History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 19

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 988

USA > Vermont > Addison County > History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 19

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became recognized as its acknowledged champion and the leader of the faith- ful. In doing so he sacrificed business and future prospects, but was not de- terred from doing his duty as he understood it by thought of personal interest. After the controversy was over, in 1847, he was elected grand master of Masons in Vermont and held that office until his death. Mr. Tucker was distinguished as an able writer and an accomplished advocate, and by great independence in thought and action ; his Masonic writings obtained for him more than a national reputation in that order, while his literary and professional labors commanded the respect of his contemporaries. He died at Vergennes on the 10th day of April, 1861, and was buried by the Masonic Grand Lodge with the services of the order.

Edward D. Barber was born at Greenwich, N. Y., August 30, 1806. He was the son of Rev. Edward Barber, a Baptist clergyman. E. D. Barber grad- uated at Middlebury College in 1829 and entered heartily into the politics of the day, assuming the editorship of the Anti-Masonic Republican, of Middle- bury. By nature an earnest and enthusiastic man, he became conspicuous in his party and was, at a later period, a leader in the Freesoil section of the Dem- ocratic party. After his admission to the bar he secured a good practice and an excellent reputation as a lawyer in Middlebury ; but his tastes were for a more active life, and his business engagements drew him away from his professional pursuits. He established the glass-works at Lake Dunmore, and the tinge of romance in his nature made the scenery and pursuits at Lake Dunmore a de- light to him. He died August 23, 1855. He married Miss Nancy Wainwright, of Middlebury, in 1833, and left two daughters and a son surviving him.

Julius Beckwith was born at Monkton, Vt., February 10, 1821. In 1827 his parents removed to Middlebury, where he fitted for college and graduated in 1840. He studied law with Hon. Horatio Seymour and was admitted to the bar in 1843. He then visited the West, but on the application of Charles Linsley he returned to Middlebury, and entered into partnership with Mr. Linsley in 1844. This partnership continued until their office was burned in 1852, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Beckwith opened an office and practiced successfully until his death on December 3, 1857. He was mar- ried to Miss Abby S. Wainwright, in 1847, who survives him. As a lawyer . Mr. Beckwith acquired a large and growing practice and a fine reputation at the bar for so young a man. Socially he was the admiration of his acquaint- ances and the charm of the society which he adorned.

Samuel S. Woodbridge, son of Enoch D. Woodbridge, was a man of fine talents and high attainments. He graduated at Williams College and was ad- mitted to the bar with flattering prospects. He married an amiable and accom- plished lady of Vergennes, and began practice in the office of his father, but his course was terminated by death almost at the commencement of his professional life. He died August 25, 1834, aged twenty-seven years.

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BENCH AND BAR.

Dugald Stewart, although admitted to the bar and well fitted by nature's endowment and by his own acquirements to shine as a counselor and jurist, was not so conspicuous as a lawyer by reason of devoting his attention to other matters-for many years county clerk and State auditor, and commissioner to secure from the general government the amount due the State of Vermont for moneys expended in the War of the Rebellion, in all of which he was suc- cessful. He is remembered not so much for his achievements as a lawyer, as for his sound judgment in affairs of business or of law, his great stock of common sense and his unswerving and conscientious integrity. He was an unassuming man, of such ability and worth that men deemed it an honor to be called his friend.

Noah Hawley was for many years an honored and trusted lawyer of Ver- gennes, noted for his candor and integrity. He died about 1831. When the probate district of New Haven was established in 1824 he was appointed reg- ister of probate and held the appointment five or six years, and was elected judge of probate in 1829 and 1830.

Robert Bostwick was a lawyer of Vergennes in the beginning of this century, of whom but little remains of record.

Martin Harmon, son of Daniel Harmon, graduated at Dartmouth, 1793 ; was a lawyer in Vergennes for a short time till his early death, July 25, 1798, at the age of twenty-four years.

