History of Methuen, (Essex County) Massachusetts United States of America

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Biographies:

Joseph R. Bodwell, governor of Maine, was born at Methuen, Mass., June 18, 1818. His family were in such straitened circumstances that at the age of eight he began to earn his own living; thus his education was almost wholly self-acquired. He was always scrupulously honest in all his dealings, but was keen, business-like and persevering, and succeeded in acquiring considerable wealth. In 1852 he began the business of quarrying granite in Penobscot Bay, enlarging his works year by year; in 1870 opening quarries in Hallowell, from which he realized large profits. He was elected to the state legislature a number of terms, and in 1886 was chosen governor of Maine by the Republican party. It is said that he gave in charity an average of one hundred dollars per day. He died at Hallowell, Me., Dec. 15, 1887.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Samuel Prescott Hildreth, physician, was born at Methuen, Mass., Sept. 36, 1783, a descendant of Richard Hildreth, who came from Cambridge, England, to New England, in 1643. He attended an academy, and later studied medicine under Dr. Thomas Kitteridge, of Andover, Mass., receiving the degree of M.D. in 1805. He practised at Belpr? (afterward Marietta, Ohio), 1808-63. He was a representative in the 9th and 10th general assemblies from Washington and Alberts counties, 1810-12. and in 1837 served on the state geological survey. He was interested in the natural sciences and accumulated a large and valuable scientific library and rare collections in natural history and conchology, which he presented to Marietta college. He was president of the Cleveland Medical society. He received the honorary degree of A.M. from Ohio university in 1825, and that of LL.D. from Marietta college in 1859. Besides numerous contributions to scientific periodicals, be is the author of: History of the Diseases and Climate of Southeastern Ohio (1837);. Pioneer History (1848); Early Settlers of Ohio (1852); Contributions to the Early History o.f the Northwest (1864); and Results of Meteorological Observations made at Marietta in 1826-59 (1870). He died in Marietta, Ohio, July 24, 1863.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Asa Messer, educator, was born in Methuen, Mass., in 1769; son of Asa and Abiah Messer. He lived on his father's farm until 1782; was a clerk in a store at Haverhill, 1782-83; prepared for college under the Rev. Dr. Hezekiah Smith of Haverhill, and the Rev. Mr. Williams, a Scotch clergyman in Windham, N.H., until 1786; and was graduated at Brown university, A.B., 1790, A.M., 1793. He was tutor at Brown, 1791-96; college librarian, 1792-99; professor of learned languages, 1796-99, and of mathematics and natural philosophy, 1799-1802. He was ordained to the Baptist ministry in 1802 and preached occasionally for congregations of different denominations. He was acting president of Brown university as successor to the Rev. Jonathan Maxcy, resigned, 1802-04, and president by election, 1804-26. He resigned in 1826 and settled on a farm in the suburbs of Providence, R.I., filling various local offices in Providence. He received the degree D.D. from Brown university in 1806, LL.D. from the University of Vermont in 1812, and D.D. from Harvard in 1820. He was married, May 11, 1797, to Deborah, daughter of Hope and Avis Angell of North Providence, R.I. He died in Providence, R.I., Oct. 11, 1836.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor