History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 43

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336

USA > New York > Orange County > History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 43

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In 1834, Rev. Tisdal accepted the position of super- intendent of schools in the State of Virginia, and Dr. Hunt accompanied him as assistant, and re- mained in the South seven years, a part of the time superintending a plantation.

In 1841 he began the study of medicine at New Haven, Conn .; was graduated from the Medical De- partment of Yale College in 1846 ; was surgeon in the hospital at New Ilaven for one year, and then located at Centreville, in Sussex Co., N. J.

In 1865 he removed to Port Jervis, where by his perseverance, devotion to, and care of his patients, he established himself in a successful practice.

Dr. Hunt was an earnest worker in his profession, thorough in his diagnosis of a case, and cautious, yet thorough, in the treatment of diseases. He died in 1875.

DR. WILLIAM P. TOWNSEND, son of William Town- send, was born at Lancaster, Worcester Co., Mass., July 26, 1818. His early education was mainly ac- quired at the common school and at the Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. For some time before reach- ing his majority he was a teacher.

Subsequently he was graduated from the Medical Department of Harvard University, and in the spring of I845 settled at Hamptonburgh, Orange Co., in the practice of his profession. There he remained only a short time, and removed to Florida, in this county, where he continued his professional duties until 1849, when he settled in Goshen, where he devotedly and successfully practiced medicine until his death, which occurred Dec. 25, 1876. ITe was an active member of the Orange County Medical Society. He was twice"

WILMOT C. TERRY, M.D .- A branch of the Terry family were early settlers on Long Island, to which point they had originally emigrated from England. Some of its members eventually found their way to Orange County, among whom was Constant Terry, the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, who located in Bloomsbury, and engaged in the pursuits of an agriculturist.

Ile was twice married. To the first union were born children,-Austin, Havens, and two daughters, Hephzibah and Dorothy, and to the second five chil- dren,-Youngs, Tuttle, Nicholas, and two daughters. Austin, the father of Dr. W. C. Terry, was born at Bloomsbury, and engaged during his lifetime in the occupation to which he was reared,-that of a farmer. He was married to Miss Sarah Myers, and at a later period repaired to Goshen. The children of this marriage were Van Rensselaer, John, Mary, Wilmot C., Sarah, William A., and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Terry in later years made Wallkill his resi- dence, where his death transpired. The birth of his son Wilmot C. occurred Jan. 15, 1822, in the town- ship of Blooming-Grove, though his early life wa- passed in the suburbs of the village of Goshen.

The public school of the vicinity enabled him to acquire the rudiments of knowledge, the labors of the farm having occupied the time which was not devoted to study. At the age of twenty-one Dr. Terry took leave of the parental home and engaged in teaching as the initiatory step in a career of independence.

Having meanwhile trained his mind to habits of study and thought he determined upon a professional life, and chose that of medicine as most congenial to his tastes. He, in 1847, entered the office of Dr. Gabriel P. Reeves, of Goshen, where three years were spent in close application, with attendance during this period upon lectures at the Medical Department of the University of New York .. IIe then repaired to the Castleton Medical College, Castleton, Vt., from whence he graduated in 1851.

In the spring of 1839 he went to New York, when, being without friends, he failed to get employment, and the following autumn he went to Shawangunk, Dr. Terry soon after established himself in practice at Ridgebury, Orange Co., where he has since resided. llis professional labors extend over an area of many physician have rendered him deservedly popular. Ulster Co., where he remained, engaged in teaching, until 1844, and during the same year pursued his medical studies. In this way he obtained means, miles, where his fidelity to patients and his skill as a and attended lectures at the medical college at Cas- tleton, Vt.

In politics Dr. Terry is a Republican, and though earnest in the espousal of the principles of the party, cares little for the official honors within its gift. Ilis religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member.

The doctor has been twice married,-first, in 1854, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Dr. J. HI. Halsted, of Ridgebury, to whom one daughter, Flora Bell, was born. Mrs. Terry died Jan. 27, 1857, and he was again married, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Henry Decker, of Wawayanda. Their children are Fannie

178

IHISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

E. and Lillie Gertrude, a son, Wilmot A., having died in infancy.

MEDICAL SOCIETIES.

By act of the Legislature, passed April 4, 1806, the physicians and surgeons in the several counties of the State, or such of them as were authorized to practice by the law which was then in force, were empowered to organize societies, which, by such organization, be- came bodies corporate, and from each of which one delegate should be elected, who, with his associates similarly chosen, should constitute a State society, which also. became a body corporate. The county societies were authorized to examine students and grant diplomas ; and it was further provided that no person should "practice physic or surgery" in any county until after he had passed an examination by the society of the county in which he proposed to prac- tice, or should he do so he was to be disqualified from collecting " any debt or debts incurred by such prac- tice" in any county of the State.

