History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 60

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 60

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The hospital is arranged for forty beds, but accom- modations could be provided for about forty-five patients.

The property of the hospital is held by a corpora- tion which is composed of persons named in the act of incorporation, and such persons as may from time to time be elected by ballot at any legal meeting of the corporation, and of such persons as may at any time give $500 or upward, or the equivalent of the same in one donation. At any meeting each member shall be entitled to one vote. The management is by a board of twelve trustees which elects its secretary and treasurer, and four practitioners of medicine to constitute a board of consultation, a house physician, eight visit- ing physicians and such other officers as may be nec- essary for carrying on the hospital. The whole num- ber of patients at this date (April, 1890) treated in the hospital is 886, of out-patients 842.

It has been found quite impossible to collect the data for giving a sketch of the individual members of the medical fraternity during the long period since Cambridge was first settled. Perhaps this would be hardly desirable in a general history, covering so much of public interest, and instead it has been thought wise to furnish in a general way a sketch of the events relating especially to the subjects of gen- eral interest viewed from the medical standpoint. The writer is fully aware that there must be, of ne- cessity, many important omissions-a considerable part of which, however, could have been easily filled with a more active co-operation on the part of the living members. The following physicians, members

of the Massachusetts Medical Society, have been, or are, residents of Cambridge :

Allmiltteil. Died.

Age.

Kneeland, Willlam .

1782

1788

Waterhouse, Benjamin

1785

1846

Wyer, Edward .

1786

1788

Jennison, Timothy Lindall

1803

1845

Gamnge, William

1803

1821

Chaplin, James Prescott 1808

1828

Manning, Samuel

1810

1822

Williams, John

1812

1846

Wellington, Timothy

. 1812

1853

Foster. Thomas

1815

1831

4€

Oliver, Dauiel

1818

1842

Titus, Samuel .

1820

1834

Webster, John White

1821

1850

Perry, Nathan .

1823

Harris, Thaddeus William

1823

1856

Choate, George, retired .

1826

1858

Hooker, Anson . .1826

1869

Plympton, Sylvanns

1826

1865

Hayden, John Cole

1829

1869 67

Appleton, John

. 1833

1869

Bemis, Jonathan Wheeler

1834

Chaplin, Charles Foster .

. 1834

1857

Dana, Francis

1836

1872

Sawyer, Samnel

1836

1859

Brown, Artemas Zina

. 1836

Wyman, Jeffries

1837

1874

Wyman, Morril

1837

Pierce, Charles Henry

1837

1855

Wheeler, Lewis

1837

1872

Wellington, William Williamson 1839

Howe, Estes. 1840

Martin, Ephraim 1840

Johnson, Henry Flavel 1810

Foster, Charles Francis . 1841

1865

Allen, Charles Hastings 1843

1864

Taylor, John Bunker

1849

1889

Bartlett, Benjamin Dixon .

1849

1853 $3

Alden, Jonathan Phinney

1849

1863 70

Webber, Alonzo Carter .

1849

Nichols, John Smith .

1852

1862

Morse, James Richards

1854

Hooker, Anson Parker

. 1855

1873

Wood, Franklin Augustus

. 1856

Palmer, John Kinsley .

1856

1878

Nichols, John Taylor Gilmar 1859

Plympton, Henry Sylvamis . 1861

1863

Flowers, William Caldwell 1863

Walcott, Henry Pickering , 1863

Marcy, Henry Orlando 1863

Norris, Albert Lane 1865

Nichols, George Merrick

1865

Driver, Stephen 1865

Crocker, John Myrick 1866

Vaughn, Charles Everett 1866

Holt, Alfred Fairbanks 1867

Coggswell, Edward Russell 1867

Clarke, Augustus Peck . 1867

Goddard, John Tyler, removed 1867

Weston, Edward Henry 1867

1889

Stevens, Edmund Horace , 1868

Hildreth, John Lewis 1808.

Ware, Frederick

1868

1869

Edgerly, David Mark

1869

Folsom, Norton

1869

Berry, Horace, removed to Jacksonville, Fla. 1871 Dow, James Arthur . 1871

Otis, Robert Mendum ., 1871

Wood, Edward Stickney

.1871

Kelly, Cyrus Kingsbury . . 1872

Keniston, James Mortimer, Middlotown . 1872

McLeod, Angns 1872

Latimer, James Abercrombie 1873

1873

Clarke, Moses 1845

CAMBRIDGE.

167

Admitted. DIed. Age.

Rotchi, Thomas Morgan

.1873

Walsh, Edmund .

