History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 46

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 46
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 46

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Dartmouth Medical School, and for five months in 1855 he was employed as an assistant in the hospital at Deer Island, Boston Harbor. He went to Philadelphia in October, 1855, attended the course of lectures delivered at the Jefferson Medical College during the winter of 1855-56 and received the degree of M.D. from this in- stitution in March, 1856.

Industrious and apt as a student, he received high markings in all his studies, but preferred mathematics and the exact sciences to literary and classical branches. He has often remarked that the great latitude, uncertainty and want of precision in the meaning and use of words in literature and the classics have rendered them less congenial to his taste than the study of the sciences.

In May, 1856, he married Miss Sarah E. Hazen, of Shirley, Mass., and during the same month settled in South Deerfield. During his short stay in this place he gained the confidence of the people ; but, concluding that the field was too contracted, in November of the same year he moved to the village of Groton Junction, now known as Ayer. On the 28th of August, 1857, his daughter Anna was born, and on the 5th of May, 1858, his happy home was made desolate by the death of his wife. August 9, 1859, occurred his marriage to Georgianna L. Hunt, who has borne him six children, three of whom now survive.

In May, 1862, he volunteered his services as a medical officer, and was employed as a surgeon in the field and in the hospital during and sub- sequent to the disastrous campaign of MeClel- lan on the Peninsula. In November, 1862, he was commissioned surgeon of the Fifty-third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and was on duty with the regiment during its active service in Louisiana.

He was mustered out at the expiration of the term of service of the regiment, September 2, 1863. As a medical officer he gained the con- fidence of his superiors in rank and was re- garded as able and efficient.

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At the conclusion of his military service he resumed his practice at Groton Junction. He was appointed examining surgeon for United States invalid pensioners in 1864, which office he held till 1876, when pressure of professional duties obliged him to retire from his posi- tion.

Dr. McCollester has never been a political aspirant ; nevertheless, he has always been alive to all matters of social interest. He served seven years on the board of school committee of Groton, and two years in the same capacity in Harvard, in which town he has resided since April, 1869. He is a charter member of Caleb Butler Lodge of A. F. and A. Masons, and is one of its Past Masters.

As a physician, gifted with senses remarka- bly acute, delicate of touch, quick and keen in observation, taking in the physiognomy of dis- ease, reading understandingly books, men and things, his judgment, correct and rapid, appears as if produced by intuition.

Probably the most reliable guage of a phy- sician's ability is his reputation with his profes- sional brethren. Many who stand high in pub- lic esteem as medical men speak very highly of Dr. McCollester's professional abilities ; and were it not for his attachment to his friends, which has confined him to a laborious but not very remunerative practice, he might easily have found a larger field for his talents, better compensation, less physical and mental wear, and time for scientific study.

As a man, his social nature is largely de- veloped ; and the repeated afflictions he has sus- tained in the death of his children have been very heavy blows to him. He is affable and cour- teous to all, and treats the indigent sufferer with the same kind consideration which he extends to the affluent. He is not wanting in ambition, and desires and appreciates the good-will and approbation of the public. Love of money forms no part of his composition, and, were it not for the large extent of his practice, he would be constantly impecunious.

" I cannot explain anything about it," said a sick old lady whom he attended. "I cer- tainly thought I should die; but when he came into the room, it was like a flood of sunlight. I could not feel discouraged if I wanted to be." To this power of awakening hope and inspiring courage in the sick and suffering, Dr. McCol- lester owes no small part of his success.

LUTHER FARRAR, son of Phinehas and Lovina (Warren) Farrar, was born in Marl- borough, January 11, 1778. Of his early life, or where he obtained his education, we have not been informed ; but, having completed his education, he chose the law as his profession, and settled in Maine.

He was eminently possessed of all those amiable and useful endowments which render man an ornament and a blessing to society. In the discharge of all the relative duties of life, he was governed by a fixed determination to do what his conscience should dictate to be right. In his family, mildness, discretion and pru- dence marked his deportment. As a neighbor, he was urbane and benevolent.

