USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume I > Part 19
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(In parenthesis) the colonel of the 33d reporting to his general, after "Pine Knob," that officer's wound, added, "Lieut. Pierson still remains on
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duty." Foster continues, "that the government highly appreciated the serv- ice of the 33d Regiment the number of brevets conferred upon its officers clearly shows." It has only to be added that Stephen Pierson, first lieu- tenant and adjutant, was brevetted up to major, "for gallant and meritorious services in the war."
Coming home, he vowed himself for two more years to "Old Eli," and with such zeal that alma mater about twenty years later gave him "honoris causa," the degree of Master of Arts. From university life Dr. Pierson passed to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating with such honors as to ensure his interneship at Bellevue Hospital. On the threshold of practice, Hon. John Hill, one of the proprietors of the Booli- ton Iron Works, offered him, as an inducement to settle in Bonnton, a guaranteed income of $1500 for the first year. This offer he accepted, spending his first two or three years as a medical practitioner in that hill country. While there he married, characteristically enough, his childhood playmate, Amelia Cory, of Morristown, than whom a more devoted wife and mother never lived.
In 1872, Dr. Quimby, of Morristown, perhaps with a more important clientele than had any other competitor, made him partner of his practice. This relationship called for a tact in which Pierson was not wanting, and exacted talents in which he was certainly not lacking. After three years the senior partner sickened and died, and the mantle of Elijah falling on Elisha remained there, gathering a very broad hem when Dr. Barker, phy- sician to so many prominent families, was, in turn, called home.
To the seniors and older guests of the Morris County Medical Society, as far as patients and hospitals and consultations are concerned, the career of their colleague is well known. A Roman Catholic bishop in New Jersey would hardly have approved the nomination to the medical directorship of All Souls' Hospital by Monsignor Flynn, of any talent but the best, nor would Memorial Hospital have admitted to its staff any physician not of high standing. Dr. Pierson's medical control in the one, and influential position in the other, and most valuable services in both, are of record. As to his patrons, these were in every walk of life, without exception, and bravely, devotedly, and efficiently did he labor in all their interests. When he fell many hearts fell with him. His apt wit at the annual "Washington Association" public exercises will long be remembered. His wit was not prepared, but easily bubbled up, at various times, and was keenly appre- ciated.
As to the responsibilities with which our friend was entrusted. At some time in his comparatively brief life he successively held all the offices of the County Medical Society and one of the State Medical Society, was director of the County Freeholders, commander of the Morristown Grand Army Post, medical director of the 125 G. A. R. divisions of the State, elder in a Presbyterian church, president of the Board of Education, direc- tor in the Young Men's Christian Association, first vice-president of the Washington Association, et alia. Thus was his executive ability recognized.
Broadly generous with his earnings, unaffected in his intercourse with all, though aristocratic as to lineage, as to mental culture, as to command of men, as to personal surroundings, and thus frank sometimes to the verge of brusqueness, he served Morristown and he stamped himelf upon Morristown and its institutions, with an impress likely, as the perspective adjusts itself, to increase rather than to diminish. The crowning achieve- ment of Dr. Pierson was the founding and fathering of the Morristown
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Medical Club. Years before its organization he had, in conjunction with Dr. Barker, planned the same thing, but at that time insuperable obstacles crossed the path. But he was no man to abandon a statesmanlike and needed dowry to a divided profession. With the help, this time, of wise heads and warm hearts, he laid the firm foundation of a structure that commends itself to all of us.
Dr. Stephen Pierson has laid under obligations the community, religion, in its broadest sense, more than one struggling practitioner, the State, the nation, the school system, the less fortunate of his war comrades, even the wretched tramp to whom he directed his faithful doorkeeper "Belle" to give, in each case, a few pennies lest he "make a mistake and refuse them to some one who ought to have them. In closing, of him as of "rare Ben Jonson" may be said, "nullum tetigit quod non ornavit"-he touched nothing he did not adorn.
"Green be the turf above thee, Friend of my better days. None knew thee but to love thee, None named thee but to praise."
