The history of Newport, New Hampshire, from 1766 to 1878, Part 4

Author: Wheeler, Edmund, 1814-1897
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Concord, N.H. : Printed by the Republican press association
Number of Pages: 722


USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Newport > The history of Newport, New Hampshire, from 1766 to 1878 > Part 4


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Dr. C. was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He died Jan. 16, 1826, aged 64 years.


DR. WILLIAM JOSLYN, who had been a teacher for some time, studied medicine with Dr. Corbin, and commenced practice in this town in 1804. After a residence here of six years, he moved to Waitsfield, Vt., where he was long engaged in a good and successful business, and died there, June 23, 1834. He married Miss Rebecca Perry, of this town, a sister of Col. Jessiel Perry.


DR. ARNOLD ELLIS was one of the early practitioners of Newport, and, while here as a physician, acted also in the ca- pacities of post-master, town-clerk, and jeweller. He was a son of Jacob Ellis, and was born in Meriden, Conn., Oct. 29, 1776. From Newport he went to Sutton, where he spent several years, and from thence to Newbury, where he died at an ad- vanced age. He married Elizabeth Dudley, and, at her decease, Hannah, daughter of Matthew Buel.


DR. JOHN B. MCGREGOR was a native of this town, and a son of Lieut. John McGregor, who, in 17So, while yet a young man, came from Connecticut to this place. He selected a tract of land in the north-westerly part of the town, where Augustus Wylie now lives, and in this wilderness commenced the felling of trees, and other operations, preparatory to a homestead. He succeeded in getting a few acres cleared and sowed with grain the first season, built him a log house, and returned to Connecti- cut to pass the winter. The following spring he was married, and with his wife came back to Newport and took possession of the cabin. Here Providence smiled upon their labors ; pri- meval forests disappeared, and gave place to fields of waving grass and grain, and to pastures covered with happy herds.


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The log cabin was soon exchanged for a more tasteful, conven- ient, and spacious habitation. To them children were born, and, on the 27th of March, 1787, the subject of this sketch, who passed his childhood and youth at the paternal home. Having acquired suitable age and education, he pursued the study of medicine with Dr. Corbin, attended lectures at Dartmouth col- lege, and graduated there in 1809. The following year he com- menced practice in this town, where for more than a quarter of a century he was engaged in an extensive professional busi- ness, and shared largely the confidence, esteem, and affection of the whole community.


Dr. McGregor was a great admirer of Dr. Benjamin Rush, and studied his writings with unalloyed delight. In his prac- tice he was bold and decided, and in his opinions positive. He was a good citizen, a friend of order, education, and religion. In manners he was cultured, affable, and polite, while all the impulses of his nature were generous almost to a fault. These qualities of character, combined with his public spirit, made him exceedingly popular, both as a man and a physician, and enabled him to exert a wide influence in the neighborhood. He was a great lover of sacred music, was for many years the leader of the choir in the South church, and was chiefly instru- mental in procuring the organ that so long graced that temple of worship, and pealed forth melodious sounds in harmony with devotion.


In the autumn of IS3S, Dr. McGregor left Newport and went to Rochester, N. Y., for the purpose of being with his daughter Marion, the distinguished pianist and organist, who was estab- lished there ; but the change was not promotive of his happi- ness. The interruption of life-long associations, together with pecuniary embarrassments which had overtaken him, so sad- dened and depressed him that he ceased to be what he before had been. From this time he had no permanent abiding-place, but vibrated between his new and his old home, for which he cherished the strongest affection, until death closed his check- ered life while visiting a daughter at Davenport, Iowa, on the 14th of September, 1865, in the eightieth year of his age. His remains, were brought to Rochester, N. Y., and placed by the side of those of his wife, who, on the 28th of September, IS56, dreceded him to the Spirit Land.


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DR. ALEXANDER BOYD, whose parents were of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in Londonderry, N. H., Feb. S, 1784. What were his early pursuits or what his advantages, or with whom he read medicine, is now unknown ; but his authority to prac- tice was derived from a license issued by Drs. Ebenezer Larned and Samuel Morril, censors of the New Hampshire Medical Society, bearing date June, 1815, and having attached the sig- nature of the distinguished president, Josiah Bartlett, M. D. In 1820 he became a member of the state medical society, and for a quarter of a century was engaged in business in this town. December, IS16, he married Margaret, daughter of Wentworth Claggett, Esq., by whom he had four children, all of whom died in early life. She died in 1834 ; and his second marriage was with a sister of his former wife.


