USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 26
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inents to bring to light. . This course he pursued with indefatigable industry, employing every moment that could be spared from the labors of the farm, till 1811, when he devoted a year exclusively to study in direct preparation for the ministry."
" He received a letter of fellowship from the General Convention at its session in Cavendish, Vt., 1812, .
and was ordained by the same body at Westmoreland, N. H., in 1814. About this period he commenced the
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study of Hebrew with such facilities as he could get, . but was able to make but little advance till 1823, when he took hold of it in right carnest. A few years subsequently, he prepared and published a Greek and English Lexicon of the New Testament." This was highly commended, and considering the circumstances in which it was prepared, is truly a remarkable production. He studied also the Chaldee, the Syriac, and Arabic, the Anglo-Saxon, French, Spanish, German, Modern Greek, Danish, besides others to some extent. He wrote of him- self " I have loved the study of languages on account of their relation to each other, and it seems I have some real specimens of what men have done, and thought, and are, when I know something of their forms of speech."
" In 1827 and onward, he became considerably interested in political matters. He represented the town, where he then resided, (Reading, Vt.,) in the State Legislature; his County in the Council ; was a judge of the County Court, and held several other offices of honor and respectability, in all of which he proved himself honest and honorable."
In 1821, he established "The Christian Repository " at Woodstock, Vt. lle continued its publication for about six years, when it passed into other hands. "It was an out and ont work on Universalism, connected with a belief in a future paternal, disciplinary punishment."
LUMUND WILCOX pursued his early studies with his brother-in-law, Elisha S. Fish, and after- wards with Rev. Perley Howe of Surry. He then went to the Academies at New Ipswich, and Chester, and afterwards graduated at Kimball Union Academy in 1819, and from Bangor Theo- logical Seminary, three years later. Oct. 25, 1823, he was ordained and installed over the church in Copenhagen Village in the township of Denmark, N. Y. Here he remained two years, during which time he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Rev. Enos Bliss. In 1825, he went to Russia, N. Y., where he labored over five years, and in 1831, was settled in Hartwick, N. Y. In 1836, he removed to Lorraine, N. Y., to care for his aged father-in-law, laboring in various places with great success. In 1862, he went to Lyman, Ill., where he preached four years, which he was invited to take charge of the Church in Brenton, (now Thawville,) Ill., where he died in the 77th year of his age.
He was a man of ability and well versed in the Bible. An aged minister remarked that he had assisted at the examination of hundreds of young ininisters, but had " never found one so thorough in Theology," as Mr. Wilcox. His preaching was earnest and effective, "somewhat in the style of Prof. Finney." His labors were remarkably blessed with revivals, some thousands having been converted under his ministry.
He was a fiery advocate of both the Anti-slavery and the Temperance reforms, entering upon them at an early day, and never relaxing his zeal in their behalf. He was the second minister in his County to take the ground of Total Abstinence, and was employed by the New York State Temperance Society, as a lecturer for many years. He was also one of the first agents sent out by the Anti-slavery Society. More than forty years ago he said to one of his friends, "if Slavery is not destroyed, the nation will be shivered like a potter's vessel." In the early times of the Anti-slavery excitement " more than once a sword was brandished over his head to intimidate him." Mobs often collected, but he would " throw himself among them," and by talking with them disarm their rage.
He was a very social companion, genial, "of pleasant aspect, animated, and cheerful." He was ardently attached to his friends.
The death of his youngest daughter was a blow from which he never fully rallied. "For two or three months previous to his death he seemed like a weaned child, so heavenly minded." To a friend who asked him how he felt in the near view of death he replied, " I have no anxiety. It has been the business of my whole life to pre- pare for this hour." After having " preached Christ for half a century with unusual health and vigor, and with singular devotion and success," " his spirit departed like an infant's dropping into a sweet slumber."
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS WARE was brought up to hard labor on the farm.' At the age of six- teen he was converted under the ministry of Rev. Mark Carpenter of Keene, and almost at once devoted himself to the work of the ministry. He attended the Academy at Hancock one year, and then took the full course of the New Hampton Theological Institute. He was "licensed " Ap. 19, 1846, by the Baptist Church of Sullivan and Gilsum. He was ordained Pastor of the Baptist Church at Marlboro', where he remained two years. Hc then removed to Sanbornton Bay, where he preached four years, enjoying the special blessing of God's Spirit upon his labors. He was at Addison, Vt., the next two years. From thence he removed to Whiting, Vt., where he labored to the time of his death. He died suddenly, in his 43d year, while on a visit to his sister in Surry.
