Worcester County, Massachusetts - Chapter 48, 1889

Professional

The pastors of the various religious societies in Fitchburg have already been spoken of in the ecclesiastical history and no further mention of them will be made in this chapter. There remain the dentists, lawyers and physicians to be spoken of and we shall give only a mere catalogue of those now in practice here, with perhaps a brief account of some of the more prominent lawyers and physicians of past time.

Dentists. - Dr. Thomas S. Blood is the senior dentist in town. He was born in Sterling, June 23, 1810; studied dentistry in Worcester with his brother. Dr. Oliver Blood, who was the first dentist settled in that town ; at the same time took a course at the Harvard Medical School, where he graduated in 1838; practised dentistry for a short time at Nantucket and in New York City; came to Fitchburg in 1840, and since then has been in active practice here.

Dr. Blood has always been identified with temperance work in Fitchburg and has been, in years past, quite closely connected with our educational aflairs.

brick "octagon house" on Main Street, where he has since lived and been engaged in the active practice of his profession. For the past sixteen years his son, Dr. Joseph W. Palmer, a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1872, has been associated with him under the name of Palmer & Palmer.

The other dentists in town who have begun practice more recently are Drs. F. H. Joy, A. E. Horton, E. G. Dwyer, F. A. Damon and the firms of Parker & Ross and Stone Brothers.

Lawyehs. - Of the many legal practitioners who have lived and practised in Fitchburg in past time, we have space to speak of but four of the most prominent.

Hon. Nathaniel Wood was barn in Holden, Mass., August 29, 1797 ; graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1821 ; studied law in Boston, and was admitted to the bar; came to Fitchburg, and in February, 1827, formed a partnership with Ebenezer Torrey, and for many years the firm of Torrey & Wood took high rank among the prominent legal firms of the Worcester County bar. Mr. Wood, however, attended to most of the legal business. In 1818 Goldsmith F. Bailey became a partner with Mr. Wood under the firm-name of N. Wood & Co.

Mr. Wood was for fifty years prominent in the town affairs and business interests of Fitchburg. He was often chosen moderator at town-meeting; was postmaster for sixteen years ; president of the Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company twenty-six years, and its treasurer twenty-four years, besides holding other positions.

In politics Mr. Wood was a Democrat, and wag elected to the lower branch of the Legislature in 1839, '47 and '60. He was once chosen Senator, and in 1841 was the candidate of his party for Congress.

Mr. Wood was a strong Unitarian, and took an active interest in the First Parish during his long life in Fitchburg. He died August 3, 1876, after an illness of nearly two years.

Hon. Ebenezer Torrey was born in Franklin, August 16, 1801 ; graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1822 ; came to Fitchburg and studied law with John 8hepley, then a leading lawyer here, but who soon after removed to Maine. Mr. Torrey was admitted to the bar in 1825, and two years later entered into partnership with Nathaniel Wood. Mr. Wood conducted most of the firm's cases in court, while Mr. Torrey turned his attention more particularly to financial matters, and acquired a very high reputation as a safe and skilful financier. His connection with our banking interests has been already spoken of. For thirty successive years Mr. Torrey wa.s town or city treasurer, declining further re-election in January, 1874.

In 1829 he was chosen a director of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which position he continued to hold during the rest of his life ; and from 1879 was president of the same company.

Mr. Torrey, in politics, was opposed to his partner, Mr. Wood. He was a strong Whig, and later, as strong a Republican. He was in the lower branch of the Legislature in 1831 and 1847, and in 1849 was one of the five Senators elected at large from Worcester County. In 1853 and 1854 he was a member of the Governor's Council.

Mr. Torrey was a life-long Unitarian, and to the last a most constant attendant at the First Parish Church, in which he took great interest.

He died September 3, 1888, after a few days illness, leaving a widow, a daughter, the wife of Hon. Hiram A. Blood, of this city, and a son, George A. Torrey, of Boston, corporation counsel fur the Fitchburg Railroad Company.

Hon. Charles H. B. Snow was a son of Dr. Peter S. Snow, and was born in Fitchburg, August 7, 1822 ; graduated at Harvard College in the class of 1844; studied law with Torrey & Wood, and was admitted to the bar in 1848 ; was for some years a law-partner with Hon. Amasa Norcross, but for the last eleven years of his life was with Judge Thornton K. Ware, under the firm-name of Ware & Snow.

Mr. Snow was elected to the Legislature, and was State Senator from this district at the time of bin death. He was prominent in the educational interests of his native town, and her chosen centennial celebration orator. He was a very active and zealous member of Christ Church.

