USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 73
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Morton Hospital, Taunton .- This institution takes its name from Gov. Marcus Morton, the distinguished citizen of that city. In 1887, as a re- sult of growing feeling among physicians, and especially in the mind of Dr. S. D. Presbrey, that a hospital was an imperative necessity in Taun- ton, he drew up a paper calling for pledges of ten dollars a year for five years to constitute a fund for a foundation for the project; these pledges were not to be binding unless one hundred were obtained. The plan was received with such favor that nearly two hundred of the pledges came in, thus assuring unlooked for success in the undertak- ing. Besides the funds thus secured Mrs. Susan Tillinghast (Morton) Kimball, of Boston, made a gift, which was the most generous and beneficent ever donated in the city; this was a pledge of the Morton mansion on Washington street, with its spacious grounds for hospi- tal purposes. The Morton Hospital was dedicated January 3, 1889. Dr. S. D. Presbrey was chosen president of the institution; William H. Bent, vice-president; O. A. Barker, treasurer. A board of trustees was chosen which included many of the prominent men and women of
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the city, and Ella Sears was selected as matron. The following were the first board of consulting and visiting physicians: W. S. Robinson, J. W. Hayward, S. D. Presbrey, J. Bassett, Martha Perry, J. B. Mur- phy, B. L. Dwinell, F. A. Hubbard, E. F. Galligan, F. C. Walker, E. U. Jones, W. Y. Fox.
Taunton Lunatic Hospital .- Although this is a State institution, a brief notice will not be out of place here. This was the second lunatic hospital established in Massachusetts, and was erected under an act of legislature approved May 24, 1851, which appropriated $100,000 for the purpose, and subsequently added $90,000 more before it was com- pleted. The commissioners were George N. Briggs, James D. Thomp- son, and John W. Graves. When it was determined that Taunton of- fered the best advantages for the site of the institution, by vote of the inhabitants of the town and by voluntary contributions of citizens the sum of $13,000 was given the commissioners with which to purchase the beautiful site on which the hospital stands, embracing about 140 acres of land. The first board of trustees was appointed in July, 1853, and into their hands the building and property was delivered on Feb- ruary 2, 1854. In the following April the hospital was opened for the reception of patients. The original accommodations were for only 250 patients, but subsequent additions give it a present capacity of 650. Several of the leading citizens of Taunton have served on the board of trustees, and the hospital in its general management is among the foremost of similar institutions in the country.
HOMOEOPATHY .- The relations existing between the practice of med- icine upon homoeopathic principles and that followed by the so-called Old School, or Allopathic physicians fifty years are within the memory of many living persons. It is remembered that the new methods of healing the sick followed by the disciples of Hahnemann, were for a number of years a subject of ridicule and opprobium among medical men of the other school, as well as of active discussion outside of the profession. Since that period the change in these respects has been great. The new school, its theories and practice made their way rap- idly and are now recognized in every community as worthy of respect and confidence, while the great homoeopathic colleges have sent out many graduates who have attained high professional success, and who have stood and do stand on a level with the best educated men of any school.
The first homoeopathic physician to settle in Bristol county was Dr.
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Manning B. Roche. He was a pupil of Dr. Constantine Hering, and was a graduate of the Allentown Academy. No one could be a pupil of Dr. Hering and not be thoroughly versed in all that pertains to the education of the physician, and Dr. Roche's education was complete, and especially so in the matter of the Materia Medica. He was a man of strong character, and well calculated to command the respect and attention of those with whom he came in contact. He settled in New Bedford in 1841, and though at first he met with little encouragement, he gradually acquired a foothold and at length obtained a large prac- tice. He retired on account of failing health in 1861, and died at Riv- erside, N. J., July 5, 1862, aged seventy-three years.
Dr. Roche met with but little active opposition to his practice, which may have been due to the liberal example of the late Dr. Lyman Bart- lett, who, at the time of his death, had stood for a quarter of a century at the head of his school in this locality. He steadfastly refused to be bound by the rules of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and always met homoeopathic physicians in consultation whenever requested to do so.
At this same time, in the northwestern portion of the county, in the town of Norton, Dr. Ira Barrows was practicing in the old school. But in 1842 his attention was called to the new theory of therapeutics by his friend, Dr. P. P. Wells, now of Brooklyn, N. Y. But he was not a man to take things on any one's statement, and he accordingly ob- tained the "Organon " and Hull's Jahr, and commenced experiments. The results of these experiments filled him with wonder, and he very soon gave in his adherence unreservedly to the new school.