The predominant traits of his professional character were honesty and capability. The effects of religious principle and a correct life were exemplified by a remarkable composure and patience during a tedious and distressing sickness, and a perfect resignation in death.

Early called off from active professional duties to pine on a bed of sickness and pain, he found support for several years in the kind at- tentions of his numerous friends and in the con- solations of religion, until he cheerfully re- signed his spirit to God, in humble hope of a blessed immortality. He died at Norway, Me., April 28, 1812.

JOSEPH C. MASON, son of Clark and Almi- ra (Towns) Mason, was born at the old home- stead March 13, 1837. He received a common- school and academic education, and began his career as an educator at quite an early age. Later in life he devoted considerable time to the study of languages, sciences and advanced

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mathematics. He received a legal education at the Law College in Albany, N. Y., and in the office of Dearborn & Scott, distinguished attorneys of Peterborough, N. H. He was admitted to the bar in September, 1864, at Nashua, N. H., at a session of the Supreme Ju- dicial Court. He practiced his profession at Mason village (now Greenville), N. H., nearly three years, and then removed to Missouri, where he has for the most part since resided, and devoted his time mainly to educational work, though still maintaining his connection with the bar.

He held the office of superintending school committee at Mason village, and in 1866 was appointed by the Governor of New Hampshire to the office of common school commissioner of Hillsborough County, and was ex officio member of the State Board of Education.

During the war he was an earnest advocate of the Union cause, and contributed to swell the Union army by delivering patriotic speeches in various parts of New England.

After his removal to Missouri, he held the office of principal of the Washington Public School, St. Louis; superintendent of public schools at Boonville, Carthage and Joplin, which last-named position he still holds. He has been a frequent contributor to educational and other journals, and has published several quite extended reports growing out of his offi- cial relations.

His work as an educator for several years past has been largely that of an organizer. It may be added that a large number of teachers have been specially prepared for this work under his supervision in the normal depart_ ment of the schools above mentioned.

SUMNER A. MASON, M.D., fifth son of Clark and Almira (Towns) Mason, was born at the old homestead May 23, 1838, where he continued to reside until twenty-one years of age, receiving the limited common-school education granted to the residents of the farming districts of Marl- borough. He subsequently became a student of

Sullivan H. MeCollester, in Westmoreland Valley Seminary, until the breaking out of the Rebellion.

He says : " Here allow me to pay a tribute of respect to my quondam friend and preceptor ; for whatever I may owe to other instructors for their efforts, or to parents for their moral and religious training, who, without doubt, laid the foundation of character, it was he who first in- spired me with the hope of a professional future,-that something more than the busy humdrum of life might be evolved from it. And whatever success I may gain in my profession, whatever fresh laurels I may win from new ef- forts, I shall look back upon his counsel and his teachings as upon 'apples of gold in pictures of silver.'"

He enlisted with the first three months' troops sent from New Hampshire, as a private in Company A, Cheshire Light Guards, as named by Captain Barker, which afterward be- came a part of the " Fighting Second." He went from Keene to Portsmouth, where the regiment rendezvoused for some weeks, and encamped upon the ground. The exposure, together with a severe attack of confluent measles, broke up his health for a long time, and confined him to the hospital. While there, suffering from the second stage of this disease, the only thing he can recollect is that he was aronsed by an unusual commotion, the sounding of bugles and the rolling of drums; and when he asked, " What is that ?" Colonel H. B. Titus, who had called to bid him adieu, replied, "That is your regiment going to Washington. Good-bye, old boy." After a partial convalescence, he re- turned home ; and his brother Charles took his place, he assuming his.

It was after this that he commenced his pro- fessional studies in his native town, and pur- sued them under difficulties for upwards of one year, having charge at that time of the home- stead and his widowed mother. The most of his time during the day was devoted to them, and his nights to study. He then imagined he

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could rob nature with impunity, and never heeded the old clock as it rang out "forever more" its midnight peal upon the silent air. The winter of 1864-65 he spent in Philadel- phia, for the purpose of attending medical lec- tures. During the two years and upwards he spent in that city he studied medicine in the office of Henry T. Child, M.D., 634 Race Street, a Quaker gentleman of great worth and intelligence, whose large library was gratuitously open to him at all times, and whose uniform kindness he will never forget.