"Old Doctor Riches"-There are a great many people now living at Succasunna and in the neighborhood for miles around who still remember "Old Doctor Riches." It would seem that these pages of Medical History would not be doing justice to the profession if it did not include such a character and physician as Dr. John Riches. Not that he was typical; not that he was faultless ; not that he might have sat for the hero for Ian Mc- Lareth in "Doctor of Drumtochty." Neither was he so self-forgetful and so utterly Christian as Wm. MacLure in the "Doctor of the Old School," and even Dr. MacLure was not without his faults. And why "Old Dr. Riches" seemed to have more than his share we know not. "We can not always tell the hidden chain of circumstances that may have wrought these sad results." Great men have faults, and they stand out more prominently because they are great. It would undoubtedly prove most interesting read- ing had we data at hand or could obtain it concerning this man. Peculiar and eccentric, although an able physician and surgeon in his day. But we have not the facts. What we gather is tradition largely.
Dr. John Riches was born in England, and came to America when a young man. He traveled in different parts of both North and South America, which meant considerable in those early days. He was termed a man well educated, and showed evidence of culture. We also learn he was a surgeon in the Civil War. Dr. Riches was often sought as con- sultant in his day, often going many miles on horseback. He was some- times absent-minded. One day he started off on horseback to make a cali, and when on his road a mile or more, suddenly it dawned upon him that he had forgotten his medicine case. He dismounted, tied his horse to the fence, and returned to his office on foot. The writer remembers hearing told that Dr. Riches was called in consultation; the case was one of tuber- culosis of the femur, then called "bone scrofula." The patient, a boy of sixteen years, had been a sufferer two or three years. The doctor advised amputation. It was done out of doors, with no knowledge of asepsis. The patient's life was saved. Just before the operation was begun, the old doctor, with his hands behind him and head bowed, took a walk across the field, reviewing in his mind the steps of the operation, then returning to his operating room, "in the shade of the old apple tree."
When Dr. John Riches first came to Succasunna there was a Dr. James
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Riley practicing at Ledgewood, then known as Drakesville. Shortly after, Dr. Riley came to Succasunna, and took up quarters with Dr. Riches, both occupying the same office. Whether they were in partnersip or not we are not able to say. The doctor, at about the age of sixty, was married to a Miss Cornelia Cary, of the same age, whose home was between Succasunna and Flanders. Mrs. Riches died a few years after marriage, leaving the doctor to end his days alone. As he had no friends or relatives he was quite alone. But little competency had the doctor for his many years of toil. A property on Main street was his, which was later rented by Dr. John L. Taylor. But retiring from his labors, and paying board for a few years, soon ate up the little home. We regret to record that this man, Dr. John Riches, became a dependent.
At the annual meeting of the Morris County Medical Society held at Morristown, March 8, 1904, the attention of the society was called to the fact that Dr. John Riches, an ex-member of the Morris District Medical Society, was, owing to force of circumstances, living in the County Poor House. It was ordered that a committee of three be appointed to investi- gate. Dr. Fred. Wooster Owen, Dr. Clifford Mills and Dr. B. D. Evans were constituted a committee. Dr. Evans suggested that if Dr. Richcs' mental condition was enfeebled (which was the case) that he might be received at the Morris Plains Hospital, which would be more comfortable. The next meeting of the society received the report that the doctor had been removed to Morris Plains, where the quarters were more pleasing. On September 13, 1904, at a meeting held in Dover, Dr. Owen reported the death of Dr. John Riches.
John Darby Jackson, M. D., youngest son of Stephen Jackson, was born in Rockaway, New Jersey, and there practiced medicine throughout his business career. He prepared for the profession under the direction of Dr. Pierson, and graduated from the old medical university on Ninth street, Philadelphia, in 1815. He then began practice in Rockaway, and was the only physician in the village until his son, Dr. John W. Jackson, began practice there. On October 24, 1816, Dr. Jackson married a daughter of General Solomon F. Doughty, of Long Hill, and a sister of Senator Doughty, who represented Somerset county, New Jersey, in the State legislature. The doctor was a Democrat in politics, and was a member of the General Assembly in 1835-36-55-56. In connection with Judge Free- nia11 Wood, of Dover, he served as a member of the first board of free- holders after the organization of the township, and held many other towu offices both before and after the division. He died November 17, 1859, at the age of sixty-five years.