1873

Bryant, Lewis Lincoln 1874

Coburn, George Albert 1874

llills, William Barker

1874

Howe, Samnel

1874

Farnham, Edwin 1874

Ela, Walter 1874

Morse, Frederick Langdon

1875

Talbut, James Hartamus

1875

Somers, John Edwin 1876

O'Connel, John David 1876

Whittemore, Fred. Webster

1877

Cunningham, Thomas Edward 1877

Webber, Frank Orlando 1877

Rice, Frederick Eugene

1878

Wyman, Samnel Edwin 1878

Jones, George W. 1878

McIntire, Herbert Bruce 1882

Church, Moses David . 1882

Nelson, Samuel N . 1882

Dunbar, Franklin Asaph 1882

Taylor, Frederick Weston

1882

Wetherbee, Roswell 1882

Preble, Wallace 188₺

Finnegan, Patrick Joseph

1884

Foster, Charles Chauncy

1884

Habn, A. J. 1884

Cahill, Charles Sumner 1886

Wellington, Charles Berwick

1886

1889

Hooker, Edward Dwight

1887

Tuttle, Albert H.

1889

William Kneeland, M.M.S.S., was born in Boston in 1732, and graduated at Harvard. College in 1754, having a distinguished part in the exercises previous to his receiving the first honors of the university. He then studied medicine with an eminent physician. While qualifying himself for his profession he pur- sued various branches of science, and was noted as an eminent scholar, especially in logic and metaphysics. Before entering upon the practice of his profession he was appointed to a tutorship in the college, which he filled with dignity and approbation for the period of nine years. He became a member of the Medical So- ciety in 1782, and died in 1788, aged fifty-six years.

James P. Chaplin, M.D., was born in Groton, Mid- dlesex County. He studied medicine as a pupil of Dr. Warren, of Boston, graduated at Harvard Medical College and settled as a practitioner in Cambridgeport. He was most successful and won a high reputation in his profession. He established a home for the recep- tion and cure of insane patients, and his success was so remarkable that he enlarged his asylum on quite extensive plans for the accommodation and comfort of those placed under his care. His reputation spread far and wide, until he had more applicants than he could receive. His method of cure was a moral one. By his peculiar calm and commanding manner and ad- mirable judgment he was able to control his patients, to which he added the most careful regimen and much exercise. A member of the Massachusetts Medical So- ciety and officer therein, his opinions were alwayssought and respected. During the twenty-three years that he practiced medicine in Cambridge he was several times prostrated with illness, and in 1810 was reduced

very low with spotted fever. In 1824 he met with an accident-the breaking of the tibia of his right leg by the kick of a horse. He was suddenly attacked in August, 1828, with violent pain in his head, great in- tolerance of light and sound. He continued to suffer more or less until October, when he grew worse and died on the morning of October 12th, after having lain in a comatose state for several hours.

Samuel Manning, M.D., became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1810. He settled in Cambridge about 1820. By his first wife he had five children. In 1822 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Ab- bott. He died at the age of forty-two, of pneumonia. The children were carefully educated by Mrs. Man- ning. One daughter married Prof. Cleveland, the father of Dr. Clement Cleveland, of New York. Few women of Cambridge were so prominent in good works as Mrs. Manning; by all known and beloved. She died in 1885, when nearly ninety-five years of age. She had owned and occupied the celebrated Dr. Apthorp House-Bishop's Palace of Revolutionary fame-for about sixty years.

Anson Hooker, A.M., M.D., was born July 17, 1799, in Westhampton, Mass. He graduated in Williams College in 1818, and at the Harvard Medical School in 1822.

He began his medical career at the south end of Boston, and for a time had charge of a Dispensary District. He removed from Boston to East Cam- bridge in 1825, and from that time until his death, in November, 1869, he was an active and devoted physi- cian. Dr. Hooker was a man of high character, and of more than ordinary ability. His life was a laborious one, but he was enthusiastic in his love of his profession, and he performed its every duty with conscientious fidelity. He had a genial and cheerful disposition, was eminently social and domestic, and carried sunshine wherever he went. His repu- tation was good in all branches of the profession ; in midwifery he was an expert. His obstetrical practice was very large. Those who have examined his record- books report that they find that he attended about ten thousand cases of labor. His skill in obstetrical operations was proverbial. During the war he was especially detailed by order of Governor Andrew to visit and report upon the condition of the Massa- chusetts soldiers invalided in the Western United States general hospitals. He performed this duty in a very satisfactory manner, and received the thanks of the Governor for the service rendered.

