USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 44
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In the Fisk block, A. J. Wait & Co. had a tin-shop between 1843 and 1849, and H. A. Randolph a tailor's shop in 1861-'62.
Between 1842 and 1850, what is now the Congregational parsonage stood on the east side of Central square, between the Fisk block and residence of Miss Mary E. Bartlett, and here A. S. Ordway had a shoemaker's shop, employing several hands.
In the fifties, Hiram W. Kendall had a tin-shop on the east side of North Main street, next south of the present residence of Charles H. Proctor.
Andrew J. Smith, who came to Bristol about 1840, early engaged in the jewelry and watch repairing business, and prosecuted this business till near the time of his death, in 1880.
James Musgrove carried on the tailoring business in Bristol from 1837 till within a few years of his death, in 1878, the most of this time in a shop adjoining his residence on North Main street.
Lorenzo D. Day commenced working marble in a small building on the south side of Central street in 1863. The busi- ness was continued by him and his son, Charles H. Day, in the "old academy" building till Jan. 1, 1886, and since then by Fred S. Fall, in the same place.
Moses B. Howe opened the first barber shop in Bristol, in 1865, and continued this business in the basement of Hotel Bris- tol ten years or more. Charles L. Follansbee has prosecuted this business, with the exception of four years, in the same place, since 1883.
Dr. C. H. White practiced dentistry in Bristol for a year or more till 1878 and was succeeded by Dr. J. E. Blake, who prac- ticed till May, 1880, when he sold to Dr. C. W. Coolidge, who became a resident of Bristol and continued till 1885. He has since made frequent visits to town, practicing his profession. Dr. Orren F. Emerson was in practice here from 1872 till 1881.
' The story is told that on one April Fools' day Mr. Smith served a customer with a glass of water for toddy, as a joke. This the customer drank, paid for, and started to walk out without making any comments. Mr. Smith then made an explanation, to which the customer responded, "Well ! I thought it was about as strong as usual."
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CHAPTER XXXIII
LAWYERS AND . PHYSICIANS OF BRISTOL
A lawyer's dealings should be just and fair ; Honesty shines with great advantage there. -Cowper.
A wise physician, skilled our wounds to heal, Is more than armies to the public weal. -Pope.
LAWYERS
DAVID SMILEY, Esq. The first practicing lawyer in Bris- tol was David Smiley. He was the son of William and Sarah (Robinson) Smiley and was born in Jaffrey, Mar. 26, 1769. He was graduated from Harvard college in 1796, and commenced the practice of law in his native town in 1801. About 1807, he settled in Bristol and remained in practice here till 1818, when he removed to Plymouth where he resided two years, and then went to Grafton, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was successful in his profession, of fine personal appearance, social and genial; a staunch Whig, a member of the Congrega- tional church and of the Masonic fraternity. He died of lung fever while attending court at Plymouth, May 19, 1845. (See Gen.)
Hon. MOSES HAZEN BRADLEY was in practice in Bristol from the early part of 1812 till 1834, with the possible exception of a portion of 1813 and 1814, when he was in Sanbornton. He was the second postmaster in Bristol and represented this town in the legislature of 1823, and this district in the senate in 1824. He removed from Bristol to Concord and there died, June 22, 1834, only a few months after leaving Bristol. He was noted for his pure Christian character and his readiness to assist legally those in distress. He would advocate no cause he thought unjust.
Hon. NATHANIEL G. UPHAM, LL. D., was the son of Hon. Nathaniel and Judith (Cogswell) Upham, and was born in Rochester. He was graduated from Dartmouth in 1820, and began the practice of law in Bristol in 1823, or early part of 1824. In 1829, he removed to Concord. He was judge of the superior court from 1833 till 1843; was commissioner for the adjustment of claims between the United States and Great Britain, and went to London in 1853 to act in this capacity ;
.
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was given the degree of LL. D. by Dartmouth college in 1869. He was for years superintendent of the Concord railroad, and was a man of large business capacity. He was twice married, and died in 1869.
BANJAMIN F. WEEKS, Esq., came to Bristol from Warren, about 1830, and remained here two years, when he removed to the West.
SAMUEL H. STEVENS, Esq., was the son of John and Ruhamah (Fifield) Stevens, and was born in East Kingston, Nov. 20, 1802. He was graduated from Dartmouth in 1830, and married, July 27, 1840, Sophronia, daughter of Moses San- born, of Kingston. He was in practice in Bristol from about 1834 to 1846. He was cashier of a bank in Exeter from 1849 till 1858. He died in 1876.
