USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 26
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Upon retiring from the army he returned to Croton Falls and came to Brewster in April, 1883, and has since been engaged in practicing in that village.
Dr. Wood, while engaged in teaching, was instrumental in founding the first teachers' association in his county, in 1854. He is an elder of the Presbyterian Church, Knight Templar, chaplain and ex-surgeon of Crosby Post, G. A. R., and as a physician enjoys a large practice. His grandfather, Dr. Wil- liam Wood, was a surgeon in the Revolution. Dr. Wood mar- ried Miss Marie Antoinette, daughter of Harrison Pardee, in 1867. She died in 1885, leaving one son, Edward M.
LEWIS H. MILLER, A.M., M.D., a well known and prominent member of the medical profession, was born in Bedford, West- chester county, N. Y., March 16th, 1852. His parents, Horace and Hannah Miller, were residents of that town, and repre- sentatives of one of the oldest families in the county. Dr. Miller remained at home attending the public schools and the Bedford Academy, till 1870, when he entered the Freshman class at Madison University. He graduated in 1874 with the degree A. B., and received the degree A.M. from the same institution a few years later.
For several years after leaving college he was engaged in teaching and as a civil engineer. Resolving to study for the medi- cal profession he commenced with Dr. Seth Shove, entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, and graduated in 1880 after nearly four years study. He commenced practice in the town of Patterson, where he remained nine months, and returning to New York, practiced in a New York hospital for four months.
In 1881 he came to Brewster and established a practice which
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he has since continued, and has made this village his permanent home.
Dr. Miller is a member of the Putnam County Medical Society, and a delegate to the State Medical Society. His practice, which has steadily increased, now embraces a wide circuit of the sur- rounding country, and his success in his profession is the result of careful preparation and earnest effort. Dr. Miller is the sur- geon of the Tilly Foster Mining Company, and also for the New York & New England and New York & Northern Railroad Companies. His skill has been demonstrated in the successful performance of several very complicated and dangerous surgi- cal operations, as well as in his treatment and management of the most malignant form of the epidemic diseases. He is a member of the Masonic order and chapter, is connected with the Baptist Church of Brewster, and is one of the trustees of the society. He was married in November, 1885, to Miss Flor- ence Mansfield, of Brooklyn, L. I.
DR. EDSON CARD, JR., the youngest of a family of five sons, was born in the town of Stanford, Dutchess county, N. Y., January 14th, 1856. His father, Edson Card, sen., a native of Columbia county, took a very active part in the Anti rent Asso- ciation that existed between 1839 and 1847, and that received satisfactory rights by the election of Gov. John Young in 1846, the anti-rent candidate.
His mother was the daughter of Silas Miller, Esq., of Columbia county, and relative of the Hon. Theodore Miller of same county, now judge of the Court of Appeals. A brother next older occupies an honorable position in the practice of law in the city of Poughkeepsie.
His eldest brother, attorney and counsellor at law, with the Hon. Homer A. Nelson, in New York city, has established a wide spread reputation as an orator of great ability and mag- netism, and is now Assemblyman from the Sharon District in the State of Connecticut.
He attended the public schools of his native county for sev- eral years, and at the age of 15 was placed under the special instruction of Hon. Edgar A. Briggs of Dutchess county, and continued there for three years, at the end of which time he re. ceived from Mr. Briggs (who was then the school commissioner of the 2d District of that county) a license to teach in the public schools of Dutchess county; which vocation he followed for
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five years with credit to himself and all concerned, having under his care at different times the largest public schools in the county managed by a single instructor, but his taste ran to the science of medicine, and at the age of twenty he placed himself under the instruction of Dr. J. P. Wilson, of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, N. Y.
Here, under Dr. Wilson. he continued for three years, at the same time continuing his vocation as teacher in the public schools. At the age of 23 he removed to New York city and entered the Medical Department of Columbia College; here he pursued the regular course of study marked out by the faculty of said college, coming up for examination in half his studies at the end of the second year, and the remaining half at the end of the third year. Thus at the age of 26 he graduated, and received his diploma on the 16th day of May, 1882, as a physi- cian and surgeon. During his college course he was assistant to the following professors in their different branches of in- struction: Jno. C. Dalton and J. G. Curtis, professors on physiology; Alonzo Clark and Francis Delafield, professors on practice of medicine; and Jas. W. McLane, professor on ob- stetrics; under all of whom he gained full confidence, and received letters of commendation.
