USA > Maine > York County > Parsonsfield > A history of the first century of the town of Parsonsfield, Maine > Part 19
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GŁU. n. WALKER & CO . BOSTON
S. St. Duringin .
PROF. SAMUEL H. DURGIN, M. D.
I53
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
ISAIAH F. PRAY, A. M., M. D.,
son of Jacob S. and Arseneth (Estes) Pray, was born December 11, 1845, and is now in successful practice in New York city. See sketch by Dr. Joseph Ricker, page 68.
PROF. SAMUEL HOLMES DURGIN, M. D.,
of Boston, Mass., was born in Parsonsfield, Maine, July 26, 1839, of Scotch- English ancestry. He was educated at Parsonsfield, and at Pittsfield and New Hampton, N. H., Academies, and pursued his medical studies at the Dartmouth and Harvard Medical Colleges, graduating from the latter in July, 1864. He was at once commissioned assistant surgeon in the First Massachusetts Cavalry, join- ing the regiment then in front of Richmond, Va., and served until mustered out with the regiment in June, 1865. He was detailed to serve in the First Division Field Hospital, was appointed to the operating board on the last campaign, and was present at General Lee's surrender at Appomattox. On retiring from the army he settled in practice in Boston. In January, 1867, he was elected resident physician to the city institutions at Deer Isle, and port physician for the port of Boston. He resigned these offices in January, 1873, to accept an appointment a Health Commissioner in the first board of health organized in Boston, and to re-enter general practice. He has held this office fourteen years, been chairman of the board for the last nine years, and was recently re-appointed for the sixth term ending in 1890. When the chair of Hygiene was created at Harvard he was called to the professorship, which position he still retains. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Boston Society for Medical Observation, the Boston Society for Medical Improvement, the American Public Health Asso- ciation, and an officer in several business organizations.
In November, 1875, he married Miss Mary B., daughter of George F. Davis, Esq., of New Bedford, Mass., and has two children, Laura Jeannette and Ed- mund Horace.
PROF. STEPHEN HOLMES WEEKS,
of Portland, son of John and Mehitable (Holmes) Weeks, was born on the 6th of October, 1835. His parents were at the time temporarily absent from town, but returned soon after, and a few years later moved to Fryeburg. He graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1864, and soon after located in Portland, where he has since resided. Three years later he became teacher of anatomy and surgery in the Portland School for Medical Instruction, and yet continues to to occupy that position. In 1876 he was appointed to the chair of Anatomy at Bowdoin, which position he filled till 1881, when upon the death of Prof. W. W. Green, he was appointed to the chair of Surgery thus made vacant, and yet re- tains that place. In 1880 he spent the year in Europe in study and observation. He is and ever has been a close student, a sound reasoner, logical, clear, fixed and determined; a success in, and an honor to the profession of his choice.
I54
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
PROF. CYRUS FOGG BRACKETT,
of whom a brief sketch is given on page 67, was a native of Parsonsfield, and here acquired his [early education. He was the son of Hon. John and Mrs. Jemima (Lord) Brackett, and was born June 24, 1833. I will only add to the notice already given by Dr. Ricker, referred to above, that he graduated in medi- cine at Bowdoin in 1863, and in 1884 Lafayette College of Pennsylvania conferred upon him the merited title of LL.D. When the Board of Health of New Jersey was established he was appointed one of its members, and since 1880 has been the presiding officer. He has written very largely on scientific subjects and is the author of the paper in this history, entitled "Progress of Physics for a Cen- tury." While at Bowdoin he was joint editor of the "Bowdoin Scientific Re- view," and of late has been engaged with Professor Anthony of Cornell, and Professor Magie of Princeton in the preparation of a work on Physics. He is one of the leading scientists of the age, and one in whom his native town feels a just pride.
BENJAMIN LAMPREY TIBBETTS, M. D.,
of Vassalboro', was born here; studied medicine with Dr. G. L. Bennett, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1862. He has been very successful in his professional career, and has accumulated quite a fortune.
DR. MALCOLM DAVIS,
now in practice of medicine in Michigan, was the son of Moses and Abigail (Moulton) Davis, and was born in 1832. He was the youngest of the family and the only survivor.
JOHN F. MOULTON, M. D.,
of Limington, was a native of Parsonsfield. Studied medicine with Dr. Moses E. Sweat, and graduated at Long Island Hospital College in 1874. In August of that year he commenced practice at Durham, N. H. December, 1875, he moved to Gilmanton Iron Works, and in July, 1876, he went to Limington, Maine, where he yet remains. He has a large field of practice, finds hard work in abundance, and merits all he achieves. He was the son of Joseph Moulton, and was born April 11, 1850.
