History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 31

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224

USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 31
USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 31

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David Waldo, M.D., Coll. P. and S., N. Y., 1878. John J. Daly, M.D., N. Y. Univ., 1873.

W. A. M. Mack, M.D., Bellevue Hos. Coll., 1877.

J. H. Pickett, M.D., Univ. Buffalo, N. Y. W. E. Cladek, Univ. N. Y. City.

Frank S. Grant, Coll. P. and S., N. Y.

Frank W. Wescott, Jeff. Med. Coll., Philadelphia. John L. Taylor, Bellevue Hos. Med. Coll., N. Y.

a preparatory school at Southampton, L. I., and then began the study of medicine with Dr. C. C. Suydam, of Lamington ; in due time attended lectures in the medical department of the University of Pennsylva- nia, from which he was graduated in March, 1859.

During the following eight years he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Liberty Corners, in Somerset County, and soon after settling there, on Jan. 11, 1860, he married Miss Fannie A., daughter of David King, Esq., and Fannie Layton, of that place, but formerly of New York. The sur- viving children by this union are Jennie Frances, David King, Madge Louise, Charlotte Victoria, Gil- bert Tennant, John Calvin, Morris, Clarence, Julia Scott, and Carman Parse.

Dr. Sutphen removed to Plainfield in 1867, and soon after his arrival was chosen city physician under the new charter then just adopted, and in the follow- ing year was elected a member of the Common Coun- cil, and was appointed chairman of several important committees. In the mean time Dr. Sutphen's prac- tice steadily increased, and reliance in his professional skill and regard for his integrity and sterling quali- ties as a public-spirited citizen were greatly augmented by his fearless and successful labors during the mem- orable smallpox pestilence. His great kindness of heart and sympathy for the suffering as often led him to the bedside of those from whom he expected no remuneration and never received any as to adminis- ter to those in affluence. His heroic exertions on this occasion were in a measure recognized by the citizens of Plainfield by his nomination and election in 1874, and re-election in 1875, mayor of Plainfield, which position he filled to the entire satisfaction of his fel- low-citizens, and to the permanent benefit of the city.

Dr. Sutphen was well read in his profession, and took an active interest in all that pertained to the JOHN C. SUTPHEN, M.D., was born at the old Sut- phen homestead in Somerset County, N. J., Aug. 12, 1834. His paternal ancestors came from Sutphen, Holland, and from this ancient city the family name is derived. Both of his grandmothers were of Eng- lish (Puritan) descent. His father was Gilbert Sut- phen, and his mother's maiden name was Jane M. Crater. His early boyhood was spent on the farm at home, and at the school of his native place. His preparatory education was received under the private instruction of Rev. W. W. Blauvelt, of Lamington, N. J., a Presbyterian clergyman. He entered Prince- ton College in 1852, and was graduated from that in- stitution in 1856. His brother, Rev. Morris C. Sut- phen, was his classmate and fellow-graduate; was prosperity of Plainfield. He was a student of the cause and cure of complicated cases of disease, a man of quick perception and ready diagnosis. In early life he united with the Presbyterian Church at Lam- ington ; was a member of the church of Liberty Cor- ners, and upon his settlement in Plainfield became at once an active and influential member of the Cres- cent Avenne Presbyterian Church. Of the latter church he was trustee for several years, and was one of the building committee, and contributed liberally of his means in erecting the present fine church edi- fice. Dr. Sutphen died April 13, 1878, suddenly, of apoplexy. Upon the occasion of his death the mem- bers of the Union County Medical Society passed ap- propriate resolutions expressing their high esteem for engaged in ministerial labor from his graduation in the memory of their departed colaborer, and mourn- ing the loss of an honest practitioner, an upright citizen, and a Christian gentleman.

theology until his decease, and died June 18, 1875. After his college course Dr. Sutphen entered the theo- logical seminary with his brother, but ill health com- DR. CORRA OSBORN, son of Jonathan H. and Martha (Shotwell) Osborn, was born at Scotch Plains, pelled him to relinquish the study of theology after three months. For one year thereafter he conducted : Union Co., N. J., May 12, 1793, and died at Westfield,

V. S

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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

