This contains a transcription of chapter XXII about doctors and college graduates from The History of Canaan, New Hampshire by William Allen Wallace, edited by James Burns Wallace, Concord, N.H.: The Rumford Press, 1910.
Chapter XXII; Pages 422-429
The first man to come into town with doctor in front of his name was Ebenezer Eames. He was a grantee and having built the first mill in town received the offer of the proprietors of three hundred acres of land called the Mill Right. Whether he ever practiced as a physician or not is not known, but it is to be presumed that if he knew anything of medicine the settlers made use of his knowledge as occasion required. He was a miller and a blacksmith, the latter title is given him in an old deed. He was the miller up to 1787, when he sold the First Hundred of the Mill Right with all the buildings and privileges to Henry Finch, taking back a life lease. Finch was his son-in-law. The mill continued to be run by them until January 3, 1795, when they sold out to Dudley Gilman and left town.
Dr. John Harris came from Colchester, Conn., about the same time. He resided many years in a small house on the corner opposite the Congregational Meeting House, near a clump of lilac bushes, which were placed there by himself. But the health of the people was against his success. It is not known into what part of the surrounding country he drifted.
Dr. Caleb Pierce came from Enfield, bought out William Douglass, built the old hotel on the Street, but he was not successful as a landlord, was a very talkative and vain man, like his son Nat, was not popular and the young people held their dances at Dudley Gilman’s Tavern. He died, in 1813, of spotted fever in the Pinnacle House which he had bought of Robert Barber.
Dr. Amasa Howard came here in 1807 and in 1810 built the house O. H. Perry remodeled and now lives in. He left town in 1815, moved to Springfield and sold his house to Jacob Dow. He is reported to have been a very skilful physician. He was also a surveyor, but his obdurate habits of drinking were a bar to his success. It is reported further that he kept on drinking and moving and died in delirium.
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Dr. Timothy Tilton for over twenty years traveled up and down on the back of a black pacer, drank wine, went to jail, laughed at or with his creditors, and never troubled his debtors, and in all the sad and weary phases of his life preserved the good nature and wit which well became him. He came here in 1813 while Doctor Pierce lay dead with spotted fever, and remained here until his death December 28, 1836, aged 60 years. He was an active Abolitionist, and took a prominent part in resisting the attacks on Noyes Academy. On his headstone was at his request engraved “The Slave’s Friend.” He brought his family from Alexandria. His oldest child, Harriet Brown, was born in Newchester, April 27, 1807, married Dexter Harris in 1825 and died October 16, 1878; William Brackett, born in Bridgewater, February 20, 1810; Joseph Chase, born in Bridgewater December 25, 1812, married Mary Jane Chapman July 4, 1837, and built the house now occupied by F. L. Sawtelle, in 1832. She died in Concord, September 7, 1851, aged 38 years ; Dr. James Aaron, the last child was born in Canaan, December 18, 1815, graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1842, and practiced medicine in Newburyport, Mass., where he died in 1881.
Dr. George Nelson, who graduated from Dartmouth College in 1822, in the class with Rev. Amos Foster, graduated from the Dartmouth Medical College in 1828 and came here soon after; was received into the Congregational Church here June 24, 1829. He left here in February, 1835, and in 1836 was in Louisiana. He died in 1875, aged 78 years. His career here was rather a stormy one, and he was not successful. A letter written in 1833 says: “Dr. Nelson is ruined. He will sue Burley and Cobb, Tilton, Trussell and D. B. Whittier for Slander.”