Hon. RALPH METCALF was born in Charlestown, Nov. 21, 1798. He was graduated from Dartmouth in 1823, and was admitted to the bar in 1826. He practiced law at Newport, at Binghamton, N. Y., and at Claremont ; was secretary of state from 1831 till 1838. He was in practice in Bristol the latter part of 1838 and 1839. He was judge of probate for Sullivan county, and represented Newport in the legislature of 1852-'53, and was governor of this state 1855-'57. He died at Claremont, Aug. 26, 1858.
GEORGE MINOT, Esq., was born in New London, Aug. 10, 1806. He was graduated from Dartmouth college in 1831, entered upon the practice of law at Gilmanton, and soon after came to Bristol, where he remained till 1834. He then removed to Concord and became cashier of the Mechanicks bank. In 1854, he became the president of this bank. He was United States pension agent at the time of his death, which occurred at Concord, Mar. 8, 1861. (See Gen.)
FREDERICK BARTLETT, Esq., is a native of Bristol. He prepared for college at the New Hampton Literary Institution and was graduated from Dartmouth college in 1835; attended law schools at Cambridge, Mass., and New Haven, Conn., and read law with Judge G. W. Nesmith. He was for a time in business with N. B. Bryant in Bristol, but was in active practice only a few years. He succeeded his father on the home farm, and devoted his life to farming and settling estates. He repre- sented Bristol in the legislatures of 1851, '60, '61, and '62, and in the constitutional convention of 1851. He is still a resident of Bristol, eighty-seven years of age. (See Gen.)
GEORGE M. PHELPS, Esq., came to Bristol from Hill in 1834, and remained here a short time.
Hon. JOSIAH MINOT was born in Bristol, Sept. 17, 1818. (See Gen.) He was graduated from Dartmouth college in 1837 ; read law with Hon. John J. Gilchrist in Charlestown, and with Hon. Samuel Bell in Chester. He commenced practice
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
at Bristol in 1840, and removed to Concord in 1844, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was judge of the Court of Common Pleas from September, 1852, till he resigned, in March, 1855, to accept the office of Commissioner of Pensions, tendered him by President Pierce, with whom he had been associated as law partner for some years, in Concord. He was for many years director and treasurer of the Northern railroad, and afterward president and managing director of the Concord railroad. He was president of the Mechanicks bank, when state banks were abolished by law, and with his brother, Charles, organized the banking house of Minot & Co., and when the Mechanicks National bank was organized, became its president. He was one of the leading Democrats of the state, was chairman of the state central committee, a member of the National committee, and delegate to National conventions. He was regarded as one of the most astute business men of the state and stood in the front ranks of the New Hampshire lawyers for forty years. He was associated with Col. Solomon S. Sleeper in presenting Bris- tol with its public library. (See Libraries.)
GEORGE W. BURNS, Esq., was in practice here in 1847 and 1848. He sold his business to Napoleon B. Bryant.
Hon. NAPOLEON B. BRYANT was born in Andover, Feb. 25, 1825. He was graduated from the Harvard law school in 1848, and was admitted to the bar in 1849. He located in Bristol in 1848, and remained till 1853, when he sold to Lewis W. Fling, Esq. He was county solicitor in 1853. He subsequently prac- ticed in Plymouth, Concord, and Boston. He was a member of the legislature from Concord in 1857-'58-'59, and was speaker of the house the last two years. While in Boston he had a very large and lucrative business. He was a fine orator and had few superiors as an advocate. He retired from active practice and spent much of his last years in his native place. He died at a public gathering in Andover, just after having delivered an address, on the evening of Jan. 28, 1902.
Hon. LEWIS WELLS FLING is a native of Windsor, Vt. He was educated in the district schools and the New England seminary of his native town, the academy at Claremont, and the Norwich University. He taught school eight terins. He read law in the office of Chief Justice J. E. Sargent at Canaan and at Wentworth ; was admitted to the bar in 1851, and became the partner of Mr. Sargent, and so remained about two years. Feb. 23, 1853, he located in Bristol and became the successor of Hon. N. B. Bryant, in the office he still occupies in White's block. Mr. Fling has stood high in his profession, and has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He is a fine representative of the old school, always a gentleman, a fine conversationalist, and his presence is an ornament in any society. He was a member of the New Hampshire senate in 1871 and 1872, and was given
HON. LEWIS W. FLING
HON. SAMUEL K. MASON
HON. IRA A. CHASE
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LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS
the honorary degree of A. M. by Dartmouth college in 1872. He has been a leader in educational matters in town, serving several years as a member of the board of education of Union District. Politically he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. (See Gen.)