During his vacation in the summer of 1880, he was employed in the drug store of Charles H. Bowne, in the city of Pough- keepsie, and during his vacation in the summer of 1881, he en- tered the office of Dr. D. Guernsey, of Amenia, Dutchess county, N. Y., as a student and practicing physician under his direction. During the six months that he remained here he gained scores of friends and was chosen superintendent of the Presbyterian Sabbath school, and the community in general expected that on graduating he would return there to settle; but he decided that the field was already well covered there and began immediately to look about for some other place to follow his chosen profession. Finally deciding upon Lake Mahopac he removed thither July 13th, 1882, and now enjoys a satisfactory practice both from the people in the surrounding vicinity and also from the city people who annually visit this most delightful summer resort.
His residence is now at the Thompson House. He has been a member of the Presbyterian denomination since 1874, and
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has held the office of superintendent of Sabbath school at different times and places.
DR. JAMES HADDEN was born in Putnam Valley, September 19th, 1827. His father, Samuel Hadden, and grandfather, Wil- liam Hadden, were residents of the county He received his primary education at the public schools of Putnam county and at Union Academy, Bedford, Westchester county. In 1861, he graduated from the New York Medical College, receiving the degree of M. D. He studied medicine with Dr. A. G. Travis, of Kent, and Dr. John McKenney, of Illinois. He began the practice of medicine in New York city, and continued until 1862, when he joined the 95th Regiment, as surgeon, and con- tinued in the service till the close of the war, when he returned to New York city. In 1880, he removed to Putnam Valley, Putnam county, where he has continued to practice until the present time. He is a member of the Medical Society of the City of New York.
ERNEST HEBERSMTH, M. D., son of Rev. Orsamus H. Smith, for many years rector of Christ Church, Patterson, was born in Rensselaerville, Albany county, N. Y., on the 20th of January, 1840.
He was educated chiefly by his father, until his twelfth year, when he was sent to the Balston Spa Institute. He prepared for college at the Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, Conn., and en- tered Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., in 1857.
He began the study of medicine under Dr. N. W. Wheeler, of Patterson, and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, in the spring of 1861. He was at that time a resident interne of Bellevue Hospital and re- mained until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, when he entered the U. S. Navy as assistant surgeon, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. His principal service was under Admiral Farragut. He was present at the capture of New Orleans and Mobile, and took part in nearly all the battles fought under that great captain, and in the blockade of the Gulf port's. He was once severely wounded in the face and hand, for which he was granted a pension in 1883.
After resigning from the navy in 1865, he settled in New Orleans, engaged in private practice, and was immediately ap- pointed acting assistant surgeon in the U. S. Army. He was assigned to duty at the military hospitals in that city, and as
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attending surgeon upon officers and officers' families in the city. At one time during the yellow fever epidemic of 1867, he was for a week the only one of five medical officers attached to a large military hospital able to keep his feet, the other four, one of whom was his brother, Orsamus, being down with the fever. The following year an epidemic of cholera taxed the medical officers almost as severely, and the hospitals were discontinued.
His services being no longer required, he resigned from the army and was soon after put in charge of the U. S. Marine Hos- pital Service, at New Orleans. He was transferred to the charge of the same service at New York in 1871, and in 1879 was transferred to the charge of the same service in San Francisco, where he finally resigned all government service in 1881.
Returning to Patterson in 1882, he engaged in the private practice of his profession and is now associated with Dr. J. Sut- cliffe Hill.
THE MEDICAL SOCIETIES OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Very little can be learned of the old Medical Society of Put- nam county. The earliest positive date is 1828, when Dr. Aaron Carman of the town of Carmel became a member. Dr. Edward Crosby, who practiced in Carmel later, says that his uncle, Noah H. Crane, used to say that Dr. Fletcher (probably Ebenezer Fletcher) of Patterson, was the last president, and he died in 1852. Soon after the organization of the present society, Dr. Edward Crosby was appointed to look up the records and seal of the old society. He reported that he had made strict search but nothing could be found.
The present County Medical Society was formed in 1874. July 7th, an informal meeting was held in the parlor of the Gleneida Hotel, Carmel, N. Y. Present: J. H. Smith, N. W. Wheeler, A. Ely, E. Crosby, J. Q. Adams, A. La Monte, M. A. Bailey and Fred. W. Bennett. J. H. Smith was elected chairman and M. A. Bailey, secretary. The chairman stated the object of the meeting and discussion followed. A resolution was passed to meet at the Gleneida Hotel July 28th, 1874, at 12 M., for the purpose of forming a County Medical Society, and it was signed by the eight physicians present.
