History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 81

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896

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the straightness of his surroundings, and aspiring to 'green fields aud pastures new,' he accepted a political nomination, was elected to Congress, and resigned the practice of his profession, giving up feeling for the pulses of his patients to take the pulse of the nation. He was a loss to the profession."

Dr. Chaffee was the choice of Secretary Stanton for surgeon- general of the army, and, in faet, his commission was being made out when the officers of the regular army, getting knowledge of it, made such an outery that the President peremptorily ordered the appointment of the present ineum- bent of the office.

Dr. Chaffee was for ten years the confidential physician and surgeon of the Boston and Albany Railroad Company, and was succeeded in the position by Dr. W. G. Breek. He is also a member of the examining board for pensions.

Dr. Chaffee's son, Clemens Chaffee, was a graduate of West Point as lieutenant of engineers, but, preferring the ordnance department, entered that branch of the service. He entered the army when the Rebellion broke out, and was appointed on Gen. Grant's staff at Vicksburg, but during the siege was transferred to the staff of Gen. W. T. Sherman, as chief of engineers. He was attacked with dysentery, and finally sent to the officers' hospital at Memphis, where he remained for about a month, when he returned to Vicksburg, and took charge of all the ordnance stores accumulated at that point, amounting to many millions in value.

He left Vicksburg in March, 1864, under orders for the Allegheny Arsenal, at Pittsburg, where he remained until June, 1865, when he was ordered to New England, and at New Ilaven, Conn., received the ordnance turned over to the United States. After a few months' service at this point he was ordered to the United States Arsenal at Springfield, where he served as ordnance officer for two years, when he died of pulmonary disease, brought on by exposure in the ser- vice, July 6, 1867, at the age of twenty-six years. In April preceding his death he was promoted to the rank of captain. He was a promising young man, and his death fell heavily upon his parents and friends.

DR. WILLIAM GILMORE BRECK is a native of Franklin Co., Vt.,-that land of robust and vigorous physical men, of industry and independence,-where he was born in Novem- ber, 1818. He received his preliminary education at the cele- brated school of Oberlin, Ohio, and graduated at Harvard University. He attended lectures in the city of New York, and established himself for a short time in the practice of medicine in New Orleans, La., in 1844-45.

In the spring of 1846 he located in Springfield, Mass., where he has since resided, and engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery.

Under the direction of Gov. Andrew be filled an impor- tant position in the Union army during the Rebellion, and saw a great amount of arduous service. He was present at the battles of Pittsburg Landing (or Shiloh), Antietam, the second Bull Run, and Gettysburg. He filled the important position of director of eamps, and accomplished much as assistant and consulting surgeon in difficult operations and general practice.

In 1843 Dr. Breck married Mary, daughter of Jacob Van De Venter, of Penn Yan, N. Y.

For the past twenty-five years he has been in the employ of the Boston and Albany, and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Companies, as surgeon and medical adviser.

He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Association, and of the Hampden Distriet Medieal Society, of which latter body he has been president. During the civil war he exam- ined nearly all the recruits from this region.

A member of the medical profession says of him, " Dr. William G. Breck came to Springfield in 1846, and, after sev- eral years of waiting, came prominently into notice upon the death of Dr. J. M. Smith and the removal of Dr. Chaffee from the city.

* Dr. Seeger was a member of the Unitarian Church in Springfield.

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

"About this time he went to Boston, where he became the private pupil of Dr. Warren for a considerable length of time, and on his return to Springfield at once assumed a prominent place in the profession.

" Gifted by nature with a very robust physique, cheerful- ness of disposition, and a good knowledge of his profession, he very soon rose to eminence, and for a long time, especially during the absence of Dr. David P. Smith in Europe and in the army, substantially monopolized the practice of surgery in the river counties.

" He has carried the activities of youth into comparative old age, and now, beyond the age of sixty years, is active in the practice of his profession,-more so than the majority of young inen."

THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, the son of Dr. William G. Breck, graduated at Harvard in 1866. In 1869 he visited Europe, where be remained two and a half years, studying the profession of medicine at Berlin, Vienna, Paris, and London. During the war of the Rebellion he was assistant surgeon in charge of the sanitary condition of the poris of Norfolk and Portsmouth, in Virginia, including the jails and prisons, being detailed for the position by Gen. E. O. C. Ord.

