USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Our county and its people : A history of Hampden County, Massachusetts. Volume 1 > Part 31
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Thomas Luce Chapman, who was virtually retired from active professional work when he removed from Longmeadow to Springfield to live with his father-in-law, the late Marvin Cha- pin, was born in Pittsfield in 1817, and acquired his early medi- cal education in the Berkshire Medical institute. Through his early association with Dr. Brooks he was led to enter the pro- fession, and it was a fortunate choice, for he became in every respect a competent and honorable physician, and one who en- joyed a large practice and wide social acquaintance. He settled in Longmeadow in 1842 and for the next thirty and more years (except a short time spent in California for the benefit of his health) devoted his energies to professional work and to the several other enterprises with which he was identified. He was secretary and treasurer of the district medical society in 1847-49,
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vice-president in 1871-72, and president in 1872-74. Dr. Chap- man is remembered as a large-hearted and public-spirited citizen, especially kind to the poor, and interested in all worthy charities. The Springfield Home for Aged Women was founded chiefly through his endeavors. Politically he was a republican and was in the state senate in 1864. Dr. Chapman died August 20, 1889, and at the next succeeding meeting of the district medical society one of the resolutions then adopted declared : "While we sub- missively bow to the Supreme Will, we recognize the loss of one who unselfishly gave his life to the amelioration of human suffer- ings, and whose gentle virtues and manly qualities will always live in our remembrance."
Nathan Adams was for many years a familiar figure in med- ical circles in Springfield, although the complete success of his career as a physician was somewhat marred by the effects of an unfortunate accident which impaired his general health. He was born May 6, 1813, and was graduated from the medical de- partment of Yale in 1836. In 1844, after six years of hospital practice in New York, he settled in Springfield, and soon attained a prominent standing in the ranks of the profession. In 1856 he was elected to the common council. In 1865 an accident com- pelled him to give up practice temporarily, after which he trav- elled extensively and lived elsewhere than in Springfield. In 1876 he returned to the city and ten years later bought the manor house and property in Ingersoll's grove. Dr. Adams died Octo- ber 2, 1888, while temporarily residing with his daughter in Mar- blehead.
Harlow Gamwell, late of Westfield, was born in Washington, Mass., in 1834, the son of Martin Gamwell, a patriot of the revo- lution. Harlow acquired his early medical education in the Berkshire Medical college, where he graduated in 1858, and began his professional career in Huntington in 1859. In 1861 he was appointed assistant surgeon of the 2d Mass. cavalry, serv- ing in that capacity fourteen months, when he was made surgeon of the 5th cavalry. Just before the close of the war ill-health compelled him to resign his commission, upon which he returned to Huntington, and thence removed to Westfield in 1873. Here
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he afterward lived and died, his professional life having been a complete success, while socially he enjoyed the respect and es- teem of the entire townspeople. His practice was varied and extensive, and in whatever capacity he was called he acquitted himself with honor. Dr. Gamwell died August 11, 1898. He was twice married, his second wife being a daughter of Dr. Thad- deus K. De Wolf.
Varillas L. Owen, for many years a physician of excellent standing in Springfield, was born in 1825, and died in 1897. He was educated in old Chester academy and the medical depart- ment of Harvard, graduating at the latter in 1852. He came into medical practice well equipped for hard work. On the occa- sion of his death the resolutions adopted by the members of the district medical society said of Dr. Owen: "That the society of which he was for many years a member, actively and usefully, hereby expresses its deep sense of the loss in him of a most agree- able companion and faithful co-worker."
David Paige Smith, son of Dr. James Morven Smith, was born in Westfield, October 1, 1830, graduated at Yale college in 1851, and at Jefferson Medical college in 1853. With a splendid mental equipment and the fortunate prestige of being the son of one of the most distinguished physicians which the county ever had known, the young doctor came into practice in the same year in which his father was killed by accident ; and much of the prac- tice to which he succeeded was retained by him until his depart- ure for Europe in 1860 to still further educate himself in the University at Edinburgh, Scotland. However, at the end of a single year he returned to Springfield and entered the service as surgeon of the 18th Mass. infantry, only to be advanced to the rank of brigade surgeon, and later to medical director of the division. Returning to Springfield he engaged in active practice until 1872, when he made another extended European tour, and on his return in 1873 he was made professor of theory and prac- tice in Yale medical department. In 1877 he was transferred to the chair of surgery, and in 1878, in addition to his other duties, he was appointed lecturer on medical jurisprudence. During his active professional life Dr. Smith was vice-president of the
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Massachusetts Medical society, post surgeon of the U. S. armory at Springfield, president of the board of medical examiners for pensions, and medical director of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance company. He died December 27, 1880, and on the following day the district medical society in special meeting, resolved "That we desire as individuals and as a society to place on record our appreciation of the life and character of our dead brother; that we call to mind with gratitude his distinguished services to the profession and community, his labors as a member and officer of our association, and our regret at his sudden and untimely death."
