USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Milton > The history of Milton, Mass., 1640 to 1877 > Part 52
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of his profession, now extending in all over a period of nearly fifty years. In the early years of professional life he acted as a magistrate and as Master in Chancery, exercising also jurisdic- tion under the operation of insolvent laws. He was a repre- sentative to the General Court from the town of Dorchester in 1850 and 1851. In 1853 he succeeded Hon. Samuel P. Loud as one of the Board of County Commissioners for the County of Norfolk, at the time when Roxbury, West Roxbury, and Dor- chester formed part of that county, Mr. Loud having been chairman of the board for twenty-five years. This office Mr. Safford continued to hold by successive elections, serving as chairman fifteen years, while resident in Dorchester, and while resident in Milton an additional term of six years, also, as chairman of that board.
The interest taken by Mr. Safford in the early part of his profession, in that class of local improvements which required public cooperation for successful accomplishment, continued to be manifested in his subsequent career; and the voluminous records of the commissioners during his terms of official service, of decrees and surveys relating to the entire extinguishment of corporate franchises in turnpikes and toll-bridges, and the establishment of free bridges and roads, the location and reloca- tion of highways, the remodelling of court-house and prisons, and fire-proof apartments for records, with the jurisdiction exercised in location of railroad-crossings, assessnients of damages, and the like, indicate a progressive movement for a long series of years in active demands for local and public improvements in every section of the county of Norfolk, conducive more especially to the rapid increase of population and enlarged facilities for travel in that portion of the territory of the county annexed to the city or in proximity thereto.
HORACE E. WARE, ESQ.
Horace E. Ware was born in Milton, August 27, 1845 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1867 ; admitted to the bar of Suffolk County in 1869. Mr. Ware was the representative to the Massachusetts Legislature from the Fourth Norfolk District during the sessions of 1879 and 1880, serving both years on the Judiciary Committee.
PHYSICIANS OF MILTON.
I find no reference to physicians in the earliest history of the town. During the whole ministry of Rev. Peter Thacher, and for twenty years after, there seems to have been no resi-
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HISTORY OF MILTON.
dent physician here. June 10, 1683, Mr. Thacher was pros- trated by what he terms a " great sickness." He says in his journal : -
Dr. Avery stayed with me all night. June 15. This day my brothers Ralph & Thomas tried to get Dr. Winthrop, but he was not at home, Dr. Avery & Dr. Allen came to see me.
Dr. Avery was the resident physician of Dedham, and Dr. Allen, of Boston. Had there been a doctor in Milton he would have been with his pastor. Cotton Mather says : -
It is well known that, until two hundred years ago, physic in England was no profession distinct from divinity. Ever since the days of Luke, the Evangelist, skill in physic has been frequently professed and practised by persons whose most declared business was the study of divinity. Such a universally serviceable pastor was our Thacher.
He was the only physician of Milton during his ministry, and it is said expended no small part of his salary in providing medicines for the sick and needy of his people.
DR. SAMUEL GARDNER.
Dr. Gardner was the son of Rev. John Gardner, of Stow, Mass. He graduated at Harvard College in 1746, settled in Milton as early as 1753, and was the first resident physician after Mr. Thacher. On the 22d of May, 1766, he married Mary, daughter of Rev. Dr. Cooper, and granddaughter of Provincial Secretary William Foye. He had an extensive practice as physician, and was a leading and influential citizen here for more than a quarter of a century. He died Jan. 18, 1778.
DR. ELIOT RAWSON.
He was the third son of Pelatiah and Hannah Rawson, born in Milton, June 23, 1724. After completing his education he settled in the east part of Milton, where he was in practice as a physician from 1768 to 1775.
DR. ENOS SUMNER.
He was the third child of Seth and Lydia (Badcock) Sum- ner ; born in Milton, Sept. 25, 1746 ; studied medicine with Dr. Ames, of Dedham; and was a practising physician here from 1770 until his decease, June 3, 1796. He was never married, but built a house on Highland street, where the house of N. H.
Amos Howroky-
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Caffe 7 .
il antinimmt
-
Amos Howroky
1777.
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MILTON LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS.
Spafford now stands ; in this house he lived and died. It then descended to his sister Abigail, who married Jazaniah Ford, and was occupied by Mr. Ford until his death, April 14, 1832. It was last occupied by Mr. John McQuirk, and was consumed by fire several years ago. Dr. Sumner served the town in other capacities besides that of physician, proving himself a useful citizen.
DR. AMOS HOLBROOK.
He was born in Bellingham, Jan. 23, 1754, and studied medi- cine with his kinsman, Dr. Metcalf, of Franklin, and subse- quently in Providence.
