Edmund J. Shattuck Dead-This Day In Norwood History-October 9, 1903

Close of a Busy Life Which Was an Eminently Useful One To Norwood and Its Interests

Edmund J. Shattuck, one of Norwood’s most substantial and best-known citizens, died at his home on Walpole and Winter streets on last Sunday morning at about 6 o’clock. Death did not come unexpectedly, Mr. Shattuck having been in failing health for about four months. Mr. Shattuck made a trip last summer to the Azores islands and Southern Europe. Ou his return signs of failing health began to manifest themselves with alarming suddenness and it was soon found that he was the victim of a form of paralysis generally known as locomotor ataxia, but in his particular case the disease took the form known as ataxia parapelegia. He failed rapidly and in the two weeks preceding his death became very weak. The community was not wholly surprised when the news of his death was made public Sunday morning.

There was probably no man in Norwood whose social and political influence was greater than Mr. Sliattuck’s. He was considered the power behind the throne in local politics and in town affairs. This influence and prestige was gained in a large measure at least by sheer merit. He was the strong man of the town because he possessed the gift of brains. His cool, calm, business judgment was relied on, his opinions were fair and impartial and lie acted as one who had the town’s interest at heart. In the public positions he held lie was as careful a guardian of the town’s welfare as he would have been of his own.

Mr. Shattuck was almost a Norwood boy, having come here in early life and grown up with the community. Born in Northfield, Vt., in 1853 and being 51 years old at the time of his death, lie was a resident of this town for more than thirty years. For a short time after coming here he was a clerk in the office of the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad, later on he was employed by Hovey & Co., the seed dealers. He afterwards entered the employ of the Morrill Ink Works and was at the time of his death treasurer and manager of the corporation known as the Morrill Ink Company.

Though Mr. Shattuck could probably have had any position in the gift of the people of Norwood he never sought office and those positions he held were of the useful and practical character. For some fourteen years he was a Water Commissioner of the town and served with great zeal and credit on a number of committees for the building of new schoolhouses. He was also a member of the Committee of Nine appointed by the town to encourage the establishment of now industries here. One of the results of this movement was the establishment here of the Norwood Press.

Mr. Shattuck was a member of Orient Lodge, F. & A. M., of Hebron R. A. Chapter and of Cyprus Commonandry, K. T. He was a liberal supporter of the First Congregational Church and an unostentatious contributor to many worthy charities. Mr. Shattuck married Miss Emma Morrill, eldest daughter of George H. Morrill, who with four daughters and a son survive him. His highest virtues as a man were shown in his home to which he was earnestly devoted and where the happiest hours of his busy life were spent. His tastes were quiet, simple, and domestic and it was by his wish that all ostentatious display was avoided at the funeral services held last Tuesday afternoon at the beautiful home of the family. The services were conducted by Rev. Arthur Howe Pingree, pastor of the Congregational church, assisted by Rev. William B. Eddy of Cambridge, formerly pastor of the Norwood Universalist Church. Rev. Mr. Pingree read the Scriptures and offered prayer. The brief address of eulogy of the deceased was made by Rev. Mr. Eddy as the one of the town clergymen who had known Mr. Shattuck longest and whom the deceased always held in high affection and esteem. Unusually beautiful vocal selections including “The Silent Land,” “Lead, Kindly Light,” and other hymns were sung by the Weber Quartette. Floral tributes were profuse and remarkably beautiful. Roses were emphasized

in all the offerings. The pallbearers were brothers-in-law and nephews of the deceased, George H. Morrill, Jr., Frank T. Morrill, Frank T. Morrill, Jr., Leon Morrill, Abraham Morrill and Charles I. Boyden. Great numbers of out-of-town friends and business associates from New York, Boston, Lowell, Lynn and mauy other places attended. Interment was at Highland Cemetery, Norwood.

The remarks of Rev. W. B. Eddy are appended.

