USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume III > Part 12
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Dr. Cooper's early education was obtained in the public and high schools of his native city, from both of which he was graduated with honors. He came to New York in 1895, attended the Dwight Scientific School, from which he was graduated the following year, and then began the practical study of medicine in the Long Island Hospital College, being graduated from that institution in 1899. He began the practice of his profession almost immediately after graduation and this was marked with success from the beginning. He rapidly won the confidence and esteem of his fellow practitioners as well as of his patients,
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and for many years has held an assured and enviable position in the profession. He is a man of enterprise and progress, and in spite of the manifold demands made upon his time by the necessities of his calling, devotes a considerable portion of his time to the perusal of medical literature, thus keeping well advised of all innovations and discoveries in that line. He is a member of the County Medical Society, National Association of Physicians and Surgeons, Medical Chirurgical Society, Med- ical Pharmaceutical Society and Alumni of Long Island Hos- pital College. His fraternal affiliations are with Plymouth Rock Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the A. T. Stewart Asso- ciation. He is a member of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife is a member of St. Philip's Protestant Episcopal Church.
He married, April 10, 1901, in New York city, Lottie Frances Meredith, born in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of Frank and Laura Meredith.
ROBERT CORNELIUS FRASER, M. D.
Robert Cornelius Fraser, M. D., an experienced and suc- cessful physician and surgeon of the city of New York, who makes a specialty of electrical treatment, has his offices located at No. 329 West Thirty-fifth street.
Francis Cornelius Fraser, father of Robert Cornelius Fraser, M. D., is a native of British Guiana, South America, where he is professor of languages in Bishop's College, in Demerara. He married Princess Charlotte Bacon, born in British Guiana, died in 1881, and their children are: 1. Litch- field B., a mechanical engineer, at present in charge of the Brit- ish Guiana Gold Mines Company. 2. William R., a mechanical engineer. 3. Susan Christina, married Grant, a
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pharmacist of Demerara. 4. Robert Cornelius, see forward. 5. Ada Zerolina, married.
Robert Cornelius Fraser, M. D., son of Francis Cornelius and Princess Charlotte (Bacon) Fraser, was born in George- town, Demerara, British Guiana, South America, April 15, 1871. His early education was acquired under the able tuition of his father in Bishop's College, and he also studied languages under the preceptorship of the following eminent men: Professor Clarke, of Barbadoes, British West Indies; Professor Daniels, who was connected with the Lady Mico Institute of Antigua, British West Indies; and Rev. H. M. Joseph, now a professor in the high school in Washington, District of Columbia. Dur- ing his tuition under the first two instructors he learned the art of printing in the office of a newspaper called The Argosy, in Georgetown, British Guiana. While serving his appren- ticeship to the printing trade, he also studied stenography with- out the aid of a personal teacher, and at the end of his five years apprenticeship was offered and accepted the position of reporter on a paper entitled British Guiana Gazette. He filled this position very acceptably for fifteen months and then took up the study of nursing and the art of compounding med- icines in an estate hospital under the tuition of a Mr. Abel. He passed a very creditable preliminary examination in 1888 and entered the Colonial Hospital of British Guiana to perfect him- self in these studies. A few months later he was graduated from that institution, receiving a diploma as competent head nurse and pharmacist. During the following two years he was man- ager of the Tuschen de Vrienden Plantation Hospital, filling the position to the great satisfaction of all concerned. He came to the United States in August, 1892, and in the fall of that year matriculated at the Leonard Medical College of Shaw University, Raleigh, North Carolina, where he gave his entire attention to the
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study of medicine for the next three years. He came to New York in 1895, and continued his medical studies at the Eclectic Medical College for one year, being graduated from that institution with honor May 6, 1896. In July of the same year he passed with credit and honor an examination by the New York State Medical Board, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession in the city of New York, where he has attained a high reputation as a physician and surgeon. He compounds most of his prescriptions, and is a strong advocate of electro- therapeutics. His offices are fitted up with an X-ray apparatus, and the most modern and scientific electrical appliances are at hand. With these he has been uniformly successful in treating many serious cases. He is progressive in his methods, but does not believe in discarding old and tried methods before the newer ones have been proven superior. He is associated with the following organizations : County Medical Society; Mount Olive Lodge, No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons of New York, Royal Arch Masons; Mount Calvary Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar; Philomathean Lodge, No. 646, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows; Lincoln Fountain Lodge, No. 3, True Re- formers; Guild of St. Cyprian, of which he is medical examiner; Mount Horeb Tabernacle, Sons and Daughters, Brothers and Sisters of Moses; West Indian Benevolent Society of New York, of which he is the medical examiner; Emanuel Lodge, Knights of Pythias, grand member and grand medical register of same for New York district; Lily of the Valley Lodge, House- hold of Ruth.