June 7, 1868. His early education was obtained in Philemon, M.D., went to Westfield, Union Co. Gen. Ebenezer Elmer resided in Cumberland County. the common school of his native place and under the private instruction of Dr. Ludlow, with whom he The progenitor of the family in this country was subsequently studied medicine. He was graduated at Edward Elmer, who emigrated Sept. 4, 1632, and be- a medical college in New York at the age of nineteen, came one of the first settlers of Hartford, Conn. and began the practice of his profession at Acquack- His grandson, Deacon Jonathan, settled in Sharon, Conn. anonck, Passaic Co., N. J., but soon afterwards formed a copartnership with Dr. Philemon Elmer, of West- Dr. Nathaniel, son of Deacon Jonathan, was a physician in active medical practice in Florida, N. Y., and died there in the year 1779. field, which continued until the decease of Dr. Elmer, when he succeeded to the entire practice, which he continued until about six years before his death, Dr. William, son of Dr. Nathaniel, practiced med- icine in Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., and was a member of the "Medical Society of the Counties of Ulster and Orange, in the State of New York," which society was instituted June 25, 1793. having been in the successful practice of his profes- sion for a period of forty years. Dr. Osborn, as a physician of the past generation, ranked among the first of his day, and was known as a skillful, painstak- ing, and devoted practitioner. His ride extended over Dr. William occupied a prominent position in the State in which he resided, and was appointed "Sur- geon of the regiment of militia in the County of Or- ange, at a meeting of the council of appointment, at the Exchange, in the city of New York, on Tuesday, the 26th day of September, 1786." a large territory in the vicinity of Westfield, and he was widely known as a safe counselor and of quick perception in the diagnosis of complicated cases of disease. Dr. Osborn was a stanch member of the old Whig party, but never sought office, or held any. Upon the organization of the Republican party he became a bold advocate of its principles, and remained a strong supporter of its platform until his death.

From the age of twenty-seven years he was a mem- ber of the First Baptist Church at Scotch Plains, and served the church for many years as one of its deacons. He gave liberally of his means in the support of every worthy local enterprise, and especially was he inter- ested in the propagation of religious doctrine and the establishment of morality, law, and order in so- ciety. His wife, Mary Hand, whom he married .June 30, 1812, bore him the following children : Mahlon, deceased; Mary, wife of Samuel Hayes; Letitia, widow of David Miller; Ann, deceased, was the wife of Nathan Williams. The mother of these children died Oct. 26, 1826.

The contributor of Dr. Osborn's portrait and sketch, Samuel Hayes, was born June 3, 1816, and is a son of Dr. Samuel Hayes, who lived and died in Newark, N. J., where he practiced medicine for over forty years.

Samuel Hayes has followed agricultural pursuits most of his life near Scotch Plains, and is a supporter of the First Baptist Church at that place. His wife, Mary, is a daughter of Dr. Corra Osborn, before alluded to, whom he married on May 17, 1848. His children are Mary, Hannah D., and Lydia K. Hayes.

JOHN C. ELMER, M.D .- The records of the Elmer family in its different branches furnish us with many names of those who have held high positions of honor and trust in the church, in the community, and in the struggle of the American Revolution. Although the early settlers located first in Connecticut, and then in New York, some of their number came to New Jersey.

Rev. Jonathan Elmer, and his son, Moses, M.D., settled in New Providence, Union Co., while his son,

He was also " appointed, in 1796, by virtue of an act of Congress, as one of a board of examining phy- sicians and surgeons for the County of Orange, in the State of New York."

Dr. William's son, Horace, was the father of Dr. John C. Elmer, the subject of this sketch, at the time of whose death the following article, with slight vari- ation, was written at the request of the medical society by Rev. O. L. Kirtland, pastor of the Pres- byterian Church in Springfield, of which church Dr. Elmer was a member, and was published in the "Report of the Medical Society of New Jersey for 1864":

"Dr. John C. Elmer, son of Horace Elmer, was born in Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., April 7, 1817. His grandfather, his great-grandfather, and his elder brother, William S., were all physicians in active practice until their deaths. William S., elder brother of John C., practiced medicine in the city of New York, and was a victim of over-exertion during the cholera season of 1834.

"John C. Elmer spent the early years of his child- hood with his parents in his native town. At the age of fourteen he entered the store of a druggist and practicing physician in the city of New York as clerk, and remained in that capacity four or five years.