July 28th, 1874, an adjourned meeting of the physicians of Putnam county was held in the parlor of the Gleneida Hotel. Present: Dr. Aaron Carman, of Lake Mahopac, Dr. Edward
18
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Crosby, of Mahopac Falls, Dr. Joseph H. Bailey, of Kent Cliffs. Dr. M. A. Bailey, of Kent Cliffs, Dr. N. W. Wheeler, of Pat- terson, Dr. A. La Monte, of Carmel, Dr. J. Q. Adams, of Car- mel, Dr. A. Ely, of Carmel, and Dr. E. A. Hobbs, of Patterson. The following officers were elected: Joseph Howard Bailey, of Kent Cliffs, president; Edward Crosby, of Mahopac Falls, vice president; Matthew Arbuckle Bailey, of Kent Cliffs, secretary; John Homer Smith, of Brewster, treasurer; Austin La Monte, of Carmel, Ezra Allen Hobbs, of Patterson, John Quincy Adams, of Carmel, censors; Nathan William Wheeler, of Patterson, delegate to State Medical Society.
A motion to appoint a committee of three to draft a constitu- tion and by laws was then made and carried. The president ap pointed as such committee, Drs. J. Q. Adams, J. H. Smith and M. A. Bailey. On motion adjourned to meet on the 11th of August, at 2 o'clock, P. M., same place.
At an adjourned meeting, held on the 11th of August, nine members were present. A constitution and by laws were offered, read and adopted by articles.
At the eighteenth regular meeting of the society, held Octo- ber 28th, 1879, the subject of incorporation came before the so- ciety, it having been discovered that it was not legally incor- porated. A committee consisting of M. A. Bailey and N. B. Bayley was appointed to ascertain, and report at the next meet- ing what steps were necessary to legally incorporate the society.
At the nineteenth regular meeting, held January 27th, 1880, the committee on incorporation reported that it would be nec- essary for the incorporation of the society to meet, and hold our next annual meeting in the room in the Court House in Carmel in which the County Court had held its last session. A motion was made that the next annual meeting be held in the Court room of the county of Putnam. Motion carried.
The sixth annual meeting was accordingly held in the Court House, and on account of the importance of the business trans- acted at that meeting the following copy from the minutes is given:
"Pursuant to due notice given, the following physicians and surgeons, residing in Putnam county, State of New York, authorized by law to practice medicine and surgery, met to- gether at 11 o'clock, A. M., on Tuesday, July 27th, 1880, in the room in the County Court House in the village of Carmel, being
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the place where the last term of the Court of Common Pleas next previous to such meeting was held in Putnam connty.
"Present: Drs. Nathan Wm. Wheeler, of Patterson, John Homer Smith, of Brewster, Norman Brigham Bayley, of Brewster, Matthew Arbuckle Bailey, of Carmel, Austin La Monte, of Carmel, John Quincy Adams, of Carmel, Edward Crosby, of Carmel, George Wilson Murdock, of Philipstown. "Dr. N. W. Wheeler was elected temporary chairman .- Dr. N. B. Bayley was elected temporary secretary. Dr. M. A. Bailey moved that we proceed to organize a County Medical Society by the election of officers to serve one year.
"The following officers were elected: President, Dr. N. W. Wheeler; vice-president, Dr. Geo. W. Murdock; secretary, Dr. N. B. Bailey; treasurer, Dr. A. La Monte; censors, J. H. Smith, Edward Crosby, J. Q. Adams.
"The above minutes are placed on file in the county clerk's office in the county of Putnam, State of New York, as required by law in order to complete legal organization of the Putnam County Medical Society.
"Dr. M. A. Bailey offered the following resolution:
"Resolved that all the acts and proceedings of the organiza- tion known as the Putnam County Medical Society since the date of the organization, July 28th, 1874, be accepted and de- clared binding upon this society which has now been organized under the laws of the State of New York.
"This resolution was seconded by Dr. Edward Crosby and unanimously adopted."
Charter Members:
John Quincy Adams, M. D .; joined July, 28th, 1874; born Rushford, Alleghany County, N. Y., December 31st, 1827; graduated University Medical College, New York city, March 5th, 1853; residence, Carmel; censor, 1874, 1875, 1880; vice-president, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1881, 1882, 1883; president, 1884, 1885; delegate to State Medical Society, 1880 to 1884; became a member State Medical Society in 1884; late brevet major and surgeon U. S. Vol. Corps.
Joseph Howard Bailey, M. D., U. S. A .; joined July 28th, 1874; born in Fredericktown, Dutchess county, N. Y., October 20th, 1803; graduated from Rutger Medical College, New York city in 1827; appointed assistant surgeon U. S. Army in 1834; retired from active service in 1862; residence, Kent Cliffs, Put-
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nam county, N. Y .; president Putnam County Medical Society in 1874 and 1875.