Dr. Boyd was a man of strong attachments, social and gen- tlemanly, and in all respects a good citizen and highly esteemed townsman. He died Sept. 28, 1851, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.


DR. WILLARD P. GIBSON, son of William, a native of Croy- don, was born Sept. 2, 179S. After acquiring suitable prelimi- nary education, he studied medicine, and graduated at Castleton, Vt., in 1822. He was engaged in practice about fifteen years, the last seven of which were spent in this town, where he had many friends and a good business. He left here in the spring of IS37, and went to Windsor, Vt., where he immediately turned his attention to the study of theology, took orders in the Episcopal church, and was installed at Woodstock, Vt., Oct. 19, 1837, but died four days afterwards, at the age of 39 years.


DR. WILLIAM F. COOPER Was a native of Croydon, a son of Dea. Cooper, and a brother of Hon. Lemuel P. Cooper. He was born in ISor, and was early trained to the duties of the farm, in which he was diligently employed until twenty-one years of age, having each winter two months of instruction in the district school. By a right use of these limited privileges, he acquired sufficient knowledge to warrant him in assuming the duties of instructor to others ; and the emoluments thus de- rived he at once appropriated to his advancement in knowledge. Having by his own efforts obtained suitable preliminary educa


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tion, he read medicine with Dr. Elijah Cooper, attended his first course of lectures at Burlington, Vt., and his second at Brunswick, Me., where he graduated in 1826. He immediately commenced business in this town; but after remaining one year his ambition led him to seek a broader field for its indul- gence, and he moved to Kelloggsville, N. Y., where for fifty years he has been engaged in extensive medical and surgical practice, having not only amassed a fortune, but secured an assurance of an enduring, grateful remembrance throughout his neighborhood for his kind and generous offices, his public spirit, and his professional fidelity.


DR. J. L. SWETT was born in Claremont, Feb. 17, 1810. His parents were descendants of immigrants from the Isle of Wight, who came to this country and settled in the town of Dedham, Mass., as early as 1637. They moved in the middle walks of society, and were known for their industry, integrity, and up- rightness of character, and for their strict observance of all the proprieties of life. It was their endeavor to impress upon the minds of their children,-of whom there were ten,-a regard for truth, respect for age, reverence of God, and the importance of obedience to the divine teachings; and that which was so faithfully enforced by words, found beautiful illustration in their own blameless lives.


The subject of this sketch was employed in the duties of the farm until eighteen years of age, attending the district school in the winter. In 1828 and 1829 he pursued academic studies at Wilbraham, Mass., and in 1830 at Meriden, N. H. The two following years were spent in teaching ; and in the spring of 1833 he commenced the study of medicine, and prosecuted the same under the care of Drs. Tolles and Kittredge, until Septem- ber, 1835. In the meantime he attended two courses of lec- tures at Dartmouth college. In September, 1835, he visited Philadelphia for the advantages of observing hospital practice and receiving clinical instruction, as well as to have the benefit of a term of lectures in one of the schools at this seat of med- ical science. Jefferson college was the one chosen, and from this institution he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in March, 1836. In July of the same year he opened an office and commenced practice in this town ; and, as a fair patronage


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and generous confidence were soon accorded, he has remained here to the present time, diligently devoted to the duties of his much-loved profession.


In the earlier part of his practice, quite a number of young men pursued their medical studies in his office, among whom were Amos Eastman. S. J. Allen, L. Sawyer, L. W. Peabody, S. Lovell, H. Chapin, L. II. Angell, Isaac Cummings, L. E. Richardson, and others,-all of whom have proved worthy members of society, and ornaments in their profession.


In 1841, Dr. S. became a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society. He has held various positions in the same, and was its vice-president in 1873, and its president in 1874. He has been an active member of the National Medical Asso- ciation since 1864, also a member of the Rocky Mountain Med ical Society, and an honorary member of the California State Medical Society.


In May, 1842, he married Miss Sarah E. Kimball, of Brad- ford. She closed a life of great gentleness and purity, June 7, IS52, at the age of 28, having been the mother of four children, two of whom,-an infant son of five months, and a daughter of fourteen,-preceded her to the Spirit Land. She left a daugh- ter, aged eight years, and a son of three months. The former, only, survives, and resides in San Francisco. The latter, Dr. W. K. Swett, died in Kerneville, Cal., July 15, 1876, aged 24 years and 4 months. The second marriage was with Miss Re- becca Beaman, of Princeton, Mass., June, 1853.


