USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Marlborough > History of the town of Marlborough, Cheshire County, New Hampshire > Part 20
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JAIRUS B. COLLINS, M.D., son of Samuel and Lydia (Matthews) Collins, was born in Marlborough, April 21, 1794. He studied medicine with Dr. Ephraim K. Frost of this town; and at the completion of his studies, in 1822, he removed to Londonderry, Vt., where he was a successful physician up to the time of his death which occurred Feb. 3, 1851.
JEREMIAH STONE, M.D., son of Shubael and Polly (Rogers) Stone, was born in Marlborough, Nov. 2, 1798. He graduated at Dartmouth Medical College, December, 1825. He commenced the practice of medicine in Tops- field, Mass., Jan. 6, 1826, and remained there eleven years. Finding a country practice with its long and tiresome rides, was impairing his health, he removed to New Bedford, and thence to Provincetown, Mass., in 1864, where he remained until his death, with the exception of two years spent in Chatham.
In town affairs, he ever took an active interest, endeav- oring to build up the place and render it truly prosperous. Foremost in all good movements, he cordially espoused the , cause of anti-slavery in its earliest days, when it was unpop- ular to be an abolitionist. He was an ardent supporter of temperance, and an earnest worker in the Congregational Church, of which he had been a member since 1814. He was an honorary member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He was intolerant of quackery in every form, and strict in his views of professional etiquette. Prompt in decision, self-reliant in the emergencies of his profession, he inspired and retained confidence in his skill.
Though often abrupt in his manners, yet beneath was a warm heart that beat in sympathy with the needy and oppressed. Earnest in his convictions, decided in his opin-
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ions, and cheerful in his disposition, he carried the elasticity of youth into the last years of his advanced life. Tall and erect, of powerful presence, he inspired with hope the sick who sought his aid.
To a naturally buoyant spirit was added the sustaining power of a strong and earnest religious faith that made belief to him a bright and clear reality. He died April 23, 1875.
TIMOTHY L. LANE, M.D., son of John and Mary (Living- ston) Lane, was born in Marlborough, Sept. 1, 1800. He studied medicine with Dr. Batcheller. Attended school first at Groton, Mass., afterwards at Hanover, N.H., where he graduated in medicine in 1824. He located first at Sullivan, in 1825; removed to Lunenburg, Vt., in 1832; remained there until 1834, when he went to Gilsum, N.H., where he lived until 1838; from thence to Daysville, Ill., practised medicine there till 1841, then removed to Fillmore, Ill., and continued the practice of his profession until his death, Sept. 1, 1849, being his forty-ninth birthday.
He was married in 1825 to Roxana Harvey who died Jan. 1, 1849, preceding him just eight months, leaving two chil- dren, a son and daughter, both residing in Fillmore, Ill., at the present time.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS MCCOLLESTER, M.D., is the son of Silas and Achsah (Holman) McCollester. He first saw light in the easterly part of Marlborough, near the Roxbury line, May 3, 1831. In March, 1836, the family removed to the village. From the age of four years to that of ten, he attended the district school which was usually kept two terms a year, of eleven weeks each. Intelligent and active in mind and body, at the age of ten years he commenced to work in his father's pail manufactory, and soon exhibited his capability by performing the usual labor of a skilled artisan. His schooling was now limited to the winter term.
In the autumn of 1846, he attended a select school in his own village, taught by two brothers, Ransom N. and Royal
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H. Porter, and subsequently received further instruction in the schools and academies in Fitzwilliam, Walpole, Saxton's River, and South Woodstock. He was often associated with his brother, Rev. Sullivan H. McCollester, as an assist- ant teacher, and it was under his supervision, mainly, that he effected his preparation for college. In the winter of 1848-49, he taught school in the "Fay Hill" district in Walpole, and enjoyed the New England experience of " boarding round." The Doctor frequently alludes to this portion of his life with pleasure. The intelligence, applica- tion, and interest of the scholars in their school work, he represents as unequalled in any school with which he has been acquainted. During the two subsequent winters, he taught school in the same district. In 1851, he passed an examination, and was admitted to the class that graduated in 1853 from the Norwich University at Norwich, Vt. In 1856, he received the degree of A.M. from this institution.