Matthew Arbuckle Bailey, M. D .; joined July 28th, 1874; born at Fort Smith, Arkansas, December 21st, 1844; graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York city in 1871; secretary from 1874 to 1878 inclusive.
Aaron Carman, M. D .; joined July 28th, 1874; born in Phil- ipstown, Putnam county, February 25th, 1798; graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, May 25th, 1822; residence Lake Mahopac.
Edward Crosby, M. D .; joined July 28th, 1874; born in South- east, Putnam county, N. Y., June 22d, 1812; graduated at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., 1840; residence, Mahopac Falls; vice-president, 1874; censor from 1877 to 1879 inclusive.
Nathan William Wheeler, M. D .; joined July 28th, 1874; born Weston, Fairfield county, Conn., December 22d, 1815; graduated from Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass., June 12th, 1838: residence, Patterson, Putnam county, N. Y .; delegate to State Medical Society from 1874 to 1876 inclusive, and resigned as such April 24th, 1877; president from 1876 to 1880 in- clusive.
Austin La Monte, M. D .; joined July 28th, 1874; born in Charlotteville, Schoharie county, N. Y., April 23d, 1837; gradu- ated from the University of Michigan Medical College in 1861; residence, Carmel, Putnam county, N. Y .; censor 1874 to 1877 inclusive and in 1885; treasurer from 1877 to 1885 inclusive; delegate to the State Medical Society from 1877 to 1880.
Addison Ely, joined July 28th, 1874; born at Westfield, Mass., in 1813; licensed by the Massachusetts State Medical Society in 1834; residence Carmel, Putnam county, N. Y.
Ezra Allen Hobbs, M. D .; joined July 28th, 1874; graduated from Bowdoin Medical College, Maine, in 1869; censor 1874, 1875 and 1876; withdrew from the society October 30th, 1877, and went to South Framingham, Mass.
Frederic William Bennett, M. D., joined July 28th, 1874; graduated from College of Physicians and Surgeons New York city, in 1873; residence, Brewster, Putnam county, N. Y .; with- drew January 23d, 1877, and went to Newark, N. J.
John Homer Smith; born at Washington, Litchfield county, Conn .; joined July 28th, 1874; licensed by the Dutchess County
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Medical Society; treasurer in 1874, 1875, and 1876; censor, 1879 to 1884, inclusive; residence, Brewster, Putnam county, N. Y.
Meetings :- Annual, fourth Tuesday in July; semi-annual, fourth Tuesday in January.
Officers July 21st, 1885 :- J. Q. Adams, president; S. A. Wood, vice president; L. H. Miller, secretary; A. La Monte, treasurer; censors, A. Ely, A. La Monte, N. W. Wheeler; dele- gate to State Medical Society, L. H. Miller.
Members :- John Q. Adams, Carmel, N. Y .; Norman B. Bayley, Haverstraw, Rockland county, N. Y .; J. Edson Card, jr., Lake Mahopac, N. Y .; Edward Crosby, Mount Kisco, Westchester county, N. Y .; Addison Ely, Carmel; Walter A. Jayne, Cold Spring; Austin La Monte, Carmel; Louis H. Miller, Brewster; Geo. W. Murdock, Cold Spring; Nathan W. Wheeler, Patterson; Samuel A. Wood, Ludingtonville; William Young, Cold Spring; number of members, 12.
Honorary members :- Henry Pearce, Pawling, Dutchess county, N. Y .; Ernest Hebers, Brooklyn, N. Y.
CHAPTER XVIII. EDUCATION.
BY JAMES A. FOSHAY.
T HE present condition of education in Putnam county shows a spirit of improvement, especially in the larger districts and villages. There are several schools that deserve special notice, for the improvements that have been made in the modern training of youth is illustrated in them, and excellent results are shown. A few of the country districts, however, do not show so much advancement. The "a b c method" of teaching children to read is generally abandoned and the " word method " is used instead. Pupils are taught to understand what they read, instead of merely pronouncing the words. Teachers feel the responsibilities of dealing with plastic minds, so susceptible to impressions, knowing that their influences make impressions that last through life. There is no depart- ment whose influences tend to suppress vice and stimulate vir- tue, as the department of public instruction. We find the school houses and churches side by side, and the people quite as willing to support the one as the other. In the year 1885, there was raised by local taxation, for the benefit of schools, $22,602.47, and $9,158.21 was received from the State school money; making $31,760.68. There is a steadily growing interest manifested in reference to our system of public education. As the people are educated to a due appreciation of the import- ance of good schools, so the schools improve. The teachers gen- erally are zealous and industrious, depending more on them- selves and less upon the text-book than formerly. Of the seventy three teachers now employed, four are licensed by State certificates, eight by Normal School diplomas and sixty-three by the school commissioner.