Pursuant to the provisions of this law, the Medical Society of Orange County was organized, July 1, 1806, at a meeting of physicians held in the court-house at Goshen, Dr. Jonathan Swezey, chairman, and Dr. Thomas Wickham, clerk. The minute record is as follows :

" Doctors Jonathan Swezey, Thomas Wickham, Elijah Randall, William Elmer, William Elliot, Sanmel S. Seward, Benjamin S. Hoyt, Nathaniel Elmer, Elisha Du Bois, Charles Fowler, David R. Arnell, Samuel Warner, Win. McCoppins, Aaron M. Smith, William Gourlay, Eleazer Gidaey, Elihu Hedges, Ethan Watson, Cornelius Roosn, James Bradner, Henry I. Hornbeck, and Elijah Welch were present and produced their licenses to practice physic and surgery necording to law.

" The society then proceeded to organize themselves and elect their officers, when the following gentlemen were elected for the ensuing year, viz .: Dr. Jonathan Swezey, president ; Dr. Samuel S. Seward, vice-pres- ident ; Dr. Nathaniel Elanor, secretary; Dr. Thomas Wickham, treas- urer.

" Doctors Anthony Davis, Elisha DuBois, Charles Fowler, Joseph Whalen, and Cornelius Roosa wore appointed censors.

" Dr. David R. Arnell was elected member of the State Medical So- ciety."

A list of members, officers, and other matters per- taining to the operation of the society, taken from its records, is appended, as well as similar facts in con- nection with the Homeopathic Medical Society.

It will be observed that the act under which the Orange County Medical Society was organized gave to it great power. Without its indorsement no one could practice medicine in the county except under the generous label of "quaek," nor if one did practice could he collect his bills by law. Perhaps the society always exercised its prerogative wisely,-perhaps it protected the public from or warned them against uneducated medical pretenders, by the mere fact that they were disqualified from becoming members of it,- we shall not say ; but this is very clear, that many physicians whose names do not appear on its rolls were esteemed worthy and competent by their patients. Thomsonianism, hydropathyism, eclecticism, and other systems were exeluded. Homeopathy shared

in its ostracism for years, except in cases where mem- bers of the society adopted the new practice, as was the fact with Dr. Ostrom and others, or where diplomas were obtained from recognized colleges. Appeals were repeatedly made to the Legislature for a modifi- cation of the law so far as it related to the collection of bills, but for over forty years this provision re- mained unchanged.

Viewed from the stand-point of the present, a wiser law, at least a law which recognizes the progress which has been made in medical science during the past half-century, was that of 1880, which repeals the law of 1806, and provides :

" Every person now lawfully engaged in the practice of physic aud sur- gery within the State shall, on or before the first day of October, eighteen hundred and eighty, and every person hereafter duly authorized to prac- tice physic and surgery shall, before commencing to practice, register in the clerk's office of the county where he is practicing, or intends to com- mence the practice of physic and surgery, in a book to be kept by said clerk, his name, residence, and place of birth, together with his authority for so practicing physic and surgery, as prescribed in this act. The per- son so registering shall subscribe and verify by onth or affirmation, before a person duly qualified to administer ouths under the laws of the State, an athunvit containing such facts, and whether such authority is by diploma or license, and the date of the same and by whom granted, which, if wilfully false, shall convict the afliant to conviction and punishment for perjury." . . . " The degree of Doctor of Medicine lawfully conferred by any incorporated medical college or university in this State shall be a license to practice physic and surgery within the State after the per- son to whom it is granted shall have complied with the provisions" above quoted. Persons coming into the State from another State may have license to practice on obtaining the indorsement of their diplomas by any incorporated medical college or school of the State. This pro- vision, however, does not "apply to any person who has practiced med- icine and surgery fur ten years last past, and who is now pursuing the study of medicine and surgery in any legally incorporated medical col- lege within this State, and who shall graduate from and receive a diploma within two years from the passage of this act."

PRESENT PHYSICIANS.

Under this act the following physicians have been registered in the office of the county clerk, viz. :

CHESTER.

Charles ". Smith; residence, Chester; born in West Milford, N. J .; diploma granted November, 1851, by the Castleton (Vermont) Med- ical College.

Solomon G. Carpenter; residence, Chester; born in town of Goshen; diploma granted March, 1845, by New York University.

CORNWALL.

Jesse T. llotehkiss; born in Windsor, N. Y .; diploma granted March, 1842, by University of l'ennsylvania.

