Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 24

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 24

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).

1844 .- " Isaac Munson, president ; J. Ellis, vice-president ; Charles Goodale, secretary ; R. Goodale, treasurer; A. S. Green, A. Trowbridge, I. B. Crawe, J. K. Bates, and H. S. Dickerson, censors ; I. B. Crawe, dele- gate to State Medical Society. Dissertation by the vice-president ; subject, ' Too frequent use of mercurials in supposed biliary diseases.'"

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THE JEFFERSON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

1845 .-- There is no record of the officers of the society for this year. " President ' Munson delivered an address ; subject, 'Scarlet fever.' Thanks of the society extended for the same. A fine for non-attendance of members imposed. Dr. I. B. Crawe made a verbal report as delegate of the transac- tions of the State Society, and offered a series of resolutions defining the probable result to the people of the action of the legislature removing the restrictions of the law licensing practitioners of medicine and surgery."

1846 .- The following is the only record of officers: Charles Goodale, sec- retary ; admitted as a member, E. S. Maxon.

E. S. Maxon, born in Petersburg, Rensselaer County, N. Y., received the benefits of the schools and academies where he resided. Subsequently he took a college course, and had the degrees of A. M. and LL. D. conferred on him in Philadelphia, Pa. He began the study of medicine in 1841 with Drs. Walter Webb and W. V. V. Rosa, of Adams, and graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, Pa., in 1845. He practiced at Adams one year, Adams Center 10 years, Geneva 10 years, Philadelphia, Pa., three, and Syracuse 17. Dr. Maxon is the author of Maxon's Practice of Medicine, published in Philadelphia in 1861, and Hospitals: British, French, and American, in 1867. He was a delegate to the International Congress at Paris in 1867.

1847 .- There is no record for this year.

1848 .- The record shows that William R. Trowbridge was secretary, and that Simon Goodle and M. J. Hutchins were admitted as members. The admission of Dr. Hutchins does not appear on the original record obtained by me, but I have added his name to the list. He personally stated that he was made a member this year, which statement proves there was a meeting. Of Simon Goodle we have no record

Martin J. Hutchins was born November 7, 1825, at Schuyler, Herkimer County, N. Y. He was educated at the common and select schools of the town, and studied medicine and surgery with Drs. Davison and Brewster, of Theresa, with whom he continued three years. He at- tended lectures for six months at Castleton Medical College, of Vermont. In 1845 he com- menced the practice of his profession at Plessis, in Alexandria, and remained there until June, 1853. In May, 1846, he was granted a license to practice from the Jefferson Medical Society, and in 1852 he received an honorary diploma from the Burlington (Vt.) Medical College. Be- ing a pronounced Democrat, and one of the party leaders, he received the appointment of custom-house inspector in June, 1853, and moved to Alexandria Bay, where he assumed the responsibilities of that position, the duties of which he continued to exercise with satisfaction to the powers that be, as he held the office under both the administrations of Pierce and Buchanan, until June, 1861, in all eight years. He then settled at Redwood, and resumed the active practice of his profession, where he has continued up to the present time, having prac- ticed 44 years in the town of Alexandria. He is still hale and hearty, and we trust he may be spared for many years to come; that he may continue his long, active, and successful career, an example to the younger members of the profession; of one who has lived and toiled to ele- vate the standard of his profession, and on any and every occasion, at all times and in all places, opposing quackery and empiricism in all their various forms. He has always been con- sidered as one of the active members of the society, and has contributed some eight papers to its archives on various medical subjects. He was elected county superintendent of the poor and served three years, was twice elected town superintendent of common schools, and was the treasurer of the board of pension examiners from November, 1885, to August, 1889. Dr. Hutchins joined the reorganized society June 7, 1870, was its president in 1873, and was one of the board of censors in 1877 and '79.

