USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union County, New Jersey > Part 15
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Thus reinforced in a preliminary way, Dr. Westcott contintied his progressive study in a technical or specific line, having determined to adopt the profession of medicine and surgery as liis vocation in life. He completed the curriculum of studies in the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in 1880, receiving the coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine. In May, of the same year, lie established himself for the practice of his profession in Scotch Plains, Union county, and has ever since continued in this line in Scotch Plains and Fan wood, having gained a support which is of representative order and indicative of his ability as a physician, and his popularity as a man. Dr. Westcott has been a member of the Union County Medical Society about sixteen years, having served for several years as treasurer of said association, and as its president in 1896. In May, 1887, lie received the appoint- ment as county physician, was reappointed in 1890 and again in 1896; he is thus, at present, serving his third term in this office.
In his political adherency the Doctor is an uncompromising Republican, and his religions faith is that of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Scotcli Plains Baptist church, to which specific reference is made on other pages of this volume, and has served on its board of trustees for the past fifteen years, having also been treasurer of the same for a practically equal length of time. He lias maintained an interest in all that conserves the well-being of the community, and has been particularly zealous in connection with the advancement of the public-school system. For the past decade he has served on the board of trustees, and a portion of this period he held the position as president of the board.
On the 24th of June, 1880, Dr. Westcott was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hendershot, of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, who died on the IIth of May, 1883, leaving one child, Mary E. On the 7th of July,
JOHN J. HENDERSON, M. D.
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1894, the Doctor consummated a second marriage, being then united to Esther Ella Fancher, who presides with gracious dignity over the attractive home.
JOHN J. HENDERSON, M. D.,
son of Jaines and Lydia (Myers) Henderson, was born at Vaux Hall, Jefferson Village, New Jersey, September 12, 1810. The father was a native of Scotland, his place of birth and residence being at Ellerslie, near Paisley. He was a. papermaker and inventor of paper moulds. In 1798 he came to America, and subsequently located at the place stated above.
Dr. John J. Henderson, the subject of this sketch, read medicine with Dr. David Martin, at Springfield, New Jersey, and attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, during the years 1831-2-3, graduating in March, 1833. He practiced medicine in Newark, New Jersey, one year. On the death of Dr. David Martin, he returned to Springfield and succeeded to the practice of his former preceptor. His health failing in 1854, he gave up the practice of medicine and went into business, becoming soon established in the manufacturing of paper, in the various branches of which he continued until his death, which occurred December 2, 1890.
Dr. Henderson was twice married. His first wife was Phoebe Ann Martin, of Rahway, New Jersey. They had one son, John Martin Henderson. His second marriage was to Abigail Ludlow Martin, also of Rahway, and two children were born of this marriage, William Stuart Henderson and Ann Lydia Henderson.
Dr. Henderson was very fond of traveling, in which he sought both health and pleasure. His life was chiefly passed in Springfield, New Jersey.
ELIHU B. SILVERS, M. D.
The subject of this review is one whose ancestral history touches the colonial epoch in the annals of the nation, and that period which marked the inception of the grandest republic the world has ever known. Through such sources have we attained the true American type, and along this line must we proceed if we would learn of the steadfast and unyielding elements which constitute the basis upon which has been reared the lofty and magificent superstructure of an enlightened and favored commonwealth. The life history of the Doctor forms an integral part of that indissoluble chain which links the early, formative period with that of latter-day progress and prosperity, and not alone is there particular interest attaching to his career as one of the representative physicians of Union county, but his
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is the distinction of having passed practically his entire life in said county and, indeed, in Raliway, the place of his nativity.