Dr. Hooker was regarded by the community in which he lived, not only as the good physician, but as the wise counselor and the kind friend.

At various times he was called to fill important offices of trust and responsibility. He served upon the Board of Aldermen and School Committee of Cambridge, and for two years represented the city in the Legislature. His death, at the age of three-score and ten years, was caused by disease of the heart.

168

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The scene at his funeral was impressive. The church in which the services were held was crowded, and the countenances of those present indicated clearly the sadness of their hearts. Places of business were closed, and the whole population seemed to unite in offering a last tribute of affection to one whom they loved and honored. A fitting monument has been erected to his memory by the contribution of his townsmen. 1

Sylvanus Plympton, M.D., was born in Woburn January 1, 1794 ; prepared for college at Andover ; entered Harvard College in 1814, and graduated in 1818; and from the Harvard Medical School in 1822.

April 5, 1823, was appointed surgeon of the First Regiment of Infantry, in the First Brigade and Third Division, of the militia of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, John Brooks, commander-in-chief.

February 18, 1823, married Mary Bell Warland, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bell) Warland, and actively practiced his profession in Cambridge until prevented by the protracted illness of his later years.

During this time he had won a high position in the esteem of his townspeople and acquired a large practice. He was especially prized in midwifery. In 1842 he was one of the selectmen of Cambridge, and he served two terms in the Massachusetts Legis- lature. Died February 1, 1864.

John Appleton, M.D., was born in Salem, Mass., January 9, 1809. He attended school in his native town until his fifteenth year, when his father died. Under the direction of his guardian, Major John Prince, clerk of the courts, in the interval of his studies, he was employed in his office. While there, a love of antiquarian and genealogical researches seems to have been developed. In February, 1830, he entered the office of Dr. A. L. Pierson, of Salem, commencing the study of medicine. During the winter of 1830-31 he attended the Medical School at Harvard University. In February, 1833, he grad- uated as Doctor of Medicine, and took the Boylston prize. He practiced in his profession for a short time in Boston, and subsequently in other towns. He was quite successful in his profession, but its duties were arduous and wore upon his constitution. He was an accomplished musician, and an occasional composer. He painted in oils and water-colors, and sketched with considerable skill.

He accepted the position of assistant librarian of the Historical Society, which position he occupied until December, 1868, a few weeks before his death, when he resigned. While in the position of li- brarian, he devoted much time in the cataloguing of all the printed books and pamphlets. In this he showed ample historical and bibliographical knowl- edge for the work. The first volume of the catalogue

was published in 1859, and the second in the follow- ing year.

Dr. Appleton married at Boston, May 22, 1831, Miss Elizabeth M. Messer, who still survives him. He resided in Cambridge for a number of years and died there February 4, 1869, aged sixty years and twenty-six days, leaving two sons and four daughters.

As a physician he was conscientious, aiding and directing nature in her healing efforts, charitable to the poor, affable and instructive to all, winning the good will and confidence of the sick by his honest and gracious appearance ; courteous to his seniors, kind to his juniors, he always secured the confidence and love of all with whom he came in contact.

He was a member of the Cambridge Medical Im- provement Society, and published several papers in the Proceedings of the Historical Society,-I, "On the Great Seal of New England," July, 1862; 2, “ On the Portrait of King William in the Society's Gal- lery," September, 1862; 3, "On Almanacs, in the reign of Queen Anne," June, 1863; 4, “ On an Amor- tissement of Louis, Duke of Orleans," October, 1863 ; 5, "On Early Charts of the Harbor of Boston," Sep- tember, 1864; 6, "On the William Winthrop MSS.," December, 1864; 7, "On the Portrait of Sebastian Cabot in the Society's Gallery," January, 1865; 8, "On the Alleged Portrait of Rev. John Wilson in the Society's Gallery," September, 1867.

Charles Foster Chaplin M. D., was born in Salem in 1800; he pursued his medical studies under the direction of the late Dr. James P. Chaplin, and received his degree at the Harvard Medical School in 1829. Soon after he opened an office in Cambridgeport, and entered upon the duties of his profession. His prac- tice, at first small, gradually increased, and in a few years he was doing a large and lucrative business. He gained the public confidence by his quiet unobtrusive manners, by his plain common sense and practical skill, and by his devotion to the welfare of those entrusted to his care. He was a man of no pretension, and made no effort to thrust himself into notice ; but those who employed him found him a kind friend and an agreeable companion, as well as an intelligent and skillful physician. The interest manifested in him during his long illness, the many and anxious inquiries with regard to his disease, the numerous expressions of gratitude and esteem uttered by those to whom he had formerly been a medical adviser, abundantly testify to his good qualities of mind and heart, and to the deep hold he had upon the affections of those who knew him.

