USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Royalston > The history of the town of Royalston, Massachusetts > Part 11
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As a physician he held a high rank and was greatly esteemed by his professional brethren. It is stated that he probably had, for many years, a more extensive consultation business than any other physician in the County, and perhaps in the State. He was highly honored by the Mass. Medical Society, of which he became a fellow June 1, 1824, and continued his connection to the time of his decease. He was one of the most punctual attendants at its annual meetings, often riding from Royalston to Boston -- 70 miles or more-in his gig the day before the meeting, and returning home in the same manner, the day after. He was for many years one of the Counsellors of the Society; two years its Vice-president; and one of the dele- gates from this Society, in May, 1848, to the American Medical Association, whose session that year was held in Baltimore. He was also one of the founders of the District Society for Worcester County, and for some years its President. About 40 medical students studied with him some of whom became eminent physicians.
Independent of his professional worth, his townsmen esteemed him as a valuable citizen. He represented Royalston in the . State Legislature, held the office of Justice of the Peace, and served in various town offices.
DR. STEPHEN BACHELLER, JR.
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He gave all his influence in favor of the cause of Temperance, and contributed liberally for the support of religion, educat on, etc.
He died Nov., 1848, at the house of a near neighbor, where he called apparently well; but soon complained of feeling faint, leaned back in his chair and called for a glass of water, but before it could be handed him he was dead.
He married (1)Sally Stratton, daughter of Rufus and Asenath Stratton of Northfield, May 30, 1803; she died April 15, 1815 and he married (2) Sarah W. Moore of Cambridge, Jan. 1, 1816; she died March 16, 1826, and he married (3)Martha Butler, Dec. 25, 1826.
DR. THOMAS RICHARDSON
Dr. Thomas Richardson practiced in Royalston more than twenty years, residing in the Northeasterly part of the town. He was born in Leominster, Mass., Feb. 1, 1766. He studied medicine with Dr. Carter of Lancaster, and Dr. Shattuck of Templeton, and came to Royalston about 1790 at the age of twenty-four.
He married about 1789 Jane, daughter of Rev. Joseph Brown of Winchendon, minister there from 1769 to 1800. She was born Feb. 20, 1765, and died Oct 17, 1828. They had eleven children born in Royalston between 1789 and 1810. He had a first-class reputation as a physician and a citizen. His practice was quite large and enabled him to accumulate a good property. He moved to Fitzwilliam, N. H., in 1812, but did not do a large business there, as his object in leaving Royalston was to . avoid practice on account of his health, which suffered from irregular hours. He became one of the most prominent citizens of Fitzwilliam, and was for a long time its largest tax payer, and once at least its representative in the New Hampshire Legislature. He had a fine taste and a thorough knowledge in raising horses, in which he stood at the head in this section of the country. He died in Fitzwilliam, Aug. 8, 1852, aged eighty-six and one-half years.
DR. ISAAC P. WILLIS
Dr. Isaac P. Willis commenced practice at Richmond Centre, N. H., about 1833. The History of Richmond says,
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that he secured a fair share of practice, some of which he re- tained after he removed from town." After a few years he removed to Royalston and succeeded to the large practice left by Dr. Stephen Batcheller, where he served the people with "positive skill and science in his profession."
In February 1838 he married Mary C. Stacy of Petersham. They had two children, Martha Genctt, born July 19, 1840 and Julius Astley, born Dec. 17, 1843. He was interested in town affairs and for several years served on the school committee. He was spoken of as able, public spirited and with a big hearted sympathy for all the sick ones, especially for the children. He died about 1863 or '64 of diphtheria which he took from one of his patients.
DR. HORACE TRACY HANKS.
One of the Royalston physicians, who practiced in town for three or four years just after the Civil War, and who is still remembered by some of the older people, was Dr. Horace Tracy Hanks.
He was born at East Randolph, Vt., June 27, 1837. As a boy he went to the Orange County and West Randolph, Vt., Academies. In 1859 he was studying medicine under Prof. Walter Carpenter of Burlington, Vt., and attending lectures at the University of Vermont. In 1831 he graduated from the Albany City Medical College and spent one year in the Albany City Hospital.