Hon. Goldsmith F. Bailey was born in East Westmoreland, N. H., July 17, 1823, and his widowed mother removed with her family to Fitchburg three years later. In 1845 he began the study of law, completing his course with Torrey & Wood. In 1848 he was admitted to the bar, and became a partner in the firm q^ N. Wood & Company. He was Representative from Fitchburg in 185(i, and State Senator in 1857 and 1859. In the fall of I860 he was chosen by the Republicans of the Ninth Congressional District to represent them in Congress. But that terrible disease, consumption, had fastened itself upon him. He went; to Florida, and on his return took his seat in Congress during the extra session. In December, 1861, he went back to Washington, but was soon obliged to return to Fitchburg, where he died, May 8, 1862. His widow, who wasoneof the well-known Billings family, of Woodstock, Vt., is now the wife of Hon. Rodney Wallace, of Fitchburg.

Mr. Mason was born in Dublin, N. H., June 3, 1810 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1834, came to Fitchburg in September, 1842, and has since resided here; has practised law and latterly has been interested in insurance business; was secretary of the Fitchburg

Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 1864-69 ; representative to the Legii-lature in 1849 and 1851, and a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1853.

He has always been deeply interested in education, and was for some years chairman of the School Committee of the town. He was also active in starting and sustaining the Fitchburg Athenteum. He has preserved a very complete collection of town and city reports and documents, from which much of this present history has been compiled.

Judge Ware is a native of Cambridge ; graduated at Harvard in 1842 ; came to Fitchburg in 1846 ; has been in partnership with Hon. C. H. B. Snow and George A. Torrey ; was representative in 1850 and 1854; postmaster, 1861-06; justice of the Police Court since it was established and a trustee of the Public Library since its establishment, with the exception of one year, and chairman of the trustees since 1875. He is president of the Fitchburg Savings Bank and a director of the Fitchburg National Bank.

The firm of Norcross, Hartwell & Baker consists of Hon. Amasa Norcross, a native of Rindge, N. H., the first mayor of Fitchburg ; representative in 1858-59 and 1SG2 ; State Senator, 1874; representative to Congress, 1876-82. He has been prominent in financial and educational interests, and in many other public positions.

The second member of this firm, Hon. Harris C. Hartwell, is a native of Groton ; graduated at Harvard in 1869 ; since 1874 a partner with Mr. Norcross i representative, 1883-85, and State Senator, 1887-88 . city solicitor of Fitchburg from 1877 to 1886.

The third member, Charles F. Baker, Esq., is a native of Lunenburg ; graduated at Harvard in 1872; in the office of Norcross & Hartwell since 18ft, and became a member of the present firm January 1, 1887.

Hon. David H. Merriam is a native of Essex, N.Y., where he was born July 3, 1820; came to Fitchburg in July, 1829; in 1847 began the study of law with Torrey & Wood ; representative in 1861 ; provost marshal of the Ninth District of Massachusetts 1863- 65; special justice of the Fitchburg Police Court since 1868; city solicitor of Fitchburg 1874-6; mayor in 1877 and 1878.^

The other lawyers in tawn are Stillman Haynes, Esq., a native of Townsend, who has practised here since 1868, and served several years on the School Board; Charles S. Haydeu, Esq., a native of Harvard, read law with Wood & Torrey, and has practised here since 1871, and has been special justice of the Fitchburg Police Court since 1879 ; Samuel L.

Graves, Esq., a native of Groton, graduated at Amherst in 1870 ; read law with Wood & Torrey, and has been in practice here since 1873 ; Harrison Bailey, Esq., a native of Fitchburg, graduated at Amherst in 1872, and at Harvard Law School in 1874, read law with George A. Torrey, Esq., and has practised here since 1874; James H. McMahou, E.sq., a native of Ireland, read law with E. B. O'Connor, of Boston, and James M. Woodbury, of Fitchburg, has practised here since September, 1877 ; Edward P. Pierce, Esq., a native of Templeton, graduated at Harvard Law School in 1877; has practised here since; in 1882 formed a partnership with James A. Stiles, Esq., under the firm-name of Pierce & Stiles, Mr. Stiles, having an office of the firm in Gardner. Mr. Pierce has been city solicitor of Fitchburg since .January, 1887 ; Thomas F. Gallagher, Esq., a native of Lynn, graduated at University of Notre Dame, Indiana, in 1876, read law with Hon. William D. Northend in Salem; has been in practice here since December, 1881 ; Charles H. Blood, Esq., a native of Fitchburg, graduated at Harvard in 1879, read law with Attorney-General Marston and at Boston University Law School, in practice here since 1883, and since 1884 has been in partnership with David K. Stevens, Esq., under the firm-name of Blood & Stevens, Mr. Stevens maintaining an office of the firm in Boston; Charles A. Babbitt, Esq., began practice here in the spring of 1888.

