History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 33

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III > Part 33

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He held many minor offices of trust and responsi- bility, from time to time, as he always had the power creasing calls of his profession during the later years of his life left him less and less time for other duties.

'86. Though his own inclination at that time was to | to fill them satisfactorily, though the constantly in- become a civil engineer, he yielded to the desire of his father, that he should enter the medical profes- sion, for which after-events showed him to be so well FRIEND D. LORD, M.D., son of James Lord, was born in Limington, Me., March 3, 1822. He died in Newton Lower Falls, December 8, 1883. His early education was obtained in Limington Academy, Me., and Wilbraham Academy, Mass. He was a teacher before and after his graduation. fitted. Ife entered the llarvard Medical School, graduating from there in 1839. He attended a course of lectures in Philadelphia also, the medical school there standing very high at that time ; he also studied with Dr. John Greene, of Worcester. He first settled as a practicing physician in Buxton, Maine, in 1840. He graduated from Bowdoin Medical College, and then studied in the hospitals of New York and Philadelphia. He settled in Casco, Me., West Ded- ham, Sterling and Newton Lower Falls, Mass. Jan- uary 29, 1856, he married Harriet H. Hill. In the same year, August 25th, he married Matilda A. Poole, of Boston, Mass., and one child, a daughter, was born during their stay in Buxton. He remained there four years, but he desired a larger field, with

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LEVI FARR WARNER, M.D., was born October 25, 1822, at Norwich, Chenango County, N. Y. He died in Boston, October 12, 1889. " He received his early education at the academy at Mexico, N. Y. Ile studied for his profession during 1842-43 at Geneva Medical College, and subsequently graduated, in 1862, at Lind University, Chicago. He commenced practice at Vienna, Oneida County, N. Y., and removed thence to St. Louis, where, during the war, he was assistant medical examiner for the First District of Missouri. He then removed to Boston, Mass., and was admitted a Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

" He was one of the founders of the Gynæecological Society of Boston, and soon became recognized as of special skill in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of women.

"1Ie conducted successfully a large practice until his death, which was from cerebral hemorrhagic effusion, the result of an accident." He was a member of many scientific societies in which he was an able and active man, and at one time held the office of vice-president of the American Medical Association. He was too busy a man to write much for publication, , but one of his articles, a paper, "On the Connection of the Hepatic Functions with Uterine Hyperæmias, Fluxions, Congestions and Inflammations," in the Transactions of the American Medical Association for 1878, vol. xxix., exerted a distinct influence towards obtaining in New England a wider respect by general practitioners for the specialty of gynæ- cology, then still upon its trial, and at the same time served to curb the somewhat inordinate zeal of a por- tion of its younger enthusiasts.

He was, for many years, associated with Dr. Horatio R. Storer in his practice at Hotel Pelham, Boston. As a physician he was able, skillful and untiring in his efforts to relieve and cure his patients, readily ob- taining and continuing to hold their confidence, respect and friendship. When patients did not pro- gress as satisfactorily as he desired or expected, he was not easily discouraged, so wonderful were his re- sources. In fact, he never seemed at fault.

His father, the Rev. H. Warner, was of Scotch descent, and the doctor was well grounded in the Presbyterian doctrines and thoroughly conversant with the Scriptures. As a friend he was true as steel ; honorable, upright in his dealings with all and ever the friend of the poor, whom he preferred for his patients, for there he found the most gratitude.

A little volume " In memoriam " was published after his death, containing the funeral services; a memorial tribute to him, read by Dr. H. M. Field, of Newton, Mass., before the Gynæcological Society of Boston, followed by loyal and loving words from other members of the society ; and letters from many persons, including prominent medical men in various parts of the country, testifying to his worth, his skill, his noble Christian manhood and his charities-so freely given to the poor.

Rarely has a physician been called from his life- work to cross the river to the " Home Beyond the Tide," leaving so many sorrowing and living friends to mourn their loss.

THADEUS PULASKI ROBINSON, M.D., son of Noah Robinson, was born in Laconia, N. II., Sept. 5, 1825, and died January 5, 1874, in Newton Centre, Mass., leaving a wife and daughter.

