USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Groton historical series. A collection of papers relating to the history of the town of Groton, Massachusetts, Vol III > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
Dr. Draper and I were scholars together, and in the same class under the instruction of Mr. Means. We left the school at the same time and went to college in the early autumn of 1847, -he to Williams and I to Harvard, - and we each graduated four years later. As I look back on my school days, I remember no boy with whom I had any pleasanter relations than I had with Joe Draper.
JOSEPH KUTTER DRAPER, son of fra and Eunice ( Rutter) Draper, was born at Wayland, Mass., June 30, 1830. At the age of fourteen, very soon after his father's death, his mother removed to Groton to educate her two children in the Lawrence Academy. Hle there prepared for College, and took the full course.
After graduation he spent several years in teaching at Dedham, Framingham, and Milford. While teaching he studied medicine in a general way, and then took the regular course at the Medical Col- lege in Pittsfield and a course of Lectures in Harvard. In the
S
58
OTHER PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.
fall of 1862 Dr. Draper went to Washington and received the ap- pointment of medical Cadet, and was sent to the Armory Square Hospital as assistant to Dr. Bliss. His advantages were great, and he remained a year during the battles of the Peninsula. He was then commissioned Assistant Surgeon, and at the solicitation of the Eleventh Rhode Island Heavy Artillery he was appointed surgeon of the battalion, which was ordered immediately to Texas. After a few months they were sent into Louisiana, where he re- mained until the close of the war. In the following November, after receiving his discharge papers, he moved to South Boston, where he built up a wide and lucrative practice. "On the 25th of June he was taken violently ill with acute laryngitis ; after two days the inflammation extended to the lungs ; he had double pneu- monia, survived the acute stage of the disease, and for a few days improved, but soon showed unfavorable symptoms which baffled the skill of the physicians, and he died August 5, 1885. At the request of the physicians an autopsy was held, and trouble was found that dated back to his army life."
Dr. Draper was a member of the South Boston Medical Club, Councillor of the State Medical Society, member of the Grand Army Dahlgren Post, of the Congregational Club, and of Park Street Church.
Hle had married Mary Jane Fuller, of Dedham, in [November 22] 1855. A daughter died in infancy ; a son bearing his father's name graduated at Williams last year, and is now in the Harvard Medical school. [He graduated in the Class of 1888.]
His classmate, Hon. James White, and others speak in the high- est terms of Dr. Draper as a skillful physician and an earnest Christian man. "By his integrity of character, Christian deport- ment, purity of heart and life, and by his constant thoughtfulness for the welfare of others, he won a large place in the esteem of all with whom he came in contact." (Pages 26, 27.)
DR. SAMUEL WILLIAM FLETCHER is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Corey) Fletcher, and was born at Groton, on Sep- tember 18, 1831. When he was eight years old, his father's family removed to Hollis, New Hampshire. In the year 18.16 he began to attend school at Lawrence Academy, and graduated at the Harvard Medical School in the Class of 1858. He became a member of the Massachusetts Medical
59
OTHER PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.
Society in 1861. During the War of the Rebellion he served in the Thirty-second Massachusetts Volunteers, being com- missioned, - first, on August 15, 1863, as Assistant Surgeon of the regiment ; and, secondly, on June 1, 1865, as Surgeon. He was mustered out of the service on June 29, 1865. Dr. Fletcher was married at Pepperell, on December 1, 1868, 10 Martha, daughter of John Newton and Sarah (Hoklen ) Worcester, of Hollis. For the last thirty years he has been a resident of Pepperell, where he is still in practice.
DR. LUTHER PARKER FITCH was a son of John, Jr., and Lucy Lawrence ( Sawtell) Fitch, and born at Groton, on March 26, 1836. He attended school at Lawrence Academy, and graduated at Beloit College in the Class of 1860; and he took his medical degree at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, New York, in the year 1863. He died on Tuesday, February 26, 1889 ; and the following notice of him is found in. " The Iowa Citizen " ( Charles City, Iowa ), March 1, 1889 :
Frren - At his residence in Charles City, on Thursday [Tuesday] afternoon, Feb. 19 [26], 1889, after a brief illness from pneu- monia, Dr. L. P. Fitch, aged 53 years and i month [11 months].