In the spring of 1865 he found himself in need of rest, and resolved to seek recreation in the camp of our soldiers, where at least he could have a little relaxation from mental toil, and at the same render efficient service to the unfor- nate wounded. For that purpose he visited Washington and Alexandria under the auspices of the Christian Commission, where he was de- tailed to visit the various camps and hospitals in and about those cities. He remained here until the 3d of July, when he was ordered to City Point, Va. Here again he visited the large government hospitals ; and while engaged distributing stores, tracts, religious literature, etc., he had a rare opportunity of observing the different phases of disease, as manifested in a large number of patients.

City Point was one of the places designated by the government for the discharge of our sol- diers, hence was one of the last abandoned by the Christian Commission. As long as there was a sufferer, its beneficient hand was stretched forth to alleviate.

" Let me not," he says, "attempt to describe to you my feelings when the last footfall of the brave defenders of our Union ceased to re-echo upon my ears; when I watched the last steamer, until its form grew spectral, gently gliding from those historic shores, bearing upon its bosom the household joys of far-off homes, leav- ing thousands to slumber where erst they walked in all the pride of manhood's bearing." Soon after the departure of the soldiers from the

Point the Commission was closed up, and its effects turned over to the Freedmen's Bureau.

After this relapse from constant toil, he spent some time in visiting the battle-field of Peters- burg, and the line of breastworks between it and City Point. It was while residing here that he made the acquaintance of his wife, who had been a nurse in the hospitals, and who, in turn, nursed him. She was the only child of Lurad C. Heath, a lineal descendant of General Heath, of New Hampshire ; and as they jour- neyed together on horseback, the only means of locomotion over those bloody fields, they con- cluded that the journey of life would be incom- plete unless they traveled together. Miss Hcath was seven years his junior, and a gradu- ate of Rockland Female Institute. This was a romantic meeting of a descendant of his native State in old Virginia. After a few months' residence on the beautiful banks of the James River, he returned to Philadelphia, where, under the tuition of Dr. Child, he graduated in 1868, an allopathic physician.

He practiced only a few months in Philadel- phia, when he removed to New York City, where he achieved considerable success during the ensuing years, and where he still resides,

HON. ANDREW C. STONE was born in Marl- borough May 16, 1839. He is a son of the late Aaron Stone. He was educated in the schools of Marlborough and at Appleton Academy, at New Ipswich, and Phillips Acad - emy, at Exeter. When a young man he taught school in Walpole, Keene, New Ipswich and Peterborough. In 1860 he commenced reading law at Lawrence, Mass., and continued hisstudies until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the Thirty-third Massachusetts Volunteers, and served three years in the army.

In 1865 he went to Ashtabula, O., and com- pleted his law studies with Judge Sherman, being admitted to the bar in the spring of 1867. He at once commenced the practice of law in Lawrence, Mass., where he has continued to reside and practice his profession until the

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present time. In 1869 he married Mary F. Hulbert, daughter of Joseph D. Hulbert, Esq., of Ashtabula, O. He has taken great interest in the Grand Army of the Republic, having attended as a delegate the National Encamp- ments at Indianapolis, Baltimore and Denver. He is Past Commander of Post 39, Department of Massachusetts. He is a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason, and Past Master of Phoenician Lodge, in Lawrence. He has been twice a member of the Common Council of Lawrence, and was one year president of that body. He has served as a member of the Massachusetts Republican State Central Com- mittee. For the years 1880 and 1882 he was a member of the Massachusetts Senate, serving upon the committees on the judiciary and rail- roads. He was a delegate from his district to the Republican National Convention in Chicago in 1884, and favored the renomination of Presi- dent Arthur at that time. He has been an extensive traveler, having been largely through the United States and twice to Europe. He is at present city solicitor of Lawrence, Mass.

DANIEL B. WOODWARD, M.D . eldest son of Stilman and Eunice (Buttrick) Woodward, was born in Marlborough, N. H., October 1, 1835. He was the eldest of six children,-four sons and two daughters,-all of whom but one, the youngest son, are married and still living.

