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BIOGRAPHIES
OF THE
Founders, Ex-Presidents, Prominent
Early Members and others
OF THE
Massachusetts Dental
Society
[ILLUSTR.\TED]
BY
WALDO ELIAS BOARDMAN, D.M.D.
Editor Harvard Quinquennial Catalogue, Dental Department, Harvard University
Former Editor Massachusetts Dental Society. Member Committee on
History, National Dental Association. Chairman Committee
on History, Massachusetts Dental Society.
Published by
Massachusetts Dental Society
Boston, Mass.
1914
vs ^^
FRANK P. BROWN - PRINTER - BOSTON
TO THE MEMORY OF THE FOUNDERS
AND BUILDERS OF
THE MASSACHUSETTS DENTAL SOCIETY
WHOSE FAITHFUL SERVICES AND MEMORIES
NOW FORGOTTEN BY THE PROFESSION
THEY SO WELL SERVED,
THIS VOLUME IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED
BY THE AUTHOR
INDEX
Abbott, C. E.
Adams. J. F.
Andrews, R. R.
Atkins, E. N.
Atkinson, W. H.
Ball, J. W.
Banium, S. C.
Batchelder, J. H.
Bishop, H. F.
Blake, E.
Boardman, W. E.
Bowdoin, W, L.
Brackett, C. A.
Chandler, T. H.
Chase, A. H. St. C.
Clapp, D. M.
Codman, B. S.
Codman, J. T.
Cooke, A. A.
Cooke, G. L.
Cooke, W. P.
Coolidge, J. B.
Daly, J. M.
Davis, C. G.
Dowsley, J. F.
Draper, H. S.
Dudley, A. M.
Eames, G. F.
Evans, T. W.
Faxon, F. S.
Hanagan, A. J.
Flynn, M. W.
Gerry, G. A.
Glover, N. A.
Ham, S. F.
Harriman, G. V.
Harrington, D. G.
Harris, E. N.
Haskell, L. P.
Hawes, N. W.
Hitchcock, E. B.
Hitchcock, T. B.
Howe, O.
Hurlbut, C. S.
Hurlbut, J. S.
Ingalls, D. B.
Keep, N. C.
Kidder, J. H.
223
87
96
143
195
Id
198
62
144
149
107
150
'5'
32
217
84
153
68
59
'54
121
,56
1 58
77
i'5
'13
160
99
200
'17
137
94
162
34
35
3'
3«
209
163
yo
42
165
132
66
81
54
72
Kinsman, E. O.
Knight, J. K.
Lawrence, A.
Leach, D. W.
Leach, E. G.
Lindstrom, C. R.
Lowe, G. A.
McDougall, S. J.
McLaughlin, J. J. F.
McQuillen, J. H.
Maxfield, G. A.
Meriam, H. C.
Miller, H. M.
Moffatt, G. T.
Morgan, N.
Noble, L.
Page, E.
Page, W. E.
Papineau, A.
Parker, A. H.
Paul, J. T.
Piper, H. H.
Pray, M. W.
Proctor, C. M.
Rodgers, C. W.
Rolfe, E. C.
Salmon, L A.
Savage, G. E.
Searle, F.
Shepard, L. D.
Shepherd, J.
Smith, E. H.
Smith, M. C.
Stanley, N. A.
Stephens, S. G.
Stockwell, C. T.
Stowell, S. S.
Taylor, L. C.
Tourtelotte, J. N.
Tucker, E. G.
Tucker, J.
Waters, G. F".
Webber, C.
Wetherbee, I.J.
Wheeler, A. F.
White, S. S.
William.s, D. (',.
Wyman, A. V.
