USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 25
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" Slander and vituperation, ever venomous, ever foul, sink infinitely beneath contempt when incited by professional jeal- ousy, bigotry, and pique. The vicions intolerance breathed against Dr. Lente at Saratoga, while it failed to seriously annoy him, did awaken his profound mortification that in his profes- sion such narrow-mindedness and illiberality could be found.
"Life with Dr. Lente meant work; to him it was full of achievable possibilities. Indefatigable as a student, retiring late and rising early, he turned to profit the midnight hours. Mere physical fatigue was no excuse with him for mental inac- tivity. So, when his tired limbs refused to carry him, often have I found him, late at night or in the early morning, bol- stered in his bed, surrounded with his books and periodicals.
"All that he did was done with rare thoroughness. Dis- daining ostentatious display, and depreciating superficialty, the purpose of his studies was to make himself the master of his subject. Access to his thoughts meant more than mere in- tellectual acquaintance. His mind was a living Thesaurus of
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JEdtD, Lento
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information, facts, and theories, gathered with great discrimina- tion from the widest domains of science and the arts. And yet, student as he was, his studies never led him into devious and idle speculation. He was extremely practical in all he did. Physically delicate, but with powers of endurance that were phenomenal, with an energy that was untiring, and a devotion to duty that was sublime, he brought to the practice of his pro- fession a mind of richest and most varied acquisitions, an ex- perience that was remarkable for its variety and scope, and a heart ever mellowed with kindliness and good cheer. As a diagnostician he was painstaking, thorough, and exact. Hap- hazard diagnosis he deplored, and no opportunity for brilliant display ever tempted him into the hasty expression of an im- mature opinion. As a therapeutist, his intimate acquaintance with drugs and his extensive studies in physiological medica- tion inade him, at once, skillful and distinguished. As a prac- titioner, his fertility of expedients is illustrated in numerous inventions, formula, and instruments in general professional use. In the widest sense of the word he was the good physi- cian-skillful, devoted, self-sacrificing. Indifferent to his own infirmities, and oblivious of his personal comfort, he brought to his patient's relief a strong brain, a ripe experience, a tender heart. As a scholar, he was an active or honorary member of most of the leading societies. He was one of the founders and an early president of the American Academy of Medicine, and a frequent contributor to current popular or professional journ- alism. Whatever came from his pen commanded attention. His most important contributions were his papers on "The Treatment of Intermittent Fever by the Hypodermic Injection of Quinine,' 'The Sedative Action of Calomel in Disease,' 'Intra- uterine Medication.' etc.
"Dr. Lente was born in Newbern, N. C., in 1823. He gradu- ated from the University of North Carolina in 1845. He studied medicine in the office of our distinguished confrère, Professor Alfred C. Post, and graduated from the Medical Department of the New York University in 1849. During the following two years he served as house surgeon under Valentine Mott in the New York Hospital. In 1851, having been appointed sur- geon to the West Point Foundry, the doctor removed to Cold Spring, where, in 1853, he married Mary, the accomplished daughter of William Kemble, Esq.
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" Mrs. Lente, one son and three daughters survive him.
"Dr. Lente's professional career at Cold Spring was one of remarkable success. His reputation as consultant and surgeon reached literally from New York to Albany. So highly prized were the practical advantages of Dr. Lente's office that a popu- lar question among New York and Bellevue Hospital men once was: 'After leaving the hospital, is it Cold Spring or Europe.'
"In 1870 the doctor received and accepted the appointment as professor of gynecology in the Medical Department of the New York University and assistant surgeon to the Women's Hospital. After a year's ardnous service in the city, inter- rupted by numerous professional calls up the Hudson, he re- turned to his former home, where he continued in active prac- tice until failing health compelled him to seek a more genial climate.
" Relinquishing a lucrative practice, he betook himself to Palatka, Fla., for the winter, and to Saratoga for the summer monthis.
"It was at the latter place, and after a season of unusual activity and fatigue, that he was taken ill with cerebro-spinal meningitis. Fortunately he was able to return to his family at Cold Spring, where, on the 11th of October, in the sixtieth year of his age, he peacefully breathed his last.
" And thus ends the record of a noble man. He dignified his manhood by his consistent Christian life, and to his profession he added luster and renown."
DR. IRA HENOPHAN WALKER was born in Roxbury, Conn., in 1810. He studied medicine with Dr. Seth Shove of Bedford, Westchester county, N. Y., commencing about 1830 or 1831.
