WILLIAM ROWLAND BABCOCK, M.D., NEW

LONDON.

BY EDWARD C. CHIPMAN, M.D.,

NIANTIC.

The late Dr. William Rowland Babcock was born in Lyme, April 2, 1872, and Lyme remained his home until his death, with the exception of a few months which he spent in his short but brilliant practice as a physician and surgeon.

Early in life he gave evidence of both physical and mental activity. He began at the age of seven years to sell papers, and from that time until his death he let no opportunity pass by which he might gain the means for an education.

After obtaining what education he could from the public schools of his native place, he entered the Morgan High School at Clinton, Conn., from which he graduated with honor.

He began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Terry of Lyme in 1890, and the following year, 1891, entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, where he remained one year. He completed his course at the University of the City of New York, from which institution he graduated in June, 1894.

Immediately after graduating he received an appointment to The Workhouse and Alms Hospital on Blackwell's Island, where he served fourteen months, and from which place, in our opinion, he received the tubercular germ that cut short the life-work he had planned for himself.

In July, 1895, he came home and immediately chose New London as his field of practice. His rise was phe

nomenal. His manner was so pleasing and his personal magnetism so great that he seemed to draw people to himself as a magnet would the iron filings.

He was one of nature's noblemen and this fact was recognized by high and low, rich and poor, professional and laymen.

His ability as a surgeon soon gained him an appointment to the New London Memorial Hospital, which came a few days before his last sickness. He was elected a member of the New London County Medical Association at its April meeting, 1896. He was taken sick with acute phthisis March eight, 1896, which he at once recognized and knew would be the finishing of his actice life-work. He rallied somewhat from his acute attack and sought for a locality where he might live as long and comfortably as the nature of his disease would allow him. He first went to his home in Lyme, thence to Saranac Lake, N. Y., thence to Orlando, Fla., where he died December six, 1897, a victim to that dreadful germ which we, as medical men, ought to strive by every means possible to banish from our midst.

JOHN CALVIN BOLLES, M.D., OF MONTVILLE.

BY WILLIAM M. BURCHARD, M.D.,

UNCASVILLE.

John Calvin Bolles, the youngest child of Calvin and Hester Darrow Bolles, was born in the town of Montville, September eighteenth, 1816. His father was a tanner, and after assisting at his trade in the intervals of attendance on common school, he, at the age of twenty began the study of medicine under the late Dr. J. R. Gay, of Montville, and, after attending medical lectures at Pittsfield, Mass. and Woodstock, Vt., graduated from the University of Vermont in 1840, and from that time to within a year of his death continued the practice of his profession in Montville and adjoining towns, his office and residence being within a few rods of the homestead where he was born.

He inherited from his sturdy and long-lived ancestry a strong, square, massive frame and the strongly-marked and rather heavy cast of features that we associate with the typical Englishman, and his mental characteristics corresponded with his physique. He was cheerful and cordial, but not effusive in manner, well-informed, had strong common-sense and good judgment, lacking perhaps, that instant intuitive grasp of the salient points of a case that some physicians possess and others acquire; his observations were accurate, his conclusions logical, his treatment careful and conservative, and his attendance on his patients faithful and untiring.

Although he was not quick to adopt new theories or try rash experiments, he proposed to keep up with the advance of the profession. Joining the New London County Medical Association in 1841, and being elected a Fellow in 1849, 55, and '58, he remained a member and

regular attendant at its meetings for fifty-six years. It can be said of him that the indescribable vexations and annoyances of fifty-five years of country practice, unbroken by a single vacation, did not put an edge on his even temper, and his patience was inexhaustible.

He was a Republican in politics, but never accepted any office, which was unfortunate for the town, as, unlike most physicians, he was an excellent business man, and his clear legible entries of Vital Statistics are almost the only reliable records prior to 1860. He was a member of the Baptist Church for thirty-five years, and in every way a reputable citizen.

His domestic life was most happy. He married in 1843 Eunice Buddington of Groton, who survives him, as also his two children, Harriet E. (widow of John W. Hanna) and John C., Jr.

To have lived more than fifty years without death, illness, or other misfortune invading the home is granted to few men. It was only within the last two or three years that the infirmities of age laid a heavy hand on him and vision began to fail from cataract. Other symptoms of atheroma showed themselves in the brain, heart and kidneys, and death ensued from nephritis and dilatation of the heart, September eleventh, 1897.

The attendance on his funeral and the universal sorrow exhibited, showed that his life's work was well done and that he left no enemies, only friends.

FRANCIS LEMUEL DICKINSON, M.D., OF ROCK

VILLE.

BY MELANCTHON STORRS, M.D.,

HARTFORD,

Dr. Francis Lemuel Dickinson, who died June 2d, 1897, was one of the oldest physicians in Tolland County. He was born in Portland, Conn., January 29, 1817. He was the only child of Lemuel and Sarah Dickinson. His father died when he was a year old. He was comparatively a young man and we know but little of his history. He served in the war of 1812. His health became impaired and soon after his marriage he went to the West Indies for a change of climate, and died on the return voyage. His mother, a most estimable woman, removed with her young child to the home of her parents in Colchester, Conn. Here Dr. Dickinson passed his boyhood life and prepared for college in Bacon Academy, in those days an institution of considerable repute.

After graduating from the Academy he taught one term in Wethersfield and two in Vernon. Having decided to give his life to medicine, he entered the office of Dr. Frederick Morgan of Colchester, a man of the highest standing, and who, in his earlier life, had been a successful tutor in Yale. He would inspire any young man with a conscientious love for his profession. Later Dr. Dickinson pursued his studies with Dr. Alvan Talcott of VerThe writer has often heard him allude to these men in terms of highest regard.

non.

Dr. Dickinson graduated in 1840 in the Yale Medical College. The spring following he went to Hampton, Conn., to practice, but from an attack of typhoid fever and hemorrhage he was obliged to return to his mother's