Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 69

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

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His literary career may be said to have fairly begun after his coming to Brooklyn, though he had previously been a contributor to the American Homeopathic Review. Now he became a regular contributor to the United States Medical and Surgical Journal and the National Quarterly Review; of which latter publication he became editor in 1876, having been one of the chief contributors since 1873, writing the heavier articles.

Among Dr. Gorton's contributions to the National Quar- terly Review may be mentioned: "The Responsibility of Gov- ernment for the Public Health," "The Decline and Rise of Civil Marriage," "The ÆEtiology of the Atmosphere," "The Atheistical Aspects of Physical Science," "The Monism of Man," "Matter, Life and Mind," "The Relation of Physical States to Mental Derangement," "The National Interest in the Labor Question," "The Ethics of Civil Governments," "Physiology of Lunar Light," "The Physics and Metaphy- sics of Light," "The Natural and Supernatural," "Divine and Human Agency." The department of "Reviews and Criticisms" of the periodical was mostly written by him. From this work Dr. Gorton withdrew in 1880, his health pre- senting to him the alternative of either retiring from prac- tice, or taking a less active part in literature. Besides his contributions to periodical and medical literature above re- ferred to, he has written a book entitled " The Drift of Medi- cal Philosophy," and another entitled " Principles of Mental Hygiene," both of which have been issued by well-known publishing houses and were well received by the public. He is now a contributor to the New York Medical Times and the Homeopathic Journal of Obstetrics, and has written many articles on political economy and kindred topics.

Politically, Dr. Gorton is a liberal Republican, and his sym- pathy is wholly with the struggling classes. Political econ- omy has long claimed his earnest attention, he having some time since become a student of James Mill, John Stuart Mill, Adam Smith and Ricardo. Like his historically celebrated progenitors, he is strong in his belief and is willing to suffer if need be, for opinion's sake. His religious convictions are strong, and he is of the Unitarian faith.

In 1855 Dr. Gorton married Maria F., daughter of Horatio S. and Harriet (Betts) Graham, of Delta, N. Y., by whom he has had three children: Ilattie, born in 1855, Eliot born in 1863, and Annie, born in 1868.

916

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

S. T. BIRDSALL, M. D., was born in Newburgh, Orange county, N. Y., December, 15th, 1845. His parents were mem- bers of the Society of Friends, and his great-great-grandfather was a pre-revolutionary settler of Westchester county. Dr. Birdsall's father owned and operated a farm in Orange county. and the subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer boy, mow- ing, hoeing and holding the plow until he was eighteen years old, assisting his father during the spring, summer and fall, and attending a country school during the winter months.

After completing a course of study at Oakwood Seminary. in Cayuga county, N. Y .. young Birdsall went to New York city in 1865. and began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. M. Pratt. After attending a course of lectures at the New York Homeopathic Medical College, and another at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, he went to Philadelphia in the fall of 1867. and in the following February graduated from the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. now known as the Hahnemanu College, as the " honor" man of his class, receiving the entire vote of the Faculty for the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

During 1868 he returned to New York and took the degree of M. D. from the New York Homoeopathic Medical College. soon afterwards entering into partnership with his former preceptor, Dr. Pratt. He was married in June, 1869, to Miss S. Josephine, daughter of D. S. Haviland, Esq. of Glens Falls, N. Y. In 1871, Dr. Birdsall's partnership with Dr. Pratt ter- minated, and he opened an office in Brooklyn as an adjunct to his New York practice. Hs practice in Brooklyn increased so rapidly that he deemed it best to remove to that city, and in the spring of 1874, he located at the corner of Bedford and Lafayette avenues, where he has remained to this time. conducting a large general practice. and making a specialty of Gynecology. Dr. Birdsall is a member of the Kings County Homeopathic Medical Society. a permanent member of the New York State Homeopathic Medical Society, and a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy. Owing to the extent and the arduous demands of his private practice, the Doctor has never associated himself with the management of any public hospital or dispensary.

JOHN FRELINGHUYSEN TALMAGE, A. M., M. D .- This ac- complished physician, so named after his mother's brother- in-law, Gen. John Frelinghuysen, was born March 11th, 1833, at his father's pleasant hillside home, "Mont Verd," near Somerville, N. J.

His father, Thomas Talmage, a farmer, was one of a fan- ily of twelve, all of whom lived to maturity, served well their generation in various spheres of activity, and died in the fellowship of the Christian church. One of these was Samuel K. Talmage, D. D., president of Oglethorpe Univer sity, Georgia; another was the father of four sons, who became clergymen, viz .: James: John, a distinguished mis- sionary in China; Goyn, and T. DeWitt, the widely known and popular pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle.