March 6th, 1835, he was licensed to practice medicine by the Connecticut Medical Society, and March 1st, 1836, he graduated from Yale College. In February, 1836, he came to Carmel, and began practice. In August, 1837, he was commissioned surgeon's mate of the 61st Regiment of Infantry of the State Militia, by Hon. William L. Marcy, governor and commander-in-chief of all the militia at our city of Albany, the 10th of August, 1837. Dr. Walker in his profession stood above the average of his con- temporaries, and was highly esteemed in social circles. During his brief medical life he was an honor to the profession, and the community in which he lived.
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He died in Carmel, N. Y., of typhoid fever, in 1839, at the age of 29 years. His only surviving relative so far as known is Emily Walker Sloat, only child of Dr. Walker, and wife of William H. H. Sloat of Carmel village. Mrs. Sloat has three children, one son and two daughters.
DR. EDWARD B. TURNER was born in Roxbury, Delaware county, N. Y., May 5th, 1851, where he received his preliminary education.
After reading medicine for a time in the office of two or three practicing physicians, he attended his first course of lectures at Harvard Medical College in 1872 and 1873.
He graduated at Bellevue Medical College in 1874. Soon after graduating he settled in Montrose, Westchester county, N. Y., where he remained in practice two years, when on ac- count of threatened failure of his health, he removed to Lake Mahopac in May, 1876. He remained there with varying changes of health until his death which occurred Angust 2d, 1885, at the age of 34 years.
Of his success as a practitioner, and his judgment as a physi- cian it may be said that he was above the average. In medical practice he was seldom found in the wrong and in surgery he possessed unusual tact and ability.
DR. JOSEPH HAYWARD BAILEY was born in Fredericktown, Dutchess county, N. Y., October 20th, 1803. He studied medi- cine with his father, Dr. Rowland Bailey, and graduated at Rutger Medical College, New York city, in 1827. From 1827 to 1830 he practiced medicine in Kent with his father. He then went to New York city where he practiced with his brother Benjamin Bailey until 1834, when he was appointed assistant surgeon U. S. Army. He retired from active service in 1862. He died at Kent Cliffs in 1882 at the age of 79 years.
DR. DANIEL BULL was a practicing physician in the South Precinct of Dutchess county as early as 1772. During the Revolution he was a tory and was one of the meu who were arrested, and whose papers were signed by Col. Ludington by order of the Provincial Congress. He had a daughter, Cornelia, who married Joseph C. Field, who was a member of the Legis- lature in 1803.
DR. JOHN HAMILTON was a physician and was living on south side of Lake Mahopac at "Hoquets Point" in 1780. No further mention is made of him.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
DR. JOSEPH CRANE. See history of Crane family.
Dr. J. Q. ADAMS' was born in Rushford, Alleghany county, N. Y., December 31st, 1827. When six months old he went with his parents, John and Huldah Adams, to the old home- stead in Cavendish. Windsor county, Vt., where his grand- father, Timothy Adams, was then living. This family is de- scended from Henry Adams who came from England in 1640 with seven sons, and from them are descended the illustrious family of that name whose names and deeds are no small part of our nation's history.
The early education of Dr. Adams was obtained at Black River Academy, Ludlow, Vt., and in the spring of 1848 he com - menced the study of medicine with Dr. A. Lowell of Chester, Vt. Here, to use his own expression, he remained until October, spoiling the doctor's spatulas by heating them in the stove to spread plasters with, breaking his graduated measures, and wasting his medicines by blunders in making pills. He then went to the Vermont Medical College at Woodstock, and re- mained one year. In the summer of 1849 he attended a course of lectures at Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass., and in the autumn went to New York and matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and attended lectures and hospital practice two years. In 1852 Dr. Adams went as surgeon on the ship "Henry Clay " to England, and while the vessel remained in port he embraced the opportunity to increase his knowledge of the profession by attending lectures and hos- pital practice.
Upon returning to New York he practiced for a few months and through an accidental acquaintance he wasinduced to come to Carmel in the early part of 1853, and decided to make that place his permanent residence.
The breaking out of the Civil War found Dr. Adams prompt to aid in the cause of the Union, and in August, 1862, he was appointed surgeon of the 172d Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, then organizing at Yonkers.
This regiment, however, failed to complete the number of men, and was consolidated with another which was already supplied with a surgeon, and the doctor was relieved in con- sequence.