Harvey Bell, born at Middlebury April 9, 1791 ; graduated there in 1809; studied with John Simmons and Litchfield Law School; commenced practice at Middlebury in partnership with Simmons; State senator in 1836 and 1837; united with Congregational Church in 1835 ; practiced some years as partner of Judge Phelps. In May, 1841, became editor and proprietor of Middlebury Galaxy ; the latter part of his life became a successful farmer; died in 1848.

Milo Cook, esq., son of Joseph Cook, was born in Goshen, Conn., June 2, 1783, and the next year went with his parents to Cornwall, Vt. He graduated at Middlebury College 1804; studied law with Samuel Miller, and admitted 1807; commenced practice at Williston, Vt .; in 1813 went to Middlebury and into mercantile business; in 1817 went south and taught till his death.

Amos Marsh came to Vergennes about 1795 and speedily obtained distinc- tion as a man of learning and ability. He was born in New Milford, Conn., September 8, 1764. He was a member of the Legislature in 1796 and several years following; three years he was speaker of the House. He died at Sara- toga Springs January 4, 18II, and was buried in Vergennes cemetery.

Many other lawyers have practiced in Addison county for a short time and afterward achieved fame and reputation in broader fields. To enumerate them all with accuracy from memory is not to be expected. Since the removal of Seth Storrs from Addison in 1793, that town has had no permanent lawyer. In Bridport Calvin Sollace was known for many years as a sound and judicious

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lawyer and business man, commanding the respect and confidence of his ac- quaintances. In Bristol Joseph C. Bradley was an active lawyer for several years. Middlebury, in addition to those already mentioned, had Loyal Case, a son of Jonah Case, of Addison -a brother-in-law and law partner of Hon. Horatio Seymour. Ozias Seymour, son of Horatio Seymour, a man well versed in law and master of his profession. Jedediah Bushnell, son of Rev. Jedediah Bushnell, of Cornwell, long recognized as a lawyer of ability, was many years register of probate. George Swift, son of Hon. Samuel Swift, succeeded his father as county clerk in 1847 and is now an honored citizen of Detroit, Mich. Beaumont Parks, a graduate of Dartmouth College, admitted to the bar in 18II. Ripton for a few years claimed Daniel Chipman and George Chipman. Salis- bury boasts of S. N. Briggs and John Prout, who afterwards removed to Rut- land county, and John: Colley. Shoreham for many years had the law services of Udney H. Everest, a son of Zadock Everest, one of the first settlers of Ad- dison. Mr. Everest was a reliable lawyer of fair repute in the county. For about ten years Moses Strong, son of John Strong, of Addison, practiced in Shoreham, and was an able and sagacious lawyer, who achieved fame and wealth in Rutland after leaving Shoreham. Judge Hand, of Essex county, N. Y., was a native of Shoreham, but his professional life was passed in Essex county, the place of his triumphs and success. Vergennes had the first lawyer in the county in point of time, and has since had her full quota. Smith Boothe, for many years in active practice. Willam P. Brown, son of Phineas Brown, of Waltham, afterward entered business life in Alabama. John E. McVene, John Packer, Solon Burroughs, H. C. Lawrence, Levi Meades and C. M. Fisher, and the talented and lamented George R. Chapman, who died in the prime of his young manhood. Thomas W. Rich graduated at Dartmouth College in 1779; practiced for a time in Monkton and then moved to Vergennes, where he kept a hotel (now the Stevens House), till 1826, when he died at the age of fifty-two years. Nathan Haskins, born at Wethersfield, Vt., April 27, 1795, graduated at Dartmouth 1820; studied law with Asa Aldis at St. Albans and Noah Hawley at Vergennes, and practiced law at Vergennes from 1823 to 1831. While in Vergennes he published a History of Vermont, and was editor of the Vermont Aurora for three years. He afterwards resided at Bennington and at Williamstown, Mass., and published Notes on the West in 1833, and something on the Bennington court controversy, and strictures on civil liberty as it existed in the United States in 1847 and 1848. He died at Williamstown April 21, 1869.

