History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 27

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292

USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890 > Part 27

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Dr. Samuel Kenrick, eldest son of Doctor Jonathan. was born in 1741, studied medicine with Dr. Nathaniel Breed of Eastham, and settled upon his father's place. He had a large field of labor, and was a successful practitioner. He attained, it is said, a high eminence as a physician in this section of the county. He died February 10. 1791. He married Esther Mayo of Eastham, and had seven children. The sons were Samuel, Jonathan (father of the present Alfred Ken- rick, Esq., of Orleans) and Warren Anson, who studied medicine and settled in Wellfleet, where he died February 10, 1808, aged 44 years. Dr. Samuel Kenrick lies buried in Orleans, where a stone with in- scription marks the spot. His widow, Esther, died in January, 1827, aged S6 years.

Leonard Latter, M.D., born in 1843, in Sussex, England, is a son of Leonard Latter, and he passed the London College of Pharmacy and was a drug clerk in England, ten years, and came to Barnstable county in 1869. He entered a medical college in Maine and after one term there, went to the Detroit Medical College from which he graduated in 1875. After a short practice in Michigan and in Iowa, he returned to Barnstable county, locating at Monument Beach in 1883, where he still practices. He was married in 1886 to Mrs. Margaret W. Brad- bury.

Doctor Jonathan Leonard, an eminent physician of Sandwich, was

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born in Bridgewater, Mass., February 17, 1763, and graduated at Har- vard College in 1786. He settled in Sandwich about 1789. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He died January 25, 1849, aged 86 years. He married Temperance Hall, May 10, 1796, and he had five children.

JONATHAN LEONARD, M.D.," was the son of the above mentioned Dr. Jonathan Leonard. He was born in Sandwich January 7, 1805, was educated in the Sandwich Academy and at Harvard. Choosing medi- cine as a profession he commenced practice with his father in 1827, and continued in practice up to a short time before his death, January 29, 1882.

A friend writes of him as follows: "A brow on which every god did set his seal to give the world assurance of a man." For many, many years the most striking figure in all our town was Doctor Leon- ard. Highly educated, the son of a famous physician and himself a graduate of Harvard Medical School, he at once took a leading posi- tion in his native town, not only as a man, but as a physician and surgeon. Who that ever saw him in his later years and conversed with him can forget his appearance and the impression he left behind -that glorious head of white hair, the serene, yet withal, kindly and intellectual expression of the face, the erect form, the firm set mouth, the quick and penetrating glance of the eye, all marked him as a man highly gifted by nature and of great intellectual ability. -

As a professional man he was highly respected among his brethren, stood side by side and ranked with the best among them. He pos- sessed, in a large degree, what ought to be common, but which we, after all rarely find,-the gift of common sense, and used it success- fully. As a consequence his services and opinions were sought for far and wide. At once he gained the confidence of his patients and when gained it was never lost. His hand was soft as thistle down to the throbbing pulse and aching brow. The writer still remembers the touch of that hand. But the life of man is limited. After a long and successful practice, many years of honor, at the age of three score and seventeen years, as ripe fruit in autumn falls from the tree -he was quietly gathered to his fathers-and one day the town in which he had so long lived, found he had "passed on beyond the gates." It can truly be said of Doctor Leonard that he was one of " nature's noblemen," " that the world is better for his having lived in it." He was deeply interested in all that pertained to the welfare of his native town, particularly its educational interests. In his religious views he was broad and liberal, and was always a liberal contributor to that branch of the Christian church whose teachings were in har- mony with his own religious thought.

* By Hon. Charles Dillingham.

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He was twice married : first in 1830 to Miss Alice C., daughter of Samuel H. Babcock, Esq., of Boston ; second in 1868 to Mrs. Mary T. Jarvis, daughter of C. C. P. Waterman, Esq., of Sandwich, who, with the daughter by the first marriage and a son by the second, resides on the old homestead in Sandwich.

Dr. Samuel Lord was a physician of Chatham. He was a son of Rev. Joseph Lord, and was born, probably in South Carolina, June 26, 1707, where his father was then settled. He came to Chatham with his father's family in 1719, and died of small pox early in 1766.

Lyman H. Luce, M.D., of Martha's Vineyard, practiced medicine at Falmouth from 1869 to 1880. He then removed to West Tisbury, Mass., where he now resides. He married Lizzie, daughter of Cap- tain John R. Lawrence of Falmouth.