Elihu Brittin Silvers was born in that suburb of Raliway which bears the name of Milton, on the 7th of November, 1829, being the son of John and Maria (Brittin) Silvers, the former of whom was a
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ELIHU B. SILVERS, M. D.
inerchant tailor by occupation and a man of sterling character. He was the son of Judge Noalı Silvers. The mother of the Doctor was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, being the daughter of Colonel Elihu Brittin, who conferred upon his grandson, the subject of this sketch, his full patronymic. The paternal ancestors of the Doctor are supposed to
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have emigrated to America from Spain or Portugal-more probably the latter-at a period long antecedent to the war of the Revolution, the original name being supposed to have been De Silva. In the maternal line the lineage of our subject is of pure Welsh extraction, the great-grandfather, Captain William Brittin, having come hither from Wales, in 1761, and settled on the outskirts of Elizabeth, New Jersey. He held a captain's commission in the war of the Revolution, serving with his brother, who was one of General Washington's chosen one hundred and fifty. His son, Elihu Brittin, grandfather of the Doctor, was born in Elizabeth, and served as a colonel in the war of 1812, so that it may be seen that our subject gains by heredity the stanchest patriotism and loyalty to American institutions.
In his boyhood Dr. Silvers manifested a distinct predilection for study, early showing a marked taste for pharmacy, to which important line he has devoted his attention for a long term of years. He received his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools and prepared for the sophomore class at College Hill, Poughkeepsie, New York, but for financial reasons did not complete the full collegiate course. After learning the drug business lie determined to prepare himself for the practice of the allied profession of medicine, and with this end in view he attended the required course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York city, graduating in that institution as a member of the class of 1852. In 1888 he took a post-graduate course at this institution, attending a full course of lectures.
Immediately after his graduation Dr. Silvers returned to his native place, and it is a significant fact that he has ever since continued his residence in Rahway, where he is known and honored as a public- spirited and representative citizen. He forthwith established himself in the drug business there, and has ever since owned and conducted a pharmacy in the city. He is the only survivor of the charter members of the Union County Medical Society, has served a term as president of the same, and has been active in the discussions incident to its meetings, from which he has rarely absented himself during a period of more than quarter of a century. For a long period-ever since the New Jersey State Medical Society inaugurated the provision for permanent delegates-the Doctor has so represented the local society, and the state society has each year accorded him his choice of states in the matter of attending their annual conventions as representative of the New Jersey society, -reports of which are published in their records of annual transactions. In the transactions for 1877 is published a new treatment for diphtheria, which, in the epidemic there, was brought to bear with fine results. Of late years the Doctor has written almost quarterly, on some medical subject, for the Medical World, of Philadel- phia, and has made very frequent contributions, on scientific and political subjects, to the local paper.
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Dr. Silvers has always maintained a lively interest in public affairs of a local nature, and has been called upon to serve in positions of distinctive trust. He has always figured as a stalwart adherent of the Democratic party, and has been an active worker in its ranks. In 1877 he was elected a member of the common council of Rahway, retaining this incumbency three years and proving unreservedly faithful to the trust imposed. It is worthy of particular note that he took the initiative in the work of deposing from power and seeing properly punished the "ring " whose operations and malfeasance involved the city in bankruptcy ; he assisted in the compromise which was found necessary, and is credited with being the pioneer in the financial regeneration of the city, and in making such final adjustment of the affairs of the defunct Savings Bank as to realize to the original depositors the full amount of their respective deposits. For thirty-five years Dr. Silvers has been in some form identified with the public-school system of Rahway, in whose success he has maintained a cumulative interest. On two occasions he served terms of years as superintendent, and one term as member of the board of education. For four years he was president of the local board of health, and was the yearly incumbent as city physician for a number of periods.
In his fraternal relations, the Doctor became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in 1853, being identified with this organization for a period of thirty-five years. He secured a withdrawal card from his lodge, expecting to deposit the same elsewhere, but this he has never done. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but during his mature years has been an attendant and supporter of St. Paul's church (Protestant Episcopal) in Rahway, his first wife having been particularly active in the charity work of this church, and having served as president of certain of its collateral societies.
On the 3Ist of March, 1853, at Pierrepont Manor church, Jefferson county, New York, Dr. Silvers was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Mendana Earl, whose father was born in Connecticut, whither he came to Jefferson county very early in its settlement, purchasing largely, in connection with the senior Pierrepont, and founding the town of Pierrepont Manor, their farms having jointly formned the site upon which the town was established. Mr. Earl was a farmer and tanner on a large scale, and he attained a pronounced financial and social success.
