USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II > Part 82
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The STICKNEY family is of Norman extraction, the ear- liest name on record being John de Stickney. William Stickney, the English ancestor of the name in America, was christened at St. Mary's Church, in the parish of Frampton, near Boston, Lincolnshire, England, in 1592. He sailed from the port of Hull, in Yorkshire, for Massachusetts, or at least some part of New England, in 1637.
Several of the family have been eminent in the medical pro- fession in this country. The father of Dr. P. Le Breton Stickney was a captain of marines in the war of 1812-15. Ilis name was David.
DR. P. LE B. STICKNEY settled in West Springfield in 1845. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1839, and studied his profession at the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, Pa., where he graduated in 1842. Ile commenced the practice of medicine at the Blockley Hospital, in that city, where he filled the position of outdoor physician and surgeon.
Subsequently he returned and located in West Springfield, where he practiced six years, when he removed to the city of Springfield, where he now resides.
DR. NATHANIEL DOWNS graduated at Harvard School ; settled in West Springfield in 1857. He remained only a few years, and removed to Ilarvard, in the eastern part of the State.
DR. EDWARD G. UFFORD settled in West Springfield in 1855. He remained in the town until 1872, and had a good practice, hut on account of poor health was compelled to give up his profession. He removed to South Hadley.
DR. HERBERT C. BELDEN, son of Dr. Chauncey Belden, studied in New York, and was a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of that city in 1867. He served a year as assistant surgeon in the Nursery Hospital, at Randall's Island, N. Y., and subsequently visited Europe, spending considerable time in Vienna, and, returning home, settled in West Springfield in 1871.
PHYSICIANS OF WESTFIELD.
The first physician, so far as we are able to find, who located in Westfield was DR. GEORGE FILER (or Fyler), who seems
811
HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
to have come from Northampton to Westfield about 1666. His residence was in Main Street. Subsequently he joined the Quakers and removed to Shelter Island, at the east end of Long Island, in 1674, after which we have no account of him.
DR. ISRAEL ASHLEY was born in 1710, in Westfield. He was the son of Deacon David Ashley and Mary (Dewey) Ashley. He graduated at Yale College in 1730-31, and died at Stillwater, N. Y., in 1758, while serving in Gen. Aber- crombie's army as a regimental surgeon. Ilis reputation was that of a distinguished and able physician, ranking with the first practitioners of his day. He also held the office of justice of the peace.
DR. SAMUEL MATHER practiced in the place abont 1756, possibly succeeding Dr. Ashley when he entered the army. But little is known of him or of the length of time he resided in Westfield. It is not known that there were any physicians located here between the time of Dr. Filer and Dr. Ashley.
DR. WILLIAM ATWATER was a resident practitioner from about 1811-12 to about 1832. He was the son of Rev. Noah Atwater, of Westfield, born about 1787. He studied medicine, and graduated at Yale College about the year 1808. He was a shrewd and witty man, affable and kindly with his patients, and bore an excellent reputation among his brethren in the profession. He died about 1832.
Coincident with the last named was DR. JOSHUA SUMNER, who came from Windham, Conn., and settled in Westfield, where he remained until his death. He was somewhat cele- brated as a surgeon, and was prominent in the profession.
DR. LUCIUS WRIGHT is probably the oldest living physi- cian in Hampden County, having been born Jan. 18, 1793, near the Willimansett Bridge over the Connecticut in the town of Chicopee, and is consequently now in his eighty-ser- enth year. His residence is at Westfield Farms, where he has resided sinee 1830. He studied medieine with Dr. Joshua Day, of West Springfield, and also with Dr. Jacob Kittredge, of North Brookfield, Mass., whose daughter Mary he married for his first wife. He was a fine scholar for his day, having a knowledge of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. He commeneed the practice of his profession in West Springfield. Subse- quently he practiced for about two years in Salem, Mass., from whence he removed to Willimansett, and soon after, about 1824, to Montgomery, where he practiced for about six years, when he removed to Westfield Farms, where he has since resided.
Dr. Wright was a prominent, able politician of the Jefferson school, and represented his district in the General Court for two terms. He was also a candidate for Congress in the cele- brated campaign of 1840.
THE HOLLANDS .- The Holland family has been remark- able for the number of medical men which it has produced.
The first, DR. JAMES HOLLAND, was born in 1762. Hle studied medicine with Dr. Brewster, of Beeket, and practiced for a short time in what was then Chester village, now Hunt- ington, and subsequently in Worthington, from which he re- turned to Huntington, and remained one year. He settled in Westfield in 1815. His wife was Lydia Stow, of Chester, who bore him ten children, four of whom entered the medical pro- fession. Dr. Holland died at Westfield, June 18, 1840.
