Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 23

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890 > Part 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Samnel Tucker practiced medicine and kept the hotel at Rutland Center. He was a good and successful physician.

H. W. Bushnell, born at Fairfield, Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1799, began the study of medicine in 1818, and graduated from Fairfield Medical College about 1821. He practiced in his native place for some years, and at La Fargeville until 1850, then at Cape Vincent for 15 years, and died there in 1856. He joined the County Medical Society in 1828, and turned homeopathist in 1854.

Ira Wright, it is thought, came from Waterford, Rensselaer County. N. Y., and settled in Watertown about 1834. He lived on Stone street, in the stone house now occupied as an office by Dr. Rexford.

1829 .- " At this meeting there were elected Horatio Orvis, president ; R. Kinney, vice president; Richard Clark, secretary; Alpheus S. Green, treas- urer ; A. Trowbridge. I. B. Crawe, A. S. Green, C. Burge, and A. W. Gray, censors. The Code of Medical Ethics and by-laws reported and adopted. Admitted as members Drs. La Mont Bagg, Caleb Burge, Jesse Ayers, James K. Bates, Richard Clark, Henry J. Munson, and Alva Murdock." Of La Mont Bagg nothing can be learned.

R. Kinney, elected vice-president this year, appears for the first time in the records of the society. He lived and practiced at Mannsville, and died about 1870, some 75 years old.

Caleb Burge, a physician and clergyman, lived for some years in Rntland, and died at Warsaw, N. Y., in 1838.

Jesse Ayers, born in Bridgewater, Vt., November 19, 1801. attended the common schools at Watertown, N. Y., and began the study of medicine about 1826 or '27 with Drs. Mills and Gray, of Brownville. He attended lectures at Fairfield in 1828 and '29, graduating in the lat- ter year. Locating in Brownville he practiced there over 29 years, and was supervisor of that town when he died, October 24, 1858. He was elected one of the censors in 1837 and '38, and trustee of the village in 1838, '48, and '53.

James K. Bates .- The following is taken from a sketch of Dr. Bates, written by his brother- in-law, Dr. Massey, of Brownville :-

" The late Dr. James K. Bates was born in Killingly, Conn., on the 24th day of June, 1806, and died in Watertown, N. Y., June 30, 1872, in the 66th year of his age. His mother was a sister of Jason Fairbanks, Esq., of this city. His early life was spent on a rough, stony Con- nectient farm till he was nearly 18 years old. He had the advantage of a good common school, in the district in which his father resided, and made the most of his opportunities. He de- veloped such proficiency in his studies that his father decided to give him a collegiate educa- tion; with this in view he was sent to a preparatory academy at Monson, Mass. During his first year at Monson his father died. This made it necessary for him to go home. Not long after the death of his father his uncle, Jason Fairbanks, of this city, went to Connecticut to look after the affairs of his family, and while there had some intimations that James would like to be a physician. Just as his Uncle Fairbanks was about to start for home again he said to James: 'So you want to be a doctor. do yon?' ' I have sometimes thought I would,' he re- plied. ' Well, go home with me,' his uncle said, 'and I will see what I can do for yon.' Ac- cordingly he came to Watertown, and entered his name as a student of medicine in the office of the late Amasa Trowbridge.

" The next winter he taught school at the center of the town. He soon went to Fairfield, Herkimer County, and continued his studies in the office of Dr. Sherwood, paying his way by taking charge of the postoffice. In 1830 he attended medical lectures at the Fairfield Medical College. Hc, with three others, took a room, boarding themselves, doing their own cooking, etc., at an expense of six shillings a week each, all told. One of this number was Jesse Ayers, of Brownville; another Dr. K. Hannahs, of Watertown. His economical mode of living gave him obstinate dyspepsia, and before the close of his second course he left, sick, poor, and dis- couraged, and came back to Watertown. Regaining his health somewhat he took the village school at Brownville, and began practice with Dr. Gray .. He was soon after licensed to practice medicine by the County Medical Society, and practiced under this license until 1840, when he received an honorary degree of M. D. from the Medical College of Castleton, Vt. In February, 1831, he married Miss Serena L. Massey, of Watertown, and for 20 years practiced in Brown- ville. Early in his business life he took great pains to help young men who wished to study medicine. Among his students were William A. Wood, now of Wisconsin; David Hunter, of

