USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. I > Part 30
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In May, 1865, he was adunted to practice law in all the courts of New York.
Iu 1869 he determined to try his fortune in Florida, and moved to that State, expecting to engage in the business of raising oranges and other tropical fruits; but, again his health failing, he was obliged to return to New York, after spending one year in Florida. Since his return, in 1871, he has resided in his native town and pursued the practice of law.
Mr. Gray has a retiring disposition, and derives his pleasure chiefly from his own resources, and not from mingling in society farther than his business demands. He has a library of well-selected works, from which he derives exquisite pleasure. He is in the habit of reading a portion of Latin and Greek daily, and is in that respect a scholar of the old stamp. He thoroughly despises the crooked ways of politicians, and will not identify himself with either political party as a worker, although he believes in the old time-honored doctrines of the Democratic party. He has filled the office of justice of the peace and supervisor of his town, and other offices of trust, but never obtained them by his own seeking, and is not an aspirant for any office what- ever. Ile is a sincere believer in the principles of the Christian religion, but is not, and cannot be, a sectary, be- lieving that all men should form their own religious creeds from an honest and diligent examination of all the evidence attainable ; that any other erved is borrowed and not one's own, is minanly and not worthy the name of Christian.
Mr. Gray is strictly temperate in his habits, using neither intoxicating liquors, tobacco, tea, or coffee. He has written quite extensively for newspapers and other periodicals, is engaged in writing a history of his native town, aud has other works in contemplation.
The present members of the Ulster County bar, as taken from the court calendar, are :
Marius Schoonmaker. Kingston. Howard Chipp, Kingston. William S. Kenyon. Kingston. Reuben Bernard, Kingston. Augustus Schoonmaker, Kingston. Frederick In. Westbrook, King-ton. Peter Cantine, Saugerties. James JI. Cooper, Kingston. William Loansbery, Kingston. P
John Lyon, Elleaville.
William Lawton, Rondout. Seymour L. Stebbins, Rondout. Robert F. Macantry, Kingston. Alton B. Parker, Kingston. George II. Sharpe, Kingston. C. R. N. Champlin, Rowlout. Jacob Westbrook, Kingston. Derick W. Sparling, Kingston.
John Van Vechten Kenyon, Rosendale.
John T. Dewitt, Ellenville. Benjamin Turner, Jr., Shokan.
George C. Woolsey, Rondout. Solomou G. Young, Highland. Herman Winans, Saugerties. John E. Van Etten, Kingston. Charles A. Fowler, Kingston. Archibald N. Childs, Kingston.
T. Beckinan Westbrook, Kingstou. Alfonso T. Clearwater, Kingston.
George G. Keeler, Ellenville. James B. Keeler, Ellenville. Charles M. Preston, Rondont. Howard Chipp, Jr .. Rondout.
I. Newton Fiero, Kingston.
John J. Linson, Kingston.
John N. Vunderlyn, New Paltz. Elhiuund S. Wood, Rondout.
Marius Turek, Rondout. George R. Adams, Rondout.
Oliver P. Carpenter, Kingston. Daniel E. Keyser, Kingston. W. H. Hasbrouck, Elleuville.
John Hardenbergb. Kingston. James Me Pherson, Kingston. Benjamin M. Coon, Saugerties. Joseph Smith, Saugerties. Henry Griffith, Shandaken. John G. Childs. Napanoch. Charles Davis, Saugerties. Withain T. Holt, Kingston. Ashley Cooper, Kingston.
Waller S. Fredenburgh, Kingston.
Theodore D. B. Frear, Kingston.
Samuel T. Hull, Kingston. Melford Verucoy. Kingston. Jobu A. Muldoon. Kingston. W. S. Kenyon, Jr., Kingston. McDonald Van Vagonen, Kingston.
John P. Cullen, Rondout. Stephen S. Hulbert, Kingston. Dewitt Pouss, Ron-lout.
John G. Gray, Napanoch.
