USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Lee > Lee : the centennial celebration and centennial history of the town of Lee, Mass. > Part 26
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Franklin Chamberlin, a native of Dalton, also studied law with Mr. Porter, married his daughter, and on his admission to the bar in 1845, became a partner with his father-in-law, and continued practice here till Mr. Porter's death, when he opened an office in New York city.
Marshall Wilcox, a native of Stockbridge and a gradu- ate of Williams College, class of 1844, succeeded to the business of Messrs. Porter & Chamberlin in 1853. Mr. Wilcox studied law with Mr. Lester Filley of Otis, and practiced with Mr. Filley in that town for three years previous to his coming to Lee. He remained here six- teen years, and rose to the front rank in the Berkshire bar. While a resident of Lee, he represented the town with honor in both branches of the Legislature. In 1869 he removed to Pittsfield, where law business seemed to center after the removal of the Court House.
Franklin Sturgis, a native of Lee, son of William Stur- gis, was admitted to the bar in 1830, and opened an of- fice first at East Lee, and afterwards at the Center. Af- ter some years of practice his health failed and he re- moved to Lanesborough, where he died.
Lawson D. Bidwell, a native of Monterey and a gradu- ate of Williams, class of 1814, studied law with Augustus Sherrill of Stockbridge. He practiced for a short time in his native town, and then opened an office in South Lee, where he remained till 1851, then removing to Stockbridge and giving his attention to agriculture. He died in Stockbridge in 1863, aged 72.
L. D. Brown, a native of Lee, and for a time a paper manufacturer, was admitted to the bar in 1841, and prac- ticed law here till 1850, when California presented a more attractive field to his enterprising genius. He embarked
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in some commercial speculations at San Francisco, and supposed he had secured a competence for life. He re- turned to Lee in 1854, and died here in 1858, leaving a wife and four brilliant daughters, all of whom have since deceased.
J. F. Cook, N. W. Ayer, and T. M. Judd, haye also practiced law here for a short time. The members of this profession now practicing here are John Branning, ad- mitted to the bar in 1845, N. W. Shores, admitted in 1860, and Edward T. Slocum, admitted in 1874. Mr. Branning practiced law in Monterey a few years before coming to Lee, and represented that town in the Legisla- ture. Since his residence in Lee he has legislated in both branches of the General Court. All of Mr. Shores' pro- fessional life has been spent in Lee. In 1875, he was elected State Senator from the southern Berkshire district. Mr. Slocum is a native of Grafton, Mass., graduated at Amherst in 1871, at the Law School of the Boston Uni- versity in 1874, practiced in Boston for three years, and then came to Lee.
PHYSICIANS.
Little besides the names is known of the first two physicians who practiced in Lee. Gideon Thompson was the first, a native of Goshen, Conn. He was here only a few years and removed to Galway, N. Y. Dr. Thompson was followed by Dr. Rathburn. The first physician who left much impress upon the place was Dr. Erastus Sar- gent, Jr., son of Dr. Erastus Sargent, of Stockbridge, and grandson of Rev. John Sargent, the first missionary to the Stockbridge Indians. Dr. Sargent, Jr., was born at Stockbridge in 1772, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1792, and came to Lee in 1794. He was a genial, well- informed man, a skillful physician, and had an extensive practice here, but being more faithful in administering
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medicine than in collecting his debts, never accumulated much property. He died in Lee in 1832, leaving a wife and six children, who afterward moved to Indiana. Mrs. Sargent was a woman of culture, and the children all made their mark in the world. The two sons were suc- cessful business men in Indiana, the oldest daughter was principal of a female seminary in Memphis, Tenn .; the other three married, one a home missionary, the second a physician and the youngest a lawyer. The first grand- child, daughter of the home missionary, is now the wife of Ex-Gov. Bagley, of Michigan.
Dr. Nathaniel Thayer, a native of Boston and a gentle- man of culture, settled here soon after Dr. Sargeant, but remained only a few years, removing to Westfield, Mass., where he attained some eminence and died much respected.