He joined the army at Cambridge, August, 1775, as surgeon's mate in Col. John Greaton's regiment. In March following he was commissioned surgeon of the same regiment, and accom- panied it to New Jersey. He was soon transferred to the regiment of Col. Joseph Vose. In March, 1777, Colonel Vose, prostrated by sickness, returned to his Milton home, on Vose's lane, accompanied by his surgeon.
The commander, after a short furlough, rejoined his regi- ment; but the surgeon, suffering from the exposures of the campaign, determined to resign his place in the army and establish himself as physician in the town of Milton. His first work in Milton was to petition the town for liberty to open an inoculating hospital for small-pox, March 17, 1777, which was granted. After regaining his health by a sea-voyage to France, where he spent several months in witnessing the practice of the hospitals, he took up the line of practice made vacant by the death of Dr. Gardner, and commenced in Milton his long and useful career of more than half a century. His residence at first was at the village. In 1800 he built the house on Milton Hill now owned by Mrs. Cunningham, where he resided until his death.
Prepossessing in appearance, pleasing in his manners, and ardent and indefatigable in attention to business and in the pursuit of knowledge, he soon found himself well established in a practice which gradually and con- stantly increased from year to year. He was, indeed, eminently acceptable as a physician. His very presence in a sick-room, and the soothing kind- ness of his address, seemed to give hope to his patients, and inspired con- fidence in their friends ; while his assiduous attention to the sick of all ages, and his sympathy with the afflicted, alleviated suffering and afforded consolation when the resources of art failed to arrest the progress and fatal termination of disease.
He became eminent in his profession, and for many years engrossed the principal medical business of Dorchester and Quincy, as well as of Milton.
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IIISTORY OF MILTON.
Dr. Holbrook was one of the leading men here during the whole of his Milton residence ; his name is found connected with almost every enterprise looking to the prosperity of the town and to the welfare of his fellow-citizens. By marriage relations with one of the principal families of Milton and of Dorchester, and by that intimate and tender communion with all the families to which only the beloved physician gains ac- cess, he became specially prominent in the history of his times, and claims a fitting remembrance here.
In that day, before professional schools were as common as now, he very often had medical students under his charge. His house was the rendezvous of his profession, and the resort of the literary and celebrated men of the times. When Lafay- ette made his last visit to the neighborhood he was entertained as the guest of the doctor; the event is distinctly remembered by the grandchildren of Dr. Holbrook, now living.
Dr Holbrook married : -
1st, Melatiah Howard, of Medway, in 1773, who died Feb. 1,1782.
2d, Patience Vose, daughter of Daniel Vose, of Milton, Oct. 7, 1783, who died March 17, 1789.
3d, Jerusha Robinson, of Dorchester, born March 11, 1764; died Nov. 21, 1838.
He died in Milton, June 17, 1842. His children were :
I. Capt. Samuel Holbrook, born Aug. 15, 1773. He sailed from Providence in the employ of the De Wolfs for N.W. coast July 31, 1800 ; was lost on the return voyage, about Feb. 22, 1802.
II. Polly, born May 6, 1775.
III. Betsey Allen, born Dec. 26, 1778 ; married Amasa Fuller of Dorchester, Feb. 12, 1814.
IV. Charles Harvey, born Aug. 9, 1781 ; died May, 1782.
V. Clarissa, born Aug. 23, 1784, by second wife ; married May 20, 1810, Dr. Henry Gardner, of Dorchester. She was the mother of Gov. Henry J. Gardner.
VI. William, born Sept. 22, 1790 ; died Aug. 27, 1794.
VII. Sarah Perkins, born July 14, 1794; married William Ellery Vincent, of Dorchester.
VIII. William, born May 27, 1795 ; died Feb. 12, 1812.
IX. Catherine, born July 6, 1799 ; died Jan. 29, 1801.
X. George, born Jan 6, 1802 ; died Jan. 29, 1806.
XI. Catherine, born May 31, 1804; married Thaddeus W. Harris, A.M., M.D., of Dorchester. He was a practising physi- cian in Milton, Librarian of Harvard College, and a distin- guished Entomologist.
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MILTON LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS.
DR. JOHN SPRAGUE.
He was one of our earliest physicians. He was the son of Dr. John Sprague, a distinguished physician of Dedham. He graduated at Harvard College in 1772, and studied medicine partly under the direction of his father, but chiefly in Europe. He located in the west part of Milton, and built the house now owned by the heirs of F. A. Eustis. When first built it stood near Canton avenue, but has since been removed to the position now occupied on the hill. From Milton Dr. Sprague removed to Boston, and then to Dedham, where he died, April 17, 1800.
