Dr. Ruth Bliss Boggs- A Physician From Longmeadow

Ruth C. Bliss
Graduation Photo- Class of 1887
Courtesy of  Northfield Mount Hermon Archives

Ruth C. Bliss was born in Longmeadow, MA on November 2, 1866. She was the daughter of William E. and Mary Wood Bliss.  William Bliss was a farmer.  In 1881 when Ruth was 14 years old her father died.  He left his wife and a large family behind.  The Bliss family were members of the First Church in Longmeadow, MA.  

Ruth Bliss completed her education in Longmeadow's schools and then she was able to continue on with her studies.  She was accepted at the Northfield Seminary for Young Ladies located in East Northfield, MA.   According to her application to this school "A friend chose the school for her".  Ruth was described as "Cheerful & studious" and "Has always held a good rank in school".  The studies that she had taken in the Longmeadow schools were "Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Geography, Grammar, History U.S., Commenced Latin & Natural Philosophy".     

The Northfield Seminary for Young Ladies was founded by the Evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody.  It opened its doors in 1879.  Later, this school merged with Mount Hermon School for Boys that was also founded by D. L. Moody. 

To attend this school each student paid a tuition.  The yearly tuition for Ruth Bliss was paid by a generous benefactor.  The generous benefactor was the prominent Springfield, MA resident and businessman Marvin Chapin.  Mr. Chapin was the founder of both the hotel Massasoit House and the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company.  Both were located in Springfield.

Mr. Chapin's son-in-law David Allen Reed contacted D. L. Moody regarding accepting Ruth to the Northfield Seminary for Young Ladies.  David Allen Reed went on to found Springfield College in Springfield, MA.       

Miss Bliss completed her education at the Northfield Seminary for Young Ladies and was one of the members of the graduating Class of 1887.

Northfield Seminary for Young Ladies
Graduating Class of 1887
(Ruth C. Bliss first row on left.)
Photo courtesy of Northfield Mount Hermon Archives

After graduation Miss Bliss enrolled in the Womens Medical College at Philadelphia.  There, she earned her Medical Degree.  After graduation this young woman was appointed by the Presbyterian Board of Missions to be a missionary physician to women and children in a Chinese clinic in China.   Dr. Bliss collaborated with another individual to translate a standard book on nursing from English to Cantonese.  The book was very helpful to individuals in the Chinese clinic.

While in China Dr. Ruth C. Bliss met the Missionary Rev. John J. Boggs (from Iowa).  They were married in Canton, China in April of 1896.  Their daughter Agnes Louise Boggs was born in Canton in 1899.

Springfield Daily Republican
Feb. 9, 1900

From time to time Rev. and Dr. Boggs would travel back to Longmeadow, MA to visit her family and also for special occasions.

Springfield Daily Republican
Sept. 6, 1910

Another occasion was the 200th anniversary celebration of The First Church in Longmeadow.

Springfield Republican
Oct. 17, 1916

They returned to live in the United States after completing their missionary work in China.  Rev. Boggs became a professor at Rollins College in Florida and then at Hastings College in Nebraska.  

On October 18, 1930 Dr. Ruth Bliss Boggs died in Hastings, Nebraska. In her lifetime she had become a physician and a missionary.  The young girl who grew up in Longmeadow, MA attended a private school with the financial help of a distinguished Springfield, MA businessman.  She earned her medical degree and traveled to China to help other women and children. Dr. Ruth Bliss married and also raised a daughter.  Her daughter Agnes became a teacher.  Dr. Ruth Bliss Boggs was a kind thoughtful and caring woman who helped other people.     

Additional Sources:  Springfield Republican- June 27, 1899 and Oct. 20, 1930;
Northfield Mount Hermon Archives, Registrar's Office, Student Files, Northfield, Bliss #242N"

With Special Thanks to the Northfield Mount Hermon Archives

~Written by Judy Moran        

Longmeadow Welcomes First Baby Born in 1924

Lawrence M. Goodwin
Springfield Technical High School
Graduation Photo- 1941

One hundred years ago on January 4, 1924 Longmeadow, MA welcomed its first baby of the new year!  Lawrence Morgan Goodwin was born in Longmeadow on that day.  His proud parents were Sylvester F. and Alice (Morgan) Goodwin.  The Goodwin family lived at 1190 Longmeadow Street. The house is no longer there. In 1924 the Goodwins also had another son and two daughters.  Sylvester Goodwin was the manager of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. grocery store.  The store was one in a chain of grocery stores and it was located in the Colonnade at 477 Longmeadow Street. This grocery store chain is now known as the A & P.  Previously, Mr. Goodwin had been a grocery clerk at the C. L. Wood grocery store located at 776 Longmeadow Street.

C. L. Wood Grocery Store
Date: 1912
Emerson Collection
Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

In 1926 the family moved to Woolworth Road (Woolworth Street) in Longmeadow.  New opportunities arose when another grocery store- a self serve store opened.  The name of the store was Thrift Stores, Inc.  It was located at 10 Bliss Road.

Springfield Republican
Nov. 24, 1928
(Click image to enlarge)

 
Mr. Goodwin managed the grocery store.

Source: 1929 Longmeadow Street Directory

Then in 1929 Sylvester Goodwin resigned from this position.

Source:  Springfield Republican
 July 30, 1929

The young man Lawrence M. Goodwin, who was born 100 years ago, grew up in Longmeadow and graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1941.  On July 9, 1948 he married Ilene Canor in Brattleboro, Vermont.  It was on the same day and in the same place that his younger brother Lynn married Ilene's sister Shirley Canor.  Lawrence was a mechanic.  Eventually, he and his wife Ilene moved to Hampden, MA.  In 1961 he was a service manager at Friendly Ice Cream Corp. at 1855 Boston Road in Wilbraham, MA.     

By taking a quick glance at this individual (who was born 100 years ago) and his family who lived in Longmeadow we are able to learn about residents who lived and also worked in Longmeadow.  So often we think and learn about town residents who took the trolly to work in Springfield, MA.  Some members of the Goodwin family probably did take a trolly into the city.  Lawrence M. Goodwin, his older brother and his sisters probably rode a trolly to attend high school in Springfield.  However, for many years his father's occupation was working and then managing grocery stores in Longmeadow.  A trolly ride was not a necessity for him every day. 

Additional Sources:  1924 Longmeadow Town Report; 1925, 1926 Longmeadow Directories; 1961 Springfield Directory and Vermont Marriage Records.

Written by Judy Moran