Among his medical brethren he was highly esteemed as a wise counselor and an honorable man. One at least of their number will not soon forget his repeated acts of professional kindness, and the pleasant inter- course they for many years enjoyed as neighbors and friends.

Dr. Chaplin was a lover of the fine arts, in fact his natural tastes inclined him in this direction, rather.

1 By Dr. W. W. Wellington, Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, December 1, 1881, p. 520.

169

CAMBRIDGE.

than to those studies strictly appertaining to his pro- fession. Many of his leisure hours were devoted to painting and sculpture; and he has left good speci- meus of his skill in these departments. He was fond of music and was a good musical performer. He loved gardening; and was never more happy than when engaged in cultivating and ornamenting the pleasant grounds attached to his residence.

He was an illustration of the old mythological affinity of medicine, music and the fine arts.

About four years since he was obliged, on account of increasing illness, to retire from his professional duties. His disease was a chronic affection of the brain, and was protracted and painful. At times his sufferings were intense; but they were borne with patience and resignation. He was cheerful and hope- ful ; however sick he might be to-day, he always expected to be better to-morrow. Throughout his illness he was soothed and cheered by the untiring and self-sacrificing ministries of a devoted wife, whose offices of affection and love became the more arduous and constant as his bodily powers failed and his men- tal faculties became dim. He passed away peacefully and quietly, leaving behind him many who will long cherish his memory as a kind friend and a good physician. 1

Francis Dana, M.D., was son of Francis Dana, Esq., brother of the poet Dana. He was in Harvard College with the class of 1827, but lett before graduation, and commenced the study of medicine. He received his degree in 1831 from the Harvard Medical School, and before settling in Cambridge practiced for some time in the western part of the State. The last years of his lite he was librarian of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1867, at the request of his classmates, the degree of A.B. was conferred upon him, so that he might appear as a member of his class in full standing. He was highly esteemed as a gen- tleman of the strictest integrity, and as a man of sci- ence. He joined the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1836 and died in 1872, at the age of sixty-five, having been in ill health for some time, so that his death was not unexpected.

Jeffries Wyman, A.M. M.D., was born in Chelms- ford, Massachusetts, August 11, 1814. His father, Dr. Rufus Wyman, was the first physician at the McLean Asylum for the insane. He was the third son and was named after Dr. John Jeffries, who had been instructor of his father.

He fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Exeter, entered in 1829, and graduated in the class of 1833. He studied medicine with his father and Dr. John Call Dalton, receiving his degree from Harvard Med- ical College in 1837. He served as house physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital, but never actively entered into the practice of his profession.

He was appointed, soon after graduation, demonstra- tor to Dr. John Collins Warren, the Hersey Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in Harvard University. He was also chosen as curator of the Lowell Institute, and in 1841 he delivered a course of lectures before the institute, and with the money he received from this source he went to Europe for the purpose of pur- suing his favorite branches of study, namely, human and comparative anatomy, natural history and physi- ology. He studied very carefully the collection at the Hunterian Museum in London, and while there was summoned home, on account of his father's death.

In 1843 he was appointed Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in the Medical Department of Hamp- den Sydney College, Richmond, Va. He resigned this in 1847, being chosen Hersey Professor of Anat- omy at Harvard. In the furtherance of his work and to illustrate his lectures, he begau the formation of the Museum of Comparative Anatomy. In 1852 his health compelled him to visit Florida, and from this time, he suffered more or less as an invalid. Twice he visited Europe, and made a voyage to Sumatra in 1856 and to La Plata in 1858. All these journeyings he made tributary to his scientific purposes. For twenty years he worked quietly, happily, not stimulated by loud applause. In 1866 Mr. George Peabody, of Lon- don, laid the foundation, by a large gift of money, of an archæological and ethnological museum, and Dr. Wyman was made curator. He entered with the enthusiasm of youth upon the duties of this office. From 1856 to 1870 he was president of the Boston Society of Natural History. He was also president of the American Association for the Promotion of Science in 1857. These honors came to him unsought. During the few months previous to his death he worked as usual and placed the museums in perfect order. He went to the White Mountains, thinking to derive benefit, but was attacked with several spells of bleeding, and September 4, 1874, a sudden and copious hemorrhage occurred which proved almost at once fatal. Funeral services were held at Appleton Chapel, in Cambridge, and his remains were laid to rest at Mt. Auburn.