He then went to visit friends at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, 1By Wm. S. Pelletreau.
A 2 allams M. 1
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and from that place went to the army then between Falmouth and Bell Plain, Va. In January, 1863, he returned to Wash- ington, and applied to the War Department for a position in the U. S. Volunteer Corps of surgeons. His application was suc- cessful, and he was appointed to duty in Finley Hospital in Washington. In due time he was commissioned assistant sur- geon with the rank of 1st Lieut. from the 27th day of February, 1863. The commission was signed by Abraham Lincoln and the doctor justly considers it as one of his choicest treasures from the labor it cost to obtain it and to execute its duties, and for the signature of the illustrious man attached to it.
In April, 1863, he was ordered to report for duty to Brig. Gen. Carleton, commanding the Department of New Mexico at Santa Fe. Accordingly he travelled by rail to Kansas City, and then embarked on an old fashioned thorough brace stage drawn by four horses, and with nine passengers as companions, started on a long and dangerous journey of 1,300 miles. At 11 o'clock at night they were startled by a summons to halt, and found themselves surrounded by a band of Quantrell's Guerillas. The passengers were quietly ordered to alight, and were soon dispossessed of their many valuables, excepting one woman whom the brigands chivalrously allowed to depart with all her property, unharmed, while the male passengers were held prisoners in a dry goods store of which the guerillas had taken possession. The doctor's profession was no protection to him, and his trunk was quickly pillaged, and all the contents scat- tered, and divided among the "Jay Hawks," as this class of robbers were then called. After being left in durance vile for two hours they were released by the departure of the guerillas, who took with them the stage horses, and the driver was com- pelled to borrow more, and on resuming their journey they found at the next station a Union soldier who had been shot by the gang and was dying. At another place they found a house where the inmates had been compelled to provide food for the robbers and were then robbed of what little they possessed.
After a succession of such adventures he at length reached Santa Fe, and reporting to the general he was assigned to duty at the military post of Los Cruces, and proceeded thither by stage a distance of 300 miles, and arrived on the 1st of June, finding the hospital a large and commodious building, and the
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place one of comparative comfort after his hardships and trials, although the mercury rose to 110 degrees every afternoon.
At this place he remained five months, and on the 1st of November was ordered to report to Capt. Whitlock, command- ing at Quince River, seventy-five miles from Los Cruces, and on the divide of the Rocky Mountains. Here he found many things of interest while investigating the ruins that remained of the vanished race of the Aztecs.
In September 1864, he was ordered to accompany an expedition with 200 men under Col. Davis through the southern borders of Arizona, and the northern part of Mexico. On this expedition they spent two months, and upon their return he was ordered to Fort Stanton, where he remained until July, 1865. It was here that he heard of the death of President Lincoln, one month after its occurrence. In July, 1865, he was ordered to Fort Bliss, Texas, and reported in August. While here he received the commission of brevet surgeon with rank of major, dated March 13th, 1865. December 9th, 1865, the war being ended, he was discharged from the service. Returning to Los Cruces he engaged in private practice until the last of March, 1866, and then set out on horseback with a merchant train for the States, and after a difficult and perilous journey reached Kansas City and in June came to Washington, D. C.
In November, 1866, Dr. Adams returned to Carmel and re- sumed his practice which he has since continued.
He married Miss Sarah L. Spaulding of Proctorsville, Vt., August 15th, 1853; she died in December, 1867.
In February, 1870, he was married a second time to Miss Helen V. Smith of Chester, Vt. Their children were: John Quincy Adams, born March 26th, 1878, and Florence, born No- vember 28th, 1880. The latter died July 7th, 1881.
Dr. Adams is a prominent member of the Putnam County Medical Society and is also a member of the Medical Society of the State of New York. In his practice in this county he is popular and enjoys a large share of the public confidence and esteem.
He is surgeon of Crosby Post, No. 302, G. A. R .; a Master Mason, and now holds the office of junior warden in the lodge; a Royal Arch Mason, and holds the office of scribe in the chapter; a Knight Templar, and a thirty-two degree Mason, being a member of four bodies of Ancient Scottish Rite Masonry,
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Enyt bg H: 3 Hall's Son.1, N Y
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meeting in the Masonic Temple of New York State, in New York city.
