USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > History of the town of Franklin, Mass., from its settlement to the completion of its first century > Part 15
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In 1848 he was elected to Congress to fill the place of John Quincy Adams, and was twice re-elected to the House. In 1852 he was nominated for the Governorship of the State by the Free Soil party. and on the same day was chosen President of Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio. He failed of election as Gover-
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nor, but accepted the Presidency and continued in it until his death, 2nd August, 1859, aged 63 years.
Mr. Mann, in 1830, married Charlotte Messer, youngest daugh- ter of President Messer of Brown University. She lived but a short time, dying 1st August, 1832. It was not until ten years, in 1843, that he married again - Miss Mary Peabody of Boston. In 1849 he received the degree of LL. D. from Harvard University. Two sons now represent the family, both graduates and teachers - one at Cambridge, the other in the West.
EDWARD MCFARLAND, Esq., was born in Franklin 7th August, 1856, son of Hugh and Celia (Doherty) McFarland. He pre- pared for college at Dean Academy, and graduated at Holy Cross College, Worcester, 1873. He studied law with Esquire Colburn, of Dedham, two years, and one year at Boston University, grad- uating in 1876, being one of the five out of twenty-nine candi- dates admitted by a new and critical examination to the bar. He is now residing in Franklin.
ALBERT METCALF, son of Dea. Jonathan and Mary Metcalf, was born in the north part of Franklin 20th September, 1808. He fitted for college, partly at Medway Village Academy and partly with Rev. E. Smalley, of Franklin. He entered Amherst College in 1832, but was compelled to leave after one term, on account of his eyes. On a journey West for his health, he stopped at a village in New York called Painted Post, where his traveling bag, marked " Franklin," attracted the notice of a Mr. French in search of a school-teacher. This led to inquiry and ultimately to the engagement of Mr. Metcalf to open a private school there. From Painted Post he went to Auburn, N. Y., where such success attended his school that he sent East for an assistant. Miss Car- oline C. Plimpton, of Medway, was secured, and to her he was not long after married. But his health still further failed. He was compelled to relinquish his place in school and he lived less than a year after his marriage. He died of consumption at home 11th August, 1837. His widow afterwards became the well-known and successful principal of the Wheaton Female Seminary, Nor- ton, for more than a quarter of a century, and still is active in educational work.
ALFRED METCALF, Esq., brother of Eliab, and son of Dea. James and Abigail (Harding) Metcalf was born in Franklin 6th
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June, 1781. He was graduated in 1802 at Brown University, in the class with Melatiah Everett. Dr. S. Bugbee of Wrentham, and Samuel M. Pond of Franklin, and entered the legal profession. He removed to Kentucky and began practice, where he was appointed Judge. But his health compelled him to seek a warmer climate, and he removed further South to Natchez, Miss., in the spring of 1819, where he was seized by an epidemie fever in the follow- ing summer and died at the seat of William M. Greene, Esq., near that city, 30th October, 1819. The Mississippi State Gazette of 6th May, 1820, printed at Natchez, says of Mr. Metcalf : -
He was one with whom few could be compared, for he was em- phatically the favorite of Nature. His acquirements and his vir- tues commanded the respect of the world and the warmest affee- tions of his friends. Although always modest and retiring he possessed the unconscious art of throwing a charm into his manner and conversation which not only entranced the gay, but gladdened even the hearts of the sad. He sunk in the meridian of life and left a vacuum in society which others may fill, but which we have yet found none to supply.
Dr. EBENEZER METCALF was the eighth child of Michael and Abial (Colburn) Metcalf, and was born in Franklin, 1st June, 1727. His father was an original member of the Franklin church, and was chosen ruling elder 8th March, 1738-9 ; he and his associate, Jonathan Wright, being the only ones elected to that office in the church. Dr. Metcalf is believed to have been the first physician in the West precinct, where he practiced for as many as fifty years with great acceptance. He died 30th March, 1801, in his 74th year.
Dr. Metcalf married, 27th November, 1755, Hannah Morse, and had only one son Paul, mentioned further on in these sketches.