Early in 1862 he received his commission as Assistant Surgeon in the 30th Regiment New York Volunteers. After serving in the field for one year and participating in several of the principal battles fought by the Army of the Potomac, notably those of Fredericksburg under Gen. Burnside, and Chancellorsville under Gen. Hooker, he was ordered to Washington and for a consider- able time was in charge of the Armory Square Hospital. After being mustered out he came to Royalston and practiced here until 1838. While in Royalston he was prominent in the social life of the place, was a member of the School Committee, and one of the Committee having charge of the Dedication of the Town hall in 1866. In 1868 he went to New York to attend lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and decided to settle in that City. In 1872 he was appointed one of the at-
DR. FRANK W. ADAMS
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tending gynecologists to the Demilt Dispensary. He was Assistant Surgeon in the Woman's Hospital in 1875, and was promoted to Attending Surgeon in 1879. He delivered the course of lectures on Obsetrics at Dartmouth Medical College in 1878. In 1885 was chosen one of the professors of diseases in the New York Post Graduate Medical School and held the position until 1898 when failing health compelled him to resign. He was a member of various Medical Societies, was vice-presi- dent of the New York Academy of Medicine three years, and president of the Medical Society of the County of New York two years.
In 1898 the University of Rochester conferred upon him the honorary degree of L. L. D. He contributed many excellent papers to the Medical press. He was twice married, first to Miss Martha L. Fisk in 1834, who died in 1838, leaving one daughter who died in New York. He married, second, in 1872, Miss Julia Dana Godfrey of Keene, N. H. by whom he had two daughters. He died Nov. 18, 1900.
DR. FRANCIS WAYLAND ADAMS
Dr. Francis Wayland Adams, popularly ca'led "Frank" from his childhood, was born in Brookfield, Mass., Feb. 18, 1840, the son of Daniel Emerson and Lucy (Hastings) Adams. He is a direct descendant of Henry Adams of Braintree, who landed in th s country 1632, and who was the progenitor of John and John Quincy Adams, presidents of the United States.
From the preparatory school of Rev. David Perry at Brook- field he entered Amherst Co lege in 1858, graduating in 1862. Aroused by the bombardment of Fort Sumpter, he labored hard in addition to the work of the curriculum to make himself familiar with the military tactics and drill of the regular army, and soon after receiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts he enlisted on the quota of Brookfield as a private in Company B, 51st Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers.
A few weeks later, having shown proficiency in the tactics, he was commissioned First Lieutenant from the ranks, and as such saw active service with his regiment in North Carolina. His health, however, had been greatly impaired by the double labors of his last year at col ege, and after the march to Goldsboro, N. C., and subsequent picket duty in the swamps on the river Neuse, he fell a victim to ma aria with serious complications
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which resulted in his discharge, Jan. 25, 1863, for disab lities received in the line of duty.
Returning to the north in search of health, he in t'me re- covered sufficiently to accept a position as principal of Lawrence Academy, Falmouth, Mass., a funded institution which was converted into a high school a few years 'ater by an act of legis- lature. He he'd this office for nearly three years, but not having fully regained his health and find'ng the confinement of the school room debilitating, he resigned his position and took up the study of medicine.
He received about this time the degree of Master of Arts from Amherst College, and in 1865 he entered the medical department of Harvard University. In the meantime, while studying medicine, he held the position of apothecary at the Retreat for the Insane, Hartford, Conn., and on receiving his degree as Doctor of Medicine from Harvard in 1868, he became second assistant physician at the Retreat for the Insane.
After a year of hospital experience, and feeling the need of an open air life, he decided upon general practice, and at the solicitation of his brother, Dr. Henry O. Adams, who was then in practice at South Royalston, he located in Royalston Centre in 1869, as successor to Dr. Henry A. Deane. Two years later he removed to Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, N. Y., and became a partner of a college classmate, Dr. Charles N. Kittredge, in the conduct of a sanitarium, but in 1875 he was waited upon by a delegation from Royalston, who in behalf of a few citizens offered him a regular salary in addition to the receipts of his practice if he would return to that town and locate as a physician. This proposition he finally accepted and the agreement was faithfully kept during the lifetime of the several parties.
In 1872 he married Fannie Russell, daughter of Chauncy and Caroline (Morse) Chase of Royalston. Their children are:
Mabel Winifred, born in Fishkill-on-the-Hudson, Nov. 17, 1873. She graduated from Northfield Seminary in 1895 and from Cornell University in 1899, and is now the wife of Wil iam H. Burr, Esq., a lawyer at Rochester, N. Y.
Robert Winthrop, born in Royalston, Oct. 27, 1881, a sketch of whose career will be found on another page of this history.