William B. Lefevre-Hippolyte Lefevre is the first name of which we have any record. He came to this country in the ship "Griffath" in 1675, landing at Salem. The Lefevre family lived on the island of Tinicum, in the Delaware river, eleven miles below Philadelphia. Minard Lefevre, who was third in descent from Hippolyte, came from this island to Succasunna about 1750. Minard had a son who married Elizabeth Day, a granddaugh- ter of J. Jeff, who about 1750 came with his family from England, and settled at Elizabeth, New Jersey. Wm. B. Lefevre, M. D., who was a de- scendiant of this family, was an influential person in Jefferson, and deserves prominent mention, but we have no data of his immediate ancestors.
Dr. W. Hammet Martin, son of Joseph, was born in Virginia, in 1840. I-Iis mother was a daughter of John Hammet, who was born in Ireland, of English descent. Dr. Martin's ancestors, who were English, settled on the eastern shore of Maryland in 1732.
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In 1853 he matriculated in Columbia College and was graduated 1857. In 1861 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, and the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him by that institution in 1863. He was on the staff of Bellevue Hospital for one and one-half years; was also for eighteen months acting assisting surgeon in the United States army. In 1865 he entered private practice in Chester county, Penn- sylvania, later removing to Brooklyn, continuing in that city until 1855, when he came to Madison and practiced there until he died, in the year 1904. His death was reported to the Morris County Medical Society at its meeting in September.
One of the most honored of men in the profession in Morris county was Dr. Amasa A. MacWithey. He was born in Saratoga county, New York, December 15, 1819. He was the son of John and Mary (Jeremiah ), both of whom were natives of this county.
The Doctor studied medicine under Dr. Isaac S. Smith, of New York City, and graduated from the New York University in 1843. He entered practice in New York City, remaining there until 1850, when he removed to Pompton, Morris county. He was twice married, in 1844 to Miss Helen Quinn, daughter of Robert Quinn, of New York. Four children were the result of this union; all are dead; the son, Edward L. C. Mac- Withey, was a practicing physician of New York City. The Doctor was again married, June 21, 1882, to Isabel Nostrand, of New York City, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Pierce) Nostrand; they have one son, Herbert Alonzo.
Dr. A. A. MacWithey was made president of the Morris County Med- ical Society in 1877. A year or two before his death, he was made honorary member. His death was reported to the Society. He was a grand old man and lived to a ripe old age.
John VanSickle Menagh, M. D., was born in Warren county, New Jersey, in 1830, but his boyhood was mainly passed in Denville, New Jersey, where his father removed a few years later.
Dr. Menagh was educated at the Flushing, Long Island, Preparatory School, and in 1852 graduated from the University of New York City. After a preliminary association with Dr. Fell, a leading physician of New York, he returned to Denville and practiced in the neighboring districts until his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Parsippany, when he located at Mendham, New Jersey. Subsequently he removed with his family to Rockaway, where he remained until his death in March, 1891. Dr. Menagh was a member of the State Medical Society, and conceded by the pio- fession nd general public a fine practitioner. In diagnosis he was deliberate and accurate, being in advance of his time in administering as few drugs as possible, declaring that it frequently is best to "give Nature a chance" to effect a cure. His jovial smile and ready witticism brought checr and diversion into a sick room, undoubtedly aiding the recovery of many a patient. When, however, Nature proved inadequate to cope with disease, and drugs also seemed futile, the doctor refused to abandon hope and effort until life was practically extinct.
In person Dr. Menagh was tall and robust, possessing an attractive physiognomy and well modulated voice. He was always a welcome addi- tion to social gatherings, genially ready to join in the dancing or, upon solicitation, would play the violin so spiritedly as to incite others to added enthusiasm in keeping rhythm with their feet. It was fortunate that Dr. Menagh's practice was long mainly among the best families of the section,
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as he was one of the "poor collectors," which seems to be a synonyin for "able physician." He is survived by one daughter, the wife of Dr. George H. Foster, of Rockaway.
Daniel Stewart Ayers, M. D., descendant of English ancestry by whom was founded Hackettstown, New Jersey, was born near that piace, June 7, 1845, educated in preparatory schools of Hackettstown and Kingston, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Columbia College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, New York City, in March, 1870.
