Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-05
WEBSTER's BROTHER.
Others Thought Him to BE His Equal
in Intellect.

In Intellect.
From the Boston Transcript.
Daniel Webster's sister-in-law the widow
of his brother, Ezekiel Webster. is still liv-
ing. She is nearly ninety-four years of age,
having been born July 0. 1901, at Dunstable
(now Nashua). N. H. She was married Au-
gust 2, 1925, and has been a widow over
sixty-six years. her husband having died
April 10. 1929. She resides at SO South
Main street, Concord. N. H. Her husband
was born March II, 17s0-nearly two years
before his illustrious Lrother Daniel, who
was born January 10, 17s2-and was grad
uated from Dartmouth College in the class
Of 1904. three years after Daniel The sur
viving widow was Ezekieps second wife,
his first wife. whom he married January
IL. 1909. being Alice Bridge of Billerica,
Mass. The second wife (Achsah POLLARD,
who still survives. was relative of the
first wife, Miss Bridge, the maiden name
Of the latter's mother being Alice Pollard.
Ezekiel Webster. like his brother Daniel,
was lawyer portion Of his preparatory
legal studies having been pursued in this
city. In the office of Gov. James Sullivan.
In 1907 Daniel Webster removed from Bos-
cawen to Portsmouth. and Ezekiel COM
menced practice at Boscawen, succeeding
to his brothers business. Ezekiel was, by
many persons who had an opportunity to
Judge his qualities, thought the equal of
his more celebrated brother in intellectual
endowments. In his younger years he was
inclined to be timid, while Daniel was as
bold as a lion, and their father was wont
to say that Ezekiel could not tell half he
knew, but that Daniel could tell more than
he knew. In spite of his natural timidity,
however. his talents soon won for him an
exalted standing as a jurist, and at the
time of his death he was regarded as one
Of the ablest lawyers of New Hampshire.
He was not only a lawyer of distinguish
noble
sterling uprightness. His bearing at the
bar won the respect and confidence of both
Judge and jury. and he was esteemed and
honCTed for his courtesy, talents and in
tegrity. He was elected to the legislature
twelve times-once as a senator and eleven
times as representative, and at the cleo
ton In March. 1929. the month before he
died, he was a candidate ian unsuccessful
one) for seat in the lower house of Con-
gress. He was a model lawyer. as he was
model man In debate he was dignified
and courteous, his weapons being sound
arguments clothed in simple, but elegant
language. He was man of imposing pres
ence, having a magnificent form crowned
with a princely head. His manners were
kind and courteous. his heart warm and
anectionate, his countenance of rare and
striking beauty. My brother Ezekiel"
said Daniel Webster in 1916, appeared to
me, and SO does he now seem to me, the
very finest human form that ever I laid
eyes on"
Daniel Webster had for his brother Eze-
kiel not only the most devoted affection,
but the most exalted respect. In his early
years he looked as anxiously for EZekiePs
approval of all his acts as Coriolanus did
for that of his mother. His confidence in
his elder brothers Judgment was unbound
ed; his reliance upon his counsel and wis
dom was without limit. When, nine months
after Ezekiers death, he had brought the
whole nation to pay homage at his feet
for the splendor of his triumph over the
southern champion, Robert Y. Hayne, he
had one keen regret. How I WISH" he
sorrowfully exclaimed. that my poor
brother had lived till after this speech, for
! know that he would have been gratifed
by It," In their younger days the two
brothers shared the meager contents of a
common purse until they had fully estab-
hshed themselves in their profession
On one occasion, while Daniel was teach
Ing the academy at Freyburg, Me-, and at
the Same time eking out his income by
acting as deputy register of Deeds he re-
turned home by way of Hanover, where
Ezekiel was at college. The first thing
Daniel did was to find out whether his
brother was in want of money; and, al
though his salary as a teacher was scarce
being at the rate of $3.50 a year, he was
ready to help Ezekiel If he was in need.
The result of this visit of Daniels to Eze-
hel may be told in Daniels own words:
I'VE walked and talked during a long
evening; and, finally, seated upon an old
log, not far from the college, l gave to
Ezekiel slOo.the result of my labors in
teaching and in recording deeds, after pay
Ing my own debts-leaving to myself blu.
- to get home with"
With all the assistance. however, which
Ezekiel got from his brother and from his
rather, he was still unable to pursue his
college course without interruption. In the
spring of his senior year, finding his longer
residence in college impossible on account
of lack OF funds. he purchased the good
Will OF private school in this city, and he
also took upon himself, in addition to this
school. the teaching of an evening school
for sailors. At this private school which
he taught here it Is interesting to know
that George Ticknor and Edward Everett
were among his pupils.