DR. HOMER HOLLAND, son of the preceding, was born in Blandford, April 25, 1799. He read medicine with his father, attended lectures at New Haven, and graduated at the Berk- shire Medieal Institution. He settled in Westfield, where he practiced medicine from 1842 to 1856. He also practiced den- tistry. His inclination was to the study of chemistry, in which branch of science he was quite celebrated. Ile married, in 1823, Lueinda Allen, of Enfield, Conn. He died in Charlotte, N. C., where he was interested in gold-mining in the capacity of physician and chemist.
DR. VIROIL HOLLAND, son of the first James Holland, was born at Norwich (now Huntington) in 1803. He studied
medieine with his father, and graduated at the academical and medical departments of Harvard College, and had the reputa- tion of a most excellent scholar, but he did not survive very long, dying in 1832, soon after his graduation.
DR. JAMES HOLLAND, another son, was born in Westfield in 1815. He studied with his father and brother Homer, and graduated at the New York University, soon after which he settled in Westfield, in 1843, where he has since remained. He has an extensive practice, and stands at the head of the pro- fession in the thriving town, both by virtue of his age and extensive experience. He has also been honored with several offices in the county, and has been for many years an honored member of the Massachusetts Medical Association. The doctor married, for his second wife, Miss Leonard, of Feeding Hills, now in the town of Agawam. His medical experience extends over a period of fifty years.
CHARLES JENKINS HOLLAND, fourth son of the first Dr. James Holland, was born in Westfield in 1819. He had the advantage of his father's knowledge, and prepared himself for the practice of medicine, graduating at the Medical College of Montreal, Canada. But he did not live to see the meridian of his days, dying in 1855, at the age of thirty-six years.
DR. EUGENE HOLLAND, eldest son of Dr. Homer Holland, was born in Westfield in 1824. He studied with his father, and graduated at Harvard College in 1852. He practiced a short time, and in 1853 removed to California, and from thence to Colorado in 1860, where he now resides, at Idaho Springs. He has never married.
HENRY HOLLAND, second son of Dr. Homer Holland, was born in Westfield in 1827. He graduated from the New York College of Pharmacy in 1851. He engaged in the drug busi- ness in 1841, when a young man, and has continued to the present time (April, 1879). Mr. llolland is a man of good natural abilities, with an enthusiastic love for the study of archæology, and his contributions in various ways to the eur- rent literature of the day and to the library of his native town have been valuable. Nothing of interest touching the early history of Westfield and the adjacent region escapes him, and his researches among the musty records of the past are doing much toward reseuing from oblivion some of the most interesting chapters in the early history of the valley of the Agawam.
WILLIAM HOLLAND, third son of Homer, lived to the opening years of manhood and died in 1861, at the age of twenty-four years. He was engaged in the drug business with his brother Henry at the time of his death.
DR. M. L. ROBINSON was born in the town of Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y. (which had also the honor of giving birth to Hon. Horatio Seymour, of Deerfield, N. Y.), June 29, 1818. He was a son of Millard Robinson, a farmer of that town, who died there about 1870, aged seventy-seven years. The family is of English origin. Dr. Robinson studied medieine in Cardiff and Tully, with Dr. Samuel Farnham, of the former place, and with Dr. Harmon Van Deusen, of Tully. Attended medical lectures at Geneva, N. Y., and received a diploma from the medical society of the State, June 15, 1843. He commeneed practice in Westfield, Mass., in the same month, and has continued to the present.
IIe at first located at Westfield Farms, where he married Julia Ann, daughter of Dr. Lucius Wright. He remained at that place until March, 1868, when he removed to West- field village, where he is still in practice. He married for his second wife Mrs. Rebecca K-, a widow and daughter of Luther P. Pellett, of Worcester County. The doctor has held the office of justice of the peace for the past twenty years.
On the 20th of May, 1864, he united with Mount Moriah Lodge, A. F. and A. M. He is also a member of Morning Star Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, the Council of Royal and Select Masters, and of the Springfield Commandery, Knights Tem-
812
HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.
plar, all of Springfield ; Chapter Rose Croix, Boston, the Massachusetts Consistory, and several minor organizations of the craft. He has held several town offices, and is at present physician to the poor of the town.
