USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 1 > Part 35
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Upon the decease of her husband Mrs. Brown assumed management of the hotel, a duty she performed very creditably until her marriage to James Forsaith, who then became its land- lord. He continued its management until Freeman Dow of Deer- ing bought the property March 14, 1861.
Mr. Dow rented the house to John Ellinwood, who kept public house here for perhaps three or four years. James S. Butler succeeded Mr. Dow as owner. A man by the name of Perley kept the hotel at one time. At another it was kept by George Stewart.
This building stood on the site of the present Post Office block, and was owned by Eli Sargent, when the house was destroyed by fire on the night of March 10, 1869, which closed a very successful career.
The fire which burned the American House, with most of its contents, caught in a stable just below the tavern on Depot Street, and it made a clean sweep of the corner, destroying as well as the building mentioned, the millinery store adjoining the hotel stand, a barber shop run by Horatio Whittier, and the tailoring establish- ment owned by Luther Eaton.
Reuben Lovering built the block which now stands on the site of the American House, and Mrs. Lovering the building where the stable stood and where the pool room is now located.
ST. CHARLES HOTEL.
Another public house that stands conspicuously among the hotels of the town is the St. Charles built in 1855 by Samuel Kimball, and occupied as a public hostelry by his brother, Charles
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Kimball in 1856. Nathan Carr soon succeeded Mr. Kimball as landlord of the St. Charles, while he in turn was followed in the early sixties by Charles Gillis.
The next owners were Hugh Daley and Willard Rice; then the Hurd Brothers kept the inn for awhile, when it was sold to Daniel Butterfield, and by him to George Butterfield, under whose ownership it was burned in 1889, the fire starting from the explosion of a kerosine lamp. John Gibson purchased the site and built a dwelling house on the lot.
The St. Charles was well kept and enjoyed an excellent reputation as a public house during its third of a century of . catering to the welfare of the traveling public.
THE VALLEY HOTEL.
The Valley Hotel, for a time known as the Railroad House, was opened soon after the coming of the railroad early in 1850, the laying of the track being completed in December, 1849. This house has received an almost unbroken business ever since, so to- day it can boast of being the oldest tavern in town, as well as the only one !
To give a list of its many owners and landlords would be a difficult task. "Dr." Oliver P. Greenleaf, a character of whom many curious and (some of them) amusing stories are told to this day, seems to have been the pioneer at this stand. "Doctor" Greenleaf was succeeded by a man named Locke, and then fol- lowed a Mr. Fales and Mr. Course, though the latter never lived here. John Nichols of Manchester was owner for awhile, and then James Pearson.
In 1872 Ruthven Childs became the owner and manager, having a very successful business for eight years, when he sold out. Jackman had an interest in the house for a time, and then John Foster became its owner.
In 1891 Jacob Whittemore became its proprietor, but the following year he sold out to his brother-in-law, James H. Brown, who remained here five years.
Since then several owners have held their titles and sold out, among them O. W. Proctor, succeeded by his son Leon O. Proctor, who at present has a garage close by. George
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Gould is the present proprietor. Located in the heart of the thriving hamlet of Bridge Village, near the railroad station, Valley Hotel deserves a liberal patronage, but like other public houses it has suffered a change if not a loss in business through the coming of the automobile, which has revolutionized the ways and means of travel.
CHAPTER XXV.
PROFESSIONAL, FRATERNAL AND SOCIAL HISTORY.
Not All the Glory Belongs to the Military-The Physicians-Dentists -Lawyers-Authors-Educators-Musicians and Artists-Secret Societies-First in Town in 1840- Neighborly Bees the Orders of Early Days- Society of Cincinnati-Hillsborough Had One Mem- ber-Masonic Fraternity-Auxiliaries-Odd Fellows and. Auxili- aries-Temperance Society-Daughters of the Revolution-Grand Army of the Republic-Women's Relief Corps-American Legion -Military Bands-Hillsborough's Brass Band-Highland Band- Merrill's Orchestra-Wahneta Orchestra-Music Club-Patrons of Husbandry- Womens Club-THE club-Lyceums and Debating Societies-Gold Seekers of '49-Men Who Went to Klondike.
While the military history of Hillsborough fills many pages, somewhat to the exclusion of the citizens of civil callings, yet not all of the glory belongs to the men who bore arms or those who led their victorious troops into battle. We need touch but briefly upon the long list of names belonging to the leaders of the peace- ful pursuits, as the majority of these will be described in the succeeding volume of this work devoted to the biography and genealogy of the town.