John Rusk, Marlborough. Cornelius Van Wagonen, Ellenville. . John W. Searing. Saugerties. E. D. Brandos, Rondout.
Lode Hornbeck, Rondout. James T. Obr .11, Rondout. John W. Weber, Rondout. C. Meech Woolsey, Milton. Frank Brodhead, Ellenville. S. G. Carpenter, Kingston. John F. Cloonan, Kingston. Lonis B. Van Gaasbeck, Kingston.
Raswell Lockwood, Kingston. Joseph A. Fetter, Kingston. George VAL Etten, Kingston.
D. M. Dickerson, Moduna.
Frauk K. Hasbrouck, Shawangunk.
Lewis Hasbronek, Tuthill. A. D. Lent, Highland.
Hector S ors, Gardiner. Ilenry E. Mckenzie, Port Ewen. Stephen D. Soule, Shandaken.
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122
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
CHAPTER XXL.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
I .- ULSTER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Ix pursuance of the general act for the incorporation of medical societies, passed April 4, 1806, thirteen physicians and surgeons-to wit, James Oliver, Luke Kiersted, Ben- jamin R. Bevier,* James Houghtaling, Peter Vanderlyn, Andrew Snyder, James I. Hasbrouck, John Beekman, Conrad Newkirk, Abraham Fiero, Jr., Ezekiel Webb, Geo. W. Bancker, and Abraham T. E. Dewitt -- convened at the house of Cornelius C. Elmendorph, in the village of Kings- ton, on Tuesday, the Ist day of July, 1806, and made choice of the following officers, viz. : James Oliver, Presi- dent ; Luke Kiersted, Vice-President ; Benjamin R. Be- vier, Secretary; James Houghtaling, Treasurer. Three censors were chosen, viz. : Abraham T. E. Dewitt, Benja- min R. Bevier, and Peter Vandetlyn. James G. Graham was elected the representative to the State Medical Society. James Oliver, Luke Kiersted, and Benjamin R. Bevier were appointed a committee to report a suitable code or forin of rules and regulations for the conduct of the society. The next meeting was appointed for Sept. 2, 1806, when Jacob Delemater, James Brodhead, William Connelly, Isaac Vosburgh, Cornelius D. B. Hasbrouck, Alexander Harden- bergh, and Jacob Heermance were admitted as members.
The following letter, received at this meeting, shows that the new medical society was appealed to for help in a dan- gerous state of public health :
" KINGSTON, Sept. 2, 1806.
" GENTLEMEN, -- The village of Kingston is at present afflicted very generally with a bilious fever. Many persons have an opinion that the cause exists in the stagnant waters of Me. Benjamin Bogardus' mill pond ; others entertain a different opinion, but do not attempt to assign any cause for it. The ideas of so large and respectable a body of physicians as are now assembled in the village would be entitled to grent weight ; and we do therefore make the liberty of earnestly entreating you to communicate to us your opinion upon this very serious and important subject.
" With much respect, gentlemen, " Your obedient servant, " In behalf of the directors of the village, " JustEn CHIPr, President. "TO THE GENTLEMEN CONPOSING THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE COUNTY OF N'ESTER."
A committee of correspondence was at this time ap- pointed, consisting of Drs. Jacob Delemater, James Hough- taling, and Benjamin R. Bevier. In reply to the foregoing letter the following answer was returned :
"TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE VILLAGE OF KINGSTON :
"GENTLEMEN,-The Medical Society of the County of Ulster have, agreeable to your request, deliberately taken into consideration the communication which you were pleased to present to us this day, as far as time and opportunity would permit. They are of opinion that the various exhalations arising from the mill-pond aud adjacent sources of filth anuexed lo your village in a great measure contribute to the prevalence of that species of fever which at present is so se- verely experienced therein. Time will not permit at present for us to give you that general satisfaction on the subject which its itspor- tulive demande, and which you are perhaps indneed to de-ire. " By order of the Society," etc.
This correspondence exhibits something of the stately courtesy characteristic of the gentlemen of the olden time. * B. R. Bevier, latest survivor of the charter members, died June 17, 1866, nged eighty-three years.