He was a man of large physical frame, over six feet in height, and of great power of endurance. In his early manhood he manifested his literary tastes and ability, by an active membership in Lyceum and Debating Societies, in his native town.
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He was of a mechanical turn of mind, and his shop in which he spent his hours of recreation gave abundant proof of his skill in the use of tools. He was social and friendly in his manners and habits. But the intensity of his convictions, and the force with which he condemned what he thought to be wrong, made him sometimes dreaded by those of opposite views. He was " a man of more than ordinary ability, one whose air and mien made his mere presence an influence." He was naturally a leader. In Whiting he was several times chosen Moderator of Town Meetings, and wielded great influence in the stormy days of the war of the rebellion. In the Association of Baptist Churches, he was often chosen Moderator, and always exerted a great influence in its acts and delibera- tions. "His style of composition for the pulpit, was that of strength rather than the ornaments of rhetoric and the glosses of diction ; his manner of speaking was open, earnest, and impressive." His death in the full strengtli of manhood, was not only a misfortune to his family, but a great loss to his church, and to the cause of Christ.
CALVIN MAY, JR., attended Mt. Cesar Seminary in Swanzey, where he stood highest in his class. After studying Theology with Rev. L. J. Fletcher of Brattleboro', Vt., he was ordained and settled as pastor of the Universalist Church in Hinsdale. Here he spent two years, and was " admired for his able discourses and genial life." "Being unable to preach on account of a throat difficulty," he entered Norwich University in 1846. He maintained a high standing in his class for two years, but did not continue his studies through the course. He returned to Gilsum where he "busied himself by farming in the Summer and teaching in the Fall and Winter." He served the town as Moderator and Superintending School Committee four years cach, and as Selectman one. He was very active in educational and temperance reforms, being a leader in the Order of Sons of Temperance. He was appointed Clerk of the New Hampshire Senate four years, was Register of Probate for Cheshire County two years, and Register of Deeds three years. At the time of his death he held the office of Assessor of the Direct Taxes of the United States for the Third District of New Hampshire.
An obituary notice says : " He loved religious institutions, and was a punctual, faithful member of the Church and the Sunday School. He was a friend to moral reform, and ever gave his voice and vote on the side of human- ity." Gilsum has produced few men of more brilliant natural gifts than he. He had also a peculiar power of winning personal friends even among those of different political and religious views. One of his former towns- men writes : "Few men at the age of thirty years could equal him as a finished orator, - so much power, and yet so smooth and so sweet."
SILVANUS HAYWARD received his early education at home, living with his uncle, Elisha S. Fish, from the age of 8 to 17. The only school he attended before entering College, was about two months in 1836-7, in the chamber of A. W. Kingsbury's house. The teacher was Aaron Day, Jr. He also attended two terms of Teachers' Institutes at Keene in 1847 and 1848. Hav- ing studied Latin and Greek under the private instruction of Rev. James Tisdale, he entered Dartmouth College in August, 1849, graduating July, 1853. He worked his way through Col- lege with but little assistance, by teaching winters, and by manual labor in the vacations. After graduating he taught the Academy at Francestown three years ; at McIndoe's Falls, Vt., two years ; and at Pembroke one year. He was assistant at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, one year, and at Appleton Academy, New Ipswich, one year. He was approbated as a candidate for the ministry, by the Hollis Association, at Amherst, in May, 1860, and supplied the pulpit of the 2d Congregational Church at New Ipswich for nine months. Oct. 9, 1861, he was ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational Church in Dunbarton, was dismissed May 1, 1866, and installed at South Berwick, Me., May 11, 1866, where he remained seven years. He was then called by the American Missionary Association to a Professorship of Mathematics in Fisk Uni- versity, Nashville, Tenn., where he remained two years. He then supplied the pulpit in his native town for four years, while engaged in writing the present volume. During his residence at Dunbarton, he was for two years Commissioner of Schools for Merrimack County, and held a Teachers' Institute at Contoocookville the second year. In July, 1870, he delivered before the Literary Societies of Dartmouth College a Poem entitled, "Brass and Brains," which he has since repeated in various places. He has also lectured in different places, and has published many
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transient articles in the papers. While at Dunbarton, he published, by request, a sermon enti- tled, " Liberty, of God." In 1872, he delivered an Address on the occasion of the Centennial Anniversary of the Congregational Church in Gilsnm, which was published. (Chap. 20.)
