History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 82

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840

USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 82
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 82

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him, and none loved him more than those who in suffering experienced the gentleness and efficiency with which he administered to their necessities. When he died the whole community felt that a good man had been taken from the world. This sad event occurred July 11, 1873. The day before his burial the Essex County District Medical Society held a special meeting to pay honors to his memory, and among the resolutions adopted on the occasion was the following:

"Resolved, That in the death of our lamented friend aad brother, Dr. John F. Ward, we mourn the loss of one of the oldest and most honored members of our profesion, one of the most trusted and beloved. The long self-sacrifice is over. There is no one, perhaps, of whom it could be more truly said, 'His life was work.' For the whole period of his thirty-seven years of service he might always be found at the post o duty. He asked no furlough. He postponed and subordinated all per- sonal enjoyments to the claims of an unusually large practice. He was as ready to respond to the calls of the your as of the rich, year in und year out, by night and by day, braving all fatigues and all daagen. When pestilence struck terror in the hearts of men there was no cow- ardly abandonment, but assiduous watchings and untiring ministries in cellar and garret. If such a life is not heroic and noble, what life is so ? In a degree, it is the life of every conscientious physician, but there are probably few men that equaled him in the amount of toil and sacrifice continued, with such strenuous self-devotion, through so long & period. As a physician, he was chiefly distinguished for mmilness of medical judgment, which was rarely at fault He provocaand in a marked degre common sense, which some regard as less a faculty than the equilibrium of all the faenities."

JOHN F. WARD was born in Bloomfield, Essex Co., N. J., Sept. 28, 1815, and was educated in the schools of his native place. At a suitable age he entered, as a student, the office of his uncle, Dr. Eleazar Ward, and in 1836 was graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Immediately after receiv- Dr. Ward was married, April 20, 1837, to Miss Jane D. Gibbs, of Bloomfield, N. J. This estimable lady survived her husband until November 13th of the following year. She was noted for her deeds of chari- ty, and that valuable institution, the Home for Aged Women, of Newark, is indebted to no one more than to Mrs. Ward for its establishment and for its present prosperity. She was one of its founders, and at her death left to it the handsome sum of ten thousand dollars. ing his license he established himself in the practice of his profession in Newark, N. J., where, it is said of him that "he sat in his office for six months without hi- first pay patient." However this may be, it is certainly true that eventually he obtained a very extensive and lucrative practice, and became known as one of the most successful physicians in the county of' Essex. At an early period in his professional life he became a member of the Essex County District Medical Society, in the proceedings of which he The surviving children of Dr. and Mrs. Ward are, Edward Payson, Cyrus F., and John F. Ward. always took a lively interest. In 1851 he was ap- pointed by the State Medical Society one of the cen- JOHN W. CORSON was born at Grimsby, Canada West, on the 2d day of August, 1816, his grandfather being a Jerseyman and an emigrant to that region from Sussex County. With a great fondness for books and study, he determined, at the early age of fifteen years, to become a doctor, and, by his own efforts mainly, procured the means necessary to pursue his studies. His preliminary education was obtained at Cazenovia Seminary, New York, and he was graduated in medicine at Albany, N. Y., in 1842. After prac - ticing about three years in Brooklyn, N. Y., he visited Europe, spending nearly two years in the leading for- eign hospitals, At this time he wrote a book of trav- "Is, entitled "Luiterings Abroad," published by the Harpers in 1848, On his return to Brooklyn he was chosen visiting physician of the Brooklyn City Hos- pital. In 1850 he removed to New York, where he gave his attention chiefly to diseases of the chest and throat, and where he gave clinics in these special- ties at some of the colleges. In 1868, Dr. Corson set- sors for Essex County, and from 1852 to 1860 was, at different times, a delegate to the State Society, and a valuable member of the various committees of that body upon which he was appointed. To all the duties of his profession Dr. Ward was earnestly de- voted, and nothing within his power was ever left un- done which could add to its dignity or usefulness. Quiet and even retiring in his manners, he was, nevertheless, brave and prompt in the performance of every professional duty, never denying any demand whatever for his services, even though they might be rendered at the peril of his life. While eminently qualified, by reason of his excellent judgment and common sense, for offices of trust and responsibility, he was always averse to public positions, and, with the exception of a directorship in the Fireman's In- suraner Company of Newark, he never held any secular office whatever. Of the church to which he belonged he was a consistent member, and for many years a dencon. Every one admired and respected , tled in Orange, N. J., and there continued to practice