It was voted that the next meeting be held on the first Tuesday of December, precisely at nine o'clock in the morning, at the house of Sarah Tack, in Marbletown. At that meeting Doctors Samuel H. Phillips, Jacob Wertz, Jolin Bogardus, and Thomas Van Gaasbeck, Jr., were ad- mitted as members. Dr. Ezekiel Webb, who had united at the first meeting, not having a regular diploma, was do- clared not to be a lawful member, but, he having received in the mean time a diploma from under the hand and seal of the president of this society, he was now regularly admitted as a member. The following resolution was also adopted :
" Whereas, The law authorizing the incorporation of this Society has for its object the regular improvement and promotion of the healing art, as well as the security of man against the ilireful mani- festations and practices of quackery and empiricism, and whereas this society has the strongest reasons to believe that many persons are now practicing physic and surgery within this county without having legal anthority so to do, thereupon
" Resolerd, That a committee of inquiry, consisting of Doctors J. Brodhead, A. Hindenbergh, E. Webb, and J. Houghtaling, be. and they are hereby appointel, who shall, as far as may be possible, dili. gently inquire and ascertait. what number of persons are now prac- tieing physic an I surgery within this county ; and who shall also, as far as may be possible, diligently enquire and ascertain, if any, who and what number of persons are now practicing without having proper authority so to do, and report the same to the society at the next meeting."
They also provided a seal, as follows :
" Resolved, That the seal which is now suspended by the chain of the president's watch be the proper seal of this society until another shall be procured and admitted of."
They farther tendered the following offer :
" Resafred, That any and all persons afflicted with lingering, ob- stinate, or other diseases, who may be desirous of medical aid, shall, by applying on the day of the next annual meeting of this society, receive the opinions and advice thereof gratis."
Sept. 1, 1807, the following officers were chosen : James Oliver, President ; Luke Kiersted, Vice-President ; Ben- jamin R. Bovier, Secretary; James Houghtaling, Treas. nrer ; Abraham T. E. Dewitt, Benj. R. Bevier, Peter Van- derlyn, Samuel H. Phillips, John Bogardus, Censors ; Jacob Delemater, Benj. R. Bevier, Samuel H. Phillips, Ezekiel Webb, James Houghtaling, Committee of Correspondence.
The new nemubers admitted were Doctors William JJaa- sen, John Rockefeller, and Roswell Bradley. The com- mittee of inquiry had evidently found a task of some magnitude, as they were excused from. reporting until the next meeting. The society selected " Fever" to be a subject of debate at the next meeting, Dr. Samuel 11. Phillips to open the discussion.
At the meeting of Dec. 1, 1807, the committee of in- quiry were still further esensed. The members of this society were directed not to consult or advise with any physicians within the county who were not members of this society. It was voted that the next meeting be held at the house of Roeloff Hasbrouck, in New Paltz.
At a meeting May 6, 1808, through information secured from two of the committee of inquiry, supplemented by reports of members present, the following catalogue of the physicians of Ulster County was prepared. It is valuable as giving not singdy the members of the medical society. bat all the practicing physicians of the county, nearly three- quarters of a century ago :
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123
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Conrad Newkirk, Abram Fiero, Jr., Ezekiel Webb, Luke KiersteI, James Houghtaling, Samuel II. Phillips, John Beekman, Isaac Vosburgh, Peter Vanderlyn, Roswell Bradley, Samuel S. Masters, Cornelius D. R. Hasbrouck, Williani Clark, Richard Ten Eyek, Benjamin R. Bevier, Andrew Snyder, William Connelly. Thomas Quintan, James Oliver, James 1. Hasbrouck, Isaue I. Hasbrouck, Lewis Hasbrouck, - Williams, Jacub Delemater, Mathew De Witt, Abraham T. E. Dewitt, Alexander Hardenbergh, Will'am W. Wood, Jacob Heermance, William Doll, Benjamin Ilarden- bergh, Blake Whorles. Samuel Dimmick, James G. Graham, William Jansen, Green Miller, Thomas Van Gaasbeck, Jr., James Brodbead. Adna Heston, Jonathan Bailey, Benjamin Ely, Wil- liam Gelney. Jacob Werts, Mauritius Werts, John Bogardus, Barnabas Benton, - Plough.