CHARLES WETHERBY obtained his preparatory education at Meriden, and graduated from Mid- dlebnry College in 1856. After teaching two years at Lowell, Ohio, he was ordained as an evangelist, and gathered a church of eighty members at that place. He then entered Union Theological Seminary, where he remained some over a year, and then settled in Cornwall, Con., laboring there about six years, with much success. His next settlement was in Winsted, Conn., where he remained five years and a half. In December, 1871, he was installed pastor of the Pearl Street Church, Nashua. His ministrations here were successful in largely increasing the church and congregation. During his stay in Naslma, he was "closely identified with every moral and religious enterprise of that city." In May, 1879, he was installed pastor of the Congregational Church at Clinton, Mass. He has lectured in various places with much acceptance.
NATHANIEL MERRILL HUTCHINSON, then a member of Western Reserve College, enlisted in the Fall of 1861, as eolor bearer in an Ohio Regiment. He afterwards served two years as Lieutenant and Captain. He was in the battle of Murfreesboro', and was thirty days under fire, but unharmed. After returning from the war, he read law, and was admitted to the Bar in New York City. Finding law practice disagrecable, he entered Union Theological Seminary, and after graduation was ordained at Olivet Chapel, a missionary enterprise in that city. After gath- ering a flourishing church, he settled at Dunellen, N. J., where, during his stay of one year, fifty were added to the church. He was then appointed Superintendent of Presbyterian Mis- sions in the City of Mexico, where he is still laboring.
HARVEY WOODWARD received his preparatory education at Keene High School and New London Academy. In August, 1864, hie enlisted in the 9th Regiment of New Hampshire Volun- teers, and was on "detached service " at Concord, N. H., till the close of the war. He then spent a year in the Seminary at Tilton. In 1866, he entered the Sophomore Class in Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., and graduated in 1869, " dividing the fourth class honor with Prof. C. T. Winchester " of that place. He was for one year " Professor of Mathematics and Latin in Falley Seminary, Fulton, Oswego County, N. Y. ; " " joined the Central New York [M. E.] Conference at Syracuse in 1870, and was ordained Deacon by Bishop Simpson ; was ordained Elder by Bishop Foster at Carthage, N. Y., in 1874; and was appointed in New York to Jordanville, Deanesville, and New York Mills." "In 1875, he was transferred to the New Hampshire Conference and stationed at High Street, Great Falls ; " and was subsequently ap- pointed to Bristol and Fisherville, where he is now laboring.
PHYSICIANS.
ABNER BLISS was the first physician in Gilsum. He removed to Alstead about 1789. He previously lived at " Dart Corner," on the place now occupied by Dennis Keefe. He had an extensive and successful practice. He died in Alstead, but was buried in the Boud grave-yard. It is remembered that the burial was on Sunday, and that many of the people ran out of meeting to see the procession, as it was in plain sight from the old common. Rev. Zebulon Streeter of Surry was the preacher that day, and to stop the disturbance quoted the text, " Let the dead bury their dead."
His son, Abner Bliss, Jr., received the degree of M. D. at Hanover in 1820, and settled at Alstead, where, after a successful practice of over thirty years, he died at the age of 67.
His son, Abner F. Bliss, is also a physician, residing at Wardsboro', Vt. He received his degree from Castleton Medical College in 1851.
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BENJAMIN HOSMER came from Amherst in 1793, and boarded at Dea. Bond's. He built a house the next year on what is still known as the " Hosmer place," and brought his wife there in 1795. Here he continued to reside till his death in 1826. Of his education, I have no information. As a physician he was particularly cautious and careful. His daughter Rachel, afterwards Mrs. Thompson, became a preacher of considerable note in the Christian denomination. (Page 121.)