That this was the last regular meeting of the society there can be no doubt. One or two of the older members of the profession, Drs. Will-

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JEFFERSON COUNTY.

iam R. Trowbridge and Isaac Munson, think a call was issued for a meeting at North Adams in 1849, and one in 1850 at Sackets Harbor ; but there was not the necessary quorum present to transact business. The question naturally arises as to the causes which operated to suspend the meetings. Members from distant parts of the county, who had to travel long distances by stage or in their own conveyances, found it difficult and inconvenient, and were offended because the meetings were not held in different parts of the county. Many became disheartened and disgusted when the restrictions and protection thrown around the practice of medicine were rescinded by the legislature, and, as they thought, placed quacks and charlatans on an equal footing with the regular practitioner. Not considering that, as they were thrown upon their own resources, it became their duty, and would have been more praiseworthy in them, as members of an ancient, learned, and honor- able profession, to have girded up their loins anew, determining that by united, harmonious action, looking towards mutual improvement and greater professional attainments, they would gain the confidence of the public and out-distance their opponents. Twenty years elapsed without the opera- tions of a medical society in this county.

During this time the following physicians have resided in this county, and though some of them practiced medicine during the existence of the old society there is no record of their having joined it :-

Ainsworth, Avery, Cape Vincent, deceased.

Breed, -, Smithville, unknown.

Buckley, William J., Clayton, (now in Prescott, Canada).

Carlisle, William, Three Mile Bay, deceased.

Christie, William, Rodman, died March 29, 1881.

Conkey, Jonas S., Antwerp, died May 16, 1883.

Cushman, Darwin, La Fargeville, died in December, 1888.

Dickerson, De Esting, Rice's Corners, (now in Kansas City).

Fairburn, -, Cape Vincent, (now in Canada).

Frame, William, Depauville, died in September, 1848.

Goodwin, William W., Brownville, deceased.

Guthrie, Samuel, Sackets Harbor, died October 19, 1848. Hannahs, Lucian, Theresa, died May 8, 1876.

King, or Köneg, H. W. F., Stone Mills, died August 14, 1855.

L'Mare, E., Watertown, died November 17, 1875.

Massey, I. B., Rutland, (now in Sandusky, Ohio). Oliver, Vietus, Woodville, died in 1870. Parsons, Albert, Black River, died March 24, 1887.

Robinson, William H., Antwerp, died at Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Sacket, -, Cape Vincent, deceased.

Sherman, R. R., Antwerp, died May 2, 1880.

Sloat, -, Clayton, went West.

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THE JEFFERSON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

Wheeler, T. B., Watertown, (now in Montreal).

Winslow, M. A., Clayton, went West.

Woodman, Joseph, Whitesville.

The following named gentleman, though his name does not appear on the rolls of the society, is eminently worthy to be selected from the above list, and some notice taken of him, as one who, by his inventions and discover- ies, has shed a lustre on the town and county in which he lived :-

Samuel Guthrie was born in Brimfield, Hampden County, Mass. Here he studied medi- cine with his father, Samuel Guthrie, Sr., practiced medicine a few years at Smyrna, Chen- ango County, N. Y., and moved to Sackets Harbor. He is known as a chemist, whose reputa- tion is world wide, as being one of the three discoverers of chloroform. Soubeiran in France and Liebig in Germany were the others, and they appear to have made the discovery inde- pendently and simultaneously. He was the first inventor and manufacturer of percussion pills. He died at Sackets Harbor, October 9, 1848.