Mr. Adams has been in continuous practice of his profession at Royalston since 1875, and during this time he has ministered
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to the bodi y needs of three generations of its townspeople, bringing comfort to hundreds of homes by his skill and never- failing cheerfulness.
In addition to this faithful labor of forty years devoted to the phys cal needs of his fellow citizens he has taken an active and useful part in the civic and religious affairs of the town, as evidenced by the record of his career as a public servant.
He has held the office of Town Clerk for two extended terms, 1877 to 1889, and 1900 to 1915 inclusive, making a total service of twenty-nine years, the longest in the history of this office. The same remark applies to the office of Town Treasurer which he held in 1888 and again 1900 to 1915 inclusive, a total tenure of seventeen years He has also acted for twenty-nine years as a trustee of the Public Library and at various times in other positions of public trust. He has held a commission as Justice of the Peace for thirty-eight years, and a commission as Notary Public for thirteen years. In 1883 Dr. Adams served as repre- sentative from the First Worcester Distr ct during the famous "Butler Session" of the General Court.
To the relig ous welfare of the community Dr. Adams has always given generously of his time and strength, having been Clerk of the First Congregational Church twenty-two years, Deacon twenty-two years, and Superintendent of the Sunday school twenty-seven years, all of which offices he is holding at the present time. In 1875 to 1889 he occupied the position of chorister, bringing to this office the experience he had acquired as organist of the Dutch Reformed Church at Fishkill-on-the- Hudson.
He has in other ways been closely identified with the musical history of the town, and was one of the founders, in 1879, of the Madrigal Club, an organization which established an enviable reputat on in this and surrounding towns for the excellence of its concerts and dramatic productions. The proceeds of these entertainments were devoted to the purchase of the piano now in use at the Town Hall, and to other public purposes.
While the activities which have been mentioned are those in wh ch Dr. Adams has been most closely identified with the affairs of the town of Royalston, it is probable that he is more widely known in other towns through his services as an orator in connection with Memorial Day exercises, and Regimental
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Reunions on which occasions it is his custom to del ver an epic poem of which he is the author, and which deals historically and dramatically with the principal events and actors 'n the Civil War. This poem was inspired by his own experiences, and the patriotic sentiment which has ever been a leading motive in his own career is well expressed in its stirring lines, some of which are published in another part of this history.
Among the Sons of Royalston, who have attained distinction in the medical profession in other towns and cities are the follow- ing:Dr. James Bacheller, a son of Dr. Stephen Bacheller was born in Royalston June 5, 1791. He married Dec. 31, 1821, Persis, daughter of Phillips and Persis (Joslin) Sweetzer of Marlboro, N. H .; she was born Sept. 16, 1799, and died Aug. 14, 1851. Dr. Bacheller established himself as a physician in the town of Marlboro, N. H., in 1818. His practice in that place covered a period of thirty-seven years, and during those years he gained an enviable reputation both in his profession and as a citizen of strong impulses in favor of human liberty, the temperance cause, and general good order and uprightness. As a physician he ranked high in all the region and was for some time the President of the New Hampshire Medical Society. Dr. Bacheller was also a representative and senator in the General Court of New Hampshire, a councillor, and a delegate to the convention to revise the State Constitution in 1850 and 1857.
In 1855 he removed to Fitzwilliam, N. H., where his abilities were well-known, and though he did not seek practice in that town his business was large for a number of years or till failing health led to his retirement. He died April 14, 1866, aged eighty- three years.
Dr. Hosea Davis, son of Asahel and Deborah (Mason) Davis, was born in Royalston June 21, 1816. He pursued the usual course of New England Farm life, attending school, teaching, taking a course at the Academies in Sherborn, Mass., and New Ipswich, N. H., and finally graduating at Dartmouth College in 1842. After his graduation he removed to the state of Mary- land and engaged in teaching.
Subsequently he removed to Indiana and studied for the profession of medicine with Dr. Marshall Seaton in Rushville, Indiana, and engaged in the practice of his profession for three
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years in a small town nearby, after which he went to Littleton, Schuyler County, Illinois, in December, 1850. Here on the 18th day of October, 1853, he was married to Miss Maria Cynthia Marks, who died on the 23d day of September, 1856, leaving to his tender care two daughters. On the first day of April, 1860, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Abby Stevens of Mass- achusetts. Seven children were born to them, two of whom died young. From the time of his location in Littleton until his death, a period of over thirty-seven years, he was engaged in the practice of his profession. For a number of terms at intervals he represented the people of Littleton township in the board of Supervisors of Schuyler County. He was one of the Represen- tatives of the District of which Schuyler County then formed a part in the Legislature of the State of Illinois for one term. He was highly respected by all who knew him well. He was a central figure in the County, being known more or less to all professional men.