123
103
167
169
57
^33
114
29
125
203
105
92
170
64
172
174
177
102
179
180
221
214
37
219
21 1
44
40
129
82
74
181
135
126
•31
88
182
II I
185
187
188
190
79
193
46
'38
207
48
216
PREFACE
The collection and compilation of data and photographs of the
organizers and ex-presidents of the Massachusetts Dental Society,
together with many of the prominent early members, was begun by
the writer in the year 1900, and continued, at intervals of time, until
the year 1912. In 1913 the Society made an appropriation for the
publication of same.
The object of this publication is to permanently, and as nearly
authentically as possible, place on record the work accomplished by
the men who were pioneers in the organization and those who have
been elevated to the presidency, the highest honor in the gift of the
Society, and help, also, to promote the cause, by gathering statistics
by others for record, and in time allow for some competent person of
the future to write a concise history of the dental profession of the
world — so that future generations may know what has been achieved
by these men.
One of the first records of a regular dental practitioner in Massa-
chusetts appears in an advertisement in the Boston Gazette and
Country Journal, (published at Boston) under date of September 19,
1768, which states : —
Whereas, many persons are so
unfortunate as to lose their Fore-Teeth by
accident, and otherways, to their great
Detriment, not only in looks, but speaking
both in public and private: — This is to
inform all such, that they may have them
replaced with artificial ones, that look as
well as the Natural and answers the end of
speaking to all intents, by Paul Revere,
Goldsmith, near the head of Dr.
Clarke's Wharf, Boston.
All persons who may have had false
Teeth fixt by Mr. John Baker, Surgeon
dentist, and they have got loose, (as they will
in time) may have them fastened by the
above who learnt the method of fixing them
from Mr. Baker.
On July 19, 1770, appears the following advertisement in the Boston
Gazette and Country Journal:
Artificial Teeth.
Paul Revere,
Takes this Method of returning his most
Sincere thanks to the Gentlemen and
Ladies who have Employed him in the care
of their Teeth he would now inform them
and all others, who are so unfortunate as
to lose their Teeth by accident or otherways,
that he still continues the business
of a Dentist, and flatters himself that
from the experience he has had these
Two years (in which time he has fixt some
Hundreds of Teeth) that he can fix them as
well as any Surgeon-Dentist who ever
came from London, he fixes them in such a
Manner that they are not only an Ornament,
but of real Use in Speaking and Eating:
He- cleanses the Teeth and will wait
on any Gentleman or Lady at their Lodgings,
he may now be spoke with at his shop opposite
Dr. Clark's at the North End where the
Gold and Silversmith's Business is carried
on in all its branches.
Following him came the men who are the subjects of these bio-
graphies.
The Massachusetts Dental Society in its early days brought about
the organization of the Harvard Dental School, the New England
Dental Journal^ 1881, and other journals.
It also brought together in professional comradeship and continuity
the progressive practitioners of Massachusetts and surrounding
states of New England, and made known to the dental world the
men whose biographies and likenesses illustrate these pages, some of
whom have acquired a reputation not only national but. inter-
national as expert operators, scientists, authors, inventors and
orators. Probably no state in the Union has produced a more dig-
nified, talented or progressive set of men than those prominent in
the earty days of the Society.
The author is indebted to many of these men and to their descend-
ants, and from personal acquaintance with many others who have
passed to the great unknown and of those now living, also from
histories and other works, for the help given in preparation of this
publication, and hereby extends his thanks to all who have in any
way contributed to make these biographies possible.
It may be interesting to know that from November 7, 1864, to
April I, 1867, this Society had held twenty- three meetings with a
total attendance of 402 members, or an average of about fifteen
members at each meeting.
The Society at one time seriously considered a $50,000 plan for a
building to house itself, library and museum.
On November 12, 1867, the Society voted to purchase a microscope
at an expense of $142.72 and on December 13, 1877, a new one was
purchased to replace the old at the price of $41. The old one be-
coming passe, has since by vote of the Society been deposited in
the Museum of the Harvard Dental School. These microscopes
were freely used by such members as Drs. T. B. Hitchcock, R. R.
Andrews and others.