GEORGE TENNEY, Esq., was the son of Benjamin and Betsey (Taylor) Tenney, and was born in Groton, Feb. 12, 1831. He was graduated from Dartmouth in 1847. He married, June 12, 1853, Leuthera Melvina, daughter of Isaac Bissell, of Han- over. He was in practice in Bristol from about 1850 to 1860. He served as superintending school committee. He died at White River Junction, Vt., about 1870.
Hon. SAMUEL KELLEY MASON was born in New Hamp- ton, May 17, 1832. He was graduated from New Hampton Literary Institution in 1854; attended law school at Pough- keepsie, N. Y., and was graduated from Hamilton College law school, July, 1855. He was admitted to practice in New York city ; entered the office of E. A. Hibbard, Laconia, and located in Bristol in 1856. He was postmaster from 1861 to '68, and represented Bristol in the legislatures of 1868, '69, '70. He was twice appointed commissioner of Grafton county to fill vacan- cies, serving in this capacity four years in all. He was judge of probate 1871-'73. He was a prominent Republican till the Liberal Republican movement in 1872, when he identified him- self with that party and became its candidate for governor in 1873, and went with this party in its coalition with the Demo- cratic party in 1874. For several years previous to his death he was an invalid, much of the time confined to his bed ; but in spite of his physical condition he did business to the last. He was a man of superior abilities, was successful in his profession, and acquired a competence. (See Gen.)
SAMUEL EMERY HOLDEN, Esq., was born in West Con- cord, Feb. 3, 1845. He was graduated from the Tilton seminary in 1862 ; served nearly a year as private in the 16th Regt., N. H. Vols., in the Civil war; graduated from Wesleyan university, Middletown, Conn., in 1869 ; read law with Minot, Tappan & Mugridge, Concord ; was admitted to the bar, and was in practice with Hon. S. K. Mason in Bristol, while serving as treasurer of the Bristol Savings bank. He left Bristol and engaged in manu- facturing in Napa, Cal., where he died, Dec. 31, 1900. (See Gen.)
Hon. IRA ARTHUR CHASE is a native of Bristol. He was educated in the schools of Bristol, at New Hampton Literary Institution, and Dartmouth college, where he was graduated in 1877. He read law with Hon. L. W. Fling, was admitted to the bar in 1881, and has since been in practice in Bristol; with Mr. Fling till September, 1894, from which time a member of the law firm of Dearborn & Chase till 1903. He is a member of the American Bar association, and at the head of the local council for
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
New Hampshire ; he was assistant clerk of the senate in 1883 and 1885 ; clerk, in 1887 and 1889. He represented Bristol in the legislature in 1897, when he was chairman of the committee on revision of the laws ; and in the constitutional convention of 1902. In 1901, he represented this district in the senate. He is a past master of Union Lodge, No. 79, A. F. and A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry. He is now serving as senior grand warden of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of New Hampshire. He has been trustee of the Minot- · Sleeper library since its establishment, and for several years chairman of its executive committee. He is always prominently identified with any movement for the advancement of the inter- ests of his town. (See Gen.)
KENSON ELIPHALET DEARBORN, Esq., was born in Hill, April 22, 1844. He was educated in the schools of his native town and at New Hampton. He read law in the office of Hon. L. W. Fling, was admitted to the bar in May, 1873, and has since been in practice in Bristol, and, from 1894 till 1903, a mem- ber of the firm of Dearborn & Chase. Mr. Dearborn has never entered politics, but has served several years as supervisor of the checklist, and six years as a member of the board of education of Union District. (See Gen.)
GEORGE ADDISON EMERSON, Esq., was born in Hermon, Me., Aug. 24, 1846. He served five months in the 42nd Regt., Mass. Vols. in 1864, in the Civil war. He was educated at Tilton seminary, at Wesleyan university, and at Harvard Law school, where he was graduated in 1875 with the degree of LL. B. He taught Latin and Greek at New Hampton Literary Institution one year, and then, to prepare for admission to the bar in New Hampshire, studied one year in the office of Sargent & Chase, Concord. He was admitted to the bar in 1878 and practiced in Bristol one year, then taught Mathematics and other branches at New Hampton four years; was clerk of the Supreme court of Belknap county one year - 1883 till 1884 ; special examiner of the Pension Bureau two years, working largely in the West. During his residence in New Hampshire, from 1886 till 1892, he practiced his profession in addition to his other duties, and, since 1892, has been in practice in Everett, Mass. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Masonic fra- ternity, and of the G. A. R. In politics is a Republican, and in church affiliations a Methodist, and during his residence in Bris- tol was an official member of the Methodist church. (See Gen.)
