History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 94

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Doctor Leach was with his father during his residence in New York City, and was subsequently engaged with him for some eight years in woolen manufacturing, and flouring business at Owego, Tioga Co., N. Y. At the age of twenty- one he was married to Olive, daughter of James S. Foster and Betsey Miles, of Paris, N. Y. She was born at Cats- kill, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1799.

Photo. by Williams.

E. Leach

In the year 1826 the doctor removed with his family to Utica and soon after engaged in the jewelry business, which he was obliged to relinquish in 1838 on account of the loss of his sight. This affliction was prolonged for several years, and led him, after a partial recovery, to make a thorough study of the eye, its various diseases, and methods of treat- ment. For this, his habit of close application, power of patient investigation, thoroughness of research, which no superficial attainment would satisfy, combined with unusual mental ability, peculiarly fitted him. The result was re- markable. After a time he opened an office in Utica, as an oculist, and so successful did he become in the treatment of the various diseases of the eye, that he soon not only acquired the respect and confidence of the physicians and citizens of his city and county, but gained a wide reputa- tion throughout the State and the Union.

Great energy, perseverance, and close application charac- terized him, and for years he treated on the average over one hundred cases daily, so great were the calls upon his acknowledged skill.

Could he have lived, as was hoped, to embody, as was often urged upon him by physicians and others, the results of his knowledge, skill, and experience, in an illustrated and exhaustive work on the diseases and treatment of the

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

eye, it would have been one of the most valuable contribu- tions to medical science ever published. But the tax upon his endurance and great resolution to do was too great for his physical powers, impaired as they had been by his pre- vious sufferings with his eyes, and several years prior to his decease he suffered from a slight paralytic stroke; but only partially recovering, he was obliged thereafter to con- five his practice to only a limited number of patients each day, and on the day of his death, July 2, 1861, he treated thirty cases.

Dr. Leach was passionately fond of, and possessed a thorough knowledge of, music; was a master of several instruments, and was for some years organist in Trinity and the Dutch Reformed Churches in Utica.

Although always greatly interested in the affairs of the country, and a man of sincere and earnest opinions, he never took an active part in the political questions of the day, but identified himself first with the Whig and subse- quently with the Republican party.

-His children are Eliza Emily, Charles Brayton (who died in San Francisco, Cal., in 1850), and Julia Catherine, wife of Wallace Warren, of Chicago, IIl.

Mrs. Dr. Leach still survives in 1878, although for many years an invalid, and retains her strength of mind to a re- markable degree.

JACOB HUNT

was born in Hillsdale, Columbia Co., N. Y., Jan. 25, 1811. He was the eighth child and fourth son of Captain William Hunt and Betsey Calkins,-the former a native of Vermont, the latter a native of Sharon, Litchfield Co., Conn. His father came with his family and settled in the town of West- moreland, this county, in the year 1814, purchased a farm, and, to some extent, in connection with his farming, carried on the tan and currying business. He was captain in the war of 1812-14, raised a family of six sons and four daughters to manhood and womanhood, and died in the town where he settled, aged seventy-three years. His wife survived him some seven years, and died at the age of seventy-three years. All of the sons have held honorable, and some of them prominent, places in society.

Dr. Hunt spent his early life at home on the farm, and received his education at the common school, at Clinton Academy, and Cazenovia Seminary, and during his minority was a teacher for four terms. At the age of twenty-one he began the study of medicine with Dr. Parker Sedgwick, of Lowell, Oneida Co., and subsequently studied with Dr. Josiah Nolton, of Cazenovia, N. Y., and, after three courses of lectures at Fairfield Medical College, graduated from that institution, receiving the degree of M.D. from the Regents of the University of the State of New York, Feb. 2, 1836.

He at once commenced the practice of his profession in Lowell with Dr. Sedgwick, and after three years settled in practice by himself at that place, where he remained until the spring of 1853, when he settled in the city of Utica, and has since remained continuously in practice. Dr. Hunt began practice where he had been raised from boyhood, and during his career there as a physician had the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His specialty has been in the treatment of fevers, in which cases he has been

remarkably successful, and his skill and ability in that direc- tion is worthy of note in writing this sketch. Dr. Hunt has never taken an active part in political circles, but in early life identified himself with the Democratic party ; but upon the formation of the Republican party became a strong supporter of its principles. During his time of practice in Lowell he held for several terms the office of school super- intendent.