DR. BENJAMIN TURNER.
He was born in Randolph; graduated at Harvard in 1791. He settled in Milton, and took up the practice made vacant by the removal of Dr. Sprague. He married a daughter of Nathaniel Davenport, and built the house on Canton avenue, now owned by Mrs. Eldridge, nearly opposite the " Atherton Tavern." He then removed to Framingham, where he was engaged mostly in agricultural pursuits till his death, which occurred in 1831.
DR. JESSE TUCKER.
He was the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Wadsworth) Tucker. He was born in Milton, July 17, 1759; graduated at Harvard College in 1778; and studied medicine with his kinsman, Dr. John Warren. He went out as surgeon in Captain Manly's privateer. When a few days out the vessel was captured, and he was carried a prisoner into Newfoundland, where the yellow-fever was raging; he took the fever, and died in 1799. I find the following reference to Jesse Tucker in the will of his father, Jeremiah, who died while Jesse was in college : -
Item. I give to my son Jesse Tucker the sum of Eighty Pounds ; twenty pounds of which is to be paid him at the time he takes his first Degree at Colledge, the remaining Sixty Pounds to be paid him in twelve months after; he to be maintained and continued at Colledge untill he takes his first Degree. All Colledge dues together with his Cloathing and all other necessary Charges untill he has his first Degree to be equally Born & Paid together with the aforesaid Eighty Pounds by my three sons David, Jeremiah, and Isaac. My said son Jesse to be put to such Colledge, and at such time as the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Robbins shall advise to.
DR. SAMUEL KINSLEY GLOVER.
He was the son of Elijah and Abigail (Kinsley) Glover, born on Milton Hill, June 28, 1753. He entered Harvard Col- lege when about eighteen years of age; but during his college
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course the war broke out, his classical studies were relin- quished, and he failed to graduate. Under the instruction of Dr. John Warren he applied himself to the study of medicine, and joined the army in the capacity of surgeon. He was em- ployed as surgeon in several vessels of war until 1778. He was then put in charge of a small-pox hospital on Prospect Hill, where the troops of General Burgoyne were stationed as prisoners of war. In 1783 he relinquished military life, and took up his residence in his native town. He built the "Glover House," on the northerly slope of Milton Hill, now owned by Captain Faucon, and lived there during the latter period of his life. He was a useful and intelligent citizen, and filled various offices of trust in the town. For twenty-five years he was one of the selectmen, serving as their chairman for nine years. He was the first postmaster of Milton. His death occurred July 1, 1839, at the age of eighty-six years. Further reference is made to Dr. Glover in the chapter on "Milton Hill," under the " Glover Family."
DR. THADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS.
He was the son of the Rev. Dr. T. M. Harris, of Dorchester. He graduated at Harvard in 1815, and studied medicine with Dr. Holbrook, of Milton, whose daughter he married. Dr. Harris settled in Milton about 1820, where, and in his native town, he continued in practice until 1831, acquiring the reputa- tion of an excellent physician as well as of a distinguished naturalist. He was compelled by failing health to relinquish his practice, and accepted the office of librarian to Harvard College, which he filled for twenty-five years with great accept- ance; but, though eminent in medical science as well as in literature, he is better known as the "Great American Ento- mologist."
DR. GEORGE BAKER SWIFT.
He was born in Andover, Mass., and graduated at the med- ical department at Harvard College in 1830. Soon after he settled in Milton Village, occupying the house next to the rail- road depot. He continued here as a practising physician for a few years, and then removed to Amoskeag, N.H. His death occurred in 1872.
DR. CHARLES ROLLIN KENNEDY.
He was born in Milton, graduated at Harvard College in 1826, and studied medicine with Dr. Alden in Randolph. He settled in his native town in the Scott's Woods district, devoting
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his time to business and to his profession; but, not finding the practice of medicine congenial with his health, he wholly relin- quished it for other pursuits. Enfeebled by consumption, he was constrained to seek relief in a warmer climate. He died at St. Augustine, in 1836. He was an excellent citizen, ready for every good work. For four years he was on the School Com- mittee. To him belongs the credit and the honor of being the original mover in establishing the Sabbath school of the First Parish, so long and ably supported by Deacon Samuel Adams.
DR. JONATHAN WARE.
