USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Rindge > History of the town of Rindge, New Hampshire, from the date of the Rowley Canada or Massachusetts charter, to the present time, 1736-1874, with a genealogical register of the Rindge families > Part 25
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"' To Major Albert S. Ingalls, in hospital in Annapolis, Md. :
"'We, the inhabitants of West Cambridge, in town- meeting assembled, having been pained to hear of the mis- fortune which has befallen you in the loss of your limb in the field of battle before Richmond, defending our dearest rights, tender to you our kindest sympathies, with the hope that your life may be spared, and that you may live to finish what your patriotic zeal so well begun. It gives us pleasure to assure you that all reports attest to your lofty courage and daring before the enemy. For your self-
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sacrificing zeal in our country's cause, you are entitled to our gratitude, and the gratitude of future generations.
"' Resolved, That the foregoing order be placed upon the records of the town, and a copy of the same be sent to the person therein named.
"' Adopted July 22, 1862.'
" His remains were conveyed from West Cambridge to Fitchburg, and from thence to the residence of his aged parents in Rindge, where his funeral took place, conducted by Rev. Dr. Burnham, of Rindge, and Rev. Mr. Bigelow, of Medfield, Massachusetts. A number of his friends from Fitchburg attended the services, among them Hon. Amasa Norcross, and Hon. J. W. Mansur, both of whom, in affect- ing and heartfelt words, expressed their esteem for the deceased, and their pride in his noble conduct as a gentle- man and an officer."
Major Ingalls was above the average stature of men. With a commanding and dignified bearing, he united unusual grace and urbanity of manner. In his frank and expressive countenance, beaming with frequent flashes of mirth, was seen the assurance of unfailing kindness, and his eye, peculiarly bright and attractive, was lighted with the steadfast warmth of a generous and genial heart. Pos- sessing a mind quick in its perceptions, keenly sensitive in its appreciation of what was best in literature, art, and oratory, and a nature surcharged with hope and courage, his future was warmly tinted with the glow of promise. To what eminence he would have risen if his earthly life had continued, is a question which will scarcely occur to those who were familiar with him, since they will find a greater satisfaction in the contemplation of the noble traits of the man as they knew him.
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LAKE COFFEEN, son of John and Susannah (Goldsmith) Coffeen, born in Rindge. Dartmouth College, 1785. On leaving college he taught several years in Cavendish, Vermont, and was licensed to preach July 29, 1806, but it is not known that he ever preached. He subsequently removed to Rushford, New York, and became a farmer, and later removed to Pike, in the same State, where he died, 1816.
JOSEPH MILLIKEN, son of Lieut. Joseph Milliken, or Mulliken, of Rindge. Dartmouth College, 1802. He was principal of the New Ipswich Appleton Academy, 1803-7, and subsequently studied medicine, receiving the degree of M.D., 1817. He died September 9, 1818, aged forty- four years.
EDWARD PAYSON. Harvard University, 1803. See page 331.
JAMES WALKER, son of Capt. Joshua and Mary (Whit- more) Walker, born in Rindge, March 10, 1784. Dartmouth College, 1804. He studied law, practicing his profession first in Francestown, but early removed to Peterborough, New Hampshire, where he resided, and continued the practice of his profession until his death, December 31, 1854. He was an eminent lawyer, and a man of talent and integrity.
ASA RAND. Dartmouth College, 1806. See page 334.
ISAAC KIMBALL, son of Aquilla and Anna Kimball, born in Rindge, November 30, 1783. Brown University, 1817. Mr. Kimball belonged to the Baptist denomination, and began to preach while pursuing his preparatory studies. After leaving college, where he had graduated with honor, he taught a little more than a year at Middleborough, and was ordained over the Baptist Church, in Marblehead, Massachusetts, March 10, 1819. The succeeding year he
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asked and received a dismissal, and was engaged in missionary work during the remainder of his life. He died in New Haven, June 4, 1829. He was an earnest, zealous preacher, and was peculiarly fitted, both by natural ability and training, for the diversified and constantly changing duties of his calling.
SILAS WILDER, son of Silas and Abigail (Page) Wilder, was born in Rindge, August 10, 1788. Dartmouth College, 1818. He studied divinity with Rev. Z. S. Barstow, D.D., of Keene, and was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church, at Lewis, New York, in February, 1825; was dis- missed from this charge in 1829, and preached for a few years as stated supply in several parishes. Subsequently he removed to Herkimer, New York, and there lived a farmer until his death, October 19, 1865.