Dr. Hunt is a member both of the Oneida County Medi- cal Society and the State Medical Society, and has been elected at two different times as delegate to the American Medical Association.

At the age of twenty he united with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and has since that time been connected not only as a member, but closely identified with the councils of that body, in the various offices of trust and responsibility ; has been an independent delegate to the General Conference at five different times. Dr. Hunt has been twice married : first to Harriet Nurse, of Utica, Sept. 29, 1852. She was born June 10, 1815; was an exceedingly modest, unassuming woman ; had a high sense of propriety ; was always judicious and remarkably independent in her opinions and convic- tions. She was ever true and loyal to the church, of which she became a member in 1842. She died April 20, 1870. For his second wife, Jan. 17, 1872, he married Elizabeth A., daughter of Captain Henry W. Snyder, formerly of Albany, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Utica. Dr. Hunt is kind and affable, generous and sympathizing, has a high sense of honor, and abhors the vulgar. He is a man of acknowledged piety, but holds the broadest views of catholicity, and, as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, has been instrumental in introducing the lay dele- gation into the Conference of that Church.

CORDEN HACKETT

was born in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, England, May 29, 1819. His father, William Hackett, having met with severe financial reverses, came to this country with his family, consisting of his wife, daughter Eliza (now Mrs. John T. Stevens), and son Corden, in the year 1821; for many years was in business with his son after settling in Utica ; was a deacon of the Reformed Church, a plain, unas- suming man, and died at the age of fifty-six, in the year 1851. His mother was a delicate, yet highly-cultivated woman, the daughter of Rev. John Thompson, an Episcopal clergyman. She lived in great retirement until her death, which occurred in 1832, she being thirty-three years of age.

Mr. Hackett at an early age apprenticed himself to Al- fred Burnet, a confectioner and baker. His close attention to business, his integrity of purpose, soon won for him the confidence of his employer, and he was raised to a higher position, and subsequently went into the same business with his father, which he successfully carried on for a number of years, when, on retiring from the business for other pur- suits, soon found that he was better adapted to the business io which his early life was spent, and returned to it with fresh courage and that resolution characteristic of his career in all his business relations, and so extended it as to meet the requirements of a large class of customers in Utica and vicinity, which he has always retained.

Engaby BREM & Sons> Barclay StNY

Dr Jacob stunt

JACOB HUNT M

Alouzo Churchill

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

355

Mr. Hackett is ranked among the most active and enter- prising of the business men of Utica, and among others has erected one of the finest blocks on Genesee Street to be found in the city, a view of which may be found on another page of this work.

In politics he has been identified with the Republican party since its formation, casting his first vote with the old Whig party. Although not solicitous of any political preferment himself, he has been active in advocating the principles of his party, and securing men suitable for the various offices within the gift of the people. And notwith- standing his reluctance in official relations, he has been chosen alderman and supervisor for one term each.

Mr. Hackett in early life became a member of the Re- formed Church, and has been prominently identified with its councils and for many years a deacon of that church.

In the year 1858 he married Miss Sarah Lalouette, only child of Daniel S. Hauxhurst, of New York, belonging to a prominent Quaker family of that name, who had settled in Queen's Co., L. I., in the beginning of the eighteenth century, the emigrant being her great-grandfather, Daniel Hauxhurst. Mrs. Hackett was born Oct. 22, 1832, and is a lady of more than ordinary culture.

Their children are Lansing Hall, a graduate of Lawrence- ville, N. J., and also of the law class of '78 at Hamilton College, N. Y., and now a practicing attorney in Utica, N. Y .; Frank Mills (deceased); William Corden; and Clarence Lalouette.