Ile commenced the practice of medicine in Springfield in 1869, making a specialty of surgery. He holds the position, by appointment from the Governor, of medical examiner of Hampden County, an office which takes the place of coroner.

DR. SAMUEL D. BROOKS was born in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1817. Ile studied with President Childs and others at the Berkshire Medical Institution, where he graduated in 1841. His first practice was in Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., where he remained about one year, when he removed to Nor- wich (now Huntington), Hampshire Co., Mass., where he practiced his profession until May, 1848, when he removed to South Hadley, where he was connected with Mount Holyoke Seminary. Here he remained until 1854, when he went to Monson to take charge of the State Almshouse. In this po- sition he continued until June 1, 1858, when he removed to the city of New York, where he superintended the New York Juvenile Asylum, and continued until 1871. He subsequently was superintendent and resident physician of the New York Deaf and Dumb Institution. His health suffering severely from malaria, he resigned his position after two years, and settled in Springfield, Mass., where he has since been in prac- tice. lle is a member of the State board of inspection of the State primary school at Monson.

Dr. Brooks is the son of Reuben Brooks, a soldier of the Revolution, and who also served during the war of 1812-15 in the valley of Lake Champlain. He married Eliza Jane, daughter of Dr. Caleb H. Stickney, and sister of Dr. Iloratio G. Stickney.

DR. ALFRED BOOTH was a son of Edwin Booth, a hat and cap manufacturer and dealer, and was born about 1825, in Springfield. He studied medicine in Philadelphia, and opened an office in Springfield, but his tastes were more for literary and scientifie matters than for the practice of medicine. He was connected with a Springfield publication, and wrote many valuable articles upon various subjects, including interesting historical sketches and reminiscences of Springfield, its early inhabitants and institutions, many of which are preserved in the city library, to which he presented a copy of his " serap- book." He removed to Boston a few years ago, where it is understood he is connected with a prominent newspaper. Dr. Booth is an able, expressive, and interesting writer.

DR. HORATIO GATES STICKNEY was born in Huntington, Ilampshire Co., Mass., in 1834. He studied medicine with Dr. S. D. Brooks, attended lectures at the Berkshire Medical Institution, and at the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he graduated about 1859. He commenced practice in the city of Providence, R. I. When the Rebellion broke out he was appointed surgeon of the 3d Rhode Island

Artillery, and served about two years and a half in the field, and six months on the marshal's statt at home. Ile settled in Springfield after the war, where he practiced until his death, Dec. 13, 1878, at the age of forty-four years.

DR. JOHN STONE* was born in the town of Rutland, Wor- cester C'o., Mass., in 1763. He received a good academical edu- cation, and studied medicine with Dr. John Frink, of Rutland, a distinguished member the Massachusetts Medical Society. He began the practice of his profession in Greenfield, Franklin Co., Mass. (then Hampshire County), and soon built up an extensive business. An attack of hæmoptysis obliged him to give up his practice in Greenfield, and he removed to the city of New York, about the year 1805, where he remained some two years, during which period he became an active member of the New York Medical Society, and established a consider- able business. His health becoming re-established, he returned to Greenfield and resumed practice, continuing until 1819, when he sold his property and good-will to Dr. Seth Wash- burn, who died in 1825.

He removed to Providence, R. I., where he remained only a year or two, and then settled permanently in Springfield, Mass., where he continued in an extensive and lucrative prac- tice until the time of his death, in 1838.+

He became a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1803, and continued in active connection with it until bis death. At the recommendation of his professional brethren, the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred upon bim in 1824, by Williams College. Ile instructed a number of students in the profession, among others Dr. Alpbeus F. Stone, of Greenfield, a distinguished fellow and councilor of the Massachusetts Medieal Society, and an only son, who after- ward entered the army and died at the South. He had a large and valuable library, and his business as a consulting physi- cian was very extensive.

His biographer, Dr. Williams, said of him : " In his man- ners Dr. Stone was a perfect pattern of a gentleman ; and no one could approach him, however humble his sphere and con- dition, without receiving a share of his urbanity and partic- ular attention. In his person he was tall and erect, and he was proverbially one of the neatest and most fashionable men in his dress in the country. He was always ready at the call of any one, and there are but few physicians living who could or did do a greater amount of business in a given time. ITis faculties continued bright to the close of life, and he was able to transaet business till within a short time previous to his death. Ile died universally lamented."