He was born in Wrentham, Mass., March 8, 1797. During the war of 1812, when about seventeen years of age, he was an assistant of Dr. James Mann, the hospital surgeon of the Northern army, and served several months in the hospital at Burlington, Vt. He received the degree of M.D. from Brown University in September, 1821. Dr. Ware settled in Milton in 1828. In 1831 he married Mary Ann Tileston, the daughter of Edmund Tileston, of Dorchester, one of the origi- nal partners of the firm of Tileston & Hollingsworth. He continued to reside in Milton until his death, June 6, 1877. His widow and four children survived him. One of his own profession, who knew him well, says : -
Dr. Ware had for many years a large practice in Milton and adjoining towns. He enjoyed the confidence and respect of his patients, and his name is spoken of, by those of them who still live, with affection. In his medical views he was liberal, trusting largely to nature rather than to drugs. Decided in his opinions, he was ready to learn of others. With good common-sense and medical tact. A kind friend and an honest man.
DR. SIMEON PALMER.
He was born in Boston, 1813; entered Yale College, and remained there about two years; graduated from the Harvard Medical School in 1837. Dr. Palmer purchased the "Nathaniel Tucker " farm in Scott's Woods, Milton, and took up his resi- dence there. He was a member of the School Committee in 1841, and again in 1850, and continued a useful and honored resident of Milton for about thirty years.
Dr. Palmer is a man of extensive reading, of wide information, and of decided opinions. While a resident of Milton he was ready to engage in professional practice, as occasion required, but seemed to be occupied chiefly in literary pursuits and in- vestigations. He removed from Milton to Fairhaven, Mass., and thence to Roxbury.
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HISTORY OF MILTON.
DR. JOHN SPARE.
He was born in Canton, within a mile of Milton line, Nov. 13, 1816; attended the West School in Milton, when taught by "Master Houghton ; " fitted for college at Randolph and Amherst academies, graduated at Amherst College in 1838, and from the Harvard Medical School in 1842.
He commenced practice in East Milton, 1842; in 1845 he removed to Acushnet; thence to East Freetown; and thence to New Bedford, where he now resides.
In the civil war he was surgeon of the U.S. Ship "Release," which sailed, April 23, 1862, on a nine-months cruise to the Mediterranean, and made a second voyage to Cadiz, Spain. Continuing in the service, he was afterwards, on the blockade of Wilmington and Charleston, in the U.S. Steamers " Mahaska " and " Yucca ; " resigned July, 1866. Published, 1864, a treatise on Differential Calculus ; was author of prize essay of the Mas- sachusetts Medical Society. Since 1867 he has been sole medical examiner for New Bedford of the Ætna Life Insurance Co. Is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and of the American Academy of Medicine.
DR. WILLIAM RIMMER.
Dr. Rimmer came to East Milton in 1856, and commenced practice as a physician. He lived in the Rand house, now owned by Mrs. Brokenshire, and also in the Stone house, on Granite avenue. He remained in Milton four or five years, and then removed to Chelsea. While a resident of Milton his work as an artist attracted much attention. In later life he attained distinction in painting and sculpture, while his sketches, full of life and true to nature, are much sought for, and are conspicuous in many galleries. He died Aug. 20, 1879, aged sixty-three years six months, and was buried in Milton Cemetery, on Lilac path. His wife, who died July 15, 1885, and four of his children lie in the same lot. His grave is often visited by those who admired his genius.
DR. CHRISTOPHER C. HOLMES.
One of the most prominent figures in Milton, of recent years, was that of Dr. C. C. Holmes. For more than forty years he was the principal physician of the town; for several years the only one. Of great skill both as a physician and a surgeon, he yet benefited his patients quite as much by his cheerful presence and his words of sympathy and encouragement as by his pro-
6.6. Holmes
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MILTON LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS.
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MILTON LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS.
fessional services. In the performance of his duty to his patients he was untiring. At any hour, and in all weathers, his well- known figure might be seen, driving to one part or another of our scattered community, and even to neighboring towns ; always busy, yet seldom in a hurry, and with a friendly nod and word, if no more, for every one, carrying with him always the sunshine of his bright smile and friendly voice and serene temper.
And not merely as a physician was he a valued member of the community. As a man of affairs there was no one whose judgment was more sound, whose advice was more sought for, whose opinion had a greater influence. In all public and social enterprises he was a wise counsellor and an able director. In musical matters, especially, his knowledge and cultivated taste were of great value. Much of the time which he could spare from his busy life he devoted to the study of sacred music ; and for the greater part of his life in Milton he directed, with dis- tinguished success, the musical services of his church. He was also for many years a member of the Harvard Musical Associa- tion. He took great interest in all movements tending to pro- mote the welfare or increase the happiness of the community ; and few such enterprises were undertaken in the town without calling upon the experience, the judgment, or the musical taste of " The Doctor."
