My Genealogy Hound

EBENEZER COOLIDGE RICHARDSON, M.D., who was for forty-three years a prominent physician in Ware, was born at Townsend, Mass., April 25, 1820, and died in Ware, January 10, 1886. He was the only son of Dr. Samuel Richardson and Polly (Kidder) Richardson, the latter a niece of the famous Dr. Moses Kidder, of Lowell. His only sister, Harriet Richardson Gardner, died in Paris, March 4, 1871. Dr. Richardson graduated from Harvard Medical College in 1842, and in that year settled in Ware. He acquired an extensive practice there and in the surrounding towns, and became widely known. Dr. Richardson was entirely devoted to his profession. In him were combined all the qualities of a successful practitioner. He was highly valued in consultation with prominent physicians throughout Massachusetts. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Association. He was also connected with the Brookfield Medical Club, and was surgeon of the Ware J. W. Lawton Grand Army Post. At the time of the Civil War Dr. Richardson accepted a government appointment as surgeon of the Board of Enrolment for the Ninth District of Massachusetts, being stationed at Greenfield. Returning to Ware after a little more than two years’ service, he resumed his practice, and in the succeeding year was appointed the district examining surgeon for government pensions. Dr. Richardson was an accomplished musician, being more than ordinarily skilful on the violin. His sensitive musical temperament enabled him to enter deeply into the feelings of others. He was always good to the poor and distressed, in many instances refusing pay for his services. He was a member of the East Congregational Church of Ware for thirty years.

Shortly after coming to Ware, Dr. Richardson married Clara Reed Hartwell, the only daughter of Captain Joseph Hartwell, of Ware. Capt. Hartwell had served in nearly all the more important offices in the gift of the town, and had represented the district in the legislature of 1863. His wife was before marriage Clarissa Reed, whose home was the famous old Reed castle, in Bolton, Mass. Mrs. Clara (Hartwell) Richardson was born April 15, 1830, at Ware. She received her education in the schools of Ware and the Belchertown Academy, then conducted by Mr. J. F. Pearl. She also passed her examinations for Mount Holyoke Seminary. She studied vocal and instrumental music in Boston, and was an accomplished musician. A prominent feature of former times were the musical festivals given in Ware, Brookfield, and neighboring towns. In these Dr. and Mrs. Richardson took active part as soloists. Mrs. Richardson was a woman of great strength of character, yet she had a manner that charmed young and old alike. Love was the key-note of her life — love to God and man. She ever exercised a broad charity; and, with her far-sighted judgment and gentle words and deeds of kindness, she will long live in the hearts of her many friends, a beautiful and blessed memory. She died August 17, 1895. Five children survive her: Mari Anita, wife of Marshall Otis West, a successful manufacturer of Port Chester, N.Y.; Carrie Virginia, wife of Edwin Howard Baker, who is connected with the firm of Wright, Bliss & Fabyan, of New York; Harriet Gardner, wife of Osborne Mowry Billings, of St. Louis, Mo.; Martha Reed, wife of Dr. William Oliver Barrett, a well-known dentist of Ware; and Charlotte Houghton Richardson, of Ware, Mass.