Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-06-09
DIR. JAMES c. AVER.
4 Brief sketch Of the l.ife at the Hest
Known Doctor Of tho Ase..Thc Cause Of
llis Mental AbcrratiOn.
lFrOm the HOstOn pokt

The hearing before Judge Brooks in
the Middlesex probate court, Mt which
guardians were appointed over DIR. James
@. Aver, of Lowell, probably ends the
business life of one who has made him.
self known throughout the civilized
world. This celebrity is due to the won.
derful and persistent energy of the man,
and this very energy has reacted upon
him, ana now he is considered to be un-
able to manage his own affairs. The
life Of such man must be one full of
interest, and its end, 10 far as the world
that has known him best is concerned,
is mn event of more than passing inter
est. The mania which now holds him
with an iron grasp has been for years
warning him OF it's approach, and al
though travel and other means were re-
sorted to to ward it off they were unsuc-
cessful. To the last his business was
his real pleasure, and in that lay his only
danger.
DIR. James &. Aver was born in Gro.
ton, Conn.,, May 8, 1918, his father being
Frederick Aver, farmer, and there he
remained until he was thirteen years
old. Then he left his fathers farm and
went to Lowell to his uncle, James
Cook, who sent him to school. and after
ward to the Westtield Academy, where
he fitted for college. He did not enter
college, however, but returned to
Lowell and entered the drug store of
Jacob Robbins. While employed there
he studied medicine under the instruc-
ton of DIR. John 9. Dalton and DR..
Graves, and completed his course at the
Pennsylvania University of Medicine,
where he received the degree of NJ. ID.
from DR.. Kirkwood. He never prac-
ticed medicine as physician, but de-
voted his time and attention 10 chemis-
try, making a speciality of analytical
chemistry. While engaged in his early
researches and experiments he kept IL
drug store, and during these investiga-
tions he developed the "Cherry Pee
toral, a compound that is now of world
wide fame. He first sold it over the
counter with his own hands, putting it
up in small quantities and recommend
ing it to the medical profession when
ever he had an opportunity. Its general
use is due in great measure to the fact
that it was prescribed in numerous in
stances by physicians. As the business
increased he advertised the pectoral in
like proportion, and from its sale he
made quite n large sum of money be-
fore he ventured to add to it's manufac-
ture that of any other remedy. Three
years after, when it's use had become
quite general, he first gave his cathartic
pill to the public, and since that time his
business has ever been growing one.
He early associated with him in the
business several of his present partners,
and they have shared with him in the
wonderful prosperity that has attended
his efforts.
In addition to the preparation of the
remedies, there is ON the premises a
large printing establishment, where all
the typographical work demanded by
the business is executed in the best
manner. Not only are almost countless
labels turned out yearly, but millions of
almanacs are also published and dis
tributed throughout the world. They
are printed in almost all the modern
languages, and their tide, solar and lunar
tables are calculated to suit the localities
to which these little pamphlets are sent.
The business has always been profita-
BILE one, and no doubt millions are used
yearly in conducting it, From it DR..
Aver has amassed fortune, yet not
nearly so large as some of the journals
of the day have stated it to be. 1t is
large enough, however, to require con-
siderable skill in its management. His
personal fortune is probably under
ss3, 900, 900. With all these growing cares
on his hands, the doctor was indeed a
hard worked man. Naturally very active,
he often carried his labors fur into the
night, and in consequence Of this over
work he broke down, and is now suffer-
ing from what physicians term general
paralysis of the brain," which places
lim in truly lamentable condition, as
t is said that there are no instances on ,
,ecord where one who has been afflicted ,
With it has ever been able to return to
business again. ,
Those who know Dr.. Aver well assert :
hat his condition is due solely to busi- ;
less cares, and in no way caused by
political disappointment. He was, of ,
course, desirous of being elected to
Congress when he was candidate for ;
in 1874, but the notoriety ,
which he achieved in the canvass was ,
quite as satisfactory to him then as his
uccess would have been. 1t was an I'M G
qualed advertisement of his business, a
nd as such he fully appreciated it. No q
nan better underst BOD the art of adver-
ising than he did, and no one could =
rrite so bitterly or so sarcastically about =
i'm or his actions that he could not find &
in the words an expression =.
7hich he could turn to advantage, and :,
,hich he often used. He always took
IL interest in the municipal affairs of
lowell, and he held many city offices,
nd even when ont Of Office he liked to =,
lake his political influence felt in local n
latters. A man of strong self-will and 4
elf-control he was often unappreciated, =,
nd so his kindly acts were frequently 6.
one under very discouraging circum- p,
ances. He has wife, two sons and :,
aughter, and for them he has always q :,
lanifested a fondness which is fully re- Al
procated. The appointment of guar a,
ians over him was necessary for busi- -,
ess reasons, and each of them was
Dliged to furnish bonds of a quarter of
million of dollars. At the examination sc
the case prior to their appointment, 1t
uch of the mystery that had surround af
it was cleared up, and there is no ca