Hallowell's Contribution To Modern Medicine
In the years following the Revolution many trained physicians came to the Kennebec Valley to establish medical practices. They included Daniel Cony, Samuel Colman, Benjamin Page, John Hubbard (father of Maine Gov. John Hubbard), Obadiah Williams, James Parker, Issachar Snell, Stephen Barton (brother-in-law of Martha Ballard and great-grandfather of civil war nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton) and Benjamin Vaughan. Most wanted to become successful farmers as well as practicing physicians. Because of Hallowell's close connections to professional and commercial interests in Boston most of these men were members of the Massachusetts Medical Society and many traveled to Boston for medical conferences.
Life challenges can be reduced to some very basic elements: food, family, shelter and health, both physical and spiritual. When it comes to the frailties of the flesh Hallowell has been blessed with skilled practitioners. Midwifery, ground-breaking research, and even patent medicine empires have been part of Hallowell's medical history. While there are numerous prominent figures providing health care for the residents of Hallowell, there are five of special note: four doctors; Benjamin Vaughan, Benjamin Page, John Hubbard, Henry Pope Clearwater, and one celebrated midwife, Martha Ballard.