CHARLES WALKER, son of Capt. Joshua and Mary (Whitmore) Walker, born in Rindge, November 21, 1795. Dartmouth College, 1823. Mr. Walker graduated at Andover Theological Seminary, 1826, and was ordained over the Congregational Church in New Ipswich, February 28, 1827. His former pastor, Rev. A. W. Burnham, was a member of the council. He was dismissed, at his request, in 1835, and was settled at Windsor, Connecticut, March 9, 1836, and the succeeding year at Medfield, Massachusetts, and dismissed in 1838, and immediately after was again settled at Wells, Maine, and dismissed May 16, 1844. The winter succeeding he spent in Italy, and subsequently cultivated a farm in Groton, Massachusetts, where he died, October 23, 1847. Rev. Samuel Lee, his successor at New Ipswich, in a valuable discourse, delivered at the centennial celebration of the church in New Ipswich, says: "Mr. Walker was a man of fair talents, a good writer, and a faithful and impressive preacher. He was for the best of
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reasons greatly beloved by many in New Ipswich; and in return he gave his heart's love to this people."
CHARLES SHEDD, son of Capt. Abel and Rebecca (Adams) Shedd, born in Rindge, October 21, 1802. Dart- mouth College, 1826. He was instructor eight years, in the Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, New Hampshire. In 1834, he removed to New Ipswich, and became principal of the Appleton Academy, in that place. In this position he was deservedly successful and popular. After seven years' labor in this place he removed to Campton, New Hampshire, and in February, 1842, he was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church there, and remained fifteen years. Subsequently he removed to Minnesota.
GEORGE PAYSON BARKER. Union College, 1827. See page 347.
WILLIAM C. RICHARDS, son of Thaddeus and Dorothy (Coolidge) Richards, born in Newton, Massachusetts, June 2, 1809. Brown University, 1837. Mr. Richards' parents resided several years in this town, and his father died here, March 30, 1829. He was ordained over the Second Baptist Church, at Grafton, Massachusetts, June 16, 1841, and has subsequently been settled over churches in Lynn and Newton. He is a man of ability, and enjoys the esteem of his brethren in the ministry, and of the people with whom he has labored.
GEORGE SHEDD, son of Capt. Abel and Rebecca (Adams) Shedd, born in Rindge, May 13, 1810. Dart- mouth College, 1839. Studied medicine at Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, and settled as a physician, at Denmark, Iowa, where he continues to reside, enjoying, in an eminent degree, the respect and confidence of the entire community.
IRA RUSSELL. Dartmouth College, 1841. See page 351.
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JOHN PHILANDER PERRY, son of Chauncey and Abigail (Stearns) Perry, born in Rindge, February 23, 1819. Dart- mouth College, 1842. He studied divinity with Rev. Samuel Lee, of New Ipswich, and with Dr. Burnham, of Rindge. After preaching a short time at Surry, New Hampshire, and at Ludlow, Vermont, he embraced the Swedenborgian faith, and was ordained a minister of that denomination, at Boston, May 9, 1852, and settled in the ministry, at Yar- mouth Port, Massachusetts. At the present time he is residing at New Ipswich. His brothers, Albert and Isaac Stearns Perry, now deceased, were ministers. Two other brothers, Chauncey and Timothy Perry, are successful lawyers, in Brooklyn, New York. The younger brothers were born in New Ipswich. Their aged father, above fourscore years of age, having assisted his five sons to a liberal education, can review with proud satisfaction their honorable career.
JOSEPH BROWNLEE BROWN, son of Rev. Joseph and Maria (Hunt) Brown, was born in Charleston, South Carolina, October 4, 1824. Dartmouth College, 1845. The father of Mr. Brown died when he was nine years of age, and he came to Rindge, to reside with his maternal uncle, Jason B. Perry, Esq., who was his guardian. He read law with Benjamin D. Silliman, Esq., of New York, and entered upon the practice of his profession in that city. Subse- quently he removed to Newburgh, New York, where he still resides. As a lawyer he has been successful, and as a contributor to the press he has won many admiring friends. Many of his contributions are models of diction, evincing culture and refinement of taste.
SAMUEL BURNHAM. Williams College, 1855. See page 353.
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CHARLES WILLIAM KIMBALL, son of William and Ruthy (Shedd) Kimball, born in Rindge, June 20, 1821. Entered Dartmouth College, class of 1845. Leaving the institution previous to graduation, on account of failing eyesight, he was a successful teacher in Ohio for many years. He was a gentleman of culture, and endowed with a lofty character. He died December 18, 1870.