DR. ADDISON ELY, of Carmel, N. Y., was born at Westfield, Mass., in 1814, and was a son of Elihu Ely and grandson of Captain Levi Ely of West Springfield, Mass., who was killed at the battle of Mohawk in October, 1780, in the Revolutionary War.
Dr. Ely, after obtaining an academical education at Green- ville, N. Y., and Williamstown, Mass., and pursuing the usual course of the study of medicine under Dr. Abbott of Westfield, Mass., Dr. Baily of Kingston, N. J., and Dr. J. S. Fountain, of Yorktown, N. Y., and attending a course of lectures at the Berkshire Medical College, Mass., was licensed to practice medicine and surgery by the Massachusetts State Medical Society.
He afterward attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, N. Y., at the N. Y. Hospital, etc.
After practicing for three years in New York city he located in Carmel in 1838, where by his devotion to his profession and his success as a general practitioner -- particularly in diseases of the chest and diseases of children -- he secured an extensive practice which he was able to retain until age and impaired health prevented his attending to it. Dr. Ely was for fifteen years examining surgeon for the U. S. Pension Department, and for many years physician to the County Almshouse, and is now one of the censors of the County Medical Society. He was mar- ried in 1834 to Hannah, daughter of Ephraim and Rachel (Osborn) Wright, of Somerstown, Westchester county, N. Y., with whom he is still living in Carmel.
Dr. NATHAN W. WEELER, who is one of the oldest and best known physicians of Putnam county, was born in the town of Easton, Fairfield county, Conn., December 22d, 1815. His pa- rents, Nathan and Clorine Wheeler, were of Scotch descent, the family having come to this country about 1760.
Dr. Wheeler was educated at Easton Academy, where he was a student under the well known Rev. S. Irenaeus Prime, D. D.
His medical studies were begun under the direction of his uncle, Dr. William Wheeler, who practiced at Merrick, Long Island. and he graduated from the Berkshire Medical College in 1837.
He commenced practice at Newton, Conn., where he remained .
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three years, and then removed to Southeast, Putnam county, where he practiced two years.
Dr. Wheeler came to Patterson in December, 1842, and has ever since continued in that place in the practice of his pro- fession.
For many years he resided on the farm belonging to his father-in-law, and afterward purchased it. It is now the prop- erty of Kent Henion, Esq. The present residence of Dr. Wheeler is in the village of Patterson. It was built in 1860.
Dr. Wheeler married Mary, daughter of Dr. David Howland, a prominent physician of the last generation. Their children are Carrie, wife of Edward Doane, Esq., and Isabel, wife of James Cornwall, Esq., of Patterson. The former died in 1881.
Dr. Wheeler is a member and supporter of the Episcopal church of Patterson, and has long been identified with it. He is a member of the Putnam County Medical Society, and one of its reorganizers. For four years he was its president, and the first delegate to the State Society. Dr. Wheeler's long and active practice has made him familiar to the people over a wide extent of country, while his skill and ability are attested by his undeniable and well recognized success.
DR. JONATHAN F. SEELEY. About a mile and a half north of Doausburg, and a half mile north of the line between South- east and Patterson, is an old homestead and farm, formerly the residence of Abijah Seeley, who was born in Trumbull, Conn., March 10th, 1777, and came to this county about the beginning of the present century. He set up his trade as a blacksmith, and also purchased a large farm at what is now known as "Deuel town," a hamlet near the south line of Patterson, the place being now owned by John Steinbeck. Mr. Seeley after- ward purchased the homestead mentioned above, and made it his home during the remainder of his life. He died August 4th, 1861, at the age of 84.
Mr. Seeley married Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah Hopkins, February 26th, 1801. She was born August 3d, 1783, and died March 9th, 1858. The children of this marriage were: Jeremiah H., Thomas P., Mary, wife of David Tompkins of Cayuga county, N. Y .; Dr. Johathan F., Eliza, Belinda, Euphemia and Francis A. The only members of this family now living are Mrs. Tompkins and Dr. Jonathan F. Seeley, the subject of this sketch.
(Doct, & # Seeley
Austin La mort .W.
Eng ª by H. B Halls Suns, New York
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GENERAL HISTORY.
Dr. Jonathan F. Seeley was born on the old homestead, May 29th, 1809. When a boy he attended the public school and was afterward a pupil of Dr. Russell J. Minor, who was well known as an instructor of the youth of the past generation. After leaving school, he became a teacher and served in that capacity for several years, in New Fairfield, Conn., Yorktown and East Fishkill.
