USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 46
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 46
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 46
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loved.
Among his papers are letters full of gratitude and affection from several of his pupils who had entered upon their professional duties.
He died July 16, 1814, and is interred in the old I'resbyterian graveyard, Bridgeton.
SAMUEL MI. SHUTE is still remembered by the old- | University of Pennsylvania, the oldest medical school
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mented when dead. There have been more learned and eloquent men among the good old worthies whose names appear upon our obituary list,-men more distinguished in State and national council. and far better known by the medical, literary, and political world,-but none who commanded more largely the respect and confidence and love of the people at home.
Samuel Moore Shute was but a lad at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, but, filled with the most ardent patriotism, he joined the army, and served as a lieutenant in the Continental line throughout the war. Ile accompanied Gen. Sullivan in his cam- paign in 1778 against the Seneca Indians, and was at the siege of Yorktown and surrender of Cornwallis. His journals of both these campaigns have been pre- served. Judge Elmer, in his " Reminiscenees of the Bench and Bar of New Jersey," relates an interesting anecdote of young Shute while a subaltern in the army,
After leaving the army young Shute entered the office of Dr. Jonathan Elmer as a pupil, and succes -- fully prosecuted the study of medicine. Hle subse- quently married Sarah Elmer, daughter of his pre- ceptor, settled in Bridgeton, and became one of the leading physicians of the town. He is described as tall and spare, of pleasing countenance and capti- vating address.
Dr. Shute seems to have confined himself very closely to the practice of his chosen profession, and, unlike many of his contemporaries, appears to have been but little interested in political matters. In 1513, however, the Governor of the State appointed him surrogate of the county of Cumberland, which office he held for two years. He left no descendants.
JONATHAN ELMER, the son of Daniel Elmer (21), was born at Cedarville, Nov. 29, 1845, and died at Bridgeton, Sept. 3, 1817.
Being of a weakly constitution, it was determined to give him a good education, and he was accordingly placed under the instruction of his grandfather, the Rev. Daniel Elmer, and after the death of the same, visited the poor a great deal. Hle was only forty years ; which occurred in 1754, he became a pupil of the Rev. old at the time of his death, and was very much be- i William Ramsay. Under the tuition of the latter he
made great proficiency not only in the English branches, but acquired such a knowledge of the Latin language as enabled him to read and write it with con- siderable facility. At the age of twenty-one he chose the medical profession, and in 1700 studied in Phila- delphia ander the direction of Dr. Morgan. The
est citizens of Cumberland County, although more in this country, had just been organized, and young than half a century has passed away since he finished his ' Elmer attended its first course of lecture -. While a work and entered into his rest. He possessed in a re- student at the university he took exception to Dr. Shippen's theory that the choroid coat of the eye is the immediate organ of vision, and in January, 1767, he addressed a letter to the professor setting forth in markable degree those social qualities which endeared him to the hearts of the people, and preserved his memory fragrant through the lapse of years. Per- haps no physician has ever lived in this county who : a clear and forcible manner his objections to the same. was so much beloved while living and so much la- ! In the same year he read an essay on the motion of
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
the heart before the Junior Medical Society at Penn's Hospital, and June 21, 1768, was one of the ten that constituted the first graduating class of that now cele- brated medical school. The year following hi- gradu- ation as a Bachelor of Medicine he addressed a letter to Dr. Morgan, his former preceptor, on "the differ- ent constitutions of the air, and the diseases contem- porary therewith." This paper was read before the American Philosophical Society. In 1771 he received the degree of doctor. His thesis, the subject of which was " Desitis in Fetribus, Cousis et Remedie," was dedi- cated to Dr. Franklin and his son, the Governor of New Jersey, and was subsequently printed in full, at copy of the same being still preserved by the family descendants.
After taking his first degree, he commenced the practice of his profession in the neighborhood of Roadstown, but soon removed to Bridgeton, where he was married, in 1769, to Mary Seeley, third daughter of Col. Ephraim Secley. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom died in infancy.