The society also resolved to procure from the county clerk a correct estimate of the number of certificates or licenses granted to physicians or surgeons which have been filed in his office. It appears that the society determined to establish at once a standard of professional regularity, and desired to bring into connection with themselves all licensed, reputable physicians. In this they did not fully succeed, as quite a number of physicians of good standing and fair practice and adhering to allopathie formulas have done successful work in the profession, though not connect- ing themselves with the county society. This is true of the present time, and probably true of the past.
We have thus shown the organization of the Ulster County Medieal Society, and something of its earlier his- tory. The details of its regular work as recorded for many years are of much interest, showing a determination to ele- vate the standard of professional excellence, advance the healing art, and develop new ideas in the treatment of dis- ease by discussion upon fised topics, by reports of difficult eases, and by comparison of views. To enter upon this field at length is beyond the province of this volume.
The following catalogue of members may not be com- plete, as it is evident physicians were sometimes admitted without a notice of the fact in the minutes. There is no record at all for occasional earlier years, and, besides, the interruption of twenty years at one time in the history forms a chasm not easily filled. The list, however, ett- bodies in concise form much valuable information :
Charter Members. April 1, 1800: James Oliver. Luke Kiersted, Ben- jamin B. Pevier, James Houghtalite. Peter Vandiciyn, Amirew Suyder, James J. Hasbrouck, John Beckman, Conral Newkirk,
Abraham 1: 1., Jr., Ezekiel Webly, George W. Hancker, Abrabaut T. E. Jewitt.
Admitted Sept. 2, 1806: Jacob Detomater, Jaines BrodLend, William Connelly, Isane Vosburgh, Cornelius D. B. Hasbrouck, Alexander Hardenbergh, Jacob Heerinance.
First Tuesday in December, 1800: Samuel B. Phillips, Jacob Wertz, John Bogardus, Thomas Van Gaasbeck, Jr.
Sept. 1, 180; : William Jausen, Julin Rockefeller, Roswell Bradley. Sept. 6, 1803 : John Nottingham.
Sept. 3, 1809 : Mauritius Wertz.
September, 1810: Henry I. Hoornbeeck, John T. Jansen, Jr., Charles Winfiell. Sept. 7, 1513: L. Gilbert Hall. Sept. 6, 1814 : John Hunt. Plattekill.
Sept. 3, 1816: David M. Wharry .: Sept. 2, 1313 : Joshua Garretson.
S.p.t. 1, 1815 : Stephen Hasbrouck, Frederick W. Rowe, Marbletown, Peter Sharpe, Davil Ha-brouck. Louis Bevier.
Jan. 19, 1819 : John Young.
# Dr. Peter Cri-pell, Jr., is mentioned about this date, but his ad- mission does not appear.
Sept. 17, 181! : Christopher C. Kierstel. John T. Young.
Sept. 5, 1820 : William W. Coffin, Matthew Dewitt, William Gedney.t
Sept. 4, 1821 : James Mairs, Jr., Daniel N. Deyoe.
Jan. 29, 1822 : Samuel Carman, Richard Elting.
Sept. 13, 1$22 : Jacob Hasbronek.
Jan. 28, 1823 : Thomas M. Ilolt.
Sept. : , 1824 : Garret D. B. Crispell, James McMellen.
June 6, 1826 : Marinus V. Wheeler ; Edward Ardoll.
June 5. 1827 : Joseph Vanderlyn, Mecker Gorham, Hervey Smith, Charles Drake.
June 1, 1830 : Alexander II. Smith, Dewitt Hasbrouck, Newman Ab- hey, Barnet MeClellan.
June 1, 1-31 : W. C. Dewitt, D. Devitt, S. Fiero, of Olive, E. Dumond. June 5, 1 32: William B. Davis.