The religious history of the town has been exceptionally bright, due no doubt to the high and self-sacrificing character of the men and women who upheld the welfare of the church from Parson Barnes and his faithful co-workers to the present time. The steady growth and progress of the different societies has been marked with uniform harmony that is very much to their credit.
There are to-day five church societies in town, the Congre- gationalist, Methodist, Community, Spiritualist and Catholic, the first two having branch houses at the Centre.
As the history of these churches has been carefully traced in preceding chapters, and names and good works of their supporters
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
have been so fully given there does not seem to be much that need be said here. It is good to be able to say that the churches of the town were never in a more fit condition than to-day.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Hillsborough has been especially fortunate in the number and ability of its physicians, who have not only administered to the ills of its inhabitants but have had wide practice in adjoining towns. The physicians who have lived here have been able, up- right and trustworthy men, while being well qualified to perform the duties of their profession both as regards a general education and a knowledge of the science of medicine, always considering the period in which each lived.
The first physician to settle here was Dr. William Little, who was born in Peterborough in 1752, during a temporary residence of his parents there, and coming to Hillsborough in 1782. He. studied medicine with Dr. Young of Peterborough, and practiced for a short time in Washington, going from there to Dracut, Mass., from which town he soon after came to Hillsborough. He located on the road leading from the Lower Village to Bible Hill. A more extended notice of him is given in the genealogy of his family.
In 1784 Dr. Joseph Monroe, a native of Carlisle, Mass., who had fitted himself for the profession under Dr. Francis Kittredge, of Tewksbury, Mass., came to this town taking up his abode near the Centre. He was an estimable man and skillful physician, but he was spared only four years, dying quite suddenly.
The third doctor to settle in the town was Dr. Benjamin, Stearns, who took up his residence here in 1797, and began the practice of medicine. He came here from Walpole, having re- ceived his medical education under Dr. Johnson of that town. He did not stay in town many years, but long enough to win the heart and hand of one of Hillsborough's most estimable daughters, Mehitable, youngest daughter of Dea. Joseph Sy- monds. After their marriage the couple removed to Truro, Nova Scotia, in 1804, where he became a very successful physician. (See Vol. II.)
Dr. Joshua Crain, also spellel Crane by some members of the
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family, practiced medicine in town from 1802 to 18II. He was born in Alstead, and studied medicine with Dr. Kittredge of Wal- pole. During his residence in Hillsborough he acquired the reputation of being an able doctor and a worthy citizen.
Dr. Luther Smith came from Mont Vernon in 1809, to settle at Bridge Village, where he lived until his death in 1824.
Following the death of Dr. Smith one of his students and the first native of the town to enter upon the practice here of medicine, Dr. Thomas Preston, became his successor. Dr. Smith had previously practiced in Deering, and while making no claim to being a surgeon, he was eminently successful as a practitioner and built up a large practice, which he retained until obliged to give up on account of the infirmities of age.
The Hatch family of doctors was largely represented here the first half of the 19th century. The first of these was Dr. Reuben Hatch, a native of Alstead, but coming here from New- port, located at the Lower Village, but after a few years he built a house about half way between the Lower and Upper Villages, which spot has been the residence of a physician for more than a hundred years. In 1835 he removed to Griggsville, Il1.
Dr. Mason Hatch, a kinsman of the above, after having studied with Dr. Brooks of Alstead settled at the Centre Village in 1817. He built the only brick house in that village.
Dr. Simon I. Bard was another skillful physician, but seems to have been of a roving disposition. He remained in town less than five years.
Dr. Elisha Hatch was another of a family of doctors, a native of Alstead and a graduate of Dartmouth Medical College, but whose successful career was cut short by a fall from the high beams of his barn in 1863, aged sixty-six.
A student of Dr. Elisha Hatch, and a graduate of Dartmouth Medical College, Dr. Abel Conant Burnham opened an office at the Centre in 1841, the only physicians in town being Drs. Hatch; and Preston, the last an old man. Dr. Burnham came to the Centre in February and in October of the same year, 1841, he removed to Bridge Village, and soon came into a good practice. He was married in 1849 to Caroline M. Dascomb, and that same year he bought the William Taggart homestead on Main Street
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corner of Church Street, where he resided until his death May 21, 1896.