DR. EZRA OSBORNE was a native of Springfield, and lived and died on what is known as Long HIill. He was not a reg- ularly-educated physician, but possessed good natural abilities and had quite an extensive practice. Ile probably studied medicine with Dr. Joshua Frost. His practice extended over a period of some fifteen years, from about 1815 to 1830. Ile filled the civil position of tax-collector for many years.

DR. LORING also lived on the hill in Springfield, and prac- ticed for a short time about 1825. It is not known to what place he removed.

DR. CHAPIN also practiced for a short time about 1827- 30. Ile afterward gave up his practice and removed to Brat- tleboro', Vt., where he is supposed to be still living. He was something of a sporting-man, and a great admirer of fine horses. While in Springfield he enjoyed a good practice.

A DR. WM. BRIDGMAN, from Belchertown, was a resident of Springfield from about 1830 to 1840, and had quite an ex- tensive ride. He died in the place probably about 1840.

There was at one time a DR. SWAN, who lived on Spring- field Hill, where he practiced medicine for a number of years,

* Compiled from " American Medical Biography," by Stephen W. Williams, M.D., I845.

f In another connection his death is stated to have occurred in 1833. This therefore may be a typographical error.

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HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

and did a considerable husiness. He is remembered by some of the old residents as a man of many peculiarities, but pos- sessed of considerable ability.

DR. SAMUEL BELDEN, who practiced in Springfield for a number of years about 1840, came from Wethersfield, Conn., or its vicinity. His residence was on the corner of Main and Bridge Streets, where Gill's new block now stands.

A DR. SPARHAWK also practiced in Springfield for several years about 1820. He is remembered as a fine gentleman and a physician of most excellent reputation. He died in Spring- field, probably previous to 1830.

DR. LEMUEL WHITTLESEY BELDEN was born in Wethers- field, Conn., in September, 1801. "He was the son of Dr. Joshua Belden, of that place, a very respectable physician and worthy man, who died of malignant spotted fever in June, 1808, in the midst of his usefulness."

Dr. Belden entered as a freshman at Yale College in 1817, when sixteen years of age. He obtained his first degree in 1821, and soon after took charge of an academy at New Ca- naan, in his native State, where he continued two years. In the autumn of 1823 he entered the office of Dr. Woodward, of Wethersfield, subsequently superintendent of the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester, Mass. He attended medical lectures in Boston, in the winter of 1825. The following winter he passed in New Haven, attending lectures at Yale College, and in March, 1826, received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. His reputation as a scholar was high, and at his graduation he took the first rank in his class.

In the autumn of 1827 he settled in Springfield, Mass., and soon gained a respectable practice, including among his patrons many of the best families of the town.

He was always a close student, carrying his habits of reading and study into the later years of his life. He was a prominent member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and introduced important changes into the practice of the profession. He died of malignant typhus fever, in Springfield, about 1840.

He married in May, 1829, Catherine, daughter of Stephen Chester, Esq., at one time sheriff of Hartford, Co., Conn.

DR. JAMES HENRY PIERREPONT, for many years one of the most distinguished physicians of Portsmouth, N. H., was a native of Springfield, Mass., but the date of his birth we have not been able to ascertain, though it was probably about the year 1780. He died in Portsmouth, in 1839. The Rev. Dr. Burroughs, of that town, at the special request of the medical profession, delivered an eulogy upon him and pub- lished a memoir.

DR. MARSHALL CALKINS was born Sept. 2, 1828, in the town of Wilbraham, Mass. He is the son of Luke and Polly Calkins. He was a student with Dr. Calvin Newton, of Worcester, and graduated at the Worcester Medical Institu- tion in 1848; at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1853, with the degree of A. B., and at Dartmouth Medical College, Hanover, N. H., in 1867. He also attended the Pennsylvania Hospital, at Philadelphia, in 1857. In 1856 Union College conferred upon him the degree of A.M.