July 16, 1834 : Thomas J. Nelsou.
June 1, 1833 : Marcus Dougherty.
June 6, 1837 : Samuel M. Olden.
The society bad ouly a nominal existence from 1837 to 185S, or if the meetings were continued the records were not preserved. Dr. Peter Crispell was the last president in 1937, and the first in 1958. It may be inferred that the franchise of the society was kept in legal existence by occa- sional meetings, or that it survived in the person of Dr. Crispell. Continuing the list from 1858, we have :
June 1, 185S : Peter Crispell, Jr., Barnet MeClelland, Thomas J. Nel- son, James O. Van Hoevenbergh, Levi Lounshery, Abram Cris- Fell, Wm. B. Davis, Elmund Brink. Philip Hoornbeck. ReportedI admitted by the president : Edgar Eltinge, John Wales.
Admitted by vote the same day : Charles D. Dewitt, Jacob Vreeland,
J. Hasbronek, E. M. Seeor.
Jan. 25, 1859 : Daniel D. T. Hoornbeck, Benjamin R. Bevier, Jr., Gordon C. McClelland.
Dec. 6, 1859 : Dr. Huline.
Jan. 10, 1860 : Abram C. Hull, John R. Frahier.
Jaar 5, 1860 : Dr. John C. Bogardus.#
Dec. 4, 1860 : Peter E. Madden, J. C. Dart, Sholan.
June 4, 1861 : Wm. C. Lyman.
June 7, 1864 : Erastus D. Chipman, Fort Van Keuren.
Dec. 6, 1864 : Edward Mckenzie.
March 11, 1855: Stephen L. Hvath, Woodstock.
June 6, 1565 : Jobn Vedder, Philip Du Bois Hoornbeck, Charles W. Deyo. April 3, 1866: Dr. George C. Smith, Kingston ; Dr. Herman Craft, Stone Ri.lge.
Sept. 1, 1866: Dr. Theodore Millepangh, Shawauzunk.
June 4, ISGT: Dr. Philip C. Neher, Accord; Dr. W. H. Gedney, Marlborongh; Dr. George Chambers, Marbletown; Solomon E. Hasbrouck, Marlborough.
Sept. 10, 1867 : D :. Harri. :: 21. Winter, Shaudaken.
Dec. 10, 186; : Dr. da . A. D. V urta.
3: ne 2, 1992 : D .. A. P. Heston. Marlborough.
Sept. S, ISGS : Dr. Knapp, Marlborough ; Dr. Miller, Higbland.
Sept. 4, 1860: Dr. Jacob S. Frcer.
Juue 7, 1870 : Dr. C. G. Willard.
Dee. 6, 1870 : Dr. J. J. Ward.
Jan. 19, 1871 : Dr. James M. Griffin.
June 6, 1871 : Dr. Kennedy, Rondout.
June 6, 1871 : Dr. Montgomery, Woodstock.
Dec. 5, 1871 : Dr. Isaac Melzger.
April 9, 1872 : Dr. Henry Van Hoevenbergh, Highland; Dr. Wm. C. Wile, Highland.
May 7, 1872 : Dr. D. B. Ostrander, Olive Bridge.
Dee. 10, 1472 : Mrs. E. M. Vedder, Rondout.
May 13, 1873: Dr. F. S. Purroy, Dr. E. H. Loughran, Dr. J. C. Bo- gardus. Sept. 19, 1$73: Dr. Harry J. Travis. Oct. 11. 1ST3 : Dr. Travis Woodstock.
+ Dr. Green Miller is mentioned in proceedings about this date, but the time of his a Imission does not appear.
* Simon Schoonmaker's name appears in the proceedings at this time, but not the date of admission.
121
HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Jan. 15, IST :: Dr. Robert Newman, Dr. Phinney Finch. April 13, 1575: Dr. Robert Walsh, West Hurley ; Dr. F. D. Clum, Saugerlies.
