History of Medford, (Middlesex County) Massachusetts United States of America

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Biographies:

John James Gilchrist, jurist, was born in Medford, Mass., Feb. 16, 1809; son of Capt. James and Susan (Wyman) Gilchrist. He was graduated frown Harvard in 1828, was subsequently admitted to the bar in Massachusetts and settled to practice in Charleston, N.H. He was a representative in the state legislature; register of probate for Sullivan county; justice of the supreme court of New Hampshire, 1840-48; chief justice, 1848-55; and one of the justices of the U.S. court of claims, 1855-58. He was married to Sarah Dean, daughter of Gov. Henry Hubbard of New Hampshire. Harvard gave him the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1856. He died in Washington, D.C., April 29, 1858.

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

John Brooks, governor of Massachusetts, was born at Medford, Mass., May 31, 1752. He worked on his father's farm, attending the village school at irregular intervals, until his fourteenth year, when he was taken into the home of Dr. Simon Tufts, the family physician, to be educated for the medical profession. He began the practice of medicine at Reading, Mass., in 1773. Upon hearing of the march of the British to Lexington and Concord he ordered out a militia ecru-party, which he had been drilling for some time and proceeded to the scene of battle where he so distinguished himself by his bravery and efficiency that he received a major's commission in the provincial army. He was active during the night preceding the battle of Bunker Hill, but was not present at the battle, having been sent with a despatch from Colonel Prescott to General Ward. In 1777 he was made lieutenant-colonel of the 8th Massachusetts regiment, and, as commander of the regiment, took an active and gallant part in all the battles and manoeuvres of the northern army, which terminated in Burgoyne's surrender. He was with Washington at Valley Forge. Early in 1778 he was promoted to a colonelcy, and in June of that year distinguished himself at the battle of Monmouth. As a tactician he was second only to Baron Steuben, and after that officer became inspector-general, Colonel Brooks was associated with him in establishing in the army a uniform system of drill and exercise. After the disbanding of the army, he returned to the practice of his profession, establishing himself at Medford, where he served for many years as major-general of the militia. He was a member of the state convention which met in 1788 to ratify the Federal constitution, and in 1795, by appointment of General Washington, became marshal of his district and inspector of revenues. From 1812 to 1815 he served as adju-tant-general of the state, and in 1816 was elected governor. He was elected seven consecutive years, and then declining to be again a candidate he retired to his Medford home and resumed his practice. Harvard college gave him the honorary degree of A.M., and in 1816 those of M.D. and LL.D. He was president of the Massachusetts medical society from 1817 until his death, and in his will he bequeathed his library to the society. A discourse delivered before the society of the Cincinnati (1787), one before the Humane society (1795), a eulogy on Washington (1800), and a discourse on pneumonia, delivered before the Massachusetts medical society (1808), have been published. He died March 1, 1825.

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

Samuel Crocker Lawrence, business man, was born in Medford, Mass., Nov. 22, 1882; son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Crocker) Lawrence; grandson of Lemuel and Mercy (Perham) Lawrence of Tyngsborough, Mass., and a descendant of John Lawrence who came from Wisset, in Suffolk, England, and settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1685. He attended Lawrence academy at Groton, and was graduated from Harvard with honors, A.B., 1855, A.M., 1858. He engaged in the banking business in Chicago, Ill., 1856-57, and in business in Medford with his father and brother under the firm name of Daniel Lawrence & Sons. 1858-67, becoming the sole proprietor in 1867. He also engaged in railroad enterprises and in the management of important trusts. In 1875, when the Eastern railroad company was on the verge of bankruptcy, he was elected its president, and by means of an enabling act obtained from the legislature, bankruptcy was avoided, and the valuable leaseholds of the corporation were saved from disruption. On its lease to the Boston & Maine railroad, Dec. 2, 1884, he became a director of that road, and on Oct. 11, 1893, became a member of its executive committee. He was elected a director of the Maine Central railroad company in 1875. He was a member of the Massachusetts volunteer militia, 1855-59, and in 1860 was commissioned colonel of the 5th Massachusetts regiment. He participated in the first battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded. He was commissioned a brigadier-general in the Massachusetts volunteer militia, June 9, 1862, and was honorably discharged, Aug. 20, 1864. In 1869 he was commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery company. In 1892, upon the incorporation of the city of Medford, he was elected its first mayor and served two years. Early in life he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, and served as grand master of Masons in Massachusetts, 1881-83, and as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templars of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 1894-95. He became an active member and officer of the Supreme Council, 33d degree, in 1866. On April 28, 1859, he was married to Carrie Rebecca, daughter of the Rev. William and Rebecca Badger of Charlestown.

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

Heman Allen Dearborn, educator, was born in Weare, N.H., May 18, 1831; son of Josiah and Sarah (Greene) Dearborn; grandson of Josiah and Susannah (Emerson) Dearborn; and a descendant of Godfrey Dearborn, a native of Exeter, county of Devon, England, who, with his son Henry, settled in Exeter, N.H., in 1689, subsequently removing to Hampton, N.H. He attended Francestown (N.H.) academy and in 1848 began to teach school. He prepared for college and was graduated from Tufts in 1857, valedictorian of the first class to receive degrees from that college. He was principal of the Clinton (N.Y.) liberal institute, 1857-64, and professor of Latin at Tufts college, 1864-97. He was sixteen months abroad, 1878-79, chiefly in Rome and other cities of Italy, engaged in special research, and again in England in 1889. He was secretary of the faculty of Tufts college, 1880-94, registrar, 1894-97, and acting assistant treasurer until 1895. In 1897 he founded the "scholarship of the class of 1857" for women students. He was married, March 24, 1858, to Julia A., daughter of Isaac and Sabina (Starrett) Patch. He died at Medford, Mass., May 4, 1897.

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