USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Middletown > Centennial address and Historical sketches > Part 14
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Henry Woodward, native of Torringford. See on- ward.
Isaac Conkling, native of East Hampton, L. I., stu- dent of Dr. Ebenezer Sage, of Sag Harbor, L. I., at- tended lectures in Columbia College, New York City, practised three or four years in Portland, about as many in Oneida County, N. Y., and nine years in Middletown. Died in Portland February 24, 1824, aged 44.
Edward S. Cone, son of Rev. Salmon Cone, of Col- chester, graduate of Middlebury College, 1815, student of Dr. William Tully, attended lectures in New Haven,
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had good share of practice ; died February 13, 1831, aged nearly 36 ycars.
Frederic Morgan. See Physicians in Middle Had- dam.
David Harrison, native of North Branford, student of Dr. Parker, of Wallingford, graduated M. D., at Yale College, 1825, began practice in Durham, moved to Middletown, in 1829; in 1837, went to the Spanish West Indies for his health and practised there, return- ing to Middletown in 1842.
Joseph Barratt, an Englishman by birth, professor of Botany, Chemistry and Mineralogy, in the Military Academy, was graduated M. D., at Yale College, in 1834. Besides performing professional duties, he has paid much attention to the language of the American In- dians, and various branches of natural science.
Gurdon H. Parkis, attended lectures at Pittsfield, and was graduated M. D., at Williams College, in 1829. About this time he came to Middletown and practised, left in 1833; at an after period he practised dentistry in Norwich.
Chester Parkis, brother of Gurdon, came to Middle- town a few months after him, and left about the same time. He afterwards practised dentistry, in Salem, Mass.
Charles Woodward, M. D., son of Dr. Samuel Wood- ward of Torringford, studied medicine with his father, and with his brother, Dr. Samuel B. Woodward, in Wethersfield, where he practised in 1821, then ten years in Windsor ; in 1832, he came to Middletown, where he has since practised.
Samuel Gray Southmayd, M. D. graduate of Yale, 1834. After practising for a time in Middletown, he settled and practised in New York. He has since given up his profession, as a principal concern, and engaged in other business.
Thomas Miner, M. D., native of Stonington, attend- ed lectures in Pittsfield, practised medicine some years in West Stockbridge, and then in Middletown ; is now practising in Hartford.
PHYSICIANS IN FIRST SOCIETY. 199
William B. Casey, M. D., graduate of Columbia College, N. Y., 1833, studied medicine and was grad- uated at the University of Pennsylvania, began practice in New York in 1836, and in Middletown, 1839; was mayor of the city in '51.
Elisha B. Nye, native of Sandwich, Mass., gradu- ate of Wesleyan University in 1835, studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Miner, 2d, of Middletown, and in New Haven, where he was graduated M. D., in 1837 ; prac- tised in Moodus, a village in East Haddam, from 1837 till nearly the close of 1851; is now settled in Middle- town.
Hamilton Brewer, native of East Hartford, graduato of Wesleyan University, 1833, graduated M. D., at New Haven, in 1841, practised in Middletown several years, moved to Brooklyn in '51; is now engaged in insurance.
Franklin Woodruff, native of Burlington, studied medicine with Dr. William Brown of Collinsville, and his brother Dr. Lucius Woodruff of New Britain. The degree of M. D., was conferred upon him at the New York University in 1844, and in the same year he set- tled in Middletown.
George W. Burke, native of New Haven, graduate of the Wesleyan University, 1839, studied medicine with Dr. A. Brigham of Hartford, and in New Haven, where he was graduated Doctor of Medicine in '43; practis- ed in Palmer, Mass., has come to Middletown since the commencement of the current year.
Ellsworth Burr, native of Haddam, Botanic Physi- cian, who studied with Dr. Isaac G. Sperry of Hartford, has practised in Middletown and vicinity since 1837.
William C. Bell, Homopathic physician, studied medicine one year under Horace Ballard, M. D., of Chester, Mass., and then mostly under Professor Child, of Pittsfield, where he was graduated M. D., in 1833. He afterwards practised in Austerlitz, N. Y., and in Great Barrington, Mass., till, '49, when he came to Middletown, where he has since practised.
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OBITUARY OF DR. T. MINOR.
Physicians in Middlefield and Westfield.