DR. JAMES MORVIN SMITH, father of Dr. David P. Smith, of Springfield, was a resident of Westhield for a short time previous to 1838 .*
DR. SIMEON SHURTLEFF was born in Blandford. Ilis early edneation was obtained at Rev. Dr. Cooley's school in Gran- ville. He studied medicine with Dr. Ilall, of Blandford, and graduated at Amherst College in the same class with Rev. llenry Ward Beecher. He was also a graduate of the Uni- versity of New York.
lle practiced medicine at Simsbury, Conn., a few years, and about 1835 married Mary Ann Phelps, of that town. About 1837 he removed to Westfield, where he practiced until about 1860, when he removed to Simsbury, where he died in 1864.
Dr. Shurtleff was somewhat of a naturalist, and made a special study of conchology. His collection of shells was said to have been one of the finest in America. It is now in the cabinet of Middletown (Conn.) University.
DR. JAMES HENRY WATERMAN, son of James II. Water- man, was born in Ware, Mass., Sept. 11, 1837. Ile was edu- cated mainly at Monson Academy, and at the University of the City of Buffalo, N. Y. He studied medicine with Prof. Julius F. Miner, of Buffalo, and graduated from the medical department of the university in February, 1860. He com- menced practice in Westfield, Mass., in March of the same year.
In November, 1862, he was appointed surgeon of the 46th Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers, and was in the service of the government, in the field and at home, for a period of two years. His present residence is Westfield village, where he has a large and increasing practice.
He is a great lover of fine horses, and probably no physi- cian in the valley can take the road in better shape, or reach his patients with greater speed and promptness. Dr. Water- man has been twice married. llis first wife was Miss Izetta, daughter of Hiram Harrison, who died in December, 1874. In December, 1876, he married Miss Lonise Clark, of Green- field, Mass. Dr. Waterman is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Association.
DR. WILLIAM ORTON BELL settled in Westfield in 1861. He was born in Chester, Mass., and graduated from the Berk- shire Medical Institution. His first practice was in the town of Becket, in Berkshire County, from whence he removed to Huntington, in Hampshire County, where he remained until 1861, when he removed to Westfield. Here he continued practice until his failing health compelled the relinquishment of his profession. He died in 1877, with the reputation of an able physician and a good citizen.
DR. HARLOW GAMWELL was born in Washington, Berk- shire Co., Mass., in 1834. He is the son of Martin Gamwell, who was a soldier of the Revolution. He studied medicine in Pittsfield, and graduated at the Berkshire Medical Institution in 1858, under President Childs. In 1859 he commeneed practice at Iluntington, where he remained until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he was appointed assist- ant surgeon of the 2d Massachusetts Cavalry, and was subse- quently promoted to surgeon of the 5th Cavalry, with which he remained until his term of service expired, when he re- turned to Huntington, where he practiced until October, 1873, and removed to Westfield, where he still continues, and com- mands a good practice and an excellent reputation as a man and citizen.
Dr. Gamwell married, in 1859, Alice, daughter of Gilbert Lewis, of Huntington, who died in 1867. In 1868 he married a second time,-Sarah A., daughter of Dr. Thaddeus K. De
Wolf, of Chester. Ile is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Association.
For notice of Dr. G. G. Tucker, see biography in another connection in this volume.
DR. ELLERY CHANNING CLARKE is a native of Win- chester, N. II., where he was born in 1836. Ile is a son of Rev. Stillman Clarke, a Unitarian clergyman, who died at Concord, N. II., in 1871, aged sixty-two years. Dr. Clarke studied with Professor Albert Smith, of Peterboro', N. H., and subsequently attended Dartmouth College. Ile graduated at the State University of Vermont, at Burlington, in 1860, and afterward attended a course of lectures at Harvard. lle began practice, in 1860, at Wilton, N. H., where he re- mained until the opening of the war of the Rebellion, when he entered the army as assistant surgeon in the 8th New Hampshire Infantry Volunteers. He was soon after pro- moted surgeon of the 2d New Hampshire Cavalry, in which capacity he served through the war. Upon leaving the army he located in Pepperill, Mass., and remained until 1867, when he removed to Holliston, Mass., where he continned practice until 1870, when he removed to Westfield, where he has since remained.
He married, in 1861, Sarah P., a daughter of Benjamin Kendrick, of Amherst, N. H., who died in November, 1866. He married a second time, in September, 1867,-Mrs. Carrie Loring MeCammon, a daughter of John Loring, of Pepperill, Mass.