Dr. Horace Jacobs, son of Simeon and Molly (Kenney) Jacobs was born in West Royalston, April 5, 1816. He was the sixth child of a family of nine boys, and when bis father died in 1824, the oldest one was less than nineteen years of age and the youngest a little over one year. Two years later the mother had died and the children were scattered over the country. Horace remained in Royalston and had the advantages of the public schools of the town for obtaining an education which was all the schooling he received. He studied medicine in Exeter, Me. and South Hadley, Mass., and began practicing his pro- fession in Chicopee, Mass., when twenty-eight years of age. He went to Springfield in 1857, where he became one of the most prominent physicians of the city. He married Emily Owen of Westfield, whose father owned a large part of Mount Tom. Their children were: Dr. Chauncey A. Jacobs: Mary Jacobs living in Springfield, Horace Jacobs who has a fancy goods store in Boston, Rachel B. Jacobs who graduated at Vassar College, was a teacher in Springfield, for twelve years a member of the School committee of that city and active in both church and charitable matters. She died at the age of fifty years; and Miriam Jacobs who was the wife of Rev. C. F. Rice, a prominent Methodist minister of the New England conference.
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Dr. Daniel Choate Perkins, second son of Rev. Ebenezer Per- kins was born in Royalston Nov. 10, 1824. He entered Amherst College in the class of 1849, and was in college between two and three years. Graduated from the Harvard Medical College in 1850. Commenced to practice medicine in Enfield, Mass., and later in Springfield and Peabody, Mass., where he died Nov. 3, 1863. His remains were brought to Royalston in 1902 for burial in the family lot. He married Mehitable C. Procter, who after her husband's death taught school in Royalston for a year. She afterwards married James Baxter, Ex-Mayor of Portland, Me. He had no children. He is described as being a delicate, nervous man, with a sensitive temperament and a fine face.
Dr. Andrew Jackson Flagg, son of John Jr., and Rhoda Flagg, was born in Royalston, Jan. 4, 1832. He graduated at the Philadelphia Medical College and commenced the practice of medicine at Claremont, N. H. A few years previous to his death he moved to Fitchburg and made a specialty of chronic diseases. He died Jan. 24, 1883.
Dr. Leander Smith graduated from the medical department of Dartmouth College in 1834. He studied with Dr. Stephen Batcheller in Royalston and succeeded Dr. Ballou as physician in Richmond, N. H. He married Elizabeth, the only daughter of Dr. John Parkhurst of Richmond, N. H., and moved to Penn- sylvania.
Dr. Samuel Augusus Fiske was born in Royalston, Feb. 9, 1856, a son of Robert F. and Narcissa Perry (Whittemore) Fiske. He graduated at Yale in 1877, studied at Harvard Medical school and became professor in a medical school in Denver, Col., later being made Dean in 1895. Later he came east and began private practice in Brimfield. He became very active in tuberculosis work and other medical researches, writing considerable on these subjects. He had especially studied the climate of Colorado, California and Nassau. Feb. 22, 1906, he married Miss Clara W. Crumb, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waitstill Crumb of Royalston. He died in 1915.
Dr. Ebenezer A. Deane, a son of Jeremiah Deane, was born in Royalston Jan. 16, 1825. He was educated at Goodale
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Academy, leaving Royalston when a young man. He became very prominent and successful in his practice. He died at Mon- tague City in June, 1906, being the oldest member of the County Medical Society.
Dr. Peletiah Metcalf, fifth child of Peletiah and Lydia (Estey) Metcalf, was born in Royalston July 29, 1780. He settled as a physician in Pawtucket and Woonsocket, R. I., where he was a prominent physician for many years, and where he died Oct. 26, 1866. He married Abigail Howes and they had two children.
THE LEGAL PROFESSION
While Royalston all through its history has been blessed with physicians of more than ordinary skill in their profession and of high character and attainments, tradition says Royalston never enjoyed the presence of a settled lawyer for more than three months. It is said that soon after the settlement of the town, a young sprig of the law made his appearance here, but after a trial of about three months, the good people made him the offer of a cow if he would leave town. It is said that he left and the town has never had a resident lawyer since.