Hubbard Bartlett, a native of Richmond, Mass., who studied medicine with Dr. Burghardt of that town and at Dartmouth Medical College, settled in Lee as a physician in 1810, and soon secured the confidence and respect of this community, which continued and increased till his death, which occurred in 1859, at the age of 77. His professional career was interrupted by severe attacks of rheumatism. To assist in earning a livelihood he accepted the office of postmaster in 1818, and held it for 272 years. He also represented the town in the Legislature two years (1825-6), was justice of the peace for 30 years (1829 to 1859), parish clerk 26 years (1833 to 1859), and deacon in the Congregational Church 30 years (1829 to 1859). He was also the first, and for many years the only druggist in town, his little shop serving the triple purpose of dispensing medicine, mail and justice. Here Messrs. Porter and Sturgis tried their little cases, here Mr. Chamberlin made his first plea, and here also occa- sionally Messrs. Bishop of Lenox, Field of Stockbridge,
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and Sumner of Great Barrington, put forth their forensic powers. In looking over Dr. Bartlett's books, it is curious to notice the charges for medical services, the visits being charged at 25 cents to 50 cents, medicine included, the physicians of that time always carrying in their saddle- bags a miniature apothecary store. In the matter of postage the rates were higher than at present, being 6} cents for any distance under 30 miles, 12} cents for dis- tances between 30 and 100 miles, 182 cents between 100 and 500 miles, and 25 cents for any greater distance. For these sums only one sheet could be carried. If two pieces of paper were included, or even a bank-bill put into a letter, the postage was doubled. Envelopes and postal cards were things unknown. The income of Dr. Bartlett from the post-office during the twenty-seven years of his service ranged from $20 per annum to $450, and this though his labors were more arduous than those of postmasters at the present day, as the mails were transported by stages, and often he was compelled to arise twice in the night to receive and deliver them, and bills were sent with each letter, and every package of letters received was compared with the accompanying bill, a record being kept of all that passed in and out of the office. With such high rates of postage the mails were comparatively small, but the letters were large and full, foolscap sheets being commonly used, and every available space on the paper filled. Few newspapers were carried by mail. A daily paper was not then the daily reading of countrymen, and the county papers were distributed from house to house by carriers. As late as 1832 no daily paper seems to have been taken in Lee, for among Dr. Bartlett's papers after his death was found the following, which well illustrates the difficulty of obtaining news before the advent of railroads and tele- graphs :
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" Lee July 6, 1832 .
Dr. H. Bartlett
Dear Sir Anxious to be informed daily of the progress of cholera, we wish to have a Daily Paper taken by you from New York for 3 or 6 months, and we will pay you for the privi- lege of seeing the paper the sums set against our names
Signed
W. & W. & C. Laflin 75 cents
E. V. Whiton 25
J. & L. Church 50
Asa G. Welch 75
S. & A. Hulbert
25
Tho's Falls
25 66
Milton Ingersoll
25
William Cole
25 66
Ball, Bassett & Co
50 66
Isaac C. Ives
25
66
Abner Taylor
25 66
Wm Porter Jr.
25
66
J. B. Perry "
25
The idea of four firms and nine individuals combining less than half a century since, to take a daily paper for three or six months, strikes the present generation with aston- ishment, as the average citizen now considers a daily paper almost as essential as his daily food.
It was as a Christian and citizen, that Dr. Bartlett was most esteemed. For thirty years, he was a standard- bearer in the Congregational church, and in this and all the other offices of life he was faithful, ever ready to do his full part in every enterprise that would advance the common weal. He died as he had lived, an humble Chris- tian with full confidence in his Redeemer.
Asa G. Welch, a native of Norfolk, Conn, came to Lee in 1827, directly from Tyringham, Mass., where he had been practicing medicine for thirteen years. He soon secured an extensive practice here and retained it till his death, which occurred in 1852 at the age of 61, leaving a most estimable wife but no children. Dr. Welch was the
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son of a physician and inherited a tact for his profession. He was tall and stout and his personal appearance such as to command notice in any public assembly. His am- bition was not satisfied with success in his chosen profes- sion. He aspired also to prominence in political matters, and in 1835-6 he represented the town in the Legisla- ture, and in 1851 was elected to the State senate. He was also one of the original directors of the Lee Bank and held the position till his death.