The people in Middlefield and Westfield have depend- ed principally for medical aid upon the physicians in the First Society, and in other adjoining places. About the few physicians who have resided and practised in thesc places, a few words will be added to what is said in the address, (pp. 95 and 6.) Dr. A. Ward practised in Middlefield a few years only, dying August 12th, 1788, aged 32. Dr. J. Hoadley, native of Branford, gradu- ate of Yale, 1768, practised a longer period, had the re- putation of being very skilful in curing the cholic. He died March 2d, 1810, aged 66 *. Dr. Hatch who prac- tised in Westfield for a short time, and then moved to New Hartford, and afterwards to Granville, Mass., though a very respectable man, engaged only in part in his profes . sion in New Hartford, and very little in Granville. A Dr. Morris is said to have practised for a short time in Westfield, about 1830, who moved to Meriden, and thence to Ohio.
Thomas Minor, M. D.
There are published accounts, in Williams' American Medical Biography, of two of the deceased physicians in the foregoing list, which in an abridged form will now be given.
The first is an account of Dr. Thomas Minor, son of Rev. Thomas Minor, of the parish of Westfield. This . is mostly autobiographical ; the rest is from the pen of Dr. S. B. Woodward, who well knew him. The whole is much too long for insertion. But it is due to the standing of Dr. Minor, that some facts should be here given concerning him. He was born Oct. 15th, 1777, and in childhood and early youth suffered much from feebleness and disease, but entered Yale College in 1792,
Phineas Miller, a native of Middlefield, and brother of the Hop. Asher Miller, who studied medicine with the 2d Dr. John Osbone, settled in Norwalk, and had a large practice. He has been dead more than twen- ty years.
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OBITUARY OF DR. T. MINOR.
when he was about fifteen years of age, and was gradu- ated in 1796. He speaks very modestly of his attain- ments in College, and though the four years "were far from being trifled away or lost," he declares they were spent under very great and permanent disadvantages, and expresses the opinion that he " did not acquire half the solid learning" he might have done "had he been two years older and proportionally better prepared." During the five or six years following, it is believed that luis scholarship was greatly improved in accuracy and amount, by teaching, and at the same time studying himself. During this period he taught an academy for about three years in Goshen, N. Y., and then another about two years in Berlin, though in the meanwhile he was visited once and again by discase in some of its forms. When about twenty-five, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. John Osborne, engaging also in the instruction of youth, and in the beginning of 1807 he entered upon his profession. From some time in 1808 into '10, he was in full practice in the town of Lynn, Mass., whence he removed to Lyme, in this State and thence to the city of Middletown, where and in the vicinity he had for a number of years, " as much pro- fessional business as he could attend to, and more than his health would bear." In Feb. 1819, " he was seized with an affection of the lungs and heart, which suddenly ended in a great degrec," his "professional career, and
left him a confirmed valetudinarian at the premature age of forty-one," though for several years after he " prac- tised some in consultation, and amused " himself in read- ing two or three foreign languages, besides writing occa- sional medical and literary essays," which appeared in the columns of different publications. In fact, in various ways he did much for the advancement of medi- cal science and the relief and-benefit of his fellow men. In 1823, in connection with Dr. Tulley, he published essays on fevers and other medical subjects ; and in 1825, an account of Typhus Syncopalis [the sinking typhus. ] This work Dr. S. B. Woodward speaks of as one which caused a great deal of controversy ; one which was most severely criticised ; but one about which,
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OBITUARY OF DR. T. MINOR.
although the public were divided as to its real wortir, they were generally satisfied that it evinced great eru- dition and research. "At any rate," he says, "it was one which gave the author great notoriety as a writ- er and great fame as a practitioner." Dr. Minor him- self declares it was published several times entire, or abridged in other works."
After the organization of the Medical School of Yale College, he was perhaps three-tenths of the time, one of the censors or members of the committee. He was a mem- ber of the committee for devising ways and means and forming the plan for the Retreat for the Insane, at Hart- ford, as a colleague with Doctors Todd, Woodward, Tul- ley, Ives and others, and with the assistance of Dr. Tul- ley, wrote the committee's address to the public, which preceded their solicitation of donations.
He corresponded with many distinguished physicians in different parts of the country, and with some distin- guished men who did not pursue the medical profession. The late venerable Noah Webster, LL. D., was one of his correspondents. To that eminent lexicographer he wrote letters on criticism, etymology and other philo- sophical subjects. Dr. Webster did him the honor oc- easionally, to send him manuscripts, soliciting his re- marks previously to their publication.
Having been afflicted twenty years and more, with a disease of the heart, early in March, 1841, he went to Worcester to visit his friend Dr. S. B. Woodward, to see what could be done to alleviate his sufferings, and as he said himself, " if he could not be relieved, to die with his friend." With that friend he did die, on the morn- ing of April 23d, 1841, in the 64th year of his age.