He commenced practice at Monson, Mass., in 1848, and re- mained at that place a year and a half previous to entering the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Conn., where he attended two terms in' 1850. From 1854 to 1860 he was located in Philadelphia, where he practiced and attended the hospitals. In 1860 he settled in Springfield, Mass., where he has since re- sided. In 1862 he became a member of the Massachusetts Med- ical Association. Ile was a member of the examining board of pensions in 1871-72, during which years the board met at Northampton, and is at present one of the four physicians of the Springfield Home for Friendless Women and Children. He is an honorary member of the Vermont State Medical So- ciety, corresponding member of the Gynæcological Society of Boston, and member of the "Congrès Périodique International des Sciences Médicales," which held its last meeting at Brus-

sels, Belgium. He is also a member of the American Medical Association.

From 1873 to 1878 he filled the chair of Physiology and Microscopic Anatomy in the University of Vermont, which he resigned on account of the pressure of professional duties at home, receiving, on his retirement, a complimentary ac- knowledgment from the faculty.

Dr. Calkins married, in 1855, Adelaide Augusta, daughter of Gen. E. M. Ilosmer, of West Boylston, Mass.

Mrs. Calkins is a member of the State advisory board of women for inspecting and examining the State Primary School at Monson, the Westboro' Reform School, and the Tewksbury Alinshouse. She was associated for a consider- able period in this connection with Mrs. Robert C. Winthrop and Miss Georgiana Boutwell, daughter of Ex-Gov. Bout- well. At the present writing Mrs. Calkins is chairman of the board. She has also been recently appointed one of the three female trustees of the Springfield Hospital.

WEST SPRINGFIELD.

The following paragraphs concerning the medical gentle- men who have practiced in West Springfield are compiled from the remarks of Dr. P. Le B. Stickney, of Springfield, at the West Springfield centennial celebration, in 1874, called out by a toast-" The Medical Profession"-at the banquet :

DR. JOHN VAN HORN was the first practitioner after the town was incorporated as a separate organization. He was the son of Sumner Van Horn, and was born in Springfield in 1726. He was a graduate of Yale College in 1749. After at- tending the necessary course of medical lectures, he located in West Springfield, where he continued to practice his pro- fession for a period of nearly sixty years. He had the reputa- tion of being a well-educated and skillful physician for the times in which he lived. He was the first town clerk, and was a scholarly man, and considerably given to literary pur- suits. In the later years of his life he became hypochon- driacal, and imagined himself incapable of any physical or mental effort, taking to his bed, where he died in 1805 at the age of seventy-nine years.

DR. SETH LATHROP was a son of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Lathrop, and was born in 1762, in what is now West Spring- field, then the second parish of Springfield, of which his father was pastor. He was a student of Dr. Van Horn, and after- ward his partner, and succeeded him in practice. Dr. Bron- son said of him : " He had a strong mind, sound judgment, and excellent common sense; was frank, social and fond of anecdote, and well read in the medical literature of the last half of the century ; an able and acceptable practitioner. More than six feet high, with a large frame and straight, his figure was imposing, his very appearance inspiring in him a reliable confidence." He was very successful in his practice, a natural result of his strong common sense, which often takes the place of learning and accomplishments. He con- tinued during his life in his native town, and was for many years in practice. He died in 1831, at the age of sixty-nine years.

DR. REUBEN CHAMPION (according to Dr. Stickney) was the first physician who was born in the town of West Spring- field subsequent to its organization, having been born in 1784, ten years after that event. He was the second son of Reuben Champion. Ilis grandfather was Reuben Champion, M.D., who removed from Springfield, Mass., to Saybrook, Conn., early in the Revolutionary war, in order that his family might be as far retired as possible from the turmoils of war. He served with distinguished success as a surgeon in the American army, and died while in service at Ticon- deroga, in 1777, at the age of fifty years. He left two sons, Reuben and Medes, both of whom, though quite young, also served in the army.

DR. REUBEN CHAMPION (2d) was educated at the Westfield

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HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

Academy, and afterward studied medicine with Dr. Sumner, of that town. He attended medical lectures at the school connected with Dartmouth College, then under the charge of the celebrated surgeon Dr. Nathan Smith, who was the founder of the school. During attendance there he was a private pupil of Dr. Smith, who carefully instructed him in what was then termed the new method of treating typhus fever,-a method which, with few modifications, prevails at the present time.

After coneluding his course at Dartmouth, he attended lec- tures in New York City, and subsequently, at the urgent re- quest of his fellow-citizens, returned to his native town and commenced the practice of medicine in 1809.