He fitted for college at the Lowell (Mass.) High School and New Hampton (N. H.) Academy, and entered Dartmouth College with the class which was graduated in 1848. He left college before graduation and entered the employment of the Essex Manufactur- ing Company, in Lawrence, Mass., as a civil engineer. In 1849 he went to California. While there he was commissioned engineer-in-chief to establish the bound- ary of the northern part of the State. He returned to Massachusetts in 1857, and began the study of medicine at the Harvard Medical School, and gradu- ated in 1860.

Ile settled at Newton Centre, Mass., April, 1860. He was admitted a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1862. He was a Mason, and a member of Dalhousie Lodge, Newtonville. June 6, 1860, he married Fanny Rebecca Smith.

DR. ALLSTON WALDO WHITNEY, son of Simon and Mary (Walker) Whitney, was born at Framing- ham, Mass., January 12, 1828. He attended the Fram- ingham and Leicester Academies until July 1, 1846, when he entered the United States Military Academy, West Point. On the 1st of July, 1848, he resigned and began the study of medicine with his father, a much-beloved and respected physician, with whom he continued until he entered the Harvard Medical School, where he graduated in 1852. Upon receiv- ing his degree, he settled at South Framingham, and remained there until the breaking out of the Rebellion. It was while at this place that he first manifested those abilities as a physician and surgeon which afterwards made him so well known.

In July, 1861, he joined the Thirteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, at Fort Independence, Boston Harbor, and was mustered into service as its surgeon July 16, 1861, continuing as such until his muster out with the regiment , August 1, 1864. During his service he was at one time assigned to duty as medical director of the Second Division, First Army Corps, and as brigade surgeon. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for gallant conduct and great humanity to the wounded.

August 24, 1864, he was married to Miss Sarah Eilen Bishop, of Boston, and settled in that city at the corner of Washington and Dedham Streets. In March, 1865, he removed to West Newton, and there resided until his death. He was the father of four children, two of whom, Charles Simon and Mary Ellen, are now living.

The disease which resulted in his death first showed itself during the winter of 1880 -- 81, and on the 2d of

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February he went to the Massachusetts General Hos- pital for treatment, remained two or three weeks and then returned to his home. After several weeks of rest and good nursing he resumed his professional duties, apparently in much better health than for some months previous. On the evening of Novem- her 8th, while preparing a description of the wound which caused the death of President Garfield, which he was to read and illustrate to the school children of West Newton, he reached for some object needed, and, upon resuming his seat, complained of violent pain in his side. He grew worse rapidly, and at three o'clock Friday morning, the 11th of November, he died of angina pectoris.

He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Masonic Fraternity, the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Honor, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Post 62, G. A. R., Boston Light Infantry Association, and the Threottyne Club.

On the 30th of April, 1863, Dr. Whitney was put in charge of the hospital at the Fitz Hugh House, on the Rappahanock River, and on the 10th of May the army moved northward, the wounded being sent to Washington as fast as they could be removed with safety. On the 15th of June the hospital was cap- tured by the rebels, and about forty men, all badly wounded or very sick, and the nurses and guard, numbering about twenty, were made prisoners. Dr. Whitney had remained with the wounded men, and protested against their capture and removal in such strong terms that he was also made prisoner. All were taken in freight cars and army wagons to Libby Prison. During the trip he was unceasing in his efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded men, and at Libby Prison he was active in their welfare. He made the acquaintance of the officers, and so gained their good-will by that charm of manner which was almost irresistible, that hewas allowed to visit his men, and his efforts hastened their exchange by many months ; for, until he represented the truth, the authorities of the prison insisted upon it that they were Union officers in disguise. He was kept a pris- oner for about six months, before the expiration of which time almost all, his men had been exchanged.

In appearance Dr. Whitney was a noticeable man, about five feet six inches in height, quite corpulent, and very dignified in his bearing. He had dark hair, very heavy eyebrows, clear and keen blue eyes, and wore a gray moustache somewhat extended on either cheek. His life was one of rare usefulness. His kind and sympathetic nature made him beloved by rich and poor, and his skill in the practice of medi- cine and surgery was of the highest order and re- ceived recognition as such by the best men in his pro- fession. In battle he was calm, undisturbed by the exci ement and dangers about him, saw clearly his duties, and steadily pursued them with a coolness, fearlessness and persistency that commanded the ad- miration of all.

