History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

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 59
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 59

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DR. JAMES P'YATT, Diod October With, 1864, Aged 80 years and 29 days.

Death is the path that must ho trod. If we would pass from Earth to God ; Clap our glad wings and fly away, To jein the blessed in endless day."

ABRAHAM T. B. VAN DOREN, born June 15, 1823, practiced in Readington from 1843 to 1848, and at Ringos, 1850-52; subsequently went South, but soon returned to Branchville (now South Branch), where

he died, June 30th of that year. (See sketch in " Med- ical Profession of Somerset County," in this work. )

WILLARD F. COMBS was a native of Delhi, N. Y., born in 1828. He came to New Jersey and read medi- cine with his cousin, Dr. HI. S. Combs (son of Seth Combs, of Delhi), who was then practicing medicine in German Valley, Morris Co., N. J. He attended lectures in New York, was licensed in 1851, and the following year was admitted a member of the district society of Hunterdon County, and was at once elected its secretary, rice Dr. J. R. Ludlow, resigned and re- moved from the county. Dr. Combs practiced at Stan- ton and at Flemington, where he died of pericarditis, Ang. 16, 1854. Ile was a member of the Baptist Church. His wife was Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Asa Jones, of Flemington. He left two children,- Frank and Caroline, living in Flemington. "A gen- tleman of prepossessing manners, comely in person, and very sociable, he enjoyed a popularity seldom possessed by one so young in the profession."*

CHARLES BARTOLETTE, a native of Flemington, was a son of Rev. Charles Bartolette, Baptist minis- ter of that place. He read medicine with Dr. Mer- shon, of Flemington, aud was graduated from Jeffer- son Medical College in 1846, when he commeneed practice in Milford, this county, succeeding Dr. Wil- liam Taylor. He there continued until his death. " He was a good practitioner of both medicine and surgery. Hle was about five feet eight inches in height, well proportioned, brown hair, expressive blue eyes, frank, open countenance, good conversa- tional powers, pleasing in address, and in every way calculated to win and retain the confidence and af- fection of his patients, as well as of all others who knew him." March 8, 1851, he married Anna, daugh- ter of George and Ellen Carpenter, of Milford; she and four children (Ellen, Peter, Louisa, Charles) are still living. He was buried in the Union Cemetery, Milford, and over his grave the marble records :

" Born April 8th, 1825, Died March 10th, 1866.

The warm heart that throbbed for others' sorrows, and the open hand of charity, are now still in death; and await the awards of the great Physician."

HIe also was a member of the District Medical So- ciety.

A. J. MCKELWAY, who was practicing at Ringos from 1852 to 1854, and was a member of the Hun- terdon County Medical Society, removed from the county in 1854; was surgeon of the Eighth New Jersey Volunteers from Sept. 14, 1861, to April 7, 1864; is now practicing medicine in Gloucester t'o., N. J., of whose county medieal society he is a mem- ber.+

SIMEON S. DANA, a graduate of Jefferson Medical

. Dr. Ilane's Medical History.

+ Ibil., p. 83 ; Trans, State Medical Society, 1880, p. 9.

228

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

College, received his diploma from the State Medical Society in 1852, while residing at Finesville, Warren Co., N. J. In the fall of 1854 he removed to Raritan township, locating at Clover Hill as the successor of Dr. Rex. In the same year he joined the County Medical Society. He died in 1861, in the prime of manhood, while on a visit to the place of his nativity in Massachusetts. His wife was a Miss Julia Hall, of Somerset County, who, after her husband's death, removed with her children to Massachusetts.