DR. GEORGE W. HILTON,
son of George and Abigail (Ricker) Hilton, is now a resident of Lowell, Mass., where he has been in active business since November, 1881. For three years prior he was located at La Moille, Illinois, and for nearly two years prior he was in practice in Chicago, going into business in that place soon after graduating from the Mahnemann Medical College in February, 1877.
*
GEO. H.WALKER & CO-BOSTON
AMonthon
ALBERT R. MOULTON . M. D.
€
155
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
MELVIN AUGUSTUS EMERY, M. D.,
son of William and Lavinia Emery, born October 12, 1837, studied medicine with Dr. Moses Sweat, was granted a diploma at Bowdoin in 1862, went soon after to Illinois, and died there December 31, 1864. He was a young man of fair abili- ties. Of his brief professional life I have learned nothing. Of the family, one brother, a successful business man, survives, and is a resident of Paducah, Ky.
ALBERT R. MOULTON, M. D.,
first assistant and acting Superintendent of the Worcester Lunatic Asylum, is a young man of ability and energy, thoroughly fitted for the important duties devolving upon him. He studied medicine with Dr. E. B. Adams of Kittery, and later was at Pennsylvania University, attended lectures at Dartmouth, and two courses at Bowdoin, where he graduated in 1876. He was then for a time acting assistant physician in the Insane Asylum at Concord, N. H. From there he went to McLean Asylum at Somerville, Mass., where he remained nearly a year, going from there to Worcester, where he has since been in continuous ser- vice. He was the son of Wentworth Moulton of Parsonsfield, and was born September 21, 1852. He is modest, sensitive, studious, industrious and progres- sive, and one whose success is assured.
DR. STEPHEN E. BICKFORD,
who died a few months since in Waverly, Missouri, was a young man from this town, son of George Bickford. I have been unable to learn anything definite of his career.
DR. GEORGE F. STACKPOLE,
of Boston, was reared here. He has been in practice some ten years or more. He failed to respond to enquiries, and therefore I am unable to give any details.
JOHN LARRY BENNETT, M. D.,
son of Charles Bennett of Parsonsfield, graduated at Bowdoin in 1876. He was for a time settled in Boston, then practiced at East Parsonsfield. His health failing he removed to Colorado where he now resides. He has been obliged to abandon the practice of medicine almost entirely. He was born March 19, 1851.
SILAS BURBANK, M. D.,
of Mt. Vernon, Maine, son of Silas and Mary (Burbank) Burbank, was born here January 3, 1849, was educated at Limerick Academy and commenced teach- ing at the age of sixteen years. In 1860 he went with his father to Strong, Me., where he studied medicine with Dr. John A. Richards, and graduated at Bowdoin in 1864. In July of the same year he went to the field he now occupies. In
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
February, 1864, he was married to Miss Jennie B. Pratt of Strong, who died twelve years later. There was one son, now a resident of Rochester, New York. His second wife was Miss Mattie D. Morse of Mt. Vernon. Fortune has favored him. " The gods help those who help themselves."
WILLIAM WIRT PIPER, M. D.,
was the son of Horace Piper, A. M., of Washington, D. C., a native, formerly a resident of Parsonsfield. He completed his English and classical course of study at Biddeford High School in 1859. Studied medicine with Dr. Moses Sweat, attended two courses of lectures at Bowdoin and one at Dartmouth, where he graduated in 1867. He commenced practice in Windham, Maine, but afterward removed to Ohio where he now resides. During the time that he was with Dr. Sweat he was thrown from a horse and received a severe fracture of the leg just above the ankle, requiring amputation. His recovery was so good that with an artificial limb his lameness was scarcely perceptible. In medicine he was a very fine student, and gave promise of a brilliant career. He was born July 15, 1839.
JOHN A. KENNARD, M. D.,
was the son of Noah Kennard of this town, and is now twenty-seven years of age. He studied medicine with Dr. Moses E. Sweat, and graduated at Bowdoin in 1884. He was in practice a short time at Tamworth, N. H., then at Shapleigh, Maine, and now at East Parsonsfield.
J. HERBERT NEAL, M. D.,
of Sanford, Maine, was the son of John Neal, and was one of the latest to receive the degree of M. D. He is energetic, candid, well informed and very suc- cessful in his avocation.