The next physician to begin practice in town was Dr. John H. Goodell, who bought the beautiful home of Dr. Hatch situated between the Upper and Lower Villages, and entered upon his extensive practice with success. Dr. Goodell held the respect and esteem of the town's people, and was engaged several years in getting data for a history, some of the material which has been used to advantage by the writer. (See sketch, Vol. II.)
Dr. John Q. A. French came into town soon after Dr.
. Goodell and settled at Upper Village. He soon secured a wide patronage, his practice extending into Washington. Dr. B. H. Phillips opened an office at the Centre in December, 1841, but left in October, 1842. These years were witnesses of several changes in the personnel of physicians, most of whom settled at the Centre, and all of whom died after a short service. These practitioners included a Dr. Swett and a Dr. Wilkins; Dr. Ben- jamin Lyford, who came in 1848, remained a few years and went away to die. Doctor Skinner was another who made a short stay and died. Dr. Charles Hartwell, a native of the town, practiced a few years and died.
Dr. George Priest, son of Benjamin Priest, a resident of the Centre, graduated from the academy, fitted himself for practice of medicine and settled in Manchester, Mass. Another native to practice a few years in town at the Centre and Bridge Village was Dr. Charles Gould.
Dr. Harvey Monroe who graduated from Dartmouth College in 1858, and from the Medical Department in 1860, practiced first in town, but eventually settled in East Washington, where hel died after two years, aged thirty-one. He bade fair to be a successful physician. After his death his widow, Mrs. Monroe, studied the science of medicine, attended medical lectures and became a successful practitioner, the first woman to take up the practice of medicine in this vicinity, but like her husband she was not spared for the work.
Dr. Joseph Parsons opened an office at Bridge Village in 1856, and secured a good practice, which was ended by his death in 1860. He was succeeded by Dr. Constantine C. Badger, who
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PHYSICIANS-CONTINUED.
practiced a few years and died, all of which seems to go to prove that the climate of Hillsborough has not been conducive to the longevity of physicians.
Dr. Edward P. Cummings, son of Rev. Jacob Cummings, at one time pastor of the Congregational church at Bridge Village, began the practice of medicine at the Bridge in 1855, but in 1858 removed to Francestown. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted as a surgeon in the navy. Here his service was cut short by his untimely death.
Dr. James P. Whittle, son of John and Susan (Chase) Whittle of Weare, came here in 1860, remained three years, married Hattie A. Hayward, Akron, Ohio; removed to Manches- ter, where he practiced two years, and then returned to his native town, where he enjoyed a large practice until his decease a few years since.
Dr. Israel P. Chase began a practice covering over thirty years in the early sixties. He was at one time editor and pub- lisher of the Hillsborough Messenger, the product of his work showing him to have been a man of fine literary attainment. He had been editor of a paper in Manchester, went to California in the early days; returning to New Hampshire he studied medicine with Dr. James Peterson of Weare ; he was a graduate of Hahne- mann College, Cleveland, Ohio; practiced medicine for several years in Virginia, when he returned to New England to open an office in Henniker. From this town he came to Hillsborough, where he soon acquired an extensive practice. He resided here until his death in 1890.
Dr. George W. Cook began a practice here in 1873, to be succeeded by Dr. Marcellus H. Felt, so the medical force in Hills- borough now became Drs. Burnham, Chase, Goodell, French and Felt, skillful physicians all, a power in town that was respected for many years. These genial representatives of the "old School" of physicians all continued active in their profession, until finally the day came they were compelled to lay aside their burdens as the destiny of humanity demands.
It was several years before a break came and new candidates for public favor appeared upon the scene, one by one, and to-day the ills to which the human is heir is faithfully administered to
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by Drs. William P. Grimes, William L. Kelso, Charles B. Abbott, George S. Bailey, each enjoying a medical parish of his own and without envy or rivalry for his professional brothers goes his round of duty in harmony. (See Vol. II, for family sketches.)
NATIVE BORN DOCTORS.
Among the natives of the town who have acquired com- mendable practice in their profession was Dr. Thomas Preston.
Dr. Silas McClary, son of John McClary, born July 29, 1792, acquired his medical education at New Haven, Conn., and after practicing several years in Canada, removed to Ohio, where he ยท was very successful.
