Nathan Carruth, 1808-1888.
No. 14975 Nathan Carruth
From American Series of Popular Biographies. Massachusetts Edition. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Boston: Graves & Steinbarger, 1891)
Nathan Carruth, first president of the Old Colony Railroad, was born in North Brookfield, Mass., December 25, 1808, and died at his home in Dorchester, May 19, 1888. He was the fourth son of Francis and Mary (Hale) Carruth and a descendant in the fourth generation of John Carruth, who married at Marlboro, Mass., Jemima Russell, of Sudbury. The line was John, Nathan, Francis, Nathan.
John Carruth died September 19, 1798, aged eighty-four years. His son Nathan, first, whose birth took place in Northboro, Mass., March 29, 1744, settled in 1775 at North Brookfield, where he died May 22, 1827. He married Elizabeth Whipple, who was born June 29, 1748, daughter of Francis Whipple, of Westboro, Mass. She died at North Brookfield, May 8, 1822.
Francis Carruth, son of Nathan and Elizabeth Carruth, was born in North Brookfield, February 23, 1780. A prosperous farmer, he took an active interest in local public affairs, and was a magistrate and a man of influence in his own town and county. For a long period he was a member of the Board of Selectmen. He was also for many years a member of the State Senate from Worcester County. He was of amiable disposition, and was greatly beloved by his fellow townsmen. He married Mary Hale, daughter of the Hon. Thomas and Ruth (Hardy) Hale. She was born January 2, 1782, and died September 11, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Carruth were the parents of nine children, namely: Isaac; Francis Sumner; Hiram; Nathan, second, the subject of this sketch; Thomas Hale; Charles Whipple; Martha Whipple; Charles; and Mary Fidelia. Of these children none are living except Martha Whipple.
Nathan Carruth, second, son of Francis, was educated in his native town, and resided there until seventeen years old. Coming to Boston in 1825, in the succeeding year he was employed as a clerk by a concern engaged in the West India goods trade, and he then served an apprenticeship in the drug store of Messrs. Fletcher and Carruth. After the dissolution of that firm in 1831, he entered into partnership with his brother Francis Sumner, under the firm name of F.S. & N. Carruth. They were associated in business for eight years, at the expiration of which time Nathan Carruth formed a copartnership with his younger brother Charles, under the firm name of N. & C. Carruth. The latter concern had a most successful career in the drug business in Boston, covering a period of many years.
The revolutionizing of traffic made possible by the advent of steam as a motive power found a most enthusiastic supporter in Mr. Carruth, who devoted much time, energy, and capital to the introduction of railway lines in Massachusetts and other New England States. He not only labored to promote their establishment, but after their completion he took an active interest in their welfare; and besides being the first president and general manager of the Old Colony Railroad, he was for a number of years treasurer of the Northern Railroad of New Hampshire. He was the president of the Dorchester Gaslight Company and a director of the Mattapan Bank. Politically, he was a Republican. In 1847 he moved to Dorchester, laying out at great expense a most attractive estate in what is now known as Ashmont. He resided there for the rest of his life, which terminated, as noted above.
Mr. Carruth was very fond of travel. He visited Europe, and went through Palestine, Syria, and the East several times. He was the soul of honor, and his generosity was extensive. He was deeply interested in the oral and religious welfare of the community in which he exercised a beneficent influence, and was a prominent member of the Second Parish under the pastorates of Dr. Codman and Dr. Means. He was also a corporate member of the A.B.C.F.M.,* a life member of the Home Missionary Society, and a generous contributor to all good works.
Mr. Carruth was twice married. His first marriage took place December 2, 1830, with Miss Louisa Jones Pratt, who was born August 5, 1809, daughter of Eleazar Pratt, and died February 10, 1844. Of that union there was one child, Henrietta Louisa, who was born in Boston, December 15, 1831, and died November 28, 1835. On March 15, 1845, he married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Ann Porter, widow of Royal Loomis Porter and mother of the late Edward Griffin Porter, A.M., a biographical sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. She was born March 6, 1813. Of this second union were born three children, namely: Ellen, April 18, 1846; Emma, born April 28, 1849; and Herbert Schaw, born February 15, 1855. Miss Ellen Carruth is now residing with her mother at Ashmont. Emma died May 30, 1888. Herbert Schaw Carruth was married September 13, 1877, to Miss Annie French Pope, who was born in San Francisco, Cal., August 23, 1854. Their children are: Nathan Carruth (the sixth of that name), who was born June 28, 1880; and Henry Pope, born March 25, 1884. A daughter, Ethelwin, who was born March 12, 1887, died in August, 1887.
*A.B.C.F.M. American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (Congregational)
Nathan Carruth from: Rich Men of Massachusetts
Worth: $100,000
A native of North Brookfield. Commenced without capital, in the drug and paint business in Boston. Made a fortune, and engaged in railroad speculations, — was President of the Old Colony Railroad, — has now gone back to his old business.
