6oS TRACY. TRASK. 1S49, and entered the office of William Bassett, city clerk of Lynn, from whence, retiring in 1855, he engaged in surveying and engineering, and followed this with success for ten years, leaving it in 1865. In i848-'49 he became connected with the Kssex Institute of Salem, under whose auspices he taught and lectured somewhat extensively in the department of botany. This led, in 1868, to his being called to the chair of botany and materia medica, .Mas- sachusetts College of Pharmacy, which po- sition he held six years, retiring in 1873. During this period he also did business as a florist in Lynn, from 1859 to '69. In 4 CYRUS M. TRACY. 1S71 he opened a large music school in Lynn, which he continued for four years, and then for a while followed a trade in minerals and curios. In 1869 he likewise accepted the place of leading editor on the " Lynn Transcript," where he continued till 1879. In pubiic and official life he has spent much iime. From 1856 to '69 he was clerk of the common council of Lynn. From 1 853 to '73 he was one of the com- missioners for Pine Grove Cemetery in that city, being secretary of the board fifteen years. The ordinances of the city were twice codified under his supervision ; and he also compiled and edited the memorial book of the city hall, after the erection of that edifice. The free public library of Lynn had its early beginning under his care ; and he was an active par- ticipant in the work of supplying the city of Lynn with pure water. As a prolific writer and ready public speaker, his services have been much in demand. When the city of Lynn com- memorated its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, June 17, 1879, Mr. Tracy was called to deliver the oration for the day ; and he also appeared as poet of the occa- sion at the dedication of the new city hall, November 30, 1867. A natural taste has impelled him always toward the arts and sciences, with a marked leaning to the study of botany. His "Studies of Essex Flora," issued in 1858, proved very popular with botanists ; and his contributed writings in the "His- tory of Essex County" and the " History of Worcester County," have met with gen- eral approval. As a musician, he was the pupil of the Lite Dr. Louis H. Southard, of Boston, and his operatic work has several times been put upon the stage with acceptance. His poetical efforts have often appeared with credit. Mr. Tracy's present activity is mostly official. Originally commissioned by Gov- ernor Gardner in 1855 as a notary public and justice of the peace, he has held both offices ever since, and is now engaged in conveyancing, and in matters relating to probate, pensions, etc. In 1 88 1 Mr. Tracy began his, perhaps, greatest work, and inaugurated the move- ment for the establishment of the " Free Public Forest of Lynn," — a public park for the perpetual use of the people. By this he has become quite generally known, the work promising to be of the highest bene- fit in future lime. Mr. Tracy married in Lynn, March 20, [848, Caroline Mary, daughter of George W. and Caroline (Rhodes) Needham, of that city. Of this union are four children, all living: I. aura Caroline (Mrs. George F. Hosmer, Woburn), George Gilbert Low- ell, Julia Mason (Mrs. William J. Nutting, Lynn), and Susan Edith Tracy. Tin- son has become a musician of much eminence. TRASK, William Blake, son of Wil- liam and Patience (Pierce) Trask, a lineal descendant of Captain William Trask, one of the li old planters " of Salem, was born in Dorchester, Norfolk county, November 25, 1812.