The earliest notice we can find concerning the practice of medicine in Southwick is in connection with DR. ISAAC COIT, who died in that town on the 25th of April, 1813, aged fil'ty-eight years. There is a brief notice of him in Barber's historical collections. It appears that he was a surgeon in the American army during the Revolutionary war, and probably settled in Southwick village soon after its close. The house occupied by him stood on the ground now oceupied by tbe dwelling of Mrs. Asahel Granger. Ilis widow survived him until about 1860. Hler maiden name was Sally Stiles, and she was a native of Southwick. Dr. Coit held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. The following is the epi- taph on the doctor's tombstone in the centre burying-ground :
" In memory of Isaac Cuit, Esq., an eminent physician, who died 25th April, 1813, aged 58.
" Reflection long shall hover o'er his urn, And faithful friendship boast her power to mourn ; Peace to his shade ; while truth shall paint the rest, Lamented most by those who knew him best."
There is in the possession of Dr. J. W. Rockwell, of South- wick, an old account-book which belonged to one of the ear- liest physicians of that town,-DR. JONATHAN BILL,-from which it appears that he began practice in November, 1796, and went away in September, 1797. He came from Connec- ticut, but we have not been able to find any record of his place of birth or of the antecedents of the family. It is probable that he removed to the State of New York. While residing in Southwick he boarded in the family of Capt. Reuben Clark, a mile south of the centre. He appears not to have been in very affluent circumstances, for we find a memorandum in his account-book of having his breeches and vest mended, and coat turned and repaired.
A DR. NORTON settled in Southwiek soon after the death of Dr. Coit, and practiced until his death, about 1817 or 1818. He lived in the same house with Dr. Coit's family. He left a wife and one child.
DR. LEVI W. HUMPHREYS was born in Simsbury, Conn., April 28, 1792. He was the son of Levi Humphreys. Studied medicine with Dr. Bestor, of Simsbury, and located in South- wick in 1818. He was a graduate of a medical school, and rose to eminence in his profession. He practiced in Southwick village until within a few years of his death, which occurred April 2, 1850, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a man
* See in connection with Springfield physicians.
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HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
of good natural abilities and a respected citizen. He served as representative to the General Court for one term. Was also a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. Pro- fessor John Stoddard, of Smith College, Northampton, is a grandson of Dr. Humphreys.
DR. JOSEPH WILLIAM ROCKWELL was born July 22, 1810, about half a mile south of the village of Southwick, Mass. He was the son of Uzal Rockwell, a farmer, who was born in Colebrook, Conn., and settled in Southwick in 1792.
Dr. Rockwell studied with Dr. Humphreys, and graduated at the Berkshire Medical Institution in 1833. He first settled at Harrisville (now Lodi), Medina Co., Ohio, in 1835, where he remained until 1842, when he removed to Cabotville (now Chicopee), Mass., where he practiced until 1844, when, at the solicitation of Dr. Humphreys, whose health was failing, he settled in Southwick village, where he has since remained.
The doctor has filled several civil offices, among them jus- tice of the peace (both in Ohio and Massachusetts), selectman, school committee, etc. He married, in 1834, Elizabeth Wells, daughter of Jared Wells, of Canton, Conn.
The first of the family to settle in New England was Deacon William Rockwell, who was one of the Massachusetts colony which settled Boston in 1630, from which he removed to Meri- den, Conn., in 1635. Among the physicians of this name have been Dr. William H. Rockwell, of Brattleboro', Vt. ; Dr. Rockwell, of Windsor, Conn .; and Dr. Samuel Rock- well, of Sharon, Conn
There have been a number of physicians who practiced in the town of Granville, the earliest of whom we find any ac- count being DR. VINCENT HOLCOMBE, who was born in East Granville about the year 1797. He read medicine with Dr. Benjamin, of Granby, Conn., and Dr. Humphrey, of East Ilartland, in the same State. He began practice in East Granville about 1818, when only twenty-one years of age, and soon after removed to West Granville, where he remained until his death, in September, 1863.
He bore the reputation of an eminent physician and worthy citizen, and was quite prominent as a politician. He served one term as a member of the State Senate. In February, 1818, he married Susannah Wills, a sister of Mrs. Dr. Rockwell.
His eldest son, Dr. Hubert Holcombe, was a surgeon in the army during the Rebellion, and died in Bradford in 1874. Dr. C. C. Holcombe, another son, is also a prominent physi- cian of Lee, Mass.
DR. BARLOW, now of New York, practiced medicine in Granville after Dr. Holcombe left the east village, about 1830 or 1832. He subsequently removed to New York City, where he changed his practice to the homeopathic system, and be- came quite distinguished in that school.
