History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 85

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 85
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 85

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WILLIAM A. SMITH was born in Guilford, Che- nango Co., N. Y., March 30, 1820, and having received his preliminary education in that place, entered Geneva College, New York, first asa pupil in the Classical and Literary Department, and subsequently as a student

graduated. His first settlement as a medical practi- tioner was at Sidney Plains, Delaware to., N. Y., where he remained five years, when he removed to Norwich, in the same State. Here he had established himself in a fine practice, when, the war of the Re- bellion breaking out, he offered his services, and was appointed assistant surgeon of the Eighty-ninth Regi- ment of New York Volunteers. Soon after this appointment he was promoted as surgeon of the Une Hundred and Third New York Regiment, in which he continued actively serving in the field until May 3. 1818, when, while on duty at Suffolk, Va., he was severely and very nearly fatally wounded by a musket- ball, which, entering his body just below the heart, passed out near the spinal column between the hips. As a matter of course, so serious a wound rendered him unfit for service, and believing that he woubl never be able to take again the field, resigned h's commission, and returned to hi- home. But having sufficiently recovered, he once more entered the air- vice, and in January, 1864, was appointed surgeon of the Fortyseventh New York Regiment, then stationed at Hilton Head. Remaining but a short time in this position, he was or lered to Jacksonville, Fla., to take charge of the hospital at that place, which he was obliged to reorganize. Here, after the battle of Olus- tee, he irul fifteen hundred wounded soldiers under his immediate care. He continued to serve at this post until July, 1564, when he came up to the Savan- nah River, where he was ordered to superintend the exchange of prisoners held in that vicinity. In this line of duty he was engaged at various places, having meanwhile charge of the general prison hos- pital at Newport News, until his appointment as health officer of Norfolk, Va., in which capaces he served till the close of the war, when he was ordered to his regiment, and mustere : out of service with his comrades. After performing faithful and heroic -er- vice in behalf of his country he left the field nearly broken down by the toil- which, with a sorely wounded body, he had undergone. Selecting Newark, N. J., as a place of abode, he settled there with the inten- tion of confining himself strictly to office practice, but could not resist the demands made upon him, and was son engaged in active professional service, which he continues to perform at the present time. Notwithstanding his large practice, he has found time to discharge his duties as a private citizen, and has in all works affecting the public welfare been an active participant. His personal popularity added to his good judgment and discretion have combined to place him in several offices of important public trust. He is a member of the various medical societies of the county, and is held in high esteem by his professional brethren and by all who know him.

CHARLES W. STICKNEY was born near Milford, Pike d'o., Pa., Jan. 4, 1833. His early studies in medicine were in the office of Dr. William Wetherill,

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

at Lambertville, N. J., and in 1858 he was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Ile began the practice of his profession at Pompton Plains, N. J., where he resided until Ang. 3, 1863, when he entered the United States service as assistant surgeon of the Thirty-third Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, to

Army of the West, under the command of Maj .- Gen. Sherman, and took part in all the battles com- mencing at Chattanooga, Tenn., May 1, 1864, and ending in the capture of Atlanta, Ga., in September of the same year. Ile was now ordered for duty at the Second Division, Twentieth Corps, hospital, in which position he remained throughout Gen. Sher- man's march to the sea, ending in the fall of Savannah, Dec. 21, 1864. Together with his regiment, he left Savannah, Jan. 27, 1865, and with the left wing of the army, under command of Maj .- Gen. Slocum, ar- rived at the Savannah River, where he was ordered to take charge of all the sick and wounded men, and re- port the same to Savannah. Ilis treatment of the sick at this time under his care was eminently successful. Among a very large number of cases of smallpox which came under his special care he did not lose a single one. After spending a few weeks in Savannah, he rejoined his regiment at Goldsboro', N. C., and thence, the war having been brought to a close, he went to Washington, and finally to the State rendezvous at Newark, N. J., where he was hon- orably discharged, July 17, 1865. Since this time Dr. Stickney has made Newark his residence, and Here has successfully established himself in prac- tice.

EDWIN B. THOMPSON was born in the city of New York, Feb. 4, 1831. He was educated in the univer- city of that city, and graduated from the Medical Department of the same in 1857. During the same year he was appolead attending physician in the Northern and North-Western Dispensaries, where he remained until 1862, when he entered the United States army as acting assistant surgeon, and served as such until the close of the war. He then settled in Orange, Essex Co., N. J., where he has since practiced hi- profession, and is a member of the Essex District Medical Society. He has been connected, as attending physician, with the Orange Dispensary and Memorial Hospital since their establishment.