It is surprising that one so feeble from his early days, and suffering so much from disease, should have lived so long and accomplished so much.
In communicating his death to Dr. Smith, editor of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Dr. Wood- ward observes, "Dr. Minor was a remarkable man. He has left behind him few as ripe scholars, profound philosophers and philanthropists in the medical profes- sion. Ill health having for some years prevented active
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OBITUARY OF DR. HENRY WOODWARD.
engagement in professional duties, he has devoted his whole time to study and reflection. His mind was very active to the last. He was, perhaps, one of the most learned physicians in New England, not only in profes- sional attainments, but in foreign languages and theolo- gy. He was acquainted with the French, Italian, Span- ish and German languages, and was often employed by publishers in the country to translate them. He was particularly fond of the German, and read works on medicine, theology and philosophy in that language with great pleasure. You well know his estimable and moral qualities. His heart was benevolent, his feelings kind. In his life he exemplified the christian character ; in sickness and death he bore testimony of unbroken con- fidence in the christian hope of a joyful resurrection."
Henry Woodward, M. D.
The second person referred to as being the subject of a memoir, in Williams' Medical Biography, is Dr. Hen- ry Woodward, and brother of Drs. S. B. and Charles Woodward. The memoir is from the pen of the elder of these brothers, with whom after having studied awhile with the father he pursued the studies preparatory to his profession. With this brother too, while resident in Wethersfield he was associated about four years after admission to practice. From that town, he came to Middletown, where he spent his remaining life.
From the memoir and from other evidence it is appa- rent that he possessed naturally a very vigorous mind, that he was exceedingly apt to learn, and that he exam- ined subjects philosophically ; also that he had a kind and social temper, polished manners, and was active and faithful in the discharge of his public duties. He pos- sessed that discretion in the use of these attributes and acquisitions which made him acceptable as well as use- ful. He had the requisites for being popular with the people, securing the esteem of his patients and the re- spect of his medical brethren. Accordingly he soon gained extensive practice, and for years "his business
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OBITUARY OF DR. IIENRY WOODWARD ..
was equal to that of any other physician in the State, both for respectability and extent. He received the hon- orary degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Connecticut Medical Society at an earlier age than any other gentle- man in the State ; and no young man was more esteem- ed by the faculty in an extensive circle of acquaintance."
" He was twice cliosen to represent the town of Middletown in the Legislature of the State, and was at the time a candidate for higher advancement. In the public stations he filled he always sustained himself with dignity and ability, and was considered one of the ablest members of the House of Representatives."
Investigating thoroughly the causes of disease and applying remedies skillfully ; felicitous and happy in his intercourse with the sick, he gained their affections. " He loved society and society loved him."
" His moral character was above reproach. He was a man of active benevolence, gave much in charity, and took hold of the great moral enterprises of the day with true zeal. He was a regular member of the Episcopal Church, of which he was for some time vestryman and warden."
But "in the midst of his activity and usefulness he was cut down by a disease of the chest, which in a few months terminated his life by a rapid consumption. He died October 10th, 1832, at the early age of 37 years."
LAWYERS IN MIDDLETOWN.
These are understood to have lived universally in the city. In the Address Titus Hosmer, Samuel Holden Parsons, Samuel W. Dana, Asher Miller, and Stephen Titus Hosmer, are noticed somewhat particularly, and Silas Stow, and John G. C. Brainerd, in few words. The list about to be given contains the names of all the other lawyers, or nearly all, who have ever lived and practised in this place.
Notwithstanding the numbers admitted to the bar, it is generally acknowledged that the amount of law busi- ness now, is less than it was thirty-five or forty years ago. The litigations arising from failures and change of property from the restrictive system and the second war with Great Britain, have years since been adjusted ; the fisheries on the river, formerly the source of much controversy, have nearly ceased ; human rights and the proper modes of doing business are better understood and more respected ; the temperance reformation, pre- venting wild speculation and wasteful expenditures, has prompted to productive industry and frugal economy -- these and other causes have lent a peaceful influence. This may be a reason why some lawyers have given up their profession : another may be that they find business enough of other kinds to occupy them.
List of Lawyers with a few Items.
William Plumbe, a native of the Society of West- field, graduate of Yale College, 1769, practised law a short time, became a preacher and chaplain in the army in the Revolution, afterwards a merchant. He died June 2d, 1843, leaving a few thousand dollars worth of property for Foreign Missions, under the care of the American Board. The exact sum cannot be given, as the estate is not entirely settled.
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LAWYERS IN MIDDLETOWN.