DR. DWIGHT, now of Lee, Berkshire Co., also practiced for a short time in Granville.
DR. JOHNSON succeeded Dr. Dwight, and practiced in the town and adjacent country until his death, about 1874.
DR. CALVIN KINO succeeded Dr. Holcombe, and practiced a number of years, when he removed to Otis, where he is now in practice. He was a native of Ware, where he studied with Dr. D. W. Miner. He was a college graduate, but we are unable to give the name of the institution he attended.
CHESTER.
The town of Chester has probably had as many and promi- nent medical men within its borders as any other lying west of Westfield. We find some interesting reminiscences of the
early physicians in a series of historical articles written by Samuel Quigley about 1870, and published in the Hampshire Gazette.
From those letters it appears that one DR. SHEPARD Was the first settled physician in the town ; but the date of his settlement or the length of time in which he practiced is not known.
DR. WILLIAM HOLLAND commenced practice at Chester Centre during Dr. Shepard's lifetime, but did not long remain. It is said that he and Dr. Phelps, of Belchertown, Hampshire Co., exchanged places.
DR. MARTIN PHELPS was a remarkable man, from all ac- counts. He appears to have been a cultured gentleman, and was quite an enthusiast in the study and discussion of meta- physics. He was also an ardent and prominent politician of the Democratic school, and served at least one term in the Legislature. He was a prominent member of the Orthodox Church, from which, however, he subsequently withdrew, and united with the Baptists. Ilis latter years were passed upon the banks of the Agawam River, a short distance above the village of Huntington. The Phelps family has been quite prominent in Massachusetts. Dr. Phelps died in 1838, aged eighty-two years.
DR. ANSON BOIES was a native of Blandford, from whence he removed to Chester, where he practiced his profession until his decease, in 1820. Ile married, at different times, two daughters of Rev. Aaron Bascom. His daughter, Charlotte, married Dr. William C. Bell, of Middletown, Conn.
DR. BALLARD, a dignified, thoughtful, and well-educated gentleman, succeeded Dr. Boies, but died after a short resi- dence. He married Lavinia, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Clark. Dr. Ballard was in practice when Dr. De Wolf settled in the town.
PROF. EBENEZER EMMONS, the eminent geologist, now of Albany, N. Y., was an M.D., and practiced medicine in Ches- ter for some time, about 1830-32. He subsequently removed to Williamstown, Mass., to take a chair as Professor of Chem- istry in Williams College .*
DR. THADDEUS K. De WOLF. (See his biography in an- other place.)
DR. ASAHEL PARMENTER, a son of Deacon Parmenter, studied medicine with Dr. Anson Boies, but did not remain long in Chester. He removed to Pennsylvania, and subse- quently to the State of New York.
DR. JOSEPH C. ABBOTT, the eldest son of Joseph Abbott, studied medicine, and became a very skillful and successful physician, but died at an early age.
DR. II. S. LUCAS, a resident of Chester village, is a well- known gentleman of scientific attainments, and particularly in connection with geology and mineralogy. He is at present extensively engaged in the manufacture of emery in Chester. Dr. Lucas practiced medicine from 1844 to 1878, when he gave up the business of his profession to devote himself to other duties.t
DRS. HALL and WRIGHT were practicing in Blandford in 1832, and for many years afterward. They were eminent in their profession, and bore the character of most estimable and valuable citizens. The earliest physician in that town is be- Jieved to have been DR. ASHLEY, who was there as early as 1745.
For notice of DR. AMOS TAYLOR, see another page.
* Prof. Emmons was born in Middlefield, Mass.
t See biography.
HISTORY OF THE TOWNS OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.
SPRINGFIELD.
IT is not our purpose to give the cause of nor to refer in detail to that movement which, in the name of religion, led to the emigration to America of that sturdy band of pioneers who early in the seventeenth century left the mother-country and landed upon the shores of the old Bay State. It is our purpose, however, to trace the history of a town which reck- oned among its founders a few of that noble band who, in what was then known as the western wilderness, first planted the standard of civilization and reared a home on the banks of the Quinnetticot.
In 1630 the settlements at Boston, Charlestown, Cambridge, Dorchester, and Roxbury were increasing in population with such rapidity that it required no prophetie vision to discern that the time was not far distant when the penetration of the wilderness would become a necessity in the founding of settle- ments farther west. In the words of Cotton Mather, "the Massachusetts colony is become like an hive overstocked with bees, and many of the new inhabitants entertain thoughts of swarming into plantations extending farther into the country."
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