HENRY KENDRICK settled here as a physician about 1805, boarding with Mr. Griswold at the lower village. He remained here only about two years. Nothing is known of him.
OBADIAH WILCOX studied with Dr. Amos Twitchell, who considered him one of the most promising students he ever had. Where he took his degree, I have been unable to learn. He was feeble from a child, having an organic defect in his heart, which caused his instantaneous death at the early age of 33.
JONATHAN EDWARDS DAVIS was a physician in Gilsum from 1816 to 1820. He removed to Nashua, but I have been unable to trace his history.
BENJAMIN PALMER came to Gilsum in 1819, and went to Cleveland, Ohio, 1822. It was dur- ing his stay that " typhus fever " prevailed so fatally, there being somc 20 deaths in a few weeks. He had no family, and boarded with Dea. Pease at the lower village. He was considered "a very substantial young doctor." I have not been able to trace his history.
ISAAC HATCH was a native of Alstead. He studied his profession with old Dr. Adams of Keene, and attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical College, beginning practice in Gilsum, in 1822. After his marriage in 1824, he lived about two years in the house with Allen Butler, and then removed to Moriah, N. Y., where he remained about eleven years. In 1837, he went to Newport, where he died the next year, at the age of 43. He was a member of the Baptist church.
DUDLEY SMITH worked on his father's farm, teaching school in the Winter, till he became of age. He then entered the Academy at Alstead, remaining there about a year and a half. In 1822, he began his medical studies with Dr. Daniel Adams of Keene, and afterwards continued them under Dr. Warren of Boston, Mass. IIe attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical College where he took the degree of M. D. in 1825. He settled in practice at Concord, Mass., where hc remained seven years, and where he was first married. In 1832, he removed to Lowell, Mass., and a few years later, returned to Keene and went into company with his fellow-student, Dr. Charles G. Adams, son of his first medical instructor. After about four years they dissolved partnership, and he continued in practice at Keene for sixteen years. "During this period he experienced religion, and made a profession of Christianity, which he maintained to the day of his death."
In 1856, he removed from Keene and settled in the practice of his profession at De Kalb, Ill. Here his first wife died, and in 1859, he married one of his former pupils at Keene. He died very suddenly in the 75th year of his age.
" The last evening of his life he spent in his usual cheerful manner; retired to rest, and rose between five and six next morning, and stepped into an adjoining room, and while warming his slippers on the stove, fell, and in- stantly expired. A post mortem examination showed that death was caused by the rupture of the principal blood vessel of the heart."
He was one of the most efficient and valuable members of the Congregational Church in De Kalb. He held the offices of deacon. clerk and trustee. "He sought for no political office, but loved his books and his home. He was a well-read and intelligent man not only in his profession but generally; and was a most pleasant and genial companion. The principles which he adopted he held firmly, and could warmly defend them. He was impetuous and sharp in his utterances when provoked, and thereby was sometimes hurried into mistakes. But few who only knew this side of his character would suspect the affection and tenderness which were in his heart. He was sin cerely interested in all his patients, and proved a ready and skilful operator in many difficult cases."
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TIMOTHY S. LANE studied with Dr. James Batcheller of Marlboro', - received the degree of M. D. at Hanover in 1824, and settled at Sullivan the following year. In 1832, he removed to Lunenburgh, Vt., and in 1834, to Gilsum, where he remained four years. In 1838, he went to Daysville, Ill., and three years later to Fillmore, III., where he died in 1849.
His son, Jonathan Bowers Lane, is a prominent merchant in Fillmore, III., where he has been postmaster for 28 years, and has served as County Judge.
GEORGE WASHINGTON HAMMOND was one of Gilsum's most distinguished citizens. A long and dangerous sickness from disease of the heart having rendered him, in early life, unable to endure the severe labor of the farm, he determined to fit himself for the medical profession. Un- able to meet the expense of a collegiate course, which he much desired, he attended Alstead Academy a few terms, teaching District schools in the Winter to obtain the necessary funds. He then entered Dartmonth Medical College where " he graduated with more than average honor," Aug. 21, 1824. Prof. R. D. Mussey, one of his instructors, secured him the offer of an excellent position, with flattering recommendations. But not having the funds with which to purchase the Medical Library that he needed for the place, he felt obliged to decline the favorable opportunity.