HOWARD RAND, son of Daniel T. and Julia Ann (Jewett) Rand, born December 8, 1839, entered Dartmouth College, class of 1864. He was a young man of strong traits of character, and superior ability. During the first year of the war, with flattering prospects before him, he forsook those pursuits to which he was ardently attached, and entered the service of his country. He commanded his company, in the absence of the commissioned officers, from the date of the second battle of Bull Run until his death, at the battle of Antietam. In the former bloody engagement, the color-bearers being killed, he bravely gathered up the State colors, amid a shower of bullets, and bore them from the field; an act of heroism witnessed with the warmest approbation by many of his comrades.
JACOB HAMILTON FARRAR, son of Abel F. and Emeline (Rice) Farrar, born July 21, 1849, graduated at Harvard University, class of 1874.
FRANK HERBERT HARDISON, son of Samuel J. and Louisa (Hastings) Hardison, born September 3, 1849, is a student at Dartmouth College, class of 1876.
ALBERT FRANCIS NORCROSS, son of Deacon Jeremiah and Mary (Pillsbury) Norcross, born April 11, 1853, is a a student at Dartmouth College, class of 1878.
CHAPTER XVII.
PHYSICIANS, LAWYERS, AND MERCHANTS.
Drs. Morse, Palmer, Prescott, Townsend, Hartshorn, Whitney, Jewett, Shurtleff, Abell, Abbott, Seyffarth, Darling, Symonds, Heard, Wat- son. - Noah R. Cook, and Benjamin Ward, Esqs. - Hale, Parker, the Wilders, Sherwin, Ingalls, Breed, Adams, Howe, Hale, Jennings, Raymond, Sawtell, Stearns, Fletcher, Emory.
DR. DAVID MORSE, son of Dr. Parker Morse, of Wood- stock, Connecticut, removed to Rindge, 1768, and remained in this town, in the practice of his profession, five or six years, and then removed to Exeter, New York. His son Samuel, perhaps born in Rindge, removed from Exeter to Mississippi, where he became a judge in the courts of that State.
DR. ASHER PALMER was in practice in this town several years. He came two or three years later than Dr. Morse, and was cotemporary with him. Dr. Palmer married, 1774, a daughter of Rev. Seth Dean, and subse- quently removed to Connecticut, where he died not many years after.
DR. JONAS PRESCOTT, son of John and Mary (White) Prescott, was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, December 6, 1754. He came to Rindge, 1776, and remained about
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five years, when he removed to Keene, New Hampshire, and very soon after to Templeton, Massachusetts, where he died, after a successful practice of many years. He was in this town during the sickly seasons of 1776 and 1777, which witnessed the death of many children. In 1778, he received the appointment of surgeon of the regiment, under com- mand of Col. Enoch Hale, raised for the defence of Rhode Island, and was with the regiment while in the field.
DR. JOHN TOWNSEND had been briefly located in San- down, South Hampton, Hopkinton, and New Ipswich, New Hampshire, before he came to Rindge. He settled in this town during the year 1770, and consequently was cotempo- rary with Drs. Morse, Palmer, and Prescott. He remained in regular and quite successful practice, until about 1790, when for unknown causes he suddenly removed without his family to parts unknown. His son, John Townsend, is well remembered by many of the older inhabitants of this town.
DR. EBENEZER HARTSHORN was from Athol, Massachu- setts. He came to Rindge about 1780, and resided on the farm owned by the late Capt. Stephen Emory. Dr. Harts- horn was about forty years of age at the time of his removal to this town. He died in November, 1811, having retired from practice several years previous to his death.
DR. ISAIAH WHITNEY, son of Isaiah Whitney, was born in Harvard, Massachusetts, December 13, 1765. He studied medicine with Dr. Charles Whitman, of Stow, Massachu- setts, whose daughter he married. In 1790, he removed to Rindge, and resided for several years in a house which stood upon the site of the residence of A. A. Fowle. A few years later he removed to the house, now of D. S. Walker, and there resided until his death, November 30, 1839. Dr. Whitney, as a citizen, was much respected, and was regarded as a skillful and conscientious physician. During
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the later years of a long and useful life he was partially incapacitated by deafness, and retired from active practice.
DR. STEPHEN JEWETT, born October 21, 1764, was a native of this town. He did not pursue a regular course of professional study, but with good natural abilities, and no ordinary degree of common sense, which schools cannot bestow, he early acquired a lucrative practice. His fame in the cure of both chronic and acute diseases was not limited to the locality in which he resided, and he was frequently called upon to make professional visits in Boston, and other New England cities and towns. His son, Dr. Stephen Jewett, Jr., was not a practitioner, but for many years was engaged in the manufacture and sale of Dr. Jewett's propri- etary medicines, which for a long time had great celebrity.