Although engaged actively in the duties of his profession at Bridgeton, and occasionally called as consulting physician many miles from his home into A short notice of him, published in the Trenton Federalist at the time of his decease, written by L. H. Stockton, E-1., state, that "in medical crudition, the writer well remembers to have heard bis illu -- trious contemporary, the late Dr. Rush, frequently say that he was exceeded by no physician in the United States." adjacent counties, and as far as the sea-shore, his pref- erence seems to have been for political and judicial business. In 1772 he was appointed by Governor Franklin sheriff of Cumberland County, the com- mission being, in accordance with the usage under the royal government, "during his Majesty's pleasure." But being bitterly opposed to the encroachments of Hle descended to the grave, full of honors, Sept. 3, 1817, in the seventy-second year of his age. the British government on the rights of the American people, and withal honest in the expression of his FRANCIS G. BREWSTER Was a lincal descendant of the Brewsters who crossed the ocean in the " May. flower," of whom the Rev. Mr. Steele, of Washington, hus given a faithful history. He studied medicine about the year 1785, received a certificate of license, and married Miss Mary Sceley, daughter of Josiah Seeley. sentiments of hostility, he was, after the lapse of a few years, displaced by the Governor, and a gentle- man appointed to the office who was supposed to be better affreted to the king. On the 23d of May, 1775, he was chosen a delegate to the Provincial Congress, which convened in the city of Trenton. This Con- gress continned in session eleven days, and decided Dr. Francis G. Brewster, better known as Dr. Gil- bert. Brewster, may have practiced considerably in Bridgeton during the early part of his professional life, but in later years he confined himself almost ex- clusively to the business of a druggist. He estab- lished, carly in the century, beyond doubt, the first pure drug-store in Bridgeton, which store has re- measures were taken by it to resist the demands of Great Britain. In October, 1775, after the battles of Lexington and Concord, he was chosen captain of a light infantry company, and subsequently he was made a major, although it does not appear that he was ever engaged in active service. In 1776 he was appointed by the Legislature, in joint meeting, clerk , mained in the hands of the Brewster family until of Cumberland County, and continued to hold this office until 1780. He was also surrogate from 1784 until 1802.
In 1776 he was chosen a member of the General Congress, and re-elected in 1777. The Congress of the colonies during these years, when the treble arm of the country was lifted against the mightiest war- power of the world, was justly the admiration of mankind. No body of men, in ancient or modern times, have displayed more devotion to the true prin- ciples of liberty, and more resolution in the midst of the greatest dangers. Dr. Elmer was ever true to the
trust reposed in him, proving himself by word and action not only a supporter of the country during the darkest hour, of its struggle, but, as a member of the medical committee of Congress, he gave evidence of his interest in every sick and wounded soldier by hi- toilsome journeys upon horseback to the various hospitals within his reach.
In 1780 and 178-1 he was elected a member of the Legislative Council of New Jersey, and in 1788 a mein- ber of Congress under the Articles of Confederation. lle was a strong advocate of the adoption of the new Constitution, and under it was chosen to a seat in the Senate of the United States, and filled this responsible position for the term of two years.
Although Dr. Elmer early abandoned the practice of his chosen profession, and was actively engaged in public life during the years of our Revolutionary struggle, he still retained an interest in medicine, and took delight in the fellowship of his professional brethren. In 1787, the year preceding his election to a seat in the Senate of the United States, he was chosen the president of the Medical Society of New Jersey, succceding Dr. William Burnett in that office.
recently, the location having been several times changed. As it was first established, it was a very small aflair, upon the corner of Commerce and Atlan- tic Streets. Here the doctor not only sold medicines, but prescribed for such of his friends as chose to seek bis professional aid. He was succeeded in busine, by his son, the late Francis G. Brewster.
The doctor was a member of and a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. He died July 26, 1828, in the sixtieth year of his age, and was buried in the okt graveyard at Bridgeton.
CHARLES CLARK was of very respectable parentage
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GENERAL HISTORY.
Ile was the son of Daniel and Rachel Clark, and was ' married, in 1802, Loviey Lummis, and commenced boru Oct. 19, 1773. He received a good English edu- practice as a physician at Egg Harbor. The climate not agreeing with him, he removed, with his family, after two years to Cedarville, where his practice soon became both large and lucrative. cation, and previous to commeneing the study of medicine with Dr. Ebenezer Elmer he acquired some knowledge of the Latin language. He was licensed to practice medicine and surgery by censors appointed Dr. Parvin is said to have been a man of consider- able popularity as a physician, pleasing in his address, and extremely fond of a practical joke. Some of the anecdotes related ot him concerning his propensity for joking are quite amusing. by the Medical Society of New Jersey, and settled at Roadstown, where he acquired a large practice. He was married to Anna, daughter of David Gilman, by whom he had a son and daughter, both recently living in Salem, N. J. Ile died of apoplexy Feb. 25, 1828.