John F. Talmage's boyhood was passed on his father's farm, with all the advantages afforded by the happy home circle, and the excellent society in which his parents moved. His early education, commenced at the village academy. was completed under the invaluable personal tuition of his pastor, Rev. T. W. Chambers, D. D., himself a pupil of Dr. Alexander McClelland, whose tact and method of instruc- tion he was able to follow in his own teaching.

lege in Alabama, and while in that State became first ac- quainted, by practical observation, with the tenets of Homœopathy. This also revived in him an already half- formed resolution to select medicine as his life profession. Pursuing his medical studies for six months with Drs. Bur- ritt & Gillson, in Huntsville, Ala., he came north and at- tended a course of lectures at the Medical Department of the New York University.

In the following summer he made the acquaintance of the late Dr. A. Cooke Hull, of Brooklyn, whose office he en- tered as a student. Pursuing his studies, with all the advan- tages offered by the eminent abilities, extensive practice, and personal sympathy of his accomplished intructor. he made rapid progress, and graduated in the spring of 1859. from the University Medical College. After a further period of time spent in enjoying the advantages of Dr. Hull's office, he was by him taken into partnership-a relation which existed for about twelve years. After Dr. Hull's death, in 1868, Dr. Talmage naturally succeeded to the larger portion of his practice, and so rapid was the increase of his clientage, that, in 1870, he felt obliged to seek relief from the strain, by associating with him in practice, his brother, Dr. Samuel Talmage, also a graduate of the University Medical School.

In 1863, Dr. Tahnage married Miss Maggie A., youngest daughter of Thomas Hunt, Esq., one of the merchant princes of New York. Graceful, winning, and attractive in person and manner, warm in her affections, delicate and yet strong in her enthusiasm for whatever she valued, she was well fitted to be a favorite, as she was, in society at large: but it was as daughter, as sister, as the wife early married and tenderly cherished: as the mother, conscientious and faithful, far-sighted and wise in her solicitudes, that she remains in the memory of her family and friends. Her death, July 7th, 1881, was most deeply felt by them : as also by the various charitable interests in which she was interested.

Ever since Dr. Talmage entered upon professional life, his practice has proved so increasingly exacting, as to pre- clude the possibility of much active effort, on his part, in the various medical and public charities, enterprises, etc., of the day. Yet he has had his share of such labors, being at one time Physician of the Brooklyn Orphan Asylum; at another, in charge of the Department of Diseases of Women at the Brooklyn Homoeopathic Dispensary: Consulting Physi- cian of the Brooklyn Nursery, and Visiting Physician of the Brooklyn Homoopathic Hospital: and, more lately, Surgeon of the Eleventh Brigade, N. G., S. N. Y.

From the same reason, as above stated, Dr. Talmage lia- not made frequent or large contributions to the medical lit- erature of the day, and they have generally been in the form of clinical observations. But, at the time of the last visita- tion of Asiatic cholera to this country. in 1866, he issued early in the spring, a printed circular of hints and sugges- tions for the use of his patients; which, though intended only for private circulation, found its way into the press, where it was largely reprinted with most favorable commendation.

Still in the prime of a vigorous manhood, Dr. Talmage is as full as ever of professional work; his practice is chiefly among the most cultured and refined families of the city; mnd he enjoys an enviable social position, the result of a constantly growing appreciation of his signal ability. Skill in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics, together with sound judgment, un- remitting attention to his patients and fidelity to truth and honor, characterize his professional record, and justify the remark of an eminent Edinburgh physician, that "in an

In 1849, young Talmage entered as Sophomore at Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J .; aud was duly graduated in 1852, under the presidency of the late venerable Theodore Frelinghuysen. For atime, after leaving college, he oecu- med the chair of Ancient Languages in a (now extinct) col- I overcrowded profession there is always room for brains."

Ser. Midrull

917

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

HISTORY OF THE ECLECTIC SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN BROOKLYN.