" JOSEPH HUCKINS WARREN, M. D., son of Joseph and Caroline E. (Huckins) Warren, was born in Effingham, Carroll County, N. H., October 2, 1831. His father was the seventh son of James Warren, of Scarboro', Me., and grandson of John Warren, of French and Indian war notoriety. This is the historic war family of Revolutionary fame. His maternal ancesters were in the line of descent from the Duchess of Marlboro'. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Huekins, was a very prominent man; he was high sheriff of New Hampshire and grand master of F. and A. M. in New England, holding the jewels and archives of the Order when the Morgan excitement. against Masonry was so bitter."

At sixteen years of age he entered West Lebanon Academy, Me. He commenced the study of medicine at the medical school, Castleton', Vt., in 1849, and afterwards attended lectures at the Harvard Medical School. He graduated from the Medical School, Bow- doin College, Me., in 1853. He went to New York and took a special course of study with Dr. Valentine Mott, then returned to Massachusetts, joined the Massachu- setts Medical Society, and began the practice of med- icine in Newton, Mass. Here he practiced three years, during which time he was a member of the School Board and held other offices of trust and honor. From overwork his health broke down, and he removed to Dorchester, Ma-s.

At the breaking out of the Rebellion, Dr. Warren was among the first to volunteer, and was in Balti- more with the Massachusetts troops when the first volunteers were mobbed in the streets of that city He was particularly recommended to President Lin- coln, by Hon. Henry Wilson, as a most loyal and trustworthy person and skillful surgeon. He was commissioned, by President Lineoln, medical director and brigade surgeon in General Casey's division. He labored zealously to alleviate the sufferings of the soldiers and partly through his influence barrack hos- pitals were erected for the sick and wounded. He saw active service before Yorktown, and being disabled while hearing special dispatches to Washington, was obliged to resign.

Dr. Warren has traveled abroad quite extensively for health and pleasure ; and officially as delegate from the American Medical Association. He has read papers before the British Medical Association at Cambridge, and the Academy of Medicine at Paris. He published in London " A Practical Treatise on Hernia." This work was republished in America in 1882. He operated in Guy's Hospital, London, and elsewhere, to demonstrate his method.

He published " A Plea for the Cure of Rupture," and has written many monographs and medical pa- pers, as well as articles relating to general literature. He was among the first, if not the first, to aspirate the pericardium (April, 1855), and to perform the operation of paracentesis thoracis.

While traveling in Florida for his health, he pub-

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lished " Technics" and established the Southern Sun, a newspaper of independent character. " Tech- nics " and " Modern Life " are now published in Bos- ton under "Notes Current."

Dr. Warren is a member of the British Medical Association ; permanent member of the American Medical Association, and vice-president of the latter for 1889-90; Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society ; honorary member Vermont State Medical Society ; Otsego Medical Society of New York ; past resident member of Putnam County Medical Society, and State Medical Society, Florida ; and is a member of numerous other literary, historical, scientific and social societies. He is trustee of the Boston Penny Savings Bank, &c., &c.

Dr. Warren was, with others, one of the founders and incorporators of the Massachusetts Home for In- temperate Women, and has been on the Board of Managers since its incorporation, March 30, 1881. He was chairman of the building committee and also attending physician.

Dr. Warren was married, September 24, 1854, to Caroline Elizabeth Everett, of Newton. Two chil- dren were born to them-a daughter, deceased, and a son, Charles Everett Warren, M.D., who is associated with him as attending physician at the Massachusetts Home for Intemperate Women.

During his residence in Washington he had special opportunities of seeing President Lincoln. He was, for that period, the medical attendant of that remark- able man. Perhaps the most important of his con- fidential interviews, for its influence on the President, and, through him, on the country at large, was one in which he introduced the eminent author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, to Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Hawthorne was a Friend in his aversion to force, and in his visit to Washington with Messrs. Ticknor and Field, his sensitive and peace-loving spirit was overcome by the horrors of war, and he fell into a state of great dis- tress. Dr. Warren, in the hope that an interview with Mr. Lincoln would tend to restore Mr. Haw- thorne's confidence in the future of his country, took him to the White House on one of his professional evening calls. It seemed at first an unfortunate moment. Mr. Lincoln was greatly agitated by the discovery of treachery in an unexpected quarter, and told his visitors that he was overcome by difficulties, not knowing who were friends and who were traitors, his burden in public life, failing strength and do- mestic sorrows being beyond his strength.