Dr. Seeley began his medical studies with Dr. James Foun- tain, of Yorktown, Westchester county, who was quite famous as a physician. In 1833, he entered the Medical College of Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., and was licensed to practice in 1834. Dr. Seeley began to practice at Yorktown and re- mained till 1846, when he removed to Sheboygan, Wis., and re- linquishing his profession, engaged extensively in farming. His parents having deceased, Dr. Seeley returned in 1866 to his native town, and has continued to reside on the old homestead till the present time. On this place, the home of their child- hood, Dr. Seeley and his sister, Mrs. Tompkins, pass their time in quiet usefulness, good and worthy representatives of a family of the old New England race.
Dr. Seeley married Martha, daughter of Abraham Van Gel- der, of New York; she died in 1877. Their daughter, Isabella, died in the 11th year of her age.
Mr. David Tompkins, who married Mary, daughter of Abijah Seeley, was a native of Yorktown, Westchester county. He re- moved to Cayuga county, N. Y., about 1836, and died there in 1878. They were the parents of three children, Amanda, Helen G., wife of Ezekiel Elting; and William S., all deceased. The only representative of this family is Mr. William Elting, son of Ezekiel Elting, and who is now living on the old homestead with Dr. Seeley and his grandmother.
AUSTIN LA MONTE, M. D., well known as a skillful and ex- perienced member of the medical profession, was born in Char- lotteville, Schoharie county, N. Y., April 23d, 1837.
His father, Thomas W. La Monte, married Elizabeth Maria Paine, and Dr. La Monte is the youngest of six brothers. The ancestor of the family was Robert La Monte, who came origin- ally from Scotland and the doctor's great-grandfather, William La Monte (born 1750, died 1847), was a soldier in the Revolu- tion. At the age of sixteen, the death of his father deprived him of parental care.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
After pursuing the usual branches taught in the public schools, he entered the New York Conference Seminary and subse- quently studied medicine under the instruction of his uncle, Dr. William La Monte. He entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan in 1859, and graduated in 1861. Dr. La Monte established his practice at Hyde Park, Dutchess county, where he remained nine years.
After removing from that place, he passed a short period in travel, and came to Carmel, in January, 1871, where he com- menced a practice which he has continued till the present time. While at Hyde Park he became connected with the Dutchess County Medical Society, of which he is now an honorary mem- ber, and upon coming to Carmel was made member of the Put- nam County Medical Society and is still connected with that organization. He married Miss Sarah Berry, daughter of Peter N. Berry, of Dutchess county. Since making his home in Carmel he has gained a wide extended practice, and a well merited reputation as a skilled practitioner.
Robert La Monte, the ancestor of the family, was born in 1725, and died in 1789, at North Hillsdale, Columbia county, N. Y., and is buried there.
Dr. GEORGE WILSON MURDOCK was born at Pulaski, Oswego county, N. Y., September 25th, 1843. His paternal ancestors were of Scotch origin, and early settlers in Vermont, where they were well known in its history. His. great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, and died while in service at Crown Point. Dr. Burdock graduated from the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York city, in 1867. He was student of medicine with the late Doctor James L. Little, of New York city. He afterward associated in practice for some years with the late Dr. F. D. Lente, of Cold Spring, N. Y. He has been in active practice at Cold Spring for eighteen years, and surgeon to the West Point Foundry for twelve years. He was president of the Putnam County Medical Society from 1881 to 1884, and is a charter member of the New York Sate Medical Association. He was hospital steward of the 1st Minnesota Cavalry during the Indian Campaign in 1863, under General Sibley; also hospital steward and afterward assistant surgeon of the 15th Michigan Infantry in the Army of the Tennessee. He was married October 12th, 1875, to Miss Mary Paulding, daughter of P. Kemble Paulding, Esq., of Cold
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GENERAL HISTORY.
Spring, N. Y., and grand-daughter of James K. Paulding. He is widely known as a successful and skillful physician.
Dr. JARED G. WOOD was born in Katonah, Westchester county, N. Y., April 7th, 1835. He was educated at Union Academy, Bedford, and at the New York Normal School, graduating from the latter institution July 13th, 1854. He studied medicine at the Medical College of the University of the City of New York and took his degree in 1861. He first practiced at Croton Falls and in August, 1862, he received the unanimous appointment of the Examining Board, as surgeon of the 135th Regt. N. Y. S.
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