“How strange that we should be met here for this solemn service! But a few months ago, the strong and stalwart figure, with all the promise of health and usefulness. Today, speechless lips, prostrate form. Is this all?

Life in general is strange. Men go to and fro on the earth, busy with many pursuits, partaking of many pleasures. They enter into compacts in business, in society, in education, in government. They become identified with organizations, with families, with trades, with nations. To each is entrusted a responsible service in tho groat network of civilization. But soon for each the hour strikes; the light goes out. The day of action parses into the night of repose. All is stillness and darkness, and men pass the immovable frame, with reverential tread, to pay their last tribute of respect. Is that all? At evening time is there no light?

The interest and the constancy with which this one whose spirit has just passed on, devoted himself to the duties and responsibilities of life, you who have met here to do him honor, would testify. Rarely if ever did he fail to present himself at his desk at an unvarying hour, and you who have been intimately associated with “him in affairs, know with what skill and genius he administered the duties of his office. His power of administration coupled with constancy and fidelity, have left their abiding impress on the corporate interests which he directed, which stand today, I am sure you will confess, as a monument to his personal enterprise and achievement. But not alone to private interests was this tower of strength confined. This community has shared in his efforts and ability. For over a decade he served as commissioner of public works with great beneficence to the town.. His community service won such commendation and gave such an insight into his character that he was always sought for counsel on the most difficult problems of the local government. And the organizations to whose calls, for service and support he ever willingly responded, will miss him in their mission of benevolence, fraternity and religion.

It is but a few years ago that many of us saw this structure rise which has served for this domestic circle. And we know with what care and interest and delight he anticipated the comforts of his family. And all through the years, here he found his highest happiness, here his affection and devotion centered.

And, at last, after these months of struggle, after every known effort of the best medical skill, with all that love here could do in constant ministration and earnest prayer, this light has gone out. He has surrendered to the last enemy—death. What was the strong, earthly tabernacle, has been dissolved. Is this all? No, in the name of all that’s human and divine, no. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

With what comfort and resignation, then, do we meet, even in the presence of death, to consecrate and dedicate this new building of God, eternal in the heavens. Your tears will still flow, but the light of God transfigures them into the rainbow of promise. Would that the veil might be taken from our eyes that we might see this inner and imperishable character. Turn to the Scripture,—not to the sacred Scripture of the Egyptians, “The Book of the Dead,” — but our Christian book, “The Book of the Living.” Look not upon life as a narrow green valley between the cold peaks of two eternities where we walk for u little* while in company with those whom we love and where beyond the encircling lulls all is gloom and nothingness. Listen to the voice of Ono who knew life as it is, who was at one with the Father. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

So, with hearts sad but tempered by trust and hope, with eyes that behold, not the seen but the unseen, let us consecrate this imperishable character, which neither time nor death can destroy. Behold the new architecture of the soul! The motives and principles stand out in bold relief. Justice, fidelity, simplicity, honor,—these are. of the very substance; and through all and cementing all together is love, — not a weak and superficial sentiment, but love which is boru of integrity mingled with sympathy.

It was not given to many ‘to know the Jieart of Edmund J. Shattuck. The just demands of business did not reveal his whole nature. Underneath commercial precision, I can affirm, there was a tenderness of heart which did not fail to find expression in substantial assistance to persons and organizations, kindnesses never proclaimed from the house tops, which testify, nevertheless, to depth and richness of spirit.

And as we consecrate this immortal spirit and behold the real and enduring personality, may we not dedicate ourselves anew and return to the duties of life with larger hope and deeper purposes? In the depth of our sorrow, this presence may be hidden from us, but it is not because he is absent, it is because we do not see. Our friends die, our strength fails, but beside every smouldering ruin, and every open grave, in the fading light of every sunset, in the gathering gloom of every twilight, amid the mists that shroud the great ocean beyond the verge of mortal hope, there is one sweet, mighty voice that says, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)