STEPHEN W. VAN DUYN was born at Kingston, N. J .. March 26, 1836, and was graduated from the College of New Jersey, Princeton, in 1857. He then entered upon the study of medicine, and received the degree of M.D. from the University of the City of New York. In 1864 he was appointed assistant surgeon in the First New Jersey Cavalry, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. In 1866 he en- tered the United States service as assistant surgeon, and remained in this position until 1869, when he re- signed, and established himself as a medical practi- tioner in Newark, N. J. Dr. Van Duyn is a member

of the Essex District Medical Society and of the New- ark Medical Association.

MERIT H. C. VAIL was born in Sussex Co., N. J., Nov. 6, 1831. His early education was received at Amity, N. Y., and in New York City. In 1851 he was graduated from the Castleton Medical College, Ver- serve three years. This regiment was assigned to the ' mont, and in 1861 established himself as a medical

practitioner in Newark, N. J., where he still resides. Upon the breaking out of the war Dr. Vail was ap- pointed a member of the commission sent by Governor Olden to Fortress Monroe for the purpose of removing the wounded New Jersey soldiers to their homes, a service which he, with other well-known physicians and surgeons of the State, faithfully performed. After devoting himself for twenty years to the practice of medicine he became editor and proprietor of the New- ark Morning Register, in the management of which he is at present engaged. Dr. Vail has been a member of the Board of Education of the city of Newark, has represented the Ninth Assembly District in the State Legislature, and is now a member of the Board of Freeholders of Essex County.

JOSEPH L. WADE was born at Connecticut Farms, Union Co., N. J., and pursued his academie studies at the best private schools of that county. In 1850 he was graduated from the Medical Department of the University of the City of New York, and for about three years was engaged in the practice of medicine in that city. He subsequently removed to Newark, N. J., and a few months after the breaking out of the war entered the United States service as acting assistant surgeon, in which capacity he remained for more than four years, serving at Hilton Head, Savannah, Charleston and Newbern. He was also under Gen. Howard at Georgetown, S. C., attached to the Freed- man's Bureau. At the close of the war he returned to Newark, and subsequently removed to Irvington, Essex Co., where he is at present engaged in practice.

LESLIE D. WARD, though not strictly of the number of those who entered the army during the Rebellion as surgeons and physicians, is entitled to a mention here, as well for his patriotism as for the reason that, having his profession in view, he took advantage of this opportunity to gain that experience which has been so serviecable to him. He was born at Madison, N. J., July 1, 1845, and is a descendant of the Wards and Dodds, for so many years past prominent in Newark and its vicinity. With a good academic education, he was just about entering upon the study of medicine, when, feeling. that he owed a duty to his country which was of paramount import- ance, and believing, too, that his experience might be of service to him in his profession, he enlisted in the Thirty-seventh New Jersey Regiment, obtaining the rank of orderly sergeant. 'In the latter part of the year 1864, after performing his duty as a soldier for nearly a year, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Fisher, of Morristown. In due time he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at

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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF ESSEX COUNTY.

New York, and was graduated therefrom in 1868. Ile settled at once in Newark, N. J., and became associ- ated in practice with Dr. Lott Southard, of that city. By means of this connection he soon made himself well and favorably known, and at the end of two years opened an office of his own. The interest which he has ever felt in his profession, and the active part which he has always taken in public affairs, have given to him considerable prominence, and he has already filled several important county offices, among which he has held that of county physician. He was married March 5, 1874, to Minnie, daughter of MIr. James Perry, a leading manufacturer of Newark, .Y. . 1.

WILLIAM S. WARD was born in Bloomfield, Essex Co., N. J., July 13, 1821. His preliminary education was received at the academy of his native place, and entering Princeton College in 1838, he was graduated in the class of 1841. From that time he pursued his medical studies in private until 1846, when he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, whence he was graduated in 1849. He at once entered upon the duties of his profession, establishing himself in Newark, N. J., where he still resides and manages a very extensive and lucrative practice. As soon as the Ward United States Hospital was set in operation in Newark, Dr. Ward offered his services, and received the appointment of assistant surgeon. After the battle of the Wilderness he was detailed for duty at Washington, D. C., where he rendered very important service among the sick and wounded. As a physician and surgeon, Dr. Ward is highly esteemed, as well by his professional brethren as by the whole community. He is especially noted for his devotion to his profession and for the welfare of those com- mitted to his care.