Dr. Cyrus B. Hamilton and Dr. Daniel Hovey practiced here about a year. Dr. Daniel Stark came here too poor to pay his matriculation fees. Doctor Jones, who married Sophia Martin, daughter of Eleazer, remained a few years and sold out to Dr. Arnold Morgan. Doctor Morgan was born in Northfield, Vt., December 10, 1816; his father was a Free Will Baptist preacher; he lived in Cavendish until 1840, then moved to Windsor. He attended the Norwich Military Academy one term, was fitted [page 424] for college but never went. He studied with Doctor McEwen, and graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1840. “There are but few young men who are so well fitted for the profession,” said one of his professors. He began practice in Quechee, Vt., was there five years and went into the mercantile business in Pennsylvania. He came to Canaan in January, 1849. He practiced here for twenty-nine years and died in Savannah, Ga., April 14, 1878, where he had gone in search of health. His widow and son, Ben, went West leaving his mother, who died here; one daughter, Lizzie M., married Henry H. Pattee; another, Frances A., married, September 4, 1869, Frank E. Barnard, son of Darius. He had sold out his practice to Dr. George E. Leet who remained on the Street several years and then moved to East Canaan, where he lived for a few years and moved to Concord.
Dr. Ara Wheat was born in Grafton in 1816 and was the son of Capt. Joseph, and grandson of Elder Joseph Wheat. The family very soon after his birth moved to Canaan. Some time in the thirties he went to Ohio and returned to begin the study of medicine with Dr. Jones. He graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1860 and began the practice of his profession here. He married Isabel M. George, daughter of William W. George. They had two sons, William G. and Allen A. He gave up active practice in 1892 and removed to Springfield, Mass., where he died September 18, 1896. His wife died August 25, 1872, aged 42 years and 17 days.
Dr. Edward M. Tucker was born in Springvale, Me., April 22, 1839. He was educated at Dover, N. H., and in Boston, Mass. He studied medicine in 1864, under Dr. Levi G. Hill in Dover, and continued his studies under Dr. J. F. Fisher and Dr. Edward Cowles, while hospital steward in the army. He enlisted in the Third Massachusetts Battery and was wounded at Shepardstown, Va., September 20, 1862. He was taken to the hospital in Philadelphia, and was discharged from service on account of disability after a partial recovery. He passed the examination as a surgeon and reenlisted September 8, 1864, in Company I, Forty-Fourth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps. He was transferred to an independent company of the Veteran [page 425] Reserve Corps and was discharged December 18, 1865, to reenlist as hospital steward in the regular army. He held that position until December, 1871, attending three courses of lectures at Georgetown Medical College. He attended the Medical Department of Bowdoin College from which he graduated in 1872. He began practice in Canaan, July 28, 1873, and remained here until October, 1907, when he removed to Derry, N. H., where he died December 8, 1908. He married, February, 1879, Mary Albina Kimball of Grafton, N. H.; she died in Canaan, September 5, 1902, aged 50 years, 2 months, 29 days. They had one child, Luie A., living in Derry.
Dr. Frank A. Bogardus was born in Carroll, N. Y., April 4, 1869. He has been married twice; by his first wife he had one child that died young; his second wife, Blanche M. Coburn, daughter of John B. and Hattie F. (Doten) Coburn, he married August 31, 1905. She was born in Canaan, August 3, 1876. They have had two children, Charles B., who died young and Stanley, born February 1, 1908. Doctor Bogardus was educated in the High School at Catskill, N. Y., after which he taught four years, some of the time studying medicine with Dr. Charles. L. Dodge. He then entered Baltimore Medical College, graduating in 1894. He first settled in practice at Hill, N. H., remaining there less than five months; on August 14, 1894 he came to Canaan and has since been in practice here.
Dr. Persons W. Wing was born in Glens Falls, N. Y., April 11, 1877, son of Walton S. Wing, and grandson of Halsey R. Wing, the first surrogate of Warren County, N. Y. He attended the Glens Falls Academy, and Peekskill Military Academy, graduating in 1897. He studied one year at Cornell University, and entered Long Island College Hospital in 1898, graduating in 1902. He married, June 25, 1902, Elizabeth H. Clarke of Sandy Hill, N. Y. He practiced medicine in Grafton, N. H., before coming to Canaan, in May, 1908.
