nominated Mr. Trask, who had been elected alderman at the December election, as their candidate for mayor, and Mr. Tyler was elected over him. In December, 1854, Alderman Trask was the Whig candidate for mayor, and the late E. D. Beach, who was a member of the first Board of Aldermen, was the Democratic candidate, and the vote stood 904 for Trask and 480 for Beach. AVith his service as mayor for the year 1855 Mr. Trask's official connection with Springfield's municipal adminis- tration ceased. The City Hall was completed and dedicated during his administration. Among the present survivors of the three municipal administrations with which Governor Trask was connected as alderman are : W. C. Sturtevant and H. Q. Sander- son, who were members of Springfield's first Common Council ; William Pynchon, E. W. Bond and T. M. Walker, who were in the second Common Council, and Frederick II. Harris, Tilly Uaynes and Henry A. Robinson, who were in the Common TliASK MEMORIAL. 101 Coancil of 1854. \V. C. Sturtevant was an alderman nnder Mayor Trask, and is the only survivor of that Board, and D. H. Brigliam and John W. Hunt were in the Common Council. Mayor Trask's city marshal was Levi P. Rowland. \Vhen he retired from the mayoralty he was elected representative for the years 185(i and 1857, and was again elected representative in 1862. He has for many years been president of the Hampden Savings Bank, and was also president of the Agawam Paper Company, and a director of the First National Bank and the Springfield Mutual Fire Assurance Company. He was also president for many years of the Agawam Canal Company. Governor Trask became an Odd Fellow on January 6, 1845. Soon after he was chosen treasurer of Hampden Lodge and held that ojffice for two terms, retiring to become Vice-Grand of the Lodge. In 1847 he was elected Noble Grand of the organization. He was the first Noble Grand to serve the six months's term, the change from three months being made just before his election. He joined the Agawam Encampment soon after its institution, and in 1850 he was Chief Patriarch of the " Camp." He soon became interested in the work of the Grand Lodge and several times efforts were made to induce him to become an ofl&cer of that body. Finally he accepted office long enough to be titled "Past Warden" of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge. He could not be persuaded to accept the highest office within the power of that body to give. In recent years he has only been present at Lodge meetings on special occasions. The annual gathering of the Hampden Lodge veterans was always an occasion of much interest to him. The members present at this gathering a year ago will remember with pleasure the anecdotes with which he entertained the audience, all of them having a direct connection with lodge affairs. Governor Trask was one of the leading organizers and pro- moters of the Universalist Church, and to him and the late Thomas W. Wason, the church probably owes its existence, as 102 THASK MEMOlilAL. they gave helping htuuls just when they were needed. Tlie Gov- iTiior organized the coini)any which built the old church on Main street, where Sibley & Moore now are, and finally became the owner of the ))uilding and furnished it to the church free of rent. Notwithstaniliug his loyalty and devotion to his own church, he was a warm friend of all churches and of all moral and educa- tional movements and activities. He was a good man and a good citizen, and Springfield will miss him. At the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the First Church, Governor Trask was an interested participant, and no one who heard his earnest plea at that time for right living, will ever forget his impressive and pathetic address. We shall all miss his familiar figure and his cheery greetings, for no man was too poor or too humble to be numbered among the Governor's friends. He was simplicity itself in his habits and his life, and after he built his new house on Court street for him- self and his sou, he clung to his old homestead ou AV'ater street because he and his wife "felt more at liomc there.'' Governor and Mrs, Trask's long wedded life was only shadowed in its hap- piness by Mrs. Trask's illness, and her death was the beginning of the end for him. Governor and Mrs. Trask had an unusually loug and happy married life, and the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage was celebrated by a family gathering at their home last year. Tliey had ten children, six of whom are living, twenty-nine grand- children, nineteen of whom are living, and four great-grand- children. Their surviving children are Henry F. Trask, Albert Trask, Mrs. Harriet G. Davis and JNIrs. E. A. Chapin of this city, Mrs. Edward Newcomb of Albany, N. Y., and Mrs. Wil- liam II. Hawkins of Schaghticoke, N. Y. Their grandchildren are : Harry, Samuel and Jennie, children of Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Trask of this city ; Charles B., Edward and Xellie, children of Albert Trask of this city; Edward, Leila and liuby, children of Mrs. Newcomb ; Frederick, Philip, Louis, Henry, Reynolds and Isabel C, children of Mrs. Hawkins ; liuby, daughter of TRASK MEMORIAL. 