James Henry Waterman, at the time of his death medical ex- aminer and town physician of Westfield, and one of the leading men of his profession in western Hampden county, was born in Ware in 1837 and came to practice in Westfield in 1860, fresh from his graduation from the medical department of the Univer- sity of Buffalo. In November, 1862, he was appointed surgeon of the 46th Mass. Inf., and served in that capacity about two years. In addition to his large medical practice Dr. Waterman for five years was engaged in the manufacture of cigars, but at the end of that time he gave up all interests outside of profes- sional work. He died November 23, 1887. The estimation in which he was held by his professional associates is well shown by the following extracts from the resolutions of the medical society after his death: "Resolved, that in the decease of our brother and associate the society loses one of its most efficient, active and popular members in the vigor of his manhood and in the acme of his professional reputation; one whose duties were performed with alacrity and zeal, sacrificing health and perhaps life for the good of others, and one whose relations to the profession have been conducive to its elevation and improvement."
George Washington Davis, of Holyoke, president of the dis- trict medical society in 1892-93, was born in Northfield, Vermont, March 26, 1847, and died September 4, 1894. He unquestionably was one of the most thoroughly educated physicians in that city, and one whose life was given to study as well as to practice. He first read medicine in his native town, and in 1866 attended lec-
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tures at the Pittsfield Medical school, later at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and still later at Burlington, Vermont, where he was graduated in 1868. He practiced first in Crafts- bury, Vt., and came to Holyoke in 1871. In that city he achieved his greatest success. He took a post-graduate course in New York in 1876, and another in Philadelphia in 1882. In 1884 he studied in the great universities of Germany and France.
Stephen Wallace Bowles was born in Machias, Maine, in 1835, graduated at Williams college in 1856, and acquired his early medical education in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons of New York, graduating in 1859. During the war of 1861-65, he was for a time on the hospital staff in the field and afterward served in the general hospital at Brattleboro, his whole service covering a period of three and one-half years. He also practiced two years in Brattleboro, a like time in Yonkers, N. Y., and came to Springfield in 1872. Dr. Bowles is remembered as a physician of excellent ability and as a citizen of upright char- acter. He died February 13, 1895.
James John O'Connor, late of Holyoke, and one of the brightest young lights of the profession in that city previous to his death, was born in Springfield, October 20, 1864, and died December 14, 1898. He was educated in the city schools and prepared for college under private instruction. In 1884 he en- tered the medical department of Harvard, and graduated in 1888. He then located in Holyoke and rapidly gained popular- ity by his professional work. He practiced ten years and achieved success, but death cut off his promising career.
William J. Sawin was a respected physician of Chicopee Falls at the time of his death, December 3, 1877. On that occa- sion the medical society expressed its feelings in these words : "Resolved, that we, in common with those who are deprived of his professional services, deeply regret his loss and offer to his grief-stricken family our sincere condolence in their sudden affliction," etc.
H. G. Stickney, president of the society in 1877-78, for many years a respected physician of this locality, died December 5, 1878, upon which the society resolved as follows: "That in the
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sudden death of H. G. Stickney the medical profession has sus- tained the loss of an ardent worker, a thorough practitioner, and a true friend to the advancement of medical science; resolved, that by the decease of Dr. Stickney the community has been de- prived of an intelligent and public-spirited citizen, and society of a kind-hearted man."
Alvin Smith, of Monson, Sanford Lawton, of Springfield, and Cyrus Bell, of Feeding Hills, died in 1882. Each was a well known, highly respected and competent physician in the com- munity in which he lived and practiced. On September 12 of that year, at a meeting of the society this serious inroad on its membership was discussed and the following resolutions were adopted as expressing the feelings of the members present : "Re- solved, that this society, fully appreciating its loss in the death of these members, would deeply impress upon the memory its testimony to their moral and professional worth. As officers and members they were efficient and faithful in their duties and al- ways active in promoting and sustaining its best interests. Hon- orable and upright in their intercourse with its fellows, they commanded and received their confidence and friendship. As practitioners in their professional calling each was the devoted physician, the self-sacrificing, sympathetic and warm-hearted friend. . In their loss this society most freely accords its sympathy and mingles its sorrow with their friends and the com- munities among which they lived and labored."