" There he became thoroughly acquainted with the character of medicines, and with the modes of testing them, and learned the importance of selecting and scrutinizing very carefully the remedies which he ad- ministered. To the habit of examining personally all medicines given by his prescriptions he ascribed much of his success. His academical studies were pursued successively in the academies at Bloomfield, N. J., and at Morristown, N. J.

The study of medicine, commenced about the year 1835 or 1836, was pursued for a season under the su- pervision of Dr. John Hubbard, of New York City,

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

and later under the direction of Dr. John B. Johnes, of Morristown, N. J.

" In or about the year 1838 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and also took two summer courses of lectures in the medical college at Pittsfield, Mass., then under the care of Dr. Willard Parker, of New York City. He received his diploma April 7, 1840, and in May of the same year, at the age of twenty-three, entered upon the practice of his profession as partner of Dr. Absalom Woodruff, in Mendham, N. J."

In September, 1843, he married Jane R., only child of William Stites, of Springfield, N. J. Dr. Elmer remained in Mendham until April, 1852, possessing the confidence and esteem of a very large circle of friends and patrons, who manifested deep feelings of regret and reluctance at the loss of their physician when he left them.

His cheerful home in Mendham was situated in the centre of a large practice, which involved many long and tedious winter rides over the bleak hills of that part of Morris County.

Just as he was deciding to accept the oft-repeated invitation from numerous frends and relatives in Springfield, N. J., lie received flattering inducements to settle in Somerville. Several leading citizens pledged to him the support of twenty-four influential families as an introduction in the town. Dr. Elmer, while gratefully appreciating this generous offer from the citizens of Somerville, decided in favor of Spring- field for several family reasons, whence he removed im- mediately, pursuing his profession with diligence and success until arrested by the typhoid fever, superin- duced by a season of unusual professional fatigue and exposure, of which he died Oct. 17, 1863.

While at Mendham, Dr. Elmer was for a number of years one of the board of censors for the district of Morris County. Intellectually, he was characterized by strength and discrimination rather than by bril- liancy. Spurning the merely superficial, he was patient in research, and unwilling to rest until sure of a foundation that could not be shaken, hence the usual correctness of his diagnosis, and the confidence of his patients.

Possessed of a happy social talent and unaffected manners, he found easy access to the hearts of his patrons, and endeared himself to them by a kindness which reached beyond his professional services, sym- pathizing with them in their trials, and, when occa- sion required, extending a helping hand for their relief.

In Springfield he occupied a prominent and decided stand as a friend of popular education. Mainly through his influence a tasteful, commodious, and well furnished academy was built, and for a series of years a school was maintained quite in advance of the ordinary public schools of the day.

Dr. Elmer was a Christian, occupying both in Mendham and in Springfield the place of a worthy

communicant in the Presbyterian Church, having been a leader of its choir and a helper in its enter- prises. He was animated by the spirit of true patriot- ism. During the progress of the civil war, occasioned by the great Southern Rebellion, his feelings were deeply enlisted, and all his sympathies were with the government in its measures for suppressing the insur- gents, and maintaining the nation in its integrity.

The wide-spread grief occasioned by his death bore testimony that his confiding family, who rested upon him as the pillar of all their earthly hopes, were not the only mourners. All classes united in the senti- ment that one had fallen whose place as a physician, as a friend, and as a citizen could not easily be filled again.

Dr. Elmer's funeral services were attended in the Presbyterian Church in Springfield. Rev. David Magie, D.D., of Elizabeth, N. J., who conducted the rites, spoke on the " character and offices of the be- loved physician," and as he witnessed the vast throng of weeping friends who pressed eagerly forward to take a last fond look at the face so long familiar to them remarked, “ This immense assemblage seems to me like one great mourning family circle."

Dr. Elmer left a widow and two children,-a son, William S., and a daughter, Louise B. His son died very suddenly in three weeks after his father, aged seventeen years.

The following article is an extract copied from the daily papers, published at the time of his death by the physicians at a special meeting of the District Medical Society of the County of Essex, of which John C. Elmer, M.D., was a member :

" Dr. John C. Elmer, of Springfield, N. J., died on Saturday, 17th inst., of typhoid fever, aged forty-six years. Deceased has been a resident of Springfield for many years, where he had the esteem of all who knew him.

" In the death of this physician our county has lost one of its ablest practitioners. He was much beloved and respected at Mendham, Morris Co., whence he removed about eleven years ago. His death leaves a vacuum not easily filled. He died of typhoid fever, the result, probably, of his zealous effort to relieve others.