The Eclectic School of Medicine in Brook- lyn .- D. E. Smith, M. D., was the pioneer of Eclec- tic Medicine in Brooklyn, in the spring of 1847; being followed within two years by Drs. B. J. Stow and H. E. Firth, and later by Samuel W. Frisbie and others. Of these, Dr. Wm. W. Hadley was the first, and H. S. Firth the second, in the present eastern District. They met with mnch opposition from the so-called " regular " school ; and, finally, October 1st, 1856, organized the Eclectic Medical Society of Kings County, of which Drs. D. E. Smith, Wm. W. Hadley, A. E. Jackson, William Barker, and H. E. Firth, were among the earliest and most active members. The Brooklyn Eclec- tics were also members of the New York and Brook- lyn Medical and Pathological Society, which met semi- monthly in New York City, where they also had a chartered medical school, entitled The Metropolitan Medical College. In May, 1861, the Eclectic Society of Kings County was reorganized and incorporated as The Brooklyn Academy of Medicine; and, March 15, 1866, became auxiliary to the Eclectic Medical So- ciety of the State of New York, which had been char- tered in April of the preceding year, taking the place of the former State Botanic Society. Of this State Society, Drs. D. E. Smith and Wmn. W. Hadley, of Brooklyn, were among the corporators; and since then Drs. Hadley, D. E. Smith, H. E. Firth, and H. S. Firth, in the order named, have been its Presidents ; Dr. D. E. Smith, having been also for 8 years its Treas- nrer. Among the incorporators of the Eclectic Medi- cal College of the City of New York, in 1865, Brooklyn had three representatives, viz., Prof. Wm. W. Hadley, Frank W. Taber, Esq., and D. E. Smith. It was in this College that Dr. Hadley held the chair of Materia Medica. He also delivered two courses of lectures in the Central Medical College, at Syracuse, N. Y., in 1849 and '50. He came to Brooklyn in 1856, and until his death, December 19, 1869, rendered dis- tingnished services to his profession, not only as a college lecturer, but as editor of the New York and Brooklyn Medical and Pathological Journal. Both the Eclectic Medical College and the U. S. Medical College are now in active operation ; the latter broad and liberal in its scope, and fully equipped for its work of instruction in the science of medicine and surgery.

There are now about 45 eclectic practitioners in Brooklyn, enjoying their full share of practice and public favor.

Brooklyn Academy of Medicine was first organ- ized in 1856, under the name of the "Eclectic Medical

Society of the County of Kings," with eight members ; incorporated under its present name in 1861, and re-in- corporated 1865, for the following purposes : To inves- tigate all methods of medical practice, without preju- dice, and to adopt the best remedies for or means of curing disease, and alleviating the sufferings of humanity, and that without regard to the source of methods, remedies or means; and further, to associate together for the promotionof the objects here indicated. and for mutual improvement in the science of medicine.

In May, 1866, it became auxiliary to the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of New York. The first officers were: D. E. Smith, M. D., Pres .; H. E. Firth, M. D., Vice-Pres .; J. T. Burdick, M. D., Sec .; B. J. Stow, M. D., Treas. Presidents, sinec its organization: 1861, Dr. D. E. Smith; 1862, Dr. S. W. Frisbie; 1863, Dr. J. T. Burdick ; 1864, Dr. W. W. Hadley ; 1865, Dr. Robert S. Newton ; 1866, Dr. D. E. Smith ; 1867, Dr. H. S. Firth ; 1868, Dr. W. W. Hadley ; 1869, Dr. J. Y. Tuthill ; 1870, Dr. H. C. Cooper ; 1871, Dr. H. S. Firth ; 1872, Dr. H. E. Firth ; 1873, Dr. J. E. Dan- elson ; 1874, Dr. C. B. Tucker ;* 1875, Dr. Napoleon Palmer ; 1876, Dr. B. F. Chapman ; 1877, Dr. Chas. E. Griswold ; 1878, Dr. S. M. Hersey ; 1879, Dr. B. J. Stow ; 1880, Dr. H. S. Firth ; 1881, Dr. Lewis P. Grover ; 1882, Dr. G. P. Carman. The present BOARD OF OFFICERS is comprised of William Barker, M. D., who, as Vice- President, succeeded H. E. Firth, Presi- dent, at the latter's death, June 4, 1883; H. B. Smith, Rec. Sec. ; L. B. Firth, Cor. Sec. ; D. E. Smith, Treas. Present Board of Censors ; J. E. Griswold, M. D .; G. A. Cassidy, M. D .; H. S. Firth, M. D .; George P. Car- man, M. D .; Lewis P. Grover, M. D.