DR. REUBEN HATCHI, who was one of the early physicians of Newport, was a native of Alstead, where he was born in 1787. While pursuing his studies, he attended lectures at Dartmouth college. He came to Newport in ISOS, but remained only two years, when he went to Hillsborough, where for a long time he was engaged in extensive practice. He was at Marlow sev- eral years, and subsequently at Greggville, Ill., where he died in 1869. His second marriage was with a sister of the late Thomas W. Gilmore, of this town.


DR. ISAAC HATCH Was also a native of Alstead, a cousin of Dr. Reuben, and was born in 1795. He attended lectures at Dartmouth college, and commenced his practice at Gilsum. He afterwards went to Moriah, Essex county, N. Y., from which


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HISTORY OF NEWPORT.


place he came to Newport, in February, 1837, and purchased the house and good-will of Dr. William P. Gibson, who had decided to turn his attention to the Christian ministry. His practice here was fair, but of short duration, for, in October, IS38, he sickened and died of typhoid fever, at the age of 43 years. He was a member of the Baptist church in this town.


DR. MASON HATCH was a brother of Dr. Isaac Hatch, and was born in Alstead, March 3, 1791. After a limited preparatory course of study, he read medicine with his kinsman, Dr. Reu- ben Hatch, and subsequently with Dr. Charles Adams, of Keene, and attended lectures at Dartmouth college. He at first settled at Hillsborough, and was there engaged in good and successful business more than twenty years. In 1836 he moved to Bradford, from which place he came to Newport in the autumn of 1838, to occupy the place made vacant by the death of his brother. Here he soon succeeded to a good prac- tice, which he retained as long as he was able to attend to it, even visiting in many families after he was eighty years of age. Dr. Hatch possessed a cheerful disposition, had a rich vein of humor, and was quick at repartee. He was a good citizen, and a friend of order and improvement, as well as a faithful physician, ever ready to obey the calls of the sick, not sparing himself if thereby he might minister to the relief of others. He husbanded well his finances, and laid by for life's evening an ample fortune.


His first marriage was with Miss Aphia Andrews, of Hills- borough, to whom there were born eight children. Three of these died in early infancy ; two others,-Emily, aged 20 years, and Abby, aged 18,-died of typhoid fever in the autumn of 1839. Of the three remaining, the eldest became the wife of the late Samuel C. Baldwin ; the second, of Hon. Dexter Rich- ards ; and the third, of William Nourse, Esq .- all of this town. Mrs. Hatch died in September, 1855 ; and the second marriage was with Mrs. Mary Day, who still survives.


Dr. Hatch was a member of the Congregational church, and died Dec. 2, 1876, at the age of nearly 86 years.


DR. W. C. CHANDLER was born in Andover, Vt., Jan. 3, 1807, and was the son of Dr. Chandler, for many years an eminent physician of that town. His early educational privileges were


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good, and he prosecuted his professional studies under the direction of his father, and graduated at Dartmouth college in 1829. After a few years of practice in Ludlow, Vt., he visited Philadelphia, and attended a course of lectures in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. In the au- tumn of IS38 he came to this town, where he remained till IS41, when he went to South Natick, Mass., and was there engaged in extensive practice until his death, in IS48, in the 42d year of his age. Dr. Chandler was gentlemanly and unostentatious in manner, possessed warm social feelings, had a great love for his profession, and was strictly honorable in all the relations he sustained to others.


DR. THOMAS SANBORN Was born in Sanbornton, N. H., Sept. 26, ISII. He was the son of Christopher Sanborn, and a grandson of Dr. Benaiah Sanborn, an eminent physi- cian, held in high esteem in that part of the state, and a lineal descendant in the fifth generation of Daniel Sanborn, one of the first settlers of the town. His early life was passed at home, and his time occupied in the duties of the farm, and attending the district school, with an occasional term at the vil- lage academy. At the age of sixteen he was bereft of his father, whose life was lost by drowning, but he remained with his mother upon the farm four or five years, assuming its labors, and aiding in providing for the family. In IS31, he engaged in some form of mercantile business in Lowell, Mass., but his youth and inexperience were not able to cope with the maturity and management of trained financiers, and he failed to realize his highest desire. Quickly rallying from the consequent de- pression, he turned his thoughts to medicine, the profession of his grandsire, who had often expressed the wish that one of his grandsons might choose for his life-work his own calling, and in the spring of 1833 he entered the office of Dr. Thomas P. Hill, with whom he studied three months, and attended a ,course of lectures at Brunswick, Me. From this time he again became undecided in relation to his future, and for six years was only for a brief period engaged in any one pursuit. In 1839 his purpose to qualify for the practice of medicine was re- formed, and he resumed his studies under the direction of his brother-in-law, Dr. W. H. Hosmer, of New London, with