The first County Court for Addison county was held on the first Tuesday in March, 1786, at the house of Zadock Everest, in Addison. The second term at the house of Captain Thomas Butterfield in Colchester, in November of the same year; then in March and November of each year at the house of Jonah Case, in Addison till 1792, when Middlebury was made the shire town, and the courts

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MEDICAL SOCIETY AND PHYSICIANS.

in 1792 and 1793 were held at the public house of John Deming, which stood on the ground now occupied by the Congregational Church in Middlebury. They were afterward held at the public house of Samuel Mattocks till 1798, when the first court-house was occupied. The site for a court-house was given by Gamaliel Painter, and the house was built by subscription of citizens of Mid- dlebury and vicinity. It was used as a State-house for the meeting of the Leg- islature in 1800 and 1806. In 1814 the court-house was moved from its situ- ation between the Addison House and the Wainwright House to its later loca- tion, and there used until 1883. The present substantial and handsome brick court-house was first used for the session of court at the December term of 1883. It was built by a county tax at a cost of $22,000.

The present bar of Addison county is as follows : Bristol, W. W. Rider, L. S. Scott. Middlebury, L. D. Eldredge, H. S. Foote, L. E. Knapp, Thomas H. McLeod, James M. Slade, John W. Stewart, J. E. Stapleton, John C. Stapleton, Almon P. Tupper, Emerson R. Wright, Charles M. Wilds. New Haven, Ira W. Clark, E. G. Hunt. Starksboro, A. M. Hawkins, E. W. J. Hawkins. Salis- bury, Charles F. Kingsley. Vergennes, George W. Grandey, F. E. Wood- bridge.

CHAPTER XI.

MEDICAL SOCIETY AND PHYSICIANS.1

The Doctor of Early Days - Organization of the Addison County Medical Society -- First Members - First Board of Officers -- Names of Early Members -- Vicissitudes - Suspension of the Society - Reorganization -- An Era of Success - Biographical Memoranda of Deceased Physicians.

T HERE is little of a general character to record of the medical profession in early days in Addison county. The experiences of the family doctor in a new country may not be generally understood in this late day, but his be- neficent, arduous and often ill-requited labors are remembered with gratitude in many families. The physician of pioneer times may not have possessed in all cases the advantages for securing the broadest and most perfect professional education, but in his practice, when his "ride " covered territory many miles in extent ; when roads were none of the best; when accommodations for travelers were very meager, and when everybody was poor in the world's goods, while at the same time sickness and death made their unfailing visits at every hearth- stone-then the country doctor's deeds and life often rose to the heroic.

Addison County Medical Society .- This society was organized and met for the first time on the 15th day of December, 1813. There were present the

1 Prepared chiefly by Dr. Charles L. Allen, of Rutland.

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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.

following physicians : Drs. Ebenezer Huntington, William Bass, Edward Tu- dor, Frederick Ford, Rufus Newton, Luther E. Hall, Horace Brooks, Dan Stone, Jacob Peck, David McHollister.

Organization was perfected by the election of the following officers : Dr. Ebenezer Huntington, president; William Bass, vice-president; Luther E. Hall, secretary ; Frederick Ford, jr., treasurer; William Bass, librarian. Dan Stone, Edward Tudor, Frederick Ford, jr., John Lyman, David McHollister, censors.

Luther E. Hall and Dan Stone were made a committee to present a code of by-laws. It was also voted that the president should deliver an inaugural address at the next meeting ; that members pay each a tax of one dollar; and Josiah Lyman was examined by the censors and approved. The next meeting was ordered held at the house of Dr. Bass, and a notice of the same to be pub- lished in the Vermont Mirror.