CHARLES WILLIS FLING, Esq., was born in Bristol, Aug. 27, 1856, and is a son of Hon. Lewis W. Fling. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Bristol and at the New Hampton Literary Institution. He was given a commission as justice of the peace in 1885, and notary public in 1887, and though not a
KENSON E. DEARBORN, ESQ.
GEORGE A. EMERSON, ESQ.
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LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS
professional lawyer, devotes his time to legal work -inaking legal papers, attending to probate business, insurance business, and hearing cases as justice. His office is in White's block. He is a past master of Union Lodge, A. F. and A. M., has served two years as town clerk, seven years on the board of education, four years on the board of health, and is now serving his third year as fireward.
PHYSICIANS
Dr. TIMOTHY KELLY was the first resident physician with- in the limits of Bristol, and one of the first school-teachers. He had seen service in the Revolutionary war and at his marriage, or soon after, went from Amesbury, Mass., to Candia. He came to Bristol, then Bridgewater, about 1790, and settled on Summer street, on the William G. Kelley place. In 1799, he sold his Summer street home and moved to near the foot of Alexandria hill. From there he removed to where George Price now resides, a mile south of this village, and later to Hill village, where he died. He had an extensive practice riding through New Chester, Bridgewater, Plymouth, Alexandria, Danbury, and Andover. (See Gen.)
Dr. TIMOTHY TILTON was a practicing physician as early . as 1793, and he was practicing in what is now Bristol village in 1812, residing on the north side of Pleasant street. He was a man of means but lost his property through the failure of Moses Lewis. In 1823, he was residing on Bridgewater hill, and at that time was a member of the District Medical society. (See Gen. )
Dr. BENJAMIN GALE was an early physician in Bristol. He was here soon after 1800. He came from Hebron and remained only a few years, removing to the southern part of Alexandria, where he was in practice as late as 1827.
Dr. WALTER I. WARDROBE had a brief career as a prac- ticing physician here. June 23, 1817, he published a card in the New Hampshire Patriot saying he had "been licensed to practice by the New Hampshire Medical society, and would inform the people of Bridgewater that he had taken a room at the inn of Isaac Dodge, near the bridge, where he would be pleased to wait on them in the line of his profession." He is said to have lost his life by being thrown from his carriage over an embankment on the river road between Bristol village and New Hampton, breaking his neck. Color is given to this tradi- tion from the fact that July 17, 1821, Moses H. Bradley pub- lished in the New Hampshire Patriot his appointment as adminis- trator of the estate of Dr. Walter I. Wardrobe.
Dr. SAMUEL SMITH was a practicing physician here as early as 1820. He continued here till about 1832, when he removed to Louisanna with Moses Lewis. While here he was a
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
prominent member of the Congregational church. Dr. Otis Ayer was in company with Dr. Smith for a time. Their office was in the Fisk block.
Dr. JOSEPH BARTLETT EASTMAN, a cousin of Ichabod C. Bartlett, came from Salisbury, and practiced for a brief time, then removed from town.
Dr. MOODY CURRIER SAWYER was born in Hopkinton, Oct. 2, 1807, and came to Bristol with his parents in 1816. He was a graduate of Dartmouth Medical college, and, in 1836, was in practice in Concord, Vt. In 1837, he was in Bristol. Owing to ill health he discontinued active practice, and, in 1848, in company with Dr. H. B. Fowler, opened the first drug store in town where is now the east-side drug store. He continued in the active management of this business till near the time of his death in 1854. He was a prominent member of the Congregational church. (See Gen.)
Dr. JOSEPH R. KELLEY resided on North Main street and practiced medicine from 1847 till 1850. He went to the gold fields of California, and returned a year or two later with a competence, when he removed with his family to the South.
Dr. MOSES COLCORD HOYT was in practice in Bristol from about 1848 till 1855. He married a daughter of Samuel C. Brown. He occupied the first story of the Andrew J. Crockett residence on Lake street. (See Gen.)