Following some hospital experience in New York, he settled at Rockaway, New Jersey, in view of the extensive field for surgery in the surrounding mining districts, all of the mines being then in active opera- tion. Although a most successful general practitioner and unerring diag- nostician, Dr. Ayers' favorite specialty was surgery, in which he easily led throughout the surrounding country. Keeping well equipped with the most advanced instruments to facilitate surgical operations of a delicate and complicated character, his feats in that line were remarkable and re- nowned; yet he could never be persuaded to report a case himself lest it savor of quackery. With a phenomenal practice extending over a wide area, it became necessary to accomplish distances as quickly as possible, and a stable of fleet, enduring horses was maintained, among which was usually one that could "pass anything on the road."
In appearance, Dr. Ayers was above medium height, of athletic physique, regular featured, and possessed a genial, courteous nature ren- dering him widely beloved. His universal popularity was effectively illustrated in political issues, when, a staunch Democrat, his influence reversed districts which hitherto had been conceded Republican. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, a member of the State and County Medical Societies, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
A noteworthy feature of Dr. Ayers' professional career was his utter disregard of commercialism. With mind and heart centered in alleviation of suffering, in diplomatic, untiring contest with Death, all considerations of self were excluded. The humblest were given cheerful service as readily as were the highest, frequently through extreme difficulties of storm and travel over unused, rough byways. And when, at last, he was carried forth between the ranks overflowing the thronged house of mourn- ing, a sad murmur arose, "The friend of the poor is gone." Dr. Ayers died suddenly of heart disease, December 2, 1887. He was twice married, and left a widow and young son.
Flanders-Flanders had three physicians, but we have no data of im- portance : Dr. Dickerson, Dr. George W. Wentworth, and Dr. Joseph Farrow. They have all three passed on. Dr. Dickerson was the first in the field for a number of years preceding the other two, and was still living retired when both Drs. Wentworth and Farrow died. Dr. Wentworth was a native of northern New York State, a graduate of Albany Medical Col- lege ; practiced fifteen or twenty years in Flanders. He was at one time gifted as a public speaker; enlisted in the cause of Prohibition; and pub- lished a paper in the interest of the movement. He died a sudden and mysterious death. The doctor was a very careful manager, and had accu- mulated some means. The whereabouts of his wife is unknown. The home- stead is unoccupied, and gone to ruin for want of care. Things remain as they did some twenty years ago when the doctor died.
Dr. Joseph Farrow was of good birth. He was born in Hunterdon county, son of Moses Farrow, who was a prominent citizen and a druggist
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in Bethlehem, Hunterdon county. His grandfather was Captain Farrow, of Pennsylvania. Dr. Farrow was married to Elizabeth Nauright, daughter of Jacob and Ann Nauright, who were among the early families of this old settlement. They lived at the village of Nauright, which place was named for the family. The doctor had one son, Dr. Jacob Willard Farrow, who has a very extensive practice in Dover, New Jersey.
Dr. Joseph D. King practiced his profession over twenty years in Dover, his native town. After receiving a common school education, in his home school, he went to Retirement Seminary at Deckertown, New Jersey, in 1860. Finishing his course here, he was engaged as a teacher in the institu- tion. He had decided to take up the study of medicine, and entered the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, but finished at Bellevue, New York. When he received his degree of M. D. he accepted a position as surgeon on a Cunard line steamer. A number of voyages were made. Not caring for the sea, he came to Dover, and began practice, where he remained until his death, December 27, 1889. For a number of years, the doctor had been a sufferer of disease of the liver and spine, being obliged at different times to relinquish his work, and seek southern climate for his health. Few men in the profession deserve more praise for self-sacrifice than Dr. Joseph D. King. He could not resist the appeals of suffering humanity. Often he would go night or day to answer sick calls, when he himself needed the doctor more than the patient. There was a severe epidemic of la grippe pre- vailing in the year 1889. The doctor contracted the disease, and died of acute congestion of the brain which followed, only forty-eight years old.
Jesse King was his grandfather, who lived in a log house, occupying the site of the residence where the Rev. Dr. Magie afterward lived and died. The house now occupied by James Riker, Prospect street, Dover. Dr. King was the son of William King, who for many years carried on blacksmithing at the old shop at the foot of Clinton street, Dover. The doctor was mar- ried to the daughter of Jonathan Dayton Marsh, of Newark. There was one child born to them, a son, Frank.
