Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/578

This page has been validated.
REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF NEW ENGLAND
435

library for more than sixty years) and tell those who were gathered around him the exact moment when the ceremony began. The memory of his wife seemed to keep Mr. Bradbury bright for the more than score of years that he survived her. "To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die." He died January 6, 1901, full of years and full of honors. He was born June 10, 1802.

Mr. Bradbury, like a wise man, always deferred to his wife in household matters, saying: "It relieves me of great responsibility. My wife is more fitted than I am for it." And certainly Mrs. Bradbury had great business capacity, possessing uncommon executive ability, which she inherited from her father, a man of strong will, great industry, sterling sense, and correct judgment. She inherited much property from her father and from her only brother (Henry R. Smith, who died in March, 1876); and, being always self-reliant, she enjoyed the management of it. Sympathetic and full of energy, she was active in works of benevolence, and had great tact and power in bringing others to co-operate in carrying them forward. Much of her income was used in alleviating the sufferings of the poor and needy, who found in her a warm friend. One of her favorite charities was the Old Ladies' Home of Augusta, of which at the time of her death she was president. Many gifts from other hands were the result of her persuasive efforts. In her will she left to this home a generous bequest and also one to the General Hospital at Portland for a free bed, also donations to the Howard Benevolent Society" and the Episcopal Guild of Augusta.

Mrs. Bradbury always enjoyed society, and with her husband held many pleasant receptions at their home. During Mr. Bradbury's senatorship she always accompanied him to Washington, where she derived much satisfaction from her increased social activities. For many years she was a member of the Congregational church, but during the last few years of her life she attended the Episcopal church. A writer said of her, "Her creed was much broader than that of any denomination. She observed strictly the Golden Rule, and hers were the charities that soothe and heal and bless. The epitaph on her tombstone is truly expressive of her character: 'She loved to do good.'"


DORCAS HARVEY LYMAN, Past Department President of the Woman's Relief Corps of Massachusetts, has resided within the present limits of the city of Boston the past forty-six years. Born in 1845 in Liverpool, N.S., she came to Boston in childhood with her parents, and received her education in its public schools. She is a daughter of the late John W. and Susan F. (Jones) Harvey, natives of Liverpool, N.S.

Her father was born July 9, 1812. He married May 24, 1842, Susan F. Jones, who was born March 7, 1821. In 1868 they settled in Brighton, Mass. Mr. Harvey died October 16, 1886, and his wife died December 30, 1900.

Mrs. Harvey was a member of the Second Congregational Church of Brighton and of the Relief Corps auxiliary to Francis Washburn Post, No. 92, G. A. R. She was identified with the woman suffrage cause, and was the oldest woman voter for school committee in Brighton. The Woman's Journal, referring to her death, said: "The community has lost one of its most respected and beloved residents. Mrs. Harvey's illness covered a period of about nine weeks, during which time she did not lose, through her suffering, any of the deep and loving interest which she had always taken in the lives of her children, friends, or the outside work in general. She was a woman of deep and unquestioning faith, who led a broad and Christian life, of which her children and grand-children may well be proud. She shed about her an influence of unselfishness and piety which will bear fruit in the years to come. The Rev. A. A. Berle, D.D., who conducted the services at her funeral, spoke of the old-time belief and trust which characterized her life and of her deep and earnest patriotism."

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey had four children, three sons and one daughter, named above. The eldest child, James W., was a soldier of the Civil War. Enlisting August 5, 1862, in the Eleventh Massachusetts Battery, he served until