At the next meeting a code of by-laws was presented and approved, and the following named physicians signed them : Drs. Ebenezer Huntington, William Bass, Frederick Ford, Fred. Ford, jr., Dan Stone, Asher Nichols, Luther E. Hall, John Wilson, John Lyman, David M'Allaster,1 Prentiss D. Cheney, Nicanor Needham, Luther Cory, Ira Smith, Levi Warner, Martin Gay, Cyrus Carpenter, Joseph Needham, Jacob Peck, William Hatch, Erastus E. Blin, Gail Nichols, Edward Tudor, Luther Stone, jr., Richard P. Williams, Zacheus Bass, Abiel P. Mead, Enos Pearson, Ralph P. Allen, William Gill, Josiah W. Hale, J. K. Barlow, Hosea Brooks, Benj. Bullard, Calvin Wood, Friend M. Hall, Morris C. Smith, Horatio A. Smith, Aaron Jackson, Adin Hall, Oliver J. Eels, Thomas P. Matthews, Edwin K. Smith, Jona. Cram, Alfred Clark, E. K. Wood, Zenas Shaw, Jonathan A. Allen, Joel Rice, Washington Miller.

The above signatures cover the period from the organization of the society to December, 1822, and may be presumed to embrace all who were members to that time; it also, without doubt, embraces all, or nearly all, who were at all entitled to rank as practicing physicians in the county to that date.

Among the names that occasionally appear in the proceedings of meetings down to October 4, 1825, when the first record book closed, and which are not included in the foregoing list, we find the following : Horace Brooks, Jacob Peck, Benjamin Bullard, Horatio Conant, Maltias Ward, Adin Hall, admitted 1818; Gale Nichols, admitted 1815; Apollos Anger, Enoch A. Smith and Job Dart were granted diplomas in 1816; Frederick Miner, admitted 1819; Anderson G. Dana, admitted 1819; Frederick Miner, received diploma 1819; William G. Hooker, admitted 1819; E. K. Wood and Alfred Clark, admitted 1820; E. Cushman, W. Miller and C. W. Horton, admitted 1821 ; Joel Rice and Jona- than A. Allen, admitted 1822 ; Moses C. Deming, admitted 1824; Isaac See- ley, admitted 1825.

1 It will be observed that several of these names are spelled differently from the way they are given in the previous records of the meeting ; but in both cases we have followed the orthography of the old record book.

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MEDICAL SOCIETY AND PHYSICIANS.

Dr. Ebenezer Huntington was continued in the office of president of the society until 1820, when Dr. Dan Stone was elected. He was once re-elected, and in 1822 Dr. Huntington was again placed in the office; in 1823 Dr. Lu- ther E. Hall was elected and held the office through 1825. For 1826 William Bass was elected.

There is little in the proceedings of the society during the period under con- sideration that demands attention here ; a few members were expelled and one was convicted of stealing a watch, which he refunded. The society kept up communication with the State society, and was called upon on several occasions for reports on diseases, mortality, etc., and papers were prepared and forwarded. The members were granted diplomas by the board of censors, beginning in a short time after the organization of the society, upon payment of five dollars each; and they were assessed from one to two dollars annually, for current ex- penses. That some of the members were delinquent in the payment of these dues is seen by a resolution adopted in 1818, expressing a determination to collect by law all moneys due the society where the amount exceeded one dol- lar. A receipt appears in the records for twenty-five copies of diplomas in blank from Dr. James Porter, of Rutland, under date of June, 1821.

A new code of by-laws was adopted in 1822, the principal changes in which related to additional stringency in the examination and admission of members ; the purchase of books for the library; the collection of dues, etc. One pro- vision reads as follows : "No spirituous Liquor shall be drank in the society, while on business, or smoking tobacco, without special permission from the presiding officer."

Of the causes which led to the dissolution or the suspension of this society, which occurred in 1826, we are not advised. After the society had elected its officers in May of that year, the following resolution was presented by Dr. D. Stone :

" Resolved, By the Addison County Medical Society, that we will, on the second Wednesday of June next, at the house of Dr. William Bass, put up our Library at auction to the members of the Society, in manner as may be agreed on by a committee appointed for that purpose. The avails from the sale of said Library to be at the disposal of the Society."