HENRY B. WHITEHORN was born at Fordham, N. Y., July 16, 1846. In the year 1865 he obtained a position in the United States navy as captain's clerk. and for five years served in that capacity in the United States Asiatic squadron, on the steamers " Iroquois," " Delaware" and other vessels. After a par- tial course of study in I'nion College, he entered the Al- bany Medical College, and was graduated therefrom in 1874. lle began practice immediately in Verona, Essex d'o., N. J., and in 1875 was appointed physician to the Newark City Home, located in that place. In 1880 he succeeded the late Dr. Personette as physician to the Essex County Penitentiary. Dr. Whitehorn is a member of the Essex District Medical Society.

EDWARD T. WHITTINGHAM Was born April 22, 1821, and is the son of the late Bishop Whittingham, of Maryland. He received his education at the t'ol- lege of St. James, Hagerstown, Md., and was graduated therefrom in July, 1849. ITis studies were pursued in the Medical Department of the I'niversity of Mary- land, whence he received his diploma in 1852. He began the practice of medicine in Baltimore, remain- ing there, however, but two years, when he removed to

Milburn, N. J., which place has been his residence until the present time. In October, 186], Dr. Whit- tingham relinquished his flourishing practice in Mil- burn to give his aid in the canse of his country, and during the war of the Rebellion served in the regular army with great honor and efficiency until November, 1863, when he resigned. Ile was first assigned to the duty of organizing the Alexandria General Hospital, and was subsequently appointed medical inspector of the Third Corps. At the battle of Gettysburg he was surgeon of the Second Division of the Fifth Corps, and here distinguished himself for his bravery and for his skill as a physician and surgeon. Dr. Whittingham's services were multifarions and arduous, and his war re- cord is among the best. Immediately after resigning he returned to his private practice at Milburn. He has always been an active member of the various medical societies of the county, and his reports us a surgeon in the army are regarded as valuable contributions to the literature of his profession. For many years he has been one of the chosen freeholders of the County of Essex, in which capacity he has rendered very many and important services to the public.

CHAPTER XXX.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF ESSEX COUNTY. (Continued

1.IVING; PHYSICIANS NOT PREVIOUSLY NAMED.

Ix the preparation of these biographical notices the compiler was not at liberty to omit any physician of Essex County concerning whom he could obtain any information whatever, and, as may be imagined, the task has not been an easy one. The necessary materials were gathered slowly, and as they were gathered it became necessary to use them. Some of these materials were obtained from biographical dictionaries, from the Transactions of the medical societies and from newspapers, while in a large num- ber of cases they could only be collected by corre- spondence. Under such circumstances it became very difficult to make such an arrangement of the numer- ous sketches as the compiler could have desired, and it thus happens that he has collected them into three different groups,-first, those of the deceased ; second, those of living physicians who were in the military service ; third, those of the living not included in that class.

In the third group, which here follows, will be found the names of many of the oldest and most distinguished living physicians and surgeons in Essex County. They are given in no designed order other than with refer- ence generally to their seniority as to age.

SAMUEL HAYES PENNINGTON, descending from Revolutionary ancestors, was born at Newark, N. J.,