On February ii, 1868, there was offered for action of the Society,
a petition to be presented to the Legislature for a law to protect the
public from dental imposition, the petition was laid on the table
as unfinished business.
On June 29, 1876, Dr. George T. Moffatt, Chairman of Committee
on Regulation of Dental Practice in Massachusetts by law, reported
that it was not practicable to procure legislation on the subject.
On June 9, 1881, Dr. A. M. Dudley moved for a new dental law,
and the Law Committee, on December 15, 1882, reported that Governor
John D. Long's bill had been laid on the table and referred to next
Legislature. The Society voted an expression of opinion against
passage of this bill.
At the Twenty-second Annual Meeting on December 9, 1886, it
was voted to take up the matter of the application for legislation
for a new dental law relative to the petition of Dr. Lewis T. Foss
and finally voted that the Society take no action relative thereto.
On May 21, 1868, Dr. L. D. Shepard offered a deprecatory motion
relative to a second dental college. This was due to the fact that
the Harvard Dental School had been established the previous year,
and many thought that the starting of the Boston Dental College
was wrong in principle and not field enough for rival schools in New
England, however, after a hard fought battle before the Legislature,
said body authorized its organization, and the two schools have
continued side by side until 1899 when Tufts College absorbed the
Boston in connection with her Medical School.
Up to June 17, 1873, this Society had held monthly meetings, but on
this date voted a change to semi-annual meetings, which were held
in June and December, the former month for the semi-annual and the
latter month for the annual. This continued down to and including
1890, when the Society voted to eliminate the semi-annual meeting,
and the annual to be in June.
The Society at its Annual Meeting on December 14, 1876, voted to
hereafter print a list of its members in future notices, and accord-
ingly on Dec. 13, 1877, the list printed contained fifty-eight members
in good standing. On Dec. 13, 1889, the Secretary was hereafter
voted an annual salary of twenty-five dollars.
Previous to the enactment of the dental law, junior membership
had been created allowing those to join the Society who were ineli-
gible to active membership, but in July, 1892, by vote of the Society,
all juniors were made active members and the junior membership
abolished, for the reason that the dental law having been enacted
in 1887, therefore there was no necessity, for such membership.
There had, from time to time, been much discussion relative to
making the Society more efficient in various ways and by a larger
membership, accordingly on June 8, 1893, a resolution was passed rec-
ommending districting the State Society and on June 7, 1894, after
the new plan of districts had been drawn and perfected by Drs. J, K.
Knight, George A. Maxfield and Waldo E. Boardman, being respect-
ively the President, First- Vice and Second Vice-presidents, (the com-
mittee having it in charge), the Society was then divided by arbitrary
lines into seven districts, these divisions to be made on lines of
railroad communication. These seven districts were given the names
of the North Metropolitan, the South MetropoHtan, the North
Eastern, the South Eastern, the Central, the Valley, and the Western
District Dental Societies, with the Massachusetts Dental Society
as the parent organization. These districts were each represented in
the parent organization by five Councillors.
On June i, 1898, the North Eastern District, not having energy
enough to hold but one meeting after its organization, was absorbed
into the MetropoHtan District by vote of the parent Society, and on
June 7, 1900, the North Metropolitan being desirous of amalgamating
with the South Metropolitan, it was voted to allow the consohdation,
thus reducing the districts in number from seven to five, where it
now stands. Under this districting the Society increased in energy,
in character and influence and in membership from one hundred
members to seven hundred and thirty-two members at present.
Dr. Stockwell presented at this meeting a motion that the annual
meeting, hereafter, be limited to members only of the Society, and it
was so voted.
On June 3, 1893, Dr. George A. Maxfield made a motion that a
committee be appointed each year to recommend to the Governor
of the State names for appointment to the Board of Registration
in Dentistry, in the expectation that politics might be eliminated
from such appointments, and this motion prevailed. This committee
continued, by appointment each year, down to May, 191 1, when it
was aboHshed.
