JOHN CALVIN WEBSTER

John Calvin Webster, son of Rev. John Calvin, D.D. (Dart. '32), and Rebecca Gair (Russell) Webster, was born April 9, 1843, at Hopkinton, Massachusetts. He commenced is classical education at the High School of his native town, and entered college at the beginning of the Fall term, August 24, 1860.

Immediately after graduating, in August, 1864, he went on a visit to Providence, Rhode Island, where he met his old classmate and chum, Howe. Moved by feelings of patriotism, they both decided to enlist in the army, and left for Boston, Massachusetts, where they were enrolled as members of Company E, First Battalion, Heavy Artillery, Massachusetts Volunteers. This battalion was raised for the defense of Washington, D.C., and was sent to Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, until the full complement of men was recruited. Meanwhile the feelings of anxiety were allayed regarding the threatened danger to Washington, and the battalion was kept at Fort Warren, on garrison duty. For one month, "Web" was detailed for duty as Adjutant's Clerk, was then appointed Wardmaster of the Hospital for about four months, when he was appointed Acting Hospital Steward for the Confederate Prisoners' Hospital, in which capacity he served until mustered out of the Service, July 3, 1865. He went to Hanover, New Hampshire, in August, 1865, and attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical College. He had previously commenced the study of medicine with the late Professor A. B. Crosby, of Hanover, New Hampshire, during the Senior Winter vacation of 1863-4. In December, 1865, he went to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he continued his studies with the late W. D. Buck, M.D., and Professor L. B. How. He remained there until October, 1866, when he went to Boston, Massachusetts, and attended lectures at the Harvard Medical School, where he graduated, March 13, 1867.

He went directly to Chicago, Illinois, where he commenced the practice of his profession, remaining until March 15, 1869, when he accepted an offer to go to Cincinnati, Ohio, as Physician-in-charge of the "Health Lift,'' which was a system of physical culture. He continued in this position until February, 1870, when he returned to Chicago, Illinois, and resumed the practice of his profession in the same locality that he occupied before his removal. He has continued in the same place up to the present time, and enjoys a good degree of success.

He is a member of the Illinois State Medical Society, also of the Chicago Medical Society and the Chicago Pathological Society. He was elected Treasurer of the Dartmouth Alumni Association in 1883, and re-elected in 1884.

He is a member of the Leavitt-street Congregational Church. In politics, he is a Republican.

He was married March 15, 1869, to Miss Lizzie Doland, of Manchester, New Hampshire. They have had six children The first, a boy, was born February 16, 1872, and died the same day. The others are all living, and are in robust health. Mabel Dana, born February 19, 1873; Anna Russell, born December 13, 1875; Gerald Howe, born March 6, 1878; Harry Damon, born March 19, 1880, and Rebecca Elizabeth, born February 26, 1882.

Source: "Memorialia of the Class of '64 in Dartmouth College" complied by John C. Webster, Shepard & Johnston, Printers, 1884, Chicago

Submitted by Deborah Crowell