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Oct. 16, 1806. A graduate from the Newark Academy, business life, Dr. Pennington is still faithfully exer- cising the sound judgment aud business ability which have made this bank one of the most successful finan- cial corporations of the State. he entered Princeton College in 1823, and received therefrom, in 1×25, the degree of A.B., and in 1828 that of A.M. In the latter year he commenced the study of medicine in the office of his maternal unele, Dr. Samuel Hayes, and subsequently attended lectures under the Rutgers Medical Faculty, of Geneva Col, lege, among the names of whom we find those of the distinguished Dr. David Hosack and Dr. John W. Francis. In 1829, receiving his degree of M.D., he soon after began at Newark the work of his profes- sion, entering into partnership with his unele and ulti- mately succeeding to his practice in 1839. His great activity, his acknowledged skill and excellent judg- ment, together with his successas a practitioner, made him especially prominent among his medical brethren, and brought to him a very extensive consulting prac- tice. For this and other reasons, after more than thirty years of arduous labor, he began by degrees to release himself from the more burdensome duties of his profession, confining his practice within a very limited circle. A man of learning himself, he naturally and cordially seconded every effort to ad- vance the cause of education, and his election and re-election as a member of the Public School Board of Newark, N. J., for a period of seventeen years, seven of which he was president of the board by a unanimous vote, is some evidence of the earnestness of his labors in behalf of the educational interests of his native city. To the Newark Academy, of which he is a graduate, he has always shown a great devo- tion, becoming a member of its board of trustees as early as 1833, and since 1854 president of that board. In 1856 he was chosen a trustee of the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, and soon after a trustee of the THOMAS W. LOWEREE was born in Flushing, L. I., July 9, 1809, and received his education in New York. In 1832 he was licensed to practice Theological Seminary in the same place, both of which offices he still holds, and, since the death of Chancellor Green, has been president of the board of | medicine by the New York Eclectic Medical Society, trustees of the Theological Seminary. While actively and in 1883 removed to Newark, N. J. For more than fifty years he has been actively and successfully engaged in his profession. engaged in the practice of his profession he was also prominent and useful in the medical society of the county. and in 1848 was elected president of the State Medical Society. That his professional reputation was not confined to his native State is shown by the fact that he was elected an honorary member of the Connecticut Medical Society, also a corresponding member of the Medieal Society of Munich and of the Royal Botanical Society of Ratisbon.

As a writer, Dr. Pennington is graceful and vigor- Ilis literary produetions are not voluminous ; nevertheless, he has made many and very valuable contributions to medical science, and is the author of numerous addresses and papers on the subject of edu- cation as well as essays on kindred topics.

ISAAC MOREAU WARD was born in Bloomfield, Essex Co., N. J., in 1806, and was graduated from Yale College in 1825. Ilaving determined to devote himself to the profession of medicine, he began his studies under Dr. David Hosack, and received his degree of M.D. from Rutgers Medical College, New York, in 1829. Ile established himself at once as a practitioner in Newark and soon became favorably known as a physician. In 1832, and on several occa- sions afterwards, he was a delegate to the State Med- ieal Society, where he manifested a great interest in his profession. After having been in practice for a few years he gave his attention to the mode of treat- ment adopted by the homeopathic school, and ulti- mately became one of its disciples. In 1841 he re- moved to Albany, N. Y., where he assisted in the organization of the American Institute of Homeop- athy, and on the formation of the New York State Honueopathie Medical Society, in 1849, he was elected its first president. His health beginning to fail soon after, he returned to Newark, in the suburbs of which he has since made his home. In 1853 he was called to the chair of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women in the Homeopathic Medical College of Philadelphia, and while in this position was instru- mental in the establishment of a medical College for Women, of which for two years he acted as dean. Soon after this Dr. Ward retired from practice and from professional teaching, and is at present living quietly at his home near Newark.

JOSEPH A. CORWIN, a native Jerseyman, was born May 17, 1810. His education was chiefly obtained in Albany, N. Y. In 1835 he was graduated from the Medical Department of Yale College. In 1-36 he began the practice of medicine in Belleville, Essex Co., N. J., where he remained until December, 1849, when he removed to Newark, N. J., and here re- sides at the present time, actively engaged in the work of his profession. Dr. Corwin is, and has been for many years, a member of the Essex District Med- ical Society, a regular attendant at its meetings, and an earnest participant in its proceedings. In 1×64 he was elected its vice-president, in 1865 president, and in 1883 was chosen one of its delegates to the State Medical Society. In 1852 and 1853 he was a member of the Board of Education of the city of Newark, N. J. He has been a practitioner in Essex

More than thirty years ago he took an active part in the establishment of the Newark City National Bank, and from the organization of that institution to the present time has presided over its affairs. Although at an age when men usually throw off the cares of County for nearly half a century, and enjoys the re-

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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF ESSEX COUNTY.

speet and esteem of his medieal brethren, as well for his excellent qualities as for his great devotion to his profession.