June 1, 1575 : Dr. George H. Lathrop, Kerhonkton : Dr. Charles T. Montgomery, Glasco. Oct. 12. 1575 : Dr. H. M. Kirk. June 6, 1876: Dr. Lywan B. Smith, Woodstock. July 10. 1877 : Dr. George S. La Moree. June 4, ISTS : Dr. Albert Hend Pahner, Marlborough.
In the following list of presidents and secretaries in a few instances the officers for a particular year have been inferred, though the records were silent. It is believed to be complete, except for the period 1837 to 1858 :
PRESIDENTS.
1Se6-9, Dr. Jame: Oliver; ISID, Abram T. E. Dewitt :" 1911, Dr. Barnabas Benton : 1812, to record ; 1:13-1s. Dr. Barnabas Benton : 1819-22, Dr Benjamin R. Bevier : 1523, Dr. John Bo- gardus ; 1:24-23,1 Dr. Benjamin R. Bevier: 1-26-27. Dr. Peter Crispell, Jr. ; no records from Is -; to ]sus : 1958-61. Dr. l'eter Crispell, Jr .; 1853-66, Thouses S. Dawes: 1587, Dr. Abraham C. Hall : 1868, Dr. John Vedder; 1864, Dr. Levi Louasbury ; 1870, Dr. J. O. Van Hoevenbergh ; 1871, Dr. W. II. Golney ; 1st2, Dr. Archibald T. Douglass: 1:55. Dr. Robert Loughran ; 18;4, Dr. James S. Knapp ; 1-25. Dr. Josiah Hasbrouck ; 1576, Dr. Williamn B. Davis; 1527. Dr. Edward MeKenzie; ISTS, Dr. Simon Seboortnaker; 1879, Dr. C. C. Covel.
SECRETARIES.
1806-8, Dr. Benjamin R. Bevier: 18 0, Dr. James J. Hasbrouck ; 1210, Dr. John Nottingham : 1811. Dr. Alexander Hardenbergh ; 1812, no record ; 1-13-15, Dr. Alexan ! r lardenbergh ; 1516-18. Dr. John Bogar has . 1819-25,t Dr. Peter Cr.spell, Jr. : 1s26, Dr. Edward Arnold : 1827-23, Dr. Pardel N. Deyo ; 1531-3., Dr. Bar- nett MeClePami ; "> records from JS: " to 1836 ; 1538-39. Dr. Ed- gar Elting; 1860-65, Ir. James Q. Van I evenbergh : 1861. Dr. Edgar Elting: 1:65-67. Dr. Archibald T. Dongla:s; 1sds-70. Dr. Charles W. Deyo : 1851. Dr. Joseph D. Keyser : 1872, Pr. N. Ingram ; 1sta, Dr. C. F. Willard ; 1974-25, Dr. Areliball T. Douglass : 1:76, Elbert H. Longbran ; 18;7-58, Dr. Arebilabl T. Douglass ; IST9, Dr. Robert Longhruu.
The following is a catalogue of the present acting mem- bers of the society (May, Is50 .:
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Drs. G. A. Hanley, Guatemala. Central America ; George F. Shrady, Robert Newtoan. New York.
RESIDENT MEMBERS.
Kingston .- Drs. h. Loughran, C. C. Covel, S. L. Heath, F. J. loughran. Bomfont-Drs. E. K. Perkins. A. Cri-pell. A. Hahne, A. T. Douglass. Wilbur .- Dr. S. N. Shafer. Saugerties,-Drs. T. S. Dawes, E. D. Chipman. Smith's Landing, Green Co .- Dr. Rufus Crawford. Cilaxen .- Dr. Charles T. Montgomery. Woodstock .- Dr. L. L. Smith. West Hurley .- Dr. J. M. Grifin. Stone Ridge .- Dr. II. Craft. Ofire .- Dr. A. C. Hull. Hovorsing .- Dr. Philip Du Bois Hoornbeck. Ell. wrille .-- Drs. W. F. Scoresby, A. Otiz, P. Finch. Napanoch .- Dr. B. R. Revier. Kerhoukton .- Dr. S. E. P. Hours. beck. Rossdale,- Dr. S. Schoonmaker, Dr. C. H. Hasbrouck. Esopus, -- Dr. M. Wheeler.