In September, 1887, the society adopted resolutions appro- priate to the occasion on the death of its valued young member, Dr. J. L. Bagg, a native of West Springfield and a descendant of one of its pioneer families.
W. J. Tracy died October 4, 1888, and in commenting on his professional life the society's resolution says: "While we sin- cerely deplore the death of our brother and associate, and that he was permitted to cross to the other side with his life work so incomplete, yet we rejoice that in so brief a time he was by his worth and industry enabled to attain a distinguished position in his chosen profession and in the community in which he lived."
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U. H. Flagg and Dr. Bowles died, the former in November, 1894, and the latter in February, 1895. At a meeting held April 16, 1895, the resolution adopted by the society says : "Resolved, that we highly appreciate the valuable services which they ten- dered to this society and the medical profession, and that we hereby express our sympathy for their relatives and families in their severe bereavement."
Henry Charles Bowen died September 3, 1898, and the res- olution adopted at the next meeting expresses deep regret at the loss of a valuable fellow member, "who died of typhoid fever in Cuba while serving his country as surgeon of the 2d Mass. militia in the Spanish war."
Erskine Erasmus Hamilton, who died in January, 1901, was born in 1866, graduated at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in 1892, and was associated with medical practice in Springfield from that time until the latter part of 1900.
Harry A. Merchant, of Monson, likewise was taken away by the hand of the destroyer during the year 1901, and thereby was extinguished the life of one who gave promise of a rapid rise in the ranks of the profession. Dr. Merchant was a son-in-law of Dr. George E. Fuller of Monson.
THE EASTERN HAMPDEN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
During the latter part of 1879 three well known physicians of the eastern towns of Hampden county-Dr. George E. Fuller of Monson, Dr. George T. Ballard of Hampden, and Dr. W. H. Stowe of Palmer-were accustomed to meet together about once a month at the house of one of them and there discuss any events of more than usual importance in their professional work which had taken place during the preceding month ; and to give added enjoyment to these occasions, the wives of these physicians would accompany them, and while the discussions were being held the ladies would prepare a supper for the social enjoyment of all who were present.
These little informal assemblages were found so agreeable and beneficial to the participants that on February 6, 1880, it was resolved to effect a permanent organization under the name
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of the "Doctors' Club of Eastern Hampden," to adopt a consti- tion and by-laws and elect officers for the ensuing year. These officers were as follows : Dr. George E. Fuller, president; Dr. George T. Ballard, vice-president; Dr. W. H. Stowe, secretary and treasurer ; Drs. George E. Fuller, George T. Ballard, W. H. Stowe, A. O. Squier and J. W. Hannum, directors.
Thus launched into existence with an original membership of five physicians, the Doctors' Club began its history with every promise of future usefulness but without an intention on the part of its founders to extend to jurisdictions beyond the limits of a few of the eastern towns of the county. However, the good results which followed the early meetings soon spread their influ- ence throughout the profession, and one addition after another gradually extended the membership west to the Connecticut and also into the counties adjoining Hampden.
This somewhat remarkable outspreading from a little in- formal social trio of medical men to a formal organization with large and constantly increasing membership, necessitated a change in the regulations, therefore, at a meeting held February 10, 1881, "censors" replaced "directors," and on March 10 of the same year the constitution was amended by changing the name from "Doctors' Club of Eastern Hampden" to "The East- ern Hampden Medical Association." Still, the original social character of the organization has been preserved even to the present day and the "banquet" is a feature of the regular meet- ings.
During the period of its history more than fifty practicing physicians have become members and affixed their names to the constitution of the club and association. In the order of senior- ity of membership the names are as follows : Drs. George E. Fuller, Monson; Geo. T. Ballard, Hampden; W. H. Stowe, Palmer ; James W. Hannum, Ludlow; A. O. Squier, North Wil- braham; A. C. Desautels, Indian Orchard; Noyes Barstow, In- dian Orchard; J. M. Foster, Wilbraham; Horace G. Webber, Wales (now Wilbraham) ; George L. Woods, Springfield; S. F. Smith, Indian Orchard; D. H. Nutting, Chicopee Falls; A. C. Downing, Palmer ; C. B. Newton, Stafford Springs, Conn. ; F. W.
