Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 8

Author: Beers, F. W. (Frederick W.), ed. 1n; Vose, J.W., and Co
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : J.W. Vose & Co.
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 8

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GENESEE COUNTY.

In 1846 Homer P. Smith, M. D., resided in Byron, and in 1852 Dr. C. C. F. Gay recorded his name on the secretary's book of the Genesee County Medical Society. Dr. Gay was born at Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Mass., January 7, 1821. While a mere lad his parents removed to Leb- anon Springs, Columbia County, N. Y. His early education was received at the schools of that vicinity, and at the Collegiate Institute at Brock- port, N. Y. In 1844 he began the study of medicine under the precep- torship of Dr. Joseph Bates, of Lebanon Springs. He attended lectures at Woodstock, Vt., and also at the Berkshire Medical College, Massa- chusetts, from which he was graduated in 1846. He took a course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, after his gradua- tion. He began practice at Bennington, Vt., and afterward removed to Byron, this county. His success here was good, but he desired enlarged opportunities, and in 1853 removed to Buffalo, where he remained until his death. Here he advanced rapidly in professional esteem, and soon took a leading position. He was for many years surgeon to the Buffalo ·General Hospital, was a prominent member of the Erie County Medical Society, and of the Buffalo Medical and Surgical Association. He was also a permanent member of the New York State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association. During the last war he was sur- geon in charge of Fort Porter. In 1883 he was appointed professor of operative and clinical surgery at Niagara University, Buffalo. Aside from his knowledge of medicine Dr. Gay was an ardent student of the natural sciences, botany being his favorite branch. He died at Buffalo, March 27, 1887.

About 1864 Dr. Earl B. Lounsbury came from East Pembroke to By- ron. He was here more than 10 years, when he removed to the West, where, after a further service of II years, he died. During Dr. Louns- bury's membership of the county society he was one of its most faithful members. He made several reports of cases, participated actively in its discussions, and was loyal to its requirements. His wife was Miss F. M. Rumsey, of Bethany.

Dr. A. C. Hall, of South Byron, and Dr. Lafayette Carpenter, of By- ron Center, are mentioned, but we have no knowledge of the time of their residence here.

In 1873 Dr. B. A. Fuller located at Byron Center, and at about the same time Dr. George U. Gleason was at South Byron. Dr. Fuller re- moved to Le Roy shortly after the death of his father (Dr. A. W. Fuller) in 1877, where he now resides.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

In the year 1868 there were also in Byron (so it is said) Drs. Joseph C. Walker and A. W. Billings.

DARIEN.

THE physicians of this town have been James E. Seaver, 1817; William P. Harris, 1829; Erastus Cross, 1830; John M. Harrington, 1832; Isaiah Rano, 1836; and E. W. Marsh, 1870. Other information concerning a few early physicians may be obtained by referring to the history of the town.

ELBA.

IN the year 1823 Dr. Amasa Briggs had " a local habitation and a name " in the then new town of Elba. He is supposed to have been the first physician in the place, although some claim priority for a Dr. Wood- ward, of whom we can learn nothing. In 1829 Dr. Benedict practiced there, and in 1830 Dr. J. A. Campbell. Soon after this time Dr. Jonas S. Billings came to Elba. He joined the County Medical Society in 1833, usually attended its meetings, and participated in its discussions. The last meeting he attended was in June, 1869; and we believe his death occurred soon after. Dr. Francis Smiley died at Elba in 1843, aged 86 years. We have no details of his residence there. In 1831 Dr. James H. Smith is registered, and in 1841 Dr. E. B. Benedict. We do not know whether this is the same Dr. Benedict previously mentioned or not; if so, he was somewhat dilatory in joining the county society.

We do not know of any other physicians of Elba excepting those now there.

LE ROY.

THE first physician inhabiting the present town of Le Roy (then Cale- donia) was Dr. William Coe, who came in the year 1803. In 1814 he lived on the farm now owned by Mr. Osborn, west of the village. He had the reputation of being an honest, worthy man, and a good physi- cian.

Dr. Ella G. Smith was here in 1805, and Dr. Fred Fitch moved in in 1808. He stood well in the profession, and was very stirring and enter- prising. He raised a company of artillery, of which he became captain. While attending with his company a "training" at Stafford he was wounded accidentally in the leg, and suffered amputation in conse- quence. He built the house where Rev. Samuel Bowden now lives, and also one formerly occupied by R. L. Lawson. . We cannot ascertain the date of his death.

GENESEE COUNTY.