William H. Vail; born in Stroudsburg, Pa .; diploma granted March, 1869, by College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

Thomas Hector; born in Plattekill, Ulster Co .: diploma granted March, 1832, by College of Physicians aad Surgeons, New York City.

Wm. F. C. Beattie ; boru in Montgomery ; diploma granted June 25, 1850, by Geneva College, New York.

C. A. Gorse; born in Roxbury, Delaware Co., N. Y .; diploma granted March 4, 1864, by University of the City of New York.

GOSHEN.

J. Cash Coleman, Jr. ; boru in Wawayanda; diploma granted 1863, by Albany Medical College.

Joshua W. Ostrom ; born in Marlboro', N. Y .; diploma grauted February, 1849, by Society of Medical Examiners, New York.

John H. Thompson ; born in Wallkill; diploma granted October, 1857, by College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

Arthur Pell; born in Hackensack, N. J .; diploma granted in March, 1875, by Bellevue Hospital Medical College.

Finoin Sanchary

DR. P. MOIR BARCLAY was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, on April 20, 1834. His parents were Dr. Alexander Barclay, a practicing physician of New- burgh, formerly of Scotland, and Mrs. J. Fraser ( Watt) Barclay, a representative of the noted Watt family of Scotland.

Dr. Barclay was brought to this country by his parents in November, 1835, the settlement of the family being made at Newburgh. llis earlier years were passed in attendance upon the common schools of Newburgh, and his academie training was enjoyed at the Newburgh Academy, from which institution he was graduated in 1848. Having decided to enter the profession of medicine, Dr. Barclay passed some time in the drug-store of his father in Newburgh, and in a wholesale drug-house in New York City, and in 1850 commenced the study of medicine under his father at Newburgh. In 1851 he entered the Medical Depart- ment of the University of the City of New York, where he passed three years, graduating in 1854 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During his col- legiate course he was under the care of Dr. Thomas C. Finnell, a prominent physician of New York. Returning to Newburgh, he at once entered upou the practice of his profession, in which he has since con- tinued.

Dr. Barclay ranks among the first of his profession in Newburgh, and enjoys a large and lucrative practice. His careful professional education was supplemented

by a European tour in 1868, at which time he visited the principal foreign hospitals, and was brought into personal contact with the leading practitioners of the world. As a physician he is painstaking and in hearty sympathy with his patients, and brings to the treat- ment of his cases an accurate knowledge of the latest discoveries and implements, both in mechanical appli- ances in surgery and in the materia medica of his profession. Naturally of an independent and self- reliant nature, he depends largely on himself in his practice, though in nowise loth to co-operate with the more intelligent and skillful of his compeers. He is of a genial and frank disposition, popular in the com- munity in which he resides, and prominent in the councils of the Democratic party of his section, though no aspirant for place. On July 9, 1866, he was ap- pointed by Governor Reuben E. Fenton surgeon of the Nineteenth Regiment of Infantry of New York, with the rank of captain, a position that he filled until the disbandment of the regiment. He is a non-resi- dent member of the Medico-Legal Society of New York City, and a member of Hudson River Lodge, No. 607, A. F. and A. M., of Highland Chapter, No. 52, R. A. M., and of Hudson River Commandery, No. 35, K. T., all of Newburgh.

Dr. Barclay was married on June 19, 1872, to Miss Hattie E., eldest daughter of the late Capt. C. B. Arınstrong, of Newburgh, a little daughter, Maude, being born of the union.

Theodore Houten m. N.

The family of Writers were first represented in Amer- ica by Jasper Writer, a native of Germany, who left the Fatherland as early as 1760, and landed in New York. With him sailed a sister who succumbed to the severity of the voyage, and died on the passage. Jasper, having found himself almost friendless on his arrival, repaired to Little Britain, Pa., and sought service with a family named Depew, where he remained until he attained his majority. Seeking then a wider field of activity he re- moved to Phillipsburg, Orange Co., where soon after he was united in marriage to Miss Eve Kortright, to whom were born children,-Margaret, Elizabeth, Eli- nor, Rebecca, Nancy, Aaron, Jasper, and John T. Mr. Writer, after his marriage, removed to the township of Mount Hope, where he engaged in farming pursuits, and resided until his death, Nov. 15, 1842, having lived to be more than one hundred years old. He enjoyed some distinetion as having signed the Revolutionary pledge at Goshen in 1775. Aaron, one of the sons of Jasper, and the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, was born in Mount Hope township, April 25, 1776, and followed the occupation of his father. He was married to Miss Elizabeth McKeeby, whose birth occurred Sept. 13, 1776, and who was the mother of the following children : Sarah, Eve, Catharine, Jasper A., Jemima, Jane, Margaret, Elinor, Matthew M., Aaron K., John F., Elizabeth M., Isaac V., and Benjamin N. Of this number, Aaron Kortright, the father of Theo- dore, was born March 2, 1811, on the homestead farm, where the early years of his life were spent. After he-