But if the town has not been a good place for lawyers to practice in, it has been a good place for them to be born in, and there is a good list of natives of the town who have attained distinction in the legal profession in various parts of the country. Among these are Alexander H. Bullock, Asahel Peck, Hamilton S. Peck, Nahum Peck, Charles A. Gregory, Benjamin C. Perkins, Stephen Holman, Jenner Morse, Charles H. Goodell, Arthur C. Brown.
Nahum Peck, eldest son of Squire and Elizabeth (Goddard) Peck, was born in Royalston, Oct. 5, 1796. He was descended from Joseph Peck of Belton, Yorkshire County, England, being the seventh generation from the Puritan ancestor, who came from Hingham, England to Hingham, Mass., in 1638. Nahum Peck's father moved to Montpelier, Vt., about 1806. Nahum studied law and was admitted to Washington County bar in 1823. He later moved to Hinesburg where he was honored by
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many positions from his townsmen. He represented his town in the Vermont Legislature several terms, and was a prominent lawyer in his part of the State. He was an ardent abolitionist and temperance reformer. He was twice married, Oct. 1825, to Lucinda Wheeler of Montpelier, who died Jan. 14, 1854, and to Marcia Wood of Keesville, N. Y., in 1857, she died in 1875.
He had one son by his first wife, Cicero Goddard Peck, born Feb. 17, 1828. He prepared for college, but was obliged to give it up on account of ill health ..
He lived on a farm all his life and was interested in develop- ing the agriculture of his county. He was elected to the Vermont House and Senate, was a member of the State Board of Educa- tion, Trustee of the Reform School and town superintendent of schools of Hinesburg. He was a prominent Good Templar, and member of the Methodist Church. He married Maria Coleman of Hinesburg. They had no children of their own, but an adopted daughter, who married Rev. M. R. France.
Benjamin Conant Perkins, son of Rev. Ebenezer Perkins, was born in Royalston Jan. 23, 1827, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1848, studied law with Hon. Asahel Huntington and Rufus Choate. He was State Senator for two terms, and Regis- ter of Bankruptcy for Essex County. Practiced law in Salem.
He married, first, Julia A. Pearson, Oct. 8, 1853, she was the daughter of Samuel A. and Sarah A. Pearson of Hanover, N. H. She died, April 30, 1863. He married, second, widow Helen M. (Dole) Wills, daughter of Carlton and Elizabeth (Carlton) Dole, Nov. 8, 1865, she died Oct. 23, 1879.
Charles Augustus Gregory, son of General Franklin Gregory, was born in Royalston Sept. 7, 1833. He graduated from Har- vard College in the class of 1855. He resided one year in Cambridge after graduating, studying at the Law School; he then spent six months studying law in the office of Hon. E. R. Hoar and Horace Gray, Esq., in Boston, and was admitted to the Suffolk Bar about the month of April, 1857. He then went to Chicago, Illinois, to reside, and to practice law. He entered the office of Messrs. Arnold, Larned and Lay, and was soon after admitted to the bar in Illinois. He formed a co-partnership with Messrs. Arnold and Lay, which was know as the firm of Arnold, Lay and Gregory; subsequently the firm became Arnold and Gregory
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and in 1861 he was practicing law alone, and so continued until 1865, when he resumed his partnership with Hon. Isaac Arnold, and was for many years one of the prominent lawyers of Chicago. He was also interested in other business and had accumulated a large property before the fire. Subsequently he was president of the Cook County Land Company. He was married in Chicago Dec. 4, 1861, to Julia A., daughter of C. W. and Maria Booth, of New York. They had one son, Harold, who died Feb. 22, 1896, unmarried. He was about twenty-seven years of age and had studied at Harvard University. Charles Augustus Gregory died in the summer of 1915 at Chicago.
Arthur C. Brown, youngest son of Elisah F. and Angeline (French) Brown was born in Royalston May 11, 1855. He removed to Athol with his parents when a boy, was educated in the Athol schools, fitted for college at the Fitchburg High School, and entered Harvard College in 1875 from which he graduated with excellent rank in 1879; studied law at the Columbia law school in New York, and also in the law office of Eliot F. Shepard, a son-in-law of William H. Vanderbuilt. He then began the practice of law which he continued for several years, when be entered the office of a large insurance company in New York, and assisted in the legal department of the busi- ness. He died in 1899.
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