The Brooklyn Eclectic Dispensary was estab- lished by the Brooklyn Academy of Medicine, Sep- tember 2d, 1868, and duly incorporated May 10, 1869. Joshna P. Powers, President; H. E. Firth, Secretary; D. E. Smith, Treasurer. It was located at 236 Myrtle Avenne, until its removal, May, 1881, to its present lo- cation, 144 Prince street. Mr. Powers died in March, 1877, and was succeeded by the present President, Frank W. Taber, Esq. The dispensary is maintained by a small appropriation from the city, and by do- nations from the benevolent. Cases treated from its organization up to October 1, 1882, 107,671. During the year commencing October 1st, 1882, and ending September 30, 1883, 6,087 patients received treatment ; 8,130 prescriptions were dispensed, and 165 gratuitous visits.

* Did not serve.

918

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

DENNIS E. SMITH, M. D .- This prominent and well-known physician was born in Bethlehem, Pa., Dec. 15, 1819, being the youngest of a family of two sons and three daughters. When he was but two years old his father died, leaving his household in straitened circumstances.

The educational advantages of those days were meagre, and the lad was able to enjoy only one term of school; but with " true grit " he determined to have an education at any sacrifice. He therefore devoted his spare hours to study and reading, and in a few years had taught himself not only the English branches, but Latin also, thus early evincing the en- ergy and perseverance which have so distinctly marked his subsequent career. This habit of study he has retained through all his riper years, and thus has reared a firm super- structure of learning upon the foundation so well laid in his youth.

Hle early desired to become a physician, having inherited a love of the profession from his father, who was a physician before him. At the age of fourteen he borrowed and eagerly read the medical works of neighboring physicians; when six- teen he was much troubled about his lack of means to obtain a professional education, but he believed in the truth of the old Latin proverb-"Viam inveniam aut facium"-so he reso- lutely acquired the necessary sum by the toil of his hands and the sweat of his brow. He entered his name as a student with Dr. Wooster Beach of New York City, who was then an eminent physician and the founder of the Eclectic School of Medicine. Eclecticismn in medicine is a philosophy of se- lection of remedies based upon the principle of choosing only that which is proved to be safe and good. It adopts in prac- tice whatever is found most beneficial, and changes remedies according to circumstances by the light of acquired knowl- edge.

In 1846 Dr. Smith graduated from the Reformed Medical College of New York; a few years later the honorary degree of M. D. was conferred upon him by the Pennsylvania Medi- cal University of Philadelphia. In 1847 he located in Brook- lyn, on York street, in the Fifth ward, being the first eclectic physician to settle in Brooklyn. Here he remained in the active practice of his profession for seventeen years; here he is still honored and revered, while the memory of his faith- ful service and charitable deeds still remains in many a hum- ble home. In 1848 he married Miss Joanna V. Baldwin, of Newark, N. J., a lady. well suited to be a poor man's wife. Of their five children a son and two daughters are still living.

In April, 1864, Dr. Smith removed to a newer part of the city, then recently built up, purchasing the house No. 131 Fort Greene place, where he still resides. In March, 1869, he buried his wife. In July, 1873, he married Miss Jane R. Bradley, of New Haven, Conn., with whom he is still living.

Dr. Smith has always loved and honored his profession. He was a pioneer in the new school, and the first in the City of Brooklyn to plant the stakes and stretch the lines of eclec- ticism over the field before occupied by the old school. His - eminent services have been promptly recognized by his pro- fessional brethren, and he has been largely and influentially connected with medical associations. He was one of the founders of the Eclectic Medical Society of the County of Kings, in 1856, and has been chosen its president at two dif- ferent times. This society has since been incorporated as the Brooklyn Academy of Medicine. Ever since its forma- tion, twenty-six years ago, it has held instructive monthly incetings, at which papers on medical topics are read, and in- teresting cases reported and described. It now numbers forty members.

Dr. Smith was one of the seven physicians who signed the call to the eclectic practitioners of the state to meet in the

Senate chamber at Albany, October 10, 1863, to organize a State Eclectic Medical Society. Eighty-nine physicians re- sponded, and the society was organized with theo fllowing officers: Robert S. Newton. M. D., of New York, President; Elisha S. Preston, M. D., of Rochester, Vice-President: James T. Burdick, M. D., of Brooklyn, Recording Sec'y: Jacob Van Valkenburgh. M. D., of Charleston Four Corners, Correspond- ing Sec'y, and the subject of this sketch, from Brooklyn. was chosen Treasurer, to which office he was re-elected nine successive years, and in 1877 he was elected its President. Ile was one of the incorporators of the Eclectic Medical Col lege of New York, chartered April 22, 1865, and was its vice- president many years.