He began the practice of his profession in Richmond, where he became acquainted with the family of Josiah Rawson, Esq., whose eldest daughter he married. Removing from Richmond, he settled at Proctorsville, Vt. At the urgent desire of his parents he returned to Gilsum in February, 1830, where he engaged in the practice of his profession for thirty-six years.
In February, 1866, he removed, with all his family, to Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. Y., where he died at the age of 70 years.
" He had a mind of more than common activity and his life was spent in study. His talents were versatile. In his chosen profession he deservedly occupied a high position for his scientific attainments, but this did not en- gross his entire attention. He had a taste for literary labors and wrote with beauty and force." He wrote many articles for the press, thereby wielding " a much greater influence in Political and Temperance Reforms of the day than was generally known at home." He was one of the leaders in the Washingtonian movement in this vicinity, and frequently lectured with good success in this cause. In Lyceums and Debating Societies he was one of the most active and useful members, both with tongue and pen. Historical matters connected with the town especially interested him. (Appendix G.) He was interested in education, using his influence in behalf of the improvement and enlargement of school privileges for the young. He served the town as Superintending School Committee five years. He was one of the founders and most efficient supporters of the Universalist Library.
" He was always an able and conscientious advocate of equal rights to all men of whatever color or creed. He was of the firm belief that it is the prerogative of the Eternal alone to judge man's motives and spiritual conduct and that one man was better than another, only so far as he behaved better."
He inherited from his father one of the best farms in Gilsum, and few professional men take as deep interest in Agriculture as he, or practice farming with better success. He was chosen to represent the town in the Consti- tutional Convention of 1850, and did "all in his power to protect the interests of the small towns." He served the district as State Senator in 1855 and 1856, and was Justice of the Peace for many years. " Pleasant in his inter- course, genial in his manners, he left many warm friends to mourn his death."
KIMBALL DAVID WEBSTER was brought up on his father's farm in Alstead, being the seventh in a family of ten children. Having a taste for the medical profession, he began his preparation by attending the Academy in his native town. He studied a short time with Drs. Smith and Adams of Keene, but mostly with Dr. Eber Carpenter of Alstead. He attended lectures at Woodstock, Vt., where he received the degree of M. D. in 1836. The next year, he settled in Gilsum, following Dr. Lane, and has had a successful local practice in this and the neighboring towns.
CALVIN CLARK BINGHAM followed the business of a mechanic in a variety of forms, till about thirty years of age, when he commenced the study of dentistry. He followed this profession " with a good degree of success " for ten years. Having studied medicine, he commenced prac- tice in 1868. Desiring a more thorough acquaintance with the theory of his chosen profession, he entered the "American Health College," in Ohio, where he graduated with the degree " M. D. V. D." He is now in successful practice in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y.
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CHARLES FRANKLIN KINGSBURY fitted for College at the Academies at Swanzey, Marlow, and Brattleboro', Vt. He entered Norwich University in 1848, and remained three years. He then attended three courses of Medical Leetures at Woodstock, Vt., and one at Hanover, N. H., where he took the degree of M. D. in 1855. The following year he settled in practice at Stod- dard, where he remained four years. In 1860, he removed to Lyme, where he has a large and successful practice. He has been an active and efficient member of the Board of Agriculture for seven years.
AARON H. LIVERMORE spent about two years in Norwich University. He then returned to his father's, and assisted in earrying ou the farm for a few years. During this time he served the town as Moderator, and Selectman, and three years as Superintending School Committee. About 1854, he removed to Boston, Mass., and having studied dentistry, has established a suc- cessful practice in that profession.
MILON ELLIOTT LOVELAND after having followed mechanical pursuits for some years, turned his attention to dentistry, and learned his profession in the office of Dr. S. L. Geer of Norwich, Conn. After a year or two of business in Winchendon, Mass., he settled in Keene in 1868, where he was in company with Dr. F. S. Stratton for some years. In 1878, Dr. Stratton having left, Dr. B. E. Olcott became his partner, and they enjoy an extensive patronage.
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