Nashua New Hampshire’s First Women Physicians: Ella (Blaylock) Atherton and Katherine E. (Prichard) Hoyt

Ellen C. "Katherine E." (Prichard) Hoyt MD. Photograph from History of Nashua, NH by Judge Edward E. Parker, 1897

Ellen C. “Katherine E.” (Prichard) Hoyt, M.D. Photograph from History of Nashua, NH by Judge Edward E. Parker, 1897

In 1897 when the updated History of Nashua was published, the medical history (authored by Evan B. Hammond) reported the following: “Dr. Ella Blaylock and Dr. Katherine E. Prichard are the only two lady physicians of whom Nashua can boast, either in the past or present, and their success it a guarantee that their stay here is one of profit to themselves as well as to their patients. They were elected the same year (1891) to the Nashua Medical Association. She [Katherine E. Hoyt, M.D.] opened an office in 1889 and “although the first resident woman physician….” devoted her time entirely to gynecological work and obstetrics.

Both of these talented physicians became

Ella (Blaylock) Atherton, M.D.

Ella (Blaylock) Atherton, M.D.

members of the local Medical Association in the same year–1891.  Both specialized in women’s medicine, gynecology, and obstetrics.  Both married within the next few years. Katherine’s husband, Henry Hoyt, M.D.,  was also a physician and by 1900 she had moved with him to Sioux City, Iowa where he had a thriving practice. They later to Wenham, Massachusetts.  Ella married Hon. Henry Bridge Atherton, an attorney and editor of the Telegraph newspaper.  She remained in Nashua, with abdominal surgery as one of her skilled capabilities, and practicing medicine in that city for many years. Continue reading

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Not New Hampshire: The First Fried Clams

cowhampshire fried clamsIt is time to restart the discussion about the First Fried Clams, and discover the truth. If you google “fried clams” you will quickly see that there is no definitive starting point at which clams were served fried in the United States.  The date of 1865, however, is entirely incorrect, and they were, in fact, served several decades earlier. Continue reading

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Still More Manchester (NH) High School Graduates of 1888 and 1890

Some of the Manchester schools of 1890 including the High School that these students graduated from. Sketches from the 1890 Report of Manchester NH Selectmen

Some of the Manchester schools of 1890 including the High School (upper middle drawing) that these students graduated from. Sketches from the 1890 Report of Manchester NH Selectmen

Today I finish my presentation of photographs and partial genealogies of members of the Manchester (New Hampshire) High School graduating class of 1888 and 1890.  All members of the 1888 Manchester High School graduating class was noted in the 1888 Manchester Annual Report, under the School’s Superintendent’s section. There were a few of the graduates I have not reported on because I do not have their photographs.

Group Portrait—Manchester High School 25th Reunion Class of 1889-90 [taken 8 September 1915]. G. I. Hopkins; Arthur Wheat; Tommy Morse; Mattie Chadwick (Hobbs); Ellen Brown; May Morse; Grace Smith; Cora Simmons; Bertha Young; Ethel Lauiprey; [Vennie] Bartlett; [Mertie] Hawkes (Preston); Sarah Price; Hattie Willard; May (Saxon); William Heath; Dick Hobbs; Will Saxon; [Norwise] Bean; Mrs. Bean; Margaret Manning; Mrs. Fay S. Manning; Edith Burnhaus; with other husbands and children of classmates. From the Manchester Historic Association Collection. Used with permission.

Group Portrait—Manchester High School 25th Reunion Class of 1889-90 [taken 8 September 1915]. G. I. Hopkins; Arthur Wheat; Tommy Morse; Mattie Chadwick (Hobbs); Ellen Brown; May Morse; Grace Smith; Cora Simmons; Bertha Young; Ethel Lauiprey; [Vennie] Bartlett; [Mertie] Hawkes (Preston); Sarah Price; Hattie Willard; May (Saxon); William Heath; Dick Hobbs; Will Saxon; [Norwise] Bean; Mrs. Bean; Margaret Manning; Mrs. Fay S. Manning; Edith Burnhaus; with other husbands and children of classmates. From the Manchester Historic Association Collection. Used with permission.

Twice previously I have posted photographs and genealogies about members of this same graduating class, i.e.:
Four Manchester (NH) High School Graduates of 1888: George W. Bartlett, Lillian J. Gray, Emma A. Putney, John B. McGuinness
Four More Manchester (NH) High School Graduates 1888:  Maude G. Fifield, Ethel G. Lamprey, Sarah G. “Sadie” Sawyer, Alice M. Stuart

Today’s post will include stories about: 1888 Class graduates: Warner Mitchell Allen, Ernest Augustus Royal, Mabel J. Brickett, Clara Ellen Brown, Annie Belle Goodwin, Seddie  J. Berry, Mary Augusta Hawley; and 1890 Class graduate: Mattie Sophronia Chadwick.

Continue reading

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New Hampshire Tidbits: The Song “My Old New Hampshire Home”

My Old New Hampshire Home, Historical American Sheet Music, Duke University Library, Digital Collection

My Old New Hampshire Home, Historical American Sheet Music, Duke University Library, Digital Collection

 

Considered a sentimental ballad, the tune “My Old New Hampshire Home,” was composed by Harry Von Tilzer, and lyricist Andrew B. Sterling in 1898. Neither of these two men were from New Hampshire, though they were intimately connected with the New England vaudeville shows.

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The Face of Vera Althea Tryon aka Mrs. Harold M. Walker of Manchester NH (1892-1942)

An undated photograph of Vera Althea Tryon, probably taken at her 8th grade graduation circa xxxx in Manchester NH.

An undated photograph of Vera Althea Tryon, probably taken at her 8th grade graduation circa 1905 in Manchester NH.

Vera Althea Tryon stands frozen in time, with her hands clasped delicately around a diploma.  She wears a white, ruffled summer dress.  Her hair is pulled back, and tied with a large white silk bow. She wears elbow high white gloves.  Around her throat she wears a cameo necklace. Her clothing and accessories are typical at the turn of the 20th century.

This is probably a formal photograph of Vera’s eighth grade graduation (taken about 1905 when she would have been 13 years old) in Manchester, New Hampshire.  She grew up at 96 A Street where her family was still living in 1910. Continue reading

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