History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 146

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 146
USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 146

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HENRY VAN DERVEER, of Somerville, son of the preceding, died Feb. 13, 1874, at the age of eighty- two.[ He was born at the paternal homestead, was educated in the academy at Somerville, was graduated at Princeton College, and attended medical lectures in Philadelphia. He married Miss Mary Ann Fre- linghuysen, the eldest daughter of Gen. John, and commenced practice in the field so long occupied by his father, residing in the paternal mansion. He subsequently removed to the vicinity of Somerville.

In 1846 he united with the First Reformed Dutch Church of that place. As a physician he was faith- ful, judicious, and successful. He continued to prac- tice until a few years before the close of his life ; in- deed, many of his old friends refused ever, while he lived, to have the attentions of any one else .** Henry Van Derveer was succeeded at Roycefield by a Henry H. Van Derveer, who practiced there from 1833-44, and who died Feb. 1, 1869.++

HENRY VAN DERVEER, of Pluckamin, born about 1776, was the son of Elias Van Derveer. He was for many years in practice in Bedminster township, en- joying a large and lucrative patronage. His plantation consisted of between eight hundred and one thousand acres of land, about one-half under cultivation, the remainder being timber. "He was," says A. W. Mc- Dowell, "one of the ablest physicians of Somerset County, but a most eccentric genius. He and his sister Phoebe, neither of whom ever married, lived and died at the old homestead in Bedminster. Her room was on one side of the wide hall, his on the other ; the other six rooms were handsomely fur- nished, but unoccupied and kept closed. Once a week, in full dress, she visited her brother, on the other side of the entry; once a week the formal call was returned, he being arrayed in his best English broad- clotlı, ruffled shirt-bosom, polished boots, etc. The

* Died in 1838. Dr. J. M. Toner's MSS. notes, et ol.

t The progenitor of the Van Buren family in this country.

He was a near relative of President Van Buron, whe, when a boy, used to visit the doctor and his family at Millstone .- Judge R. Voorhees. ¿ Wickes' Hist. N. J. Med., pp. 424, 425.

| Soo Wickes' " History of Medicine and Medical Men in New Jersey to 1800" for a mers extended account of the manner in which this remedy was received by the medical fraternity.

T MSS. netes Rev. Dr. Abr. Messler ; Spaulding's Memoirs; Wickss' Hist. of Med. in New Jersey, etc.

** Obit. in Trans. State Mod. Soc., 1874.

ft Rav. Dr. E. T. Corwin.

597

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

doctor ontlived his sister many years, most of which time he was the only white person in the house. His eccentricities were manifest in his eating, living, and in his singular will, which caused much excitement in the courts at the time. But he was a perfect gen- tleman, a fine scholar, and an able physician,-one of superior professional skill." Hle died on Friday, May 22, 1868, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. He left no relatives nearer related than cousins.

HENRY H. VAN DERVEER was born near Somer- ville, on the banks of the Raritan, July 12, 1808. He was the son of Col. Henry Van Derveer. He com- meneed the study of medicine in 1827, with Dr. Ferdi- nand S. Schenck, of Six-Mile Run, Somerset Co., and then entered the office of Dr. William Van Deursen, of New Brunswick, N. J. After the close of his last course of lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, he was induced to enter the office of his brother, Peter Van Derveer, who had a large practice in Middletown, Ohio. For two years he was associated with him in practice, and in 1832 returned to Somerset County and became the suc- cessor of Henry Van Derveer at Roycefield; there for thirteen years he prosecuted his profession, then removed to Somerville, still practicing, and where he died Feb. 1, 1869. In 1835 he was married to Aun Brodhead Deyo, daughter of Hon. Abraham A. Deyo, of Plattekill, Ulster Co., N. Y. Dr. Van Derveer was gifted in an eminent degree. Hle not only had med- ical knowledge and surgical skill, but possessed the faculty, as if by nature's gift, to use the knowledge in the obtaining a correct diagnosis, in the choice of remedies to be employed, and in their dextrous ad- ministration. His power to determine between con- flieting symptoms, and to deteet the latent disease, and his judgment in treating it when discovered, not only secured to him a large practice, but gained the confidence of his brother-physicians when united with him in consultation. But his efficiency was impaired by ill health ; the disease which ended his life af- flieted him for more than twenty years. In his nature he was kind and benevolent. As a physician, to whom others committed their health and lives in sickness, he felt his deep responsibility, and he re- marked, near the elose of his life, that when he was ealled to a siek-bed he had during his whole praetiec looked up to God for direction .*

