Edward Nahum Capen, 1838-1915

Edward Nahum Capen, 1838-1915

No. 14945 Edward Nahum Capen

from Massachusetts Genealogy Trails (genealogytrails.com)

Edward Nahum Capen was born in Boston, June 24, 1838, and died in Dorchester, February 6, 1915. His earliest ancestor coming to America was Bernard Capen, who was of sturdy English stock and came from Dorset County, England, to Dorchester in the ship Mary and John about 1630. Bernard Capen’s descendants took active part in colonial affairs, and one of them, Robert, the great grandfather of Edward Nahum, held two commissions from King George III between 1763 and 1768. In the Revolution he served in the patriot armies.

The father, Nahum Capen, a man of high ideals, was born April 1, 1804, and died January 8, 1886. He was widely known as an author and a publisher. He published the first volume of Edgar Allan Poe’s works. He held the position of Postmaster of the City of Boston from 1857 to 1861.

He was a public spirited man of decided ideas having a wide acquaintance with the distinguished men of his day. The degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him in 1874 by the Washington and Lee University of Virginia.

The mother, Elizabeth Ann More, was a woman thoroughly interested in the welfare and education of her children. Her influence on their moral and spiritual life was very strong.
Edward Nahum Capen was brought up in a home presided over by parents who knew the value of industry and integrity and who taught their son the value of a sound character.
Mr. Capen received his education in the private schools of Boston and was graduated from the Dorchester High School but did not enter college. His first occupation was that of Secretary to his father while the latter was Postmaster of Boston. On retiring from that place in 1861 he took the agency of the Aladdin Oil Co., of Pittsburgh, Pa., and held the place for ten years. In 1870 he formed a partnership with Frederick B. Pierce under the firm name of Capen & Pierce. The firm were general dealers in oils and were located on Custom House Street, in Boston. In 1875 this firm was dissolved and the firm of Capen, Sherman & Sprague was organized, later was Capen, Sprague & Co., which continued until 1885 when the business was sold out. Mr. Capen was then with the Standard Oil Company for thirty years until his death.
He was a Trustee of the Mount Hope Cemetery from 1891 to 1895 and was also a member of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Algonquin Club and the Dorchester Club.
Edward N. Capen was always true to the traditions of his religious training and having early connected himself with the First Parish Church, Unitarian, in Dorchester, he always gave to its service all of his energy and allegiance.

Originally a Democrat and later Independent in politics, he never solicited or held any political office. He left behind him the record of a good citizen, a loyal friend and generous associate. In all his activities, whether in business or social life, he endeared himself to those with whom he was connected, who loved to see the kindly glance of his eye, to feel the cordial grasp of his hand and hear the words of sympathy and good cheer which were always upon his lips. Busy man that he was, he was never weary so long as there was work to do or a worthy cause to aid. Cheerfulness, courage, and strength radiated from him wherever he went. The sunshine which he imparted was the reflection of the sweetness and light in his own mind and heart, and when he passed away he left a large circle of friends to mourn his death.
Mr. Capen resided nearly all his life at the old family home “Mount Ida” in Dorchester. He took deep interest in whatever concerned the community and was ready with wise counsels and helping hand to aid every good cause which meant the uplift of the people or the improvement of the city. He was never married, and left as his nearest relatives two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague Barry, and Mrs. Mary Anna Capen Thacher, both of whom are residents of Dorchester.

Among the many tributes to Mr. Capen’s memory the following is quoted, as an appreciation: – of Miss Abbie Farwell Brown:

“Edward N. Capen, of happy memory. It takes but a few brief hours to translate what was the happy Presence into the happy Memory. But the happiness itself, which was the keynote of a beautiful life, sounds in his name perpetually, a comfort and an inspiration. Surely the fine old phrase, ‘of happy memory’ never more aptly applied to a man than to dear Mr. Capen. It is a wonderful thing when a man who has passed a long, busy, useful, responsible life leaves behind him a name full only of joyous reminder and bright association. Good citizen, loyal associate, kind friend, generous home-maker, – in every relation of life he en-deared himself to all who neared his sunny presence. The day was made the happier for every one who met the glance of his kind eyes, the hearty grasp of his hand, the pleasant voice, the merry word. The years live brighter in the memory of many because of his thoughtful kindness, his generosity, his brave, sturdy, buoyant nature.

“Mr. Capen’s sympathy was so broad, his friendliness so wide, that he leaves a host to mourn his passing. He loved ‘people.’ He lent something of his sweet, benignant spirit to every casual encounter. Because he so loved his fellow-folk, so gave himself to friendliness, Mr. Capen’s life unfolded as a continuous, beautiful adventure. Busy as he always was, lengthened as were his days, burdened with many responsibilities, cares and anxieties, his brave soul never wearied till his work was done. He never coveted lazy leisure. He never grew weary or blase or pessimistic. He enjoyed his work. He brought to it his buoyant enthusiasm and freshness. He went from it to wholesome play with simple-hearted delight, throwing himself into that with equal enthusiasm. Mr. Capen had too a child’s faith and optimism, trust in God and in man. His spirit remained ever young. In these days of general gloom and uneasiness, bad feeling and war, we can ill spare a life consistently set to make the world a pleasanter place in which to live. Well-beloved, well-honored, well-deserving, Edward N. Capen of happy memory, has passed from active good citizenship to the citizenship of peace.”

 

From: Anthony Mitchell Sammarco.  Dorchester. Volume II. (Images of America Series).  (Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2000), 19.

Edward Nahum Capen (1835-1916) was the only son of Nahum Capen, the postmaster of Boston from 1857 to 1861, to whom the invention of the corner mailbox is credited.  Ned Capen, a Boston representative of the Standard Oil Company, lived on the family estate until his death, after which portions of the house, scenic wallpaper, and garden ornaments were removed to a niece’s summerhouse in Camden, Maine, and the property was developed for multiple-family houses.  A large portion of the estate was purchased by the City of Boston and laid out by G. Henri Desmond as Ronan Park, which was named for Rev. Peter Ronan (1842-1917), the ever popular rector of St. Peter’s Church.