WILLIAM T. MERCER was born at Newark, N. J., March 9, 1812, in the old Mercer homestead, which stood on Broad Street, upon the spot now occupied by the Continental Hotel. llis father died while he was yet an infant, and at the age of five he lost his mother Ile was then adopted by his aunt, the wife of Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, with whom he afterwards lived. His preparatory education was re- ceived at the old Newark Academy. At the age of fif- teen he entered the Sophomore class at Williams Col- lege, Massachusetts, and was graduated from that in- stitution in 1830. Soon afterwards he began the study of medicine in the office of his unele, Dr. Archibald Mercer, at New London, Conn., and subsequently continued under the preceptorship of Dr. Lyndon A. Smith, of Newark, N. J. In 1834 he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession in his native town. Here he met almost immediately with great success, but his bodily strength was insuffi- cient for the labors which he was compelled to per- form, and at the end of about ten years he felt con- strained to withdraw from active practice. He now established a drug-store in Newark, and in this busi- ness has been engaged until the present time. His in- terest in his profession was always very great, and becoming a member of the Essex District Medical Society, soon after engaging as practitioner, he took an active part in its proceedings, and served as its secretary from 1841 to 1855. From this body he was, on several occasions, a delegate to the State Medical Society, in the proceedings of which he also manifested a lively interest. Although not actively engaged in practice for many years, Dr. Mercer is , held in high esteem by his medical brethren, as well for his intimate knowledge of his profession as for his many excellent qualities of mind and heart.

JOSEPH A. DAVIS was born in Bloomfield, Essex Co., N. J., July 1, 1813. Having received a good preparatory education, he was graduated from the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, in 1834. His medical studies were commenced in the office of Dr. Charles Davis, at Elizabeth, N. J., and continued in that of Dr. Joseph Smith Dodd, of Bloomfield. March, 1838, he obtained his degree of M.D. from Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and immediately be- gan the practice of medicine in his native place. In July of the following year he became associated in business with his former preceptor, Dr. Dodd, and re- mained in this connection until 1844, when be with- drew from the partnership, and opened an office of his own. It is now more than forty-six years since Dr. Davis entered upon the duties of his profession, and until within a few months past has been actively en- gaged. He has not only ranked with the most learned and skillful physicians of Essex County, but he has

held a high position among its enterprising and use- ful citizens. Ilis interest in the cause of education was early manifested, and the town of Bloomfield is greatly indebted to his labors for the first free school established within its limits. This was accomplished as early as 1849. For several years he served as a member of the Board of Freeholders of Essex County, the only political office he was ever willing to accept. He was for a long time president of the Newark and Bloomfield Railroad Company, and now occupies the office of president of the Bloomfield Gas Company. At present the crippled condition of his limbs does not permit him to engage in the active practice of his profession, but his advice and counsel are as valuable as ever.

STEPHEN WICKES, son of Van Wyck and Eliza (llerriman) Wickes, and a descendant of Thomas Wickes, grantee, in 1666, of Huntingdon, L. I., was born in Jamaica, L. I., March 17, 1813. Receiving a good preparatory education at Union Hall Nead- emy, in his native town, he entered Union College, and was thence graduated in 1-31. lle received in course the degree of A.M., and was admitted ad cundem, Princeton, 1868. Having in view the pro- fession of medicine, he became a student, soon after graduating, of the natural sciences at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In the fall of 1832 he entered the Medical Department of the l'niversity of Pennsyl- vania, and in the spring of 1834 received his degree of M.D. Soon thereafter he began the practice of medicine in the city of New York. Remaining there but a brief period, he removed to Troy, N. Y., where he practiced more than fifteen years, and a portion of that time as a partner of Dr. Thomas W. Blatchford, his preceptor when a student of medicine. While a resident of Troy, Dr. Wickes was ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church of that city, president of the Rensselaer Tract Society, and a trustee of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1852 he re- moved to Orange, Essex Co., N. J., where he has since resided, and where he is regarded not only as a physician of eminent ability, but as an enterprising and valuable citizen. As in Troy, so in Orange. he soon began to take a leading part in religious affairs, and in 1856 was made ruling eller of the First Pres- byterian Church of the latter place, and in 1872 president of the Essex County Bible Society. Dr. Wiekes is a member of many literary and scientific bodies, but he is such not in name alone, for he is an industrious worker wherever he goes. The New Jersey State Medical Society, of whose executive com- mittee he was for twenty-five years chairman, is chiefly indebted to his unwearied pains and researches for rescuing from oblivion its old Transactions. Of this society he is a worthy nad most efficient honorary member, and at the present time (1884) its president. As a member of the New Jersey Historical Society and chairman of one of its most important com- mitters, he is also doing valuable service. He is a

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 85

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