It was then voted that a committee of three be appointed to "attend to the sale of the library." The members chosen were Drs. Martin Gay, William Bass and Frederick Ford. At the June meeting the aforesaid committee reported recommending that the library be sold in as small portions as convenient, for notes payable in thirty days, with an endorser. The sale was made, the schedule showing some sixty sets of works, which brought a gross sum of about eighty dollars. Another meeting was held on the 4th of October, 1826, at which only six physicians were present. They voted that a committee of two be appointed to settle with the treasurer, and in connection with him to

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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.

make a schedule for a dividend of such money as may be found in his hands. Drs. Joel Rice and Thomas P. Matthews were appointed as the committee. The last vote recorded is to adjourn until the second Wednesday in January next (1827).

The next organization of this society was effected in December, 1835, the meeting being held on the 16th of December. Dr. Dan C. Stone, of Ver- gennes, occupied the chair, and Erasmus D. Warner, of New Haven, was ap- pointed secretary. A resolution was passed that the physicians of the county be invited to attend a meeting at the Vermont Hotel on the 24th of December, for the purpose of organization. A committee consisting of Drs. Dan C. Stone, A. Hall and N. H. Finney, was appointed to prepare a constitution and by- laws. At the next meeting there were present the following: Drs. Dan C. Stone, Atherton Hall, Erasmus D. Warner, J. A. Allen, Zacheus Bass, Wm. P. Russell, R. Gowdey, Marcus O. Porter, Cullen Bullard, James S. Ewing and N. H. Finney. The following officers were elected : J. A. Allen, president ; Dan C. Stone, E. D. Warner, vice-presidents; R. Gowdey, secretary; Ather- ton Hall, treasurer.

The record book is blank between 1836 and 1842, showing that the society was dormant during that period. A meeting was held at Masonic Hall, in Middlebury, on the 17th or June, 1842, and another organization was effected. Drs. J. A. Allen, Zacheus Bass and E. H. Sprague were appointed a committee to prepare constitution and by-laws, and a committee to address the succeed- ing meeting, consisting of Drs. D. Goodale, M. H. Ranney and Wm. P. Rus- sell. Jonathan A. Allen was elected president ; Dan C. Stone, vice-president ; David C. Goodale, secretary. The following physicians subscribed to the by- laws as adopted at different dates after the society was organized: Jonathan Adams Allen, Middlebury ; H. A. Smith, New Haven; Dan C. Stone, Ver- gennes ; D. C. Goodale, Addison ; A. Sprague, Vergennes ; A. Bradford, Ver- gennes; George E. Stone, Monkton; Lucian P. Cheney, Addison ; E. H. Sprague, Middlebury ; M. H. Ranney, Salisbury ; P. Maxfield, Panton ; Will- iam P. Russell, Middlebury; Noble H. Finney, Monkton; Joel Rice, Brid- port ; Erasmus D. Warner, New Haven; William C. Warner, Bristol; L. M. Kent, Lincoln; F. P. Wheeler, Starksboro; J. B. Murray, Moriah, N. Y .; S. Pearl Lathrop, Middlebury ; O. G. Dyar, Salisbury ; D. D. Page, Shoreham ; Cullen Bullard, New Haven; Norman Towsley, Lincoln ; Washington Miller, Salisbury ; Isaac Ives, Whiting; William P. Wright, Whiting; Daniel Hunt- ington, Rochester ; C. Linnaeus Allen, Middlebury ; J. Adam Allen, jr., Mid- dlebury ; Charles C. P. Clark, Middlebury ; William M. Bass, Middlebury ; George S. Gale, Bridport ; Nathaniel Harris, Middlebury ; C. B. Maltbie, Bris- tol; Levi Hasseltine, New Haven; Earle Cushman, Orwell; Zacheus Bass, Middlebury ; Nathan Gale, Orwell; Henry R. Jones, Bridport and Benson ; George F. Stone, Ferrisburgh ; Edward F. Smith, Middlebury; J. N. Moore,

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Salisbury ; William S. Hopkins, Vergennes; James S. Gale, Orwell; G. W. Bromley, Huntington, Chittenden county; F. H. Stevens, Bridport ; J. E. Weeks, Salisbury; O. L. Nimblet, Monkton; H. Meeker, Middlebury ; J. H. Steele, Middlebury.