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Ellis, Monson ; L. J. Gibbs, Chicopee Falls; Geo. P. Bailey, Bondsville ; J. B. Hyland, Palmer; C. W. Jackson, Monson ; R. V. Sawin, Brimfield; W. H. Bliss, North Wilbraham; L. M. Berry, Chicopee Falls ; J. P. Schneider, Palmer; H. B. Perry, Amherst; J. T. Pero, Indian Orchard; W. N. Klemmer, Spring- field; Leslie H. Hendee, Palmer; George P. Bell, Three Rivers; J. M. Fay, Northampton ; George W. Rawson, Amherst; Walter A. Smith, Springfield ; Joab Stowell, North Amherst; Walter R. Weiser, Springfield ; George D. Weston, Springfield ; R. E. Dick- son, Granby ; C. F. Branch, Amherst; P. H. Larose, Indian Orchard ; H. T. Shores, Northampton ; Chas. A. Byrne, Hatfield ; Harry A. Merchant, Monson ; F. A. H. Robinson, Hinsdale ; P. J. C. Flagg, Mittineague; V. J. Irwin, Springfield; Irving R. Calkins, Springfield ; E. H. Guild, Springfield ; Louis A. Prefon- taine, Springfield ; James E. Marsh, Springfield; C. H. Calkins, Springfield ; H. C. Martin, Longmeadow; E. F. Ross, Wales; C. R. Chapman, Springfield.
The succession of officers is as follows :
Presidents : George E. Fuller, 1880-81; George T. Ballard, 1882-83; W. H. Stowe, 1884; J. W. Hannum, 1885; L. J. Gibbs, 1886; G. L. Woods, 1887; A. O. Squier, 1888; H. G. Webber, 1889; C. W. Jackson, 1890; S. F. Smith, 1891; R. U. Sawin, 1892; W. H. Bliss, 1893; George E. Fuller, 1894; George T. Bal- lard, 1895 ; L. M. Berry, 1896 ; H. B. Perry, 1897 ; L. H. Hendee, 1898; W. A. Smith, 1899; J. M. Fay, 1900; Walter R. Weiser, 1901.
Vice-Presidents: George T. Ballard, 1880-81; W. H. Stowe, 1882-83; J. W. Hannum, 1884; L. J. Gibbs, 1885; G. L. Woods, 1886 ; A. C. Squier, 1887 ; Horace G. Webber, 1888; C. W. Jack- son, 1889; W. H. Bliss, 1890; R. V. Sawin, 1891; W. H. Bliss, 1892; F. W. Ellis, 1893; J. T. Pero, 1894; L. M. Berry, 1895-96; L. H. Hendee, 1897; W. A. Smith, 1898; G. L. Woods, 1899; Walter R. Weiser, 1900; G. W. Rawson, 1901.
Secretaries and Treasurers: W. H. Stowe, 1880; J. W. Hannum, 1881-83; H. G. Webber, 1884; G. L. Woods, 1885; J. B. Hyland, 1886; C. W. Jackson, 1887; R. V. Sawin, 1888; G. L. Woods, 1889; J. W. Hannum, 1890; W. H. Bliss, 1891; F. W.
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Ellis, 1892; J. T. Pero, 1893; J. W. Hannum, 1894; W. G. Web- ber, 1895; J. W. Hannum, 1896; George W. Rawson, 1897-98; Harry A. Merchant, 1899 ; I. R. Calkins, 1900; V. J. Irwin, 1901.
THE SPRINGFIELD MEDICAL CLUB
On December 13, 1892, a number of prominent physicians perfected the formal organization of the Springfield Medical club, the object of which, according to the declaration of its con- stitution is "the medical and social advancement of its mem- bers." Little formality accompanied the preliminary work of discussing the project. The need of such an association was appreciated in professional circles and in due season the club was brought into existence. It is a business organization-with a social side-and never has encumbered itself with numerous offices, nor burdened its officers with a multitude of duties. Meetings are held semi-monthly with an annual mid-winter ban- quet-a brief season of total relaxation of professional work.
The members of the club since its organization are as fol- lows :
Frederick W. Chapin, Walter H. Chapin, Charles P. Hooker, George C. McClean, William H. Pomeroy, Ralph H. Seelye, W. N. Suter (rem. to Washington, D. C., June 1, 1897), Joseph T. Herrick, Everett A. Bates, David Clark, Philip Kilroy, Stephen W. Bowles (d. Feb. 12, 1895), W. W. Broga, Theodore F. Breck, Herbert C. Emerson, Henry C. Bowen (d. Santiago, Cuba, Sept. 3, 1898), Warren P. Blake, F. E. Hopkins, Ralph Carleton, Dudley Carleton, Frederick B. Sweet.