In 1868 Dr. F. B. A. Lewis called upon Dr. H. G. P. Spencer and intro- duced the subject of reorganizing the Medical Society. This interview re- sulted in a call dated August 15, 1868, for a meeting of the physicians of the county, to be held at the American Hotel in Watertown, September 1, 1868. This call was headed by Dr. Spencer, and signed by 15 other physicians, 10 of whom ultimately became members, and which call was duly published in the Watertown Daily Reformer. Pursuant to this call the following gentle- men assembled :-

Drs. H. G. P. Spencer, William R. Trowbridge, James K. Bates, J. Mor- timer Crawe, and F. B. A. Lewis, of Watertown ; H. S. Hendee, James T. Peeden, and George N. Hubbard, of Carthage; Truman Tuttle, of Rod- man ; and E. G. Derby, of Antwerp. Dr. Peeden was called to the chair and F. B. A. Lewis appointed secretary pro tem. After some preliminary busi- ness the meeting proceeded to the election of permanent officers, as follows: H. G. P. Spencer, president; H. S. Hendee, vice-president ; F. B. A. Lewis, secretary; William R. Trowbridge, treasurer. A committee was ap- pointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, composed of the following gen- tlemen: Drs. William R. Trowbridge, James K. Bates, and J. Mortimer Crawe, of Watertown. A committee was also appointed to prepare a fee bill, com- posed of Drs. Truman Tuttle, of Rodman ; E. G. Derby, of Antwerp; George N. Hubbard, of Carthage ; James K. Bates, William R. Trowbridge, and J. Mortimer Crawe, of Watertown; L. E. Frame, of Depauville ; William P. Massey, of Brownville; W. E. Tyler, of Sackets Harbor, and Dr. Piersons, of Adams. After some other business of minor importance the society ad- journed to meet in annual session at the American Hotel in Watertown, January 12, 1869. By this action the Jefferson County Medical Society was reorganized.

1869 .- " Jefferson County Medical Society, first annual meeting, American Hotel, Watertown, January, 12, 1869. Meeting called to order by the president [Dr. H. G. P. Spencer], and the minutes of the last meeting read by the secretary and approved. The committee on constitution

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and by-laws presented and read the same. The by-laws, as framed by the committee and amended by the members present, were then adopted. Drs. H. M. Stevens, of Watertown, Frederick Bott, of La Farge- ville, H. W. Jewett, of Chaumont, E. A. Chapman, of Belleville, and Ira H. Abell, of Antwerp, were then duly elected members of the society. On mo- tion of Dr. Chapman the time for the semi-annual meeting was fixed for the second Tuesday in June, 1869, to be held at Watertown." Drs. H. G. P. Spencer, of Watertown, and H. S. Hendee, of Carthage, were appointed delegates to the State Medical Society.

At the semi-annual meeting, June 8, 1869, the ordinary rules of pro- ceeding were suspended in order to allow the admission of new members, as follows: Drs. Charles Parker, of Three Mile Bay ; L. E. Frame, of Depau- ville ; A. H. Gordinier and L. F. Mason, of Evans Mills ; Charles M. John- son, of Watertown ; and Robert Clink, of Redwood.

Henry G. P. Spencer, M. D., son of Gordon P. Spencer, was born in Champion, Jefferson County, N. Y., August 23, 1821. His education was acquired at the Champion Academy and the Black River Literary and Religious Institute of Watertown. He studied medicine with his father and attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., sessions of 1844, '45, and '46, receiving the diploma of this institution in March, 1846. Returning to Champion he entered into partnership with his father. His health failing him he came to Watertown in 1849, where he now resides. He was one of the main founders of the reorgan- ized County Medical Society in 1868, was its first president, and was also delegate to the State Medical Society and censor in 1872, '73, and '83. He was also vice-president of the State Med- ical Society in 1884. Dr. Spencer is conspicuous for his kindness of heart and unwearied attention to his brother physicians and their families whenever it has been their misfortune to be afflicted with sickness. He has enjoyed a large and lucrative private and consultation practice, and devoting himself as he has to general practice he has made surgery a specialty. He is a bold and skillful operator, has performed many of the major operations, and it has been his aim and ambition to keep pace with the rapid strides and extensive improvements made in modern surgery.