DR. THOMAS JEWETT, a brother of Dr. Stephen Jewett, was born February 28, 1771. He pursued his professional studies at Hanover, receiving his degree about 1798. He was in practice one or two years, in Carlisle, Massachusetts, and returned to Rindge in 1801, and resided for several years upon the Enos Blake place, in West Rindge. Subse- quently he purchased and removed to the farm upon the east side of the highway, and about one-half mile north of the centre of the town, which is still known as the "Dr. Thomas Jewett place," where he passed the remainder of his years. As a physician, Dr. Jewett was eminently successful, and arrived at no inconsiderable eminence in his profession. In the treatment of a malignant fever, which prevailed with startling fatality throughout a large portion of New England, in 1811 and 1812, and which was generally called the spotted fever, his success was exceeded by few, if any, physicians in this vicinity. Dr. Jewett was exceedingly fond of his farm, and, during the later years of his life, he retired from the practice of his profession, and
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directed his attention to agricultural pursuits. As a citizen, he was held in high esteem. Possessing a sound judgment, a clear and discriminating mind, his opinions invariably commanded respect. In religious opinions, for many years, he was unsettled, and at times skeptical, but subsequently acknowledged a change in his views, and united with the Congregational Church, of which he continued a consistent member until his death. The tract written by Dr. Burn- ham, "The Infidel Reclaimed," relates to the ยท religious experience of Dr. Jewett. He died April 24, 1840.
DR. ASAHEL D. SHURTLEFF was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, September 8, 1789. Having acquired a thorough English education, at the academy in his native town, he pursued his professional studies in the office of Dr. Adams, of Keene. Dr. Shurtleff removed to Rindge upon the completion of his study in 1818, where he was brought into competition with men of experience in the profession, Drs. Whitney and Jewett being at this time in active practice. He gradually grew in favor with the people, and increased his business from year to year. He held several positions of trust in town affairs, but for such service he found little leisure. His years were devoted to his profession in an eminent degree. He was a skillful physician, and a man of unexceptionable character. He died, much lamented, and in the midst of an honored and useful career, November 8, 1843.
DR. NATHANIEL KINGSBURY was born in Rindge, June 28, 1798. He entered Middlebury College 1816. The following year he left this institution, and entered Harvard University, where he remained two years. After teaching in Georgia and in Massachusetts a few years, he attended medical lectures, at Hanover, and at Brunswick, Maine, where he received his degree, in 1829. He practiced med-
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icine, in Rindge, from 1831 until 1834, when he removed to Temple. Dr. Kingsbury represented that town in the Legislature, 1840, 1841, and was a member of the State Senate, 1846. The following tribute to this eminent physi- cian is from the "History of Temple": "Dr. Kingsbury is a man of superior ability, great acquirements, and much experience. He is one of the ablest physicians that this section of the country has ever produced. As a counsellor he has ever been esteemed by those of the profession who can appreciate the higher elements of medicine."
DR. ERASMUS DARWIN ABELL was born in Lempster, New Hampshire, January 26, 1817. He received his name in honor of a celebrated English medical writer, and a kinsman of the well-known anthropologist, Darwin. His father, Dr. Truman Abell was a successful physician of the old school, and for half a century the author of the well-known Farmer's Almanac bearing his name. Dr. Abell early resolved to follow the profession of his honored father, and having enjoyed superior educational advantages, at the academy and under private tuition, he pursued his profes- sional studies in the office of his father, and also with a maternal uncle, Robert Lane, M.D., of Sutton, New Hamp- shire. He attended lectures at the Vermont Medical College, in Woodstock, Vermont, and at Dartmouth Medical College, in Hanover, receiving his diploma from the latter institution in 1838. In 1840, Dr. Abell removed to Rindge, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profes- sion. Genial in manner, skillful and eminently successful in practice, upright and honorable in character, he soon won a popularity which increased with the years of his residence in this town. The sick received unfailing and sympathizing attention, and trusted him with the most implicit confidence; and his practice, in the families of a
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large number of warm personal friends, was extensive and remunerative. His labors for several years in the super- vision of schools were of much value. While he was prompt in recognizing excellence, his keen criticism and correction of fault, in terms never mistaken by his auditors, were presented with such genuine kindness that no offence was left to combat the happiest results. The long ridcs, which he was called upon to perform, often extending into the surrounding towns, led him to seek a more populous location, in which he could find employment within a smaller circuit. In 1852, he sold his homestead to Dr. D. W. Jones, and after spending considerable time in the lecture-rooms and hospitals in the city of New York, he located in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he still enjoys an extensive practice.