June loj 1909, the Society by resolution voted to become a compon-
ent part of the National Dental Association and offered amendments
to its Constitution and By-Laws to that effect. These amendment
have from time to time been laid over till the National was ready to
receive all the State Societies of the United States, which was com-
pleted in 1912, and at its annual meeting in May, I9i3,this Society
adopted the perfecting amendments making the Massachusetts Dental
Society a component society. The total membership to date has been
approximately 1300.
Of the 142 known deaths with records to date, their total ages
are 9384, or an average of nearly 66>^ years, the eldest being 97 and
the youngest 26.
WALDO ELIAS BOARDMAN.
May, 1913.
10
MINUTES AND PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS DENTAL SOCIETY
First Meeting
Boston, March 4, 1864.
Pursuant to a call, the Dentists of Boston met at the rooms of
the Young Men's Christian Association in Tremont Temple to con-
sider the propriety of organizing a Dental Association.
The meeting was called to order at 7.30 o'clock, P. M., and tempo-
rarily organized by the election of Drs. I. A. Salmon, Chairman, and
S. J. McDougall, Secretary.
Some remarks pertinent to the occasion were made by the chairman,
and a discussion followed in which the expression was general in favor
of the object of the meeting.
On motion a committee, consisting of Drs. Salmon, Hitchcock,
Ham, Harriman, and McDougall, was appointed to draft a Consti-
tution and By-Laws and report the same at the next meeting.
It was also voted that when this meeting adjourns it be to meet
on the evening of the 15th inst. at the same place at 7.30 o'clock.
Adjournment.
Second Meeting
Boston, March 15, 1864.
Pursuant to adjournment, the Dentists of Boston and vicinity
met at 7.30 o'clock at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Associ-
ation.
Meeting was called to order by the Chairman. Having learned
that the room was engaged for other purposes, the meeting was
immediately adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock at the office of Drs.
Clough and Harriman, in the same building.
Evening Session
8 o'clock. Office of Drs. Clough and Harriman.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman. The report of
the previous meeting was read and approved. The Committee
appointed to draft a Constitution and By-Laws presented their
report, which, on motion, was received and the Committee discharged.
It was then voted that the meeting proceed to the consideration
of the Constitution, and that each article be acted upon separately.
Articles i and 2 adopted.
Article 3 amended and adopted.
Article 4 read and Sections i, 2 and 3 adopted; Section 4 amended
and adopted.
Article 5 adopted.
Article 6 rejected.
Article 7 adopted.
On motion, future consideration of the Constitution was laid on
the table.
Article i of the By-Laws was read and adopted.
Article 2 of the By-Laws was read and adopted.
Article 3 amended and adopted.
Article 4 adopted.
On motion it was voted to adjourn to meet at such time and place
as the Secretary might designate, notice thereof to be given through
the newspapers. Meeting adjourned at 10 P. M.
Third Meeting
Boston, March 24, 1864.
Pursuant to notice, the Dentists of Boston and vicinity again met
at the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. at 7.30 o'clock P. M.
Meeting called to order by the Chairman.
On motion it was voted that the Secretary be excused from reading
the report of the previous meeting.
The Constitution as presented was read for the information of
new members.
On motion, Art. 5 of the By-Laws was taken up for consideration,
was read and adopted.
Sect, i of Art. 6 was read amended and adopted.
Sect. 2 of Art. 6 was read and adopted.
Sect, i of Art. 7 was read and adopted.
Sect. 2 of Art. 7 was read, amended and adopted.
Sect, i of Art. 8 was read and adopted.
Sect. 2 of Art. 8 was read and adopted.
Sect. 3 of Art. 8 was read and adopted.
Article 9 was read, amended and adopted.
Order of Business was read, amended and adopted.
On motion, the Constitution was taken from the table.
On motion. Art. 2 of Constitution was striken out.