THOMAS M. BARTOLETTE, youngest son of Rev. Charles Bartolette, and brother of Dr. Charles, with whom he studied medicine, was born in Flemington, Nov. 4, 1827. In 1855 he was gradnated from Jefferson Medical College, when he commenced practice at Mount Pleasant, succeeding Dr. Jacob Winters. In 1864 he moved to Asbury, N. J., where he died Sept. 29, 1866. He was buried near his brother, in the cemetery at Milford .* He was a member of the medical society of this county. He married, in 1855, Amy K., daughter of Henry W. and Sarah Johnson, of Milford, and left one child,-Evangeline,-who has since become the wife of a Mr. Johnson, of Mil- ford. Mrs. Dr. Bartolette subsequently married a Mr. Hallahan, and is living near Riegelsville.

CHARLES B. FERGUSON was Dr. Wall's successor at Pittstown, locating there in 1826, and continuing his practice with average success for five years, when he removed to Doylestown, Pa., where he subsequently died.

RICHARD GAGEN, who practiced in Pittstown from 1835-37, was a native of Ireland. He was well read in his profession, and very successful in practice. He would not stoop to some of the customs of the times. From Pittstown he removed to Philadelphia, thence to New Orleans, where he died about 1840. He was a very precise man, and remarkably neat, but very diffident and unassuming.

GEORGE T. BLAKE was a native of Maine, a grad- uate in medicine in the city of New York ; located in New Germantown, this county, in 1853; practiced there four years or more, and removed to Elizabeth. He subsequently made a specialty of treating cancers. He died in 1861.

CICERO HUNT, born in Mercer Co., N. J., studied medicine with Dr. James T. Clarke, of Trenton, and located in 1828 at Ringos, where he labored as a physician unremittingly for thirty-five years, until 1863, when he relinquished the business to his partner, C. W. Larison, M.D. He died Dec. I, 1876.

JACOB W. WILLIAMSON, son of Abraham Wil- liamson, born May 12, 1821, residing near Ringos, practiced a short time at his native place. He went to California, but after a short stay came back and located at Somerville. In 1852 he returned to Ringos, where he died August 9th. He was buried in the cemetery between Pleasant Corner and Reaville.

JACOB JENNINGS, the first physician located in Readington, practiced there in 1784, and probably earlier. He owned and resided on the farm where Jacob G. Scomp now lives. He had an extensive practice. He was a member of the North Branch (now Readington) Reformed Church, and in 1789 be- came a minister of that, and later of the Presbyterian, denomination. He was the grandfather of Governor Henry A. Wise, of Virginia.

EBENEZER SHERWOOD, born in Woodbury, Conn., in 1782, studied medicine with Drs. Charles Smith and Moses Scott, of New Brunswick. After being licensed to practice he located in Readington (1807), where he continued seven years. He married Miss Elizabeth Sloan, by whom he had one child, Eliza- beth, deceased. His first wife dying in 1814, he mar- ried Mrs. Elizabeth Lane, widow of John Lane, and removed into German Valley, locating at what is now known as Middle Valley, where he practiced until 1844, then removing to Peapack, where he spent the remaining nine years of his life, dying Feb. 25, 1854. He was a Presbyterian, a man of ordinary size, rather slender, of general good health, although in his later years rheumatism compelled him to use crutches. While practicing in the valley he had a private insti- tution for the treatment and relief of the insane. This was before the day of asylums. He left a widow, four sons, and three daughters. The eldest, Rev. Jona. H., was in charge of the Presbyterian Church at Milford, where he died ; Marshall, the youngest, is a practicing lawyer in Iowa; the other two are farmers.

JOHN VAN HORN, a native of Readington, this county, was a pupil of Dr. Jacob Jennings, and com- menced practice about 1787, living in the house with his brother on the Old York Road, about one and one- half miles from the Readington church. He practiced for twenty years, and was found dead in the road, after a dark, stormy night, some distance from home, near David Scomp's, with indications of epilepsy. The head-stone in the Readington churchyard con- tains the following :

Memory of DOCT. JOHN VAN HORN, who departed this life A. D. 1807, In the 4Ist year of his age.

A message for me was suddenly sent, My age but forty-one; My friends, make haste for to repent, For your time may quickly come."