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HISTORY OF NEWPORT.


whom he remained two years, attending in the meantime two courses of lectures at Dartmouth college. He was also for six months under the instruction of Dr. Gilman Kimball, of Low- ell, and received his medical degree from Dartmouth college in 1841. The same year he commenced practice in Goshen, continuing there until August, IS43, when he came to this town. In 1847, he was induced to remove to New London, but soon became satisfied that this change was not for his in- terest. After an absence of less than one year, he returned to Newport, where the residue of his life was passed. He now, more than ever, bent his whole energies to the duties of his profession, was prompt in reply to calls, and faithful in minis- tering to the necessities of the sick. His leisure hours were spent in studying his cases, and in making himself familiar with the improvements of the times, and he was soon in the possession of a full and lucrative business, which he prosecuted until his last sickness, a period of more than twenty-five years. In 1853 he visited Europe, and was absent four or five months, availing himself of the advantages of observation in the hospi- tals of Edinburg. Paris, and other cities. In 1857 and I858 he represented Newport in the legislature. In 1862 he was appointed surgeon of the 16th N. H. Regiment Volunteers, and accompanied Gen. Banks's division to Louisiana. On his return, he was appointed U. S. army surgeon for this locality. He was a past master of Mount Vernon Lodge of Free Masons, and was held in high regard by this fraternity. He was also a member of the N. H. Medical Society, and of the National Medical Association. His death occurred July 23, 1875, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.


DR. JAMES A. GREGG was born in Antrim, N. H., Jan. I, 1790. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, the families of both his parents forming a part of the original band of Presbyterian em- igrants who settled in the town of Londonderry, this state, as early as 1719,-their ancestors, a century before, having emiz grated from Argyleshire, in the west of Scotland, to the counties of Londonderry and Antrim in the north of Ireland. His early school advantages were quite limited, but, possessing an active mind and a thirst for knowledge, he devised ways by which he acquired a good English education, together with a tolerable


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MEDICAL.


familiarity with Latin. He read medicine with Dr. Stickney, of Antrim, and attended lectures at Dartmouth college. where he also graduated. In 1814 he settled in Unity, and remained there eighteen years, engaged in extensive and laborious prac- tice, sharing largely the confidence of the people at home and in the towns around. While there, he not only attended to his professional duties, but found time to aid young men in their more advanced studies. He also represented the town in the legislature. In order that his family might have better educa- tional advantages, he left Unity in 1832 and went to Hopkin- ton, where there was then a flourishing academy. After a res- idence of fourteen years in Hopkinton, he moved to Manchester, in 1846, and was in practice there till 1855, when he came to this town, and was in business eleven years. In the autumn of 1866 he visited a daughter at Arlington, Vt., where he sickened and died of typhoid fever, at the age of 76. Dr. Gregg was a self-made man, possessed great physical endurance, a well in- formed mind, and a readiness to act in any emergency. He was a member of the Congregational church in Newport.


DR. WM. H. HOSMER was a son of Jacob and Catharine Wellington Hosmer, and was born in Concord, June 13, IS14. Until 17 years of age his time was passed at home, attending school, and, as he was able, assisting his father, who was by trade a hatter. After spending one year as a clerk in a furnish- ing store in Boston, he returned and reengaged in his former enployment for some time, when, by the accidental discharge of a gun, he received an injury of the left hand which tempora- rily disqualified him for labor, and his thoughts were now di- rected to some other calling. He pursued academic studies at Sanbornton, and in June, 1835, entered the office of the late Dr. Thos. P. Hill, of that place, under whose care the period of his pupilage was passed. He attended lectures at Dartmouth college, graduating there in July, 1838, and in September fol- lowing located at New London, where he remained nine years in extensive practice. In September, 1847, he came to this town, but after the lapse of a single year removed to Concord, where he still resides.


DR. LEONARD E. RICHARDSON was born in Auburn, Mass., Oct. 15, 1833, and when but 10 years of age came with his father


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HISTORY OF NEWPORT.


to this town. He pursued his academic studies at Meriden, N. H., and graduated there with the class of IS53. In the winter of 1854 he commenced the study of medicine, attended one course of lectures at Dartmouth and another at Harvard Medical Col- lege, and graduated at the latter institution in March, 1857. Shortly afterwards he opened an office and commenced practice in this town, but as opportunity presented for more immediate business in Stoddard, N. H., he left here for that place, where he remained for a period of eight years, in good and successful practice. From Stoddard he went to Hartford, Conn., his present residence. He married Lois, eldest daughter of Dea. Austin Kibby, of Newport, and has two children.