Dr. William Sheldon rode into Le Roy on horseback one evening in 1810, and stopped at the famous " Ganson tavern," where is now the residence of H. H. Olmsted. He was looking for a place to practice, and had with him all his earthly possessions, consisting of his horse, saddle and bridle, a pair of saddle-bags, containing a small stock of medicines, with a lancet, and turnkey for extracting teeth. He had ridden from Benning- ton, Vt., and was wearied with his long journey, and nearly penniless. He, however, turned his horse out to grass, made a supper of bread and milk, and went to bed hoping something might turn up to enable him to pay his bill in the morning. Fortunately for him Mrs. Ganson was taken quite ill during the night, and the young M. D. was called up to pre- scribe. His efforts were quite successful, and as there was a good deal of sickness in the settlement, and no physician, he was urged by the neigh- bors to remain there. This he did, and for many years enjoyed an act- ive and lucrative practice. During the War of 1812 he was for a time captain of a militia company, but afterwards became surgeon and aid-de- camp upon the staff of General Davis, and was near him when he was killed. He participated in seven battles ; was taken prisoner at Black Rock, and carried to Montreal, where he remained for about six months, being discharged in May, 1814. He filled, with much credit, several positions of responsibility, serving as county sheriff two terms.

In June, 1871, Dr. Sheldon, by invitation of the writer, attended the annual meeting of the Genesee County Medical Society. We quote from the secretary's report the following :

" Dr. Sheldon, from Le Roy, one of the pioneers of the society, now old and feeble, whose membership dates back to 1810, by invitation proceeded to make a few remarks concerning the early days of the society. He spoke of the progress made in medicine and surgery since he had ceased to be an active practitioner, and of many other things rela- ting to medicine, which were very interesting, and were listened to with great pleasure."

Dr. Sheldon died in January, 1874.

Dr. Chauncey P. Smith came in in 1814. He lived for a time on the Woodward farm north of the village, and afterwards built the stone house, on Lake street, now occupied by S. Loucks. A popular and hard work- ing man, he saved a large property during the quarter century he prac- ticed here, but investing it in the drug business in company with a dis- honest partner, he lost nearly all. His friends made him comfortable in his old age, until his mental powers gave way from brain disease, and he died in the alms house.

Dr. Elizur Butler, of Le Roy, joined the Genesee County Medical So- ciety in 1816, but we can find nothing more about him.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

Dr. Ezekiel Kelsey, born in Greenfield, Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1801, came to the Genesee country with his father about 1817, settling one mile south of Le Roy. He taught school a number of years, then studied for a physician, and opened up an office about 1830, and con- tinued a very successful practice till his death in 1840. He was buried in what is known as the Van Allen Cemetery

In 1818 Dr. Lakey moved to Le Roy. He is described as being an active and intelligent practitioner, and with a remarkable memory for in- cidents. He staid a few years, and went to Palmyra, N. Y.

Dr. Edmund Barnes resided here at about the same time. He married a sister of Henry Olmsted. He built the house just east of Mrs. Bis- sell's, on West Main street, and died there a few years later. His widow afterwards married Dr. Chauncey Smith, before mentioned.

In March, 1819, Dr. Stephen O. Almy received a license to practice from the board of censors of Genesee County, and began business with Dr. Fitch, his preceptor. Dr. Almy was born in Sterling, Conn., June 18, 1798. His parents soon afterward removed to Vermont, then to Sar- atoga County, N. Y., and finally to the present town of Pavilion. While still a lad he spent his summers in clearing off timber, and his winters in teaching school. During the summer of 1815 he cleared off 10 acres of land where Roanoke village now stands. After one year's partnership with Dr. Fitch he bought out his little drug store, and went twice on foot to Albany to purchase drugs. In 1821 he attended medical lectures at Yale College, and received a diploma from that institution. In 1823 he married Maria B. Brown, and built a cottage where Ingham University now stands. After about 15 years of active practice he engaged in the lumber business at Olean, in company with Herman Le Roy, sons, and grandsons. He remained at Olean until 1841, when he removed to Cin- cinnati and engaged still more extensively in the lumber trade. This lasted but a short time, for his many friends, knowing his professional skill, urged him so strongly to resume practice that he finally consented to do so. He practiced about eight years, when his health failed, and forming a partnership with Dr. Alfred Wilcox, a former medical associ- ate in Le Roy, engaged in a private banking business. The financial crash of 1854 nearly ruined them, and Dr. Almy returned to medicine again. He was in Buffalo during 1855 and 1856, and the writer, then a student, remembers well his cheerful face and pleasant smile. He soon returned to Cincinnati, and practiced there until 1866, when the death of his wife, followed soon after by that of his daughter, broke up his house-