With Dr. Welch studied Corydon Guiteau, a native of Norfolk, who received his diploma from the Berkshire Medical College in 1830 and immediately commenced practicing here with his teacher. After a few years, Dr. Guiteau opened a separate office and continued an ex- tensive practice till his death in 1853. Dr. Guiteau was of Huguenot descent and showed his French extraction in his courteous manners. He was devoted to his profes- sion, giving little attention to outside studies or business matters, but most faithful to his patients whom he at- tended with an untiring zeal and perseverance. Of warm affections, his heart was broken by the death of his only daughter and child in 1847. He lingered in feeble health for six years after her death, often visiting patients when he needed medicine and nursing more than they. His widow still survives, living in Buffalo, N. Y.
Dr. Guiteau was succeeded by J. B. Whiting, a grad- uate of the Berkshire Medical College, who came here from Wolcottville, Conn., and stepped into a good prac- tice which he held till his removal to Janesville, Wiscon- sin, in 1860, where he now resides.
John B. Gifford, a native of Lee and a graduate at the Berkshire Medical College opened an office here in 1850 for the practice of Homeopathy. He also manufac- tured the Homeopathic pillets extensively, and was quite enterprising as a business man, securing also a good share
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RESIDENCE OF DR. C. C. HOLCOMBE.
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of practice as a physician. His health soon failed and he died in 1866.
Besides the above, many physicians have practiced here for a short time and removed to other places, leaving no great impress on this community, but some of them gaining celebrity in other fields. We must not however omit to mention Dr. Charles McAllister who practiced for many years in South Lee and then removed to Stock- bridge.
The present physicians are Eliphalet Wright, who stud- ied with Dr. Welch and has been in extensive practice here since his graduation from Berkshire College in 1841, except the few years he spent in Granville ; C. C. Hol- combe, son of Dr. Vincent Holcombe of Granville, Mass., who came to Lee in 1854, and has an extensive ride in this and neighboring towns; D. M. Wilcox, who settled here in 1872, and has a good practice ; C. E. Heath, who was for many years a practitioner in Monterey, and still having an extensive ride in that and other neighboring towns, opened an office in Lee in 1873 ; and C. W. Strat- ton, who has been in the successful practice of homeopa- thy here since 1868.
POSTMASTERS.
The first post-office in Berkshire County was estab- lished in Stockbridge in 1792. Jedediah Crocker was the first postmaster in Lee (1803), and kept his office at his tavern in Cape street on the site of the house lately owned by John Baker. Mr. Crocker was succeeded by Richard Brush in 1811, who also kept a public house on the same ground, and his bar-room served for a tailor's shop as well as for dealing out letters and liquors. Rol- lin C. Dewey succeeded Mr. Brush in 1816 and removed the office to the Center. Mr. Dewey leaving town, John B. Perry was appointed in 1817, but resigned after a 42
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year's service in favor of his neighbor, Dr. Hubbard Bart- lett, who held the office for 27} years, when I. D. Brown took it, succeeded in 1849 by George H. Phelps, in 1853 by A. M. Howk, in 1861 by Nathan Gibbs, in 1863 by Dr. E. Wright, and in 1874 by J. C. Chaffee, the present incumbent. What the income of the post-master was prior to Dr. Bartlett's day can not be ascertained, but during the first year of his incumbency it was $20, and at the end of his service it had increased to $450. The income to Government for 1877 was, including box rent, $3,364.27, and the salary of the postmaster is now $1,700. In 1826, a post-office was established at South Lee, and in 1848, one at East Lee.
ASSOCIATIONS.
SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF GOOD MORALS.
Lee has ever been famous for associated and united effort. Certainly this has been the case since the healing of the breaches occasioned by the Shays' Rebellion. In few towns has society been so little divided into what has been termed the upper and lower crusts. If any aristoc- racy has existed it has been one of moral worth rather than of wealth. All classes of citizens have worked together harmoniously for what would promote the com- mon weal, and when associated effort was necessary all have united, and as one put their shoulders to the wheel. As an example of this may be instanced " The Society for the Promotion of Good Morals," established here in 1814. It appears from the records of this society found among the papers of the late Dr. Bartlett that intemper- ance, Sabbath-breaking and profanity were at that time making alarming inroads upon the community, and this society was organized to combat these vices, for the sec- ond article of the constitution reads : " The members of
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this society shall by their conversation and example en- courage all virtuous conduct, and shall discountenance vice generally, and particularly the vices of Sabbath- breaking, intemperance in the use of spirituous liquors, and profaneness." In the third article, the members pledged themselves to furnish the poor with employment, " that indolence may not betray them into vice," and also " to discourage by all wise and discreet measures the unnecessary use of ardent spirits." The names of nearly a hundred citizens, apparently all the leading men of the town, are found appended to this constitution. Dr. Hyde was made President and Dr. Bartlett Secretary of this moral reform club, and the records show that efficient work was done. After generations have doubt- less reaped the fruit from the labors of this association.
