Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-02-23

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GEOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF THIS LIFE OF
ABIJAH JENKINS, ESQ, OF BOSTON,
PROPRIETOR OF THE
STATE CENTRAL LOAN OFFICE,
No. 106 Sudbury Street.
In series of sketches which we proposed
presenting our readers, some time since, and
which we commence with the present article,
we anticipate much real pleasure and instruc.
ton to ourselves, and an abundant source of
mutual profit in reviewing the lives and care
fully observing the pursuits of our successful
business men upon whose tolls,
"Dsme Fortune, like tickle sunbeam. smiles,
Blessing their lot with plenty, joy and ease,
Making their lives a harvesting oil peace,
StreTing their paths with roses without thornsn
We shall note the varied routes by which
our more fortunate fellow travellers upon Lilies
great highway, arrive at eminenee and affiu.
ence, and finally amass the greatest of mortal
goods, that yellow dross called Gold,
" The ensaver Of the world whose magic wand
Flowers deserted hearths.'
Reader-there is pleasure to look upon the
world, and note the variety of character de.
picted upon its motley throngs as they hustle
and hustle, pushing and jostlng in the jour
neyings and tarryings Of every day life, and
we have always thought
"Belter the of men, Suspicion than thy fears"
as we have passed to glance upon the circle in
the midst of which fate has cast our lot. And,
repinng railer upon the imperfections of HUI
manity, bethink thee,
Chow many pleasant ehed their light on every side!
How many angels have crossed thy casual way!
new oiten IN thy outheyngss hast thou made thee in
slant friends,
Found, to be loved little while and lost to meet no more,
In the words of the poet we can truly say,
81 have sped by sea- and mingled with much people
But never yet could find spot unsunned by human
kindness:
Some more AMI some lessbut truly all can claim little;
And man may travel through tae world and it thick
as we review the exemplary life which is even
nowideveloping the true mission of man in the
doings and dealings, the tolls and strugglings
of him of whom we write, and of whom it
may be said
Z" He was not born 10 shame,
Upon his brow shame is ashamed to Sit"
so fair, so UPRIGHT, SO honorable have his re-
lations been with all those around him. He
lives in the universal commentator of all who
know him but to love, and, may we not add
our mite, believing with the philosophc bard
Many friendship hath decayed,
Like plant in a crowded corner, Tor want of sunshine
its leaves"
Without further preface we Will at once to
our biographical notes. ABIJAH JENKINS was
the son of poor but honorable parents, from
whom as birthright he received poverty and
integrity, he has changed the one for plenty,
but to the other he has strengthened his claim
by noble deeds, having ever adhered to the
stern honor which marked one of the best of
fathers, the truest OF friends. From both IA
Their and mother he has inherited frank, no.
Bile and generous disposition, and before clos
ing we shall prove by acts his inheritance has
no. deprecated in his keeping He was born
on the sixth day of May, 1878, in the small
village Of Shirley, in our good Bay State. His
childhood and early youth were unmarked by
any striking incidents, and we find him hur-
ryng into active life at an early age armed
with scanty education, but thrice armed
with ambition, q boy with the spirit of a man,
Embarked in life no hopelessness he knew,
4 sturdy heart strong in aspiring hopes,
NerVed him to struggle with resisting fate"
and with diligence in his right, and frmness
in his left hand he soon embarked upon the
voyage of life, commencing the battle of time
with all the disadvantages of meagre privileges.
Serving while boy in a country tavern and
store, he studied nature in IFS crude demon
STATIONS and learned the sovereign people in
their homes and hearts, but ambition urged
him on its impetuous tide to new effort, and
al the age Of sixteen years we find him leav-
ing his native village and rejecting most lib
eral offers of employment upon every side
near home, and going to the large town of
Medf I'd, to expand his field of oberservation
and usefulness. He soon found all employer
with whom lie renamed, faithful toilor, for
about two years, and it is with pride he says,
to-day, since this time he has never known
what it is to want employment. He has never
known the shame of tedious leisure, but &C
tive employ has ever made the moss gather
upon the course in the shape of dollars. In
his time spent at Medford, he may be said 10
have laid the corner stone of his success, for
his faithful performance Of his duties hers, led
to his subsequent acquaintance and recon-
commendation to the late Hon. Peter G..
Brooks, his earliest patron and continual
friend, into whose employ he entered at the
age Of eighteen years, and for whom he labor
ed with unceasing vigor for nine years, yes,
nine eventful years, the nine pillars of his
thorough business education. During this
period, our hero enjoyed the utmost confidence
Ol his distinguished master, and from so en-
inent an example Of all the virtues of an econ-
omical and upright merchant, who can Won
der that he learned an invaluable lesson in the
great questions of finance and expenditures.
He occupied high place in the confidence Of
his kind employer, and enjoys VIC believe, the
best wishes of his kind employer, and enjoys
we believe, the best wishes Of his family to
this day. While in the service OF Mr.. Brooks,
he made himself valuable by strict attention
to his business, and was often offered larger
pay to serve others; but, grateful to the kind.
ness which had fostored him, he renamed true
to his earliest friend, serving his interests with
whole heart and striving to BIO lone man
picked out OF ten thousand" believing, doubt
less that he had before him, first to attain a
namo for integrity and honor, and that
"The puresl treasure mortal times afford,
Is npotlens reputationj that away.
Men are but gilded loan or painted cayn
In this course no made vood f,lend and