Ezekiel Woodruff, said to be a native of Farmington or Southington, graduate of Yale, 1779, practised here a few years. He was City Clerk from 1786 to 1789 in- clusive, resigned this office and probably soon after mor- ed away, to what place is not known.
Matthew Talcott Russell. Sec close of this list.
William Brown, native of Guilford, graduate of Yale 1784, practised law some years here, was City Clerk after Mr. Woodruff, three years. He afterwards prac- tised in Madison a few years, and then in the city of Hartford, where he died in the close of 1803. He was a man of good abilities and much respected.
Joshua Henshaw, native of Middletown, and gradu- ate of Yale, 1785. He moved to Vermont, and thence, it is understood, to Montreal, in Canada.
Enoch Huntington, son of Rev. Enoch Huntington, graduate of Yale, 1785, had superior natural talents, was a Dean scholar, spoke with great fluency at the bar, and was Colonel of militia. He died March 7th, 1826, aged 58.
Silas Stow, was a native of the Society of Middle- field. Sec p. 106.
George W. Stanley, born in Wallingford, graduated at Yale, 1793, practised law many years in his native town, came to Middletown in 1819, and was State's At- torney ; moved to Cleveland, Ohio, about 1837.
Alexander Collins, son of General Augustus Collins, of North Guilford, graduate of Yale, 1795, studied law in the office of the late Judge Hosmer. He died while on a journey, Sept. 14th, 1815, aged 41, at Brattleboro, Ver., where his body is interred. The enterprising inen, from whom Collinsville derives its name, are his sons.
Elijah Hubbard, graduate of Yale, 1795, studied at the Law School in Litchfield, practised law some years in New London, returned to Mid lletown upon the death of his father, Elijah Hubbard, Esq., in 1808, was many years President of Middletown Bank, and repeatedly mayor of the city. He died Dec. 4th, 1846, aged 69.
Chauncey Whittlesey, son of Chauncey Whittlesey, Esq., graduate of Yale, 1800, and a Dean scholar, read law with the Hon. Charles Chauncey of New Haven,
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LAWYERS IN MIDDLETOWN.
and was admitted to the bar in November, 1804. See onward.
John L. Lewis, native of Philadelphia, studied with Judge Hosmer, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1805. In May, 1818, he was appointed Sheriff of Mid- dlesex County. He afterwards moved to Florida, where he died.
William Van Deusen, graduate of Yale, 1801, studied law in Middletown and Litchfield, was admitted to the bar as early as 1807, received a captain's commission from the General Government, and for a time had com- mand of the fort at New London. He died in Middle- town Sept. 26th, 1833, aged 49.
Levi II. Clark, a native of Sunderland, Mass., and graduate of Yale, 1802, studied law with the Hon. Charles Chauncey of New Haven, and with Asa Bacon, Esq., in Canterbury. He commenced practice in Had- dam in the Spring of 1805. See onward.
Noah A. Phelps, native of Simsbury, studied law with Hon. Elisha Phelps, was admitted to the bar in Hartford in 1811, and practised in that city-was sheriff of Hartford county from 1819 to 1828. He came to Middletown in 1829, being appointed collector of cus- toms ; he has since been judge of the County Court, mayor of the city of Middletown, judge of Probate, State Senator, and Secretary of Connecticut.
Jonathan Barnes,, son of Jonathan Barnes, Esq., of Tolland, (attorney in Tolland county,) graduate of Yale, 1810, studied law with his father, and after he came to Middletown, for a time with Chauncey Whittlesey, Esq., began practice in Middletown, in 1813, and has ever since confined himself closely and unusually to the ap- propriate duties of his profession.
Major Andre Andrews, native of Cornwall, studied law, for a time at least, with his brother, Benajah An- drews, in Wallingford, began to practice in Middletown, as early as 1815-was appointed State's Attorney in Sept., 1818, moved to Buffalo in 1819, where he died during the second prevalence of the cholera in the place Aug. 17, 1834, aged 42.
Minor Hotchkiss, born in New Haven, graduate of
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LAWYERS IN MIDDLETOWN.
Yale, 1813, studied law in Litchfield and New Haven, was admitted to the bar in New Haven in the close of 1815, and came immediately to Middletown. See on- ward.
Abiel L. Loomis, began to practice law in Middle Haddam, as early as 1816 ; in two or three years he moved to Killingworth, now Clinton, where he remained about ten years, he then came to Middletown, but after- wards removed to Hartford where he died.