WESLEY CRAMER, son of William Cramer, of Round Valley, Ifunterdon Co., after acquiring his profession, located in Readington in 1854. He boarded with L. B. Stout. He subsequently prac- ticed in Lebanonville, and afterwards to Aurora, Ill.

WILLIAM P. WOODRUFF, who practiced in Mil- ford from 1830 to 1837, moved thence to German Val-

" " Ile was the last of the surviving brothers of the family. All the sisters, four in number, still survive."-Trans. State Society, 1867.

229

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF HUNTERDON COUNTY.

ley, where he stayed but a short time; removed to Ohio, and died there in 1851.

WILLIAM MORELAN came from Sussex Co., N. J., to New Hampton in 1810, and practiced there ten or more years. Dr. Blane says, " He is spoken of both by patients and members of the profession as a popu- lar and successful physician. He was generous and confiding, loved to enjoy life in his peculiar way, and was not content unless he had a friend to partake with him. He had been twice married, had a son, William, whom he educated for the profession, and a daughter, who married John Hunt, near Asbury."

SAMUEL W. FELL, born at Wilkesbarre, Pa., in 1788, located at New Hampton before the war of 1812. He married Miss Lydia, daughter of Maj. Henry Dusenberry, and commanded a company, the " Washington Greens," in the war of 1812, and after its close resumed his practice at New Hampton, but subsequently removed to Belvidere, where he died, July 11, 1821, aged thirty-six years. His wife died March 18, 1839, aged forty-eight years. His ouly son, J. W., studied medicine under Dr. MeClenahan, and after his graduation went to England.

JOHN VAN CLEVE JOHNSON, son of William John- son, M.D., deceased, of White House, studied medicine with his father, whom he for some time aided in his extensive practice. He then removed to Somerville and assisted Dr. HI. Vanderveer, and in July, 1858, returned to White House, practicing with his father until the latter's death, in 1867. He still pursues his profession there, occupying his father's fate residence .* Dr. Thomas Johnson, another son of William, is now practicing at Readington.

THOMAS ELDER, a rather eccentric Scotchman, who purchased at a sheriff's sale most of the village of Bloomsbury after the manufacture of iron was dis- continued, practiced medicine rather for the aceom- modation of his neighbors than from choice, but was popular and successful therein. Ile was a high- minded, honorable man, but very proud. He finally sold out and removed to Philadelphia with his family.

HUGH HUGHES, son of Dr. John S. Hughes, who was his preceptor, practiced at Washington, N. J., from 1816 to 1822, when he changed locations with Dr. John Sloan, then at Bloomsbury. Dr. Hughes practiced at the latter place from 1822 until his death, in 1856, April 22d. He was born March 17, 1794. ffe never married. He was buried in the Greenwich churchyard. His obituary may be found in vol. ix. of the Medical and Surgical Reporter.

RICHARD KROESEN, born in Rendington township in 1766, a pupil of Dr. Jacob Jennings, practiced in Readington, New Germantown, Ringos, and Lam- bertville, where he died, March 19, 1807, aged forty- one years. His remains, at first interred in the Pres- byterian cemetery at Lambertville, were afterwards

removed to Mount Hope Cemetery. His wife was Miss Abigail, daughter of Abraham Ten Eyck.

WILLIAM CORYELL came with Dr. John Lilly as a stable-boy. When he grew up he studied medieine with his employer, and was graduated in the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania in 1826. He then went into partnership with his preceptor and benefactor, and continued until his death, three years later.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER ANDERSON HUNT, one of the oldest practitioners in the county, was the son of Rev. Holloway W. Hunt, for many years pastor of the Presbyterian churches of Alexandria and Bethle- hem. Dr. Hunt read with Dr. William MeKissack, at- tended medical lectures in New York, and was licensed to practice in 1816; he joined the Somerset District Medical Society in 1817, and that of this county in 1823. The University of the City of New York con- ferred on him, in 1847, the honorary degree of M.D. Hle practiced in Readington 1817-19, and at Clarks- ville until near the time of his decease, Sept. 9, 1878.