We need not attempt to follow the proceedings of this society through its period of success ; it must suffice for us to note a few of the chief features. In February, 1844, the following catalogue of fees was adopted : For every visit within one-half mile, not less than fifty cents; over one-half mile and under two miles, $1.00; over two miles, $1.50; over four miles and under six, $2.50; over six miles and under eight, $3.00; over eight miles and under ten, $5.00; this was supplemented by a list of fees for extraordinary cases. Some changes were occasionally made in the catalogue at later dates.

In 1845 Dr. Dan C. Stone was elected president, and S. P. Lathrop secre- tary and treasurer. J. A. Allen, Joel Price and P. Maxfield, censors. The attendance at the various meetings was usually small, and a resolution was adopted in 1845 that each member who should thereafter fail in attendance should be written on the subject and the reason requested for his non- attendance.

In 1846 Dr. J. A. Allen was again elected president, with W. P. Russell as secretary, and Dr. Bradford was appointed in place of Dr. Stone on a com- mittee on the medical history of the county. In 1847 Dr. A. Bradford was elected president and C. L. Allen secretary. The following year Dr. E. D. Warner was made president. In 1849 Drs. C. L. Allen, F. P. Wheeler and W. P. Russell were elected delegates to the National Medical Association held in Cincinnati in May, 1850. In this year Dr. Earle Cushman was elected president, Charles L. Allen continuing as secretary. In 1854 Drs. W. P. Rus- sell, F. P. Wheeler and N. Gale were sent as delegates to the American Med- ical Association in Philadelphia. In the following year the same association met in Detroit, and Drs. C. L. Allen, E. D. Warner and W. P. Russell were sent as delegates. The next change in officers recorded was made in 1856 when E. D. Warner was elected president ; W. P. Russell, vice-president ; C. L. Allen, secretary ; L. Hazeltine, librarian ; H. A. Smith, George S. Gale and Earle Cushman, censors. The last meeting of the society, as then organized, was held on the 16th of October, 1858. At this time, from various causes which need not be detailed here, the meetings were abandoned, and Addison county was without a medical society for about twenty years.

On the 18th of July, 1875, a meeting of physicians was held pursuant to a call, at which Dr. Zacheus Bass acted as moderator, and B. F. Sutton as secre- tary. A committee was appointed, consisting of Drs. Hopkins, Wheeler, Por- ter, Woodbridge and Sutton, to prepare a constitution and by-laws, and the following officers were elected: Dr. Z. Bass, president; Dr. F. P. Wheeler, vice-president ; Dr. B. F. Sutton, secretary and treasurer. Following are the

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HISTORY OF ADDISON COUNTY.

names of the original members of this society : Drs. Z. Bass, Middlebury ; B. F. Sutton, Middlebury ; M. H. Eddy, Middlebury; C. W. B. Kidder, Ver- gennes ; E. H. Callender, Middlebury ; E. G. Blaisdell, Bridport ; W. H. Platt, Shoreham ; Joseph Warner, Bridport; W. M. Day, Middlebury ; E. P. Rus- sell, Middlebury; E. C. Porter, Cornwall; J. P. Hinckley, Salisbury ; F. P. Wheeler, Bristol; John Avery, Starksboro.

In December, 1875, the following officers were elected : E. C. Porter, pres- ident; Joseph Warner, vice-president; B. F. Sutton, secretary; C. W. B. Kidder, treasurer ; William Platt, William S. Hopkins, M. H. Eddy, censors ; E. P. Russell, librarian. In 1877 C. W. B. Kidder was elected president, and William H. Platt, secretary. In 1879 Dr. William H. Platt was made presi- dent, and M. H. Eddy secretary and treasurer. At the present time Dr. M. H. Eddy fills the office of president of the society, and Dr. B. F. Sutton, sec- retary.

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History of Addison county Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 19

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co. Number of Pages: 988

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 988