He married, December 29, 1901, Lillian P. Taylor, of Rich- mond, Virginia, and they have one child, Lillian Cornelia, born December 28, 1902. Both he and his wife are consistent mem- bers of St. James Presbyterian Church.
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RICHARD A. TAYLOR, M. D.
Richard A. Taylor, M. D., whose offices are located at No. 267 West Fortieth street, has attained more than an ordinary share of success as a physician and surgeon. He was born on the island of St. Kitts, British West. Indies, September 17, 1869.
His early education was acquired in the public schools and by means of private instructors in his native town, and upon coming to New York, in 1889, he continued his studies under private tuition in the city of New York. Later he took up the study of medicine, entering Leonard Medical College, Raleigh, North Carolina, from which he was graduated in the class of 1901. He continued his medical studies in the Long Island Hos- pital College, being graduated with honors from that institution in 1903. While a student at the Leonard Medical College he car- ried off the prizes for Chemistry, Physiology and Obstetrics. He has been a liberal contributor to newspapers and magazines, and was at one time associate editor of the "New York Pilot," a newspaper. He is a member of the County Medical Society, St. John's Lodge, No. 29, F. and A. M., Manhattan Lodge, and True Reformers, being medical examiner for the two last men- tioned. He is one of the rising physicians and surgeons of the city, possesses the confidence and respect of his patients, and his fellow practitioners predict a bright future for him.
YORK RUSSELL, M. D.
York Russell, M. D., an efficient and successful medical practitioner of the city of New York, with offices at No. 317 West Thirty-sixth street, has acquired an enviable reputation for his zeal and earnestness and his careful observance of the laws, written and understood, of his profession. He was born in Barbadoes, British West Indies, May 29, 1867, son of York and Maria (Stewart) Russell, both deceased.
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He enjoyed the advantages of an excellent literary educa- tion in the public and grammar schools of his native town, and this was supplemented by a course in St. Joseph's College, from all of which institutions he was graduated with honor. Upon the completion of his college course he was appointed principal of a school, and conscientiously performed the duties connected with this position for a period of fifteen years. He then decided to take up the study of medicine, resigned his position as principal in 1894 and came to the United States. He matriculated at the Howard University, Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, from which he was graduated in 1898, after which he came to New York and was licensed to practice med- icine and surgery by the board of regents, December 12, 1899. He established himself in his profession immediately and has been in continuous practice since that time, having a lucrative and constantly increasing practice. He is a man endowed with more than an ordinary share of brain power, and is possessed of a forceful, determined character. His classical education is far beyond the average, and he devotes as much time as he can spare from his professional pursuits to reading. He is associated with the following organizations: Member of the County Medical Society; member and medical examiner of the Marine Benevolent Society, and many fraternal orders.
He married, May 31, 1888, Lillian E. Harris, also a native of Barbadoes, and they have children: Claudine, born April 11, 1889; Chester De Witt, born May 11, 1890. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the St. Philip's Protestant Episcopal Church.
JOHN MILTON WILLIAMS, M. D.