ELIAB METCALF was born in Franklin, 5th February, 1785, and was the third son of Deacon James and Abigail (Harding) Met- calf of River End. He was intended to be his father's successor on the farm, and he spent his time thereon, except in the short terms of the district school, until he was 18. when a severe cold disabled him and laid the foundation for the disease which pursued him through life. In 1807 he fell in with a native of Guadaloupe name Lauriel who was being educated in this country, and ac- cepted an invitation to spend the winter with him in his home. On his return from Guadaloupe in the spring, Metcalf renewed
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his cold and was confined in New York several weeks under the care of Dr. Dwight Post. This attack released him permanently from the labors of the field, and having a decided taste for draw- ing he inclined to become a painter. But his friends discouraging him, he betook himself to trading in the West Indies. Unsuccess- ful in business, he turned himself again to his favorite pursuit, and with his father's reluctant consent to what he thought a trifling occupation, began the painting of miniature portraits. He was still in feeble health, but when able he traveled as a miniature painter for many years in New England, Canada, and Nova Scotia. At length he went to New York city, opened a studio and studied drawing in connection with it, under John Rubens Smith, a some- what celebrated teacher. In 1815 he began oil painting under Messrs. Waldo & Jewett. But his health slowly waned under the confinement, and in 1819 he was compelled to leave his young family and friends, and, furnished with letters of introduction to prominent gentlemen in New Orleans, betake himself to that city. Being the only portrait painter there, his business increased rapidly and his health improved. He remained here three years, with the exception of one visit to New York, taken all the way on horseback through the Western States. In the autumn of 1822 he visited the island of St. Thomas. He remained on this island and St. Croix four years, fully employed on the portraits of their officials and distinguished citizens. A government ship was sent also to carry him to Porto Rico to paint its Governor's portrait, where he was treated with great respect and remained six months constantly occupied. He had now attained the highest rank as an artist, and his health had become so established that he resolved to spend one winter with his beloved family in New York. But the old cough re-appeared and he had to return, this time to Havana. He was able here to resume his palette again in its mild climate, and for eight years was occupied with an ever-widening circle of patrons. He spent each summer with his family in New England and his winters South in his profession.
In April, 1833, Mr. Metcalf was seized with the cholera, then raging in Cuba, from which he recovered, but he never touched pencil again.' He was able to visit his friends in June, but felt compelled to return in the fall, taking with him his second son. The voyage proved tempestuous and cold, and was too much for
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his weakened condition. He was tenderly cared for on his arrival, but he gradually sank in debility until Jan. 15, 1834, when he fell on sleep.
Mr. Metcalf married, September, 1814, Miss Ann Benton, daughter of Capt. Selah Benton, a Revolutionary officer, and had four children. It is said of Mr. Metealf that there are in Cuba more portraits by him than by any other artist.
FERDINAND METCALF was son of Dr. John and Eunice Metcalf, and brother of Dr. William Pitts Metcalf. He was born in Frank- lin 22d November, 1760. He fitted for college and entered Brown University, but died during his junior year, 11th October, 1777, at the age of 17. He intended to study for the medical profession, for which his family seemed created.
Dr. JOHN METCALF, the son of Samuel and Judith (George) Metcalf, was born in Franklin 3d July, 1734. He studied Latin under the tuition of Rev. David Thurston of Medway West, in 1755, and medicine with Dr. Joseph Hews of Providence, R. I. He married Eunice Metcalf in 1759, and practiced his profession in Franklin until his wife's death, 1st August, 1805, when he soon after removed to Vermont, where he died 22d August, 1822, aged 88. Dr. Metcalf had two children, Ferdinand and William Pitt, both mentioned in these notes.
Dr. JOHN GEORGE METCALF, son of Dr. William P. and Susanna (Torrey) Metcalf, was born " in the three-story house," City Mills, Franklin, 10th September, 1801. He fitted for college with Mas- ter John Barrett of Hopkinton, and at Day's Academy, Wrentham ; graduated at Brown University. 1820, and studied medicine with Dr. Usher Parsons of Providence, R. I., and with Dr. N. Miller of Franklin. He received the degree of M. D. from Harvard Uni- versity 1826, and settled in Mendon June 22d following, where he has since remained in a wide and successful practice.
In 1856 Dr. Metcalf gave the annual address before the Massa- chusetts Medical Society, of which he was chosen a Vice-President in 1860. He was in 1858 and 1859 elected to the State Senate, and has held many other offices in town and memberships of His- torical Societies especially, not the least of them being the town treasurer of Mendon, annually chosen since 1859, or nearly twenty years.
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Dr. Metcalf married, 26th February, 1826, Miss Abigail Hol- brook. His children were born in Mendon.
Dr. PAUL METCALF, son of Dr. Ebenezer and Hannah (Morse) Metcalf, was born in Franklin 7th March, 1766. He became also a physician in his native town, and promised to be a reputable practitioner, but was cut off in early life, dying 9th August, 1793, in his 27th year.