On motion, a preamble setting forth the reason for organizing a
Dental Association and also its objects was presented and adopted.
An amendment to Sect. 2 of Art 4 of the Constitution was presented
and, on motion, adopted. It was then
Voted, To adopt the Constitution, as amended, as a whole.
On motion, the present Chairman was requested to act as President,
and the present Secretary to act as Secretary and Treasurer, until
the annual meeting.
On motion, an Executive Committee was appointed by the Chair,
to serve till the Annual Meeting, consisting of Drs. Rolfe, Wetherbee,
McDougall, Harris and Harriman.
Eleven members then signed the Constitution and paid the entrance
fee.
Meeting adjourned at lo P. M.
12
Fourth Meeting
Boston, April 4, 1864.
The regular meeting of the Association was held this evening at
the usual place. The President in the Chair.
In consequence of the absence of the Secretary, it was
Voted, That Dr. E. N. Harris act as Secretary pro tern.
On motion of Dr. Rolfe it was
Voted, That the By-Laws relating to the admission of candidates
for membership be suspended for this meeting.
The following names were then proposed, and referred at once to
the Executive Committee, viz:
Drs. N. C. Keep and James M. Daly both of Boston, proposed by
Dr. E. C. Rolfe.
Dr. William W. Russell of Boston, proposed by Dr. I. J. Wetherbee.
Dr. B. B. Chandler of Boston, proposed by G. B. Harriman.
Dr. Alfred Greenwood of Boston, proposed by Dr. T. B. Hitchcock.
Dr. S. P. Bartlett of Boston and Dr. D. S. Bartlett of Roxbury,
proposed by Dr. S. F. Ham.
The Executive Committee reporting favorably upon all these
names, the Society proceeded to ballot and all were elected.
An interesting discussion then followed upon the use of Nitrous
Oxide Gas as an Anaesthetic.
On motion of Dr. Wetherbee it was
Voted, That the Secretary be instructed to pubUsh a notice in
the Boston Journal correcting the error that appeared in a notice
of the proceedings of the last meeting, published in that paper, and
in connection with this notice to state the time of holding the annual
meeting, and also to notify members through the daily papers of the
next monthly meeting of the Association.
On motion
Voted, That this Association now adjourn to meet in this place
on the first Monday evening in May at 7.30 o'clock.
Adjourned.
E. N. Harris, Secretary pro. tern.
Fifth Meeting
Boston, May 2, 1864.
The regular meeting of the Association was held at the usual
place. Dr. Salmon in the chair.
Secretary's report of previous meeting was read and approved.
The reading of previous reports was then called for. These reports
were read and approved. The Constitution and By-Laws were then
read by request. On motion, it was
Voted, That the By-Laws relating to the admission of members
be suspended for the evening. The following names were then
proposed, and referred to the Executive Committee, which reported
favorably upon all, viz:
13
W. I. Thayer of Chelsea, proposed by S. J. McDougall,
E. S. Blake of Boston, proposed by T. H. Chandler.
E. G. Tucker of Boston, proposed by I. A. Salmon.
A. Papineau of Waltham, proposed by S. IF. Ham.
J. T. Codman of Boston, proposed by S. F. Ham.
Upon balloting these gentlemen were all admitted to membership.
On motion, it was
Voted, That the rules be suspended for the purpose of amending
the Order of Business, which was accordingly amended. On motion,
the chair appointed T. H. Chandler, N. C. Keep and I. J. Wetherbee
a committee to consider the subject of a Seal and recommend a suit-
able device to the Association.
On motion, the Executive Committee was instructed to procure a
black-board for the use of the Society.
After some remarks by Dr. Keep, a discussion followed relative
to the time of holding the Annual Meeting.
On motion, the Executive Committee was instructed to prepare a
suitable notification for the use of the Association.
Adjourned.
First Annual Meeting
Boston, May i6, 1864.