Luther P. Fitch was born at Groton, Mass., March 26, 1836. When he was about three years of age, his family removed to Cherry Valley, Ill., and settled on a farm. Ile received nearly all his early education at Lawrence Academy, an institution in his native town. Four years he attended Beloit College, from which he graduated in 1860. He spent a few months in the medical de- partment of Michigan University and then entered the college of Physicians and Surgeons at New York City, graduating in 1863 Shortly after leaving school he was appointed Surgeon of the 47th Colored Infantry, with whom he remained until the close of the war. In 1868 he came to Charles City. We quote from County History : " Here he met with deserved success as a practitioner, and is well and favorably known throughout the county as a skillful and reli- able physician. On Oct. 13, 1869, he married Martha Baker of Berlin, Wis. Two children have blessed their union, Charles L. and Lucy." Dr. Fitch was a member of the American Medical
60
OTHER PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.
Association and of the Iowa Medical Society. He had been a Vice-President of the Iowa Association. For ten years he was a member of the Charles City School Board. For many years he had been a member of the Congregational church and at the time of his death was Clerk of the Society. He was always an enthu- siastic and helpful Sunday School worker. For twenty-one years he had been a citizen of this town and had won friends in all parts of the county. His influence had always been given on the side of right and justice, and his reputation has been that of a public-spirited citizen and a clean principled man. The funeral was held at the house this morning at 10 o'clock.
For a reference to his father's family, see Volume II. (page 287) of this Historical Series.
DR. JOHN GRAY PARK is a son of John Gray and Mary (Thayer) Park, and was born at Groton, on January 3, 1838. He attended school at Lawrence Academy, and graduated at Harvard College in the Class of 1858. Immediately after- ward he began the study of medicine, and in May, 1861, was chosen one of the house physicians at the Massachusetts General Hospital. On February 19, 1862, he was appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon in the Navy, and ordered to the " Victoria," on the coast of North Carolina. In the summer of 1864 an attack of illness forced him to obtain leave of ab- sence, which he spent at his home in Groton. On November 6, 1865, he received an honorable discharge from the naval service. He graduated at the Harvard Medical School in the Class of 1866, and began the practice of his profession in Worcester. On October 22, 1872, he was married to Eliza- beth Bigelow, daughter of the Honorable Asa Farnsworth and Sarah Jane ( Bancroft) Lawrence, of Groton. Shortly before his marriage Dr. Park was appointed Assistant Super- intendent of the Lunatic Hospital at Worcester, and on March 1, 1877, was made Superintendent, when he took charge of the new buildings of the institution, then approach- ing completion. He joined the Massachusetts Medical Soci- cty in the year 1867.
For a reference to his father's family, see Volume H. (page 298) of this Historical Series.
61
OTHER PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.
DR. GEORGE FRANCIS SHATTUCK was a son of Walter and Roxana ( Fletcher) Shattuck, and born at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, on July 28, 1838. He passed his boyhood at Groton, and received his early education at Lawrence Acad- emy. (See page 306 of Volume II. of this Historical Series for a reference to the family.) At the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion, he served as Third Lieutenant of Company B, Sixth Regiment Massachusetts Militia, from April 22, 1861, to May 2, when he was commissioned as First Lieutenant, and acted in that capacity until the return of the regiment on August 2. He had previously begun the study of medicine, under the tuition of Dr. George Stearns, of Groton, and at- tended three, courses of lectures at the Harvard Medical School, where he took the degree of M. D. in the Class of 1862. Soon after graduation he was commissioned, on Au- gust 31, 1862, as Captain of his former company, when the same regiment went into the field for nine months' service, returning on June 3, 1863 ; and again he was commissioned as Captain of the same company, on July 17, 1864, when the regiment went into the field for three months, being mustered out on October 27. Dr. Shattuck joined the Massachusetts Medical Society in the year 1863. He was married at West- brook, Maine, on September 15, 1868, to Cynthia J. Morrill. His death took place at Wilcox, Orange County, Florida, on November 7, 1884.