DR. JOSIAH ABBOTT was born in Framingham, Massa- chusetts, May 22, 1811. He graduated at Yale College, 1835, and pursued his professional studies, under the in- struction of Professors Knight and Beers, of New Haven, attending medical lectures meanwhile in that city. Sub- sequently he attended lectures at the Fairfield (New York) Medical College, where he received his degree, January 23, 1840. Dr. Abbott removed to Rindge in the autumn of 1843, during the illness of Dr. Shurtleff, and resumed his practice. He was a cautious, attentive physi- cian, and continued in practice until 1864, when he was appointed surgeon in the army. Since his return from this service, Dr. Abbott has continued his residence in this town, but has not resumed the practice of his profession. He has faithfully served many years on the board of school committee, and represented the town in the Legislature, in 1860 and 1861.
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DR. DANIEL WAYLAND JONES was born in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, January 14, 1829. Having enjoyed a liberal course of academical and professional tuition, and been for a time a student in the office of Ira Russell, M.D., he received his degree at the university in the city of New York, in March, 1852, and came to this town in the summer of the same year. He was well received, and from the first was the recipient of no small measure of patronage. In 1855, he sold his residence and removed from town. He now resides in Newton, Massachusetts, in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice.
DR. EDMUND SEYFFARTH was a native of Germany. He was born in Altenburg, in the kingdom of Saxony, 1827. His parents early designed him for the study of the law, and he was sent to the celebrated University of Leipsic, to pursue his professional studies. Acquiring an early dislike for this profession, at his earnest request he was transferred from the university to the medical school at Vienna, where he entered upon the study of medicine, a profession to which he ever after remained enthusiastically attached. At this university, then as now the first medical school in Europe, he graduated with honors, and prac- ticed four years in the hospitals in that city. During his student life, Dr. Seyffarth was warmly in sympathy with the Hungarian revolt, and, in common with the friends of freedom throughout the globe, earnestly hoped for the success of the patriot, Kossuth. The entertainment of such sentiments was the cause of his residence in the United States. The story of his life, in those days of excitement and persecution, is devoid of neither incident nor interest. Leaving his native land, he became a surgeon upon a Russian man-of-war, bound for Alaska. After visiting the Russian possessions upon this continent, the vessel cruised
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for a season in the Sea of Okhotsk, and while there he was called to an American vessel, to attend the late Capt. Charles H. Cole, of this town. In 1853, Dr. Seyffarth came to Rindge, where he remained in the successful practice of his profession about three years. After a short residence at the West, he removed to Lawrence, Massachu- setts. He was surgeon in the army from 1862 until 1865. Returning from this service, he resumed the practice of his profession in Lawrence. . He died July 21, 1874. Dr. Seyffarth acquired an eminent position in his profession. With rare skill, and the unfailing fruits of liberal study, he united a quick perception, and a rapid, unerring judgment. Wherever he has resided, he will be long remembered by those who learned to understand him as a person of superior talent, warmed into activity by an impulsive and generous nature.
DR. SOPHIA S. SYMONDS was born in Rindge, August 4, 1831. Miss Symonds belongs to the Eclectic School of Medicine. She pursued her professional studies at the Ladies' Medical Academy, and the New England Medical College, in Boston, and at the Worcester Medical Institute, where she received the degree of M.D. in 1862. Soon after she entered upon the practice of her profession in this town, and for seven years enjoyed an extensive practice. In 1869 she removed to Winchendon, and became professionally associated with Dr. R. W. Geddes, but continues to visit many families in this town, whose confidence and esteem has never been withheld.
DR. J. HOMER DARLING was born in Cambridge, Ver- mont, July 25, 1838. He removed to Rindge in the summer of 1860, and remained until the autumn of 1862, when he was appointed assistant surgeon in the army. Upon his return from this service, he located in Keene, where he
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remains in the successful practice of his profession. He was well received, and would have secured a permanent and lucrative practice in this town, if the inducements presented by a more populous locality had permitted him to remain. Dr. Darling pursued his professional study in the office of Dr. P. D. Bradford, a professor in Castleton, Ver- mont, Medical College, where he attended lectures, and graduated June 15, 1859.
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