HENRY H. SCHENCK, SR., a native of Somerset County, was born at Millstone in August, 1760. His father was Henry Schenck. He graduated in 1772 from Rutgers; studied medicine with Dr. Lawrence Van Derveer, of Roycefield, this county; attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania; was a surgeon of militia in the Revolution, and after the war commenced practice near Esopus, N. Y. After a short time he removed to Neshanic, this county,

where he remained until his death, in 1828. He re- ceived a pension of forty dollars a month from the United States government until his death. His wife was Miss Ellen, daughter of Rev. Jacob R. Harden- berg, by whom he had three sons and one daughter. The latter never married. The sons-Henry H., Jr., Jacob Rutsen, and John F .- all became prominent physicians, located in Hunterdon County.t

Henry Schenck, Sr., became a member of the State Medical Society in 1789. He was an active political partisan, and became a judge of the Somerset County Court; he was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. His remains were buried in a private burial- ground near Millstone.

JACON RUTSEN SCHENCK, son of Dr. Henry H., Sr., was born in Somerset County in 1783, studied medicine with his father, and attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. He located near his father, where he practiced until his death. Ile left no children, an only child, a son, being accidentally shot and killed some years before his death .;

GARRET VAN DOREN was born at Millstone in October, 1782, and died near East Millstone, April 4, 1858. His direct ancestors were John, John, and Christian, who settled at Middlebush in 1723. He remained faithfully serving his father's interests until of' age, but evinced in youth superior mental power and extraordinary thirst for knowledge. To 'Squire Van Duyn, of whom he often spoke with deepest gratitude, he was indebted for instruction in the winter evenings in mathematical science, surveying, and its more advanced branches. At this time of life he also taught an evening school for a winter term, and in this manner made himself familiar with the ground over which he had already passed. At this time he was also noticed for his commanding person, as among his preserved papers one, attested by the seal of the State, is the commission issued by Gen. Stryker ap- pointing him a captain in the New Jersey brigade.

But neither farming nor soldiering was to be his vocation. Improving his opportunities, we find him at the age of thirty at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, from which, at the age of thirty-two, he was sent forth to the practice of medicine. Choosing his location, he purchased the premises No. 6 Franklin Street, N. Y., near Chapel Street, now West Broadway, and, placing on the door his name and business, his next step was to find a suitable companion, and this was soon accomplished in taking to his home the daughter of one of his patients, Miss Jemima Dyckman.

Ilis love of the country brought him back to his early home, and to settle down to rest and die amid scenes and friends of his youth. Here he spent the evening of his life, an earnest friend and member

* Obit. In Trans Stato Med. Soc., 1869.

t See also chapter on " Medical Profession of Huntenlon County," In another portion of this work.

* Mane's Med. Hist. Hunterdon County.

598

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

of the church at East Millstone. He died at the ripe age of seventy-five. His last joyous word was " Rest !" His wife died Oct. 11, 1851, aged fifty-four.

FERDINAND S. SCHENCK, of Six-Mile Run, one of the most prominent and highly-esteemed citizens of the county in the former half of this century, was a son of Martin Schenck, who was for several years sheriff of the county ; he was born at Millstone, Feb. 11, 1790. He studied medicine with Dr. Stryker, of Somerville, and Dr. G. Smith, of New York City, and commenced practice in Six-Mile Run, where in 1814 he purchased a farm a short distance west of the church; this he made his home after his marriage with Leah, daughter of Martin Voorhees, of Har- lingen, Dec. 19, 1817. He speedily became eminent in his profession and gained a large and lucrative practice; his skill and fidelity won the confidence of the community, while his genial disposition and hearty sympathy endeared him to all. His public spirit led him to engage earnestly in political affairs, and he was intrusted with many important offices, which he filled with great ability and acknowledged fidelity.

In 1829-31 he was a member of the General As- sembly of the State Legislature. During 1833-36 he was a member of the House of Representatives of the United States, serving two full terms. In 1844 he was a member of the convention which framed the constitution of the State. In 1845 he was ap- pointed judge of the State Court of Errors and Ap- peals, and was several times reappointed, serving in all some ten or twelve years. He was also appointed by the Governor a member, for Somerset County, of the State commission of banking. For many years he was a trustee of Rutgers College, and gave much attention to advancing its interests and those of edu- cation in the community. He gave all his children a liberal education. Of his six sons, one became a minister, two were lawyers, and three were physi- cians. He had three daughters. One died young; Alice married Rev. A. D. White, a minister of the Presbyterian Church long settled in Trenton, N. J .; and Margaret married Garret Nevius, an extensive and prosperous farmer residing at Pleasant Plains. He was a man of great dignity of bearing, a student of wide learning, a careful and impressive speaker, and gifted with a lively social disposition. He con- tinued the practice of his profession until he was nearly seventy years old, and to the end of his life was highly respected and exerted a great influence for the best interests of the community. He died May 15, 1860, and was buried in the neighborhood burying-place of Pleasant Plains.

