Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/78

 38 finds his diversion from the cares of office in the fellowship furnished by affiliation with the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knight of Pythias and Elks fraternities; in the Pentucket and Wachusot clubs of Haverhill; the Metropolitan club of Washington, District of Columbia, the University club of Boston, Massachusetts, and in outdoor exercise, walking and horseback riding. Secretary Moody affords a striking example of the possibilities open to the ambitious American youth belonging to the well-to-do New England family of the present generation, but seldom accepted by them as desirable or practicable. Born amid surroundings that made his career in its possibilities similar to those of most other boys of his class, he advanced to the head of his chosen profession as a lawyer and as a statesman. He had as a boy found open to him schools, the best afforded in America, and they were at the very door of his home.

The primary, grammar and high public schools; the preparatory academy, the New England college, the Harvard law school, each in turn took him into its experienced care; and a well equipped lawyer left the office of one of the most celebrated advocates and counselors in Massachusetts and took his place at the noted Essex bar. His desire to serve his country rather than to become a rich lawyer prevailed, and promotion came to him in his political life as rapidly and as regularly as it had in his school days. City solicitor for two years, district attorney for five years, representative in congress for seven years, he was then advanced to the secretaryship which made him a member of the official family of the president of the United States. His highest honor came to him before he had been fifteen years in public life. His advancement was due to his sterling integrity, high character and industrious application.