Dr. JACOB SAWYER EATON persued his studies preparatory to college and was fitted to enter college in the fall of 1823, but lack of funds led him to take a shorter course to the medical profession, which he always regretted. In February, 1824, he entered the office of Dr. Caleb Buswell at Warner, his native town. He received the degree of M. D. from Hanover Medical college in 1826, and the next spring he commenced practice in Alexandria. In 1832, Dr. Samuel Smith, then practicing in Bristol, being about to leave town, the citizens held a meeting and passed resolutions inviting Dr. Eaton to locate here, and Icha- bod C. Bartlett was made a committee to bear the invitation. The next day, Mr. Bartlett proceeded to Alexandria in his square top chaise, and in a dignified and courteous manner, read the resolutions and invitation to Dr. Eaton in his home. The doctor was taken by surprise, and replied he would give an answer in a few days. In due time he accepted and removed to Bristol. He resided and had an office in a house that stood where the M. E. church now stands. He continued in practice till January, 1851, when his health failed, and he retired to the farm now owned and occupied by Milo Fellows. In 1855, he removed to Stow, Mass., where he resumed practice. In 1857, he removed to South Deerfield, Mass., where two years later he turned his practice over to his son, John M., and removed to Harvard, Mass., where he spent his remaining years in farming
IRA S. CHASE, M. D.
JAMES M. BISHOP, M. D.
٦
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LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS
and in the pleasures of literature. There he died Sept. 5, 1888. Dr. Eaton was a man of marked individuality, and the impress of his character was clearly felt on the community. He stood high as a physician, was devoted to his profession, and spared not himself in caring for the sick. He was a constant worker in the temperance reform and an ardent abolitionist. He was an active member of the Congregational church, where he taught in the Sunday-school and sang in the choir. He took a special interest in education, and the schools wherever he lived felt his influence. Every movement for the benefit of the community found in him an active supporter and a zealous worker. (See Gen.)
Dr. IRA STEPHEN CHASE succeeded Dr. Eaton, having purchased his practice and real estate on North Main street, Jan. 7, 1851. May 3, 1866, he removed to the residence now owned and occupied by Sam Follansbee on Beech street, having purchased this place of William C. Lovejoy. Here he resided till January, 1871, when he moved into the new residence he had erected on School street, where he resided till his death. Dr. Chase was a native of Gilmanton. He was graduated from Gilmanton academy and studied medicine with Dr. Nahum Wight, of Gilmanton ; attended lectures at Harvard Medical college, and was graduated from Dartmouth Medical college in 1841. He also attended lectures in New York in 1849 and 1850. Feb. 1, 1842, he commenced practice in Alexandria, and here. he remained till he removed to Bristol. For fifty years he was in active practice, and it was not till the infirmities of age came that he relinquished even a part of his large practice. For many years after the Civil war he was a member of the United States examining board of surgeons to examine appli- cants for pensions and pensioners at regular intervals. He enjoyed a well earned reputation as a well read, conscientious, faithful, and successful physician. He took a lively interest in all movements for the public good, and on all public questions he took a positive position for what he thought was right. He was a steadfast friend of the temperance cause, and on this account, while in Alexandria, he suffered the loss of his new dwelling-house by incendiarism. In 1871, he united with the Congregational church, and was a charter member and past master of Union Lodge, No. 79, A. F. and A. M. In politics he was a Republican. (See Gen.)
Dr. JAMES MONROE BISHOP was born in Hanover May 14, 1821, where he resided until nineteen years of age. His parents died when he wa's but seven years of age, and he was adopted by his mother's parents, who moved to Canaan about 1840. Having a desire for further education, he obtained the means to support himself at the academies at Lebanon and Canaan for a term or two each year by working for the farmers a portion of
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
the year, and teaching during the winter. Having thus obtained a good academic education, he entered the office of Dr. Jones, of Canaan, in the spring of 1846, and later studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Wheat of the same town, rounding out a year of study. The two following years were spent in the study of his profession in the office of Dr. Mead, of East Andover, teaching each winter. In the spring of 1849, after teaching a term of school in Maine, he went to Plymouth and became an assistant to Dr. Goodrich with the intention of succeeding to that gentleman's practice when he moved South as was his intention. Dr. Goodrich, however, decided to remain in Ply- mouth and Dr. Bishop opened an office in Bristol, Nov. 1I, 1849. Not feeling fully satisfied with the Allopathy practice and to further perfect himself for his profession, he took a course in the Eclectic Medical college, of Worcester, Mass., in the year 1854-'55, where he received the degree of M. D. He was a member of the New Hampshire Eclectic Medical society, serv- ing as censor, vice-president, and president. The last twenty years of his life he practiced the Homeopathic course of treat- ment and became an earnest follower of Hahnemann and his teachings. He belonged to the New Hampshire Homeopathic Medical society, in which he held the offices of vice-president, president, and secretary, holding the latter office at the time of his death. He had a large and extensive practice in Bristol and adjoining towns covering a period of forty-two years, till his death, June 16, 1891. He was noted for his conscientious adher- ence to principle in religion, politics, and every-day life. He was an official member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, was town treasurer, superintending school com- mittee, member of the board of education, and board of health. A mason. Republican. (See Gen.)
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