Dr. John Herbert Foster, second son of Aaron Foster, born March 8, 1796, studied his profession with Dr. Reuben Muzzey at Hanover, graduated at the medical school connected with Dart- mouth College, in 1821, began practice in New London; after a few years he removed to Pittsburgh, Penn., from thence to Mo- bile, Ala., and in 1832 to Michigan, where he seems to have spent the rest of his days.
Dr. Samuel Sargent, son of Jonathan Sargent, born March 13, 1790, practiced elsewhere with marked success.
Dr. Horace G. Pike, born at Bridge Village January 24, 1825, son of Justus and Charlotte (Blodgett) Pike, went to Cali- fornia in 1859, removed to Hopeland, California, where he en- joyed a lucrative practice in his chosen profession until his death November 4, 1888. (See Pike family, Vol. II.)
DENTISTS.
The history of dental surgery in town contains the names of several skillful dentists. The pioneer in this particular field was Dr. Samuel Ball, a gentleman and skilled in his profession. He came here about 1860, and remained ten years, to be followed by Dr. Frank P. Carey, who built up an extensive practice, and then moved out of town. Dr. Frank P. Newman had an office at Bridge Village for several years with a wide circle of patrons.
The dean of the profession, however, is Dr. Samuel O. Bowers, who opened an office at Bridge Village, where he has practiced his profession ever since, over fifty-five years, a long period in which to carry on any particular line or vocation. Dur- ing the long period Dr. Bowers has seen radical changes and great
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AND NOW, LAWYERS.
improvement in dental surgery as an art. One of the advances in the profession is the now general use of anaesthetics in the extraction of teeth and so avoiding the suffering which was in- evitable under the old regime. Dr. Bowers has had a branch office in Henniker for fifteen years, and another in Antrim for about half that time.
His son, Dr. Elgen Bowers, after several years of practice in Peterborough and Antrim, has an office at Bridge Village, where he is gaining a patronage that extends into adjoining towns.
Rapid improvements have been made in the methods of den- tistry, so that to-day it is far easier for the patient than the times when the regular doctor performed this part of his duties with evident relish, using the old- fashioned "cant-hook" and after it had slipped off half a dozen times more or less, and he had pulled and twisted the head of his victim until he was about ready to give up, the tooth came-perhaps all of it, but more likely the exposed part, leaving a root to be dug out or endured, as the patient preferred.
LAWYERS.
David Starrett was the pioneer of the lawyers to establish himself in this town. Born in Francestown April 21, 1774 ; grad- uated at Dartmouth in 1798, he studied law with the Hon. Samuel Bell, then at Francestown, and was admitted to the Hills- borough County bar at Hopkinton in September, 1802. He com- menced practice at the Lower Village the same year, and con- tinued his practice here until in March, 1812, when he left his home without declaring his purpose and never returned. (See sketch in Vol. II.) While he was not a forcible speaker, he was one of the best read lawyers of his day and possessed a host of friends.
The second lawyer and successor of the unfortunate Starrett was John Burnam, a native of Dunbarton, who graduated from Dartmouth in 1807, to begin the study of law with the Hon. Samuel Bell, of Francestown, but completed his course with David Starrett, Esq., at Hillsborough Bridge. He was admitted to the bar at Amherst in February, 18II, and came to Hillsborough the following year. He married Sarah W., daughter of the Rev. Joseph Appleton, of North Brookfield, Mass. and sister of the
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wife of David Starrett, Esq. Mr. Burnam, who taught school at the old academy for a time, possessed a keen intellect, which had been broadened and refined by his studies of ancient and modern literature. He died April 3, 1826, at the age of 46 years, leaving five children. i
David Steele, Esq. was another descendant of the Scotch- Irish colonists at Londonderry, and his ancestor by the same name was among the early comers. He was the son of Deacon David Steele, of Peterborough, and was born in that town September 30, 1787. He graduated from Williams College in . 1810, and began the study of law in the office of James Walker, Esq., Francestown, but finished under the auspices of the Hon. Charles G. Atherton, at Amherst. Admitted to the practice of law at Amherst in September, 1813, he began practice in Hills- borough the following October of the same year. He was a lawyer of good standing and active in church work. He finally removed to Peterborough, where he died about 1866. He married in middle life Catherine Kendall, of Amherst, (See) who sur- vived him. They had no children.