Dr. Smith and Dr. Il. E. Firth were foremost in organizin_ the Brooklyn Eclectic Dispensary in 1868, for the gratuitous treatment of the city poor by the eclectic method of treatment. The institution was incorporated May 10, 1869. Dr. Smith was elected its first treasurer and has been kept in that re- sponsible position ever since. Ile has also been one of ita visiting physicians from the first. charitably giving his time. means and medical skill to the healing of the poor, without fee or hope of reward.

At the National Eclectic Medical Association held in Chi- cago, Ill., in 1870, Dr. Smith was elected a permanent mem- ber. He was one of the projectors of the United States Med- ical College in New York city, incorporated May 25, 1575. and also a trustee since that time. This is one of the most liberal institutions in the country, and aims to teach its sto- dents all that is known in medicine and kindred sciences.

Dr. Smith is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has attained the Royal Arch Degree. In 1862, he was Master of the Long Island Lodge, and held that office two successive years. He officiated as Senior Deacon at the laying of the corner stone of the County Court-house. Dr. Smith has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church abont forty-two years. He first attended the ohl York street church, and was a member of the building committee which erected the present substantial brick edifice in 152. He has been an honored trustee of the church for twenty-five years. Illumined by the light of his early Christian man- hood forty years ago, his pathway through life has been like that of the just, which, " shineth more and more unto the per- fect day."

Dr. Smith has been a very successful physician and has been favored with a large and lucrative practice. Ile can number among his patrons many of the leading citizens of Brooklyn in wealth and influence. He excels in diagnosis, and is careful and effective in treatment. He possesses an ener- getic and persevering nature, of great executive ability. yet kindly and courteous withal.

Dr. Smith is an author also. He published, in 1 lit, a bok of 336 pages, entitled "Leaves from a Physician's Journal." which comprises sketches of actual scenes and incidents in his own practice, and not mere pictures of fancy. It has been highly commended by the critics. Ile is also the author of the following monographs upon professional topics, all of which, as well as others not mentioned here, have been pub- lished in the different yearly transactions of the State or National Society :--

Pneumonia, Its Pathology and Treatment: Macrotys Roce mosa, Its Properties and Uses; Is Similio Similibus Curanter a Law of Cure? The Use of Ascnlus Hippocastanum, in Hamorrhoids; Asclepias Tuberosa, Its Use in Pleurisy ; ( hel era, Its History, Pathology and Cure; Cholera Infantum and How to Treat it Successfully ; Biliary Calculi, The Count and treatment ; Spermatorrhon, and its Effects upon the Community ; The Pathology and Treatment of Convulsion.

D.E. Smith Mr. L.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

919

N.A./Bowlby . m.2.

Division Surgeon U. R. K. P. ; President of Eclectic Medical Society of the City and County of New York.

The Therapeutic Action of Remedies; Olive Oil in the Treat- ment of Biliary Calculi; Chorea; Eriodyction Glutinosum; The History and Uses of Eucalyptus Globulus; Auxiliaries in the Treatment of Phthisis Pulmonalis.

WILLIAM HENRY BOWLSBY, M. D., of East New York, comes of a family remarkable for longevity. He was born at Ballston, Saratoga county, N. Y., March 2d, 1828. His paternal grandfather, George W., for years kept the hotel on State street. Albany, where many of the Assemblymen boarded. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years; his death, even then, resulting not from sickness, but from injuries. His grandmother, who was a member of the Stiles family, reached eighty-eight years, and his mother eighty- two years; while his father, Moses Stiles Bowlsby, though a man of strong constitution. died when only forty-three years of age, of typhoid fever.

In 1838, his parents moved to Michigan; his father, a civil engineer, being engaged in the construction of the Michigan Southern Railroad. He worked for some months with one of the surveying parties (Henri L. Stuart, late of the N. Y Tribune, was also a member of the party), and for the next six years worked on his father's farm, going to school in the winter. His evenings on the farm were employed in teaching, with his brother and sister, the adult neighbors, mostly Canadian French, to read and write English. About this time his tastes for the healing art received their first im- pulse, through his association with a person named Conklin, who was well versed in the medical properties of roots and

herbs. By the death of his father, in 1843, young Bowlsby was thrown upon his own resources, and not liking the farm he took up art, for which he had hereditary talent, and as a landscape and portrait painter achieved fair success.

In 1850, he founded the Hudson Sentinel, a paper still published under another name. Selling the Sentinel, he engaged in daguerreotyping and photographing, though he still continued his medical studies, graduating in Philadel- phia in 1863.

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 69

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360