DR. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON LEWIS is a son of William Crosby and Emeline Augusta (Bellows) Lewis, and was born at Groton, on November 30, 1840. He received his early education at Lawrence Academy, and graduated at the Belle- vue Hospital Medical College, New York, in the Class of 1864. On December 24, 1861, he was married to Serene, daughter of Jonathan and Maria Ann ( Churchill) Buffington, of Roxbury, who was at the time eighteen years of age. The marriage did not prove to be a happy one; and on September 10, 1870, Mrs. Lewis obtained a divorce from her husband. During the domestic troubles she had the undivided confi- dence and sympathy of all her friends. Dr. Lewis is now practising his profession at Bergen Point, New Jersey.
62
OTHER PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.
DR. RICHARD BULKLEY POTTER is a son of Luther Fitch and Lydia Prescott ( Ames) Potter, and was born at Groton, on January 15, 1845. His middle name was inserted by an Act of the Legislature, on May 23, 1851. Many years ago his family removed from Groton to Cincinnati, where the father died on December 2, 1884. The son graduated at the Medical College of Ohio, Cincinnati, in the Class of 1866, and is now practising his profession at Figulus, Dade County, Florida. Dr. Potter has been a member of the Legislature of that State.
For a reference to his father's family, see Volume II. (page 307) of this Historical Series.
DR. WILLIAM CHAUNCY HIALL NEEDHAM was the eldest child of Colonel Daniel and Caroline Augusta (Hall) Need- ham, and born at Groton, on August 18, 1845. He took the degree of M. D. at the Berkshire Medical Institution, Pittsfield, on October 1, 1867, and again at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, on March 7, 1868. Dr. Need- ham began the practice of his profession at Gallipolis, Ohio, where he was the City Physician during the years 1877 and 1878. On October 4, 1870, he was married to Florence Adele, daughter of Charles and Emilie ( Creuzet) Henking. Hle died on January 12, 1882, in Columbus, Ohio, while a member of the Senate of that State.
For a reference to his father's family, see Volume II. (page 297) of this Historical Series.
DR. EDWARD ADDISON WOOD was a son of the Reverend William and Lucy Maria ( Lawrence) Wood, and born on May 8, 1848, in Bombay, India, where his parents were mis- sionaries. After the death of his mother, on August 13, 1851, he was sent with a younger brother to Groton, where he was brought up in the family of his grandfather, the late Deacon Curtis Lawrence. He began to attend school at Lawrence Academy in the year 1858, and graduated at the Harvard Medical School in the Class of 1869, when he was of Groton. For several years Dr. Wood practised his profession at North
63
OTHER PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.
Branford, Connecticut, when his health gave out, and he died at the Retreat for the Insane, Hartford, on July 18, 1886; as also his father a few months later, at the same institution, on February 22, 1887.
DR. JOSEPH MORRILL PUTNAM is a son of Osgood and Rhoda Ann ( Hall) Putnam, and was born at Groton, on May 26, 1848. He was educated at Lawrence Academy, and grad- uated at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in the Class of 1870. He began the practice of his profes- sion in Chelsea, where, on February 25, 1875, he was married to Harriet A,1 daughter of Sabin Holbrook and Arabella E 1 (Hunter) Kimball, and a native of Lubec, Maine. Dr. Put- nam was the City Physician of Chelsea from the year 1875 to 1887, and was Visiting Surgeon at the Soldiers' Home in Massachusetts from January 1, 1884, to January 1, 1887. He was first chosen City Physician in February, 1875, and for five years re-elected annually, when there was a change in the method of election ; and in 1881 and 1884 he received an appointment to the same office, cach term being for three years. He became a fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society in June, 1877.