Physicians. - A brief mention will be made of a few of the former physicians of the town, which will be followed by a summary of those now in practice here and an account of medical organizations in this vicinity.

Dr. Thaddeus McCarty was the first settled physician, and came here from Worcester prior to the Revolution. He was a skilful physician, but remained here only a few years, returning to Worcester in 1781.

Dr. Jonas Marshall settled here soon after the Revolution on the same farm now occupied by his grandson, Mr. Abel Marshall. He practised here many years.

Dr. Peter Snow succeeded Dr. McCarty, coming here in 1782. For over forty years he was a leading physician here, and also held important town offices.

Dr. Peter S. Snow, eldest son of the above, began practice in 1815, but retired in 1831 on account of poor health. For many years thereafter he was a valuable member of the School Committee. He died here November 25, 1884, aged ninety-two.

Dr. Jonas A. Marshall was for forty years a physician here, and served the town also for twenty-four successive years as town clerk. He died in Charlestown, February 25, 1887, aged nearly eighty-seven years.

Dr. Thomas R. Boutelle graduated at the Medical Department of Yale College in 1819, and soon began practice in New Braintree ; removed to Leominster in 1824, and to Fitchburg in 1833, where he practised the rest of his life. He was a physician of high standing, and was honored with many oiHces in medical and other organizations. During the War of the Rebellion he was chainiKin of the Relief Committee of the town, and labored incessantly for the comfort of soldiers' families. He died, universally lamented, July 13, 1869, aged seventy-four years.

By far the most widely-known and remarkable member of the medical profession ever settled in Fitchburg was Dr. Alfred Hitchcock. He graduated at the Dartmouth Medical College, and later received a diploma from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He settled in Ashby in 1837, but .at the written request of many prominent citizens of Fitchburg, came here in April, 1850, and spent among us the balance of his useful life.

As a practitioner of medicine and surgery Dr. Hitchcock had no peer in this vicinity, aiid his medical brethren far and near sought his services in all doubtful and severe cases. Of what he did in the war period we have not space to tell ; we can only say that during the whole course of the war nearly onequarter of his time was given to the care of the sick and wounded Massachusetts soldiers in the iield and at home.

Dr. Hitchcock was prominent also in public affairs, and held various offices of trust, which we have not space to enumerate. Perhaps the most important was his position in the Executive Council of the State, to which he was elected three times in succes- ^ion, - in 18G1-62-63. He was also on the Board of Overseers of Harvard College from 1857 to 1865.

In addition to his skill, knowledge and good judgment, Dr. Hitchcock possessed those finer qualities of mind and heart characteristic of the true gentleman. He was entirely free from dogmatism and pride of the schools, and his uniform gentleness and courtesy endeared him to the people of Fitchburg - rich and poor. His death occurred March 30, 1874, at the age of sixty years, five months and thirteen days. His funeral at the Rollstone Church, April 3d, was very largely attended.

Dr. Alfred Miller graduated at the Vermont Medical College, and began practice in Ashburnham in 1845. In 1863 he removed to Fitchburg to remain permanently.

He was a good physician and genial gentleman, and was prominent in school matters. He was also a Representative to the Legislature from this city at one time.

All the above-named physicians were members of the Massachusetts Medical Society, with the exception ot the very first, who practised before the society came into existence.

Members of the Massachusetts Medical Society. - Dr. Levi Pillsbury is the senior practising physician in Fitchburg. He graduated at the Dartmouth Medical School in 1842, and settled here May 1, 1844 ; is at present a member of the United States Examining Board for Pensions.

Dr. George Jewett graduated at the Berkshire Medical College in 1847, and coutinued his studies for a time at the Harvard Medical School, being a pupil of Dr. Jacob Bigelow. He practised in Templeton and Gardner, and came to Fitchburg in 1858 ; was surgeon in the army, and from 1864 to 1886 was examining surgeon for pensions ; is at present vicepresident of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He is a trustee of the Public Library, beside holding other public offices.

Dr. George D. Colony graduated at Dartmouth College in 1843 ; studied medicine with Dr. Amos Twitchell, of Keene, N. H. ; graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1846, and immediately began practice at Athul ; removed to Fitchburg in May, 1861, where he has since continued in active business.