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Sackets Harbor; Levi Jerome. of Wisconsin; George Brown, Jr., of New Jersey; I. B. Massey, of Sandusky, Ohio; Oscar Earl; E. Sill, of Watertown; Dr. Sloat; Dr. Bingham, of Rome; A. M. Shew, of the Insane Asylum of Middleton, Mass .; and many others. His house was my home from the time I was nine years old until I commenced business for myself, as his junior part- ner. He boarded many of his students, doing them many kindnesses. He never took, to my knowledge, a dollar for board or tuition, except that while in Brownville he was postmaster, and his students would assist in taking charge of the office. He assisted several of his students through their lectures, and helped them to horse and equipage after graduating, taking his pay in small sums as they could earn it.

"Dr. Bates was a man of no ordinary mind and faculties, and wherever he sought to make his influence felt he was a recognized leader. He was a man of fine presence and good address, quiet and reserved in his manners, but dignified and always the gentleman; serupulously neat. in his person and dress, and as pure in his mind and manners. In 1848 he moved to Water- town, where he took a good position, very soon working into a large and Incrative practice. To this his best energies were given for 10 or 12 years. He was an active politician, and in 1861 was elected inspector of state prisons, which position he held for six years. On retiring from this office he accepted an appointment as medical director of the Empire State Life Insurance Co., and continued in it until his death. He was also for many years a director and vice-president of the National Union Bank. Dr. Bates was a good financier and business man, without being hard or exacting to the poor. He was a good collector and accumulated a handsome property. He was an active, earnest Christian, and a liberal supporter of every enterprise looking to the good of others; was president of the Medical Society in 1837, vice- president in 1836, and censor in 1842-44."

Henry J. Munson, a brother of Dr. Isaac Munson, practiced some years at Evans Mills, when he sold out to his brother and moved to Texas, and died there.

Richard Clark, born at Manheim, Herkimer County, N. Y., December 3, 1805, was edu- cated at the common schools at Watertown and at Lowville Academy. He graduated at Fair- field, February 3, 1829, and settled in Watertown, where he practiced about four years, and was a partner of Dr. Amasa Trowbridge. April 1, 1833, he received a commission as assistant surgeon in the U. S. army. He died at Tallahassee, Florida, January 29, 1839.

Alva Murdock, born at Townshend, Vt., May 21, 1803, began the study of medicine about 1825. and attended lectures at Pittsfield, Mass., between 1825 and '30, in which latter year he graduated. He practiced in Philadelphia, N. Y., for 40 years, at Rensselaer Falls, N. Y., five years, and died at the latter place October 7, 1875.

1830 .- " P. Maxwell, president ; G. P. Spencer, vice-president ; Richard Clark, secretary ; Alpheus S. Green, treasurer ; censors: I. B. Crawe, C. Burge, A. W. Gray, and Ira Wright. New members admitted : George Green and Stephen Seymour. A central committee of five, and one from each town in the county, was appointed to take a topographical survey of the county. Appropriated $5 to the State Society, and $26 for 400 copies of the by-laws, etc. The central committee above mentioned to consist of Drs. Trowbridge, Crawe, Goodale, Wright, and Green ; committee at large: Drs. Maxwell, Bushnell, Gray, Bates, Orvis, Burge, West, Bagg, Kimball, Carrier, Davison, Rogers, Adams, Dexter, Kinney, and Murdock."

Of James Green there is no record.

Stephen Seymour was a brother-in-law of Dr. E. M. Adams, and his successor at Smith- ville, where he practiced a few years, when he moved to Rome, N. Y., and thence to Chicago, Ill., where he died.

1831 .- There is no list of officers this year, except Richard Clark, delegate ;. Soranus W. Hunt, Aaron Sumner, Samuel J. Gaines, and Jonathan Ellis, admitted.