Mrs. Silvers was born April 26, 1835, and died on the 19th of March, 1892, leaving two sons,-Earl Brittin Silvers, who was born February 18, 1854, and who is a New Jersey graduated pharmacist ; and George Mulford Silvers, who was born August 26, 1857, and who is a medical practitioner, being a graduate of the same colleges as his father.
On the 25th of September, 1895, Dr. Silvers consummated a second
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marriage, being then united to Miss Abbie Ringgold Coombs Reed, who was born in New York city, where she graduated from the Normal College. She is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Her original American ancestors, on both sides, came from Wales and settled in Virginia at an early period in the history of America.
PETER J. ZEGLIO, M. D.,
is one of the most skillful physicians in the state of New Jersey. He is of Swiss descent, his parents, John and Josephine (Duchini) Zeglio, having been natives of Switzerland, with ancestries embodying all the characteristics of that honest and liberty-loving people.
John Zeglio, inspired with prospects of American citizenship, under American institutions, visited the United States, making his third visit to this country in 1849. This was during the gold-craze period, and Mr. Zeglio joined the throng of gold-seekers, making a stay of a few years in California. He then returned to New York, and in 1860 moved to Cranford, New Jersey, and in 1862, to Mount Bethel, New Jersey, where he continued his vocation as a farmer until his death. Mr. John Zeglio was born in 1818, at Ambri, Canton Tessin, Switzerland, the native home of the Zeglio family for generations. He died at Mount Bethel, New Jersey, April 15, 1866. The mother died February 4, 1894. She was a noble woman and imparted her many good characteristics to her own family, the principal cause, probably, of their eminent success in after life. Their children are David; Pauline, wife of A. D. Taylor; Mary, wife of J. D. Kirch; Joseph and Peter J.
Dr. Zeglio was born in Cranford, New Jersey, May 31, 1860. He received his education in the public schools of Mount Bethel, New Jersey, and might have continued life as a tiller of the soil, had not a sad event occurred, which changed the purposes of his life. When sixteen years of age he fell from a tree, sustaining a fracture of the wrist, which rendered him wholly unfit for that occupation. Having decided upon the profession of medicine, he pursued a regular course of instruction under private teachers, incident to the needs of that calling, and in due time placed himself under the tutorage of Dr. J. D. Van Derveer, an able physician of Liberty Corner, New Jersey. At the age of eighteen years he began a systematic course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York City, and in 1882 received his degree of M. D. from that institution. Dr. Zeglio's practice in his profession has been phenomenal. He began his career in the home of his youth, and liberal patronage welcomed him from the outset of his practice, his income to-day being that of the more success- ful practitioners in our large cities.
In 1895 Dr. Zeglio moved his office from Mount Bethel to Plain-
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field, where his services seemed to be in demand more than ever. He is also a skilled surgeon as well as physician, and has performed some noteworthy operations, a number of which might be mentioned, though one will suffice. This is a case where both feet and the fingers and thumbs of both hands were amputated at once from the body of a man. The time for the operation lasted only seventy minutes, and the patient did well under the treatment.
Dr. Zeglio is very fond of field sports, and, had he time, would be afield with dog and gun, in seasons for that pastime, but the duties of his profession debar these pleasures. He is a member of various med- ical associations and keeps abreast of the times. He is ex-coroner of Somerset county, New Jersey, is a member of the American Medical Association, a member of the Medical Association of Plainfield, New Jersey, and of the Somerset County Medical Society.
Dr. Zeglio is wedded to the interests of his profession and his close diagnosis of all cases, irrespective of cast, creed or color, has brought for him in part the large practice and the reputation he so well de- serves.
MAXWELL S. SIMPSON, M. D.,
is a native of Dayton, Ohio, where he was born December 8, 1856, being the son of Silas M. B. and Henrietta (Dover) Simpson, who also were natives of Dayton.