Christopher Columbus Holmes was born in Kingston, Mass., Sept. 14, 1817. He was the son of Jedidiah and Priscilla (Wilder) Holmes. He was fitted for college in Hingham, entered Harvard College in 1833, and was graduated in 1837. After leaving college he studied medicine with Dr. Nichols, of Kingston, and was graduated from the Harvard Medical School in 1840. After one year's service as house-surgeon at the Mas- sachusetts General Hospital he came to Milton, in April, 1841. He joined the Independent Corps of Cadets, Sept. 30, 1844, and from Aug. 28, 1858, to Jan. 3, 1868, commanded the corps, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He died in Milton, July 16, 1882, and was buried in the cemetery of the town. A monu- ment to his memory was, in 1886, "erected by the Veteran Association of the Independent Corps of Cadets."
Dr. Holmes was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Mary Rich, daughter of Benjamin and Susannah Rich. They were married in Boston, in June, 1842. Mrs. Holmes died May 18, 1863. Jan. 8, 1868, Dr. Holmes married Annie Porter Hollis, daughter of Thomas and Deborah Clark (Allen) Hollis (born Jan. 1, 1847, in Milton). Dr. Holmes left three children, - Annie Hollis, born 1869; Christopher Wilder, born 1872; Elizabeth Rich, born 1876.
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HISTORY OF MILTON.
MILTON PHYSICIANS OF 1887.
DR. HENRY P. JAQUES.
He was graduated from the Boston Latin School in 1872, Harvard College in 1876, and Harvard Medical School in 1880. After a year's service in the Massachusetts General Hospital he passed a year in the hospitals of Vienna.
He settled in Milton early in 1882.
DR. MATHER VASSAR PIERCE.
He graduated at the Boston Latin School in 1873, at Harvard College 1877, and at the Harvard Medical School in 1880. He studied in the hospitals of Vienna, Berlin, and Heidelberg for two years, and took up his residence in Milton in the spring of 1882.
DR. WALLACE C. STRATTON.
He was graduated from the Medical Department of the Boston University in 1878, and commenced practice in Milton the same year.
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NOTED MEN AND WOMEN.
CHAPTER XVII.
NOTED) MEN AND WOMEN, AND EARLY FAMILIES.
SAMUEL ADAMS.
D EACON SAMUEL ADAMS was one of the twenty chil- dren of Dr. Samuel Adams, an · eminent physician of Truro and Ipswich, Mass., and Bath, Me. He was born in Ipswich, March 11, 1791; married Miss Mary Ann Bent, of Milton, daughter of Capt. Josiah and Mrs. Susannah Bent, May 10, 1815 ; and died in Milton, Jan. 3, 1879. At the age of fifteen Samuel left his home in Bath and entered a store in Boston ; he afterwards learned the trade of tin-worker, and at twenty- two started in business for himself. During the war of 1812 he was a member of the "Rangers," a celebrated military com- pany of Boston, performing garrison duty at Fort Strong, in Boston harbor, for which he afterwards received a pension. In 1820 he went to Chelmsford, Mass., to take the agency of the New England Glass Works; this position he held until the failure of the company some years later. From Chelmsford he came to Milton in 1828, and bought the homestead and bakery of Captain Bent, his father-in-law. Mr. Bent com- menced the manufacture of crackers in his own house, built in 1800, and had carried on the business in a small way for twenty-seven years. Preparations were at once made for in- creasing the facilities of manufacture ; a bakehouse was built, which has been several times enlarged and supplied with additional ovens, as the demand has continued to increase, until the crackers of Bent & Co. are now called for in almost every part of the world.
Deacon Adams was a leading citizen of Milton for nearly half a century. At the formation of the Unitarian church, 1834, he was elected deacon, and this office he held for forty- five years, until his death. For twenty years he was superin- tendent of the Sabbath school, devoting to this important interest a large amount of time and the intensity of an earnest nature.
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HISTORY OF MILTON.
REV. ELISHA G. BABCOCK.
He was born in Milton, Dec. 1, 1799. In early life he learned and followed the business of a cabinet-maker. At the age of nineteen he conceived it to be his duty to relinquish his trade, and seek an education preparatory to the ministry. In July, 1818, he began his classical studies at Milton Academy, and entered Amherst College two years later, graduating in 1824 in the first class that left the college. He completed the pre- scribed course of professional study at Andover, and commenced preaching in the towns of Abington and Sudbury, Mass., and subsequently at Wiscasset, Me. In the latter place he was invited to settle, and was ordained April, 1829. In June, 1830, he married Miss Eliza Hibbard, of Londonderry, N.H. He received a unanimous invitation to become the pastor of the church in Thetford, Vt., and was installed Feb. 6, 1831, where he remained the earnest and efficient pastor during his life, dying in the service Sept. 21, 1848.
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