GENESEE COUNTY.

hold, and as soon as he could settle up matters he returned to Le Roy with the intention of spending the remnant of his days there. In Sep- tember, 1869, he was attacked with apoplexy, resulting in hemiplegia, or paralysis of one side. He lived after this a little more than seven years, in an entirely helpless condition, being an inmate of the home of the late S. C. Kelsey. His death occurred January 2, 1877. We quote the fol- lowing from a notice of his death which appeared in one of the Le Roy newspapers :

"No man ever enjoyed a fuller measure of popular esteem and affection than did Dr. Almy. He was every man's friend, every man's helper. He had a word of good counsel and cheer for all, and smiles of approval for all who needed them."

Dr. Benjamin Hill, a native of Guilford, Conn., was born April 15, 1765. In 1788 he studied medicine with Dr. Cone, of Pittsfield, Mass. He practiced in Killingworth, Conn., about 40 years. . In 1808 he came to Le Roy on horseback, and bought 448 acres of land. In 1819 his son Albert came out and began clearing the land. In 1826 Dr. Hill came again, and in 1828 he brought his family, locating on 160 acres of an ad- ditional purchase, residing there until his death in April, 1849, at Pa- vilion. His practice in Connecticut was very extensive, but limited in this county. Being contemporary with Dr. Sheldon and others he was often called as counsel. He was a self-made man, and respected by all his friends and neighbors.

Of Drs. B. Douglas, who was in Le Roy in 1819 or 1820; Warren A. Cowdery, 1820; Daniel Woodward, 1823; and Nicholas D. Gardner, 1828, we can find nothing more than the record of their names. Dr. Douglas, it is believed, went to Bethany.

In 1830 Dr. Alfred Wilcox, after two years' practice in Pennsylvania, took up his abode here. He was a partner with Dr. Almy, Dr. Pratt, and others during the 20 years he resided here. He resumed partner- ship with Dr. Almy in Cincinnati, as before mentioned. His health fail- ing he went to California and died there.

Dr. John Codman came to Le Roy when quite young, followed teach- ing awhile, and studied medicine with Dr. Almy. He practiced here from 1836 to 1840, then removed to Adrian, Mich., and after 10 years to Kalamazoo, where he died in 1870, aged 73. He was an excellent phy- sician, a consistent Christian, and a pronounced temperance man.

In 1830 appears the name of Dr. Prescott Lawrence. He had the faculty of winning the confidence of his patrons in a very marked degree. He lived but a few years and died here. Of Drs. Graham Fitch and

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

William A. Amy, who resided here in 1830-31, no record except their names is found.

The year 1834 brought to Le Roy Dr. Charles Smith, younger brother of Chauncey Smith, and Dr. Ezekiel Kelsey. The latter died after a few years. Like many others he taught school to enable him to pursue his medical studies.

Dr. Caleb H. Austin was here from 1836 to 1840. Dr. Benjamin Bliss also commenced business here in 1836. He built a house on the present site of Mrs. Barrett's, and followed his calling acceptably to the people until near his death, which took place in 1843.

Dr. Almond Pratt came in 1837. He staid about 15 years, when he removed to Palmyra, and thence to Rochester, where he died.

In 1840 Dr. Joseph Tozier came to Le Roy. He had practiced pre- viously in York, Livingston County. He removed in 1845 to Clarkson, Monroe County, where he died, after many years of successful practice, respected by all who knew him. His son, Dr. L. L. Tozier, has been for many years the leading physician of Batavia.

In 1841 Dr. D. C. Chamberlain made his appearance in Le Roy, where he remained 37 years. We cannot do better than copy a letter written to the present writer by Dr. Chamberlain, in response to some inquiries addressed him concerning his life, etc., omitting some paragraphs of a purely personal character :

"Dear Sir : I am in receipt of yours of the 30th ult., and in answer thereto would say : I was born of American parents (emigrants from Vermont), in the parish of Mascouche, in the then province of Lower Canada, now called ' Quebec,' and first saw the light of day January 8, 1815, the day ' Old Hickory ' fought the battle of New Orleans, and at the age of eight was sent from the paternal roof to be brought up under the care of a maternal aunt residing in Hubbardton, Rutland County, Vt. Here I passed through boyhood into early manhood, acquiring as good a preparatory education as straitened circumstances and opportunities would allow. In 1833 commenced the study of medi- cine under the instruction, and with the aid, of Dr. Charles W. Horton, in Sudbury, Vt., and after three courses of lectures in the Vermont Academy of Medicine was graduated in November, 1837.