Henry E. McCollum, M.D., a graduate of Bowdoin Medical Col- lege, practiced medicine at Marston's Mills from 1847 to 1868, and subsequently died there.

William M. Moore, M.D., born in 1848 at Barnet, Vt., is a son of William Moore. He received a preparatory course at St. Johnsbury Academy and graduated July 1, 1880, from Burlington Medical Col- lege, Vermont. He practiced in St. Johnsbury and adjoining towns in Vermont, also in Carroll county, New Hampshire, from 1880 until 1888, and since October of that year has been located in Province- town. He is a member of the White Mountain Medical Society, and of the Carroll County Society. He married Emma J., daughter of George L. Kelley.

GEORGE M. MUNSELL, M.D.,# born December 14, 1835, at Burling- ton, is the only son of Rev. Joseph R. Munsell, for years pas- tor of the Congregational church at Harwich. Doctor Munsell's earlier education was received in Hampden and Belfast Academies, after which he studied medicine with Dr. C. M. Hulbert of South Dennis. In March, 1860, he graduated from the medical department of Harvard College, and at once commenced 'practice in Bradford, Me., where he remained one year. In 1861 he returned to Harwich as an associate of Dr. Fanklin Dodge. In July, 1862, he entered the army as first assistant surgeon of the Thirty-fifth Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteers; but resigned his commission, April, 1863, on account of ill health and returned to Harwich, Mass., where he has since actively pursued the practice of medicine. He has been for eight years medical examiner of the county; as a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society he served one year as president of the Barnstable district and one as vice-president of the state society ; and now is medical director of the state department of the G. A. R., also is on the national staff.

* By the editor.

Gro. N. Munsell MD.

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The doctor takes a keen interest in the social and civil affairs of life, in which he is an important factor. The interests of the G. A. R. have engaged his attention for several years, and four years he was commander of F. D. Hammond Post, which includes the towns of Har- wich, Chatham, Eastham, Orleans, Brewster and Dennis. In November, 1889, he was elected the Republican representative from the second district of Barnstable county. In June, 1860, he married Lizzie K., daughter of Miller W. Nickerson, who was the son of Eleazer Nicker- son of South Dennis. Their two daughters are: Louise H. and Lizzie T. Munsell. But few practitioners possess as fully as Doctor Munsell the respect and admiration of patients. His affability, practicability, and ambition to excel have made him successful in every walk of life.

Dr. A. H. Newton was born in Vermont in 1817, and began the practice of medicine in Truro, Mass., in 1850, where he remained until 1866, when he removed to Chatham. In 1876 he went to Prov- incetown, where he has practiced to the present time.

Dr. E. C. Newton, fifth son of Dr. A. H. Newton, graduated from Bellevue New York Medical College in 1887, practiced two years in . Provincetown, and is now settled in Everett, Mass.

Dr. F. L. Newton, third son of Dr. A. H. Newton, graduated from Boston University Medical School in 1884, and practiced in Prov- incetown for two years. He then studied one year in Dublin and Vienna and settled in Somerville, Mass., where he is now in practice.

Dr. Stephen A. Paine, son of Moses and Priscilla Paine, was a successful physician of Provincetown. He was born in Truro in 1806, and spent the whole of his professional life in Provincetown. It has been well said, "but few men have been more useful and more trusted than he." He was deeply interested in education, and for many years on the school board, and the chairman many years. He was a representative from Provincetown in 1841 and 1842. He died September 3, 1869, leaving no children. He was an esteemed mem- ber of King Hiram Lodge. He was a lineal descendant of Thomas Paine, one of the first settlers of Truro.

Dr. Daniel Parker was born in West Barnstable in 1735 and died in 1810. His house was near the present Barnstable town house. John W. B. Parker, of West Barnstable, is one of his grandchildren.

John H. Patterson, M.D., was born in South Merrimack, N. H., March 2, 1863, graduated at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., in 1882, at Dartmouth College in 1886, and Dartmouth Medical College in 1889. He commenced practice in Harwich in December, 1889, in place of Dr. George N. Munsell, who was elected member of the house of representatives, and obliged to give up his practice for several months.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Franklin W. Pierce, M.D., was born in Edgartown, Mass., on the 11th of September, 1852. Dr. Hugh G. Donaldson was his maternal great-grandfather. He graduated from Wilbraham Academy in 1872, and from Yale University in 1876. Hegraduated from the University of New York City Medical College in 1879, and in May of that year commenced the practice of medicine in Centreville. Six months later he removed to Marston's Mills, where he has since resided, and is one of the medical examiners of Barnstable county. June 14, 1884, he married Annie Augusta Hale of Brunswick, Me., and has one son, born November 24, 1888. His wife died April 23, 1890.

