History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield ...

1 82 Biographical Sketches. Newhall.
light wagon.
And thus equipped he set forth with the phthisical
apprentice of a friendly shoemaker as a guide and companion,
and by whom the travelling equipage was to be returned. During
the first day they got lost on the prairie, but at night reached
a log hut, where they were hospitably entertained by the proprietor,
whose name was Mather, and who proved to be a lineal
descendant of Cotton Mather the celebrated New England divine.
The next day they continued their journey over prairie lands
in splendid floral garniture, it being the eighth of June. They
also saw herds of deer roaming in every dire6lion. The young
doctor was so inspired by the romance and beauty of the scene
that he shouted and capered till his poor companion was seized
with amazement and fears that he had become suddenly distra6ted.
In the afternoon he arrived at the border of the prairie, where
were a few settlers. There he dismissed his companion with
good advice as to the treatment of the oppressive disease under
which he was suffering, and began to administer to his first
regular patient.
At Greenville, in Bond county, he immediately opened an
office, and soon found himself in a pra6lice extending over all
the adjacent counties. He was in no sense given to idleness ;
and besides being very industrious in his profession, was a6live
in public affairs, working diligently to promote the prosperity
of his new home. In benevolent enterprises he took an unwearied
interest ; and it may safely be said that to him are attributable
the foundation and success of some of the most worthy
institutions that have proved such blessings to the great West.
And he was a man who never despised small beginnings. In
March,' 1825, the first Sunday school in Bond county, and the
second in the state, was established through his efforts, and of it
he was the first superintendent. It was at about that period,
too, that he, together with a few other kindred spirits, succeeded
in establishing a Bible Society, and one in aid of Domestic
Missions.
In 1827 Dr. Newhall removed from Greenville into the midst
of the Indian country to the mining region. He arrived at the
site of Galena, on the 31st of March, having occupied twenty-six
days in the tedious and dangerous journey from St. Louis. For
a short time he turned his attention to mining; but in 1828