In his desire for a wider knowledge in the range of his profession, especially in the line of surgery, he visited Europe in the fall of 1841, spending the succeeding winter in visiting the hospitals of Paris, and in attending the lectures of the distinguished men who at that time had attained a position in medical science surpassing, in point of investigation and practical analysis, that of any other city. In the following spring he visited the principal cities of Italy, and for a while studied in the hospitals of London. On his return to Bradford he at once resumed the practice of his profession. He boldly and successfully attempted capital operations in surgery, and became the leading surgical operator and consulting physician for a large circuit. He fitted up a well appointed dissecting-room, and the advantages of his instruction were sought by many students, who can attest to the thoroughness of his teaching, especially in the department of surgical anatomy. His knowledge of technical anatomy was quite remarkable, and sometimes his students would contrive a plot to "stump" the "old doctor" by an intricate quizzing upon some obscure nerve or vessel. The attempt always proved futile; but the cunning students did not enjoy the fire of questions that followed from their teacher, who all too easily perceived the "soft impeachment." The term "old doctor" was applied by the students before their preceptor was thirty years old. In 1844, Dr. Cogswell was offered a professorship in the medical department of one of the leading colleges of New England, which he declined.
He early manifested his interest in the elevation of the standard of medical practice, by suggesting to his professional brethren the importance of a local organization, and through his efforts the Essex North Medical Association was formed, composed of the leading physicians in the northern portion of the county. This society has had a vigorous growth, and is now merged into the Massachusetts Medical Society, under the title of the "Essex North District Medical Society." Although retired from active practice, he retains his membership in this society, and regularly attends the quarterly meetings, participating in the scientific and practical discussions, and manifesting a lively interest in the success of the younger members.
Dr. Cogswell has been called upon to fill many positions of responsibility and trust; and since he retired from the active duties of professional life his whole time has been absorbed in the transaction of business of a public and private nature. He was elected president of the Union Bank in Haverhill, Mass., at its organization, in 1849, and was elected to the same office when that institution became the First National Bank, in 1864, which position he still retains. For many years he has been vice-president of the Haverhill Savings Bank, and was for a time a successful railroad president.
He was an active member of the Chapman-Hall meeting in Boston, which organized the Republican party in Massachusetts, with which party he has ever been in full accord. In 1852 he was a member of the electoral college of Massachusetts, which gave the vote of the state for Gen. Winfield Scott; and also a member of the college of 1864, which gave the vote of the state for Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. He was a delegate from the sixth district of Massachusetts to the Chicago convention which nominated Abraham Lincoln for president in 1860. In 1858 and 1859, he was a member of the executive council of Massachusetts, with Nathaniel P. Banks as governor. In 1862 he was appointed, by President Lincoln, collector of internal revenue for the sixth district of Massachusetts. After holding this office for four years, he was removed by President Johnson, without cause; but was again appointed to the same office by President Grant, in 1870, which position he held until 1875, when this district was consolidated with two other districts. This was one of the largest and most important paying districts in the country, and under the administration of Dr. Cogswell its affairs were conducted with marked efficiency, and with absolute correctness.
Dr. Cogswell has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, and he has given some of his best service to the management of important schools. He has been, for a long time, a trustee of Atkinson Academy, and is also a trustee of the Peabody Academy of Science, in Salem, Mass. But the crowning work of his life in the department of education has been in connection with Bradford Academy. For nearly fifty years he has been a trustee of this famous school, and during most of this time has had the entire management of its financial affairs. His efficiency in this work is best illustrated by the success of the school in all its departments. The splendid appointments of this academy for the higher education of young ladies, the ample grounds, the perfection of the school edifice, the excellence of the teachers, and the scope of its curriculum, give it a prominence and a power not excelled by any similar institution in the land. It may be safely estimated that Dr. Cogswell, by his long connection with this, the oldest school for young ladies in the country, has had a wider personal experience in matters of internal management, in consultation with teachers, and in advising with reference to pupils, than any man connected with an institution of this character; and he has the pleasure, with his associate trustees, of seeing this school, by the generosity and interest of its many friends, placed upon an enduring foundation. He was elected, in 1869, a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is also a member of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society.
In the great reforms that have occurred during the last half-century, Dr. Cogswell has given his influence by judicious advice and consistent example. He commenced active life with the temperance movement, and by precept and example has ever advanced the cause. He was also an ardent supporter of the anti-slavery movement from the beginning of that great controversy.
Dr. Cogswell is evangelical in his religious convictions, and has never departed from the traditions of his ancestors. In 1831 he became, by profession, a member of the First Parish Congregational church in Bradford, and has always been identified with its growth and prosperity.
In 1860 he assisted in forming the "Haverhill Monday Evening Club," a private organization limited to twenty-five members. This club is composed of gentlemen of literary tastes, residing in Haverhill and Bradford, and the meetings afford delightful recreation in the discussion of literary, scientific, and social topics. This is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Massachusetts, and its unique character has suggested similar organizations in many neighboring cities.
In 1831 he married Abigail Parker, daughter of Peter Parker, Esq., of East Bradford, now Groveland. Her ancestors were noted for intellectual ability and force of character. She was born September 6, 1808, and died July 23, 1845. The children of this marriage are as follows:—
Abby Parker, born September 25, 1832; graduated at Bradford Academy; married Hon. George F. Choate, judge of probate and insolvency of the county of Essex, Mass., October 20, 1869.