DR. ALBINA HALL was born in Croydon on the 16th of Octo- ber, ISoo, received a good English education, studied medicine, and graduated at the Berkshire Medical School in 1823. He was in practice at Landaff, N. H., in Hancock, Me., in Fredo- nia, N. Y., and two or three years in this place, commencing in 1840. His present residence is Croydon, where he has shared the confidence of his fellow-townsmen, having been their representative in 1868, and again in 1869. He was a candidate for state senator in 1871. He married Livia, daughter of Abi- jah Powers.


DR. MASON A. WILLCOX, a homeopathic physician, is a native of this town, and a son of Albert and Caroline Willcox. He was born Dec. 25, 1844, and passed his childhood and youth at home, attending school, and acting as clerk in his father's store. He pursued academic studies at Meriden and Tilton, read medicine at Ann Arbor, Mich., and graduated at the De- troit Medical College. He commenced practice in Newport in IS69, but after a residence of one year went to Lawrence, Mass., where he is engaged in successful business.


DR. IRA P. GEORGE Was born in New Boston, N. H., in IS39. He came to this town when a child, and lived in the family of a relative. He obtained his education at the district school, read medicine with Dr. Sanborn, attended lectures and grad- uated at Dartmouth Medical College, and commenced practice in Sunapee. He was there but a year or two, and in Newport about the same length of time. In 1869 he went from here to


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Whitehall, Vt., and in IS71 from thence to Gibbon, Neb., and engaged in other pursuits.


DR. J. S. ELKINS was born in Barnstead, N. H., in 1845. He studied medicine with Dr. M. Walker, of Barnstead, and with his brother, Dr. J. P. Elkins, of Wilmot; attended lectures at Bowdoin and Dartmouth colleges, and received his diploma from the latter institution in IS6S, and in the following year commenced practice in this town. He married Louisa A., daughter of Ransom Severns.


DR. W. W. DARLING, son of William, was born in Croydon, Nov. 20, 1834. He studied his profession with Dr. Sanborn, and received his diploma from Dartmouth college in IS59. He was in practice in Sutton, and also in Goshen, for a time, before coming to this town, in 1869, where he yet re- mains.


DR. DAVID MORRISON CURRIER was born in Grafton. Sept. 15, 1840. He remained on the farm until eighteen years of age ; was educated at the N. H. Conference Seminary and Female College, spent a year and a half at the McLean asylum at Som- erville, Mass., two with Dixi and A. B. Crosby, at Hanover, several months with Dr. Buck, of Manchester, and graduated at the Dartmouth Medical College in 1867. He was in prac- tice with Dr. Fitz, at Sutton, one year, and was at Sunapee two and a half years. He spent the winter of 1870-71 at the Mas- sachusetts General Hospital, and the spring following came to this town. He married Jennie B. Colby, daughter of Johnson Colby, of Sutton, and grand-daughter of Parson S. Colby, of this town.


DR. HENRY W. BROWN, son of Edward H. Brown, Esq., of Croydon, was born Nov. 15, 1847. He received his prelimi- nary education at Meriden and New London academies, read medicine with Dr. Sanborn, and graduated at Harvard Univer- sity, February, 1873. The March following, he commenced practice here with prospects of a useful life, but sickened and died, suddenly, Sept. 30, 1875, aged 28 years. He married Caroline, daughter of Moses Barton, of Croydon.


In addition to the foregoing. several other physicians have


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HISTORY OF NEWPORT.


located in Newport, remaining for a longer or shorter period, among whom may be named Dr. Elijah Cooper, a native of Walpole, and a kinsman of the Croydon Coopers. He grad- uated at Dartmouth college, and was in successful practice here a couple of years, but left, in 1825, for a larger field, which he found at Newark, Ohio, where he acquired a good medical reputation, and amassed a fortune. He was twice married : in IS25, to Caroline, eldest daughter of Nicholas Farwell, of Clare- mont, by whom he had seven children. She died in IS47. His second marriage was with her sister Mary. In September, 1854, Dr. Cooper, his wife, their daughter, four years old, and a servant in the family, all perished of cholera. The second daughter of Dr. Cooper married Maj. Jno. L. Farwell, cashier of the Claremont National Bank.




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