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.
Babcock, James Francis, son of Archibald D. and Fanny F. (Richards) Babcock, was born in Boston, February 23, 1844.
His early education was accomplished at the Quincy grammar school and at the English high school in Boston, where he graduated in 1860, and at once entered the chemical department of the Lawrence Scientific school of Harvard University. Completing the course of study in 1862, he at once commenced the profession of analytical chemist, which he has practiced in Boston to the present time, frequently being engaged as chemical expert in patent cases and in capital trials in this and other states.
On the 25th of May, 1865, in Boston, Mr. Babcock was married to Mary Porter, daughter of Walter and Mary (Watson) Crosby. Their children are: Walter C., Frank C., and Marie Babcock.
Mr. Babcock was appointed state assayer by Governor Gaston in 1875, and re-appointed by successive governors for ten years. He was appointed milk inspector for the city of Boston in 1885, and continued to the year 1889. His official reports on milk, butter, etc., form valuable contributions to the literature of these subjects. From 1870 to 1875 he was professor of chemistry in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and in the Boston University from 1875 to 1880.
Prof. Babcock is a popular lyceum lecturer upon scientific subjects, and is the inventor of the chemical fire engine and the Babcock fire extinguisher.
Babson, Fitz James, son of Joseph and Mary Babson, was born in Gloucester, Essex county, February 14, 1828.
From the public schools of his native town he passed to the Murray Institute Academy, where he remained until the age of fourteen. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to a master carpenter, with whom he served four years. Commencing business as contractor and builder at the age of twenty-one, he continued in this line until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion.