EPHRAIM BATEMAN (1) was born in the township of Fairfield, county of Cumberland, July 9, 1780. In 1801 he became a student of Dr. Jonathan L'lmer, of Bridgeton, and attended medical lectures in the win- ters of 1802 and 1803 in the University of Pennsyl- vania. Dr. Benjamin Rush was then Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, and a strong at- tachment soon sprang up between them, which lasted for life.
After leaving the university, and receiving a cer- tificate of license, he married and settled in Cedar- WILLIAM ELMER ( Ist ) was born in Bridgeton, March 23, 1788. He was the youngest son of Dr. Jonathan Elmer, one of the first graduates of the Medieal De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania. He re- ceived his education in the schools of Bridgeton, was regarded as a good English scholar, and had some ville, and very soon acquired an extensive practice in the townships of Fairfield and Downe. The doctor was six feet one inch in height, and was in the habit of visiting his patients upon horseback. llis man- ners in the sick-room were pleasant and calculated to inspire coufidence in the minds of the atilicted. As ! knowledge of the classics. The death of his eller his practice was attended with success, his reputation very soon extended beyond the township lines, and his advice was often sought, not only by invalids living in remote parts of the county, but by his pro- fessional brethren in cases of consultation.
The doctor continued to practice medicine until 1813, when he was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature of New Jersey, and in 1815 to the House of Representatives of the United States, which office he held by re-elections until 1823. In 1826 he was elected a member of the Upper House (then calle l Council) of this State, and during its sessions was elected to represent the State in the Senate of the United States for the term of six years. His health, however, failing, he was obliged, in 1828, to resign the position. The Hon. Mahlon Dickerson was elected by the Legislature to fill his unexpired term.
lle died Jan. 28, 1829. At his death he left a widow and six children, one of whom was the late Dr. B. Rush Bateman. He was likewise grandfather of Dr. Ephraim (2d) and great-grandfather of Dr. Ellison R. Bateman, all of Cedarville. A flat stone marks his last resting-place in the graveyard of the " Old Stone Church."
JAMES B. PARVIN, son of Rev. Holmes and Eliza- beth Parvin, was born in Deerfield township on the 3/1 of June, 1779, and died at Cedarville the 28th of October, 1834.
Ile studied under Dr. Benjamin Fisler, of Port Elizabeth, and was licensed as a practitioner by the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey. He
brother, while a student at Nassau Hall, made his father loath to have him leave home for the purpose of acquiring a collegiate education. He was, how. ever, thoroughly educated as a physician, having spent several years io the prosecution of his studies in Philadelphia, during which time he was an attend- ant at the hospital, and in practice at the dispensary. He graduated in ISI1.
The year following he commeneed the practice of medicine in Bridgeton, and was married to Miss Nancy B. Potter. She lived four years thereafter, and was the mother of three children, one of whom is the present Dr. William Elmer, of Bridgeton. He was married again, in 1819, to Miss Margaret K. Pot- ter, and they were the parents of three children, all of whom are still living.
Dr. Elmer soon acquired a large practice, and was the leading physician of the town. He was, how- ever, engaged in the active duties of his profession but a very few years, and his popularity during these years must have been quite remarkable. At the death of his father, in 1817, he fell heir to an ample fortune, and very soon retired from practice.
During the latter part of his life he was very much afflicted with rheumatism, and at the last seizing upon the vital organs, it hastened his death, in IS36, at the carly age of forty-eight.
EBENEZER ELMER, son of Daniel (2d), was born in the family house at Cedarville, Ang. 23, 1752, and died at the residence of his son, the late ex-Judge L. (). C. I'mer, Oct. 18, 1843, aged ninety-one.
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Some fifteen years before his death he thought it his duty to preach the go-pel, and npon application was licensed by the Methodist Episcopal religious denom- ination, of which he was a member.
The doctor died comparatively young, in 1834, in the fifty.fifth year of his age, but lived long enough to number among his friends some of the best and most influential citizens of Fairfield. The oldest in- habitants still speak of him in words of praise. He was buried in the graveyard of the Methodist Episco- pal Church at Fairfield.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Dr. Elmer was left an orphan by the death of his father, and remained with his mother upon the home- stead until near the close of her lite.