" I commenced practice in Cuttingsville, Rutland County, Vt., in July, 1838, and re- mained there until January, 1840 ; then 'struck tent,' and took a private course of lect- ures on anatomy and surgery at Castleton under instruction of the late Prof. Robert Nelson, the Canadian patriot and refugee. Soon after, the health of my old preceptor failing, I became associated with him in practice at Sudbury, Vt., and there remained until 1841, when I again packed up for a move, having in mind this time the ‘Genesee country,' which was then regarded as quite away West. After debating the pros and cons between Le Roy and Warsaw-the latter place having just been designated by the commissioner appointed as the site of the county buildings of the newly-organized county of Wyoming-I made a choice of Le Roy as my future field of 'labor, and in

GENESEE COUNTY.

July, 1841, hung out a doctor's ' shingle ' and inserted a card in the Le Roy Gazette. I was received as a member of the Genesee County Medical Society at its annual meet- ing in January, 1842.

" For further details of my career in Le Roy I would respectfully refer you to the old inhabitants of that town, adding only that I left Le Roy in September, 1878, since which time I have enjoyed all the blessings and comforts that human life can expect ; -more perhaps than I deserve,-but I enjoy them all the same.

"As to the practice of our noble profession, I have been egotistical enough to regard whatever I have done or may do in that line as more of a favor to others than to my- self.

" The old partaker of my joys and soother of my sorrows has gone down the hill of life, and sleeps at the foot in Machpelah Cemetery, and I am now also moving down, and by and by we both shall 'sleep thegither at the foot,' like good, old ' John Ander- son, my Jo.'

" As regards my military service, I was engaged and interested in 1861, during the fall, in enlisting and recruiting men for the suppression of the Rebellion ; was examining surgeon of the recruits that were brought to Le Roy to form the regiment that was finally organized and mustered into the United States service as the 105th Regiment, N. Y. Inf. Vols., and was commissioned as its surgeon. I went with it to the field, and to the front. We were always in the ' Army of the Potomac.' I continued my con- nection with it until the expiration of my commission, March 26, 1865, and not relish- ing a falling from a senior to a junior rank, which would occur in case of new com- missions, remained an independent volunteer until Lee's surrender at Appomattox."

This concludes what we wish to publish of Dr. Chamberlain's letter, and inaddition we can most heartily say that no physician of our ac- quaintance ever was so universally respected and esteemed as was he. During his 37 years of practice in Le Roy he devoted himself entirely to his patients, and in attending so carefully to their interests greatly neg- lected his own, so that, although doing a large business, he never accum- ulated much property. He is now in receipt of a pension, which is suf- ficient for his needs, and a seat of honor and a warm welcome always await his acceptance in the homes of all his old friends. When, in the years 1852 and 1853, typhoid fever prevailed so extensively in and about Le Roy, Dr. Chamberlain was one of the first physicians to substitute the supporting treatment for the bleeding and purging plan previously in use. He gained a well deserved reputation in the treatment of this disease, and was called often in consultation to neighboring towns.

The Doctor says in his letter that he left Le Roy in September, 1878, but he says nothing of the farewell banquet given in his honor by his fel- low physicians of Genesee County at the residence of Dr. Cleveland, in Le Roy, and the presentation to him of a silver tea set. On this occasion Dr. S. Barrett, a neighbor and professional friend of many years stand- ing. made the presentation speech, in the course of which he referred to

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

a time when Dr. Moses Barrett and Dr. Chamberlain occupied adjoining houses, and they were wont to sit with their families of a summer evening upon the back piazzas. Dr. Barrett played the violin, and Dr. Chamber- lain was somewhat terpsichorally inclined, which gave rise to a couplet well known in those days:

" Moses and David were neighbors by chance ;

Moses did fiddle for David to dance."

In 1842 Dr. Moses Barrett (mentioned above) settled in Le Roy. He was a man of superior scholarship in his profession and out of it ; fond of the study of the sciences, and deeply interested in matters relating to the education of the young. He remained here eight years, then went to Wisconsin, and was appointed superintendent of the State Reform School. He was afterward elected to the chair of chemistry and natural science in the college at Ripon. He died there soon after, aged 58.

In 1849 came Dr. G. Taber, and in 1850 Dr. Solomon Barrett. Dr. Bar- rett was born at Rowe, Mass., February 23, 1810, received his medical education at Berkshire (Mass.) Medical College, and was graduated from that institution in 1833. He practiced in Buffalo for some time before removing to Le Roy. His specialty was surgery, and he made most of the operations known to that science. The Taliacotian operation for making a new nose was performed by him; also nearly all those pertaining to the eye. He had at one time an eye infirmary at Le Roy. He became nearly blind in his latter years, and died at Le Roy, February 3, 1884. Dr. Barrett was an industrious student, and a very skillful oper- ator. He was also a sincere Christian.