Of Drs. Hunt and Sumner we have no record.

Samuel J. Gaines came to Jefferson County from Connecticut, and first settled at Theresa. about 1823, where he remained a short time, and some time about 1825 or '26 he moved to Sackets Harbor. He practiced there until 1848, and after that date in the towns of Henderson and Ellisburgh.

Jonathan Ellis, born in Rhode Island in 1806, studied medicine with Dr. Alphens S. Green at Perch River, and practiced some years in Clayton, when he went West.

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THE JEFFERSON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

1832 .- There is no record of a meeting this year.

1833 .- Record of officers wanting. Admitted as member, W. H. Wiser, of whom we have no record. " A prize of $10 was offered for an essay on ophthalmia and gastro enteritis following confinement."

1834 .- "A. Trowbridge, president ; E. M. Adanis, vice-president ; William J. Sikes, secretary ; Ira Wright, treasurer; censors: Ira Wright, A. Trow- bridge, R. Goodale, I. B. Crawe, and Eli West ; Ithemer B. Crawe, delegate to State Medical Society. Admitted, Isaac Munson. A committee consist- ing of Dr. Crawe, chairman, and Drs. Goodale and Dexter, to memorialize the legislature on the subject of conferring degree of M. D. by medical colleges."

"Isaac Munson was born in the town of Salisbury, Herkimer County, N. Y., March 4, 1812. His youth was spent working on his father's farm vacations, and in attending the district school when in session, until he was 19, when he left home to become a student at Fairfield Academy. After completing his academic course he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at that place, graduating therefrom in January, 1834. Soon after graduating, hav- ing purchased the interest of his brother, Henry J. Munson, he located at Evans Mills as the partner of Dr. Ira Smith, where he remained three years. May 24, 1836, he was married to Miss Cornelia Stebbins, of Rutland, and in the following year he located in that town. In the winter of 1839 he attended another course of lectures at Geneva Medical College, N. Y. He continued active practice until November, 1849, when, as the Democratic candidate, he was elected county clerk. This making a change of residence necessary he moved to Water- town, January 1, 1850. In March, 1853, the organization of the Agricultural Insurance Co. was perfected, and he was chosen one of its directors and its vice-president. It was then .lo- cated at Evans Mills, but was soon moved to Watertown, and Dr. Munson was made its seere- tary and manager. For a number of years he continued the practice of his profession in connection with his duties to the company, but in course of time it became evident that his whole energies must be engrossed in looking after the interests of the company, and he re- luctantly gave up his practice. It may be truly said of Dr. Munson that by his genial and courteous manners, his sound common sense, and his intelligent and ready reasoning powers, he commanded the respect and esteem of his cotemporaries. Broad and Catholic in sprit, generous and confiding in his friendships, he will long be remembered by a large circle of companions and friends."

1835 .- "S. Houghton, president ; J. P. Johnson, vice-president ; Azariah Jones, secretary ; William J. Fisk, treasurer ; censors : A. S. Green, A. B. Page, Azariah Jones, E. M. Adams, and Samuel Gaines. Twenty-six mem- bers answered to their names. Admitted to membership Charles W. East- man, William A. Wood, and Abraham Hawn."

Charles W. Eastman, a son of Eli Eastman, was born in Adams, April 21, 1811, and re- ceived his education at the common schools of that town and at Belleville Academy. He studied with his father and graduated at Fairfield in 1835. He then settled at Medina, Ohio, and married there. His wife dying in 1837 he came to Belleville and was a partner of Dr. Houghton. Here he remained a few years, and in 1843 married Dr. Fisk's daughter, of Ellis village. He moved there and practiced in that place a number of years, when he went West, and ultimately joined the army. After the war he came to Watertown, where he died Janu- ary 9, 1879, aged 68 years.

William A. Wood, born in Vermont in 1805, was a student of Dr. Bates, at Brown- ville, about 1830. In 1835 he settled at Chaumont, where he stayed about one year, and moved to Dexter, where he practiced until 1844. He then moved to Emerald Grove, Roek County, Wis., and thence to Sauk County, where he now resides.

