History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 1, Part 59

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 974

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EDWARD TAYLOR, M. D., only son of Edward Taylor, was born in Upper Freehold township, Monmouth County, May 27, 1762. After grad- uating at Princeton College he studied medicine with Dr. James Newell, of Allentown. During the winter season he attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania and visited the "wards of the hospital until he received his degree

of M.D., March 25, 1786. He commenced prac- tice at Pemberton, Burlington County, N. J., but soon after removed to his native place, where, for many years, he engaged with remarkable activity and usefulness in the labor and respon- sibilities incident to a large country practice, often extending from the Delaware River to the sea-coast, traveling on horseback by day and night, regardless of weather. Notwithstanding this life of intense mental and physical exertion, he, by temperate habits, preserved his medium- sized, compact frame in an unusually healthy condition until near the close of his life, which was terminated by a local disease after a short illness.

Identified with the formation and early history of the Monmouth Medical Society, Dr. Taylor was its vice-president in 1816 and president in 1820, when he read a valuable address upon "The Causes and Treatment of Pneumonic In- flammation." In or about the year 1823, under a conviction of duty, he accepted the position of superintendent of the Friends' Asylum, of Frankford, Pa., which he ably filled for nine years, and then returned to his old home in New Jersey, where he died on the 2d of May, 1835. "His end was peace." Few men have occupied a higher position in the estimation of those who knew him for morality and strict integrity, adorning by his life and conversation the doc- trines he professed, and rendering himself be- loved and honored by all, but more especially by the members of his own Society of Friends. In the old burying-ground of that society, near Cox's Corner, two adjoining mounds, thickly covered with myrtle, attract attention. They are the graves of Dr. Edward Taylor and his wife, Sarah, who preceded him to the land of spirits. At the head of each mound, just ap- pearing above the deep green, is a small brown stone, and by depressing the surrounding foliage there can be seen inscribed on one "S. T., 1832," and upon the other "E. T., 1835," as full an epitaph as was permitted by the usage of the society of which they were both members.

DAVID FORMAN, M. D., son of Dr. Samuel Forman, was born at Freehold in the year 1796. He received a liberal education, studied medi- cine with his father, graduated at the University

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of Pennsylvania about the year 1820 and was licensed, after examination, by the board of censors of the Monmouth Medical Society. He was admitted a member of that society April 30, 1821, and was its secretary in 1823-24. Associated with his father, he practiced with him during the remainder of his short life, acquiring the reputation of a successful physician and skillful surgeon, which, combined with his fine social qualities, made him exceedingly popular. He died in 1826, aged thirty years, and was buried in the old Tennent Church-yard.

DAVID FORMAN, SR., M. D., son of Jonathan and Hope Forman, died at Middletown De- cember 26, 1825, aged thirty-four years, and was buried at the Tennent Church. Dr. For- man studied medicine with his relative, Dr. Samuel Forman. He was licensed by the State Medical Society and located at Middletown, where he practiced until his death. He became a member of the Monmouth Society in 1818, and was its vice-president in 1824.

JOHN TENNENT WOODHULL, M. D., son of Rev. John Woodhull, forty years pastor of the Tennent Church, was born August 24, 1786. He was educated at home, by his father, but received the degree of A.M. from the College of New Jersey in 1812. His medical preceptor was Dr. Van Cleve, who graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1806. Dr. Woodhull commenced practice in Manalapan township, where he continued until he relin- quished the business in favor of his younger brother, Gilbert. Afterwards, however, he re- moved to Freehold, and resumed practice. He became a member of the County Medical Society April 29, 1844; was its vice-president in 1846, and president in 1847. He was a member of the New Jersey Legislature for several years, and was also for some time a judge of the County Court. In 1866 he removed to Camden, where he resided with his eldest son until his death, which occurred on the 18th of Novem- ber, 1869. He was interred in the burial- ground of the old Tennent Church, of which he had been a member for many years. Dr. Wood- hull was tall in person, of dignified and gentle- manly address; precise and deliberate in man- .ner and speech; a pleasant companion, and an

entertaining and instructive conversationalist. Few men were better known or more respected than he in Monmouth County.