JAMES BRUYN ELMENDORF was the son of Peter Elmendorf, who lived on the north side of the Raritan. Peter's father, John, inherited the estate which had formerly been owned by Lord Neill Campbell, near the junction of the Raritan and the North Branch. Dr. Elmendorf was born March 9, 1788. He was

graduated from Princeton College in 1807, and re- ceived the degree of M.D. in 1813 from the University of Pennsylvania. He first practiced medicine in Millstone. About 1816 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Gen. Frederick Frelinghuysen by his second wife, Ann Yard .*

In 1825, Dr. Elmendorf's house having been burned, he removed to Somerville and became a partner of Dr. P. I. Stryker for two years. He then removed to Philadelphia, and in 1827 returned to Millstone, where he continued his profession until his death, Sept. 1, 1852.

JACOB T. B. SKILLMAN was born March 10, 1794, at Three-Mile Run, in Somerset County, where his father, an industrious farmer, lived in comfortable circumstances. He attended the primary school, and then the academy at Basking Ridge, where, under the Rev. Dr. Finley, he prepared for college. He entered Union College in 1816: was a classmate of William H. Seward and others who subsequently beeame dis- tinguished. After graduating, he taught for two years an academy in Virginia connected with the Hampden- Sidney College, but ill health compelled his return North. On his arrival home he began the study of . medicine with Dr. A. R. Taylor, of New Brunswick. He was lieensed in 1825, and settled at Woodbridge, N. J. ; he subsequently removed to Rahway, and later to New Brunswick, where for thirty years he dis- charged the onerous duties of his profession, and where he died June 26, 1864, in the seventy-first year of his age. His wife was Miss R. C. Ayres, of Six- Mile Run ; of an interesting circle of children, only one son and one daughter survived him.

SAMUEL S. DOTY was born Dec. 4; 1794, near Basking Ridge, Somerset Co., and died at the same place Sept. 22, 1863, aged sixty-nine. For over forty years he practiced medicine at the place of his birth. He received his early literary training under the cele- brated Robert Finley, D.D .; read medicine with Dr. Budd, of Chatham, N. J., and Dr. McKissack, of Bound Brook. He attended medical lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, 1813- 15, was graduated in March of the last-named year, and licensed to practice in June. He was twice married,-first to a daughter of the Hon. Judge Southard, and afterwards to a daughter of Lott Southard, Esq., who still survives. His surviving children are a daughter and two sons by his first marriage. Though of feeble constitution, he was a man of unusual activity and vigor both in mind and body. Disease did not seem to cripple him. He was eminent in his profession, and prominent in other de- partments of life. In agriculture, politics, law, and religion he took a deep interest. He had a remark-

** Miss Yard was daughter of Mrs. Sarah Yard, of Philadelphia, who afterwards became Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Sarah Yard bought what is known as the Dr. Elmendorf place, in 1777, of Hendrick Wilsen, and presented it to her daughter Ann in 1778. Gen. Fred. Frelinghuysen, after the death of his first wife, in 1794, married Ann Yard.

599

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF SOMERSET COUNTY.

able memory and most brilliant conversational gifts. HIe was a decided Christian, and his end was peace .*

ABRAHAM SKILLMAN, born at Three-Mile Run, this county, in March, 1796, was a graduate of the College of New Jersey. He studied with the late Dr. Taylor, of New Brunswick, attending lectures in New York and enjoying the privileges of the office of the late Dr. Cheeseman. In June, 1823, he settled at Bound Brook and commenced practice in company with the late Dr. McKissaek, who died in 1831. He was president of the Medical Society of New Jersey in 1843. He was a skillful and successful physician, devoted to his profession, and enjoying the confidence of those among whom he practiced. All his medical life-over forty years-was passed in this county. He had been for more than thirty years a member of the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook, in the ceme- tery of which church his remains were interred by the side of his son, who had preceded him but a few months. He died at Bound Brook, Dec. 10, 1862.