Mr. Woodward was early instructed to care for and cultivate his father's farm, and thereby at an early age was inured to solid physical labor. He was emphatically a worker in his . boyhood. His early education was limited to the brief terms of the district and select schools of his native town. He early imbibed an ener- getic inclination to think and study for himself, being encouraged by his judicious and strong- minded mother, who had had experience in teaching in the district schools of her native town and vicinity. His youthful mind waxed stronger and stronger, while laboring on his father's farm and in the wooden-ware shops near his home, till he arrived at his majority,

when he spent two brief terms at Westminster Seminary, Vermont. He was unpretending, studious and methodical in his attainments,- progressive, persevering, hopeful and bound to succeed.

He commenced his professional studies under the efficient instructions of Dr. Samuel A. Richardson, of Marlborough. While pursuing his studies, not being unmindful of his duty when his country called, he enlisted in her service, and spent three successive years in a cause that lay near to his heart,-his country's freedom.

During this time he suffered the hardships and privations incident to the field, the camp and the hospital ; ever efficient, faithful and true on the field of battle, as elsewhere. He continued his professional studies in the hos -. pitals of the United States army, and subse- quently entered Harvard Medical College, of Boston, Mass., where he graduated March 8, 1865, and received the degree of M.D., and immediately began the practice of his profes- sion in Troy, N. H., in plain view of his old homestead, where he remained actively and efficiently pursuing the profession of his choice.

The 17th of May, 1865, found the doctor uniting his interests with the lady of his choice, Miss Ellen A. Burt, of Plymouth, Vt.

In 1868, Dr. Woodward decided to leave the early field of his profession, and removed to Ellenburg, Clinton County, N. Y., where he continues to practice his profession.

The doctor's early temperate habits, invig- orating out-door exercises and methodical studi- ousness, have developed a sound mind in a strong body, enabling him to perform the suc- cessive duties of each returning day almost unmolested by sickness or pain. In Dr. Wood- ward we see that the child and youth was father of the man.

JOHN WILLIE CONVERSE, son of Nelson and Sallie M. (Jones) Converse, was born in Marl- borough, July 3, 1848. Though a farmer's boy, and always obliged to labor at the farm-

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work, he was regarded as being of a thoughtful and studious turn of mind, and was encouraged in this by his parents, they allowing him the 'full benefit of such school advantages as the town then afforded, and afterwards sending him to various seminaries in Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire.

When about twenty years of age he com- menced the study of law at home, under the direction of the late law-firm of Wheeler & Faulkner, of Keene, N. H .; and, when he became of age, removed to Springfield, Mass., where he continued his studies for two years in the office of Augustus L. Soule,-now judge of Supreme Court of Massachusetts,-and in 1872 was admitted to the bar of that State.

The following year he became engaged to and married Miss Clara A. Wheeler, a woman of uncommon merit and ability ; but she died in May, 1875.

Feeling that he wanted a larger field of action, in 1876 he traveled through the West, and visited the principal cities there for this reason, but finally settled in Boston, where he is now practicing his profession. When in Springfield he became interested in politics, taking an active part in campaign work, and earned quite a reputation as a political speaker. He has always been a Republican. Like all others in his profession, he has been obliged to work hard and earnestly for the position he holds, but is now in the enjoyment of a moder- ate practice and the full confidence of the bar. A clear thinker and close reasoner, his judg- ment is always to be relied on, as he never gives an opinion hastily. He is fast growing into prominence, and his success seems assured.

ELISHA O. WOODWARD .- He entered upon this life August 15, 1828; so, he has just passed over the summit towards the sunset of his human existence. Still, his sky, bur- nished with gold, opal and vermilion, seems to be far to the westward yet. Nature has been, indeed, propitious to him, giving but slightest hints of approaching age. It is true, his locks are

frosted ; but his step is quick and firm, and his general appearance implies that he is right in the vigor of life. Mentally, he is stronger than ever. It could not well be otherwise, for he has thought and felt and been truly interested in the works of God and man. His mind has ruled the body, making it submissive to prin- ciple. He has been no radical, rushing to the north or south in pursuit of the enchanted cave of the magnet ; nor a conservative, with knees smiting together like Belshazzar's, declaring there is nothing good but in the past. He has been fortunate in making a safe voyage, thus far, between Scylla and Charybdis.