In August of 1842 an epidemic dysentery spread very generally over the region around Norton, and Dr. Barrows treated sixty-three cases with the loss of but one-a very wonderful showing for that disease and those times. The knowledge of his method of treatment spread very rapidly over the adjacent towns, and soon his circuit extended to at least twenty miles. He was the pioneer of homoeopathy in Taunton, Middleborough, Raynham, the Bridgewaters, Easton, Mansfield, Fox. borough, Wrentham, Attleborough, Seekonk, Rehoboth, Dighton and Pawtucket. He met with a great deal of opposition from his professional brethren, and was finally, without a fair hearing and on a technical charge, expelled from the Massachusetts Medical Society. This action of the society, and the fact that it was based technically, not really, on "gross immorality," was exceedingly galling to Dr. Barrows, and he
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never could afterwards speak of it with composure. He soon left Nor- ton, and commenced practice in Providence, which he held to the day of his death. He died October 14, 1882, and his funeral, held in church, was attended by crowds of interested professional and lay friends. He graduated at Brown University in 1824, and received his medical diploma from Harvard in 1827.
It was not till 1845 that Fall River was settled by homoeopathy. In that year Dr. Isaac Fiske became interested in it, and the more he studied the law and the more he put it into practice the more did he love it, till finally he practiced under its ægis solely. At this time Fall River was a small manufacturing town, with its great possibilities not yet developed, and its population largely made up of those who were connected with the mills. With this class homoeopathy was not popu- lar, and Dr. Fiske met with much and unreasonable opposition in his new practice, both from his professional brethren and the people. But his own high scholarly attainments, his social power, and his love for his newly-found truth, enabled him to overcome all difficulties, and to establish himself in a good practice.
Although the town of Taunton had frequent services of Dr. Ira Bar- rows, yet there was no settled homoeopathic physician here till the ad- vent of Dr. George Barrows, in 1846. Dr. Barrows was a graduate of Amherst in 1840, and of Berkshire Medical College in 1843, which he had entered as a sturdy allopath. But his attention had been drawn to homoeopathy by the increased success of his brother since his change of practice, and by the urgency of Dr. William Peck, of Cincinnati. While at Pittsfield he made the change, and openly avowed and prac- ticed the new way. He settled in Taunton after his graduation and although he met with much opposition, he kept on the even tenor of his way and by his professional success and his unfailing courtesy, he reached the measure of his ambition. He died January 19, 1878.
These were the pioneer homoeopathicts of the county, and they were men worthy of the highest respect outside of the profession which they honored, as well as among their brethren. In 1847, after Dr. Barrows left Norton, Dr. Benjamin M. Rounds began practice in that town and continued there nearly or quite forty years. In 1850 Dr. G. M. Mathes settled in New Bedford. He received his degree from the universities of Halle and Wittenberg in 1836, and studied in Europe two years longer. He began practice in Berlin in 1838 and removed in 1841 to his native place, Schwedt, Prussia. In 1845 he began in-
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vestigation and study which resulted in his taking up the new practice, and in 1849 came to this country. He was a successful practitioner in New Bedford many years.
In 1851 Dr. Charles Harris settled in Taunton. He was a graduate of Berkshire Medical College in 1847. He acquired a good practice, but ill health compelled him to return to Wareham, where he had for- merly practiced. In 1852 Dr. Henry B. Clarke, a graduate of the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania, began practice in New Bedford and achieved success.
In the year 1854 three young physicians, all graduates of the college just named, settled in the three cities of Bristol county, where they were destined to exert a large measure of influence. Dr. John L. Clarke began practice in that year in Fall River and soon took a commanding professional position. In that year also Dr. Elijah Utley Jones settled in Taunton, when he was twenty-eight years of age. During a period of teaching to obtain means for going through college his health failed and he returned to his father's home in Augusta, Me. Finally, con- quering a dreaded lung weakness, he studied medicine in the Maine Medical School, and in February, 1854, entered the Homoeopathic Col · lege of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in the same year and began his long period of successful practice in Taunton. In 1855 he joined the Homoeopathic Fraternity, a small society which ultimately grew into the Massachusetts Homoeopathic Medical Society. For fif- teen years he was on the board of management of the latter organiza- tion and seven years was its secretary, and in 1876 was elected its first president. He was the author of the " Early History of Homoeopathy in Massachusetts," a work of great value. He was always a liberal contributor to various publications on medical and other subjects. In 1879 he was appointed lecturer on sanitary science and malarial dis- eases in Boston University medical school.