DAVID FORST,t a native of Solebury, Bucks Co., Pa., born in 1786, read with Dr. John Wilson, of that place, and in 1807 settled to practice in the lower part of Kingwood, where he continued as a successful phy- sician until his decease, Aug. 6, 1821. His wife died in Philadelphia in 1862, aged seventy-three years. Both were buried in " Barber's Burying-ground."

BENJAMIN VAN CLEVE HUNT, son of Daniel Hunt, of Clinton, after acquiring his profession, located near that place. He married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. John F. Grandin, of Hamden. About 1819 he emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died. He sustained a good reputation as a practitioner, and well maintained the dignity of the profession.

CONYNGHAM CRAWFORD, a native of Ireland, was graduated from Rutgers and Jefferson Colleges, and settled at Ifunt's Mills (Clinton) in 1828. Ile built the house lately occupied by Dr. Henry Field, de- ceased, to whom he sold. Ife removed to Philadel- phia in 1832; subsequently went to Louisiana, where he died.

JOHN MUGLOUGHLEN was born in Ireland. Hle came to Alexandria township abont 1787, taught school, boarding with Dr. George Campbell. Ile married Miss Jane Stull, and commenced farming at Helltown (now Spring Mills). He was frequently called to visit the sick and prescribe for them, and after Dr. Campbell was afflicted with paralysis (1812), and particularly after Dr. MeGill's death, in 1815, these valls for medical aid were greatly increased. " Ile was, through the wants of the times, the com- mon consent of the people, owing to their confidence in his skill and ability, made emphatically the Cin- cinnatus of our profession ; and the next year (1816) the Legislature passed a law licensing all who were in regular practice at the time. This completed his ability to collect, but did not add to his practice, as

t Genorally pronouncod Fuss.

. Dr. Blane's Medical History of Hunterdon County, p. 98.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

he already had all he was able to do, riding day and night. He practiced over grounds on which there are no less than fourteen practicing physicians now located, at a time when roads were poor and no bridges to cross the Delaware. He practiced largely in Pennsylvania, and was for over fifteen years sur- geon to the Second Regiment of the Hunterdon bri- gade of militia. He was a stout-built, full-habited man, with keen blue eyes and brown hair. He was quick at repartee, kindly in his manners, and very hospitable. He died Sept. 17, 1835, and was buried in the Stull (now known as Salter's) bnrying-ground, between Milford and Frenchtown."*

JACOB K. STRYKER, a native of German Valley, Morris Co., read medicine with Dr. Combs; was graduated at the University of New York, 1849; lo- cated at California, this county, where he practiced until his death, Sept. 8, 1862, at the age of forty-one years and eleven months. He was buried in the cemetery attached to the Lower Valley Presbyterian church. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Leonard Flomerfelt. His one surviving child is since deceased. He was a very careful and observant practitioner, and a much more useful man in the profession than some who have made more noise and stir in the world. He was a member of the Lutheran Church.

CORNELIUS W. LARISON was graduated M.D., Jan. 20, 1863. He immediately thereafter settled at Rin- gos, Hunterdon Co., where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine and in educational matters, in which he has always taken a lively interest.t

REV. GEORGE H. LARISON, of Lambertville, studied medicine with Dr. Samuel Lilly, of Lambertville; attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, in 1858 receiving the degree of M.D. He com- menced practicing in Bucks Co., Pa., but the fol- lowing year removed to Lambertville, where he has since resided, and where he has an extensive and lucrative practice. He is a member of the County Medical Society, and was for seven years its secretary ; is also a member of the State Medical Society, and for years was one of its vice-presidents or its presiding officer .;

ANDREW B. LARISON was born at Sandy Ridge, Hunterdon Co., Dec. 31, 1841. He was the third son of Benjamin Larison, and a brother of Dr. C. W. Larison, of Ringos. He entered Geneva Medical College in 1861, graduating therefrom in 1864, and immediately entered the United States army as an assistant surgeon. After the war he attended the Lewisburg (Pa.) University, and was ordained a min- ister of the Baptist Church in 1870; henceforward he was engaged as principal of the Ringos seminary, and as pastor of the church at the same place until his death, Sept. 25, 1872.

