One of a Thousand/Babbitt, Nathan S.

 

Babbitt, Nathan S., son of Snell and Jael (Edson) Babbitt, was born in Hancock, Berkshire county, August 30, 1812. His father was a studious and prominent medical practitioner. His mother was also a native of Berkshire, whose family is of Welsh extraction, and is descended from Edward Bobbitt, who settled in Taunton in 1643. The descendants have changed the orthography of the patronymic. The Babbitt family in Massachusetts has furnished the professional and artistic walks of life with many able representatives. The line has been conspicuous for its many eminent physicians and surgeons. Isaac Babbitt, the inventor of the anti-friction "Babbitt-metal," is a member of this family. He made the first Britannia ware in this country in 1831, in Taunton. His great metallic production dates from 1839.

The preparatory education of Mr. Babbitt was received at the academy at South Adams. Cut off from a college course by lack of means, he entered at once upon his preparatory work for the medical profession.

He studied one year with Dr. H. M. Wells of Windsor, then with his father, and also attended the usual course of lectures at the Berkshire Medical school, from which he was graduated M. D. in 1833, at the age of twenty-one years. His degree was conferred by Williams College, of which the Berkshire school constituted the medical department. The degree of A. M. was subsequently awarded Dr. Babbitt by the same college.

Locating in South Adams, after graduation, he speedily gained a wide and successful practice, which he prosecuted until 1846, when he removed to North Adams. For upwards of thirty years he has been studiously devoted to his profession, and is to-day the acknowledged leader of the medical fraternity in his vicinity.

The excavation of the Hoosac Tunnel was attended by many accidents to the workmen employed therein. Their frequent and severe injuries imperatively demanded the presence of a skilled surgeon, whose cool judgment and prompt action should be adequate to all emergencies. Dr. Babbitt was engaged by the Tunnel company, and for more than twenty years his services were often under requisition. Prior to his settlement in Adams, patients who needed surgical treatment sought it at the recognized centres of professional skill. Since then his eminent abilities have rendered such recourse unnecessary.

In 1837 Dr. Babbitt was elected a fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He was the first president of the Northern District Medical Association.

In 1835 Dr. Babbitt was married to Ann Eliza, daughter of Thomas Robinson, of Adams.