GILBERT S. WOODHULL, M. D., son of the Rev. John Woodhull, D.D., was born January 11, 1794. His literary studies were pursued with his father, who was a successful teacher, as well as minister. His medical preceptors were Dr. John T. Woodhull (his brother) and Dr. Hosack, of New York. He graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and soon afterwards occupied the field of practice held previously by his brother, Dr. John T., who declined in his favor. He acquired a very large practice in the townships of Freehold, Manalapan and Millstone, his business being said to be more extensive than that of any other physician in the county at that time. He was admitted a member of the District Medical Society of Monmouth in 1818, and was elected its president in 1822-23. In 1825 he was elected president of the State Society.

Dr. Woodhull was a man of fine personal appearance, prepossessing address, manners un- usually pleasing and magnetic, combining dig- nity with a genuine bonhomie. He was almost a centaur in his out-of-door life, always in the saddle, sitting on his horse with inimi- table ease and grace; riding at a "slashing gait"; shortening distances by crossing fields; jumping fences by merely throwing off the top rail; a man of great endurance, and a stranger to fatigue. "The close of a morning's ride would frequently find him forty miles from his starting-place." Inheriting considerable wealth from his father, he practiced rather from love of his profession than the desire of pecuniary gain. Eminently a pious man, he was chosen a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church at Perrineville, of which his nephew was the pas- tor. This brilliant man died in his thirty- seventh year, leaving a wife and three children. His fatal illness was congestive fever, brought on by exposure. He was interred in the burial- ground of the Presbyterian Church at Perrine- ville, where his grave is marked by a substan- tial monument inscribed with this Scriptural quotation :

" I have fought a good fight; I have finished my

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course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

CHARLES GORDON PATTERSON, M. D., second son of Judge Jehu Patterson, was born in Mid- dletown, Monmouth County, September 4, 1796. He studied with Dr. Wilson, of Middle- town, and Dr. Lewis, of Eatontown, and grad- uated at the New York University. He com- menced practice in the spring of 1816, at Upper Squankum, but soon removed to Colt's Neck, and thence, in 1817, to New Egypt, where he established a reputation as an able and skillful physician and surgeon. He became a member of the Monmouth Society April 30, 1827, and was its vice-president in 1829. He was quick in his perceptions, possessed of versatile talent, and a good and ready writer. He died of phthisis pulmonalis, at Sykesville, Burlington County, February 18, 1835, in the thirty-ninth year of his age, leaving a widow and eight chil- dren, one of whom was born after his father's death, and received his name.

JOHN B. THROCKMORTON, M.D., son of James and Frances B. Throckmorton, was born at South River, Middlesex County, N. J., April 3, 1796. He was educated at New Brunswick ; studied medicine one year with Dr. William G. Reynolds, then entered the office of Dr. David Hosack, of New York, attending lectures and graduating in the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was licensed, after examination by the board of censors of the Monmouth Med- ical Society, April 29, 1822; was admitted to membership in the society in April, 1824, and elected its vice-president in 1830. In the year of his admission to the society he located in Freehold, and remained there in practice during the remainder of his life, earning a good repu- tation as a physician, and high esteem for his in- tegrity of character. He died at Freehold on

the 19th of September, 1856, and was buried in | hull he canvassed the county in the interest of the graveyard of the Episcopal Church, of which he was an exemplary member and warm sup- porter.

JAMES ENGLISH, JR., M.D., son of Dr. James . English, was born at Englishtown in the year

1792. He studied medicine with his father, attended one course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, another at the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, in New York, and was licensed by the State Medical Society of New Jersey. He had a large practice, established by his father, and extended by himself. Hard work and exposure broke down his constitution, which was never robust, and he died at Englishtown, of consumption, May 7, 1834, in his forty-sec- ond year, and was buried beside his parents in the old Tennent Church-yard.

DAVID C. ENGLISH, M.D., another son of Dr. James English, Sr., was born at Englishtown. After a course of study in the office of his brother James, he attended lectures in New York ; was licensed by the Medical Society of New Jersey, and became a member of the Monmouth Society April 24, 1826. He was associated with Dr. William G. Reynolds, at Matawan, for one year, and on the removal of Dr. Reynolds to New York, he purchased the office and practice, in which he continued for a time, but finding his health failing, he removed to New Brunswick, and afterwards to Springfield, Union County, where he remained until his death, in 1860.