To this Mr. Hawthorne replied by a few words of sympathy and encouragement, and, finding these of little avail, knelt and offered a prayer which might be called inspired-full of confidence, utterly casting all care on the Infinite Power-invoking strength in this crisis, and ending in an ascription of adoration that seemed to lift his bearers to the visible presence of the Almighty.

As they rose, Mr. Lincoln said to him, with strong

emotion : "Mr. Hawthorne, God sent you here in my darkest hour. Now I am strong. He placed me here and I know that He will sustain me to the end." From that time all undue anxiety seemed to disap- pear, and Mr. Lincoln, by his decision, firmness and undoubting belief in his position as the servant of the Lord, inspired strength and courage in all who approached him.

HENRY BRADSHAW BRADLEY, M.D., was born in Cheshire, England, October 15, 1848, and died in Bollin Grove, Butley, England, August 31, 1881. He was graduated at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, London, England, and was professionally asso- ciated with his uncle, Professor Bradshaw, at Man- chester, England. Later he practiced a short time in Trageda, Wales, and left there to accept a position as ship-surgeon on the Cunard Line of steamships. In 1877 he settled on California Street, Newton, Mass., where he practiced medicine until his health failed, a few months before his death, when he re- turned to England and died.

JAMES IIENRY MCDONNELL, M.D., was born in Ireland; studied medicine at St. Mary's College, Virginia, and graduated from Harvard Medical Col- lege in 1871. He settled in Waltham, removed to Newton, then to Watertown, and died in Waltham in 1886 or 1887.

He married Miss Kate Donahue, of Waltham.

He was a bright, active man, a loyal friend and a skillful physician.

WILLARD EVERETT SMITH, M.D., son of F. L. Smith, of Newton, was born in Newtonville, Novem- ber 11, 1856; was educated in Newton Grammar and High Schools, and entered Harvard University in 1875, and graduated in his class in 1879. He entered Harvard Medical School in 1879, and graduated in 1882.

After a little preliminary practice he went to Bos- ton and settled there, and immediately attained a reputation as a successful practitioner in diseases of the throat and lungs. He was employed by the Massachusetts Medical Society, of which he was a member, to prepare and report on the climatology of Massachusetts. And for two years be prepared and read papers on this subject in a most acceptable manner ..

He was a brilliant young man, with prospects of rising to an eminent position in the medical pro- fession.

He was taken ill and died suddenly, July 13, 1890. September 15, 1886, he was married to Miss Alice L. Newell, of Framingham, Mass. He left a widow and one daughter.

JOHN P. MAYNARD, M.D., son of Elias Maynard, of Boston, was born in Boston, Mass., in 1816. Ile was educated at the Boston Latin School and Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. He graduated from the Medical School, Harvard University, in 1848. HIe settled in Newton Lower Falls in 1848, where he

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practiced medicine till 1852. He then removed to Dedham, Mass., where he now resides and continues to practice his profession. He is a prominent man and widely known as a skillful physician. He was president of the Norfolk Medical Society in 1876, '77, '78, '79.

In 1850 Dr. Maynard married Miss Caroline E. Fales, of Boston, Mass.

ALFRED C. SMITH, M.D., son of James Smith, was born in Bathurst, New Brunswick. He graduated at Harvard Medical College. For several years after his graduation he had charge, under the Dominion Government, of the Lazaretto, at Tracadie, N. B., for the care of the leprous community.

He afterwards moved to Newton and settled at No- nantum, where he remained in practice for a few years. He afterwards moved to New Castle, New Brunswick, where he now resides.

OTIS EUGENE HUNT, M.D., son of Joseph G. and Lucy H. Hunt, was born in Sudbury, Mass., July 7, 1822. His early life was spent on a farm and his ele- mentary education was acquired in the district schools of the town. He fitted for college in the Wayland Academy and in the academy at Wilbraham, Mass., and entered the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut, in the class of 1844. After nine months he left the university in consequence of ill-health.

Read medicine for a time with Levi Goodnough, M.D., of Sudbury, Mass. Later was a pupil in the Boylston Medical School in Boston, under the tutor- age, chiefly, of Dr. E. C. Buckingham and Dr. Edward H. Clark. During his studies here he was present at the Massachusetts General Hospital when ether was administered for the first time. And he was the first to administer it in the towns of Sudbury, Wayland and Weston.