coming thoroughly familiar with the labors of an agri- culturist he purchased land in the township of Green- ville, upon which he resided until his death, Sept. 25, 1871. Mr. Writer was on the 21st of March, 1835, united in marriage to Miss Abigail, daughter of Daniel D. Penney, of Mount Hope, and had children,-Theodore, Daniel D. P., Sarah E., Josephine, and Louisa. The birth of Theodore occurred July 17, 1837, on the home- stead where the years of his boyhood were spent. The district school at this time afforded but limited advan- tages of education, which induced him later to avail himself of the superior instruction enjoyed at the Seward Institute, at Florida, Orange Co. Here he remained for three years, and having determined upon a professional life enrolled his name as a student of medicine in the office of Dr. A. Cook, of Otisville. Later he entered the office of Dr. D. C. Logue, in New York, and graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1866. After a year of professional labor in New York he be- came associated with his former preceptor, Dr. Cook, of Otisville, where he has since continued in practice.

The ardnous duties of his profession leave but little time for other pursuits, though Dr. Writer manifests a keen interest in the public events of the day, and in efforts having for their object the welfare of the town- ship of his residence. In his political preferences he is a stanch Republican. Dr. Writer was married Nov. 3, 1869, to Miss Helen A., daughter of Osmer B. Green, of Otisville, and has one son, Daniel D., a lad of nine years.

179

PHYSICIANS.

Heman H. Robinson ; boro in Bellport, L. I .; diploma granted March, 1×60, by University Medi al College of New York.

A. J. Jessup; born in Florida ; diploma granted February, 1869, by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

Arthur MI. Woodruff; born in Ann Arbor, Mich. ; diploma granted Feb- ruary, Is73, by the Cleveland Hospital Homeopathic College.

HIGHLAND FALLS.

John Ross Monroe; born in Glasgow, Scotland; diploma granted June 30, 1868, by Long Island College Hospital.

Wm. H. Edsall; born in Roxbury, N. Y .; diploma granted Feb. 1, 1877, by Albany Medical College.

MIDDLETOWN.

Clarence M. Conant; born in Brooklyn ; diploma granted March, 1873, by New York Homeopathic Medical College.

Charles Collin ; born in Holland; diploma granted July, 1878, by the Newburgh Eclectic Society.

Selden HI. Talcott; born in Rome, N. Y. ; diploma granted March, 1872, by New York Homeopathic Medical College.

Charles S. Kinney ; born in Suffield, Conn. ; diploma granted March, 1879, by New York Homuropathic Medical College.

Win. M. Butler; born in Maine, N. Y. ; diploma granted 1873, by New York College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Harvey Everett; born in Middletown; diploma granted June, 1834, by Vermont Medical College.

Grenville A. Emory ; born in Olive, U'lster Co .; diploma granted Decem- ber, 1867, by Albany Medical College.

Solomon B. Pillsbury ; born in Ballard Vale, Mass .; diploma granted June, 1872, by Harvard College.

James D. Johnson ; born in London, England; diploma granted 1855, by New York Medical College.

fra S. Bradner; born in Goshen ; diploma granted March, 1843, by New York University.

Julia Bradner; born in Scotchtown; diploma granted March, 1878, by Woman's Medical College and llospital.

Robert Slonn ; born in Poughkeepsie; diploma granted March, ISJI, by University of New York.

William H. Dorrance; born in Mamakating, N. Y .; diploma granted March, 1845, by University of New York.

Joseph D. Friend ; born in Salem, Mass .; diploma granted May, 1842, by the Botanic Medical Society, New York, and later by the Metropoli- tan Medical College, New York.

Darwin Everett; born in Montgomery; diploma granted March 10, 1864, by College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

MONTGOMERY.

Henry C. Smith ; born in Goshen; diploma granted March 5, 1874, by lonuropathic Medical College, New York.

Edward Ross Elliott ; born in Pleasant Valley ; diploma granted June 14, 1874, by the University of the City of New York.

NEWBURGH.

Joseph P. Thompson ; born in Winchester, Va .; diploma granted April, 1858, by the University of Medicine at Philadelphia.

Clarence Ormsbee; boru in Ashland, N. Y .; diploma granted March, 1865, by New York University.