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until his death, which occurred June 2, 1882. He was for several years one of the leading physicians to the Orange Memorial Hospital. His numerous contri- butions to medical literature are considered as very valuable. He was a man of genial disposition, devoted to his profession, and highly esteemed by all who knew him.

WILLIAM M. BROWN was born in Newark, N. J .. Sept. 8. 1816, being a descendant from the Puritan stock, to which that town owes its settlement, and as we are told by Dr. S. 11. Pennington, in a tribute to his memory published in the Transactions of the State Medical Society, " he inherited to a large degree the sterling virtues of his sturdy ancestry." Without the advantages of an early classical education, he never- theless acquired, during his leisure hours, the knowl- edge and discipline so essential to medical study, and in the year 1834 entered, as a student, the office of Dr. Pennington. Two years afterwards he attended a full course of lectures in the Medical Department of Hlar- vard l'niversity, and subsequently a similar course in Jefferson College, Philadelphia, whence he was grad- uated in 1538, Returning to Newark, he commenced practice, and continued with great certainty of success, when he was seized with a pleuro-pneumonie attack, which resulted in driving him from the changeable atmosphere of the sea-shore to a more equable climate. In Vicksburg, Miss., he then sought a settlement, but thence removed, after a short sojourn to Philadelphia. a town in the same State, where he remained a few year-, and, regaining his health, returned to Newark. Here he finally established himself for the remainder of his life, and here he wan the esteem and confi- dence not only of his professional brethren, but of the whole community. Dr. Brown's life was a heroic struggle with adversity; correct in the estimate of his mental powers, he determined that no obstacle should retard their growth, and despite of poverty and sick- ness and suffering, he not only distinguished himself among his fellows as a man of culture and wisdom, but he battled for many years the insidious disease to which he knew that in the end he would become a prey. At the time of his death, which occurred April 14. 1864, he was president of the Essex District Med- ical Society, and one of the deacons of the Third Pres- byterian Church of Newark.

HENRY WARD was born in 1820, in Northampton, England, where he received his early education, and where he also began the study of medicine. In Lon- don he attended medical lectures, and in 1845 was admitted a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, England. During the first few years of his medical career he was in the employ of the English govern- ment, on the west coast of Africa, and subsequently traveled over the greater part of Western and South- ern Europe. His first settlement on reaching Amer- ica was in Fredrickton, New Brunswick, where he practiced during fifteen years, and then, about the year 1870, removed to Newark, N. J., where, owing to

the feeble condition of his health, he obtained but a very limited practice. He was represented by all who knew him as a man of fine literary attainments, a lover of science in all its forms, a worshiper of art and a devoted Christian. He died May 6, 1880.

ErGENE JORS was born at Liberty Corners, Somer- set D'o., N. J., Feb. 23, 1821, where he received a plain education in the country schools. After acquiring additional knowledge by becoming a teacher himself, he began the study of medicine in Manalapan, Mon- mouth Co., and in 1844 was graduated from the Med- ical Department of the I'niversity of Pennsylvania. During the same year he was licensed to practice in New Jersey by the medical society thereof, and in 1846 settled in Milburn, Essex Co., in which, as well as in Inion Co., he continued to practice to the end of his life. He died of apoplexy, May 22, 1875. Dr. Jobs acquired a local reputation as a skillful physician, and was greatly beloved for his many excellent quali- ties, both of heart and mind.