Horatio S. Hendee was born in Greig, Lewis County, N. Y., November 11, 1827. His father died when he was six years old, and at the age of 10 years he was compelled to care for himself and earn his support. His mother, having only good common sense advice to give him, counseled him to get an education. He obtained a fair common school education at the Denmark and Lowville academies and Clinton Liberal Institute. In 1847 he commenced the study of medicine and surgery in the office of Dr. Amasa Trowbridge, at Watertown, and after a year and a half he attended his first course of lectures at Pittsfield (Mass.) Medical College. On his return from Pittsfield he obtained a situation in the drug department at the State Asylum, Utica, which claimed his attention about one hour morning, noon, and night, the compensation being board and $12 a month. The balance of his time he had for study and reading from a fine literary and medical library belonging to the asylum. From this institu- tion he went to his last course of lectures at Castleton (Vt.) Medical College, where he gradu- ated in June, 1851. Soon after he opened an office in Rome, N. Y., and in the spring of 1854 he removed to Deer River, N. Y. In 1860 he went abroad, spending some time in the hospi- tals of London, Edinburgh, and Paris, and in the summer of 1862 he was assistant surgeon with Dr. William Trowbridge in examining the 2,500 men enlisted and mustered into the ser- vice at Sackets Harbor, N. Y. Soon after he went to the front with 1,500 of these men, and was commissioned surgeon of the 153d N. Y. V. August 25, 1862. He served with the regiment until February 18, 1864, when he resigned and resumed practice at Deer River. March 1, 1868, he removed to Carthage, and in 1872 was nominated for member of Assembly for the second district of Jefferson County, and was elected. In 1873 he went to Lowville, where he has since practiced his profession. He was another of the original founders of the County Medical Society, was its first vice-president, and was one of the delegates to the State Medical Society.

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THE JEFFERSON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

F. B. A. Lewis, M. D., was born in Little Falls, Herkimer County, N. Y., March 12, 1839. His literary education was acquired at the Watertown High School, Lawrence Academy, and Groton (Mass.) Normal School. He began the study of medieine in 1856, and was afterwards in the office of Dr. H. G. P. Spencer, of Watertown. He attended lectures at McGill Univer- sity, Montreal, Can., and Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., and graduated from the latter institution in 1860. He first located at Adams, Jefferson County, where he was for a short time, when he entered the regular navy as assistant surgeon and served until the elose of the war, when he settled in Watertown for the practice of his profession. Dr. Lewis was one of the founders of the reorganized Medieal Society, was its first secretary, which office he held from 1868 to 1872, and was its delegate to the State Medieal Society from 1872 to 1876. He was coroner of Jefferson County eight or nine years, and health officer of Watertown city for some years. He is also a Fellow of the Massachusetts State Medical Society. Dr. Lewis decided to enter the ministry, and has been an Episcopal clergyman for the past 13 years. He now resides at San Jose, Cal.

H. M. Stevens, M. D., was born at Pulaski, Oswego County, N. Y., October 25, 1826, and was edneated at the common schools. He began the study of medicine in 1849 with Dr. H. F. Noyes, of that village, and attended lectures at the Albany Medical College and the University of New York, graduating from the latter institution in 1852. He practiced at La Fargeville 18 years, and in 1870 moved to Watertown, where he was appointed assistant secretary of the Agri- cultural Insurance Co., and upon the death of Dr. Isaac Munson he was elected secretary, which office he fills at the present time. Dr. Stevens is a pleasant. genial man, much respected and esteemed by a Jarge eirele of friends, and when he relinquished his practice it was much to the regret of his numerous patrons. He became a member of the County Medieal Society at its first annual meeting, and was elected a member of its first board of censors.