Dr. Austin W. Sidney began practice as an eclectic physician in Sterling in 1860; came to Fitchburg in 1866; later took a course at the Dartmouth Medical School, graduated there, and joined the Massachusetts Medical Society. He is president of the Old Ladies' Home corporation.

Dr. Charles H. Rice graduated at the Harvard and Dartmouth Medical Schools ; settled in Fitchburg in 1866 ; is surgeon of the Sixth Regiment, M. V. M., a member of the School Committee, and a trustee of the Public Library ; was city physician 1873-75.

Dr. Frederick H. Thompson graduated at the Harvard Medical School in 1870 ; settled in Lancaster ; removed to Fitchburg in May, 1874 ; was city physician in 1877, and has been on the School Committee and a trustee of the Public Ijibrary ; was surgeon on General Kimball's staff in 1877-78.

Dr. Dwight S. Woodworth graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1876 ; has practised in Fitchburg since ; was city physician 1879-81, and 1884-86 ; is prominent in various fraternal orders ; has been medical director of the Massachusetts Mutual Aid Society for some years ; and on the School Board, 1879-82.

Dr. Ernest P. Miller, son of Dr. Alfred Miller, graduated at Harvard College in 1872 and at the Harvard Medical School in 1876, and has practised in Fitchburg since; has been medical examiner since 1877 and was city physician in 1880 and 1883; is one of the United States E,xamining Board for Pensions.

Dr. Herbert H. Lyons graduated at Boston College in 1878 and at the Harvard Medical School in 1881 ; has practised in Fitchburg since September, 1881 ; is the third member of the United States Examining Board for Pensions in this citv.

Dr. Atherton P. Mason, a native of Fitchburg, graduated at Harvard College in 1879 and at the Harvard Medical Scliool in 1882; has been in practise in Fitchbura; since March, 1884; is secretary of the Worcester North District Medical Society.

Dr. John I). Kielty, a native of Fitchburg, graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Boston, in 1883, and from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1884, and in June, 1884, began practise in Fitchburg. He has been city physician since January, 18S7.

Dr. Clarence W. Spring graduated at Dartmouth College in 1880 and at the Harvard Medical School in 1884. He began practise in Fitchburg in February, 1885.

Dr. Henry W. Pierson, though not a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, is a regular physician and has been in i)ractise in West Fitchburg since 1884.

Homceopatliic Pliyslclans. - Dr. Daniel B. Whittier studied at the Harvard Medical School and later at the New York Homreopathio College in 1863. He soon settled in Fitchburg, where he has since been in active business. He has been president of both the State and County Homoeopathic Societies, and has served the city as a member of the School Committee.

Dr. HoUis K. Bennett graduated at the Pennsylvania Medical University. He practised in Hartford, New York, and in Whitehall, and came to Fitchburg in October, 1872, where he has since continued to practise. Dr. Bennett is a member of all the principal homreopathic societies.

Dr. Ellen L. Eastman graduated at the Bo.ston University Medical School in 1880. She began practise in Fitchburg, but, in 1884, removed to Wollaston. In the autumn of 1887 she returned to this city and resumed practice here.

Dr. J. Everett Luscombe graduated at the Boston University Medical School in 1885, and settled here the same year; is a member of the Worcester County Homoeopathic Medical Society.

Dr. Hubljard H. Brigham is an eclectic physician, a graduate, in 1855, of the Worcester Eclectic Medical College. He has practised in Fitchburg since 1845.

Medical Societies. - The Worcester North District Medical Society was chartered by the president and councillors of the Massachusetts Medical Society May 28, 1858, and organized on the 5th of the following June. Dr. William Parkhurst, of Petersham, was elected its first president.

Its membership comprises all Fellows of the Massachusetts Medical Society practising in Fitchburg and towns in the northern part of Worcester County and in the towns of Ashby, Shirley and Townsend, in Middlesex County.

Meetings are held at Fitchburg on the fourth Tuesday of January, April, July and October, the annual meeting being in April. The society now has over forty members.

The Fitchburg Society for Medical Improvement was organized in July, 1874, and includes in its membership Fellows of the Massachusetts Medical Society residing in Fitchburg and towns adjoining.

This society holds meetings the third Tuesday of each month at the houses of the members. It is the hope and intention of the society, in conjunction with the district .society, to obtain rooms, in the near future, and fit them up for the purpose of holding both local and district meetings therein, and also for accommodating the library of the district society.

The Worcester North Eclectic Medical Society was organized in July, 1801. Meetings are held at Fitchburg on the last Tuesday of each month, the annual meeting being held in July.