GEORGE R. SULLIVAN, of Flemington, son of

James T. Sullivan, of Pennsylvania, was born in Maryland in 1836. He was graduated from Newton University, receiving his degree of M.D. in 1859 from the Maryland Medical College. He removed to Hun- terdon County in 1860, locating in Flemington, and laboring successfully as a physician until July, 1862, when he entered the service of his country as assistant surgeon of the Fifteenth Volunteer Infantry Regi- ment. After two years' service with this command he was (1864) appointed surgeon of the Thirty-ninth Regiment, and served until peace was declared. "Few surgeons rendered more continnous service in the army than Dr. Sullivan, and certainly none more valuable. From the battle-fields of Virginia he re- turned to Flemington, where he resumed his profes- sional duties, continued uninterruptedly until the present time, with the exception of a few months' visit to Europe in 1880. His practice is extensive, and he is in frequent request as a consulting physi- cian. He has rare ability as a surgeon, and has per- formed many of the most important operations which have claimed the attention of the profession in the State." He married, in 1877, Miss Adah, daughter of the late George F. Crater, of Flemington.

JOHN H. EWING, who is now, and has been since 1879, associated in practice with Dr. Sullivan, is a native of Flemington, where he was born in the year 1853. He was graduated at Jefferson Medical College in 1877, and subsequently practiced his profession at St. Mary's Hospital, Philadelphia.

DE WITT C. HOUGH was for six years engaged as a physician at Frenchtown. He removed to Rahway, N. J., in 1856; was surgeon of the Seventh New Jersey Infantry Regiment during the war ; since its close has enjoyed various civil honors and a large and influential practice in the city to which he removed from this county. He was a member of the District Medical Society of Hunterdon County during his residence here, joining in 1855 and being honorably discharged in 1856.

WILLIAM H. SCHENCK, born at Flemington, Sept. 21, 1826, attended the public schools of his native place and the grammar-school of Rutgers College ; commenced the study of medicine under the instruc- tion of his father, Dr. John F. Schenck, and was graduated from the University of New York in 1848. He then entered into practice at Flemington, in com- pany with his father. In 1850-51 he was engaged in medical practice at Ringos, and after a year spent in the drug business in New York he embarked in 1853 for Australia, where he resided for fourteen years, engaged in mining and in the practice of his pro- fession. While there, in the year 1862, he married Margaret McLean, a native of Scotland. In 1867 he returned to America and resumed his residence and his practice in Flemington, where he still con- tinues.

JOHN LILLY was a prominent physician and resi- dent practitioner of medicine in Lambertville since

* Dr. Blane, Med. Ifist., 1873.

+ See further sketch in history of East Amwell township.

# See further sketch in history of Lambertville.

231

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF HUNTERDON COUNTY.