In 1774 he was in hived to enter the office of his brother, Dr. Jonathan Elmer, for the purpose of studying medicine. He prosecuted these studies for a term of two years, and went through all the branches usually taught at any medical school. It does not appear that he was ever matriculated at a medical college or received a diploma of graduation.
In 1776 he was appointed an ensign in Capt. Bloom- field's company, and shortly after promoted to a lieu- tenancy. After serving almost a year in the latter capacity, the regiment to which he was attached was disbanded, and declining a reappointment in the line of the army, he joined the Second New Jersey Regi- ment as surgeon's mate, under Dr. Lewis Howell. After the death of Dr. Howell, which occurred in about fifteen months ( just after the battle of Mon- month), Dr. Eliner was commissioned a> regimental surgeon, and served in that station, as an officer of the staff, until the di-banding of the army in 1783. He was connected with the army in the ways men- tioned alnost eight years, and rendered the country most efficient service during its early struggles for nationality.
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In 1825 he connected himself, upon profession of his faith in Christ, with the Presbyterian Church in Bridgeton. Ile established the first Sabbath-school in the county, and was for many years the president of the Bible Society, and one of its founder -.
" Antiqua homo virtute et fide."
He was among the last survivors of the New Jersey Continental line, and at his death was president of the New Jersey Branch of the Society of the Cin- ! cationel opportunities, and his later apprenticeship cinnati.
At the close of the war he commenced civil prae - tice in Bridgeton in connection with Dr. James Ramsy. This partnership, however, was very soon dissolved, and Dr. Elmer, whose experience in the army gave him celebrity, at once acquired an exten- sive practice. In 1784 he was married to Hannah Seeley, daughter of Col. Ephraim Seeley, and they were the parent, of two children, Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus and Sarah Smith. Five years thereafter he entered the arena as a politician, and was elected a member of the Assembly, and continued a member of the House until 1795, and upon two occasions was elected Speaker of the same. In 1800 he was elected to a seat in the House of Representatives, and con- Dr. Butcher was theroughly versed in the science he had espoused, and speedily found that his abilitie- brought not only reputation, but success. For a lou. period he controlled the practice of the vicinity, while his steady hand and mature judginent were not le- frequently sought during the later years of his life The doctor during his professional career gave much attention to business pursuits, and for years engage est in the political events of the day, and invariable tinued a member for six sessions. In 1804 he was appointed adjutant-general of the New Jersey militia, and in 1806 brigadier-general of the Cumberland bri- gade. In 1807 he was elected a member of the Leg- islative Council of this State, and the year following was appointed collector of the port of Bridgeton. In 1814 he received the appointment of assessor of the United States direct taxes for the Sixth District . in farming occupations. He manifested a keen inter- of this State. Besides these offices, he was the war
collector of the county, for several years a judge and justice. and for short periods clerk and surrogate of Cumberland.
It is said of him that he had the courage to omit a prescription when none was needed. Imaginary sick- ness never received from him any countenance. In this particular at least his example is worthy of imi- tation.
HOSES FITHIAN was born in Deerfield township, Cumberland Co .. N. J., Jan. 1, 1800, and died at Woodstown, Salem Co., September, 1847. He wa- the son of Jonathan Fithian, and enjoyed, during the years of his childhood and youth, the advantages of the commou schools of his native township. At the age of twenty his attention was turned to the study of medicine, and he accordingly entered the office of the late Dr. Ephraim Buck as a pupil, andl continued under his instruction for a term of three years. Quitting the office of his preceptor he ma- triculated at a medical college in the city of Phila- delphia. He commenced at once the practice of medicine at May's Landing, in Atlantic County, but his stay at this town wa- a temporary one. He re- moved to Mullica Hill in 1828, and remained in the practice of medicine a little over two years. He then transferred his residence to Woodstown, and there renzine l until the date of his death, in 1817.