103 Mrs. Davis, tind Luvancie, Lantie and Eliplialet T., tlic last being the city treasurer, children of yhs. L. A. '^I^ifTt. The gi-eat-grand children, are two children, a boy and a girl, of Charles B. Trask of this city, and two boys of E. T. Tilft, all quite yonng. From Progressive Springfield. Ex- Lieutenant-Governor Eliplialet Trask, whose death occur- red on the ninth of December, thirteen days after his wife's, was in every respect the typical business man who has made within the last fifty years Springfield what it is. His life was in the line of producing something, rather than following that fleeting- phantom, speculation, which makes millionaires to-day and beg- gars to-morrow. The good old-fashioned New England notion that wealth must come from work and saving, were the charac- teristics and bent of his mind, and yet he was at no time so absorbed in accumulating wealth that appeals for charitable pur- poses, and other good works, were unheeded. His kindly nature and sympathy with those struggling under a misfortune that could not have been avoided, made him a ready helper and well- wisher. He has frequently said, " There is no mystery about gaining wealth — the true way is to spend less than you earn, each year, and in time you will have a handsome competence ; that is all there is to it.'' Into public life he carried the same stern sense of duty that he maintained at home — faithfulness to every trust. No man had a higher sense of what we call "fair play.^' He wanted nothing for himself that he was not willing others should enjoy. In politics and in religion he wanted faith- fulness to pledges, and the right of private judgment,- and he was equally willing to accord the same to others. In all public questions which he deemed important he was steadfast and cared not for the opinions of others who might differ. The question for him to solve was, " Is it right?" He was often in the minor- ity, fighting valiantly for what he held as best against those 104 Tit ASK MEMORIAL. whom he ix'spected and agreed witli in oilier iiiatlcrs. He was ever opposed to slavery, and his voice was ever on the side of freedom. lie stood firmly for temperance because he saw the evils of intern i)erance and knew that poverty, wretchedness and crime followed as resulting causes. Few men changed less as old age came on. He had the same pleasant greeting, the same love of pleasantry, and the same interest in public affairs, l)oth at home and abroad, that he did in earlier years. There was no feebleness in interest and no decay of intellect. Only little more than two weeks before he died he sat through the long ad- dress of Thomas Power O'Connor, in the City Hall, on the affairs in Ireland, and as he passed his contribution into the hat, he remarked, " It is worth something to hear such good speaking/" indicating that popular ajDpeals in causes in which he had an interest were as of much moment to him as when he was in the prime of life. Selectman, alderman and nuiyor, were the offices he held at home, and lieutenant-governor, when General N. P. Banks was governor, was the most important office held in »State affairs. He was for a long time one of the trustees of the Northampton asylum for the insane. At his death he was a director of the First National Bank, and ])resident of the Hampden Savings Bank, and had been prominently connected with other business affairs, as director and president. He was president of the Aga- wam Paper Company from its organization in 1858 up to the time of his tleath. The company began business in 1859 and he had the proud record of having attended every annual meeting from the beginning, covering a period of over thirty years, and its successful business career was a source of satisfaction to him to know that others as well as himself shared in its prosperity. The large attendance at the funeral, held at St. Paul's Church, on Friday, the twelfth ultimo, testified to the great regard for him. He was born in Monson, January 8, 1806, and therefore lacked but little of being eighty-five years old. His early life was like that of many successful New England boys — a struggle for even TRASK MEMORIAL. 