ALFRED. CHURCHILL

was born at Chatham, Conn., Aug. 29, 1790. He was son of Daniel Churchill and Eunice Saxton. His father removed to Richfield, N. Y., with his family in the year 1795, made farming his principal business, and died at the latter place, December, 1812. ;

In the year 1824, December 23, Alfred married Miss Emma, daughter of Matthew Derbyshire, of Hartwick, Otsego Co., N. Y., and in the year 1826 came to Utica, N. Y., where he settled and spent the balance of his life. Soon after his arrival here he entered into partnership with Moses Bagg in the hotel then and since known by his name, and remained in that connection until the year 1836 (excepting one year spent as proprietor of the " Northi American," located on Genesce Street nearly opposite Broad Street), when the hotel was purchased of Mr. Bagg by a joint stock company, consisting of Horatio Seymour, E. T. T. Martin, E. A. Wetmore, Josiah Rathbun, and himself. Mr. Churchill continued to carry it on until his death, Jan. 10, 1865, having at intervals bought up the interests of his associates, as well as the Bleecker House adjoining on the northi, which he united with his own.

Among his fellow-citizens Mr. Churchill was known as a man of high moral worth and unsullied integrity, strictly honest in his dealings with his fellows, kind and considerate to those in his employ, and tender and affectionate in his family relations. He was likewise eminently liberal in the discharge of the claims of society. He had marked char- acteristics, and among the most prominent were great self- reliance, independence of thought, and determination of purpose; but while acting under the convictions of his own

judgment, he was always upright, honorable, and just. His enterprise and business capacity gave weight to his counsel and success to his individual undertakings.

Mr. Churchill was identified in politics with the Demo- cratic party, yet was not in any sense of the word a pro-

Photo. by Williams.

Alfredchurchice

fessional politician, looking as well to the men as to prin- ciples involved in casting his vote, and through the suf- frages of his townsmen was elected to the office of alderman in the city for several terms. By his marriage he had three children : Alfred Derbyshire, died Dec. 27, 1853. George Clarence, who received his early education in Utica, and graduated at Rutgers College, N. J., in the year 1851, following which he spent three years as a civil engineer on the Pottsville and Sanbury Railroad, Pa .; Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, Ill .; and on the Utica and Black River Railroad, N. Y. He then entered the law-office of Mann & Edmonds, of Utica, and in the year 1857 was ad- mitted to the courts of the State as an attorney and coun- selor. The youngest child, Charlotte Derbyshire, died Feb. 26, 1834. Mrs. Churchill died Aug. 28, 1866, having survived her husband only a little more than one year.

ALONZO CHURCHILL, M.D.,

of Utica, was born in Richfield, January 20, 1811. His father was Selden Churchill, of Connecticut. The early progenitors of the family were three brothers of the nanie, who came hither from England prior to the Revolutionary war, two of them settling in New Hampshire, and one, from whom Dr. Churchill reckons his descent, locating in Connecticut. About 1796, Daniel Churchill, with his son Selden, removed to Richfield, Otsego Co., and purchased a tract of land, where, after a residence of seventy years, the father died, in 1866, having reached the venerable age of eighty-three. His wife was Mary (Duel) Churchill, daugh-

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ter of Daniel Duel, of New York State. Her mother was a descendant of Ethan Allen, of historic fame. After being instructed in the private schools of the vicinity, Dr. Churchill graduated at the Hartwick Academy, and com- menced the study of medicine with Dr. D. V. Thomas, of Richfield, and afterwards studied with Dr. Menzo White, of Cherry Valley. He attended the requisite course of medical training in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Western New York, at Fairfield, during the years 1832- 33, and in the latter year received a diploma from the Otsego Medical Society. In 1856 he was accorded the degree of M.D. by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, and a similar honor was conferred by the Albany Medical College in 1872. In 1855, Dr. Churchill was chosen to represent his fellow-citizens in the Legislature, and rendered excellent service to the profession while on the committee having in charge the interests of medical societies. Entering the army, in 1861, as surgeon of the 14th New York Volunteers, with rank as major, he continued with his regiment during the entire period of service. This regiment participated in some of the most notable battles of the war,-the seven days' fight on the Peninsula, and also the engagement at Chancellorsville. On the second day of the former battle Dr. Churchill was taken prisoner at Gaines' Mills, or Cold Harbor, as it is sometimes called, with about five hundred wounded men. They were sent to Richmond, ostensibly for hospital pur- poses. Arrived there he was ordered to disembark his wounded soldiers, and was himself placed in Libby prison. In a few days, however, the rebel authorities permitted him to remove those who were severely wounded (in number about two hundred) to Savage Station, where our troops, in their retreat, had left the hospital tents standing. During their captivity and transportation the regiment suffered greatly from want of both medical and commissary stores, Dr. Churchill performing operations, the only dressings for which were strips of shelter-tents found on the field.