ALEXANDER N. DOUGHERTY .- Among the physi- cians and surgeons of Essex County who served dur- ing the late Rebellion, and who are now numbered among the dead, none, perhaps, held a more exalted position, both in his profession and in the army, than the subject of this sketch. Dr. Dougherty was born in the city of Newark, N. J., Jan. 1, 1822, of highly respected ancestry. His father, a man of ample means, and of more than ordinary intelligence and sagacity. early determined to give him a liberal education, and to fit him for one of the learned profession -. After a thorough preparation, he entered Oberlin College, in the State of Ohio, whence he was graduated, immedi- ately afterwards entering the office of Dr. L. A. Smith, of Newark. Having attended the prescribed course of medical study in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, he commenced practice in his native city, where he soon distinguished himself by his discrimination, tact and skill, gaining the con- fidence of the community, as well as the confidence and esteem of his medical brethren. Notwithstanding the large practice which he had already built up, his patriotism was such that he was led to abandon it and to take an humble place in the medical staffof the volunteer service. His skill in every department of his profesion was soon recognized, and step by step he rose from one position to another, until he received the appointment of medical director of the Right Grund Division of the Army of the Potomac, the highest posi- tion attained by any officer of the volunteer medical staff. That he was here regarded as among the first in his profession may be inferred from the fact that, on many important occasions, his opinions and coun- sel were deemed the safest to follow. But, for his bravery he was no less distinguished than for his medical skill. Wherever his presence was needed there he went, though it might be in the thickest ut the fight, and while thus fearlessly engaged in the discharge of duty he was wounded at the battle of

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY. NEW JERSEY.

Spottsylvania. He was made brevet-lieutenant co]- onel in the campaign before Petersburg, and on the cessation of hostilities. received the brevet rank of colonel. It was the active service on the tield which had for him a charm, and it is not surprising, there- fore, that on being offered, at the close of the war, a position of high rank in the public service, he chose to retire to private life and to the practice of his pro- fission. After spending six months as surgeon on the l'acitic mail steamers, he returned to Newark and to his old patients, who gave him a hearty welcome.

Dr. Dougherty was not only an accomplished physician and a brave soldier, but he was a man of finely-cultivated taste, and of rare scholarship. He was at home in all the departments of science and literature, and. moreover, a brilliant writer, whatever might be the theme upon which he brought his thoughts and pen to bear. In general conversation no one could be more entertaining, and in matters of religion or philosophy no one could show more honesty or more careful reflection, or he more earnest in the support of his conscientious convictions. He labored zealously in the interests of his native city, being among the foremost in every undertaking that pro- moted its welfare; and the advanced condition of public education in Newark is due to him and other kindred spirits, who, in the early days of its common schools, battled so persistently against ignorance and prejudice. Ilis contributions to the literature of his own profession are numerous and valuable, and the esteem in which he was held by his medical brethren, is shown by the fact that in both the State and County Medical Societies he held the highest offices that could be conferred upon him. Dr. Dougherty was a man of apparently robust health, and, indeed. up to the very hour of his death continued in the active discharge of his professional duties. On that unhappy day he had been, as usual, among his patients, although suffering under an attack of pneumonia, as is believed, and returning home at evening, threw himself down upon a lounge to take an hour's rest, first, however, writing a prescription for himself, and dispatching a servant with it to a drug-store. When the servant re- turned she found him dead. This happened on the 2sth of November, 1882. He was married in 18-19 to Henrietta Arrowsmith, of Morris Co., N. J., who, with three sans, survives him.

JEREMIAH A. C'Ross was born in Sharon, Scho- harie Co., N. Y., where he grew up to manhood, and where, at the age of sixteen, in conse quence of the death of his father, he was thrown upon his own resources. His ambition was to acquire an education, and to fit himself for one of the learned professions. To this end, under very adverse circumstances, he ob- tained such an education as could be had in the district schools of the county, over one of which, in time, he was appointed to the mastership, and then, as i- usually the case, learned ten times faster and ten times as much as when a pupil. The profession of

