Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-03-06
~ NRNORUAN.


Stevens, n. D., aged So years and months.
With this sad announcement the Oldest physi.
clan in Hancock Co. has passed away, leaving
m unequAlled record Of professional service,
for more than sixty years As Physician and
Surgeon.
Always professional leader. he justly sus-
tanned the confidence, respect and esteem which
his marked abilities, skill, unblemshed moral
chars c,er, and thorough scholarship deserved.
As an interpreter of the science requiring the
elearesi understanding aud best judSwent-a
. reliable counsellor and genial associate, the
medical profession has lost chief.
DIR. Stevens was born In Gloucester, Mass.
Aug. 18th. 1870. Of Andover and Ipswich par
eniage. His bent developing itself In early
boyhood, he was sent 10 Phillips Academy at
Andover. and thence to Harvard College. from
which he graduated in 1910. Only one member
Of his class survives him. He studied his pro-
fession with DR.. Thomas kittrecge Of North
Andovcr. In the fine old mansion overlooking
the ancient cemetery, where lies his oldest
American pAternAl ancestor. John Stevens,
Who died In l6sa. Completing his studies dur
ing the war, he sailed As surgeon In the privA-
teer Orlando. OF Gloucester, MAss., and after-
ward In the Yankee. OF Newport, z. l.
The town OF Warren in the then District Of
Maine, was chosen as desirable place OF set
Element. Thither, from his Massachusetts
home. he travelled on horseback with port
manieAu fastened 10 the saddle. Amer few
years residence there, he WAS invited 10 the
then promincn, town OF CAstine, to succeed
DIR. Moses Gage whose health compelled . de-
par,ure TO Cuba. Here In March. 1919, he be-
gan practice that has covered the life time OF
two generations.
Two years later he married her who now
survives him. Seven sons and two daughter.
were born to them In the house in which he
oeded him. one an officer In the Maine lSth
Reg, who wa. killed =, Port Hudson. Ia. OF
the survivors, the youngest practices his faith
sr's profession in Gloucester. Mass.
DIR. steven, was the leading. and most Of the
time the only practitioner in Castine, and some
adjacent towns Of sparse settlement and extern
siye territory, and on several large islands Of
Penobscoi Bay consequently his lie was one
Of constant fatigue and unremit,ing labor. He
" =. VI tEfbutE NJ hss
many severe attacks Of sickness nearly fatal.
He met with accidents from which he was
more than once brough, senseless 10 his home.
But his intense vitality, resolute spirit, and
professional enthusiasm over ruled all obstacles
where duty prompted.
lie was one Of the mos, seif-sAcrificing and
unseltish Of mea. No storm was too violent,
M h.at or csali No r,frbf iar
no road too impossible, no distance By land or
water too great where suffering was TO BE- ALE
waited. Scores Of times be has risen from sick
bed and IN weather that might excuse sweil
man travelled far TO visit those not SO III a.
himself Considerations OF personal ease never
arose between him and duty. Only 4 few
months since. In great fcebleness he visited the
rsus1ssis Dea Samuel Ad....s, who " with
mind unclouded near his death. IL was a scene
OF rare interest," the ply sicisn Of - years at the
bedside Of one seven months hi. senior. pre-
seribing with the cool precision for which he
was noted \ halt century before. And week.
later, repeatedly, with weary steps, he visited
another patient near his end, for whom his
heart went out in warm sympathy.
A progressive man, no improvements In hi.
profession escaped hi. notice. Directly aner
the introduction Of Anestheties, he visited the
Mass. Geuef 81 Hospital to observe their use, In
order 70 apply the same In . surgical case on =
distant island Of the bay. On his return he
successfully performed the first pal nless ampu-
tziion In Eastern Maine, to his own delight
and the astonishment Of others.
That is one OF the lights Of practice in which
there were deep shadows. There were times
OF public alarm, when Stunned for devotion 10
his patients, he did no, hesitate 10 perform .
sections duties. Early one sabbath morning
be and clergyman Of the place, who nobly
came forward TO assist him, performed : chris.
iian act OF fearless duty In burying the dead.
Had To inter him myself, with only help OF
j. Grindle,' is his brief but significant record
OF another equally trying experience.
Amid the engrossing cares and res ponsibili-
ties OF = large practice, this tireless man pre-.
served lively interest in everything about
him. lie was pioneer in Temperance, wa
devoted TO public Education. and kept abreas,
the times in all things new and good. His char.
acteristic refinement was shown In his grea
love Of Naiure-his fondness for howcr,-hi,
uSukuk iu bOoAer-3ud MS 1uiai atiou VI hIt-
With all these varied gifts and attachments. hs
had singular modesiy, and child-like, condd
ing simplicity. Guileess himself, he was slow Il
believe III Of others, and generous To . fault
Fervent and Teverential he WAS full OF toler
ant snd catholic spirit.
The poor will miss the open-handed man
who freely gave more than professional ser
vices and medicines from his moderate store
The noted hospitality Of DIR. Stevens house
| made 1t fayorite resort for strangers, 70 whom
he loved to display and explain his preciou.
collection Of Castine coins, and entertain then
with the romantic history Of the place.
In the more than three score years Of devoted
service, his sensibility quickened rather thar
grew dull by familiarity with sickness and pain
One could hardly think Of DR.. Stevens evel
growing old, such was his natural buoyancy o.
spirits, his cheerful voice, and cordial saiuts
ton when meeting his friends. But to him, q
to the thousands to whom he had mnistered
with q womsn's tenderness, the inevitable
hour came, and peacefully aud quietly his
spirit passed from earth.
The citizens asked that all might have an op
poFtunity to join in the last Offices Of respec,
| and affection.
Amer brief service st the house. . public
funeral was held at the Congregational Church
Rev. Mr.. Thomas the present, and Rev. Mr.
Parker Of Belfast, former pastor officiating
The crowded church, the drsped pulpit, the
floral offerings, the hushed and reyerent misn
told Of the general and heartfelt sorrow for the
| death Of the beloved physician, and Christian
gentleman.
| DaekspOrs.
The following officers were chosen a
a town meeting held Monday, March s.
1879:
Selectmen-G. w. AcAilister, Jos Til.
lock aud L. G. Colby. Jr.
Treasurer-Silss b. Warren.
Clerk-W. II. filsbury.
AUTHORIZATIONS White.