GRADUATES FROM DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.
The following list embraces all the Canaan graduates from Dartmouth College, so far as known. It is not a long one, but [page 426] it is respectable and honorable, both as to numbers and standing of those named.
The first graduate was George Richardson, of the class of 1820, son of Joshua and Betsey Richardson, born July 30, 1795; died at Charlestown, March 17, 1829. After graduating he taught one year in Moor’s Charity School, Hanover; was principal of New Hampton Academy from 1821 to 1825, having been recommended by the faculty of the college to the trustees of that institution to become its first principal. It is not known with whom he studied divinity, but it must have been during his residence at New Hampton, as he was ordained a deacon in the First Episcopal Church, and preached his first sermon at Charlestown, July 5, 1825. He preached at North Charlestown and at Drewsville on alternate Sundays. He was ordained a Presbyter at Charlestown, July 26, 1828, by Bishop Alexander Viets Griswold, of Rhode Island, surviving his full induction to the ministry less than eight months. A man of letters, respected for his sincerity and earnestness. He was the first clergyman who read the Episcopal service in this town. It was at the house of Lawyer Kimball in 1828, at the solicitation of Mrs. Kimball, who was an English lady from Bermuda, and a communicant in that church; he married Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Joseph Dennison, of Leyden, Mass.
Daniel Blaisdell, class of 1827, son of Elijah and Mary (Fogg) Blaisdell, read law with Joseph Bell of Haverhill, and became a resident of Hanover. From 1835-75, treasurer of Dartmouth College; state senator from 1863-65, representative several terms and held various town offices. Died in 1875, aged 69 years.
James Joshua Blaisdell, Rev., born February 8, 1827, class of 1846, brother of the above, graduated from Andover Theological Seminary in 1852. Served as chaplain of the Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteers during the Rebellion. Made a D. D. in 1873, by Knox College. Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature, at Beloit College, Wis., from 1859-64, professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, from 1864 until his death at Kenosha, Wis., October 10, 1896, by suicide.
George Warren Gardner, class of 1852, was born in Pomfret, Vt., October 8, 1828, and as he said “born again in Canaan, [page 427] 1842, Elder Peacock sponsor.” Prepared for college at Canaan Union Academy and at Thetford. Was the first principal of the New London Institution from 1853—61. Ordained a minister of the gospel at New London in 1858. Settled as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Charlestown, Mass., September, 1861, and remained there until 1872. Was chosen corresponding secretary of the American Baptist Missionary Union, and served until 1876. Was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1876. Received the honorary degree of D. D., in 1867 at Dartmouth. Traveled extensively in 1870. In 1880 was preaching in Marblehead, Mass. Doctor Gardner was present at the dedication of the Baptist Church at East Canaan in 1872, and preached the sermon on that occasion. His father was a shoemaker, and resided many years at the “Corner.”
Caleb Blodgett, son of Caleb and Charlotte, class of 1856. (See lawyers.)
Amos Noyes Currier, A. M., class of 1856, born October 13, 1832, son of Eben F., professor of Latin and Greek languages in Iowa Central University, 1857—61 and 1865—67, was a volunteer in the war of the Rebellion, 1861—65. In 1867—70 professor of ancient languages in Iowa State University. In 1870 professor of Latin language and literature in the same university and acting president in 1898.
Edward Cornelius Delavan Kittredge, born December 29, 1834, in Lyme, class of 1857, son of Jonathan and Julia (Balch) Kittredge. Read law and practiced in New York. Died June 20, 1879, at Demarest, N. J., aged 44.
Marcus Manlius Pillsbury, class of 1858, son of Harrison Pillsbury. Remained upon his farm in Canaan several years after graduation. Then engaged in selling books, and kindred merchandise in New York. He was last engaged in the manufacture of edge tools at Napanock, N. Y., with an office in New York City. He died in 1908, leaving a widow and two daughters, both married.