105 :i living ; but he entered upon his life work witli energy and de- termination, and a magnificent success followed. Could he have had those advantages of a liberal education that now come to evci'y boy, and maintained the same determination and i)ui-suit of business, he would have been a man widely known and as widely felt. No man grasped the right of things more quickly tlian he, and although not a trained speaker he was always forci- ble, and at times even eloquent, in debate, especially when the wrong he was trying to meet had come near to iiim. His life has been a grand .example to the community in which he so long lived, and it should be full of encouragement to the young about to start out to achieve wealth and an honored name. From the Sp7-i?i(/field Homestead. The distinguished face of the venerable ex-Lieutenant-Gov- ernor will be seen no more forever in his accustomed haunts. He passed away on Tuesday evening of pneumonia, surviving his wife only thirteen days. Of his eighty-four years, and nearly eighty-five, fifty-six were passed in this city, which he served first as selectnitm, then as Ward Two's first alderman ; again chosen to this office, on the Whig ticket, he served several years in succession. He was elected mayor in 1854, and, as staunch a tem2)erance man then as at the close of his life, he made a hercu- lean effort to enforce the liquor law. He was elected to the Legislature in 1856, 1857) 18G2 and 1870, and was elected lieu- tenant-governor in 1858, on the Republican ticket, serving the three years that Nathaniel P. Banks was governor. Shortly af- terward he joined the third party, in which he was a leader thereafter until his death. As active in church as in i)ublic matters, Governor Trask was the foremost Univers.dist of this city and vicinity. He was one of the organizers of the First Universalist Chui'ch and his co-operation and liberality did much to make St, Paul's Church what it is. His career as a business 106 TliA^rn: MEMORIAL. man closed fully a quai'ter of a century ago, when he turned over to other heads and hands tlie management of his iron foundry, having accumulated enough property to enable him to i)ass his old age in good works and congenial pleasures. From his child- hood in Monson to the close of his life Eliphalet Trask was pure gold. The six children who survive him are Henry F. Trask, Albert Trask, Mrs. Harriet F. Davis and Mrs. E. A. Chapin, all of this city, and Mrs. Edward Newcomb of Albany and Mrs. William H. Hawkins of Schaghticoke, N. Y. The extended sketches of ]\[r. Trask's life which have appeared the past Aveek might be still further increased by story and anec- dote, so full was his life of action and incident. That he was hung in cfligy, as stated in one ])aper, is a mistake. Those stir- ring days of abolition agitation brought this man's force of character and quick decision into play in a way which gave rise to the story. It was George Thompson, the English abolitionist, whose ethgy swung from the elm tree still standing on Court Square, opposite the Chicopee Bank, and not the cflfigy of Eli])h- alet Trask. But the latter man was connected with the famous affair which stirred the town to its very foundation. It came about in this way : A small debating society, which numbered among its members Ruf us Elmer and Dr. Church, and other well- known people, invited this Thompson, who was an ex-member of Parliament and a man of surpassing eloquence, to lecture in this city upon East India, a country which he hSlie was the daughter of Solomon Squier of JVlonson, the youngest of liftucn children, and the last to go. In j\larch, 1889, ]\lr. and Mi's. Trask eelebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary, and the portrait which appears herewith was printed at that time in these columns beside that of her husband. The children are Henry l'\ Trask and 3li-s. 11. (I. Davis, twins ; AUtert Trasi-; and .Mrs. E. A. Chai)in ol'this city, Mrs. Edward Newcomb of Albany^ and .Mrs. W. II. Hawkins of ISchaghticoke, N. Y. A daughter who died several years ago was Mrs. L. A. TilTt, mother of City 'J'reasurer TilTt. Mrs. Trask was an active member of .St. Paul's ('liureh, and a much beloved woman. A GOLDEN WEDDING. A NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY. The Approaching Golden Wedding of Ex-riOVRi;NOK Teask. From the Springfield Daily Union. Decidedly the most interesting social event of the season will be the celebration, next Monday evening, of the golden wedding of ex-Governor and Mrs. Eliphalet Trask at their residence on Water street, where they have lived for thirty-seven years come the first of next April. The Governor is still so yonng looking and active a man, that it seems almost impossible he can have been married fifty years, and still more so that he can be seventy- three years old. But that