JOHN G. KIMBALL, M. D.,
of Des Moines, Iowa, was a native of Parsonsfield, born about 1817. His father was David Kimball; his mother, Nancy (Granville) |Kimball. He left Par- sonsfield when quite young, and but little has been lear ned of him by the writer.
CHARLES BLAZO, M. D.,
was a native of Parsonsfield, son of Esquire Robert T. Blazo, who is the oldest lawyer of York County Bar. He belongs to one of the oldest families of the town, his ancestors being on the ground as early as 1778. They are of French descent, the first emigrant coming from Bordeaux, France, in 1635. Dr. Blazo studied medicine with Dr. Moses E. Sweat, and graduated at Bowdoin in 1871. In August of this same year he settled at East Rochester, N. H., where he remained ten years. He then came to Parsonsfield and tarried a short time, then
I57
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
went to Long Island College Hospital for a term, and then returned to Rochester, where he now resides. In June, 1867, he married Miss Augusta Gilman of Effingham, N. H., and they have two daughters.
FRANK GUY DEVEREUX, M. D.,
son of John Devereux, was born in Boston (whither his parents had moved for a time), November 10, 1857. He was educated at Westbrook Seminary, and studied medicine with Dr. Moses E. Sweat. He attended two courses of lectures at Bowdoin and two at New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he graduated in 1880. He spent some months at the Bellevue and Chambers Street Hospitals, and then returned to Kezar Falls (Parsonsfield), where he commenced practice and where he yet remains. His education has been thorough, well fitting him for the important and arduous duties of professional life.
RICHARD L. COOK, M. D.,
son of Nathaniel Cook, was born in Wakefield, N. H., November 28, 1832. His father removed to Parsonsfield in 1845, and located at North Parsonsfield, that his children should receive the educational advantages which the place afforded. Dr. Cook studied medicine with Dr. John Blackmar of Effingham, N. H., now of Springfield, Mass., and graduated at Bowdoin in 1860. From June till September of the same year he was at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He then became assistant physician at the Maine Insane Hospital, where he remained till December 4, 1862, when he received a commission as assistant surgeon of the Eleventh Maine Regiment. He remained in the Department of the South until April, 1864, when he came to Virginia and remained there till he was mustered out of service in January, 1866. The Eleventh Maine was in active service, participating in nineteen battles, besides many skirmishes. Prior to his depar- ture for the seat of war, he was married to Miss Charlotte P. Dunton. After his return he located at Farmington, Maine, remaining there nearly a year, and in May, 1868, he went to Omro, Wisconsin, where he has since resided. He has a large and lucrative practice, is and ever has been a strong advocate of temper- ance, and is actively engaged in all the reformatory enterprises of the day. In religious views and professions he is a Methodist.
HARRY L. STAPLES, A. M., M. D.,
now assistant surgeon at the Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at Togus, Maine, is a young man of much promise, and who, if blessed with health, cannot fail of success. He is the son of Rev. L. T. Staples of Limerick, late a resident of Parsonsfield. The reader is referred to a sketch of him from the pen of Dr. Joseph Ricker, page 70. He received his degree of M. D. from Bowdoin.
158
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
This list of seventy-six physicians of the town of Parsonsfield may not be complete, but no intentional omission has been made. It is not only large, but many of them have occupied positions of honor and trust, and have won distinc- tion and become eminent in their spheres. Of this we boast and are proud, and this boast and pride find justification in the fact that this town has furnished out of this number no less than five, who, during their pupilage, were demonstrators of anatomy; no less than six who are or have been professors in colleges, and for the three Homes for Disabled Soldiers in the United States she has furnished certainly a large share-a surgeon and an assistant surgeon.
We will modestly acknowledge our inferiority, and our claim hastily made, when any other rural town of equal number of inhabitants will show a better record.