Peter Pineo, M.D., was born in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, March 6, 1825, studied medicine there four years, attended one full term at Harvard Medical College, and subsequently graduated from Bowdoin Medical College in May, 1847. He first practiced medicine in Port- land, Me., and in Boston, Mass., and settled in Barnstable in 1850, as the successor of Doctor Jackson. He removed to Groton, Mass., in 1853, where he practiced until 1859, when he accepted the professor- ship of medical jurisprudence and clinical medicine in Castleton Medical College, Vermont. In June, 1861, he was commissioned sur- geon of the Ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and entered active service. In August, 1861, he was commissioned brigade sur- geon of United States Volunteers, and served on the staffs successive- ly of Generals James S. Wadsworth and Rufus King, and was Gen- eral McDowell's medical director during the second Bull Run battles. He also was serving on the staff of General George G. Meade, as med- ical director of the First Army Corps, at Antietam, and South Mount- ain, in 1862. In November, 1862, he was ordered to Washington in charge of Douglass General Hospital (600 beds) and in March, 1863, was commissioned as lieutenant colonel and medical inspector of United States Volunteers and ordered to inspect the Department of the Gulf, General Banks commanding. During the years 1863-1865, he inspected every army on the Atlantic coast from Washington to Texas. He was consulting surgeon of Jefferson Davis during his con- finement at Fortress Monroe. In 1866 he settled in Hyannis and took charge of the United States Marine Hospital Service of Barnstable county until 1SS0, when, on account of ill health, he relinquished the practice of medicine, and has since resided in Boston.

Dr. Samuel Pitcher, of Hyannis, the originator of the famous Pitcher's Castoria, was born in Hyannis, October 23, 1824. His great- grandfather, Joseph Pitcher, came here from Scituate. Doctor Pitcher began the study of medicine in 1840 with Dr. S. C. Ames of Lowell, and during the half century since then, he has given his thought and at- tention to the study and practice of the healing art. In 1847-8 he was in the College of Medicine at Philadelphia, and in the latter year be-

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gan the experiments which twenty years later led to the introduction of Castoria, from which in 1869 he realized $10,000. He was at Har- vard Medical College in 1850, and except when away as a student, has continuously resided at Hyannis, where his ability and worth as a citizen and physician have long been recognized. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and a director of the First National Bank of Hyannis.

D. L. Powe, M.D., was born on Prince Edwards Island, April 28, 1853, and removed to Boston in 1874, after having received the edu- cational advantages afforded by the graded schools of his native place. In 1879 he attended the first course of lectures ever given in the Maine Eclectic Medical School, and graduated three years later. This school subsequently came under another management and is now extinct. In 1883 he located in Boston, became a member of the Eclectic Med- ical Society of Massachusetts, practiced a year and in the following March came to Falmouth where in February, 1885, he married Captain N. P. Baker's daughter, Mary F. He succeeded Dr. J. P. Bills, who had practiced some five years in Falmouth and Pocasset.

John E. Pratt, M.D., was born in 1850 in Freeport, Me. He at- tended the schools of Meriden, N. H., took a classical course at Dart- mouth, and in 1877 graduated from the Dartmouth Medical School. From 1877 to 1880 he practiced medicine in Auburn, N. H. In 1880 he came to Sandwich where he has since practised. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He was married in 1878 to Sarah E. Cornish, and has two daughters.

Dr. Apollos Pratt succeeded Doctor Chamberlain in the practice of medicine at South Yarmouth, and died in 1860.

Dr. Greenleaf J. Pratt was born in Mansfield, Mass., in 1794, and settled as a physician in Harwich about 1815. He had an extensive practice for many years. He was a representative from Harwich in 1827, and several years on the school committee. He resided at North Harwich, where he died January 13, 1858. He married Ruth, daughter of Anthony and Reliance Kelley, April 2, 1818, and had four children.