Samuel L. Gerould, born July 11, 1834, class of 1858, son of Rev. Moses and Cynthia (Locke) Gerould. Studied for the Congregational ministry; was sergeant of the Fourteenth New Hampshire Volunteers from 1862—63. Was pastor of the church [page 428] in Goffstown many years, and then settled over the church in Hollis where he remained until his death.
Joseph Doe Weeks, class of 1861, son of William P. and Mary (Doe) Weeks. (See lawyers.)
William B. Weeks, brother of above and in same class. (See lawyers.)
James Burns Wallace, class of 1887. (See lawyers.)
Nathaniel S. Currier entered Dartmouth in the class of 1841, and remained two years, but did not graduate. Died in Homer, La., in 1852, aged 30 years.
Ithamar Pillsbury graduated from Yale in the class of 1822.
William B. Arvin, son of Simeon and Hannah Arvin, born in 1812 in the house now owned by A. W. Hutchinson; graduated from West Point in 1836. He was appointed a lieutenant of infantry and ordered to Florida, to fight the Seminoles. After one campaign he resigned his commission and located at Newark, Ohio, as a lawyer.
Dr. Thomas Flanders graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1832.
Dr. Ara Wheat graduated from the Dartmouth Medical College in 1860, and Dr. Lewis W. Morey in 1876.
Dr. A. H. Flanders, son of Dr. Thomas Flanders, studied at Harvard Medical College and graduated from Union College. He was born in the Pinnacle House. Practiced in New York City. Built a house on Fort Nonsense, Morristown, N. J., where he died. He married and had one daughter, Grace, married and living in Morristown, N. J.
George Dexter Harris, born in Canaan, December 16, 1840; was the son of Dexter and Harriet B. Harris ; was appointed assistant acting surgeon November 12, 1863, and served on the United States Steamship Magnolia, resigned May 1, 1865. Graduated from Dartmouth Medical College in 1864; commenced studying with Dr. Thomas H. Currie and Dr. Alfred R. Bullard in 1860. After his resignation he returned to Canaan and afterwards went into the drug business in Boston where he died October 8, 1890, unmarried.
William Martin Chase, son of Horace and Abigail (Martin) Chase, was born in Canaan, December 28, 1837; was educated at [page 429] Canaan Union Academy, and graduated from the Chandler Scientific Department of Dartmouth College in the class of 1858. For about two years he was assistant preceptor of Henniker Academy. He then entered the law office of Anson S. Marshall of Concord, where he studied until his admission to the bar in August, 1862. He soon afterwards formed a partnership with Mr. Marshall which continued until the death of the latter. He was also for a time a partner of Hon. J. Everett Sargent, who became chief justice of the Supreme Court. Later he was a partner with Frank S. Streeter of Concord, until 1891, when he was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court. He received the degree of A. M. from Dartmouth College in 1879, and the degree of LL. D., in 1898, and was appointed trustee of that institution in 1890. On December 28, 1907, having reached the age limit, he resigned from the Supreme Court. He was in the Senate from the tenth district in 1909. He married and has one son, Arthur H., who is the state librarian at Concord, who is married and has two children, Marjory and Robert.
Wilfred Hiram Smart, son of Frank B. and Mary B. (Jones) Smart, was born in Dorchester, April 22, 1883. His education was obtained at the Canaan High School, New Hampton Literary Institution from which he graduated in 1903, entering Dartmouth College in the fall of that year; he graduated in the class of 1907. He entered the Harvard Law School the next fall and will graduate in 1910. He was married June 30, 1906, to Rachel G. Smith of Meredith. Has been the agent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York for some years.
Earl C. Gordon, son of George H., and Emma F. (Noyes) Gordon, was born December 12, 1887. His education was obtained from the Canaan High School, New Hampton Literary Institution, from which he entered Bates College, where he spent one year, and then entered the class of 1911 of Dartmouth College. Was assistant clerk of the senate for the session of 1909.