Timothy, the eldest son of Hon. Joshua Darling of Hen- niker, prepared for college in 1822. He studied law with Artemas Rogers, Esq. at Henniker, and commenced the practice of law at Hillsborough, as successor to John Burnam, Esq., in 1826. He remained in town only a year, as he had another object than the law already in his mind. A little later he began a course of Theological study, and eventually settled as a Presbyterian minis- ter in western New York, where the balance of his biography is found.
The next and foremost among Hillsborough's lawyers stands Hon. Franklin Pierce, the Fourteenth President of the United States, and one of the most brilliant pleaders at the bar the coun- try has ever known. (See sketch in Vol. II.)
Albert Baker was born in Bow, N. H., Feb. 5, 1810. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1834 with the reputation of being one of the finest students who had ever attended that in- stitution. He immediately came to Hillsborough and commenced the study of law in the office of Franklin Pierce, with whom he continued for two years, and for one year was in the office of
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Hon. Richard Fletcher of Boston, Mass. In 1837 he began practice of his profession in Hillsborough, in the office where he commenced his study, Mr. Pierce having removed to Concord. In 1839 he was chosen Representative to the Legislature and re- elected in 1840 and 1841. He died Oct. 17, 1841. In an ap- preciative review of his brilliant career Gov. Isaac Hill in the N. H. Patriot, said of him among other things : "Mr. Baker was a man of uncommon promise, gifted with the higher order of intellectual powers, he had trained and schooled them by an intense and almost incessant study during his short life. Had life and health been spared him, he would have made himself one of the most distinguished men in the country."
Col. Benamin Kendrick Pierce was the eldest son of Gov. Benjamin Pierce, b. August 29, 1790. He received his education preparatory for college at Phillips Academy, Exeter, and entered Dartmouth College in 1807, remaining there three years when he began the study of law in the office of David Starrett, Esq. At the breaking out of the War of 1812, he entered the army wuth the rank of Lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery. Though he had intended at the outset to continue his study of the law as soon as the term of service in the army should expire, he abandoned this purpose and advanced from the rank of Lieu- tenant to that of Colonel, proving an able and distinguished officer, receiving especial notice in the Florida War.
Samuel H. Ayer was born at Eastport, Me. in 1819, and was educated at Bowdoin College; read law with Messrs. Pierce and Fowler, at Concord; was admitted to the Hillsborough County bar in 1841, and immediately settled in Hillsborough, becoming a very successful lawyer. He represented the town in the state legislature 1845-1848, being Speaker of the House the last two years. He was Judge Advocate Fourth Brigade, N. H. Militia under Gen. Samuel Andrews, and was appointed Solicitor for the County in 1847. In 1850 he removed to Manchester, and he was one of the commission for revising the Statutes of the State. He died suddenly in Manchester, October 10, 1858.
John McFarland was the next lawyer to come to town, opening an office in the Upper Village, where he continued his practice until he died of consumption July 19, 1819, aged
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31 years. He was a native of Antrim, studied with David Starrett and John Burnam, and was admitted to the bar at Amherst. He never married.
Rev. Harry Brickett, in an excellent article on the town says very aptly, "There have followed these advocates, men of brilliant talents, George Barstow, a native of Haverhill, a man of good mind and scholar-ship, a member of Dartmouth College, but who left before graduating. He succeeded as a man of letters rather than as a lawyer. He remained but a short time in town. (He was the author of a History of New Hampshire.) Francis B. Peabody was also in Hillsborough for a short time. Of him but little is known. Francis N. Blood, a Hillsborough boy, had an office and dwelling house at the Lower Village. He was regarded as a good lawyer, and an upright and honorable man. He died of consumption, leaving a good property, which he had gained in his profession."
Hon. James F. Briggs, of English parentage,-a distinguished counselor at law, later a member of Congress-practiced at the Bridge several years, until his removal to Manchester, where he died a few years ago. Charles A. Harnden succeeded Esquire Blood. He remained in Hillsborough but a short time after he was admitted to the bar. Brooks K. Webber opened an office at Bridge Village, following the removal of Esquire Briggs. He had a good practice. Andrew B. Spalding, of Lyndeborough, began the practice of law the latter part of 1876, but remained a little less than two years. He left under a cloud, but has since died. Willis G. Buxton studied law with Brooks K. Webber, and in the Boston Law School. After continuing in practice in Hills- borough for several years, he removed to Penacook, where he is still located and enjoys a good clientage.
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