Abraham Hawn practiced in Rodman from 1834 to 1840, and moved to Syracuse. He was a man much respected.

1836 .- "Foster Dexter, president ; J. K. Bates, vice-president ; Azariah Jones, secretary ; William J. Fisk, treasurer ; Ira Wright, William J. Sikes, E. M. Adams, R. Goodale, and H. S. Dickerson, censors. Twelve members answered to their names. Admitted as member Hannibal S. Dickerson."

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JEFFERSON COUNTY.

Hannibal S., son of David S. Dickerson, and father of De Esting, was born in January, 1808. He was granted a diploma by the Medical Society of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fairfield, December 25, 1826, and July 26, 1823, he received a license to practice medicine and surgery from the Herkimer County Medical Society. He located at Rice's Cor- ners, and died there August 19, 1845. His death was the result of an operation performed upon himself for the cure of stricture of the urethra, caused by an injury received in the sad- dle. By his early death the community was deprived of a bright, conscientious, and ener- getic citizen and physician. The profession lost from its ranks one to whose example and career they could point with honest pride.

1837 .- " James K. Bates, president; Azariah Jones, vice-president ; William J. Sikes, secretary ; Kilborn Hannahs, treasurer ; Amasa Trowbridge, Jesse Ayers, A. S. Green, Reuben Goodale, and H. S. Dickerson, censors. Admitted Kilborn Hannahs. Dissertation by the president ; subject, Puerperal Aptha."

Kilborn Hannahs was born in Richfield, Otsego County, N. Y., in 1808. When a child his father moved his family to the town of Columbia, Herkimer County. From his 15th to his 19th year he was a clerk in a dry goods store. He then began the study of medicine with his father, Abel Hannahs, and graduated from Fairfield in 1832. In May, 1832, he married Eliza- beth Fuller, and moved to Watertown in December, 1835. He bought out Joseph Goodale, who was in the drug business, and in this he continued until 1840, when he sold out to T. H. Camp. He then engaged in the practice of his profession until his health failed, when he re- tired from active practice in 1876. He joined the County Medical Society in 1837, and was elected its treasurer, which office he held in 1838 and '39; censor from 1838 to 1843; and presi- dent in 1840, and in 1875 he joined the reorganized society. He died October 30, 1884, aged 76 years. three months, and 15 days. He was village trustee in 1842, '51, and '52. He had been health officer a number of years, and was at his death one of the vestry of Trinity Church, which latter office he had acceptably filled for a number of years. He was a man of firm con- victions. a vigorous, terse writer, and fond of appearing in the public press.

1838 .- C. P. Kimball, president ; H. S. Dickerson, vice-president ; Will- iam J. Sikes, secretary; Kilborn Hannahs, treasurer ; censors: K. Hannahs, A. Trowbridge, A. S. Green, F. Dexter, and J. Ayers. Admitted Walter Dewey.

Walter Dewey, born in Boonville, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1812, received his preliminary education at Lowville Academy, studied medicine with Dr. Dwight Dewey, of Turin, and graduated at Fairfield. He located at Antwerp in 1824, where he practiced until his death, December 4, 1845. He was held in high esteem by the people of Antwerp.

1839 .-- A. S. Green, president ; Foster Dexter, vice-president; William J. Sikes, secretary ; K. Hannahs, treasurer; Ralph Rogers, A. S. Green, K. Hannahs, Foster Dexter, and R. Goodale, censors. Admitted to member- ship Drs. Amasa Trowbridge, Jr., and Amos Ellis.