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The improvement in school houses is an evidence of progress. A pleasant room of proper size, well-furnished and kept neat, is a strong educating force, and sheds forth an influence for good on the pupils. The people realize this; and for several years we have seen new, commodious houses being built to take the places of the old ones; and in building them the health and comfort of the pupils were consulted. There are thirty-eight school houses that are new or in good repair; sixteen are com- fortable; and six are poor. In a few of the old buildings there still remain benches for seats, one desk extending the side of the room, so that the pupils must face the walls. It is pleasing to note that the number of buildings of this class is growing less every year. There are fifty-five frame buildings and five brick buildings.
The local school officers, as a rule, are faithful and earnest in the performance of their duties and gratuitous work; and mani- fest much interest in the welfare of the schools. Forty-one dis- tricts have one trustee each, eighteen districts have three trus- tees each, and one, the Union Free School District at Garrisons, has five trustees.
Full success in school work cannot be attained while we have irregular attendance. It disorganizes classes and makes extra work for the teachers in many ways. There were 3,057 names enrolled during the year 1885. There were nine private schools, with an enrollment of 114 pupils, taught during the year 1885.
The best means of special preparation for the greatest num- ber of our teachers is the Teachers' Institute. It brings to the attention of teachers, by persons of rare ability, the latest and best experience in education and school government. The time and place for holding the institute are designated, and the in- structors are assigned by the State superintendent of public in- struction. The sessions are usually in May and continue one week.
The Putnam County Teachers' Association was organized May 24th, 1882, with Mr. Frank H. Greene as president; which office he has continued to hold. Papers and addresses have been presented by the best teachers of the county, and discussed by members of the association. The meetings of this associa- tion are held semi-annually in different parts of the county, thus affording opportunities for all to attend. These meetings are very useful to the younger teachers who receive methods
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and suggestions from those who have had experience in the work.
There seems to be a general disposition to comply with Chap- ter 30 of the Laws of 1884; "An act in relation to the study of physiology and hygiene in public schools." Soon after the passage of this act School Commissioner Foshay issued a cir- cular to teachers, also one to trustees, calling attention to the act. Reports show that the study was taught in nearly every school.
In the apportionment of the State school money for 1886, the " district quota," or amount to be given for each teacher in the county is $66.12, an increase of $21.28 over the year 1885. This increase is the result of the provision in Chapter 340 of the Laws of 1885, changing the basis of apportionment. This is a very desirable change, as it aids the country districts especially.
CHAPTER XIX.
TOWN OF CARMEL.
REVISED BY REV. W. S. CLAPP.
Settlement and Early History .- Village of Carmel .- Lake Gleneida .- Carmel Collegiate Institute and Drew Ladies' Seminary .- Carmel Literary Union .- Railroad .- Bank .- Newspapers .- The Gilead Church .- Rev. Daniel D. Sahler. -Gilead Burying Ground. - James Raymond .- Mount Carmel Baptist Church. -Rev. William S. Clapp .- Methodist Episcopal Church.
T HE town of Carmel includes the southern half of Lots 5 and 6 of the Philipse Patent. It is bounded north by Kent, east by Southeast, south by Westchester county, and west by Putnam Valley. A small portion of the northwest corner of the town was annexed to Putnam Valley in 1861.
The earliest account of a settlement in this town is derived from the Hamblin family. In the year 1739 Eleazar Hamb- lin, with his family, left Cape Cod to seek a home in New York. On his way he stopped at the house of John Hazen in Nor- wich. He concluded to leave his family there and to go for- ward himself to find a suitable place for settling. On his return he found that his daughter, Sarah, had married Caleb Hazen, the son of his host. His son-in-law went with him and both settled in what is now the town of Carmel. Eleazar Hamblin made his home on the present homestead farm of Ira Crane, and here he lived and died. The house stood about fifteen rods south of Mr. Crane's residence. Caleb Hazen settled at what has ever since been called Hazen Hill, about a mile southwest of the village of Carmel. The old homestead stood near the bank of the west branch of Croton River, where the house of Mrs. William H. Baxter now stands. Near this place he had in later years a forge and a small furnace for melting iron. Traces of this furnace may still be seen.
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