THERON METCALF * was the son of Hanan and Mary (Allen) Metcalf of Franklin, and was born 16th October, 1784. His father lived on a small farm adjoining the Common, and was next neighbor to Rev. Dr. Emmons. The son, showing strong affinities for books, began classical studies with the minister, and in 1805 was gradu- ated at Brown University. He then studied law with a Mr. Bacon in Canterbury Conn., and in April following entered the law school at Litchfield - at that date the only law school in the United States. He was admitted to the bar of that State in October, 1807; but he spent a year in study with Hon. Seth Hastings of Mendon, aud was admitted at Dedham as Attorney of the Circuit Court. In 1811 he became counselor of the Supreme Judicial Court for Massa- chusetts. After a year's practice in his home town, where little law business ever developed, he removed in 1809 to Dedham, where he remained for thirty years as an acknowledged master in his profession. For twelve years from April, 1817, he was County Attorney. In 1831, 1833 and 1834 he represented Dedham in the House, and in 1835 in the Senate of our State, and was each year Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
In addition to his profession, for many years he edited the Dedham Gazette, and in 1828 he opened a law school and gave law lectures in Dedham. These lectures resulted in a book, since highly commended, entitled " Principles of the Law of Contracts as applied by Courts of Law." This was but the beginning of a series of valuable professional works, court reports, etc., from his pen, which have been commended by high authority for their " great precision, terseness and purity of style, with accuracy, clearness, completeness and condensation of statement."
In 1835 Mr. Metcalf was appointed with Horace Mann, two
*A memoir, prepared for the Massachusetts Historical Society by George S. Hale, has given a full sketch of his public career. We add biographical notes.
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Franklin sons, to edit the Revised Statutes of the State. In December, 1839, he was chosen reporter of the decisions of the Supreme Court, and removed to Boston. His reports have been called "the model and the despair of reporters." In 1848, Feb- ruary 25th, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. He held this office until 31st August, 1865, when he re- signed it, after seventeen years of unblemished fidelity and after eighty years of life, to spend his last days in the quiet which he loved.
Judge Metcalf was twice elected a Fellow of Brown University, in 1832 and 1847. He was also its secretary for six years. He received from it the degree of LL.D. in 1844, and the same de- gree from Harvard University in 1848. He also prepared the tri- ennial catalogues of his Alma Mater for years, and enriched its library with a collection of occasional sermons, over 8,000 in num- ber, such as no other library possesses. He died in Boston 13th November, 1875, at the age of 91.
Judge Metcalf married Miss Julia Tracy, of Litchfield, Conn., and had three children.
His son George Tracy graduated B. U. 1853, and practiced law in Peoria, Ill., until his death. Theodore has been for years a widely known druggist on Tremont Row, Boston, and is still in active business. He had one daughter, Julia, living unmarried in Boston.
Dr. WILLIAM PITT METCALF, younger son of Dr. John Metcalf, was born in Franklin 30th June, 1775. He pursued the Latin and Greek languages with Rev. Caleb Alexander of Mendon, and medicine with Dr. Samuel Willard of Uxbridge. He began practice in 1800, at first with his father, but afterwards by him- self, and continued the widely-known and prominent physician of this town for forty years. In his old age he retired to his son's house in Mendon, where he spent the chief portion of his time in reading. The New Testament in the original Greek was his daily study up to the last day of his life. He died suddenly and with- out warning 4th January, 1861, aged 86.
Dr. Metcalf married, 25th November, 1799, Miss Susanna Tor- rey, and left several children, among them Dr. J. G. Metcalf, al- ready mentioned.
Dr. WILLIAM WARREN METCALF, a native of Franklin, was born
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12th April, 1819, and was the son of William and Sally (Gaskill) Metcalf. He gained most of his education at the Franklin Acad- emy, but being of small physical vigor constitutionally, he could not take a full collegiate course. He studied dentistry with Dr. Mayo of Boston, and established an office in Franklin in 1847. He was an unusually ingenious operator, anticipating many im- provements in his profession. About 1862 he removed to Boston, but his feeble health culminated finally in a diseased -brain, of which he died 18th August, 1870. He was never married.