Amasa Trowbridge. Jr., born August 21, 1813, studied with his father, Amasa Trowbridge, of Watertown, and was a graduate of Fairfield Medical College. The following sketch is taken from his obituary :-

"Dr. Amasa Trowbridge, Jr., was accidently killed in the following manner: He was re- turning on horseback from a professional visit to the upper part of the village, and when directly opposite the Catholic Church, on Factory street, was overtaken by a pair of horses, attached to a lumber wagon. on the full run. The pole of the wagon was driven into the Doctor's horse, throwing both horse and rider to the ground, crushing the skull of the latter in a most frightful manner. On raising the Doctor to a sitting posture the blood gushed from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. He died in abont 45 minutes from the time of the acci- dent, and, as may be supposed, was insensible during the whole time. Dr. Crawe and sev- eral other physicians were called, but he was beyond earthly help. He was a bold, skillful, and successful operator, and at the time of his death was 28 years and some months old. He had attained a high professional reputation. Cut off in the morning of his usefulness, his death is regarded as a public calamity, and has diffused a general gloom over our village and vicinity."

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THE JEFFERSON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

Amos Ellis, born at Brownville in 1810, studied medicine with Dr. Walter Webb, of Ad- ams. He located at Clayton in 1835, where he practiced all his life, and died May 22, 1879, aged 69 years. About 1850 he connected the drug business with his practice. He was post- master in 1845, justice of the peace about 1872, and joined the old County Society in 1839, and the new or reorganized society in 1871. .

1840 .- Kilborn Hannahs, president ; A. Seymour, vice-president ; William J. Sikes, secretary ; R. Goodale, treasurer ; J. K. Bates, A. Trowbridge, Jr., R. Rogers, A. Seymour, and R. Goodale, censors; R. Goodale, delegate to the State Society. The thanks of the society were extended to the president for his address.

1841 .- " H. S. Dickerson, president ; I. B. Crawe, vice-president ; Charles Goodale, secretary ; R. Goodale, treasurer ; William H. H. Davis, K. Han- nahs, R. Rogers, I. B. Crawe, and A. Trowbridge, censors. Admitted as members Drs. Charles Goodale, William H. H. Davis, and S. N. Soule. Passed resolutions of condolence on the death of Dr. A. Trowbridge, Jr .; thanks of society extended to Drs. Hannahs, Bates, and Kimball for disser- tations."

Charles Goodale, born in Watertown, May 18, 1817, studied medicine with his father, Dr. R. Goodale, and graduated at Fairfield. He afterwards went to Paris, attended lectures, and visited the various hospitals in that city. Returning to Watertown he was for some time with Dr. Trowbridge, and was elected secretary of the County Society in 1843. which office he held until 1847. During the war of the Rebellion he was surgeon of the 94th N. Y. Vol. Inf. He died January 26. 1876.

William H. H. Davis was born in Paris, Oneida County, N. Y., April 28, 1813. He gradu- ated at Geneva in 1838, and first settled at Cassville, in his native county, whence he removed to Camp's Mills, thence to Sackets Harbor, where he practiced a number of years. He then moved to Smithville, where he had a large practice. He died at Smithville, July 26, 1846. Dr. Davis was one of the best educated physicians in the county, and at the time of his death pos- sessed one of the, if not the, best medical libraries in this section.

1842 .- " Ithemer B. Crawe, president ; L. Barney, vice-president ; Charles Goodale, secretary ; R. Goodale, treasurer ; Amasa Trowbridge, A. S. Green, K. Hannahs, William H. H. Davis, and J. K. Bates, censors. Received as a member Benjamin Tractor. By invitation Dr. A. Trowbridge addressed the society; subject, ' Fevers of this county.'" Of Benjamin Tractor we have no record.

1843 -" Eli West, president ; William H. H. Davis, vice-president ; Charles Goodale, secretary ; R. Goodale, treasurer ; Amasa Trowbridge, Benjamin Tractor, James K. Bates, K. Hannahs, and William H. H. Davis, censors ; William V. V. Rosa, A. M. Van Ostrand, Leonard Powers, William E. Tyler, and William G. Comstock admitted as members. Address by the retiring president, Dr. I. B. Crawe ; subject, 'Dysentery.' Thanks of the society extended to the Doctor for his very able address ; also to Dr. H. H. Davis for his essay on 'Iodide of arsenic.'"