John Milton Williams, M. D., a well known physician and surgeon of New York city, with offices located at No. 265 West
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Thirtieth street, has a large and constantly increasing prac- tice. He was born in the city of New York, February 24, 1860, son of John and Elizabeth (Jones) Williams, both deceased. His preliminary education was acquired in the public schools of the city and he then became a student of College of the City of New York. His medical studies were pursued in the Long Island College Hospital, from which he was graduated in the class of 1883. From that time until 1885 he was engaged in the practical pursuit of his profession, with a large amount of success. For some years thereafter his time was spent in extensive traveling, throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Central America. Upon his return, in 1889, he again took up the practice of his profession, in which he has been continuously engaged since that time. He has the con- fidence and esteem of his patients and fellow practitioners, and liis practice is a lucrative one. He is associated with the fol- lowing organizations: Medico-Chirurgical Society of Greater New York; Adelphic Union Lodge, No. 14, Free and Accepted Masons; Lone Star Chapter, No. 2, Royal Arch Masons; North- west Commandery; King David Consistory, No. 3, New York city. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church of the Messiah. He has held the office of medical sanitary in- spector of the city of New York. He married, August, 1896, in New York, Albertina M. Connover, who died December, 1900.
PETER AUGUSTUS JOHNSON, M. D.
The life and success of Dr. Peter A. Johnson is an il- lustration of what a man can accomplish under very discourag- ing circumstances, if actuated by energy and perseverance.
Dr. Johnson was born at Eatontown, New Jersey. In his early youth he was brought up in the family of Frederick W. Stevens, of New York, a gentleman of wealth, and, what is far
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more important, possessed of a philanthropic spirit. Seeing promise of superiority in the young colored boy in his employ, he sent him to school, and afforded him many advantages in the hours not devoted to the duties of his daily labors. These advantages the boy appreciated, and his energies were soon found to be in a congenial field. Mr. Stevens possessed a country seat at Newport, Rhode Island, and the boy went to Rogers high school, in that city. Some years previously he made the acquaintance of Rev. Alexander Cromwell, D. D., a colored minister, who had come from England and who was an excellent Latin and Greek scholar, and from him he re- ceived both sympathy and assistance. One day he saw in a newspaper a notice that there would be a night class of the high school under the tuition of Professor Tilton, who had been master of Philips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. He joined that class with one other colored boy, but the latter soon dropped ont. Professor Tilton inquired his history, and found him possessed of a superior mind, and well deserving of assistance. In this class he remained till the senior year. He then returned to New York and became acquainted with Pro- fessor Clark, who was the principal of the Collegiate Institute, at the corner of Fourth and Macdougal streets. Notwithstand- ing the prejudice which might be expected to be shown to the young colored student, the professor told him he should be admitted to any class for which he could pass the proper ex- amination. The result was that he was promptly admitted to the senior class. The other students, who at first manifested some displeasure, soon discovered that it would require all their labor and ability to keep pace with the new student, and they soon became his warmest friends, and his scholarship was rec- ognized as superior. He afterwards went through the Long Island Medical College, and studied under Dr. Edward J. Mess-
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ner, who was to him like a father and gave him all the assist- ance in his power. He graduated from Long Island College Hospital in 1882, and has ever since been in active and snecess- ful practice in New York. Dr. Johnson was chief of staff of Macdougal Memorial Hospital, and is at present the president of the Medical Chirurgical Society (a colored institution), also state vice-president of the National Medical Association and chairman of executive committee of that society. He is a mem- ber of the County Medical Society. Among the medical frater- nity Dr. Johnson is recognized as a practitioner of skill and ability, and enjoys the respect and friendship of some of the most celebrated physicians of New York.
JOSEPH FRANK THORPE, M. D.
Joseph Frank Thorpe, M. D., a general practitioner of surgery and medicine, with offices at No. 58 West Ninety-ninth street, New York city, was born in Barbadoes, British West Indies, November 23. 1861. He is a son of Francis W. and Mary (Duchess) Thorpe, both deceased.