Dr. ERASMUS DARWIN MILLER is a son of Franklin, born 7th April, 1813, at the River End, and the youngest child of Dr. Nathaniel and Hannah (Boyd) Miller. He graduated at Brown University, 1832, and after a full course of medical study, estab- lished himself in practice at the center of his native town. He was admitted a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1838, and about the same date removed to Dorchester, where he has since resided, following his profession with success, especially in the department of surgery, for which the Miller family have apparently a peculiar proclivity and natural skill.
Dr. Miller married Louisa Clark, and had two children during his residence in Franklin.
Dr. LEWIS LEPRELETTE MILLER, oldest son of Dr. Nathaniel Mil- ler, and brother of Dr. E. D. Miller, was born in Franklin, 6th January, 1798. He graduated at Brown University, 1817. After gaining his profession he established an office in Providence, where he gained a wide reputation and practice as a physician, and espe- cially as a surgeon. He was for years President of the Rhode Island Medical Society. He died in Providence.
His son Nathaniel became a celebrated surgeon, was studying in Europe during the Crimean war, and connected in some way with the Russian hospitals, but an early death destroyed the hopes of his coming usefulness.
Dr. NATHANIEL MILLER, although a native of Rehoboth, the son of Philip Miller, became a son-in-law of Franklin and one of its prominent citizens, as well as one of the eminent surgeons of East- ern Massachusetts. He studied medicine first as an apprentice to Dr. Louis Leprelette in Norton.
Dr. Leprelette was a noteworthy man, a French physician who left his country during the dynasty of the first Napoleon, and of
Erasmus DInelle M. D.
Heliotype Printing Co., 220 Devonshire Street, Boston,
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DR. LEWIS LEPRILETE MILLER.
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whom he would not speak, and followed his profession awhile in Franklin. He died there, but was buried in Roxbury. He was reticent of his personal history and few facts only have been pre- served of him.
Dr. Miller received the degree of A. M. from Bowdoin College 1814, and of M. D. in 1817 from both Brunswich and Cambridge. He was also Vice-President of the Massachusetts Medical Society for many years. He erected a large building for a hospital near his residence to accommodate the many patients who flocked to him for treatment. He also built a small thread-mill near his house which was managed by Col. Willard Boyd, his wife's brother, and others of that family. Mr. Willard Lovering began his train- ing in this mill, who afterwards established with his sons the large and celebrated Whittenton Mills of Taunton.
Dr. Miller married Hannah Boyd of Franklin 1st January. 1797, and had three children, sons, two of whom have been already men- tioned, and John Warren, a man of business in Franklin. Dr. Miller died 10th June, 1850.
Dr. Miller had an uncommon steadiness of nerve, which enabled him to perform the most difficult surgical operations. He was al- ways interested, active and generous in all matters of publie ben- efit, and was chosen often to act upon important committees. Of his wife Dr. Emmons said, " she is one of the three best women in town."
Prof. CALVIN SMITH PENNELL is substantially a son of Franklin, although he was born a little while before becoming a resident. His mother belonged to one of its oldest families, and returned to Franklin with her four children upon the death of her husband. to spend the chief part of her life on the home acres. Mr. Pennell was born 24th January, 1816, in Coleraine, being the son of Cal- vin and Rebecca (Mann) Pennell. The mother was a sister of Hon. Horace Mann.
Calvin S. fitted for college in the Franklin Academy and gradu- ated at Waterville College, now Colby University, Maine, in 1841. He had the ministry in view, but temporarily engaging in teaching, the disposition to it grew by what it fed on, the whole Mann family having a proclivity that way, and cheered on by noticeable sue- cess, he continued in the calling to which he has shown himself especially fitted. First he taught at Day's Academy, Wrentham.
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He next went to the High School in Cabottville (now Chicopee) ; thence to Charlestown, and to the High School in Lawrence. He filled with acceptance the Professorship of Latin language and literature in Antioch College, Yellow Springs, O., but afterwards, in 1856, was called to the High School in St. Louis, Mo. He was elected in 1862 as one of the professors of Washington University in that city, and soon after was promoted to the principalship of the Mary Institute - a girls' school under the University charter. He is now Bridge Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy in the University, and Principal of the Mary Institute in St. Louis.
Professor Pennell, while in Cabotville, married Elizabeth W. Abbott of Woburn. She died two years afterwards, leaving one daughter, who died in 1874 in Dusseldorf, Germany, the wife of James W. Pattison, an artist, residing there. He next married Elizabeth O. Emmes of Charlestown, and has one daughter, Maria Francis, wife of Charles C., son of the late Chancellor Hoyt of the Washington University, St. Louis.
