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The death of
Hon. Austin Belknap at the residence of his daughter,
Mrs. Roswell C. Downer, in
Roxbury, on the ninth of December, 1902, removed from the activities of life one who had for nearly fifty years been a useful and honored citizen of
Somerville, a man of unblemished reputation in private and public life, a man in whom there was no guile, who hated deceit, and whose life was open, frank, and honest.
Mr. Belknap was born in
Westboro, Mass., July 18, 1819, the son of John and
Ruth (
Fay)
Belknap.
His early education was obtained in the district school of
Westboro and the Worcester Academy, taking a course in civil engineering in the latter institution.
After a brief experience in railway construction, he came to
Boston in 1843, entering the produce business, in which he continued until the day before his death, covering a period of nearly sixty years.
Mr. Belknap became a resident of
Somerville in 1853.
He was a man of studious habits, and his early education was supplemented and broadened by a careful and judicious course of reading and private study, accumulating in a few years a valuable private library.
After he was fifty years of age, he began the study of
French, soon learning to read in that language with ease.
He took a lively interest in municipal affairs, serving the town efficiently and intelligently as a member of the School Committee in ‘62, ‘63, and ‘64; as a member of the last three Boards of Selectmen in ‘69, ‘70, and ‘71.
He was a trustee of the
Public Library in ‘73 and ‘74, and was the third mayor of the city, serving two terms in ‘76 and ‘77.
During his term of service as mayor, he was actively identified with two important city improvements, the extension of a main line of sewer from Kent street, via Beacon street, Somerville avenue, Mossland street, and Elm street to Davis square, and the completion and dedication of the
Broadway park, which was begun under the administration of
Mayor Furber.
To all the important work done by the city under his administration
Mr. Belknap gave his personal attention, preventing the possibility of jobbery and unnecessary
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expense to the city, securing as good work as might be done for a private individual.
While
Mr. Belknap protected the city from dishonesty and corruption in carrying out public improvements, he was broad and wise in his policy.
Mr. Belknap married Miss Jane P., eldest daughter of the late
Holloway and
Frances (Read)
Brigham, of
Westboro, by whom he had three children, two of whom survive him,
Mrs. R. C. Downer and
Robert W. Belknap.
Mrs. Belknap died several years before her husband.
For many years
Mr. Belknap was active in Free Masonry, being a member of John Abbot Lodge, the
Somerville Chapter, and the
De Molay Commandery.
But, while fond of social life, his chief recreation was found at his own fireside with his beloved books.
As we close this hurried outline of a busy life, a life that was not lived in vain, let us quote from
Pope, his favorite author—
Unblemished let me live, or die unknown,
O grant an honest fame, or grant me none.