W. V. V. Rosa was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., October 24, 1819. His father moved to Adams, October 20, 1824. " He received his preliminary education in the schools of Adams village, and was then sent to Union College, Schenectady, where he graduated at an early age with high honors." Having embraced the medical profession as his future calling. after grad- uating from a medical college at Philadelphia, Penn., (believed to be the University of Penn-

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sylvania,) he spent two years in Paris, adding to and perfecting his knowledge of medicine and surgery. Returning to Adams he practiced there some time, and moved to Watertown. Here he practiced a number of years, when he retired from active practice. His father, a man of large means, enfeebled from age and debility, unable to attend to his affairs. required his assistance, necessitating the Doctor's reluctantly taking this step, though he still evinced his love for, and interest in, all new developments and discoveries in medicine. and its collateral sciences. Modest and retiring, averse to show or display, he was not understood by the masses, but by his friends he was fully appreciated. His private charities were large, and some young men are indebted to him for the means which enabled them to educate themselves for future usefulness. With a mind well stored, to which he was daily adding by constant reading, and a deep thinker, he was a pleasant and instructive companion; one who freely and willingly im- parted it to the young men who took an interest in and were anxious of adding to their store of knowledge in the arts and sciences.

Alonzo M. Van Ostrand, born in Watertown, April 4, 1818, studied medicine with Drs. Smith and Comstock, of Evans Mills, N. Y., and graduated from the Geneva Medical College in 1842. He first settled in Philadelphia, where he remained two years, when he moved to Evans Mills, where he practiced about 20 years. He joined the County Medical Society in 1843, and was supervisor of the town of Le Ray in 1842 and '43. He is highly spoken of as a physician.

Leonard Powers, born in Denmark, Lewis County, N. Y., in October, 1816, was educated at Brown's Academy, in that village, studied medicine with Dr. French, of Denmark, and Dr. Eli West, of Carthage, and attended lectures at Fairfield, where he graduated about 1840. He located at Depauville, and practiced with Dr. William Frame about two years, and moved to Stone Mills, where he died May 8, 1844.

William E. Tyler was born in the town of Hounsfield. His early education was acquired at the common schools, and at Belleville Academy and the Black River Literary and Religious Institute at Watertown. He attended two courses of lectures at Geneva, and graduated there- from in 1843. He settled at Sackets Harbor, where he has continued to reside. Dr. Tyler has served as supervisor of the town of Hounsfield from 1873 to 1875. He became a member of the County Society in 1843, and joined the reorganized society April 3, 1877. He has enjoyed the confidence and respect of the community in which he resided, as a physician, as a man of business, and as a good citizen.

" William G. Comstock was born at Norway, Herkimer County, N. Y., in October, 1809. His parents moved to the town of Salisbury, in the same county, where nearly all his early life was spent. After leaving the district school he took a course at Fairfield Academy, studied med- icine with Dr. Brown, of Salisbury, and Dr. Calvin Smith, of Little Falls, and entered the Fairfield Medical College, graduating from there in 1830. He spent a short time at Ox Bow, Jefferson County, but located at Auriesville, Montgomery County. He was married the same year to Miss Jane Munson, of Salisbury, cousin of Dr. Isaac Munson, of Watertown. Dr. Comstock remained at Auriesville about five years, but becoming impressed with the idea that there was a good opening in the South he spent a few months there during the winter of 1837 and '38. His expectations, however, were not realized. At this time a desirable oppor- tunity presented itself of forming a partnership with Dr. Ira A. Smith, of Evans Mills, Jef- ferson County. He went to Evans Mills in the spring of 1838, and the partnership formed remained in force a number of years, but was finally dissolved by mutual consent. He was faithful and conscientious, both as a physician and as a man, and these qualities soon won for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He was very successful, but it was a success won by hard work and loss of health. He died at Evans Mills on the 3d of June, 1851, from consumption, superinduced by overwork and exposure. His colleagues at Evans Mills were Drs. Ira A. Smith and Alonzo M. Van Ostrand."

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 23

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders Number of Pages: 1384

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384