JEREMIAH SMITH ENGLISH, M.D .- Dr. English was born in Englishtown, Monmouth County, N. J., November 21, 1798. He was the son of James R. and Alice English, and was the fourth in a family of nine children,-six sons and three daughters. He studied medicine and graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in May, 1825. He commenced the practice of medicine with Dr. Reynolds, at Matawan ; afterwards went to Amwell, in Somerset County, from whence he removed to Cranbury ; thence to Manalapan, Monmouth County, forming a partnership with Dr. Gilbert S. Woodhull, which continued until the death of the latter. Afterwards Dr. Eng- lish continued to practice in this neighborhood for many years. While living with Dr. Wood- the Bible Society. He attended and contrib- uted to the support of the old Tennent Church for many years, until a church was established in his immediate neighborhood. In personal appearance Dr. English was of light complexion,

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strongly-marked features, slight in figure, though tall and prepossessing. His manner was dignified, butaffable. His directions as to the management of his patients were given clearly and concisely, conveying the unmistakable impression that he expected them carried out ; while at the same time his voice was particularly pleasing and gentle in the sick-room. His mental qualifica- tions were of a high order. He was exceed- ingly literary in his tastes ; a great reader, fond of poetry, which he readily quoted when ap- plicable ; of a retentive memory, with a mind stored with useful knowlege. His conversa- tional powers were remarkably deliberate and distinct of utterance, with language always choice and often elegant. He married in 1845. Of his two children,-both daughters,-one, Mrs. Thomas E. Morris, survives him.

Dr. English joined the Monmouth County Medical Society April 30, 1827, and May 29, 1865, was elected an honorary member. He was treasurer of the New Jersey State Medical Society from 1833 to 1865 continuously, and was afterwards made honorary member. He died October 9, 1879, and was buried in Mana- lapan Church Cemetery.

JAMES P. KEARNEY, M. D., was a pupil of Dr. Samuel Forman, at Freehold, and estab- lished himself in practice at Keyport. He was licensed by censors in October, 1823, and admitted to membership in the Monmouth Medical Society in April, 1824. He died at Keyport in early life, but the date of his death has not been ascertained.

ROBERT WOODRUFF COOKE, M.D .- Dr. Robert Woodruff Cooke was born in Newton, Sussex County, N. J., on the 21st day of Janu- ary, 1797. His father, Dr. Ambrose Ellis Cooke, with whom he commenced the study of medicine, was a physician of character and dis- tinction, whose professional life was mostly spent in Somerset County. Dr. Robert W. Cooke subsequently went to the city of New York, en- tered the office of Dr. Valentine Mott, and was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in that city. In July, 1820, he com- menced the practice of his profession in Mon- mouth County, where he spent the remainder of . his life.

The most fitting tributes to his memory are taken from the address of the pastor of the de- ceased on the funeral occasion, and from those expressed in the county papers.

From the sermon :

" His father and mother taught their children truth, virtue and the fear of God. This is worthy of special mention as an important element in the formation of character not only, but of success in life. Dr. Cooke was a gentleman, both at home and abroad. With kindness and gentleness he ruled his own house, and he ruled it well. His hospitalities were generous and liberal, and dispensed with a freedom that made the stranger feel at home.

" In his intercourse with the world he was modest, unassuming and deferential. Possessing great sim- plicity of character, he was accessible to all, and met every one with kindness and affability. He never exulted in the pride of opinion, as though he would impress his views upon others, but as a man of taste and culture was satisfied to enjoy his own.

"But it was in his profession-in that specialty to which he had devoted his life-that he stood at his full height ; to this he gave all his energies. It was not that he had no taste for literature, or art, or the abstract sciences, that he turned from them, for he had a taste delicate and refined, but a stronger bond held him and he made the sacrifice. All his reading and study had but one view -- the better to qualify him for the discharge of his duty. With his books he conversed in his leisure hours and in hours when other men slept; so it was that he never suffered himself to become antiquated in his profession, but kept himself fully abreast of all the advances made, and was sometimes able to anticipate them. But rising still higher than professional excel- lence, Dr. Cooke was a conscientious man. In his modes of thought on moral and religious subjects could be plainly seen the influence of early parental training. His views of moral obligation and duty were those inculcated in the Scriptures, and by these his aim was to regulate his conduct.