JACOB DUNHAM, although resident of New Bruns- wick, may almost be reckoned as a Somerset physician, inasmuch as his practice for a score of years or more · extended all over the eastern portion of this county, to Bound Brook, Six-Mile, Berrien's Tavern, Mill- stone, etc. He was the son of Col. Azariah, grandson of Rev. Jonathan, of Piscataway, and great-great- grandson of Edmund, who was the first white child born in Middlesex County. His brother Lewis was also an eminent physician, and likewise was located in New Brunswick. Jacob was born Sept. 29, 1767 ; died Aug. 7, 1832. He attended medical lectures in Philadelphia about 1786; was buried in Christ Church churchyard, New Brunswick. Lewis was born 1754, died 1821, and was buried in the Presbyterian church- yard of the same place.

ROBERT R. HENRY was living, at the commence- ment of the Revolution, in Somerset County, having graduated at Princeton in 1776. He entered the ser- vice and was commissioned as surgeon's mate in gen- eral hospital, Continental army, March 17, 1777,t as assistant to Dr. Cochrane. He was afterwards com- missioned in the regular troops, serving four years in Col. Read's regiment of Gen. Poor's brigade, New Hampshire line. He was at the battle of Brandy- wine, in the hospitals nt Morristown in 1780, and at the fight at Croton River was seriously wounded in the arm and taken prisoner. He was also with Gen. Sullivan's expedition, and left the service only upon the disbandment of the armies, when he settled at Cross-Roads, Somerset Co., where he died Dec. 27, 1805. lte was a member of the State Medical Soci- ety, elected in 1785. He married (1780) Mary Hil- lard, of Reading, Conn. His wife and ten children survived him; she was living in 1836 at Penn Yan, N. Y., then aged seventy-five .;

Trans. Med. Soc. State of N. J., 1864.

t Stryker's Register.

# Toner's MSS. Biogs, of Am. Physicians.

JOHN JENNINGS was born in Somerset County, 1744, a son of Jacob Jennings. He migrated from New Providence to Readington (then known as North Branch) in 1784,2 where he had an extensive and successful practice. He removed thence to Virginia, but soon returned to New Jersey; was licensed to preach, and was ordained by the Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church of New Brunswick in 1789. He died in Pennsylvania, Feb. 17, 1803.|

SAMUEL KENNEDY, a native of Scotland, born in 1720, educated at the University of Edinburgh, came to America, and was licensed to preach the gospel in 1750, was ordained, and settled at Basking Ridge June 15, 1751. Ile established a classical school there, which was of a high order and extensively patron- ized. In addition to his calling as a pastor and teacher, he was a practicing physician, and acquired reputation in the treatment of disease. lle was, in consequence, called " Doctor." He joined the State Medical Society two years after its formation. 1Ie died at Basking Ridge, Aug. 31, 1787, aged sixty- seven."

HUGH MICEOWEN, son of Alexander and Mary (Cross) McEowen. The former, born in Scotland, studied medicine in Philadelphia. He was a student at the Pennsylvania Hospital in 1784, and his certifi- cate of attendance was signed by Benjamin Rush and John Foulke, July 12, 1786. Having been licensed, Aug. 19, 1786, he immediately settled at the place now called Millington, a little south of Basking Ridge, where he continued to practice until laid aside by his last illness. lle had a very large field of labor, ex- tending to Long Hill, Basking Ridge, and Mendham. He married, June 2, 1801, Catharine Vail, of Bask- ing Ridge, and had three children,-Mary, married Dr. Edward A. Darcy; Matilda, married Rev. Dr. Fairchild; and Alexander. The daughters survive, ** but there are no descendants of the name now living.tt

A. W. MeDowELL, after graduating from the Med- ical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1840, settled in Bedminster. He was an associate of and intimate with Henry Van Derveer and Cor- nelius C. Suydam, who lived at Pluckamin and Lesser Cross-Roads respectively. (See sketch in the history of Bedminster township.)

CORNELIU'S C. SUYDAM was an only son, inherited property, received a good education, and was gradu- ated from the University of Pennsylvania. He en- tered upon a large practice at once in his native township, Bedminster. He was a careful yet bold practitioner ; never was afraid to use his medicines, and did use them with consummate judgment and

¿ linne's Med. Hist. Hunterdon. MSS. Notes of Dr. Messter. ' Sprague's Annala.

** An old famlly Bible, printed in 1765, formerly the property of Alex- nudler, Sr., In in possession of the daughter. On Its title-pago is Ita be- quest to his son Hugh.

It Ilist. of N. J. Med., Wickes, p. 395.