DR. WILLIAM LAWRENCE SPRAGUE was a son of Seth Ed- ward and Harriet Bordman (Lawrence) Sprague, and born in Boston, on July 21, 1849. He graduated at Harvard Col- lege in the Class of 1871; and, while pursuing his profes- sional studies, lived at Groton during more than a year. Ile took his degree of M. D. at the Harvard Medical School in the Class of 1881, and began the practice of his profession in Boston. Dr. Sprague was giving every promise of suc- cess, when he died, unmarried, on June 22, 1884. He was a grandson of William Lawrence, of Boston, and a great-grand- son of Major Samuel Lawrence, of Groton. He joined the Massachusetts Medical Society in the year 1881.
DR. HERBERT FRANKLIN WILLIAMS is a son of Samnel ' and Clarissa (Hartwell) Williams, and was born at Groton, on
I 'These letters do not stand for any name.
64
OTHER PHYSICIANS OF GROTON.
April 5, 1850. He received his carly education at Lawrence Academy, Groton, and graduated at the Medical Department of the University of the City of New York in the Class of 1873. On June 24, 1885, he was married to Julia Whitehead, daughter of Dr. John Gordon and Julia Amanda ( Whitehead) Howard, of Savannah, Georgia ; and they have one daughter, Isabel Lathrop Williams, born on October 23, 1886. Dr. Williams is a member of the Kings County Medical Society, and of the New York Academy of Medicine, and moreover is connected with numerous other medical associations and institutions. lle is now a resident of Brooklyn, New York, and lives at No. 450 Classon Avenue in that city.
CITY PHYSICIANS.
THE following natives of Groton have served as City Phy- sicians, in their respective localities, during the years set against their names : -
Samuel Abbott Green, Boston, 1871-1881. Joseph Morrill Putnam, Chelsea, 1875-1887. William Chauncy Hall Needham, Gallipolis, Ohio, 1877-78.
NOTE. - Dr. Jeremy Stimson, mentioned on page 17, joined the Massachusetts Medical Society in the year 1810; Dr. Amos Ban- croft (page 18) in 1808; Dr. Micah Eldredge (page 22) in 1817; Dr. George Stearns (page 25) in 1836 ; Dr. James Merrill Cummings (page 29) in 1847 ; Dr. Rufus Shackford (page 30) in 1847; Dr. Norman Smith (page 31) in 1865 ; Dr. Lemuel Fuller (page 32) in 1852 ; Dr. Kendall Davis (page 34) in 1834; and Dr. John Quincy Adams McCollester (page 40) in 1857.
65
THE DENTISTS OF GROTON.
THE DENTISTS OF GROTON.
DENTISTRY, a kindred art to medicine, began to be prac- tised in New England during the Revolution, though at that period with many crudities. With its advanced schools, as a twin sister of the medical profession, it now challenges public attention and respect. For this reason I purpose to give, in connection with the present number of the Historical Series, an account of the dentists of Groton, and to include among them those natives'of the town who have practised elsewhere.
The earliest dentist established here, of whom I can find any trace, was DR. LEWIS B. ALLEN, who was married in September, 1840, at Owego, New York, to Emily S. Pinney. In the "Groton Literary Journal," May 15, 1843, the only number of a paper under that name, edited by the students of Groton Academy, is a notice of a Temperance meeting on May 4, which mentions Dr. Allen as giving a toast or senti- ment on the occasion. According to my recollection of the affair, it was a kind of formal opening of the new Temperance House, at that time just started by Thomas T. Farnsworth, and then considered a great innovation on existing customs. In the " Groton Post and Business Advertiser," June, 1843, Dr. Allen has an advertisement, which says that he has "spent some time with one of the first Dentists in New York," that he intends to make Groton "his place of residence," and that " he is able to perform the most difficult operations with the least possible inconvenience." He left Groton soon after- ward, and died a long time ago in Trenton, New Jersey ; and his widow, some years later, in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Dr. E. Y. White, of Cambridgeport, writes me that he first knew Dr. Allen in the year 1844, when he had an office over Arte- mas Wood's store, and boarded in Mrs. Child's house ; and that Mrs. Allen was a sister of the Reverend Alfred Pinney, who came to Groton and was settled over the Baptist Society
66
THE DENTISTS OF GROTON.
during the summer of 1843, - largely through the instrumen- tality of Dr. Allen.