is what the records say, and the golden wedding anniversary really having come round, there will be hosts of people happy to have a chance to offer their congrat- ulations and express their good wishes on the occasion. ]?oth Mr. and Mrs. Trask (the maiden name of the latter being T\ubv Squier) are natives of Monson, and there they were married on the eve of the inauguration of President Jackson, March 3, 1829. Mrs. Trask's father, Josiah Trask, was a farmer, and he helped till tlie paternal acres until he was twenty-one, having only such moans of education as were furnished by the common schools of the time. On striking out for himself he decided to learn the foundry business, at which he worked in Furnace Hollow, Stafford, Ct., and East Brookfield, before coming to Springfield, in October, 1834, to start in business on his own account. He has been engaged in the same business ever since, for some time in partnership with one or more brothers, and in different locali- ties in the city, having, however, occupied the present site of his 124 TRASK MEMOUIAl.. foundry on AVater street since 1841. Of his success in business it is only necessary to say, that beginning without means, he has gained a handsome competence, and he has done it by the practice of imlustry, tbrift and prudence, wliich, added to integrity, have often brouglit rich returns to "self made men " in New England before., and wliich. " liomely virtues " though tbey may be, will continue to pay better in the long run than any amount of vicious smartness. Doubtless Mr. Trask has had reverses, like others. But he has not wbined about them. He has also had troubles and sorrows. Of the ten children with which his mar- ried life lias been blessed, four ''are not, for God took them," and many of the friends of his youth and middle life have passed on before. But with wife and six children still spared to him, and troops of friends yet remaining, he has reason to think, as we are sure he does, that life has brought him more of sunshine than of shadow. Governor Trask has always taken a great interest in public alt'airs, and it is his prominence as a public man that makes the coming anniversary of more than private or merely local interest. So long ago as 1851, wdien Springfield was yet a town, Mr. Trask was one of the selectmen, and when the "infant city" was organized, he became an alderman, serving in the upper branch of the City Council in 1852, 1853 and 1854, and again in 1870. In 1855 he w^as mayor of the city, in 1857 and again in 1863 he Avas a member of the Legislature, and from 1858 to 1860 he was lieutenant-governor of the State, during tlie administration of Governor Banks. He was also county coroner for fourteen or fifteen years, has been a trustee of the Northampton Insane Asy- lum for eighteen years, has been one of the managers of the City Hospital since its establishment, and has held many other offices of trust and responsibility, both political and in connection with the Universalist Church, of which he has always been a promi- nent and active member, doing much for the building up of that denomination in this city and vicinity. Mr. Trask's zeal in the temperance cause is well known all over the State. He believes TRASK MEMORIAL. 125 in iirohibition thoroughly and earnestly, and is just as pro- nounced in his opinions now as Avhen prohibition was a political force of much greater importance than at present, or ])erhaps ever likely to be again. Of course no man could have been as long prominent in pub- lic life as Governor Trask has been, without exciting enmities. His views have often been denounced, but no one has ever ven- tured to question his honesty or doubt his integrity. lie has given and taken some hard blows in politics, as men in the front must. But his genial face belies him if he bears malice toward any man living, and we are sure that none of his political foes, of however long standing, bear a grudge toward him. On the contrary they will be among the first and heartiest to congratu- late him Monday night, as he rounds out a half-century of happy married life. Owing to their presence being required at Washington, General Banks, General Butler, and other mem- bers of the Massachusetts delegation in Congress, who have long been associated politically with Governor Trask, will probably be prevented from attending the golden wedding, but the public men of the State will be well represented, and the home friends of Mr. and Mrs. Trask will be there in force, testifying by their presence and their words of their good will, and all wishing that the host and hostess of the evening may still ''live long and prosper." UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY EACILITY AA 000 402 922 9