THE FIRST TOWN LIBRARY.
Early in the present century, the leading men of the town combined for the establishment of what was called a " town library," but it was really a proprietors' library, as none were permitted to draw books from it except owners of stock. The records of this institution cannot be found, but it is known to have done great service in promoting the cause of education and good morals in this community. The books, some 300 volumes in all, were mostly of the staple kind, treating of history, biography, travels, science and religion., Works of poetry were scarce, and of fiction very scarce. Edward V. Whiton, son of Gen. Joseph Whiton, was at one time librarian, and being fond of reading perused most of the historical books, and thus laid the foundation for the eminence in the legal profession which he afterwards attained, becoming Chief Justice of Wisconsin. When "The Young Men's Asso- ciation of Lee " was organized in 1852, the books remain- ing in this old library were transferred by the consent of
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the few remaining proprietors to this society, and formed a nucleus for a new library.
THE LEE BANK
was incorporated 1835. June 10, George Hull, of San- disfield, was chosen President ; July 31, John C. Furber, Cashier. The capital stock was $50,000, increased at various times till it amounted to $300,000. In 1864 this was reduced to $210,000, which is the present capital. After four years' service, Mr. Hull resigned, and since then there have served as President, William A. Phelps, elected 1839; Walter Laflin, 1841; Leonard Church, 1844 ; Thomas Sedgwick, 1856; Harrison Gar- field, 1862. The Cashiers have been after Mr. Furber, Thomas Green, chosen 1840, Edmund D. Chapin, 1848, Edward A. Bliss, 1850; John M. Howk, 1862, John L. Kilbon, 1868. This bank was never more successfully operated than under the present administration.
THE LEE SAVINGS BANK.
This institution was chartered March 5, 1852, and commenced business in June following. Hon. Harrison Garfield has been the President, with the exception of the first year, when William Porter Esq., was chosen. The Cashiers of the Lee Bank have been also the Treas- urers of the Saving Bank. There are now (1877), 1,479 depositors, and $483,335.59 on deposit. This Institution has the entire confidence of the community.
YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
This society was organized in 1852 " for the purpose of improving the moral and intellectual condition of the young men by means of a library, reading-room, lectures and debates." It was regularly chartered in 1853, and for some years maintained a reading-room and a course of
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lectures and had gathered a library of 400 volumes. The reading-room and library were in a pleasant room in Church's block, and were open at all hours of the day to the public. The fire which destroyed this block and the Congregational Church in 1857, burned also the books and all the property of this Association and put an end to its existence. The lecture system of education has never been popular in Lee. Since the enterprise of the Young Men's Association in this line, courses of lectures have been attempted by individuals, but with only partial suc- cess.
THE LEE BAND AND BAND ASSOCIATION.
The music of the early inhabitants of Lee was mostly of the vocal kind. Singing schools were frequent and well patronized, but in the first half century of the town's history instrumental music was pretty much tabooed. A fiddle was considered the instrument of the Evil One, and when Captain Landers brought his bass- viol into the church, many regarded it as sacrilegious. It is within the memory of many now living when pianos were introduced. The first band was organized in 1857, by A. V. Shannon, then a youth just out of his teens, and possessing a great talent for music, which he had well cultivated. This band, called Shannon's Brass Band, was cordially welcomed by the public and furnished with uniforms. Out of this organization grew the present Lee Cornet Band, which confessedly stands at the head of sim- ilar companies in the county, having taken the first premium in all competitive trials. In 1875, a beautiful uniform was furnished the Band by an appreciative public, and a Band Association was organized, consisting of nearly one hundred citizens who agreed to be assessed, not to exceed $3 each annually, to provide instruments and pay the necessary expenses of the musicians. Mr. Elizur Smith was the first President of this Association,
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THE HISTORY OF LEE.
and was succeeded by Mr. Wellington Smith, the present incumbent. At the annual meeting, the Band furnish a free concert to the members and their friends. To Capt. A. V. Shannon, who combines great executive ability with musical talent, much credit is due for organizing and directing this band without remuneration and at much personal sacrifice.