" The Essex County Medical Society, of which he was a member, held a meeting last evening in relation to the subject of his death.

"The president, Dr. W. M. Brown, occupied the chair; Drs. John F. Ward, L. A. Smith, and J. Henry Clark were appointed to draft resolutions, and reported the following, which were adopted :

" Resolved, That we have learned with sincere regret of the decease of our brother, John C. Elmer.

" Resolved, That we cherish n fond recollection of the amiable manners and kindly disposition of onr late brother, and that this dispensation re- minds us of our own mortality.

" Resolved, That we desire to convey to his afilleted family our sense of bereavement, and our heartfelt sympathy for them in this hour of their great calamity.

His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Hongh, who was of English descent, was a farmer in Bucks County, Pa., and there reared a large family of children, of whom one son, Gen. Joseph Hough, father of our subject, was born in 1798 and died at the age of seventy-seven years. He attained the rank of general in the old State militia; was a merchant at Point Pleasant, Bucks Co .; justice of the peace there for over forty years, and he was for several years superintendent of the Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal. He was a man popular among his fellow-citizens, and influential in political matters of his native county. The latter part of his life was spent at Phila- delphia, and his death occurred at the residence of his son at Frenchtown, N. J. Gen. Ilough's mother was a Simpsou, and sister of the mother of Gen. Ulysses Simpson Grant. His wife, Jane, danghter of Joseph Crowell, of Point Pleasant, who died in 1866, aged sixty-six years, bore him the following children : Dr. DeWitt C. Ilough, subject of this sketch ; Bryan, agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Frenchtown, N. J .; Ilannah, wife of Samuel Bangor, of Philadelphia; IJorace Binney, who served for three years in the late civil war, first in a Penn- sylvania regiment, was captured by the Rebels, and afterwards belonged to the Third New Jersey Cavalry, is now in the United States Mint at Philadelphia ; Morrison, died at St. Louis, at the age of seventeen ; John Simpson, served in the late civil war, in the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment Cavalry, afterwards served as captain in the Third New Jersey Cavalry, and was killed at the battle of Five Forks.

Dr. DeWitt C. Hough was born at Point Pleasant, Dec. 31, 1826. His early education was obtained at the schools of his native place and at the Newtown Academy. After one year as clerk in a general store he began the study of medicine with Dr. Arnold, of Carversville, Bucks Co., Pa., with whom he remained one year; was a student for two years with the emi- nent physician, Dr. Charles Fronefield, of Harleysville, Pa., and attended three courses of lectures at Jefferson Medical Col- lege, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated on March 25, 1847. Immediately after his graduation he began the practice of his profession : was at Tylersport, Pa., one year; at Red Hill, Bucks Co., near his native place, for three years; and at Frenchtown, N. J., for six years. In February, 1857, Dr.

Hough settled at Rahway, N. J., and took the practice of Dr. Janeway. At this time the older practitioners of medicine in Rahway were Drs. Abernethy, Drake, Cook, and Silvers. Since his residence in Rahway, by his devotion to his patients, hy his skill as a physician and surgeon, hy his attendance upon the poor needing medical assistance, as well as upon those ahle to pay for professional services, Dr. Hough has become socially and professionally identified with the people of Rahway and the surrounding country, and commands a large practice. Ile has been closely identified with the interests of Rahway during his residence there; was mayor of the city in 1867-68; was a muem- ber of the first Board of Water Commissioners and president of it for three years, and was elected on the Democratic ticket and served in the lower branch of the State Legislature in 1868-69.

Upon the breaking out of the late civil war, Dr. Hough was commissioned, Sept. 5, 1861, surgeou of the Seventh New Jersey Volunteers, which was a part of the Third Corps, under Gen. Hooker, but afterwards consolidated with the Second Corps, and with the exception of six weeks that he was detailed for hospital duty after the battle of Gettysburg, and three weeks after the battle of Fredericksburg, he followed the fortunes and mis- fortunes of the regiment until he was mustered out of service in October, 1864, having been a short time before leaving the army promoted to the position of brigade-surgeon.

lle was successively in the battles of-siege of Yorktown, battle of Williamsburg, Seven Days' battle before Richmond, Glendale, first and second battles at Malvern Ilill, Fredericks- hurg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, battles of Richmond, Seven Pines, and Bristow Station.