"He was a firm and fast friend of the church, always manifesting an interest in its prosperity, and con- tributing to that end. As a hearer of the Gospel he was earnest and attentive, always as constant as his professional duties would admit.

"His closing illness was short. During this time, when asked whether he was apprehensive of death, he re- plied that his race was almost run, and he had hope in Jesus Christ as his Saviour ; he also said that in his body he suffered, but his mind was in peace.

" And so he passed away."

From the Monmouth Democrat :

" Dr. Robert W. Cooke, one of the most able and ex- perienced physicians of this county, departed this life on Friday evening. The funeral services were held

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in the Reformed Church, Holmdel, Tuesday morning, December 31st. The day was extremely cold, but an immense gathering of the substantial citizens from every part of the county assembled at an early hour and filled the church to its utmost capacity. At twelve o'clock the mournful procession entered the church ; the remains were borne by six carriers, and attended by Drs. T. J. Thomason, Smith English, Al- fred B. Dayton and H. Longstreet, who acted as pall- bearers. The leading practitioners of medicine in our county were present, testifying their high esteem and affection for their esteemed friend. Rev. Dr. Reiley conducted the funeral services, assisted by Rev. Ralph

careful teaching and an exemplary life ; he was a man of eminent worth as to his general influence and Christian bearing; he was an earnest supporter of the church and all its institutions, and a kind friend to his pastor. In his last sickness he gave evidence of the most confident hope that, through the mercy of God, his future would be blessed. The sad and tender ser- vices closed, and the remains were carried to their last resting-place, in the family plot at Brick Church, Marl- borough. The funeral services of the Reformed Church were read at the grave by Dr. Reiley, and the honored, beloved physician was left to sleep with the kindred dust until the beautiful morning of the resurrection."

To Be broke

Willis and other clergymen who were present. A selection of Scripture was read from 15th chapter of Ist Corinthians. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Wil- son, pastor of the Baptist Church. Dr. Reiley an- nounced his text, Ps. xc. 15-' Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us,' etc. He alluded with much tenderness to the afflictions which the family had endured, and to the death, in the early part of the year, of the beloved and only daughter of Dr. Cooke, which sad event was still fresh in the memory of his hearers, and was considered an appro- priate eulogy of the departed. Dr. Cooke gave evi- · dence of the principles of the Christian religion by

"To the Editor of the Monmouth Democrat :

"I expected to see, in last week's issue, a more ex- tended obituary notice of the death of Dr. Robert W. Cooke, long a prominent and leading physician of the county of Monmouth, for seldom have they been called upon to chronicle the death of a man of such marked character.

"Dr. Cooke was suddenly and unexpectedly called alike from the field of his labors and the field of his triumphs. We are no less taught an impressive and instructive lesson in the death of such a man. As an act of justice to the distinguished character of the lamented dead, and in order that the living may profit

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by the example of his life and influences, I may be permitted, through these columns of your paper, to briefly allude to some of the more prominent facts in his life, and at the same time pay the tribute of a friend to his memory.

"I do not propose in this brief narrative to indulge in the language of eulogy. My respect for the dead and regard for the living would alike forbid the attempt.

" Dr. Cooke breathed his last December 27, 1867, at his home in Holmdel, surrounded by the members of his family and affectionate friends ; it was evident for some hours previous to his decease, to those who were watching at his bedside, that he could not recover ; but all that science or affection could suggest was done to relieve his sufferings and gently smooth his path- way to the grave.

"Dr. Cooke, while a young man, came to this county in the year 1820. Being endowed by nature with a keen perception and thrown upon his own energies, he soon realized and acted upon the fact that, under the laws of our country and the genius of our institu- tions, the road to wealth, to honor and fame is the re- ward of merit. After a few years of practice that was extremely flattering to a young man, he became acquainted with and married Miss Susan Gansevoort of Albany, N. Y., who survives, and, with three sons, mourns his loss. The whole country also deplores the sad event. Dr. Cooke had been assiduously devoted to the practice of his profession for over forty- seven years, and was eminently successful ; although having a very extensive practice, he was a close student ; he kept himself thoroughly informed of the progress of the science of medicine, and the development of that noble science was the object, aim and ambition of his life. The confidence in his skill was unbounded, the estimation of his honor and candor never overrated.