Thomas B. Pulsifer, M.D., born in 1842 in Maine, is a son of M. R. Pulsifer, M.D. He was in Waterville College from 1859 until 1861, when he entered the army in the First Maine Cavalry. He studied medicine with his father for some time, and finally graduated from Hahnemann College of Philadelphia in 1872. In 1873, he came to Yarmouth where he has practiced since that time. He married Anna, daughter of Benjamin Gorham, and has two children-Cora R. and Gorham.

Dr. Clinton J. Ricker,* who died at Chatham, Mass., March 15, 1886, was born at Great Falls, N. H., January 29, 1847. He was the

* By Prof. M. F. Daggett of Chatham.

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youngest of the five children of Captain and Mrs. Josiah Clarke of Great Falls. His mother dying when he was but a few weeks old, and his father wishing to make a long journey from home, the boy was received into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Ricker, residing near Milton Mills, N. H., who adopted and reared him as their son. Here he passed his boyhood days, receiving the meager advantages of the district school in winter and developing his muscles on the farm in summer.

His life was uneventful until he arrived at the age of sixteen years, when, like many other New England boys in that time of our country's greatest need, he determined to enter the service as a sol- dier the consent of his foster parents being refused on account of his youthful age, a compromise was effected by his going out as servant to his brother, C. Clarke, a captain of cavalry in the regular army, who promised to restrain the boy's youthful impetuosity and protect him from all harm. This promise was, however, unavailing. for in the heat of battle, though commanded to remain in the rear, he forgot his brother's rank and authority, and, burning with military ardor, he rushed into the fight and did effective service, bringing back as proofs of his contact with the enemy, wounds received from a rebel ball and sabre stroke.

In 1865 we find him at Milton Classical Institute, studying French, Latin, and other branches preparatory to a college course ; and later at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, from which he probably gradu- ated in 1871, entering the Bowdoin Medical School the same year, where he took two courses of lectures. In 1873 and 1874 he continued his medical studies at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, taking high standing in a large class and graduating in 1874. He soon commenced the practice of his profession at New Mar- ket, N. H., and entered at about the same time into partnership in the drug business at Dover. His efforts in his chosen occupation seemed marked with success, his skill soon became known, and his practice largely increased. But reverses were in store for him. Hard work and exposure, incident to a large country practice, undermined a nat- urally strong constitution and he suffered a stroke of paralysis, which prostrated him for many months, and from which he never fully re- covered. At the same time his business partner at Dover, taking ad- vantage of Doctor Ricker's enforced absence, purchased a large stock of goods on as long credit as possible, and selling the goods at a dis- count for cash, absconded with the funds and drove the firm into bankruptcy. These and other financial losses, together with his long illness, prevented Doctor Ricker's return to practice at New Market, and the winter of 1878 he spent in Stockbridge, Mass., having been invited to care, temporarily, for the business of Doctor Miller.

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Doctor Ricker next secured the appointment as assistant port phy- sician at Boston, and here he was recognized as a skilful physician and competent official. This position he retained until his health, which had been for some years delicate, again broke down, and he was com- pelled by change of climate and a voyage at sea to seek its restoration.

In the fall of 1880 he came to Chatham, Mass., where he continued in practice during the remaining years of his life, and where his genial manners, sympathetic nature, and earnest efforts in behalf of his patients, as well as his marked ability as a physician and surgeon, won for him the enduring respect, confidence, and esteem of the people.

May 21, 1879, Doctor Ricker was united in marriage to Miss Louise B. Martel, of Newton, Mass., a lady of intelligence, refinement and good education, a descendant of a family once famous in French his- tory. This lady, who survives her husband, testifies to his having possessed the many excellent qualities of mind and heart that make the domestic life beautiful and happy.

Through life he was a student in his devotion to scientific and literary pursuits, and was a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers. He was often invited to the lecture-platform, and both in New Hampshire and Massachusetts he frequently addressed large audiences, pronouncing in Chatham in 1882 one of the finest Memo- rial Day addresses ever delivered in this section of the state. His keen insight into abstruse subjects, his comprehensive view of public affairs, his just discrimination and impartial criticism, combined with brilliant conversational powers, purity of diction and a vivid imagi- nation, made Dr. Clinton J. Ricker an interesting private companion and eloquent public speaker.