John Byram, M. D., was associated in practice with Dr. Joseph D. King, of whom an account is given elsewhere. Dr. Byram died January 17, 1890, only three weeks after Dr. King, whose death occurred December 27, 1889.
After the demise of his friend and colleague, the doctor remained at the King residence. Shortly after the death of his associate he was seized with la grippe, which took the form of pneumonia. He was seriously ill. During an attack of delirium, when no one was in his room, he arose from his bed and with a pistol he ended his life by his own hands. Dr Byram was a son of Henry, of Dover, a lifelong resident of this vicinity. The doctor was born at Mine Hill, February 13, 1854, being nearly thirty-six years of age at his death.
For two years prior to college work, he had studied with Dr. King. He entered Ann Arbor, Michigan. After a year at the University, he went to Baltimore Medical College, from which institution he was graduated, receiv- ing his diploma on the day his father died. While a student at Ann Arbor, a fellow student where he was boarding contracted smallpox. When all the other fellow students left in fear, Dr. Byram remained and nursed the sick man, through his sickness to recovery, for which he was highly compli- mented by the faculty.
The doctor was an ardent and successful sportsman. He was an un- erring shot, a skillful master of the rod, and an adroit trapper. Several win-
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ters were spent by the doctor in hunting and trapping on North Carolina and Virginia, and his summer fishing camps at Green Lake and Lake Hopatcong were appreciated by many, who enjoyed the doctor's rare hospitality. He was also a man of indomitable courage ; and once weathered one of the most terrific storms on the Jersey coast, clinging for eight hours to the bottom of his upturned fishing boat in freezing weather, amid the waves of an angry sea.
Dr. Robert C. Lumsden practised medicine in Rockaway for fifteen years. He was a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, receiving his diploma in 1880. He was naturally a surgeon, and was engaged in a large practice among the miners at Hibernia and Mt. Hope. For a number of years he was a student of Dr. Daniel S. Ayres, with whom he did considerable work in surgery. Dr. Lumsden was engaged for about two years in charge of the Keely Institute at Orange, New Jersey. He joined the Morris County Medical Society on December 10, 1889.
Dr. Robert C. Lumsden died at the early age of 45. He was born at Hibernia and died there, having contracted pneumonia and was unable to reach his home. He was cared for by a friend. The doctor married Miss Annie Post. Two sons were theirs; one died since the death of the father ; the other is living now with his mother in New York.
Levi Farrow. M. D., a distinguished physician of Middle Valley, New Jersey, whose ability and perseverance have gained him pre-eminence and success in his profession, was born April 25, 1844. His grandfather, Cap- tain Farrow, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his father, Moses Farrow, was born in 1809, and died August 1, 1891. He was for years a prominent citizen and druggist of Bethlehem, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, where he was living at the time of the birth of the doctor. In politics he took quite a prominent part, and as a recognized leader in the ranks of Democracy exerted a strong influence. He was a "War Democrat," and during the rebellion was appointed an official to minister to the wants of the families of volunteers at the front. He was honored with the offices of freeholder, collector and other official positions in his township and county, and dis- charged his duties with marked fidelity and to the entire satisfaction of the public.
The doctor acquired a very liberal literary education, and having de- termined to engage in the practice of medicine, began his elementary read- ing in the office of Dr. John Blaine, of Perryville, Hunterdon county, New Jersey. Later he entered the medical department of Columbia College, New York, known as the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was graduated in that institution in March, 1865. After practicing for nearly one year with his old preceptor, Dr. Blaine, he came to Middle Valley, on the 5th of Feb- ruary, 1866, and entered upon a successful business and social career that has brought cheer and respect to his home and warm friends to his support. He was not yet twenty-two years of age when he cast in his lot with the citizens of Middle Valley, but in spite of his youth he soon gained the con- fidence of the community and was early regarded as an earnest, conscientious and able man. He was always a student, and kept abreast of his profession, constantly striving to perfect himself in his chosen calling. His medical lore was comprehensive and accurate, and he ranked high not only in the esti- mation of the public, but also in the opinion of the profession. He was honored with the office of secretary of the Morris County Medical Society from 1886 to 1902. In 1881 he served as its president. He frequently repre- sented the Society at the annual sessions of the Medical Society of New
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