The progenitor of this branch of the Simpson family in America first settled upon Long Island, coming thither from one of the New England settlements, in the early part of the eighteenth century, removing subsequently to Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where John Simpson, the first of whom a definite record can be obtained, died in July, 1773. His son Alexander, born here, was married and until 1813 lived in New Providence, whence he removed to the home of his son, Moses Simpson, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, at Day- ton, Ohio.
Moses Simpson, above mentioned, was born at New Providence, and in 1810 was employed under Jacob Beedel, of Newark, to superin- tend the construction of a fort opposite the Battery in New York, and later known as Castle Garden. He removed to Ohio at the close of 1812.
Silas M. B. Simpson was in the United States army and partici- pated in the stirring events in California from 1851 to 1856. In an engagement with the Indians on the plains he received a severe arrow wound. He served with bravery and distinction during the early part of the civil war, but was badly wounded in action in eastern Kentucky and retired from further service. He never recovered from his wounds, though he lived till 1887.
John, the son of John, of Elizabethtown, migrated to Montgomery
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county, Pennsylvania, and his descendants to Clermont county, Ohio, where a daughter, Hannah, married, in 1820, Jesse R. Grant, and where their first son, Hiram Ulysses, later known as Ulysses Simpson Grant, was born. Dr. Simpson, of Plainfield, was a frequent visitor in his
MAXWELL S. SIMPSON, M. D.
early youth at the home of the father of General Grant, at Covington, Kentucky.
The military history of the family is remarkable, inasmuch as it was represented in all of the colonial and federal wars. The first John served in the French and Indian war, taking part in the expedition to
9
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Crown Point. The second John served through the French and Indian war and the Revolution. Alexander was but thirteen years old and was first a drummer and then a private in Maxwell's Jersey Brigade. Ephraim, a younger brother of Alexander, was a noted scout with Gen- eral Anthony Wayne during the Indian troubles of the Northwest Ter- ritory. Michael Simpson, another scion of the family, as an ensign in the provincial service, was at Braddock's defeat, and later, as lieutenant in the First Pennsylvania Battalion, was in the Quebec expedition under Arnold. As a captain of continental troops he commanded at Long Island, Trenton, Princeton, and Germantown. He was a close friend and admirer of Washington, who stopped with him, on his jour- ney through the country in 1794, at his home on the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania. Moses Simpson served a short while in the war of 1812 and commanded a company during the Mexican war, and his son Silas M. B., as we have stated, was in the civil war.
On the maternal side the grandmother of Dr. Simpson was of the Van Cleve family, the first of whom settled at Flatbush, Long Island, when the New Netherlands belonged to the Dutch, migrating from the Dutchy of Cleves, on the river Rhine, in Germany. Other members of the family and their descendants settled on Staten Island and in and near New Brunswick and in Monmouth county, New Jersey.
Isabrant Van Cleve, who settled on Staten Island, married Jane Vanderbilt, and represented one of the collateral branches of the Boone family. His grandsons, Benjamin and William, sons of Aaron, settled with the Boones in Kentucky. In 1734 Isabrant's son Benjamin settled near Monmouth, now Freehold, New Jersey, where his son John was born. John's son Benjamin was born there at the close of the Revolu- tion, and with his father went to the frontier, where John was killed and scalped by the Indians, on the spot where the court house in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, now stands, having been a party to the original settle- ment of that place. Benjamin was in the United States Army through the Indian wars, under Generals Harrison, St. Clair, Wilkinson, and Wayne. His description of the massacre of St. Clair's troops, during which action he was in the quartermaster's department, under his uncle, Captain Benham, is the account usually found in historical collections. In 1792 he left Ft. Washington (Cincinnati) in the night and traveled alone through the Indian country, a bearer of dispatches to the war department in Philadelphia. The journey was made with a great deal of stealth and occupied almost a month. While waiting for the return dispatches he was sent by General Knox to New York with two saddle horses, a present from the government to Captain Joseph Brandt, the Indian chief.
Dr. Simpson's early instructions were received in the public schools of Dayton, Ohio, and his more advanced and classical studies were pur- sued in private schools. He received the degree of Ph. G. at the. Phil-
CHARLES B. HOLMES, M. D.