law was his first choice, but this he soon abandoned, with the determination to devote himself to the study and practice of medicine. With this in view he re- moved from the State of New York, and fixed his residence in Franklin, Essex Co., N. J., where, as a student, he entered the office of Dr. S. Daily. In 18544 he attended a course of medical lectures in the University of Michigan, and the next year attended another course in the Albany Medical College, whence he was graduated in the spring of 1856 In August of the same year, he established himself in practice in Newark, N. J., where he continued to reside till the end of his life, March 30, 1881. Dr. 'ross was one of the physicians and surgeons of Essex County who rendered essential service to the country during the war of the Rebellion. In 1862 he, with a small body of surgeons, volunteered to take care of the wounded New Jersey soldiers at the siege of Yorktown. Dur- ing his absence on this service the Ward United States Army Hospital was established in Newark, and ou his return he was attached to it as an acting assist- ant surgeon, which position he held until December, 1863, when he accepted the post of surgeon to the board of enrollment of the Fifth Congressional Dis- triet of New Jersey. Here he remained until the close of the war, and then resumed his private practice. In 1870 he was appointed one of the staff of St. Michael's Hospital, in the city of Newark, and during the same year became physician for the Essex County Home for the Insane, with which latter institution he remained connected. till his death. As a member of the Essex County Medical Society he was active in all that concerned the interests of his profession, and as a citizen he was prominent and influential when- ever and wherever au earnest and leading spirit was needed in the conduct of public affairs. By reason of his genial nature, his kindly disposition, and honest dealing, Dr t'ross made many and warm friends, and his death was lamented throughout the whole com- munity.

OSCAR J. AKERS was born in Bloomfield, N. J., in 1823, and his death, which occurred on the 9th day of April, 1861, was one of those sacrifices which physi- cians are often called upon to make in the cause of human suffering. He died in the discharge of his (Inty, and in the service of a greatly-afflicted brother physician. Dr. Akers was a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Soon after receiving his diploma he settled in Newark, N. J., where he had many friends and acquaintances, and where, in a short time, he became a very successful practitioner. The Essex District Medical Society, at a meeting held soon after his death, adopted a series of commemorative resolutions, which began with the following :

" Benfred, That the many excellent qualities of the deceased, his geni- ality and kindness of heart, his sound judgment and ample Information, aspus sally un topic connected with his profesion, give a great and

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"Resolved, That this painful event salts another to the mummy Suislance, offen too little appren hatol, in which physicians have nu ri- feed themselves on the altar of profissional daty, and that this can- moderation may legitimately nagy the grief of his borrowing friends."

J. CAREY SELDEN was born in Powhatan County. Va., in 1524, and was a graduate of the Medical Department of the New York University. For two years he was the assistant surgeon at Ward's Island Hospital, New York, where he was highly esteemed for his skill and success as a physician and surgeon. In 1860 he removed to Newark, and began the practice of medicine. When the Ward United States Hospital was established in that city, Dr. Selden offered his services, and was appointed an acting assistant surgeon in that institution, where he remained for several years. On the 11th of November he was found dead upon the floor of his office, having fallen and died, as was supposed, in one of the epileptic paroxysme to which he was subject. He was a man of fine per- sonal appearance, of genial manners and great uprightness in all his dealings.

EDWARD D. ti. SMITH, son of Dr. Lynden A. Smith, was born in Newark, N. J., Nov. 7, 1826. He received his preliminary education in the schools of his native city, and was a student in the office of his distinguished father. In 1849 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, and thence was graduated in 1851. Being of feeble health, he made several voyages to Europe as a surgeon in the merchant service, and so far gained his strength that he settled in Newark, where he remained in the practice of his profession until the breaking out of the civil war, when he entered the naval service in the capacity of surgeon, and where he continued to serve during a period of four years. At the expiration of this time he returned to his old home, and resumed his practice, gaining steadily the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens as a physician and as a man. Dr. Smith was a quiet, laborious student, who attended strictly to his own business, and never obtruded his opinions upon others. He was very successful in his practice, and notwithstanding the feeble condition of his health, never neglected those committed to his care. To his disease, however, he was at last obliged to succumb, and after several months of severe suffer- ing died, June 15, 1875, lamented by all who knew him.