He acquired his early education in the public schools, not- ably S. David's high school, under the instruction of a tutor who was a graduate of the University of London, England. Upon the completion of his classical studies he became the prin- cipal of Vaux Hall and S. David's public schools, positions which he filled with credit and honor to himself and satisfaction to all concerned for a period of fifteen years. Having decided to take up the study of medicine he resigned his principalship and came to the United States. He matriculated at the Howard University of Washington, District of Columbia, and was grad- uated from that institution of learning in the class of 1903. He began the practice of his profession in New York city in No- vember of the following year, and has met with a marked
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degree of success. His earnest devotion to his profession has won the confidence of his patients and his practice is a rapidly growing one. He is connected with the following organiza- tions: County Medical Society of Greater New York; Medico- Chirurgical Society of Greater New York; Livesey Comet Lodge, No. 3312, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows; Majestic Lodge, No. 7, Knights of Pythias; Court Calanthe Lodge, No. 336, Knights of Pythias, of which he is the medical examiner. He married, in Barbadoes, Clarissa Smith, principal of a girls' school in Barbadoes, British West Indies, and their children are: Stanley H., Winifred E., and Enid F. He and his family attend the Protestant Episcopal church.
THOMAS S. P. MILLER, M. D.
Thomas S. P. Miller, M. D., a general practitioner of med- icine and surgery in the city of New York, with offices at No. 250 West One Hundred and Twenty-fourth street, is one of those energetic characters who seem to find time to accomplish their own duties well and bear a goodly share of those of their neighbors. He is not alone an able, experienced physician, but he has taken an active part in the political interests of his country, and bore a gallant part in the late Civil war. He was born in Charleston, South Carolina, July 10, 1846, son of the late Gabriel and Nancy (Pierson) Miller.
In early life Thomas S. P. Miller removed to Portland, Maine, where he acquired a good public school education and took a course in the business college of Bryant & Stratton. His classical education was acquired under the able tnition of Rev. Dr. O. T. Tuckerman. He read medicine in the office and under the preceptorship of Dr. Samuel H. Tewksbury and also at- tended a course of lectures at the Portland School for Medical Instruction, supplementing this with a varied course of studies
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in Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine. He then entered the medical department of the Howard University at Washington, District of Columbia, in 1871, and was gradnated with honor three years later in the class of 1874. After this he attended a short course of lectures in the Long Island Hospital College, and June 12, 1874, feeling himself well equipped for his life work, he commenced the practice of his chosen profession in the city of New York. His efforts were crowned with success from the very beginning, and his practice is a large and Incra- tive one. Although there are many demands made upon his time by his numerous patients, he makes the best possible use of the odd moments and is continually adding to his store of knowledge. He makes personal investigation as far as his time will permit of all the discoveries and innovations which have been made in the science of medicine during the past years, and if found practical and available they are adopted by him. During 1873 and a part of 1874 he was professionally connected with the Freedmen's Hospital, in Washington, Dis- triet of Columbia. During the troublous times of the Civil war he was with Captain N. E. Elfwing, of the Forty-eighth Regi- ment, New York Volunteers, at the siege of Fort Pulaski, Sa- vannah river, near Danfiskie Island, South Carolina, the storm- ing of Fort Wagner, and other important conflicts of the war. He has been actively interested in political affairs, and in 1883 was an Independent Republican candidate for assembly, and was a regular candidate for alderman for the United Labor party of eleventh assembly district. He has served as a mem- ber of the board of trustees of the Metropolitan Art Associa- tion. He is connected with the following organizations: Mem- ber of the New York County Medical Society for twenty-five years; charter member of the MacDonough Memorial Hospital and Dispensary of New York; past master of Hiram Lodge,
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No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons; Widow's Son Chapter, No. 5, Royal Arch Masons; commander in chief of Lucidius Con- sistory, Ancient Arabic Scottish Rite Masons; member of Alu- cias Temple, Knights of the Mystic Shrine; P. N. H .; Hamilton Lodge, No. 710, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows; past vice-supreme chancellor and supreme medical director of the Knights of Pythias.
He married, October 31, 1879, in New York, Amanda Cooper, of Augusta, Georgia. He and his wife attend serv .. ices at St. Philip's Protestant Episcopal church.
ALBERT S. REED, M. D.
Albert S. Reed, M. D., a highly valued general practitioner of medicine and surgery for the past ten years in the city of New York, with offices now located at No. 314 West Fifty-second street, owes his marked success to his indefatigable zeal and diligence. He was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, August 11, 1869, son of Harry G. and Mollie (Gardner) Reed, the for- mer deceased, the latter still living in South Carolina.