1870 .- At the second annual meeting, January 11, 1870, the following officers were elected: Dr. Peeden, president ; L E. Frame, vice president ; F. B. A. Lewis, permanent secretary ; Dr. Trowbridge, treasurer ; Drs. Crawe, Abell, Hubbard, Massey, and Stevens, censors. Admitted new mem- bers: Drs. N. M. Davidson, Theresa ; George G. Sabin, Carthage, now of Black River ; Parley H. Johnson, Carthage, now of Adams ; Anson S. Thompson, Ellis village ; Ezra R. Pratt, Chaumont, afterwards of Brown- ville ; Eben S. Carlisle, Plessis; Solomon V. Frame, Clayton ; Henry W. Streeter, Watertown, now of Rochester; William P. Massey, Brownville (deceased).

At the semi-annual meeting, June 7, 1870, Dr. Sabin offered a resolution, which was carried, changing the meeting from the second to the first Tuesday in January and June. New members: Drs. William C. Bailey, Adams Center ; Martin J. Hutchins and Charles A. Catlin, Redwood ; James D. Spencer, Watertown ; and Emmerson Seymour, Natural Bridge. Members present, 23 ; absent, 13.

James T. Peeden was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1820. He graduated from the Albany Medical College, and settled at Martinsburg. Lewis County. N. Y., where he was located a number of years, and in 1860 he moved to Carthage, Jefferson County, where he practiced until his death in 1882. He was one of the founders of the reorganized Jefferson County Medical Society in 1868, was its president in 1870, and at the end of his official year he delivered a very able address-subject: "The example set before us by the members of the profession who preceded us." He was tendered a vote of thanks and the address was published by the society. Dr. Peeden was a man of more than ordinary ability, and would attract attention and command respect in any society.

1871 .- The third annual meeting held January 3, 1871, at the court-house, was " called to order by the president, J. T. Peeden. Roll-call by the secre-

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tary ; members present, 17 ; absent, 19. Officers elected : Drs. Ira H. Abell, president ; William C. Bailey, vice-president ; F. B. A. Lewis, secretary ; William R. Trowbridge, treasurer ; Drs. Satin, Hutchins, Crawe, Clink, and Hubbard, censors."

The semi annual meeting, June 6, 1871, was called to order by the presi- dent, Ira H. Abell. Present at roll-call, 23 ; absent, 13. New members, Lewis C. Watson, of Alexandria Bay, and Amos Ellis, of Clayton.

Ira H. Abell was born in Fairfield, Franklin County, Vt., January 1, 1823. He studied medicine with Dr. J. L. Chandler, of St. Albans, and attended lectures at Vermont Medical College, Woodstock, during the sessions of 1842, '43, and '44. He went to Buffalo, where he practiced about one year, when he moved to East Berkshire, Vt., and December 25, 1853, he located in Antwerp, N. Y., where he has continued practice to the present time. Dr. Abell joined the County Medical Society January 12, 1869, and was it president in 1871. In 1876 he was honored by the society as one of their delegates to the State Society, and served from 1876 to 1880. He was made a permanent member of the New York State Medical Society in 1881. Trouble and dissensions having arisen in the State Society, connected with alterations made in regard to its Code of Ethics and by-laws, Dr. Abell was one of those who felt it incumbent upon him, in connection with others, to withdraw and form a new society, which is now known as the New York Medical Association, of which he was one of the founders, and for five years a member of the executive committee. Dr. Abell has from the first been an active member of of the County Society, expressing his views candidly, openly, and forcibly, on all subjects brought before it for consideration, and on all occasions, when called upon to contribute a paper on any medical subject, he has responded promptly.

Robert Clink, a native of Scotland, practiced tor a number of years at Redwood, Jeffer- son County, where he died March 5, 1889, aged 72 years. He joined the society June 8, 1869, and was elected censor in 1871.

1872 .- The fourth annual meeting was held January 2, 1872, and was called to order by the president, Ira H. Abell ; members present at roll-call, 18; absent, 20. The officers elected were: Drs. H. W. Jewett, president ; G. N. Hubbard, vice-president ; C. M. Johnson, secretary; J. D. Spencer, treasurer ; Drs. Massey, Thompson, Hendee, H. G. P. Spencer, and Streeter, censors.