James A. Robinson, M.D., was born in Claremont, N. H., Novem- ber 29, 1857, and was the son of Willard H. and Martha J. Robinson. When six years of age he moved to Brookline, Mass., where he re- ceived his early education and entered Harvard College in 1876. In 1879 he entered the medical department of the University of Penn- sylvania and graduated in 1882. After practicing in Taunton and ad- joining towns, he moved to Chatham in 1888. where he is now located.

FRANK. A. ROGERS, M.D .-- This rising young physician, born at Newfield, Me., was educated at Limerick Academy, and at Kent's Hill Seminary, received a full academic course for Bowdoin College, but changed his mind and entered the medical department, from which he graduated in 1876. He practiced nearly a year at Bethel, Me., when he sold his interest to a classmate who had made a settlement there about the same time. He then filled the position of principal in Litchfield Academy two years, removing to Atlanta, Ga., to fill the chair of instructor in science and language in the university of that

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city. After practicing his profession two years, in Nebraska, he set tled in Brewster, in 1882, purchased his homestead and in 1884 opened a drug store in connection with his practice. During his term of practice at Brewster he has attained a prominent position in the pro- fession. excelling in surgery. In 1883 he joined the Massachusetts Medical Society, and for six years past has been the secretary of the Barnstable district. High compliment is due to his mechanical and scientific genius, which, combined with his energy and perseverance assures his highest success. As a special correspondent of the signal service he has in use an electric anemometer recorder of his own in- vention and construction, which more effectually records the velocity of the wind than any other in the service.

Something might well be expected of a man with the doctor's an- tecedents. His ancestry is traceable back to John Rogers, the mar- tyr, who was burned at the stake February 14, 1555. The first of the family who came to the New World was Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, who settled at Ipswich in 1636, where he died in 1655. His son, Rev. John Rogers, M.D., practiced at the same place, departing this life in 1684, leaving a son, Rev. John, who was pastor of the First church of Ips- wich until his death in 1745. The next in the lineal descent was Rev. Daniel Rogers, a tutor of Harvard College, who died in 1785, at Exeter, N. H. His son, Thomas, moved to Ossipee, N. H., where John Rog- ers, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born and subse- quently removed to Newfield, Me., where he died in 1866. At the latter place Rev. John A. Rogers was born, April 29, 1833, who in 1854 married Julia A. Nealey of Parsonsfield, Me., and settled in the min- istry as pastor of the F. W. Baptist church, which service he continued until his death, February 6, 1866, leaving two children-Frank A. and Addie A., now Mrs. B. F. Lombard of Portsmouth, N. H.

Frank A. Rogers, M.D., was born October 8, 1855, at Newfield, and was married November 30, 1876, to Lottie A. Bowker of Phipsburg, Me. They have three children-Amabel, Frank Leston, and Alice M. The doctor is an active republican, interesting himself in the af- fairs of the body politic, and for four years last past has acted on the school board of Brewster. In the church of his choice, the Baptist, he is superintendent of its Sunday school; and in the busy scenes of science and his profession he finds opportunity for the enjoyment of those religious and social relations to which he is devotedly attached.

Dr. Moses Rogers, a physician of Falmouth, was a son of Mayo · and Mercy Rogers, of Harwich, where he was born in 1818. He set- tled in Falmouth, Mass., where he died February 4, 1862, aged 44.

Dr. Nathaniel Ruggles was a resident physician at one time at Marston's Mills.

yours truly

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Dr. Henry Russell was born in Providence, R. I., June 31, 1814. He studied four years with Dr. James B. Forsyth, graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1841, and commenced the practice of medicine at Nantucket. Three years later he removed to New Bed- ford, where he practiced for six years, since which time he has resided and practiced mostly in Sandwich.

Joseph Sampson, M.D., born in Nantucket in 1784, was a graduate of Harvard Medical College, and was on the Embargo Commission in 1809, he being at that time a resident of Brewster. He was married in 1815 to Deborah R. Cobb of Brewster, was the first president of the Barnstable District Medical Society, and died in Brewster in 1845.

Dr. Samuel Savage was born in 1748. He resided near the pres- ent residence of Henry F. Loring, west of Barnstable village. He was very peculiar in his manners, and when the stage-coach was passing, would ascend a large rock, which is still there, and in sepulchral tones announce himself as a physician and surgeon. He died June 28, 1831.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 27

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: New York : Blake Number of Pages: 1292

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292