July 1, 1921
Death of Dr. Frederic William Jones.
Frederic W. Jones died Friday, July 1. He was the son of Dr. Frederick and Caroline (Gibson) Jones, and was a native of New Ipswich. He attended the Old Brick schoolhouse and was a graduate of New Ipswich Appleton academy in 1865. He was graduated from Dartmouth college in the class of 1869, from which Institution he also received the degree of Master of Arts; attended Harvard Medical school one year; was Interne[sic] in the Boston Lunatic hospital and house of correction; was a teacher in Appleton academy six years; received the degree of M. D. from the Medical University of New York city in 1881. He secured a license as pharmacist from the state board of pharmacy of New Hampshire in 1882. He was a member of the New Hampshire Medical society, County Medical society and the American Medical association.
In local affairs Dr. Jones occupied n prominent position, as for several years he was a member of the school board and served an representative in the New Hampshire legislature in 1903. For 20 years he was connected with the Mason Village Savings bank, serving as president for six years, until last January when ill health forced him to sever all connection with the bank. He served as chairman of three Liberty Loan drives and for more 25 years was a supervisor of the checklist. With his mother he was instrumental in securing a gift to the town from Capt. Albert Stearns of $7000 for a lecture fund, and for 27 years he served as chairman of the lecture commission. In all those years he missed but one lecture, and that was due to the serious illness of his his mother. This record was typical of his life, for no matter what the position he occupied, he served faithfully even to the smallest detail.
The medical record of his family in this town is unusual. His maternal grandfather. Dr. Stillman Gibson, practiced here for over 40 years; his father, Dr. Frederick Jones, over 50 years: his uncle, Dr. Henry Gibson, two years, dying at a very early age, and he himself for over 40 years, making a record for one family in one town of of over 130 years. Only those closely associated with a country physician in can realize the great labor, sacrifice and hardship involved in such a profession.
For over 40 years he was correspondent of the Fitchburg Sentinel, In which paper he took a great personal Interest, even to the very day of his death.
Although not well for over a year. Dr. Jones kept at his work and none outside his immediate family realized the seriousness of his condition. For the last two weeks of his life he was a great sufferer and bore all his pain with marvelous fortitude and patience. Dr. Jones was unselfish, philanthropic, and a Christian gentleman of sterling character. His minister and physician held religious services at every visit and on the morning of his death he said: "In God I trust." To his very last breath his mental powers were alert and his mind undimmed.
On July 30, 1902, he was married to Miss Mabel M. Whitney of Wadena, Minn. The survivors are the widow and one sister, Mrs. Frances Jones Burton.
Photo Archives
Doctor Frederic William Jones
As was mentioned in the obituary, his father (Also named Frederic) was a doctor born July 20, 1813. Died July 6, 1892.
James Roger diary entry
4th March 1913
Frost, snow showers, wind east. David and C. Knowlton went for a load of wood in forenoon. He took the horse to the blacksmith’s in the afternoon. I split some old wood in forenoon. Got letter from Hamish.
Phenomenal man, Dr, Jones. A treasure of the town. Did they really formally call the mental health facility in Boston a Lunatic Asylum?
Amazing devotion to one's hometown! The Jones and Gibsons were exceptional in their contributions of time and energy to the town.