Bertram, John

Capt. John Bertram was born in the Channel Island of Jersey in 1796 and died in Salem on March 22, 1882. He is buried in Harmony Grove cemetery.

Starting as a cabin boy at age 16, he ably filled every job on ship and eventually became "Captain" Bertram. His career as merchant and ship-owner was long and he principally engaged in South American trade for rubber and hides, Zanzibar for gun copal, ivory, coffee spices and he benefited from the California Gold Rush. He had a long-standing interest in the building of railroads across America, owning stocks in Easter Railroad Company and founded the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad.

His legacy remains strong due to his extensive philanthropy for assorted charities in Salem. In 1860, he founded Old Ladies' Home (now the Brookhouse Home). He provided a house on Charter St. and $25,000 to create the first Salem Hospital. In 1877, he founded the Bertram Home for Aged Men (now called John Bertram House). In 1882 he presented a home for working women to the Women's Friend Society.

For all his monetary successes, John Bertram had many personal tragedies. He supported his mother after his father's early death at 51 years old, his two wives died in childbirth, and his two songs died in infancy. Even his adopted son died at 41, childless, leaving him with no male heir. In 1887, after Bertram's death, his widow and daughters donated their mansion at 370 Essex St. the city of Salem for use as a Public Library. It opened on July 8, 1889.

See Also

• Vertical File in Salem Collection - Bertram, John

• John Bertram Salem Public Library website info.

• John Bertram Salem Tales, Salem Web.com

• "J. Bertram obituary, Salem Evening News, Mar.27, 1882.

• Essex Institute Historical Collection Vol. 16, p.37-54; Vol. 21, p.81-96; Vol.66, p. 59-60, Vol. 70, p.179-180.

• Historical Sketch of Salem by Osgood, p. 35-36.

• John Bertram of Salem, Massachusetts 1964.

• Ships and Sailors of Old Salem by Ralph D. Paine, p. 642-650