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adelphia College of Pharmacy, in 1879, and the degree of M. D. at the Jefferson Medical College, in 1883, when the faculty of that noted insti- tution of medical learning had among its members the eminent teachers Gross, Pancoast, Da Costa, Bartholow, Wallace, Rogers and Chap- man. He was a student under the late R. J. Levis and received the gold medal of honor from the Pennsylvania Hospital for excellence in surgery.
Soon after graduation he went to the southwestern states, and, as acting assistant surgeon under General Crook, took part in the Apache war. While in this service he received a gun-shot wound that forced him to return home. He resided some time at Bordentown, New Jer- sey, but since 1888 has been a resident of Plainfield, where he lias established a lucrative practice in his profession. He is a Free Mason, a member of the Plainfield Medical Association, and has been a mem- ber of the Naval Reserve of New Jersey since its inception. He is now surgeon to the Battalion of the East, with headquarters on the United States sailing sloop-of-war, Portsmouth, now anchored in the North river.
Dr. Simpson was the first police surgeon of Plainfield, originating and planning that work and serving without salary, that its police de- partment might be placed upon a municipal standing. He is also the city physician, a position he has occupied for some years, and, besides attending to a large practice, has been in many ways prominently active in the interests of his adopted city. He is an active member of the Citizens' Organized Aid Association and deeply interested in the benevolent work of the community. An only sister died some years ago ; a brother and his mother still reside at Dayton, Ohio.
In 1879 Dr. Simpson was married to Miss Lilias V. Turner, of Richmond, Virginia.
CHARLES B. HOLMES, M. D.
There is no field of endeavor in connection with the countless activities of life that places so exacting demands upon those who serve in its confines as does the profession of medicine. There is demanded a most careful and discriminating preliminary training, and unremitting and consecutive study and application through all the succeeding days, and, over and above this, the true physician, who in a sense holds the destinies of life in his hands, must be imbued with that deep sympathy and true humanitarian sentiment which will bear his professional labors outside the mere commercial sphere. He whose name introduces this review is known and honored as one of the representative medical practitioners of Union county, and, maintaining his residence at Rahway, he has gained distinctive professional prestige and the confidence and respect of those to whom he has ministered, as well as of the community in general.
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Charles B. Holmes is a native of the old Empire state, having been born at Hamilton, Madison county, New York, in the year 1852, the son of Alonzo and Juliana Holines. He received his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools of his native town, pursuing the course of study in the local high school and subsequently continuing his literary education in Hamilton College. Having decided to make the profession of inedicine his vocation in life he attended medical schools in Philadelphia and New York city, graduating in 1874, with the coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine. The Doctor had little fortuitous aid in his youth, but his was an ambitious and self-reliant nature and it was his determination to excel in whatsoever he undertook. Appreciating the advantages of higher education, he made every effort bend to the securing of privileges in this line, working on the farm and teaching school to obtain the funds essential to completing a collegiate course.
After his graduation Dr. Holines came to Rahway, where he forthwith established himself in practice, gaining prestige from the start, by reason of his devotion to his profession and his unmistakable ability, his personal characteristics being such as to engender a popularity aside from his specific talents. He has a happy faculty of keeping patients to whom he has ministered, inspiring confidence and respect, while liis popularity with young men has been peculiarly pronounced, as he has ever been ready to aid them and to give advice.
The Doctor's practice covers a wide area contiguous to Rahway, and his name will remain on the records as one who has dignified and been dignified by the profession of his choice.
Dr. Holmes is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, has been an active worker and has been honored with positions of public trust and responsibility. He was elected a member of the common council of Rahway in 1894, for a term of three years, being president of the body for the years 1896 and 1897. He was acting mayor from April, 1896, to March, 1897, on the 4th of which imonth last mentioned lie was elected to this chief executive office of the municipality for a term of two years. He is chairman of the eighth congressional district committee, having been chosen such in 1896, and has been a member of the county com- mittee for three years, also serving as president of the board of health three years.
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