William L. Storrs, graduated at Yale, 1814, read law with his brother, Henry R. Storrs, Esq., at Whites- town, N. Y., was admitted to the bar in New York, in 1817, and in Connecticut soon after. He was Repre- sentative to the Legislature of Connecticut, in 1827 and '28, and to Congress from March, 1829 to 1823-was speaker of the House of Representatives in Connecticut in 1834. He was elected member of Congress again for two years, from March 4, 1839, but in 1840, became a judge of the Superior Court. He has also been profess- or in the New Haven Law School. The Western Re- serve College has conferred upon him the degree of LL. D.
Ebenezer Force, studied law with the Hon. Sylvester Gilbert of Hebron, practised in Middle Haddam, in 1819, '20, and '21, came to Middletown and practised a short time, enlisted into the army of the United States. Has been dead some years.
John G. C. Brainerd, native of New London, and graduate of Yale, 1815, son of Hon Jeremiah G. Brain- erd. See p. 108.
Enoch Thomas Parsons, graduate of Union College, 1818, was admitted to the bar in 1822, practised a short time, lost his health, died April 15th, 1830, aged 30.
Asahel Utley. See list of lawyers in Middle Haddam.
Samuel Holden Parsons, graduate of Yale, 1819, ad- mitted to the bar in 1822, practised for a time in Mid- dletown, and then in Hartford; is now travelling in Europe.
Samuel Dickinson Hubbard, graduate of Yale, 1819, studied at the New Haven Law School, practised faw
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LAWYERS IN MIDDLETOWN.
some years, has been mayor of the city, and Member of Congress.
John Hiram Lathrop, graduate of Yale, 1819. Tu- tor, LL. D., practised law here a short time, has since been professor in Hamilton College, and in the Universi- ty of Missouri ; and is now president of the University of Wisconsin.
Ezekiel L. Hosmer, son of the late Judge Hosmer, was admitted to the bar in 1823, and died Nov. 14th, 1826, aged 24.
Charles Richard Alsop, graduate of Yale, 1821, studied law in the office of Jonathan Barnes, Esq., and was admitted to the bar in this State. He then attend- ed the lectures of the late Chancellor Kent in New York, studied in the office of Daniel Lord, Esq., an attorney in the city, and was admitted to the bar there. He re- mained in that city until 1832, when he returned to Middletown. Upon the resignation of Noah A. Phelps, Esq., he was elected mayor of the city of Middletown, April 25th, 1843, for the residue of the term. He was then re-elected for two years, after which he declined a re-election. While mayor he first started the movement for the New York and Boston Railroad, usually spoken of as the Air Line Railroad. He also obtained the charter for the Middletown Railroad (now the Branch to the Hartford and New Haven Railroad.) Of this road he was the President until it was merged with the Hart. ford, New Haven and Springfield Railroad Company. He was one of the original corporators of the New York and Boston Railroad Company, and in Nov., 1850, was elected the President of it.
Isaac Webb, born in Chester, graduate of Yale, 1822, and tutor ; studied law in New Haven, began to prac- tice here in 1827 or '28 ; afterwards established a school for the instruction of lads ; died September 29th, 1842, aged 45.
Stillman K. Wightman, graduate of Yale, 1825, studied law with Jonathan Barnes, Esq., and at the Law School in New Haven, and was admitted to the bar in 1827-was State's Attorney, Speaker of the house of
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LAWYERS IN MIDDLETOWN.
representatives, and State Senator. He moved to the city of New York about 1844, where he now practises.
Ebenezer Jackson, native of Savannah, Ga., educa- ted at the college of St. Mary's in Baltimore, studied law in Litchfield, was admitted to the bar in 1827-has been a Member of Congress.
Charles C. Tyler, native of Haddam, studied law with Judge Storrs, was admitted to the bar in 1828, has been State's Attorney and Judge of the County Court.
Thomas Griswold Mather, graduate of Yale, 1826, studied law with Judge Storrs, was admitted to the bar in 1829, has been town clerk.
Samuel W. Griswold, was born in the Society of Westfield, studied law with Abiel A. Loomis and Jona- than Barnes, was admitted to the bar in Oct. 1832, died Feb. 16th, 1844, aged nearly 36.
Alfred Hall, native of Portland, graduate of Trinity College, 1828, studied law in Middletown, New Haven, and Cambridge, began to practice in Middletown, about 1833 or '34, but soon returned to Portland and is a mer- chant in that town-has been Representative to the General Assembly from that town for two or three years past.
Elihu Spencer, native of Warren, Ohio, graduated at the Wesleyan University, 1838, studied with Judge Storrs, was admitted to the bar in Oct. 1841-has been Town Clerk, Clerk of the County and Superior Courts, and Treasurer, and Representative to the General As- sembly of the State.
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