Ile introduced the new fever treatment, though against strong opposition from not only the medical profession, but the community generally ; but he continued, and by his great success established an enviable reputation. He was an ardent politician of the Jeffersonian school, and took an active part in local politics. His abilities were recognized, and he served his native town in many positions of honor and trust. He was a justice of the peace, and also served as a Senator in the State Legislature. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and continued in the practice of medieine nearly fifty years. Ifis death occurred in 1865, at the age of eighty-one years.

DR. HENRY BRONSON settled in West Springfield in 1827. After a preparatory course of study he entered the Medical Institute of Yale College, from which he graduated in 1827. His stay and practice in West Springfield were short. In 1830 he removed to Albany, N. Y. By his gentlemanly deportment and cultivation he rapidly grew into favor in his new field and gained a large practice. His tastes inelined greatly to literary and scientific pursuits, and much of his spare time was devoted to those subjeets, and in this direction be soon gained an enviable reputation. In 1872 he was ap- pointed Professor of Materia Medica in the Medical Institute of Yale College,-a chair which he adorned by his extensive and varied learning and admirable style of lecturing. 1le gave up the regular practice of medicine in 1860, sinee which time he has given his attention to more general and scientific subjects.

DR. EBENEZER JONES was born in West Springfield, where he settled in practice after the usual preparatory studies. After a residence of about twelve years he removed to the eastern part of the State.

DR. TIMOTHY HORTON was the son of a physician, and a practitioner of considerable ability. He was a man of abun- dant means, and particularly noted for the small charges made for bis medical attendance. It is said that his regular fee in bis own neighborhood was twelve and a half cents for each visit, rarely charging over thirty-three and a third cents (two New England shillings), no matter how difficult the case or how far he traveled. Frequently he would go a distance of four or five miles, hold a consultation with a brother practi- tioner, and charge one shilling (sixteen and two-third cents). lle was muel respected by his fellow-citizens.

Among the physicians of whom little is known was a DR. DUNHAM, who died about 1825. He practiced in what was then Ireland Parish, now in the town of Holyoke. Ile bore a good reputation among those who enjoyed his acquaint- ance.

DR. CALVIN WHEELER settled in Feeding Hills Parish, now in the town of Agawam. He served as a surgeon in the American army during the war of 1812-15. He was a man of limited education, but made up the deficiency by his strong mind and good sense, and had the respect of his friends and patrons. He died in 1851.

DR. EDWIN MCCREA settled in what is now Agawam in 1832, and practiced about twelve years. He had the reputa- tion of an able practitioner and a genial neighbor and citizen,

but his health was infirm, and he was unable to attend as faithfully to his practice as he wished. He died in 1859.

DR. CYRUS BELL settled in the parish of Feeding Hills about 1840, and is still located there. For an interesting account of him, see biography in connection with the history of Agawam.

DR. SUMNER IVES was born in Ireland Parish (then a part of West Springfield). He practiced in the town from 1826 to about 1831, when he removed to Suffield, Conn., where he continued until his death, in 1845.

DR. SOLOMON CHAPMAN succeeded Dr. Ives in 1832, in the parish of Ireland, where he practiced about ten years, when he removed to Easthampton, where he died.

DR. LAWSON LONG followed Dr. Chapman in 1850, and located in the same parish, now a part of the city of Holyoke, where he still continues.

DR. CHAUNCEY BELDEN was a graduate of the Yale Medi- cal Institute in 1829. Ile was a private pupil of Dr. Wood- ward, of Wethersfield, Conn. After he left college he was for a time an assistant in the Hartford Retreat for the Insane. He settled in West Springfield in 1832, and remained until 1842, when he removed to South Hadley, where he died of consump- tion in 1845. He was well educated and fond of scientific pursuits. Ile was a practitioner of excellent judgment and great skill, and very successful in his practice.

DR. EDWARD STRONG was a native of Northampton, and settled in West Springfield in 1839. He graduated at Williams College in 1834, and afterward studied medicine at the Ilar- vard Medical School, in Boston, where he graduated in 1838. Ile was in practice until 1845, when he relinquished it on account of ill health. He has since been engaged in the State Department of "Vital Statistics" in Boston.

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 81

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 896

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896