Source:
Dorchester section of The Rich Men of Massachusetts: Containing a Statement of the Reputed Wealth of about Fifteen Hundred Persons, with Brief Sketches of More than One Thousand Characters. By A. Forbes and J.W. Greene. (Boston: Published by W.V. Spencer, 1851)
This book purports to include the names of men who were “very wealthy,” defined as a reputed net worth of at least $50,000.
The wealth of the 45 men listed for Dorchester ranges from $50,000 to $500,000 and is distributed as follows:
$50,000 15
$75,000 6
$100,000 14
$150,000 2
$200,000 6
$400,000 1
$500,000 1
The combined worth of all 45 totals $5,000,000
To get a sense of the meaning of this level of wealth, one could look at the life of Marshall P. Wilder on this website. His reputed worth as reported in this book was $100,000.
It is interesting that Dover, a town now considered wealthy, boasted not one entry in 1851, while Medway had one entry and Medfield two entries. Milton, a town next to Dorchester, had 10 men with a total net worth of $1,600,000. Cambridge had 37 men with a total worth of $5,200,000.
From the Introduction: Upon the announcement than an individual is in possession of a large fortune, we naturally inquire, “How did he come by it? Was it by inheritance, or marriage, or both? Or, was the present man of wealth once obliged to toil for his daily bread like the thousands who now marvel at his possessions? If his property came by his own exertions, what is the man? What are his strong traits of character? How did he manage? Did any one great circumstance, aside from his natural abilities, favor him? In what business did he grow rich? Has he done, or is he likely to do, much good in the world in consequence of his riches? These are the questions which naturally suggest themselves to us in reference to the wealthy of any place, and these are questions which we have attempted to answer in reference to a very large number of wealthy men in Massachusetts. Our leading object has been to furnish encouragement to the young, from the contemplation of success resulting from a s suitable combination of those sterling qualities, Perseverance, Energy, Carefulness, Economy, Integrity, Honesty. Another very prominent object with us has been, to excite in the minds of the wealthy, and of all who shall become such, greater attention to the importance of an enlarged system of Benevolence. …
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nathan Carruth (December 25, 1808 – May 19, 1881) was an American railroad pioneer.
Nathan Carruth, second, son of Francis and Mary Hale Carruth, was educated in his native town North Brookfield, Massachusetts and resided there until seventeen years old. Coming to Boston in 1825, in the succeeding year he was employed as a clerk by a concern engaged in the West India goods trade, and he then served an apprenticeship in the drug store of Messrs. Fletcher and Carruth. After the dissolution of that firm in 1831, he entered into partnership with his brother Francis Sumner, under the firm name of F.S. & N. Carruth. They were associated in business for eight years, at the expiration of which time Nathan Carruth formed a copartnership with his younger brother Charles, under the firm name of N. & C. Carruth. The latter concern had a most successful career in the drug business in Boston, covering a period of almost 40 years.
The revolutionizing of traffic made possible by the advent of steam as a motive power found a most enthusiastic supporter in Mr. Nathan Carruth, who devoted much time, energy, and capital to the introduction of railway lines in Massachusetts and other New England States. Nathan Carruth’s advocating of railway lines in Massachusetts begins with the Western Railroad around 1832. A railway line he would later sit on the Board of Director’s of between 1840-1842. In Mr. Carruth’s early years of advocating he became interested in their development and the very first Old Colony Memorial Railroad in 1835 was organized and contracted to build the line, to run from the end of the Taunton Branch Railroad. The Old Colony Memorial Railroad later incorporating into the first Old Colony Railroad Corporation in 1838. Mr. Carruth not only labored to promote their establishment, but after their completion he took an active interest in their welfare. After several years of successful and profitable operation of the Western Railroad and the Taunton Branch Railroad, the movement of expanding railways south of, and around Boston, and other New England states began in 1842. Mr. Nathan Carruth once again found himself advocating for railroads expansion. This period of advocating lasted nearly 2 years and simply put pitted railroad expansion advocates against farmers. By 1842 Mr. Carruth’s experience and success with the Western Railroad became a powerful tool in advocating the recreation of the Old Colony Railroad Corporation and expanding on the proposed line south of Boston. In 1842 a town hall meeting was held in Dorchester and is recorded as a much lively debate in which all kinds of accusing statements where made on all sides. Farmers being fearful of an iron monster of the day. Problems seen in the City of Boston expanding with railways to their farming community, where some of the argument’s anti-rail expansion advocates argued. Politically, Mr. Carruth was a Republican, in 1842 the Republican party in Massachusetts was enjoying good public opinion with the success of every railroad built to that point. Addition effects of railroads where being documented in 1842 that somewhat sold themselves, to name a few where increased value land around the line, and farmers along the Western Railroad line enjoyed increased profits on crops. The benefit of delivering Boston’s and Massachusetts crops and goods to Boston port’s became the focus of the The Old Colony Railroad and the Republican Party railway supporter’s advocating in 1843. The argument and documented effect meant that Boston’s economy would grow with rails expansion. A argument anti-rail expansion advocate’s would not be able to over come and in March 1844 the Old Colony Railroad was once again reborn under Nathan Carruth.