He attended medical lectures at Woodstock, Vt. and at Pittsfield, Mass., and graduated in medicine at the Berkshire Medical College in 1848, and was ad- mitted to the Massachusetts Medical Society the same year. During his course of study he taught school in Sudbury four consecutive winters.

He settled in Weston, Mass., in 1848, and continued to practice medicine there till the autumn of 1864, when he removed to Waltham, Mass., where he con- tinued active in professional work till 1870. He dis- continued general practice at that time in conse- quence of failing health, selling his business and good will to Dr. E. R. Cutler.

Three years later, after extensive travel in this country, including a visit to California and the Pacific slope, and becoming improved in health, he moved to Newtonville, Mass., where he now resides, and recom- menced the practice of his profession. In 1883 he retired from practice to a large extent. He is fre- quently called in consultation by younger and less ex- perienced men. His son, William O. Hunt, M.D., succeeded to his practice.

While residing in Weston he served four years as

secretary of the Middlesex South District Medical Society, ouce as its anniversary orator. He was a member of the School Committee for ten consecutive years, and three years of this time served as chairman. He also was a member of the School Committee in Waltham for two years.

He has been president of the medical board con- nected with the Newton Cottage Hospital and con- sulting physician since it was founded.

He was married Oct. 8, 1849, to Aroline E. Thomp- son, of Sudbury, Mass. He has two children-Mrs. Nina M. Fenno and William O. Hunt, M.D.

DANIEL DENISON SLADE, M.D., son of J. Tilton Slade, was born in Boston, Mass., May 10, 1823. Graduated from the Boston Latin School, then enter- ed Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1844. He studied medicine in the Tremont Medical School, and received his medical degree at Harvard in 1848. Passed one year as house surgeon in the Massachu- setts General Hospital, and three years in the hospi- tals of Great Britain and on the Continent. Com- menced practice in Boston in 1852, being visiting surgeon of the Boston Dispensary for several years ; was admitted a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1848, and became a member of the Boston Medical Improvement Society and Boston Society of Observation in 1855. In 1856 he married Miss M. Louise Hensier.

During his professional career in Boston he deliver- ed courses of lectures to students on surgical subjects and received four prizes on medical subjects-two from the Massachusetts Medical Society : one on Bronchitis and its consequences, the other on Sper- matorrhoa ; and two from the Rhode Island Medical Society, being "The Fisk Fund Prizes."

He also has contributed many papers to the various medical journals. In 1863 he was appointed one of the inspectors of hospitals in Baltimore, Annapolis aud Philadelphia. He was the author of the report on the subject of amputations, printed by the committee of the associate medical members of Sanitary Com- mission.

He settled at Chestnut Hill, Newton, in 1863. In 1871 he was appointed Professor of Agriculture and Zoology in the Bussey Institute, Harvard University, which chair he held until a severe sickness, in 1882, compelled him to resign.

In 1884 he was chosen one of the assistants in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, and ap- pointed lecturer on comparative osteology, which position he still holds.

He has always been interested in horticulture and agriculture, and has contributed various papers on these subjects, and received two prizes for essays from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society ;- one on the "Construction of Country Roads," the other on the " Treatment of Small Suburban Places." He also re- ceived the prize offered by a gentleman of Newton, on "How to Improve and Beautify Newton." At the

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present time he is president of the Newton Horticul- tural Society, and has retired from practice.

TAPPAN EUSTIS FRANCIS, M.D., son of Nathaniel Francis, was born in Boston, Mass., August 28, 1823. He was educated at the Boston Latin School and then entered Harvard University, from which he graduated in the year 1844. He at once entered the Harvard Medical School and graduated in 1847. He settled in Roxbury, Mass., and during part of the years 1846 to 1847 he was city physician. In 1848 he removed ta Newton Lower Falls and practiced medicine there for about three years. Then he settled in Brookline, Mass., where he now resides and continues the prac- tice of his profession. He served for several years on the School Board and as trustee of the Public Library. For one year he was chairman of the Board of IIealth. IIe is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and honorary member of the Roxbury Medical Im- provement Society.

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 33

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278