ISAAC A. NICHOLS was born in Newark, N. J., un the 24th of February, 12s. He was a pupil in the classical school of Dr. William R. Weeks, who for s> many years maintained the reputation of a learned and efficient teacher in the city of Newark. in 1846 young Nichols entered the office of Drs. Darcy and Nichols as a student, and there enjoyed more than ordinary advantages in the necessary preparation for his profession. In 1850 he received his diploma from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. and at once began the practice of medicine as an associate with his recent preceptors, whose mantle

fell, in a very short time, upon his shoulders. His rise in his profession was very rapid. In los he was appointed health physician of the city, and con- tinned to hold this position until his death, Nov. 22, 1ss0. In this office he was very active and efficient, and mainly through bis instrumentality the Newark City Dispensary was established. When the Ward I'nited States Hospital was located in Newark, he was intrusted with its chief management until it was placed in the charge of a surgeon of the regular army. His industry was so great that, notwithstanding his constantly growing private practice, he found time to discharge his duties as surgeon of the New Jer- Railroad Company and as one of the staff of Ft. Michael's Hospital. In 1823 he was elected president of the District Medical Society of Essex, which posi- tion he filled with noticeable dignity. Dr. Nichols was remarkable for his devotion to his profession. Things not thereto appertaining engaged very little of his attention, though he was a genial companion and # warm -hearted friend. His widow, daughter of the late distinguished Anthony Des, and four children survive him.

LUTHER G. THOMAS was born in Newark, N. .... Jan. 27, 1830. Ile was the son of Frederick s. Thomas, Esq., and grandson of Luther toble, Esy., elsewhere noticed in this volume, and so well known and so highly esteemed during the early history of the city. Young Thomas was a pupil of Rev. Dr. William R. Weeks, who prepared him for Princeton College, whence he graduated in 1849. On leaving college he entered the office of Dr. L. A. Smith, as a student of medicine, and in 1852 was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He com- meneed at once to practice in Newark, and soon be- came known as a careful, attentive, skillful and kind physician. In the year 1863 he offered his services to his country and entered the Twenty-sixth Regiment of New Jersey Volunteer asasurgeon. Inthis capacity he continued till the regiment had completed its term of service (nine months), when he returned to his home and assumed his practice. His career was, however, destined to be a short one. A sudden attack of what was supposed to be congestion of the brain prostrated him, and on the Ist of May, 1864, he died, aged thirty-four years and five months. Dr. Thomas possessed many excellent qualities, for which he was highly esteemel and respected.

pisos W. Woopitt 1.1., youngest son of Dr. John Woodhull, a physician well known and highly es- termed throughout the southern part of New Jersey, was born in Monmouth County, Aug. 13, 1831. After a careful preparatory education he entered the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, and was thence graduated in 1854. He subsequently studied medicine under his father's direction, and in 1856 received from the New York Medical I'niversity the degree of M. D., with the highest honors. lle was soon after appointed physi- cian to the penitentiary on Blackwell's Island, and

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performed the duties of that office for one year. In 1857 he removed to Newark, N. J., and there estab- lished himself in the practice of his profession, gain- ing almost immediately an enviable position both as a physician and a man. Like many others of his pro- fession throughout the land. Dr. Woodhull, at the commencement of the war of the Rebellion, responded to his country's eall, and leaving an extensive and lucrative practice, accepted the appointment of assist- ant surgeon of the Fifth New Jersey Regiment. Aug. 21, 1861. In this connection he remained until Feb. 6. 1862. when he was promoted surgeon of the Ninth

At this time he was made surgeon of lleckman's Star Brigade, and while in the discharge of other duties superintended, in 1863, the erection of Mansfield's General Hospital, at Morehead City, for which he received the highest commendation. But to trace his splendid career throughout the war would be impossi- ble in a sketch so circumscribed as this must neces- sarily be. It is sufficient to say that he was with Burnside and with Roseerans, and was also with Sherman during the latter part of his memorable journey to the sea. He was a man of wonderful energy and undoubted valor ; in the camp or hospital,

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 82

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 840

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840