In the eventful year 1854 Dr. Edward Sisson, who had studied with Dr. Manning B. Roche (before noticed), and a graduate of both the Berkshire Medical School and the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania, began practice in New Bedford, in which he attained marked success.
Other physicians of this school of a comparatively early period were Drs. D. A. Babcock, Joseph W. Hayward, B. L. Dwinell, Thomas A. Capen, David W. Vanderburgh, and Drs. Stone, Finch and Walker.
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PART II.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
GUBELMAN PHOTO GRAVURE CO.
So Bigny
BIOGRAPHICAL.
S. O. BIGNEY.
SIDNEY OSBORNE BIGNEY is the son of James and Sarah Jane (Black) Bigney and a grandson of Peter Bigney, and was born in Went- worth, Cumberland county, Nova Scotia, November 4, 1854. On the paternal side he comes from old historic and distinguished ancestry, being a lineal descendant of Theodore Agrippa d'Aubigne, an emi- nent author and a brave and dashing soldier, who sided with the Huguenots in the religious wars of France, and who, after the capitula- tion of Rochelle, entered the service of Henry IV of Navarre, who bestowed upon him many high honors; he spent the latter part of his life in Switzerland in active support of the Protestant cause, and left many valuable works, including a universal history. Among the con- spicuous members of this noted family who are closely related to Mr. Bigney are Jean Louis Villain d'Aubigne, statesman; Pierre d'Au- bigne, the French miniature painter; Madam d'Aubigne (Amelia Dautel), the eminent portrait painter; Gaces de la Bigne, the poet; Margerin de la Bigne, writer, theologian, dean of the Church of Mans, and doctor of the Sorbonne; Charles Francois d'Aubigne, the French engraver and painter and pupil of Edmé d'Aubigne; Mark F. Bigney, born in 1814, poet and formerly managing editor of the New Orleans Times; Dr. P. M. Bigney, of Cincinnati, a war veteran of 1862; and Major Thomas Oozsley Bigney, a Coloradan historian and poet, who distinguished himself in the Civil war, and who is a cousin of the sub- ject of this sketch. Charles Francois d'Aubigne, previously men- tioned, was associated with the famous Fontainebleau group of painters and belonged to a coterie of great masters of landscape painting. Jean Henri Merle d'Aubigne, D. D., was another noted member of this family, being an eminent Swiss divine, and ecclesiastical historian. He re- ceived the degree of D.C.L. from Oxford, was appointed court preacher
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at Brussels in 1823, and after the revolution of 1830 declined the post of tutor to the Prince of Orange, but became professor of church his- tory at Geneva in 1831 and filled that chair in the theological seminary until his death. His works of world-wide reputation are " Histoire de la Réformation au Siezième Siècle, 1735-53"; "Germany, Scotland, and a Vindication of Cromwell," 1848; " Trois Siècles de Lutte en Ecosse," 1849; and " Histoire de la Réformation en Europe au temps de Calvin," 1862-78.
On his mother's side Mr. Bigney is of Scotch ancestry, being a lineal descendant of Adam and Charles Black, of Edinburgh, who are well known in connection with Sir Walter Scott's works. The first of the name to settle in Massachusetts were John Black, who was admitted a freeman in 1632, Richard Black in 1637, and Henry Black in 1645. The founder of his mother's family in America was William Black, who was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1727, emigrated to Haddersfield, England, and came thence in 1774 to Nova Scotia, where he settled on a farm near the town of Amherst, which is still occupied by some of his descendants. Mr. Bigney is a cousin of Senator William R. Black, of Taunton, Mass., a captain and veteran of the War of the Rebellion, and of Charles Allan Black, M. D., of Amherst, Nova Scotia, who was born in Salem, Cumberland county, Nova Scotia, August 23, 1844. Among others with whom he is closely related are Dr. Joseph Black, the celebrated chemist, who succeeded Cullen in the chair of chemistry at Edinburgh University; William Black, the noted English novelist, author of "Madcap Violet," "Macleod of Dare," "White Wings," etc. ; James Black, of Lewisburg, Pa., a nominee for president of the United States in 1872; Jeremiah Sullivan Black, the eminent jurist, United States attorney-general under Buchanan in 1857, and secretary of state in 1860, who exerted himself to prevent the government from falling into the hands of the secessionists; William Black, the Wes- leyan divine, who founded the Wesleyan Church in Nova Scotia and be- came general superintendent of Wesleyan missions in British America; John C. Black, soldier and commissioner of pensions; Rev. John Black, father of John C., a Presbyterian minister of Scotch-Irish extraction ; and John Fisher Black, of New Orleans, of Scotch and English ances- try. Through his paternal grandmother Mr. Bigney is descended from the Leslie family, the original progenitor of which was a Hungarian knight named Bartholomew, who appeared in Scotland in 1667, during the reign of Malcolm Caenmore.