It may not be out of place here to add, as evidence of the teach- ing faculty resident in the Mann family to which Professor Pen- nell belonged, that his father and mother were both adepts in the profession, and his three sisters devoted themselves to school-teach- ing until called into a smaller circle of pupils by marriage. Mrs. Rebecca M. (Pennell) Dean, Governor Briggs said, was the best teacher in the world. She is now a widow and, at this present, is traveling with a class of young ladies in Europe for their educa- tion. Mrs. Eliza M. (Pennell) Blake was teacher in the Packer Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y., at her death in 1857. Mrs. Marcia (Pennell) Hersey was also a teacher at her marriage, and is now first directress of an Industrial School in Brooklyn.
Maria Mann, a daughter of Stanley, brother of Horace Mann, and a cousin of the Pennells, attained a high distinction in the Western cities as a teacher. These were all members of the old Franklin Academy, and hence their success has been a pleasant item to record in this seemingly out-of-place corner. The two sons of Horace Mann are also teachers of repute.
Rev. WILLIAM PHIPPS, Jr., was the eldest son of William and Fanny (Moulton) Phipps, and a descendant of John Phipps of Wrentham, 1700. He was born in Franklin 31st October, 1812. He attended several terms at Day's Academy, Wrentham, and at
DR. NATHANIEL MILLER, SENIOR.
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16 taught school at City Mills and the Mount districts in his native town. In 1831 he completed fitting for college at the Clas- sical Institute, Medway village, and was graduated at Amherst College 1837. He afterwards taught school one year in Edgar- town, M. V., and then studied theology with Rev. Dr. Ide of West Medway ; was approbated by the Mendon Association 20th Au- gust, 1839, and was installed at Paxton 11th November, 1840. He labored industriously here for nearly thirty years and to unan- imous acceptance, until he resigned and was dismissed 12th Feb- ruary, 1869. He soon received a call from the church in Plain- field, Conn., and was installed there 9th June of the same year. He was successfully working in this new position when death sud- denly opened the door to him unto the perfect life. He died 13th June, 1876, aged 63 years and 8 months, in triumph and song.
Mr. Phipps was widely known as a teacher and composer of music. He was skillful, too, in the making of his own instruments, and it was well that almost his last words were uttered in some of his favorite hymns. The writer must be allowed to record here this brief and imperfect memento of the steady and cordial friend- ship of his early and life-long companion.
Mr. Phipps married, 5th September, 1837, Marcy C. Partridge, eldest daughter of Eleazer, Jr., and Mary (Fisher) Partridge, by whom he had seven children, five still living. His two sons, George Gardner and William Hamilton, are graduates of Amherst College, 1862, and are both Congregational ministers. Rev. George G. is pastor of the church at Newton Highlands, and Rev. W. H. of the church in Prospect, Conn.
Rev. GEORGE GARDNER PHIPPS, son of Rev. William and Mary C. (Partridge) Phipps, was born in Franklin 11th December. 1838. He fitted for college at Munson Academy, and graduated at Am- herst College 1862, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1865.
He supplied the church in Ashland for two years, from Septem- · ber, 1865, to October, 1867, and was next settled as pastor at Wellesley, 23d January, 1868. After a ten years' pastorate he was dismissed 1st April, 1878, to take charge of the church at Newton Highlands, where he was installed 4th April last.
Mr. Phipps married, 12th September, 1865, Kathleen M. Car- ruth of Phillipston, daughter of Russell and Susan Ward Carruth.
Dr. BENJAMIN POND was born in Franklin 4th April, 1789. 12
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He was son of Benjamin and Catharine (Cutler) Pond, graduated from the Medical College, Dartmouth, 1813, as M. D., and prac- ticed in Westboro through life.
He first married Lucy, daughter of Jonas Gale ; second, Eunice L. Cloyes, and third Lucy M. Brigham, and had three children. He died 7th June, 1857.
Rev. DANIEL POND, the earliest known graduate from this town, was son of John and Rachel (Fisher) Pond. He graduated at Harvard University, 1745, and was ordained in Templeton, then Narragansett township No. 6, 10th December, 1755 ; dismissed August, 1759. He removed to Medway, where, for many years, he fitted youth for college. He left the West church, being strongly opposed to the pastor, Rev. D. Sanford, for his Hopkinsianism, and joined the First church. This induced a long dissension be- tween the churches. He finally sold his farm and disappears from all record. Tradition says he died at Otter Creek.
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