In 1856 Dr. Chauncey M. Smith began medical practice. He was a student of Dr. S. Barrett, and was for a time partner with Dr. Chamber- lain. He was, in his younger days, a school teacher, and became town superintendent of schools under the old law. He was possessed of a good medical education, and being personally quite popular soon acquired a large practice. He died of typhoid fever in 1864.

In 1864 Dr. Asa W. Fuller made his appearance among Le Roy phy- sicians. Mature in years, with long experience in practice, he at once gained a large clientage. He was born in the town of Lisbon, Conn., in July, 1817, and after having obtained a thorough preliminary education commenced the study of medicine. This he continued until he was grad- uated from the medical department of Yale College, New Haven, Conn. He was married in 1839, and soon after removed to the State of Rhode Island, where he practiced his profession for nine years, thence removing

GENESEE COUNTY.

to the town of Middlebury, Wyoming County, N. Y., where he had a suc- cessful practice of 14 years, until 1864, when, against the wishes of the whole community, he removed with his family to Le Roy, and entered at once upon an extensive practice, to which he devoted his whole time and talent, with a determination to overcome all obstacles, and giving excel- lent satisfaction to his patrons. For the last 13 years of his life, and up to the day of his death, he well sustained in Le Roy the reputation of a faithful, honest, and skillful physician, a genial companion, and a true and tried friend. His death occurred on January 29, 1877.

Dr. O. P. Barber became a member of the Genesee County Medical Society in 1870. He studied medicine with Dr. S. Barrett (whose daugh- ter he afterward married), practiced a short time in Le Roy, and removed to Michigan.

Dr. George Emerson was a student, and afterwards a partner, of Dr. Chamberlain, remained in Le Roy a few years, and went West-we think to Nebraska-in the year 1878. Dr. Emerson made many friends in Le Roy, and did a good business while there.

Dr. George McNaughton came to Le Roy in 1880, but remained a short time, and removed to Brooklyn, where, we believe, he still remains. He was a student of Dr. Menzie, of Caledonia, and was a very promising young man.

There have been several homeopaths and eclectics in Le Roy at dif- ferent times, but we can find out but little concerning them. Dr. Gage, one of the former class, was there for some time between 1860 and 1870, then removed. to the South, and, we believe, died there. It is possible that the names of some early practitioners have been omitted, but any one will recognize the difficulty of finding out about people who died 60 or 70 years ago.

OAKFIELD.

: DR. ANDREW THOMPSON was in Oakfield as early as 1830, at which date he became a member of the County Medical Society. No other physician's name appears upon the roll, from this town, until 1841, when Dr. Horace Clark is recorded. He removed to Bergen in 1876, and died at that place. It is said that as early as 1814 Dr. A. Thompson was liv- ing within the present limits of the town, and a Dr. Garret Davis is also mentioned, but no definite accounts of either have been obtained. Dr. William Pardee was in Oakfield in 1868, and for a few years afterward until his death, in 1884, by consumption. He was for a time partner with Dr. A. P. Jackson. He graduated from the Buffalo Medical College.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

PAVILION.

WHEN, in the year 1841, the town of Pavilion was formed there were within its present limits in practice Dr. Warren Fay and Dr. Abel Ten- nant. Dr. Fay was at the village of Pavilion, where he had resided for many years, and Dr. Tennant was at South Le Roy, which became, by the organization of the new town, Pavilion Center.

Dr. Fay was born at Walpole, N. H., in 1797. He received a good common school education, was for some time a school teacher, and fi- nally studied medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Daniel White, who seems to have been a prominent practitioner in those early days. He attended lectures at the Castleton (Vt.) Medical Academy, received a diploma from the Livingston County (N. Y.) Medical Society, June 24, 1823, signed by Caleb Chapin, president, and coming to Pavilion soon after began an active practice, which continued for a full half century. He was what is now called a " heroic practitioner," using the lancet very freely, and giving large doses of colomel and jalap. He achieved both fame and fortune, and died February 18, 1875.

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Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 8

Author: Beers, F. W. (Frederick W.), ed. 1n; Vose, J.W., and Co Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : J.W. Vose & Co. Number of Pages: 920

Author: Beers, F. W. (Frederick W.), ed. 1n; Vose, J.W., and Co
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : J.W. Vose & Co.
Number of Pages: 920