1809 .* He was the son of Samuel Lilly, barrister, and was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1783. He was "apprenticed" to Dr. Samuel Stringer, of Albany, N. Y., and after serving four years was licensed in 1807. In 1808 he commeneed practice at Reading- ton, Hunterdon Co., succeeding Dr. John Van Horn, but the following year removed to Lambertville, same county, becoming the successor of Dr. Kroesen, then recently deceased. He was in 1821 one of the founders of the District Medical Society of Hunter- don County ; was its president in 1825 and 1847, vice- president in 1823 and 1846, treasurer from 1836 to 1846, a censor from 1821 to 1825, inclusive, and in 1847-48, and was repeatedly a delegate to the State Medical Society, of which he was an active member. " His mind and character were those of a refined gentleman, scrupulously neat in his personal habits, pure and chaste in all his acts and words; he was very attentive to his patients; his judgment sound and clear, and his practice in emergent or dangerous cases prompt and energetic. .. . He was always a stickler for the most rigid professional ethics. He never permitted himself to be betrayed into the vio- Jation of the strictest code, and was not slow to con- demn such violation on the part of others."t He was a member, even early in life, of the Protestant Epis- copal Church, and for years a vestryman or senior warden of St. Andrew's at Lambertville. In 1840-41 he was a member of the Legislative Council of New Jersey. He died June, 1848 .; His wife was Miss Julia Moodie, of Lansingburg, N. Y., whom he married in 1808.

SAMUEL LILLY graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with the degree of MI.D. in 1837, and immediately entered upon the practice of his pro- fession at Lambertville. He soon acquired an exten- sive business and high reputation as a physician. He was a leading member of the County Medical So- cicty,¿ of the State Medical Society (of which he was president in 1853), and an official of the American Medical Association. He died April 3, 1880. He was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery. " As a practi- tioner he preferred surgery, and was a good and safe operator." He wrote many medical essays, ete., was a man of temperate habits, about five feet nine inches high and weighing two hundred pounds, frank and affable, and of refined and literary tastes. He was twice married,-in 1839 to Mary A. Titus, of Mercer County, who died; in 1850 to Mary Ellen Torbert (widow), daughter of Lewis Coryell; she died in 1867.|

GEORGE W. CAMPBELL, Inte of Frenchtown, and son of James Campbell, was born at Newtown-Stewart,

County Tyrone, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1758. Educated at Dublin University, he received special medical in- struction from Dr. Farling. He received his degree of M.D. while the American Revolution was in prog- ress, and, sympathizing with the patriot cause, he emigrated to this country and joined the Continental army. He served as surgeon until peace was de- clared, when he settled at Frenchtown." In 1787 he became a member of the State Medical Society. His exceptionally thorough education and his extensive surgical experience during the war combined to throw into his hands a very large practice. Here he mar- ried Rachel, youngest daughter of Jeremiah Thatcher, by whom he had two children .** He was actively engaged in his profession until prostrated by paralysis in 1812, his death following a second stroke in Au- gust, 1818. He was buried in the Kingwood Presby- terian churchyard.

WILLIAM WELCH, a native of Hunterdon, born in Bethlehem, Sept. 12, 1837, son of William Welch, of Valley Station, who was a farmer in that township. After his graduation, in 1859, he settled in Philadel- phia, P'a., which has been his residence and the theatre of his professional labors until the present time. He holds high rank in the profession, both as a practitioner and as a writer.

JOHN LEAVITT, of Baptisttown, was born in New Hampshire in 1819. He read with Dr. R. M. Me- Lenahan, of New Hampton, Hunterdon Co. After receiving his diploma he commenced practicing at Asbury, Warren Co., but after some subsequent changes located at Baptisttown, this county, in 1854. He was there engaged in active practice until his death, Oct. 20, 1875. He was a member of the Dis- trict Medical Society, and in 1860 its president. He was very conservative in practice.

HOWARD SERVIS was born near Ringos, Hunter- don Co., Oct. 6, 1829. His father, Garret, was post- master at Clinton, also sheriff' and a member of the Legislature; his mother, Susan Stout, was a grand- daughter of John Hart, a signer of the " Declaration." Howard was a student of Dr. Charles C. Philips, of Deerfield, N. J .; entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1856, and in 1858 received his degree. He at once commeneed the practice of medicine at Fairmount, this county, but in 1863 removed to New Hampton, and succeeded to Dr. R. M. Mchenahan's practice, the latter giving up professional labor on account of failing health. About three years ago he removed to Hampton June- tion. Hle has made the record of an eminently suc- cessful physician and surgeon. In 1867 he married

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

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