" Dr. Cooke was an enthusiast in his profession. He was never known to refuse a call; the high or low, the rich or poor, were always met with the response, 'I will come.' I have heard it confessed on all sides that he was a marked man in his profession. In con- versation with a highly-esteemed and eminent physi- cian of this town (Freehold), a long, warm and inti- mate friend of the deceased, and of whom Dr. Cooke entertained the utmost confidence and esteem, he re- marked, that he had never felt more sadly than when he stood by the side of his grave and heard the solemn and impressive words, ' Earth to earth, dust to dust ashes to ashes ;' but he added, 'death has chosen for a victim a man by head and shoulders taller than all the rest of us; and how can we but feel impressed with the fact that the glories of our mortal state are but shadows, and not substantial ?'

" H."

The grandfather of the deceased, Dr. R. W. Cooke, Colonel Ellis Cooke, of Morris County, N. J., was a very prominent public man, and

maintained the respect and confidence of a large constituency for many years. He was member of the Council for three years, and of the House of Assembly for fourteen years. He was a delegate from Morris County to the first Pro- vincial Congress.

JOHN MORFORD, M.D., son of Thomas Mor- ford, of Shrewsbury township, was born in 1803. His medical preceptor was Dr. Jacobus Hubbard, Jr., of Tinton Falls. He was grad- uated at the University of New York, and licensed, after examination by the censors of the Monmouth Medical Society, in April, 1824. Two years afterwards he was admitted to mem- bership in the society. In 1825 he located at Squan village, where he remained in practice until his death, in December, 1839, at the age of thirty-six years. His practice was extensive, and he was exceedingly popular as a physician, and respected and esteemed as a citizen.

WILLIAM FORMAN, M. D., was born in Mon- mouth County, near New Egypt, on the 17th of August, 1796. He studied medicine with Dr. Samuel Holcomb, of Allentown, attended two courses of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York, in 1819. He was licensed by the board of censors April 24, 1820, and admitted a member of the Mon- mouth Society in the same year. He was its pres- ident in 1829 and president of the State Society in 1833. He occupied in succession several important fields of labor, commencing with New Egypt; removed thence to Spottswood, Middlesex County ; thence to Eatontown, Mon- mouth County ; thence to Paradise, Lancaster County, Pa .; thence to Allentown, Monmouth County, N. J .; and thence to Princeton, where he died of typhoid fever February 22, 1848. He is mentioned as a man of remarkable talent, a fine scholar and a writer of much merit, and as a very skillful physician, having among his patrons some of the best families in Princeton.

ARTHUR V. CONOVER, M.D .- Dr. Arthur V. Conover was born on the 30th of January, 1809, in Manalapan township, and remained until the age of fourteen under the paternal roof. He then became a pupil of the academy at Law- renceville, N. J., and at the expiration of the

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third year entered both the Classical and Medical Departments of Princeton College. One year later he became a student of medicine in the office of Dr. William Van Duzen, of New Bruns- wick, N. J., and graduated from the Duane Street Medical College, in New York, in 1829. He began the practice of his profession in Man- alapan township, which was continued with suc- cessful results for several years. A taste for public life influenced him, in 1837, to accept the nomination for Representative in the State Leg- .

vid V., married, in 1863, to Miss Charlotte B. Read, whose children are Florence V. and Ar- thur V .; William A., of Hackettstown, N. J., a graduate of the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, New York, married, in 1875, to Miss Laura M. Read, whose children are Madeline M., Carlton R. and William A., Jr ; Jacob C., who graduated from the Georgetown Medical College, Washington, D. C., and was married, in 1877, to Miss Laura G. Abendroth, whose only daughter is Alice V. Dr. Conover, in 1866,

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History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 1, Part 59

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co. Number of Pages: 974

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 974