Bertram, John

From Salem Links and Lore
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Capt. John Bertram was born in the Channel Island of Jersey (off the coast of France) in 1796 and died in Salem on March 22, 1882. His family moved to Salem in 1807. 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 gum 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 founding 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 sons 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. The new library building opened on July 8, 1889.

See Also

  • Vertical File in Salem Collection - Bertram, John
  • "J. Bertram obituary, Salem Evening News, Mar.22, 1882, story March 27, 1882.
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