After completing his academical course, he entered the office of Dr. James Batcheller of his native town as a student of medicine. He attended one course of medical lectures at the 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 Phil- adelphia 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 institution in March, 1856.
Industrious and apt as a student, he received high mark- ings 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 Deer- field. During his short stay in this place, he gained the confidence of the people; but, concluding that the field was
John 2. X. No- Collester
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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. Aug. 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 hospital, during and subsequent to the disastrous campaign of McClellan on the Peninsula. In November, 1862, he was commissioned surgeon of the Fifty-third Regiment Massa- chusetts 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, Sept. 2, 1863. As a medical officer, he gained the confidence of his superiors in rank, and was regarded as able and efficient.
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 position.
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 remarkably acute, deli- cate of touch, quick and keen in observation, taking in the physiognomy of disease, reading understandingly books, men, and things, his judgment, correct and rapid, appears as if produced by intuition.
Probably the most reliable gauge of a physician's ability is his reputation with his professional brethren. Many who
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stand high in public 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 developed; and the repeated afflictions he has sustained in the death of his children, have been very heavy blows to him. He is affable and courteous 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 con- stantly impecunious.
"I cannot explain anything about it," said a sick old lady whom he attended. "I certainly 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. McCollester owes no small part of his success.
In his religious views, he is liberal, believing that we know too little to assert dogmatically that our brother's views, however different from our own, or however narrow they may appear, are false. He feels contempt for cant and also a genuine respect for honest religious conviction wherever and whenever exhibited.
DANIEL B. WOODWARD, M.D., eldest son of Stilman and Eunice (Buttrick) Woodward, was born in Marlborough, N.H., Oct. 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
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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 energetic inclination to think and study for himself, being encouraged by his judicious and strong-minded mother who had had experience in teach- ing in the district schools of her native town and vicinity. His youthful mind waxed stronger and stronger while labor- ing 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 effi- cient, faithful, and true on the field of battle as elsewhere. He continued his professional studies in the hospitals of the United States Army, and subsequently entered Harvard Medical College of Boston, Mass., where he graduated March 8, 1865, and received the degree of M.D., and im- mediately began the practice of his profession in Troy. N.II., in plain view of his old homestead, where he remained ยท 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 practise his pro- fession.
The doctor's early temperate habits, invigorating outdoor exercises, and methodical studiousness, have developed a
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sound mind in a strong body, enabling him to perform the successive duties of each returning day almost unmolested by sickness or pain. In Dr. Woodward we see that the child and youth was father of the man.
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 Marlbor- ough. He subsequently became a student of Sullivan H. McCollester, 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 inspired 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, what- ever fresh laurels I may win from new efforts. I shall look back upon his counsels 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 Capt. Barker, which after- wards became a part of the "fighting second." He went from Keene to Portsmouth, where the regiment rendez- voused for some weeks, and eneamped 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 recolleet is that he was aroused by an unusual commotion, the sounding of bugles and the rolling of drums ; and when he asked, "What is that?" Col. H. B. Titus, who had called to bid him adieu, replied. "That is your regiment going to Washington.
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Good-by, 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 professional studies in his native town, and pursued them under diffi- culties for upwards of one year, having charge at that time of the homestead 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 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 Philadelphia, for the purpose of attending medical lectures. 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 time render efficient service to the unfortunate wounded. For that purpose, he visited Wash- ington and Alexandria under the auspices of the Christian Commission, where he was detailed 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 observ- ing 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 soldiers, hence was one of the last abandoned by the Christian Commission. As long as there was a sufferer, its beneficent hand was stretched forth to alleviate.