* Eleete I for some years in September instead of June. + Returned to June for annual elections.
Plater Park .-- Dr. John A. Decker. Port Ewen .- Drs. J. Hasbrouck, E. Mckenzie. Note Paltz .- Dr. C. W. Deyo.
Highland .- Drs. I. C. Dant, George S. La Moree. Marlborough .-- Dra. J. N. Miller, A. H. Palmer. Milion .- Dr. W. Il. Gedney.
The present officers (May, 1890) are Dr. C. C. Covel, President ; Dr. G. C. Smith, Vice-President; Dr. R. Lough- ran, Recording Secretary ; Dr. L. B. Smith, Corresponding Secretary ; Dr. J. Hasbrouck, Treasurer ; Drs. A. Crispell, T. S. Dawes, E. Mckenzie, P. Finch, S. Schoonmaker, Censors.
PETER CRISPELL, JR., M.D.,
was born in August, 179.4, in the town of Hurley, Ulster Co., N. Y. Ilis great-grandfather, Anthony Crispell, was a Ilu- guenot from Artois, emigrated to this country in 1660, and was one of the original patentees of New Paltz, Ulster Co. Ilis great- grandmother was Maria Blanshan, sister of Cath- afine, wife of Louis Du Bois, the leader of the New Paltz immigrants. His father was John Crispell, a farmer and surveyor, highly respected by all who knew him, and a jus- tice of the peace continuously for thirty years. His mother was Jane Hasbrouck. of Shawangunk, of one of the most respected families in the county. He was the eldest of six children, and brother of G. Du Bois Crispell, M.D., of Kingston, N. Y.
In his boyhood he was noted for unusual vigor of both body and mind. He attended the common school in his native town, and graduated at the Kingston Academy, in which, for a time, he was a mutor, and afterwards a trustee. Hestudied medicine with John Nottingham, M. D., of Mar- bletown, attended medieal lectures in New York City, and was licensed by the Ulster County Medical Society in 1816. Hle diligently followed his profession for a short time at. Esopus, then at Marbletown, where he remained until 1837, when he removed to his farm on the Hurley low- lands, and continued the practice of medicine until his death, in December, 1878.
Ile ranked among the most skillful physicians in the county, was rapid and remarkably accurate in his diagnosis, direct and energetic in his treatment, and attentive and in- deed devoted to his patients, some of whom were oftentimes twenty-five and thirty miles from his residence. For twenty- five years he was president of the Medical Society of the county. His influence as a physician as well as a citizen was from the first, and always, with the conservative lem- perance movements of his day. He frequently originated meetings, presided at them, addressed them, and counseled the younger practitioners to the disuse of alcoholie stimu- lants, and was unsparing in his denunciations of their use in mania-a-potu.
flis activities and honors were not limited to his profis- sional life. His strong mental powers, his admirable mem- ory, his clearness and independence as a thinker, his moral courage and steadiness in following his convictions, and his acknowledged honesty and integrity gave him prominence outside of the physician's sphere, and weight in the church when, in his sixty-fourth year, he confessed Christ before men. Quite an enthusiast in agriculture, his farm, at one time, took the prize as the best, at another as the second
Esteti Ethings
125
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
best, in the State. He also, by invitation, delivered ad- dresses before the County Agricultural Society. In 1831 he was elected one of the board of directors of the Ulster County Bank, and in 1851 was made vice-president, and filled the position for twenty-six years. He was a laborious and faithful public servant as commissioner of schools, of loans, and as supervisor of his town. In 1849 he repre- sented his district in the State Assembly with honor, aud was afterwards nominated for Congress, but was not elected. He was a Presidential elector in 1828, and in 1860 a dele- gate to the National Convention at Chicago which nomi- nated Abraham Lincoln.
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