THE LEE FERN CLIFF ASSOCIATION.
This village improvement society was instituted in 1873, the late Rev. Dr. Gale taking an active part in organiz- ing it, and becoming its first President. The objects of the society as set forth in the constitution are, "To or- nament and improve the public streets and squares by planting shade trees, keeping the sidewalks clean and in repair, and by other means by which the town may be rendered beautiful, healthy and comfortable." On the third Tuesday of August the association holds its annual meeting on Fern Cliff, at which time the officers are elected and an address delivered. At the first annual meeting in 1874 Professor Tenney was the orator. The orators in succeeding years have been Dr. George B. Loring in 1875, Professor L. Pratt and Governor Rice in 1876, and Rev. Dr. H. M. Field in 1877. Among the improvements inaugurated in the village by this associa- tion may be mentioned the lighting of the streets, better sidewalks, the removal of litter from the roads and ditches clean lawns and tidy fences, and in some few instances the abolition of fences. The Presidents since Dr. Gale have been Elizur Smith, Rev. P. A. Nordell and Wellington Smith.
THE LEE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
April 27, 1874 a meeting of citizens was called for the purpose of organizing a Library Association and estab- lishing a Public Library. Harrison Garfield was chosen
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Chairman of this meeting and John Stallman Secretary, and a committee was appointed to draw up a constitution and by-laws, and all necessary steps were taken to organ- ize a corporation under the act of 1872 in reference to the establishment of public libraries and reading rooms. At an adjourned meeting May 4, the constitution was adopted and a Board of Directors chosen, viz. : Harrison Garfield, Elizur Smith, Nahum Gale, W. W. Sever, Na- than Gibbs, Alexander Hyde and Abner Rice. At a sub- sequent meeting of the Directors Harrison Garfield was chosen President, Dr. Gale Vice-president, John Stallman Clerk, and J L. Kilbon Treasurer. The town had previ- ously voted to appropriate the dog-tax money for a pub- lic library, and individuals had pledged liberal sums for the same purpose, Messrs. H. Garfield and E. Smith of this town $500 each, and Edward N. Gibbs of Norwich, Conn., the same amount. A committee appointed to solicit fur- ther subscriptions met with a cordial response from the citizens and former residents. Among the largest donors may be mentioned Wellington Smith $200, P. C. Baird $100, W. H. Hamblin $100, W. B Wood of Boston $100, G. F. Perkins of New York $100, Samuel and Julia Hebe- ner of Philadelphia $100, Charles T. Lockhart of New York $50, Charles Taylor of New York a set of Appleton's Encyclopædia, and H. S. Hulbert of New York a very fine carpet for the library room. In all, over $3,000 have been contributed to this object and a library of about 3,000 volumes, mostly a choice selection of books, has been provided, which is open to the free use of every individual in town over twelve years of age. The town has granted to the Association the use of two large rooms in Memorial Hall, which have been furnished in good style, mainly by gifts of citizens. The Library is an educational institution of which the town may well be proud. The community generally appreciate its value,
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and the drawers of books now number about a thousand. J. C. Chaffee has been the librarian from the start, and the town usually appropriates, besides the dog-fund, some $250 annually for the purchase of new books and the salary of the librarian.
THE LEE FARMERS' CLUB.
This association was organized in 1862 by some thirty of the leading farmers of the town and has maintained a vigorous existence from that time to the present. The object of this society is the advancement of agriculture by means of lectures, essays, discussions and books. A library of about 300 volumes consisting mostly of works on agriculture, had been collected, when the town library was started in 1874, and the club donated their books to the latter institution. The meetings are held fortnightly during the Winter and intermitted during the busy months of Summer. Occasionally, social sessions are held at the houses of members, when ladies are admitted. The club has done good service to the agriculture of the town, and incidentally has been of benefit by stimulating thought and encouraging its expression, and by cultiva- ting social and neighborly graces. Alexander Hyde was the first President of the club, and John A. Decker is the present incumbent of this office.
FREE MASONS.
The Evening Star Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was constituted in Lee by charter from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, October 10, 1795, and has included among its members many of the best citizens of this and neighboring towns. Its first Master was Judge William Walker of Lenox, whose name alone was sufficient to give character to the Lodge. The present Master is Alonzo Bradley. This association has a large and well-
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