DR. CHARLES ELLIOT THOMPSON was a son of Deacon Asa and Betsey (Darrah) Thompson, and born at Chester- field, New Hampshire, on October 10, 1810. He studied dentistry with his uncle, Dr. Robert Darrah, of Lowell, and in the year 1843 came to Groton, where he opened an office in the Brazer dwelling, which was then kept as a boarding- house by William Austin Bancroft. It now belongs to the Academy, and is occupied by Mrs. Sibley. Subsequently he had an office in Jonas Eaton's boarding-house, opposite to the Orthodox Meeting-house, later in Dr. Amos B. Bancroft's dwelling, and afterward in Mr. Shumway's house. He re- mained in Groton until the year 1859, when he went to Bos- ton, where he continued to practise his profession until a short time before his death, which took place in Worcester, on February 3, 1865.
Dr. Thompson was married at Cambridge, on September 16, 1864, to Mary Abigail, daughter of Leonard and Sibyl Winship ( Newell ) Whiting, a native of Pepperell.
Dr. Edward Y. White, who studied dentistry in Dr. Thomp- son's office, gives me some of his recollections of the man. He says that he was very neat and particular in his personal appearance, and remarkably skilful as an operator as well as accurate in all mechanical details. One of his rules was never to deceive a patient, especially a child, in regard to the pain of an operation, although he always made the most favorable statement that the truth would allow. In the days of Dr. Thompson's pupilage there were no Dental Schools or Colleges ; and the study of the profession was then always with a private teacher, who was supposed to have some dental methods and secrets which were revealed only to his own students. Dr. White remembers Dr. Darrah, and says that, before coming to Lowell, he had lived in Washing- ton, D. C., where he acquired a large and successful practice ; and among his patients was President Madison's family. During the latter years of his life, owing to ill health, he was obliged to give up all active business.
67
THE DENTISTS OF GROTON.
DR. EDWARD YOUNG WILITE is a son of Deacon Samuel and Susannah (Young) White, and was born at Groton on August 4, 1819. He began the study of dentistry with Dr. Thompson, of Groton, in 1844, and remained with him for several years, during which period he practised his profes- sion, more or less, in the towns of Amherst and Milford, New Hampshire, and in Littleton. On November 24, 1853, he was married to Agnes Thompson, daughter of William and Clarissa (Carkin) Chamberlin, of Littleton. In 1853 hc established himself at Leominster, where he remained for twelve years. He next removed to Charlestown, living there for one year, and then settled in Cambridgeport, where he has been in successful practice during more than twenty years. His office is now at No. 603 Main Street, Central Square. Dr. White was among the earliest dentists to ap- preciate the importance of the anaesthetic properties of ether in their operations, and from the time of its discovery to the present day, he has been in the habit of using it in his practice.
DR. DAVID STOCKBRIDGE WINITE is a son of Deacon Samuel and Susannah (Young) White, and was born at Groton, on November 6, 1822. On May 5, 1854, he was married to Lucy Anna, daughter of Cyrus and Lucy (South- wick) Barker, of Littleton; and they have two children, Edwin Markland, born in Boston, on February 10, 1855, and Fannie Fletcher, born in Charlestown, on May 4, 1858. In the year 1861 he began the study of dentistry at Leominster, under the instruction of his brother, Dr. E. Y. White. After the completion of the course he established himself at Charles- town, where he still remains in active practice.
The homestead where these two brothers were born and brought up is situated between Sandy and Spectacle l'onds, in the old School District No. II, and comes now within the limits of Ayer.
DR. WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON HINDS is a son of Abner and Betsey (Pierce) Hinds, and was born at Milan, New
68
THE DENTISTS OF GROTON.