600

SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

skill. Towards the close of his life he practiced chiefly as a consulting physician. After living a bachelor nearly all his life, he married a most esti- mable lady, after which event he removed to Liberty Corner. He was called far and near, was admired and respected, and was a true Christian. He was a large and finely-developed man, six feet four inches high, and weighed over two hundred and fifty pounds. He had an iron constitution, an indomitable will, a clear mind, and a soul as large as his body. But for years he suffered from diabetes, was reduced in flesh to one hundred and fifty pounds, and, after medicine lost its power on his system, predicted that his death would occur in a week. He died on the eighth day, departing this life Dec. 27, 1859, in his sixtieth year. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Eng- lish, in whose memoriam was the sentiment "that Dr. Suydam, though not a church-member, was truly a Christian man."*

ABM. T. B. VAN DOREN was a native of Somerset County, born June 15, 1823. He was a graduate of Rutgers, standing sixth in his class, and matriculated at the New York University in 1843. He married, June 10, 1846, Miss Joannah, daughter of John More- head, of Readington. He practiced at Neshanic from 1843 to 1848, part of the time associated with Dr. Schenck, and later at Ringos, in Hunterdon County ; but in 1852, on account of failing health, he went South, returning the following year to Branchville,t where he died. He was buried in a private burial- ground on the farm on which he was raised, now or lately owned by Lanning Nevius, near Centreville and the South Branch, where a modest monument tells us that

" He died June 30th, 1853. ITie wife died January 4th, 1855. Aged 26 yeare, 8 months, and 13 days."

He left one son, John M. (born Oct. 2, 1849), now living in New York. A contemporary says of Dr. Van Doren :

" He made but little headway, owing to his health failing, and the grave closed over the remains of a very worthy and well-educated medi- cal man. Could his health have been spared him, his future no doubt would havo been happy and prosperous."#

JOSEPII BONNEY practiced in Bound Brook before the Revolution. From thence he removed to Short Hills, Essex Co., and subsequently to Rahway. His wife was Polly Davison, of Basking Ridge; she died May 3, 1806, in her twenty-ninth year. He died at Metuchen, and was buried in Rahway. His monu- ment bears this inscription :

" IN MEMORY OF Dn. JOSEPH BONNEY, who died Nov. 27, 1807, In the 38th year of his age. Our days-alas! our mortal days- Are short and wretched too; Evil and fow, the patriarch says, And well the patriarch know."¿

* Dr. McDowell, in "Our Homo," 1873. + Now South Branch.

# Dr. Blane's Ilist. of Med. Men of Hunterdon County.

¿ Wickes' Illst. of N. Jersey, p. 162.

LEWIS MORGAN was admitted to practice medicine in New Jersey about 1787, perhaps earlier. He settled first in Somerset County, then in Burlington, whence he went to Rahway a year or two before the death of Dr. John Griffith. There he spent the remainder of his days. Dr. Wickes says the tradition that he was a surgeon in the British service during the Revolu- tion is open to douht, as he is not mentioned in Sa- bine's "Loyalists in America." He died Jan. 12, 1821, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.

JONATHAN FORD MORRIS, a son of Maj. James Morris, || of the Continental army, was born in Morris Co., N. J., March 21, 1760; served through the Rev- olutionary war as a private, a lieutenant, and as a surgeon, and was of the party who intercepted the dashing Col. Simcoe at New Brunswick when on his raid on the Raritan. In 1784 (March 1) he married Margaret Smith Euen, of Elizabethtown, who sur- vived him till 1844. They had nine children. Dr. Morris immediately after the war resided and prac- ticed at Bound Brook, later at Somerville, where he died April 10, 1810. He was a popular physician, suc- cessful surgeon, philanthropic citizen, and a forcible writer.

HENRY SOUTHARD, late of Somerville, was a native of this county, born March 27, 1811. He was a son of the Hon. Isaac and a grandson of the Hon. Henry Southard, of Revolutionary renown. "Having stud- ied medicine, he was duly licensed by the State board of censors, and after practicing successively at Flemington, Asbury, Danville, Belvidere, and Phil- lipsburg, he finally established himself in Somerville, where he remained in active practice for a number of years. He was a member of the Hunterdon County Medical Society, of which he was for a time secretary ; was a member of the New Jersey Medical Society, and in 1847 was a member of the State board of cen- sors. His death occurred Oct. 13, 1859. His wife was Louisa Maxwell, of Phillipsburg, N. J., who subsequently married John Ball, of Somerville, where she now resides.

JOHN C. SUTPHEN, now of Plainfield, was born in 1836, in Somerset County, at the old Sutphen home- stead. He graduated B.A. in 1856 at Princeton, and M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1859. The first eight years of his medical practice were in Som- erset County, at Liberty Corner ; in 1867 he removed to Plainfield, N. J., where he resided until his death, about 1876, reaping the rewards of his professional skill, and also enjoying various political honors.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 146

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170