Let me not, he says, "attempt to describe to you my
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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, leaving thousands to slum- ber 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 Petersburg, and the line of breastworks between it and City Point. It was while resid- ing 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 Gen. Heath of New Hampshire; and as they journeyed together on horseback, the only means of locomotion over those bloody fields, they concluded that the journey of life would be incomplete unless they trav- elled together. Miss Heath was seven years his junior, and a graduate of Rockland Female Institute. This was a ro- mantic 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.
HIe practised only a few months in Philadelphia, when he removed to New York City, where he achieved considerable success during the ensuing years, and where he still resides.
On the 18th of November (Thanksgiving), he consum- mated his engagement with Miss Emma Josephine Heath. He was married in Plymouth Church, by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.
LUTHER FARRAR, son of Phinehas and Lovina ( Warren) Farrar, was born in Marlborough, Jan. 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.
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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 prudence, marked his de- portment. As a neighbor, he was urbane and benevolent.
The predominant traits in his professional character were honesty and capability. The effects of religious principle and a correct life were exemplified by a remarkable compos- ure 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 attentions of his numerous friends and in the consolations of religion, until he cheerfully resigned 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 Almira (Towns) Mason, was born at the old homestead, 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 mathematics. He re- ceived 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 Judicial Court. He practised 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 educa- tional 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 Com-
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missioner 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 deliv- ering patriotic speeches in various parts of New England.
After his removal to Missouri, he held the office of princi- pal of the Washington Public School, St. Louis ; superin- tendent 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 official 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 department of the schools above mentioned.
ANDREW COOLIDGE STONE, son of Aaron and Mary (Ward) Stone, was born in Marlborough, March 16, 1839. He was educated in the Marlborough schools, and attended terms in the academies of Meriden and New Ipswich, N.H., Westminster, Vt., and graduated at Phillips (Exeter) Academy. After graduating, he engaged for a short season in teaching in the schools of Walpole, New Ipswich, Keene, and Peterborough; but, having chosen the law as his pro- fession, he commenced its study in the office of Hon. D. Sanders, in Lawrence, Mass., in 1861.
Upon the breaking out of the war, he postponed his legal studies for the more important duties of the patriot; and, enlisting in Company A, Thirty-third Regiment Massachu- setts Volunteers, he served to the close of the war.
With the return of peace, he resumed the pursuit of his profession, and completed his preparatory studies in the office of Hon. L. Sherwin, at Ashtabula, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1867.
At Ashtabula, he formed an acquaintance, happily con- summated in wedlock in 1869, with Mary F. Hulbert, the accomplished daughter of J. D. Hulbert, Esq., of that place.
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Immediately upon his admission to the bar, he established himself in the practice of the law at Lawrence, Mass., and speedily won, and now holds, an honorable position for integrity and legal ability at the distinguished bar of that State. Mr. Stone's ambition has not led him much into political life, and therefore he has not sought public em- ployment. The only political office he has filled was that of member of the Common Council of Lawrence, of which body he was the president. But that he is not without a proper degree of interest in political affairs is shown by his active and influential membership of the Republican State Central Committee. He holds the judicial commission of Master in Chancery. His successful career, social and pro- fessional, is due to his native energy of character and the moral qualities that distinguish the man of honor.
JOHN WILLIE CONVERSE, son of Nelson and Sally M. (Jones) Converse, was born in Marlborough, July 3, 1848. Though a farmer's boy, and always obliged to labor at the farm 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 send- ing him to various seminaries in Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire.
When about twenty years of age, he commenced 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 the Supreme Court of Massachu- setts,-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 travelled through the West, and visited the principal cities there for this reason, but finally settled in Boston,
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where he is now practising his profession. When in Spring- field, he became interested in politics, taking an active part in campaign work, and earned quite a reputation as a polit- ical 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 moderate 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 suc- cess seems assured.
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