John Bertram

Born: February 11, 1796

Died: March 22, 1882

John Bertram was born on the Isle of Jersey off the coast of Normandy, France. His father, Jean was a farmer and also a master carpenter. His mother was Marie Perchard Bertram. John Bertram had two brothers and three sisters. John attended primary school and an English grammar school. He and his family spoke French. In July of 1807, the family left the Isle of Jersey on a ship bound for Baltimore. The ship developed a leak and landed in Boston. A fellow Jersey man suggested that they go to Salem. They took him up on this suggestion. John attended Mr. Hacker’s school briefly, but left to work with his father and help out at home. He had the equivalent of an eighth grade education, but was an avid reader throughout his life.

Between Jefferson’s Embargo and the War of 1812, the economy of Salem fell on hard times. John’s father had both a house and carpentry shop on Central Street. Young John was later quoted as saying that he had “no taste for the mechanical trade.” He wanted to add to the family income and help to pay off their debts. He decided to go to sea. He first served as a cabin boy; in December of 1812 he made his first voyage. He rapidly rose through the ranks, promoted to Master or Captain in 1824; he was called by the title for the rest of his life. He made wise investments in cargos, and was able to retire in 1832 at the age of 36. He was known for taking risks, but also for being careful in his investments as well as in his decisions as ship’s captain. He brought these qualities into civilian life as well, becoming a merchant and ship owner. He invested in the rubber trade, in gum copal used for making lacquer, ivory, coffee, and spices. He shipped supplies to prospectors in California during the Gold Rush. He was involved in railroads from their beginning; becoming a stockholder in the Eastern Railroad in 1836. He was the founder and served as Vice President of the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad. In 1868, this branch linked with the Union Pacific Railroad, two years ahead of his competitors.

His personal life contained much tragedy. His father died at 51, making John Bertram who was then the only surviving son, the support for his mother and younger sisters. His first two wives both died in childbirth. Two sons died in infancy, and an adopted son died at the age of 41. An adopted daughter died at age 8.

Perhaps as a result of these events and because of his own personality, Captain John Bertram used his wealth to help many people. In 1860, he became a founder of the Old Ladies Home (now Brookhouse.) In 1873 he gave twenty five thousand dollars to found the Charter Street Home which became today’s Salem Hospital. In 1877, he founded the Bertram House for Aged Men. In 1879, he set up the Bertram Fund to provide fuel assistance for Salem Residents. In 1882 he purchased a building to house the Women’s Friend Society. He was also a benefactor for the Children’s Friend society and for the Plummer Home for Boys.

He was also active in the Freemasons, the Salem Marine Society, the East India Marine Society, and served on the Salem Council in 1837 and1838 and in the Massachusetts General Court as a representative in 1857 and again in 1863.

John Bertram died on March 22, 1882 at the age of eighty six. His daughters carried out his desire to donate their home at 370 Essex Street to Salem to be used at the city’s Public Library. The doors opened on July 8, 1889.

Sources Consulted:

• Selina F. Little. Captain John Bertram: Seafarer, Merchant, Philanthropist. Salem Public Library, Salem, MA: 1990, 1996.
• Internet:‍
  • Findagrave.com/memorial/7885476/john-bertram-citing Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, Essex County Massachusetts, USA
  • Salemweb.com Salem Tales: John Bertram: 1795-1882 Philanthropist Jim McAllister
  • Salwiki noblenet.org/salem/wiki/index. php? title=Bertram, John &oldid=10686
  • wikipedia.org/w/index.php?=title John-Bertram- (Massachusetts businessman) oldid 1057920790