This article is now brought to a close by the statement of a few facts, at the risk of it being received with disfavor, relative to the uneventful life of the writer:
Born, May 2, 1832, son of John and Sally (Wadleigh) Dearborn. The same old story of struggles for an education, and labor for existence. Studied medi- cine with Drs. Moses and John B. Sweat, graduated March 26, 1857, at Michigan University, commenced practice at East Parsonsfield; two years later went to Effingham, N. H., remaining sixteen years; thence to Freedom, N. H., where he tarried one year, then by force of circumstances returned to Parsonsfield, where he still remains. In 1853 he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Gardner and Sally Smart. Has received a full share of the patronage of the public, both in medicine and surgery; held the various offices in the gift of the town while a resident of New Hampshire; was District Deputy Grand Lecturer, and District Deputy Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A. F. and Ac- cepted Masons of New Hampshire for eight years, and was a member of the Sen- ate of Maine in 1880, receiving the honor of a "count out " by the Gareelon administration, declined a renomination for a second term, was appointed by Governor Robie on the Board of Trustees of the Maine General Hospital, resign- ed and is now serving the third year as member of the Board of Trustees of the Maine Insane Hospital, receiving the appointment from the same source. In politics a Republican from the birth of the party, and in religious views a Uni- versalist, believing that
" Good will fall At last, far off, at last to all, And every winter change to spring."
Such is a brief sketch of the dissatisfactory life of Yours truly, .
JEREMIAH W. DEARBORN.
159
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
MINERALS OF PARSONSFIELD.
Parsonsfield, though not located in one of the so-called mineral regions of Maine, has produced many beautiful and valuable specimens. Most of these occur in the drift-rock transported from the country north of the town, even as far as Canada. The best specimens have been found in the northern section of the town, but good ones are frequently discovered in all the other localities.
By far the most common and best mineral is Vesuvianite, or Idocrase, corres- ponding to the Egiran of Germany, and differing essentially from the variety found in Sanford, Maine. It occurs in brown and greenish brown colors, rarely yellowish brown. A very fine specimen of this was found at North Parsonsfield by Prof. C. F. Brackett, and is now in the Bowdoin College collection. The mas- sive and crystalline varieties are most abundant, but crystals are by no means rare. It is most abundant at the above mentioned place, but is also found at Middle Road and South Parsonsfield. A large number of boulders containing Idocrase may be observed in the vicinity of Mudgett's pond.
Pyroxene is very abundant in all parts of the town, mainly stratified or crys- talline. Several very fine crystals of the variety termed Sahlite were taken from a large rock at North Parsonsfield a few years ago, showing the system of crystal- lization in an excellent manner. It is frequently associated with Idocrase, usually serving as a matrix for it. Quartz is plentifully distributed, but good crystals are rare. A fine specimen of false topaz was obtained while blasting a ledge near Kezar Falls. It was of large size and exquisite color.
Several boulders, called Feldspathic Porphery, have been found at North Par- .sonsfield. They are dark gray in color, and contain crystals fully a degree harder and of a lighter color. The crystals are monoclinic and well formed.
Iron Pyrites is abundant on Cedar Mountain, and occurs in other localities of the town. Traces of gold have been detected in some of the minerals. Garnets in mica schist, and black Tourmalines are common at Middle Road. Calcite and Dolomite crystals are frequently observed, also the massive varieties enclosing Idocrase. Muscovite and Feldspars are abundant, but good crystals rare.
Loxoclase occurs at South Parsonsfield. Beryls of fair quality are frequently met with, mostly of a grayish green color. Scapolite, Adularia, Pargasite, Arsen- opyrite, Galenite and Fluorite are among the rarer minerals.
H. L. STAPLES.
160
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
PARSONSFIELD SEMINARY AND ITS STUDENTS.
BY PROF. GEORGE H. RICKER.
MR. PRESIDENT.
Fellow Citizens :- By special permission, not by right of birth, I stand before you at this time; for I cannot claim the honor of being a native of this good old town whose one hundreth anniversary we are here to celebrate today. But I am happy, nay even proud, to be regarded an adopted son.
Mr. President, I heartily thank you and your associates for the polite and cor- dial invitation extended to me to be with you on this pleasant and very interesting occasion. I am happy to be here; for I feel somewhat like a boy who, after a long absence, has returned to the old homestead to spend Thanksgiving.
You ask me to say something about Parsonsfield Seminary during my adminis- tration. I accept the invitation with pleasure, and will attempt to do so.
Forty years ago this very summer, I was honored with a diploma from Dart- mouth College, that old and time honored institution, then ably presided over by the Rev. Dr. Nathan Lord.
I turned away from those classic halls to mingle no more with those whom I had learned to love. Forty years ago, save one, I entered upon my duties as Principal of Parsonsfield Seminary. The prospect before me was by no means flattering.
I began my first term thirty-nine years ago last June on familiar ground; for I had previously been a student at the Seminary successively under the able instruc- tion and wise counsel of the late and lamented Rev. Dr. Hosea Quinby and Profs. Moses M. Smart and John Fullonton.