Prof. Wyman twice married and left three children, heirs of his honored and memorable name. His earliest article in print was entitled " The Indistinct- ness of Images formed by Oblique Rays of Light," September, 1837. There is a list of sixty four papers by Prof. Wyman in the Catalogue of the Royal Society of London. This list comprises his works down to 1863. He kept up his contributions to science, the last unpublished manuscript being dated May 20, 1874. His most important contribution to human anatomy in his paper entitled, " Observations ou Crania," pub- lished in the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, April, 1868. In Comparative Anat- omy his most elaborate essays are that on the "Ner- vous System of Rana Pipiens, " Embryology of Rais Batis. "

1 Obituary notice written by Dr. W. W. Wellington, and published in the Cambridge Chronicle in 1857.

170

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

His pamphlet entitled, "Notes on the Cells of the Bee," is a model of accurate, patient, ingenious re- search. His experiments on the development of in- fusoria in infusions of organic matter, after long-con- tinued boiling in sealed vessels, arc among the most thorough and satisfactory which have been made on this crucial subject.

He left his admirable collection of Comparative Anatomy to the Boston Society of Natural History, the specimens of morbid anatomy and monstrosity to the Boston Society of Medical Improvement.

Morrill Wyman, A.M., M.D., LL.D., was graduated A.B. from Harvard University in 1833, and M.D. from its Medical Department in 1837.

He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical So- ciety, to which he was admitted in 1837 ; of the Cam- bridge Society of Medical Improvement; of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and vari- ous other societies.

His published writings include : "A Treatise on Ven- tilation," Cambridge, 1846, "Autumnal Catarrh," New York, 1872, and Boston, 1876. For many years Dr. Wyman has been justly considered a leader in his profession ; was for some time Professor of the Prac- tice of Medicine, Medical Department Harvard Uni- versity; has been honored by the University with the degree of LL.D.

At the completion of his fiftieth year of active practice he retired as a consultant. The occasion was celebrated by a complimentary dinner given him by the Cambridge Medical Improvement Society.

William Williamson Wellington, A.M., M.D., Cam- bridgeport, Mass., son of Dr. Timothy Wellington, for forty years a physician in West Cambridge (now Arlington).

Born in West Cambridge, July 29, 1814; received his early education chiefly under his father's direction at home and at a private school kept by John Angier in Medford, Mass.

Entered Harvard College at the age of twelve years, in 1826, without conditions. Continued, however, at school two years longer, and after a second examina- tion was again admitted in 1828; graduated in 1832, and received the degree of Master of Arts in 1851. Kept school three years in the Northfield Academy, and for three summers in West Cambridge. Gradu- ated from the Harvard Medical School in 1838, and in the same year established himself in practice in Cambridgeport, Mass.

Is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, of the Cambridge Society for Medical Improvement, honorary member of the Obstetrical Society of Bos- ton, and associate member of the Massachusetts Med- ico-Legal Society ; was one of the coroners of Mid- dlesex County for ten years ; was connected for more than forty years with the School Board of Cambridge.

In 1870 he delivered the annual address before the State Medical Society, which was afterwards pub- lished.

Upon the completion of half a century of active professional labor Dr. Wellington was tendered a complimentary dinner by the members of the Cam- bridge Medical Improvement Society, a notice of which, in the daily press, the editor has thought of sufficient interest to append :

" Dr. J. L. Hildreth, president of the society, pre- sided at the banquet, and the committee of arrange- ments consisted of Dr. James A. Dow (chairman), Dr. H. O. Marcy and Dr. C. E. Vaughan.

" After the banquet Dr. Wellington gave a very in- teresting account of his early life. The son of a cele- brated physician of wide practice, he was graduated classically in 1833; then taught an academy at a dis- tance from Boston. Of his experiences he gave some delightful reminiscences.

" Hestudied medicine in Boston, and was the pupil of Drs. J. C. Warren, Jacob Bigelow, John Ware, George Hayward and others. He was trained in clinical teachings by his father and John Perry, of Boston, and was associated intimately in his studies with Dr. Cotting, of Roxbury, a life-long friend.

" After graduation Dr. Wellington was further edu- cated in Paris, then the world's medical Mecca. Dr. Wellington gave a most interesting word-picture of Paris and her distinguished teachers, Louis, Chomel, Andree and others. He was associated there with Dr. H. I. Bowditch, the late Dr. Jackson, of Boston, and others.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 60

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034