JOSEPH BUTCHER, JR., MI.D .- The Butcher family are of English (xtraction, Joseph, the father of the subject of this biographical sketch, having resided in Burlington County, where he followed the carpenter's craft, and married Elizabeth Lippineott. Their son Josoph was born May 24, 1791. Port Elizabeth wa- the home of his boyhood, the scene of his early edu- to Israel Stratton to acquire the trade of a tailor. Here he remained for some years, but eventually eu- gaged in mercantile pursuits, and in connection with his partner supplied a branch of the American army with provisions during the war of 1812. Later 1: embarked in the drug business, and while this ent- ployed had his attention directed to the study of medicine. Ile graduated from the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia the year of its incorporation. and chose Mauricetown, Cumberland Co., as his fir -! and only field of labor. Here for a period of forty years he continued in active practice, his useful caree: as a practitioner having ended with his death in .\n- gust, 1864, in his seventy-fourth year.
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GENERAL HISTORY.
espoused the principles of the Democracy. He was, in 1842, elected to the State Legislature, having been the only representative of his party chosen to the position for a long series of years. Hle also for -ne- cessive terms held the office of freeholder, and filled
For. Poulches
viding Creek, Cumberland Co., subsequently removing Io Mauricetown, where he is still active as a practi- tioner. Samuel received his diploma from the Jeffer- son Medical College in 1864, and also settled in Mauricetown. Joseph, a son of George E., gradu- ated from the same college in 1883, and is at present assisting his father.
THOMAS W. PECK, son of John Peck, was born in Stow Creek township, Nov. 4, 1779. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The educational advantages of his son were limited, and confued to the schools of his immediate neighborhood. In 1798 he entered the office of Dr. Brewster, of Deerfield, and began the study of medicine. Ile was soon thereafter matriculated in one of the medieal schools of Phila- delphia, and graduated at the age of twenty-two. After his graduation he accepted a situation as sur- geon on board Girard's ship "Good Friends," sailing from Philadelphia to Cuba, and commanded by Capt. Earl. In about one year he resigned his position as surgeon, and commenced private practice at Absecom, Atlantic Co., N. J. Here he remained twelve years, and then transferred his residence to the village of Shiloh, Cumberland Co., N. J. In 1823, after his re- moval to the latter place, be was married to Miss Jane II. Davis.
At the age of fifty he had a severe attack of apo- plexy, the effect of which ever after showed itself upon his physical system, as well as his intellectual faculties. JJis professional labors thereafter were necessarily very much curtailed. lle died Aug. 30, 1852.
LAWRENCE VAS HOOK was one of the early mem- bers of the District Medical Society. He is said to have lived for a time at Schooner's Landing, a town of considerable importance on the Menantico. From thence be moved to Dennisville. Cape May Co., where he continued to reside a number of years, devoting his time very largely to the practice of medicine.
other positions of minor consequence. His thorough knowledge of general Jaw and excellent judgment made his opinion often sought in the settlement of estates as in other matters, and won for him the repu- tation of a safe and wise counselor. He was an active Odd-Fellow, and a member of Ariel Lodge, The doctor was not a graduate of any medical school. He was armed with a license fron: the State, which, in early days, was regarded as great an honor as a diploma from any medical college in the country. He died in Jackson County, Iowa. No. 56, of T. O. O. F., of Mauricetown. He was in religion educated in the Quaker faith, but later affili- ated with the Methodists. Dr. Butcher was married to Miss Harriet Elkinton, of Port Elizabeth, Curo- berland Co., and had children who survived, -Rhoda, EDWARD MULFORD PORTER, son of Joshua Porter and Mary Marr Sheppard, was born at Camden, N. J., on the 20th day of August, 1825. He cont- menced the study of medicine with Dr. Enoch Fithian in the spring of the year 18-16, attended three courses of lectures in the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania, received the degree of J.D. in the spring of the year 1849, and, associated with his late medical preceptor, immediately there- after commenced the practice of medicine in Green- wich. In the month of February, 1851, he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Brewster. Through the winter of 1850-51 his lungs became affected, and he was finally obliged to relinquish all professional business. In the Ann, Charles, Harriet, William, and Jo-eph. His wife having died he married again, Miss Rebecca, daughter of Paul and Rhoda Cobb, of Commercial township. Their children are George E., Eliza (Mrs. Fagan), and Samuel. Mrs. Butcher's death occurred ou the 14th of September, 1879. Four sons and a grandson of the doctor have also chosen medicine as a profession. Charles graduated at the Pennsylvania College, Philadelphia, and settled in Mauricetown, where he practiced until his decease. Joseph was a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College in 1849, and died at the beginning of his career. George E. graduated from the same college in 1858, and for twenty years continued his professional labors at Di- . summer of the year 1851 he changed his residence to
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