When I took charge of the institution it was dead, and worse than dead, for nearly a year had passed without school, and there was neither throb nor pulse of school life in it; and report had gone over the land that Parsonsfield Seminary, as an institution of learning, had ceased to exist.
I opened my first term on two weeks' notice with nine scholars-Edwin Pease, Lewis Cutler, Harriet A. Brown, Annette M. Brown, Ethelinda Hobson, Emily Hobson, John F. Hodgdon, John Wingate, and the name of the ninth I cannot recollect.
The buildings were in bad condition, the institution was largely in debt, and the Seminary building was patched with a variety of dingy colors. Soon the number of students increased to upwards of one hundred, the debt was paid, and the Seminary was clothed in white. The Lord did it and we scarcely knew it. But we had a mind to work, and we did work; and our efforts were crowned with success.
But my boys and girls-the Seminary students of those years-where are they? and what have they become? They are scattered in different States of the Union, and some are in foreign lands. They have largely become husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, and not a few have become eminent in the professions of law,
GEV . H . WALKER & CO. LITH- BOSTON
PARSONSFIELD
SEMINARY.
161
HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
medicine, theology, and as educators. Many others have chosen and honored other useful vocations.
The most of those students have always seemed very dear to me. I have always enjoyed meeting them, and giving and receiving a warm and friendly grasp of the hand. God bless them every one in honest and noble endeavor. But some of those of whom good words could justly be spoken are no longer numbered among the living. They have gone to their long home.
I had associated with me successively, three respected and faithful teachers; Miss Abby Maxfield, now Mrs. Sylvester Dixon; Miss Clara M. A. Towle, now. Mrs. Joseph A. Shores, and Miss Margaret A. Libby, now Mrs. Byron Watson. Several other teachers assisted in the work usually selected from the students.
And those good and never to be forgotten prayer meetings,-how sweet their memory still! The complete result of them God only knows.
My paper would not be complete without reference to those two noble and remarkable men, Rev. John Buzzell and Dr. Moses Sweat. They were stars of the first magnitude, at least, in the Parsonsfield constellation. Elder Buzzell, as he was usually called, was a man of wonderful natural gifts, of versatile talent, graceful and dignified in demeanor, in short, a polished old school gentleman. He was a noted and powerful preacher, but his best days had passed when my acquaintance with him began. During my acquaintance with him he was living in his dotage, or second childhood. He owned the " Seminary on the hill," as he used to call it, and he owned me. He would frequently walk into the Seminary in an informal manner and remove his broad-brimmed hat from his head and say, "Peace be to this house." He would sometimes ride up to our home on Sunday afternoon and say to us, " I came up to tell you I love you." I have said he was a man of versatile talents. Among his other accomplishments might be reckoned that of painting. He was superior to any of the old masters; for he was a natural painter. I well remember when a teacher had taken to himself a wife, the very first Sabbath the young couple appeared at church service held in the Seminary hall, he took them unawares and painted them, nolens volens, with the dexterous and invisible strokes of his magic brush, by devoutly praying for Thy servant, the Principal of this institution, and his youthful companion. Both faces clearly indicated that the work had been skillfully and thoroughly executed.
Dr. Sweat, too, was a man of superior natural gifts. He was a skillful physician, an extraordinary surgeon, a wise counsellor, and a highly respected gentleman and citizen. His relations to me were like those of a tender and loving father. Whenever I was in doubt or perplexity about anything, I knew just where to go for counsel. I always found Dr. Sweat to be a wise counsellor and a true friend. I had opportunities to test his friendship to me and to the Seminary. Good old man of blessed memory !- methinks I see him now, as I am about to meet him, dropping the reins of government on the back of his intelligent old horse that must needs stop for his kind master to say a few encouraging words to the young
11
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HISTORY OF PARSONSFIELD.
and boyish teacher who so much needed them. His valued picture now adorns and honors my library in yonder Massachusetts town.
I have spoken of these two men in particular on account of their long and pe- culiar connection with the interests of the institution as President, and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. Many others, gratefully remembered, rise before me of whom I should like to speak pleasant words, but time forbids.
I invested soul and body, my first and some of my future earnings, in the en- terprise. Seven years of my early manhood were spent in this institution, with mingled trials and pleasure. I served faithfully seven years, and fared better than one of whom we read in olden times. I obtained my wife long before the seven years expired, and, too, the very one I sought.
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