Hampshire, on January 20, 1821. He studied dentistry, first in Fitchburg and afterward in Boston, and began the practice of his profession at Gardner, where he remained for eight years. On September 10, 1852, he was married at Chelsea to Ellen Elizabeth Mooney, who was born in the parish of Garvaghy, County of Down, Ireland, on May 1, 1831. In the spring of 1859 he came to Groton Junction and opened an office, being the first resident dentist in the village, as he had previously been at Gardner. After the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was commissioned on August 1, 1861, as Lieutenant in the Sixteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, which position he held until November 9, when he resigned. On July 31, 1862, he received a commission as Captain in the Thirty-third Massachusetts Volunteers and remained in the military service until May 7, 1863. Soon afterward he re- sumed the practice of his profession at Groton Junction, where he continued until the year 1879, when he removed to Kennebunkport, Maine, in which place he is now living.
DR. JAMES DENNIS BROWN was a son of James, Jr., and Betsey (Carter) Brown, and born at East Princeton, on September 17, 1825. In the spring of 1850 he began the study of dentistry under the instruction of Dr. Thomas Palmer, of Fitchburg, with whom he afterward was asso- ciated as a partner. In the year 1859 he came to Groton Junction, where he remained until the spring of 1877. Dr. Brown was married in Boston, first, on January 22, 1862, to Mary Frances, daughter of Anson and Elizabeth A. Peck. She was a native of Boston, and died at Groton, on February 13, 1866, aged 25 years, 6 months, and 28 days. Ile was mar- ried, secondly, to Ella, a sister of the first wife. Dr. Brown died in Worcester on September 2, 1878.
DR. ELIPHALET RIPLEY BLANCHARD was a son of Na- thaniel and Hannah ( Ripley) Blanchard, and born at Wey- mouth, in July, 1820. He was the teacher of music in Law- rence Academy from the year 1845 to 1847, as well as for one year at a later period ; and also in the State Normal School,
69
THE DENTISTS OF GROTON.
Bridgewater, from 1855 to 1860. He was married in Boston, on December 26, 1850, first, to Mrs. Sarah Olive ( Hall) King, daughter of Joseph Fletcher and Sally (Moors) Hall, of Groton. She was born on May 8, ISHI, and died of con- sumption on November 7, 1867; her first husband was Daniel C. King. Dr. Blanchard studied dentistry with Dr. C. E. Thompson, and in 1860 began the practice of his profession at Groton, where he remained until 1864. He subsequently practised in South Weymouth and Boston, and later removed to Chelsea, where he was married, on December 25, 1870, secondly, to Mary Mehitable, daughter of Zachariah Tarbox and Ann Norton (Butler ) Milliken, born at Farmington, Maine, on July 19, 1832. Dr. Blanchard died of consumption at Chelsea, on October 19, 1883, aged 63 years, 3 months, and 17 days, leaving a widow and two children, Alice Ripley, born on September 2, 1871, and Frederic, on May 8, 1877.
DR. FRANKLIN EARLAND GILSON is a son of John Me- Keen and Fanny (Blood) Gilson, and was born at Groton, on September 7, 1852. He studied his profession with the Colton Dental Association in Boston, and in the spring of ISSo began practice at Groton, where he has since remained, occupying until recently the chambers of the Brick Store. On December 31, 1881, he was married to Mary Almira, daughter of John and Mary (Townsend) Blood, of Holbrook.
Dr. Gilson is a nephew of Mrs. Susanna ( Blood) Prescott, who was so cruelly murdered in the southeasterly part of Groton, on November 11, 1885 (see Volume II. page 163) ; and it is to her that he owes his middle name. She was a nurse of some local repute, and many years ago it fell to her lot, in that capacity, to take care of a young Norwegian, l'eder A. Erlund by name, who was sick. He was then a scholar at Lawrence Academy, and an inmate of Mr. Butler's family. The patient made such a favorable impression on the nurse, that years afterward she insisted that her little nephew should take his surname, which is now perpetuated as Earland.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.