Unwilling to return to private practice while there ex- isted urgent need for surgical service among our troops, Dr. Churchill accepted an appointment as surgeon of the 8th Regiment Heavy Artillery, Colonel Porter command- ing. This body of men was raised about Niagara, and stationed at Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, and subse- quently, in 1863, at Federal Hill, at which point Dr. Churchill had charge of the post hospital. In the spring of 1864 they were ordered into active service, continuing thus occupied until the close of the war. During his con- nection with this regiment Dr. Churchill was brevetted licutenant-colonel for meritorious services, and afterwards was created colonel. He returned to domestic practice at the close of the war, in 1865. Previous to his military services he had won honors of a professional character. His contributions to medical literature are able and have been well received, particularly the following : a paper on "Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis," communicated to the New York State Medical Society ; also one on "Strangulated Hernia," published in the " Transactions of the Oneida County Medical Society"; and another on " Sanitary Science," upon which last his extended surgico-military experience qualified him to speak with authority.

Dr. Churchill is a prominent member of the New York State Medical Society, also of the Otsego County Medical Society, and was in 1869 the president of the Medical So- ciety of Oneida County, of which he is still a member. He was appointed surgeon-in-chief of the Faxton Hospital upon its organization, which position he now holds, and is also one of the trustees of that institution. Dr. Churchill is interested in church and other kindred interests, and for several years has been a vestryman of Calvary Church, Utica, N. Y.

He has never been actively connected in political circles; was originally a member of the old Whig party, but since the organization of the Republican party has supported its principles and reform.

Dr. Churchill, hastening, with many medical compatriots, to the defense of the flag and the constitution, in his con- nection with the corps of operating surgeons, rendered val- uable service to his country. Recognized as a man of eminent ability by the fraternity, and rewarded with mili- tary honors by the government, he has merited, by his devotion to the cause of humanity, the respect and admira- tion of the community. In the year 1834, October 2, he married Miss Jane, daughter of Walter Morgan, a native of Wales, but for a long time a resident of Utica. They have two daughters : Charlotte, wife of James E. Carmalt, of Susquehanna Co., Pa., and Emma D.

DR. JEAN BATISTE MARCHISI

was born in Turin, in Piedmont, Italy, on the 10th of Feb- ruary, 1788. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the French army, and served for three years and five months. He had seen the great Napoleon many times, and re- called many incidents of his early army life. He spoke with enthusiasm of Napoleon's attention to his soldiers in hospital. His rank was that of paymaster's sergeant. Being on board a French frigate in the year 1809, a severe storm drove the craft under the guns of the British fort at Messina, in the Island of Sicily, and the commander of the frigate surrendered to prevent the total destruction of his ship. With the other prisoners Sergeant Marchisi was confined in Fort Messina for a long time, and many of his comrades died through hard prison fare. His captors finally offered him liberty pro- vided he would join the British service. He consulted with his fellow-prisoners, and all determined to enter the service of the enemy, believing that this was the only way to save their lives. His captors gave young Marchisi the same rank he held in the French army, sent him to this country, and stationed him at Fort George, below Kingston. The old gentleman speaks of his duties in Canada as being laborious in the extreme. The pay- master's clerical work all devolved upon him, and most of the time the paymaster was absent .. The doctor says he was obliged to prepare five estimates-the original sheet, one for the paymaster, one for the commissary-general, one for the commander, and one for the English government. Here he learned to write in that clear, stereotyped hand that marks his penmanship at the advanced age of ninety.

He was married in 1813. His marriage certificate hangs in his residence, and when it was alluded to by the writer

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

357

the doctor went to the house, detached it from its position on the wall, and laid.it on the desk. It reads as follows :

. " KINGSTON, UPPER CANADA, Dec. 18, 1813.

" I do hereby certify that the religious ceremony of matrimony was duly solemnized on the 18th day of December, 1813 (Sunday), be- tween Jean Batiste Marchisi and Catherine Forhis, the former Pay- master Sergeant in De Walterville's Regiment, and the latter an in- habitant of Kingston, who were married on the above day by license, and with the permission of V. Visher, Lt. Col. Commanding, by me.

" GEORGE OKILE STUART,

" Minister and Missionary of Kingston, U. C."