The semi-annual meeting, June 4, 1872, was held at Carthage, and was called to order by the president, H. W. Jewett ; members present, 14, absent, 24 ; members admitted: A. A. Getman, Chaumont, and J. H. Miller, Car- thage.

H. W. Jewett, M. D., was born at Rome, Oneida County, N. Y., March 24, 1823, was educated at the district and private schools of that place, and began to study medicine when he was 17 years of age, with Drs. H. H. & G. W. Pope, of Rome. He attended lectures at Geneva in 1843, '44, and '45, graduating in the latter year. He located at Depauville, where he remained seven years, when he moved to Chaumont, where he is in practice at the present time. Dr. Jewett is well and favorably know in and about the locality where he practices as a physician, one who is pronounced in his opinions, and prompt and energetic in carrying out his diagnosis. He became a member of the County Society June 12, 1869, and was elected president in 1872.

Anson S. Thompson was born in Harrisburg, Lewis County, N. Y., March 21, 1828. His early education was acquired at the district schools of Denmark and at Homer Academy. He attended lectures in New York in 1855 and at the Cincinnati Medical College in 1856, graduat- ing from the latter institution May 18, 1856. He located in Ellisburgh, Jefferson County, the same year, where he has practiced to the present time. Dr. Thompson served as coroner for three years, and has been elected to the Assembly twice, from 1886 to 1888. He joined the County Society in 1870, and was elected censor in 1872, '73, '83, and '85.

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THE JEFFERSON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

1873 .- The fifth annual meeting was held January 7, 1873, at the court- house ; members present, 13; absent, 25 ; new member, E. G. Howland, of Watertown. The officers elected were Drs. M. J. Hutchins, president ; Tru- man Tuttle, vice-president ; C. M. Johnson, secretary ; J. M. Crawe, treas- urer ; Drs. Howland, Catlin, Thompson, P. H. Johnson, and Bailey, censors.

The semi-annual meeting was held June 3, 1873, at the court-house, " the president being absent, and the vice-presidency vacant, by the decease of Dr. Tuttle. The meeting was called to order by the secretary. Upon motion of Dr. Bailey Dr. H. G. P. Spencer was elected chairman pro tem." Members present, 13; absent, 25; new members, Drs. James Kelsey, Theresa; N. O. Bemis, Adams ; and George G. Whitaker, Rodman.

M. J. Hutchins. - SEE SKETCH IN THE OLD SOCIETY, page 189.

Truman Tuttle, M. D., was born at Amboy, Onondaga County, N. Y., February 20, 1820. He studied medicine and surgery for three years with Dr. David V. Jones, of Baldwinsville, and attended lectures at Geneva Medical College in 1841, '42, and '43. He practiced in Lor- raine one year, and moved to Rodman in 1845. June 9, 1847, he married Marcia Wood, grand- daughter of Dr. Isaac S. Wood, of Rodman. He was one of the original founders of the reorganized County Medieal Society in 1868, and was elected vice-president in 1873. Dr. Tuttle died April 19, 1873. aged 53 years. He was a quiet, gentlemanly, and well informed man, an honor to his family and the community in which he lived.

Charles A. Catlin, born in Litchfield, Herkimer County, N. Y., February 29, 1836, was ed- ueated at the common schools and the academy of that village. He began the study of medi- cine at Rossie, St. Lawrence County, with Drs. D. McFalls and Seth French, and attended lectures at Albany in 1858, '59, and '61, graduating December 23, 1861. Dr. Catlin settled at Redwood, Jefferson County, where he has resided to the present time, practicing his profes- sion and condneting a drug store. except the time he was in the army. Ile was assistant sur- geon of the 10th N. Y. Cav., and was appointed one of the board of pension examiners Janu- ary 15, 1889. June 7, 1870, he joined the County Medieal Society, and was elected eensor in 1873.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 24

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