Dr. Reed received his early education in the public schools of Beaufort, South Carolina, then matriculated at Lincoln Uni- versity, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1891. He returned to his native city, was appointed clerk in the office of the sheriff, his brother being sheriff of Beaufort at that time, and also served in the capacity of deputy sheriff for some time. He performed the duties of these offices very efficiently for about one year. He then came to New York city, entered the New York Homeopathic Medical College and Flower Hospital, and was graduated from these institutions in 1895. He engaged in the practice of his profession one year later, May, 1896. He takes his profession very seriously, and his intel- ligence, earnestness and sympathy have endeared him to a large Vol. III-11
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circle of patients. He is a member of the Medico-Chirurgical Society, president of the Southern Beneficial League, and exam- ining physician of Howard Union Lodge. Both he and his wife are active members of the Baptist Temple, and he is a member of the board of trustees. He married, January 25, 1905, Daisy P. Cargile, a graduate of Louisville high school and of New York Business School.
HON. THERON R. STRONG.
Hon. Theron R. Strong, deceased, was a son of Judge Mar- tin Strong, of Litchfield, Connecticut, and his wife, Sally Har- rison Strong, and was born at Litchfield, Connecticut, Novem- ber 7, 1802. He received a thorough training in his profession in the office of his father, and in 1826 commenced practice at Palmyra, Wayne county, New York. He resided there for a period of twenty-seven years, during which time many honors were conferred upon him.
For five years he was district attorney of Wayne county, and was a master and examiner in chancery for a long time. He was elected to Congress in 1839 and served his district for two years in that office. In 1842 he was a member of the legis- lature of New York. In 1851 he was elected a judge of the Supreme court and filled that honorable position creditably for eight years. During one of these years he was a member of the Court of Appeals and his numerous decisions, then rendered, are often quoted with approbation for the force and cogency that characterized them. The celebrated Cancemi case was twice before the highest tribunal of the state while he was a member of it, and on both occasions he delivered the opinion of the court. More opinions emanated from him while a member of this court than from any other judge, except Judge Denie. After retiring from the bench, Judge Strong resumed the prac-
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tice of his profession at Rochester, New York, in which city he resided from 1853 to 1867. During that period his business was very extensive, and he was on one side or the other in almost every important case arising in the Seventh Judicial district. He removed to New York city in 1867, and was at the time of his death the senior member of the firm of Strong & Shepard, and engaged up to that time in active practice in the United States and state courts. Judge Strong had the reputation of possessing a mind eminently candid and judicial, of considering all questions submitted to him with care and circumspection and wisely deciding upon all the facts. He died at his residence, No. 61 West Forty-sixth street, May 14, 1873.
GOLDSBROW BANYAR.
For more than half a century one of the most conspicuous characters in the life of New York city, and ranked among its most prominent citizens, was Goldsbrow Banyar, Esq. He was born in London, 1725, and came to America at the early age of fourteen. He had scarcely arrived at manhood before he began a long career of official life, and he lived long after the Revo- lution.
In 1746 he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Colony of New York, and in that capacity had full charge of the record- ing of wills, and volume after volume are certified by the ele- gant signature of Goldsbrow Banyar. He was also Deputy Clerk of the Council, and of the Supreme Court. In 1752 he was made Register of the Court of Chancery, and in 1753 was Judge of Probate. He remained in office till the beginning of the Revolu- tion, when all his public engagements ceased with the termina- tion of the Royal government. When the Whigs assumed the direction of affairs he retired to Rhinebeck, where he lived a quiet life, undisturbed by the war that shook the country. The
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fact that he had held office under the Royal government caused him to be ranked among the Loyalists, but no overt act in hos- tility to the American cause was ever nrged against him. When peace returned he removed to Albany, where he was for many years a very prominent citizen, taking a great interest in the internal improvements of the state and contributing to all a lib- eral support. In the latter part of his life he was afflicted with blindness, and was led about the streets by a colored servant. He died in Albany in 1815, at the advanced age of ninety-one, and left to his descendants a large fortune and a more endur- ing inheritance in the recollection of his many virtues and the example of a life devoted to duty.
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