Sergeant Marchisi was on duty in Fort George when that fortress was taken by the American forces in the war of 1812, and he continued in the British service until the cessation of hostilities.

A LITTLE.

Photo, by Williams.

Jaren & Omarchis 91. hears Oto

Dr. Marchisi came to Utica in 1815. In Italy, from his fourteenth to his eighteenth year, he had been in the ser- vice of an apothecary, and on one occasion, when a boy of fifteen, was sent to deliver some medicine to Prince Beau- harnais. He describes his sensations while executing this commission, and speaks vividly of the terror inspired by the huge black Mamelukes who stood guard at the door of the chamber of the Prince. His early experience as an apothe- cary's assistant induced him to enter the medical field when he came to Utica, in 1815. He entered the office of Dr. Hull, and was with that physician for ten years. He was naturalized at the old court-house, in Whitestown, by Judge Miller, the father of the late Rutger B. Miller, and his naturalization papers are dated sixty-two years ago.

Utica was then a village, and, as the doctor expressed it, " there were no sidewalks, and really but one street, Main Street. There was but one brick building in the village, and that was occupied by Judge Ostrom. It stood on the site of the old Franklin House." Dr. Marchisi recalls the time when the late Thomas E. Clark was sick. He resided in the upper part of Genesee Street when it was so thickly wooded that it was impossible to reach Mr. Clark's residence with a conveyance. He remembers Ezra S. Barnum in those early days, and speaks with warm expressions of praise of Mr. Barnum's services as collector, trustee, and under-sheriff. He remembers distinctly when Wm. N. Seward was a printer here and kept a bookstore. He recalls Judge Camp, president of the village of Utica, and the Merrell family, and General Kirkland, and other early residents.

Mrs. Dr. Marchisi is living at the age of seventy-eight. Her health is very good. "Of course," said Dr. Marchisi, " my wife can't run as fast as she once could, but her average physical condition is extremely good." In speaking of his labors as a physician, the doctor said, " I am proud of one feature of my career-the discovery of the Catholicon. Howarth & Ballard paid me $10,000 cash for it. I believe it has done untold good."

The doctor and his wife have had thirteen children, three of whom are now living. These are Mr. Henry N. Marchisi, of Utica, Mr. F. W. Marchisi, of Chicago, and Mrs. Elizabeth Tanner, of Cooperstown. They have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Dr. Marchisi served thirteen years in the volunteer fire department of Utica, being a member of old Lafayette Fire Company, No. 4. His certificate of discharge hangs framed iu his office, and bears the signature of Ward Hunt (since one of the justices of the United States Supreme Court) who was mayor of Utica at the time Dr. Marchisi's exemp- tion certificate was made out.

Dr. Marchisi is a life member of the Utica Mechanics' Association, and his certificate to that effect, signed in 1848 by " Theo. S. Faxton, President," has been carefully pre- served.

He was also one of the original stockholders and members of the Utica Female Seminary, and exhibits the first cer- tificate of stock issued bearing the signature of "J. Wat- son Williams, Treasurer."

Dr. Marchisi is an entertaining talker. He gives an in- teresting account of his first voyage to this country. The trip to Quebec consumed thirty-two days, and was an event- ful one to the young sergeant, who had just joined the ser- vice of the King of Great Britain. His memory is excel- lent, and he can to-day carry on a conversation in .either German, French, Italian, or English. He called on his old friend, Ezra. S. Barnum, a short time before his death, and both enjoyed the interview greatly. While the writer was conversing with the doctor, his son Henry entered. The old gentleman inquired after Mr. Barnum, and said, " I am sorry Mr. Barnum is so poorly. He is only eighty- six years old, however, and I think he should live much longer. His habits have always been the very best."*

Mr. Barnum has since died.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

WILLIAM RUSSELL

was born of Scotch parentage, in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, on the 5th of June, 1821. He was the eldest of nine children of Robert Russell and Agnes Dunlop. His father was a coal-factor in the city of Glasgow, where he managed a large and profitable business. The family emigrated to this country in the year 1832, acting on the advice of their lawyers in the prosecution of a claim for the escheated estate of the late John G. Leake, of New York, whose property, by act of the Legislature, founded and built the Leake and Watts' Orphan Asylum.

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920