Samuel P. Church; born in Salisbury, Conn. ; diploma granted March, 1845, by College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

John D. Malone : born in Ireland ; diploma granted in 1867 by Dartmouth N. Il.) Medical College.

Daniel Wells; born in Newburgh ; diploma granted March, 1835, by Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

Alexander Barclay; born in Aberdeen, Scotland; diploma granted De- cember, 1841, by State Medical Society.

James G. Birch ; born in New York City ; diploma granted March, 1866, by Harvard University.

Robert Y. K. Montfort; born in Tuthill, N. Y .; diploma granted Decem- ber, 1856, by Albany Medical College.

Smith Ely; born in Blooming-Grove; diploma granted June, 1850, by Vermont Medical College.

l'eter M. Barclay ; born in Aberdeen, Scotland ; diploma granted July, 1855, by the University of New York City.

William Jones; horn in Shoreham, Vt .; diploma granted May, 1869, by Eclectic College of New York.

William A. M. Culbert; born in New York City; diploma granted March, 1846, by the University of the City of New York.

Charles N. Wolley; born in South Hampton, L. I .; diploma granted June, 1868, by Long Island Medical College.

James Gordon; born in Ireland ; diploma granted March, 1866, by Jeffer- son Medical College, Philadelphia.

M. C. Stone; born in Jay, Me .; diplomu granted March, ISGS, by tbe University of New York.

George B. F. Mitchell ; born in Baltimore, Md. ; diploma granted March, 1867, by New York Houropathic Medical College.

John J. Mitchell ; born in Cortlandville, N. Y. ; diploma granted March, 1857, by New York Medical College.

John Deyo; born in Newburgh ; diploma granted March, 1877, by Belle- vue Hospital Medical College, New York.

Edward R. l'ost; born in Sagg Harbor, N. Y. ; diploma granted March, 1867, by College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

Lewis Y. Wiggius ; born in Mount Ilope; diploma granted July, 1844, by the University of New York.

Julin W. Fenton ; born in Newburgh ; certificate granted May, 1840, by Orange County Medical Society.

Floyd P. Sheldon ; born in Rutland, Vt .; diploma granted March, 1878, by l'uiversity of Michigan.

Gustav Gartzmann ; born in Eglen, Germany ; diploma grauted March 1, 1873, by Bellevue Medical College, New York City.

Jeremiah Manly; born in Palatine, N. Y. ; diploma granted Jan. 20, 1860, by Homeopathic Medical Society, Oneida County.

I. De Forest Nichols ; born in New York City ; diploma granted March 1, 1865, by Bellevue Medical College, New York City.

OTISVILLE.

Theodore Writer; born in Otisville; diploma granted 1866, by Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York.

Avery Cook ; boro in Belchertown, Mass. ; diploma granted February, 1834, by Medical Society of Herkimer County.

PORT JERVIS.

Theodore D. Mills; born in BloomingUnrgh, N. Y .; diploma granted March, 1876, by New York College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Solomon Van Etten ; born in Deerpark ; diploma granted June, 1855, by Albany Medical College.

William L. Cuddeback; born in Deerpark; diploma granted March, 1876, by Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City.

John F. Higgins; born in Paterson, N. J .; diploma granted March, 1880, by Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York.

Allan P. Macdonald; born in Antigonishe, Nova Scotia ; diploma granted March, 1874, by Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago.

James Halsey Hunt ; born in Laytons, N. J .; diploma granted Marcb, 1872, by Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York.

Henry Hardenburgh; born in Port Jervis; diploma grauted March, 1859, by New York Medical College of Physicians and Surgeons.

George Il. Fossard; born in Albany; diploma granted Dec. 27, 1859, by Albany Medical College.

David D. Wickham ; born in Sussex Co., N. J .; diploma granted Feb. 19, 1874, by College of Physicians and Surgeons, Syracuse.

SALISBURY.

Alpheus Goodman; born in Goshen ; diploma granted March 8, 1837, by Castleton Medical College, Vermont.

Alexander M. Goodman; born in Goshen; diploma granted Feb. 15, 1876, by University of the City of New York.

UNIONVILLE.

Hugh M. D. Stuble ; born in Hampton, N. J .; diploma granted March, 1875, by University of Pennsylvania.

Marcus S. Hayne; born in Sussex Co., N. J .; diploma granted February, 1841, by Geneva (N. Y.) Medical College.

WALDEN.

G. M. Millspaugh; born in Montgomery ; diploma granted 1820, by Cas- tleton (Vt.) Medical College.

William A. Loughran ; born in Stamford, N. Y. ; diploma granted June, 1850, by Geneva Medical College.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 43

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1336

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336