Mr. Bigney's father and grandfather were both respected farmers in
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Cumberland county, Nova Scotia, and, anglicizing the name, followed its present spelling. James Bigney, the father, was born in 1809 and died in 1871. He was a devout Christian, noted for his benevolence and generous hospitality, and enjoyed the respect and confidence of all his neighbors.
Sidney Osborne Bigney was educated in the schools of his native town. At the age of eighteen, prompted by an ambitious nature, he determined to seek a wider field of usefulness, and coming to North Attleborough, Mass., he entered the employ of Draper, Pate & Bailey, which subsequently became F. S. Draper & Co. There he mastered the trade of stamping and tool making, remaining eight years. Under the most experienced workmen he acquired a thorough and practi- cal knowledge of the business. In December, 1879, with Charles A. Marsh, he formed the firm of Marsh & Bigney and began manufactur- ing jewelry at North Attleborough in the Stephen Richardson build- ing, which, eighteen months later, was completely destroyed by fire. Undaunted by this disaster they immediately secured a shop in the Robinson building at East Attleborough, and with new samples were in the market on the opening of the season's trade. From the first they displayed that foresight, energy and business capacity which laid the foundation of their subsequent success. In July, 1894, Mr. Bigney purchased his partner's interest and has ever since conducted the busi- ness under the style of S. O. Bigney & Co., he being the sole owner. The particular branch of the industry which commands his attention is the manufacture of ladies' and gentlemen's high-grade rolled-plate, gold-filled, and gold chains, embracing a large and complete line of original designs in guard chains, neck chains, gentlemen's vest chains, silk fobs, charms, etc., with dainty trimmings. These products have materially aided and made possible the proud position of Massachusetts and Rhode Island as the leading States in the Union in the manufac- ture of high-grade chains. The unique trade mark of the firm is a horseshoe with Mr. Bigney's initial B entwined, the whole being in- closed in a triangle, and is emblematical of that good fortune which has attended his fair dealings and business methods. It is so well known by all jobbers in the jewelry trade that it bespeaks a sufficient guaranty for the excellent quality of the goods. On May 18, 1898, the large and commodious manufactory on the corner of Union and Mill streets, Attleborough, was totally destroyed by fire, and in the incredi- bly short time of fifteen days Mr. Bigney established, in the Manufac-
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turers' building in Providence, R. I., a most conveniently arranged and modern factory, covering between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet of floor space, fully equipped with the latest improved machinery and appli- ances, and employing a full force of skilled operatives. He was the first of the several manufacturers to re-establish business after that dis- astrous conflagration in Attleborough, a fact that speaks eloquently of his indomitable energy, enterprise and courage, and which abundantly demonstrates his wonderful business ability and executive management.