He is a native of Swanzey, N. H., and came to Marlborough in 1851, as a clerk in the Pro- tective Store ; but at length he bought out the stockholders and continued in trade for him- self, at Lowellville, for some three years, when he purchased and removed into the store now owned by him and Mr. William Nason. Be- coming somewhat worn and weary of store con- finement, in 1874 he sold out and removed to Grafton, Mass., having purchased a good farm there. But his hands had been too long skilled in handling the yard-stick and the tape-meas- sure to yield readily to holding the plow and swinging the scythe. Accordingly, two years' experience was sufficient to induce him to re- turn to Marlborough, making it his permanent home and entering into trade again, for this had become second nature to him, if it were not his first.

He is a man of good talent and culture. Had he devoted himself to the study of law or theology he would have been sure of success ; but, as it is, he has made much out of this life, in the way of helping others and improving him- self. He is looked upon as a reliable and very efficient business man ; he is well versed in town matters, having held the office of clerk for seventeen years, and that of treasurer sixteen ; he has been sent to the Legislature two years, been postmaster fifteen years, and served on the School Board for several terms.

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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

He has made his home attractive, been gen- erous in the support of the Christian Church, and has so identified himself with all good en- terprises as to be held in highest esteem.

HON. GEORGE G. DAVIS .- When the .tocsin sounded the alarm of the Rebellion, a youth that had been reared among the rocks and hills of Roxbury, N. H., heard the call and felt he must obey ; and he soon hastened to the field of strife, ready to dare and do his best to save the Union, and still keep the old flag waving, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Great Lakes to the heaving Gulf. In the battle of Williamsburg he was severely wounded, and, because of this, he was obliged to be discharged from the army. After recovering somewhat from his physical injury he came to Marlbor- ough and married Miss Maria L. Collins, and settled here. Because of his reliability and fit- ness he was called to serve the town in various offiecs of trust, such as town clerk, treasurer, etc. As an opportunity presented itself, he went into trade. It was soon made evident that nature fashioned him for the business. He seemed to have foresight in buying and selling. He has been popular with his patrons and made his mercantile experience a decided suc- cess. Though au adopted son of Marlborough, he has been faithful to her highest behests.

Mr. Davis was born August 28, 1842, and so now is in the prime of life and active in business. He is one of the foremost men in town in speaking and working for its interests. He believes in improvements and progress, and so fails not to encourage all enterprises at home and abroad which tend to ennoble. In the finish of his own home he shows that he not only has a love for comfort, but for the beautiful.

He has represented the town in the Legis- lature, been a State Senator from his district and at the present time is an officer on the Governor's staff. He has filled all the offices that he has held with credit to himself and his constituency.

Mr. Davis is no flashing meteor nor fixed

star, but a moving body that gives forth light and warmth throughout his cireuit. In religion he is a Congregationalist, in polities a Republi- can, in society a genial and social man.

WILLIAM M. NASON .- Entering a woods, what a diversity of trees we discover, all spring- ing from the same soil and growing as far into the light as possible! This, we say, is natural. Is it any more so than that there should be a great variety of human life in a town or state? Mo- notony is not the order of creation. Perfeet similarity is nowhere to be met with in nature, and certainly not among men ; so, as examina- tion takes place, something peculiar and original is to be found in every human character. Thus with the subject under consideration. William M. Nason was born August 7, 1832, the only son among four children of Ziba and Eunice Buss Nason. He was blest with excellent parentage. His early home was pleasant and beautifully situated. It is fortunate to be bred where the air is bracing, the light is clear, the birds sing, the trees thrive, the hills are high and the valleys deep. He was brought up on a farm where he had stones to pick as well as potatoes to plant; where the summers were warm and the winters seldom wanting of snow.

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 46

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200