The Annual Meeting of the Association was this day held at the
usual place, commencing at the time appointed. Dr. Salmon in the
chair.
On motion of Dr. Harris it was
Voted, To suspend the rules relating to the admission of members
in order to admit gentlemen present from abroad. The following
names were then presented:
H. F. Bishop, of Worcester, proposed by E. N. Harris.
A. A. Cooke, of Milford, proposed by T. B. Hitchcock.
G. L. Cooke, of Milford, proposed by T. B. Hitchcock.
B. T. Currier, of Boston, proposed by I. J. Wetherbee.
These names were referred to the Executive Committee who
reported favorably upon all. The Society immediately proceeded
to ballot, and the gentlemen proposed were all chosen.
The Society then proceeded to ballot for the candidates for the
officers for the ensuing year. Messrs Wetherbee, Harris and T. H.
Chandler were appointed by the Chairman as a Committee to collect,
sort and count votes.
On motion of Dr. Rolfe, it was
Voted, That an informal ballot be taken before proceeding to the
election of each officer, in order thereby to get at the name most
prominent in the minds of the members for such office, and such
informal ballots were accordingly taken.
The, following named gentlemen were then chosen, viz:
Dr. N. C. Keep President
Dr. I. J. Wetherbee Vice-President
14
Dr. T. H. Chandler Recording Secretary
Dr. E. C. Rolfe Corresponding Secretary
Dr. S. J. McDouGALL Treasurer
Dr. E. N. Harris Librarian
Dr. I. A. Salmon
Dr. a. a. Cooke
Dr. B. S. Codman
Dr. H. F. Bishop
Dr. T. B. Hitchcock
Executive Committee
On motion, each and all of these elections was made unanimous.
On motion of Dr. Hitchcock it was
Voted. That a committee of three be appointed by the chair to
nominate a member to deliver the Annual Address at our Second
Anniversary' meeting.
Messrs. Rolfe, Hitchcock and Cooke were appointed, who nomi-
nated Dr. N. C. Keep, and as a substitute, Dr. I. J. Wetherbee. The
report was accepted.
By nomination-at-large, Messrs. Wetherbee, Bishop, Clark, Rolfe
and Harris were appointed delegates to attend the next meeting of
the American Dental Association.
The Treasurer then reported seventy-five dollars in the treasury
and no bills yet presented.
On motion of Dr. Rolfe, it was
Voted, That an effort be made to obtain the use of the rooms in
Tremont Place, now occupied by the Sufifolk District Medical Society
and others, and that the Executive Committee be authorized to see
on what terms said rooms can be obtained.
On motion of Dr. Wetherbee it was
Voted, That the Secretary be required to prepare and transmit a
correct account of the proceedings of this meeting to the Dental
Cosmos, Boston Medical Journal, and such other journals and papers
as he may see fit.
On motion of Dr. A. A. Cooke it was
Voted, That the Executive Committee be instructed to provide
for the printing of the Constitution and By-Laws. It was also
Voted, That they cause five hundred copies to be struck off.
Voted, That all arrangements relative to an entertainment at
our next annual meeting be referred to that Committee. On motion
of Dr. Thayer it was
Voted, That the meeting adjourn to meet again at 8 o'clock P. M.
at^the same place.
Evening Session — May i6. 8 o'clock.
Society met again pursuant to adjournment, a pleasant evening
was passed in conversation and discussion, but no business was tran-
sacted.
Adjourned.
T. H. Chandler, Secretary.
15
FIRST CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS DENTAL SOCIETY
Adopted March 24, 1864
Printed 1865
PREAMBLE
We, the undersigned, do declare ourselves an association to cul-
tivate the Science and Art of Dentistry, and all its collateral branches;
to elevate and sustain the professional character of dentists, and to
promote amongst them mutual improvement, social intercourse, and
good will; and have adopted for our government the following Con-
stitution and By-Laws, and order of business.