Dr. Ilough was one of the charter members of the Union County Medical Society, founded in 1869, and has frequently been a delegate to the State Medical Society of New Jersey.

Ilis wife, whom he married Jan. 28, 1850, is Almira W., daughter of Philip Runkle, of Milford, N. J., and his children by this union are one daughter, Jennie C., and one son, Dr. HI. Page Ilough, who was graduated in the commercial, classi- cal, and high school at Lawrence, in 1873; studied medicine with his father, and attended lectures at Jefferson Medical Col- lege, from which he was graduated in the class of March 12, 1878, and is now practicing his profession in Rahway.

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John Joseph Daly, M.D., son of John and Catherine Daly, was born in Rahway, N. J., where his parents resided, on May 26, 1852. His early education from books was received at the public schools of his native place, and at the exceedingly youthful age of thirteen, in 1865, he began the study of medicine in the office of the late Dr. Samuel Abernethy, of Rahway, well known throughout the State as one of the best read physicians and successful practitioners of surgery of his day. Here he remained for nine years, and although his progress was such that long before reaching his majority his medical education was sufficient to be graduated, yet by the laws of the university he could not be, and therefore, after attending lectures in the medical department from 1870, he was graduated at the University of New York in the class of 1873. For many years prior to this he had taken charge of a large part of Dr. Abernethy's office and outside practice, and had become wholly conversant with the practice and theory of both surgery and medicine.

After his graduation Dr. Daly returned, aud until Dr. Abernethy's death, Feb. 13, 1874, remained with him, when he had become so fully associated with him in his professional work that he found a large field for the immediate encouragement of his talents, which had already attracted attention and plaecd him favorably before the people. Dr. Daly has continued the practice of his profession here since, a period of eight years, and his skill as an operating surgeon, his intrepid coolness where nerve is required to meet a difficult ease, and the exceeding difficult operations performed by him in surgery have placed his name among the most skillful surgeons of the present and past. His quick perception in the diag- nosis of a case, and ready understanding of the proper remedies necessary for relief, have also given him rank with physicians of large experience and exten- sive practice. For many years he has been employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as surgeon and medical adviser at Rahway.

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" Resolved, That we will attend his funeral and wesr the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.

" Resolved, That the secretary be requested to communicsto to the family a copy of the foregoing resolutions, and to procure their publica- tion in the daily journals." -

EUGENE JOBS, M.D .- The progenitor of the Jobs family in America was Adam Jobs, who probably emigrated from Holland and settled at Green Brook, north of Plainfield, N. J. He married Katy Coven- hoven and had one son, Nicholas Conover Jobs, who lived and died at Liberty Corners, N. J. He was a member of the Legislature, justice of the peace, and postmaster of the village for nearly fifty years. He married Margaret Castner, who was of German pa- rentage, and had children,-Eugene and Mary Eliza- beth, who became the wife of Rev. James T. English. Eugene, who is the subject of this biographical sketch, was born Feb. 22, 1821, at the home of his parents, where his early life was spent, his youth having been devoted to attendance at the public school of the neighborhood. Having determined upon a profes- sional career he chose that of medicine, and entered the office of Dr. James Delano. After a period of study under his direction he repaired to Philadel- phia and became a student at the Medical University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated April +, 1844. He was licensed Sept. 11, 1844, to practice by the Medical Society of New Jersey, and remained for a short time at his house in Liberty Corners. De- siring, however, a wider field of labor, he removed to Springfield, and continued an active practitioner until his decease.

He was married to Miss Mary Lum, daughter of Thomas C. Allen, of Union township, and had chil- dren,-Margaret A., who became Mrs. James M. C. Morrison ; Thomas Allen, now a resident of Colorado and a lawyer ; Nicholas C., and Mary K. Dr. Jobs was a member of the Essex County Medical Society, and also of the Union County Medical Society. His practice was extended and remarkably successful, the result not less of a thorough knowledge of his profes- sion than of fidelity and devotion to his patients. His political views were in sympathy with the platform of the Democratic party, though the doctor rarely par- ticipated in the annual contests for office. He was a supporter of the worship of the Presbyterian Church of Springfield, which he attended.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 31

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts Number of Pages: 1224

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224