Besides being the first president and general manager of the Old Colony Railroad Corporation, he was for a number of years Director and Treasurer of the Northern Railroad of New Hampshire, and Director of the Dorchester & Milton Branch Railroad. He continued his involvement with railway advocating with the Old Colony Street Railway and the Metropolitan Railroad, Massachusetts up until 1875, when the last Boston Globe newspaper article is found about Mr. Nathan Carruth. During this period between 1855-1874, Mr. Carruth was the president of the Dorchester Gaslight Company, Co-Founder and Director of Cedar Grove Cemetery and a director of the Mattapan Bank. The massive Old Colony system, which began under Mr. Nathan Carruth, fell under lease to the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad on March 1, 1893. The NYNH&H merged into Penn Central in 1969, which was in turn merged into Conrail in 1976, the lines in New England now being CSX Transportation.
In 1847 Mr. Carruth moved to Dorchester, laying out at great expense a most attractive estate in what is now known as Ashmont. A Gothic Victorian estate designed by Victorian architect Luther Briggs, also designer of the Old Colony Railroad headquarters in 1844. Starting sometime after 1850 with the completion of The Old Colony Railroad’s Ashmont Station. Mr. Carruth began engaging in the promoting and development of South Dorchester’s neighborhoods. Mr. Carruth continued to look to the services of Victorian Architect Luther Briggs, in this engagement and promoting of Dorchester neighborhoods, and even engaged Mr. Briggs services in laying out the streets in Mr. Carruth’s personal Railroad Suburb vision. Many early concepts of Transit Oriented Development appear to show up in this early relationship between Mr. Carruth and Mr. Briggs and led to many buildings showing up around the Old Colony system line’s between 1844-1880, which after 1850 were creating a circle around both Carruth Hill and Pope’s Hill in Dorchester. In 1855 Mr. Carruth Co-Founded along with William Pope, the Dorchester Gaslight Company. Which began offering services to South Dorchester neighborhoods, which in the mid 1850s into the 1870s consisted largely of Victorian Estates of several acres or more. Many having been designed by Luther Briggs. With the Old Colony Lines in Dorchester and the formation of the Dorchester Gaslight company South Dorchester experienced growth that turned a farming community into an estate suburb, which than in turn led to the City of Boston annexing Dorchester in 1870. With these events in place and now City of Boston services with streets, water, and sewage. Dorchester and South Dorchester experienced the first recorded housing boom and bust in 1873.
Mr. Carruth’s Estate and Personal railroad suburb vision, was on the east side of Dorchester Ave. called Beechmont/Beaumont and would become one of the first Railroad Suburbs taking nearly 30 years to build. Although it was not fully realized in Mr. Carruth’s lifetime. Nathan’s estate which started at 12 acres (49,000 m2) than grow to as much as 28 acres (110,000 m2) was a long and tireless vision that at its end was finished by Nathan’s son, Herbert S. Carruth. The Old Colony Railroad line started it, by having reasonable means to assess downtown Boston, the Dorchester Gaslight Company expanded it, by means of houses could receive the same services as living close into Boston. But it was the annexation of Dorchester by Boston and the services brought by it that set Mr. Carruth vision in stone. Even though Mr. Carruth and Luther Briggs had been engaged in promoting and building houses around South Dorchester, outside of Nathan’s Gothic Victorian house his personal vision of a neighborhood had not begun. It began in 1876-1877 with the building of 24 and 30 Beaumont St. Beaumont St. which was Carruth Estate’s private carriageway became the display’s of the personal vision. 30 Beaumont St. build for Nathan’s 22 year old son Herbert S. Carruth and wife, was a Second Empire Victorian designed by Luther Briggs and considered an old design style in 1877. 24 Beaumont St., a Romanesque Revival, and a little of a kick back to Gothic Victorian style, was designed by John Fox. Built for a family member of William Pope’s. It would be these 2 houses that would kick off the development of the Carruth St. area in the early to mid 1880s, by Nathan’s son Herbert S. Carruth. It is these two houses being on Carruth Estate’s private carriageway which leads to Herbert S. Carruth founding the first Deed Restrictions & Community agreement. By 1891 the vision was only several years away from completion.
Nathan Carruth resided in Dorchester for the rest of his life and died at his home on May 19, 1881. He is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery Ashmont, Co-Founded by Mr. Carruth and apart of the building of Mr. Carruth’s Railroad Suburb.
Sources
Herbert Carruth House, Heidi Kieffe
Dorchesteratheneum.org
Dorchester Historical Society, & President Earl Taylor
Boston Public Library, Historical Newspapers, Boston Daily Globe Jan. 14, 1875, refer for Paragraph 3
Sean T. Wright. Railroad & Development Historian, GGG Grandson of Nathan Carruth: Nathan, Herbert, Henry, Francis, Jane Wright, Published 1952 Carruth Family Genealogy
Sam Bass Warner. StreetCar Suburbs: The Process of Growth in Boston 1870-1900. By Sam Bass Warner, published by Harvard University Press