The officers of the club have been as follows :
Presidents : Charles P. Hooker, 1892-93; David Clark, 1894; Theodore F. Breck, 1895-96; Frederick W. Chapin, 1897-98; George C. McClean, 1899-1900; Walter H. Chapin, 1901.
Secretaries and Treasurers: Everett A. Bates, 1892-96; Herbert C. Emerson, 1897-1901.
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HOMOEOPATHY
A learned writer has said : "All advancement comes through persecution, and 'no cross, no crown' is applicable to science as well as to religion." Christianity itself surged through blood and fire to attain its mighty power. So, too, the medical world has been subject to convulsion from the earliest ages. Homoeopathy sprung into existence something more than a century ago, discarded the settled rules of practice and as- serted its claims to the world. Its distinguishing character- istics, then as now, consist in the scientific employment of medicaments according to the principles denoted by its name, "similia similibus curantur," or, "like is cured by like."
The principle first rendered into a practical science by Hahnemann, the founder of the homoeopathic school, dates far back of his time, and was even glanced at by Hippocrates; but it remained for Hahnemann to propound the startling dogma in 1790, while engaged in translating Cullin's Materia Medica from English into German. The new school passed through many wonderful and prolonged tests, trials and opposition, and event- ually was legalized in Bohemia in 1821; America in 1825; Rus- sia in 1833; Austria in 1837; Prussia in 1843; England in 1858; and to-day is a recognized power throughout the world.
It is not the fault of homoeopathischat they and the asso- ciations to which they belong are known by a distinctive name. It is the fault of those who have refused to allow the views de- noted by that name to be advocated, tested, and freely practiced within the bounds of ordinary professional fellowship. Grant to homoeopathy the same liberty which is accorded to all other ways of thinking, however novel and unlike those ordinarily re- ceived, and the raison d'etre of homoeopathic institutions will have disappeared.
Homoeopathic Medical Society of Western Massachusetts .- On April 25, 1877, the homoeopathic physicians of Western Massachusetts organized a society for mutual improvement, the charter members of which were as follows: Drs. J. M. Thomp- son of Greenfield ; E. R. Morgan and Shelburn Fort of Shelburne
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Falls; D. T. Vining of Conway ; F. E. Bailey of Williamstown ; A. Harvey of North Adams; and Henry Tucker of Brattleboro. In August following the organization Dr. George W. Swazey and Dr. L. McFarland of Springfield were added to the membership, and since that year the work of the society has been such that its rolls now contain the names of fifty-eight active members.
The society holds quarter-yearly meetings in Springfield, on which occasions all branches of medical science are discussed by the members; and the social side of these assemblages is not without substantial benefits in the interchange of courtesies and the extension of mutual fellowship and professional regard among the members.
Among the members of the society past and present there are many physicians of prominence in the ranks of homoeopathy, and some there were who are no longer living. We may recall such practitioners as George W. Swazey, L. McFarland, Laura W. Copp, W. M. Decker, Andrew S. Oliver, George W. Bates, Harriet A. Loring, H. E. Russegue, all of Springfield; J. U. Woods of Holyoke; N. W. Rand of Monson; J. K. Warren of Palmer; J. F. Hadley of Chicopee; and S. Alvord of Chicopee Falls.
The present members of the society, who are residents in Hampden county, are as follows: Drs. Plumb Brown, junior, John H. Carmichael, J. B. Comins, A. M. Cushing, J. M. Gates, H. W. Green, R. F. Hovey, S. A. Lewis, Clarice J. Parsons, George Rhoads, H. E. Rice, O. W. Roberts, Alice E. Rowe and Clara J. Sweet, of Springfield; S. E. Fletcher, of Chicopee; G. B. Maxwell, of Chicopee Falls ; W. F. Harding and A. T. Schoon- maker, of Westfield ; J. P. Rand, of Monson ; H. R. Sackett, G. H. Smith and Frank A. Woods, of Holyoke; and G. H. Wilkins, of Palmer.
Reminiscences .- Dr. George W. Swazey represented histor- ically and medically the homoeopathic practice in Hampden county during his professional life in Springfield. There may have been an earlier homoeopath here, but the practice only got character and success from him. He was a thoroughly honest and conscientious man, persevering, faithful, studious and
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thoughtful. He believed in what he was doing, and there was not a grain of charlatanry in the way he did it. His life among us was long, honorable and successful. He commanded public respect while living, he justly received its tributes, dead.
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