Mr. Bigney has been actively and prominently identified with the growth of the town of Attleborough for more than twenty years, being one of its most loyal and patriotic citizens and public spirited men. He was a founder and is now president of the Attleborough Co-operative Bank, is president of the Manufacturers' Agricultural Association and of the Odd Fellows Building Association, and was chairman of a com- mittee to organize a board of trade. During the tariff agitation in 1897 he was chosen by his business contemporaries as chairman of the tariff committee of prominent Attleborough and Providence jewelers, who successfully prepared explanations of the classifications of jewelry under the Dingley law and rendered a universal service by securing an increase of the tariff rate from 35 to 60 per cent., and also valuable assistance to the New York custom house appraisers in regard to cer- tain importations of jewelry. Much of this was the result of Mr. Big- ney's personal, untiring efforts, and won for him the gratitude of jewelry manufacturers and dealers everywhere. Mr. Bigney is a staunch Republican and has repeatedly declined to become a candidate for election to the Massachusetts Legislature, though frequently urged to accept the honor. Arduous and pressing demands of business have kept him from entering the political arena. He is, however, intensely patriotic, progressive, and enterprising, and active in several fraternal organizations, holding membership in Orient Lodge and the Encamp- ment of the I.O.O.F. of Attleborough and the rank of colonel in the military division of the Knights of Pythias. He has passed through all the chairs in Pythagorus Lodge, K. of P., and is a member of the Grand Lodge. He is an ardent admirer of nature and of horses, sym . pathetic and kind hearted, responding promptly to the calls of distress and injustice, and liberally encouraging every commendable enterprise. As chairman of the literary committee of Attleborough's Fourth of July celebration in 1888 he made, prior to the introduction of Prof. Alonzo Williams, of Brown University, as orator of the day, an in-
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teresting and thrilling speech, which stamps him as a public speaker of no mean ability.
Mr. Bigney was married, June 17, 1876, to Miss Henrietta, adopted daughter of Benjamin Stevens, of Wentworth, Nova Scotia, and they have one son, Harold Osborne Bigney, born in January, 1886. The family attend the Congregational Church, to which, as well as the Attleborough Young Men's Christian Association, Mr. Bigney generous- ly contributes.
ALANSON BORDEN.
ALANSON BORDEN was born in the town of Tiverton, R. I., near to the Massachusetts line (now in the latter State), on the 7th of Janu- ary, 1823. His father was Isaac Borden, who was a farmer, as was also his grandfather and earlier ancestors, all being of English de- scent. His mother was Abby Borden, a member of a different fam. ily and not related. When he was nine years old his father and grand- father removed with the family, to Venice, Cayuga county, N. Y .; where they lived many years, the father and mother, however, finally returned to Massachusetts, and both died in New Bedford. Down to the time of the removal of the family to New York State, Alanson at- tended the school near his home, and after the removal he attended the district schools until he was seventeen years old, when he entered the Academy at Groton, N. Y. A few months later he changed to the Aurora (Cayuga county) Academy, which he attended about two years. It had been his cherished intention to go through college, and during a period of teaching after leaving the Aurora Academy, he began preparation for his college course; but a combination of circumstances rendered it impracticable for him to carry out his plans, and his further educational advantages were restricted to one year in an academy at Ithaca, N. Y., which he left with an excellent academic education, which was much enhanced by subsequent private study.
In 1846 Mr. Borden went to live in New Bedford, resolved to enter the legal profession. He began his studies in the office of Elliot & Kasson and remained there two and one-half years, when he was ad- mitted to the bar and at once opened an office. He has ever since practiced here, though very much of his time and talent has been given to the duties of public office. He was appointed special justice of the
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Police Court in 1856, and resigned the office in 1859; then he was elected to the State Legislature, serving in that body two years, with the ap- proval of his constituents. Following this he accepted the office of trial justice for juvenile offenders, which was established in New Bed- ford by special statute. In 1864 he was appointed judge of the City Police Court and held the office until 1874, when all of the police courts of the county were abolished and the county was divided into three districts with a judge for each. Judge Borden received the appoint- ment for the Third District, embracing the city of New Bedford, and the towns of Dartmouth, Westport, Fairhaven, Acushnet and Free- town. In the fall of 1864 he became the law partner of the late Judge Robert C. Pitman, and this connection continued for several years, and until the appointment of Judge Pitman to the bench of the Superior Court. In 1876 Judge Borden was elected to the mayoralty of the city and gave his constituents an excellent administration. He has been a member of the school board for many years and was its chair- man three years.
Judge Borden has been three times married and is now a widower. His first wife was Mary C. Topham, daughter of Capt. Wm. H. Top- ham, of New Bedford. His second wife was Mary F. Kent, daughter of George Kent, of Washington, D. C. His third was Annie R. Com- merford, daughter of Patrick Commerford, of New Bedford. His children are a son and a daughter by his first wife. The son, William A. Borden, is now in charge of the library of the Young Men's Insti- tute, in New Haven, Ct. The daughter, Laura E., is the wife of Charles H. Lobdell, of New Bedford. Judge Borden has always been especially attached to his home, finding his chief happiness in the family circle around his own fireside. It is very largely from the beneficent and inspiring influences of his domestic life that he attributes whatever measure of success he may have attained in his public career.
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