USA > New York > Warren County > History of Warren County [N.Y.] with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 35
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298
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
idol of the populace, was cheered in every assembly, feasted at every board, and irresistible at the hustings, defeating Isaac Mott for the county judgeship in 1871 by seventy-three, and A. J. Cheritree in 1877 by four hundred and eighty-seven majority. He possessed a clear, sound, legal mind, and when pressed into service was eloquent and effective with judge and jury, and not unfrequently converted defeat into victory by his earnestness and honesty of purpose. Careless and indifferent by nature to the acquirement of this world's goods, he could never learn to say no, and was a prey to the greed and selfish- ness of real and fancied friends. Dilatory and procrastinating in his practice, his wealthy clients were not numerous or his income large, and when death came, if poverty is a passport to eternal bliss, for kind hearted, good natured Davis, the gates stood ajar. Judge Davis died in 1881, respected and esteemed by the entire community, as an upright judge, honest lawyer, good neighbor and faithful friend ; peace and farewell.
William Hay was born in Cambridge, Washington county, N. Y., in 1790. About the year 1800 Mr. Hay came with his family to Glens Falls and received only a limited school education, from the scanty opportunities afforded in the unsettled condition of the county in those early years of our history. In 1808 we find him pursuing the study of law in the office of Henry C. Martindale. In 1813 he opened an office for the practice of law at the head of Lake George. In 1817 he was married to Miss Paine, of Northumberland, Saratoga county. In 1819 he became the proprietor and publisher of the Warren Patriot, the first and only newspaper published at Lake George. In 1822 he removed to Glens Falls and resumed the practice of law. In 1827 he was elected to the Assembly from Warren county. In 1837 he removed to Ballston, retaining a branch office at Glens Falls. In 1840 he transferred his residence to Saratoga Springs, where he continued to live up to the time of his death. He was a man of broad views, of extensive and varied information, and endowed by na- ture with great intellectual qualifications, which were always used for the im- provement and advancement of human thought and progress. With a heart as gentle as a girl's, he was a man among men, a philosopher among philoso- phers, and may be justly regarded as one of the bright spirits who adorned every walk of life, always defending the right fearless of consequences, dying as he had lived, esteemed and venerated by all who knew him.
Stephen Brown was born in Massachusetts, and came to Glens Falls in 1852. By persistent industry and close attention to the duties of his profession he soon acquired an extensive and lucrative practice. He served most accept- ably as county judge from 1863 to 1871. The law firm of Brown & Sheldon, dissolved a few years since, was one of the best known in Northern New York during the several years of their copartnership. Judge Brown is yet in active practice, deservedly holds a prominent position before the bar, and is always discreet, able and eloquent.
ISAAC MOTT.
ALITTLE. PHILA
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299
THE BENCH AND BAR.
Andrew J. Cheritree, the present county judge, was born in Greene coun- ty, N. Y., in 1830; came to Warren county in 1854; was supervisor of the town of Luzerne for several years ; was appointed provost marshal at the close of the War of the Rebellion; served as school commissioner for about two years, and was subsequently appointed collector of internal revenue ; was elect- ed district attorney in 1871 without opposition, and county judge in 1882 by a large majority. Judge Cheritree has justly earned a reputation for integrity and ability before the bar and on the bench which points to a wider field of usefulness in the not distant future.
Isaac Mott.I- The levity and brevity of human life with its innumerable train of fleeting ambitions, are but as the faint reflection of a passing shadow, which may be tinged with prismatic beauty and leave its imprint for a brief space of time upon the collective susceptibility of human nature, speaking to the senses through the beautiful in poetry, music and art. Or, it may be the more bold and picturesque shadow of tyrannic power and decorated pomp marching in triumph o'er "the purple flood " of human hopes and universal slaughter. The pyramids which have endured the wreck of time and the shock of worlds, are but ghastly spectacles of the whirling sands and red simoon of the desert, which have consigned to oblivion the kingly names vain glory designed to perpetuate.
The imperial tyrant of Persia, with his myriads of desecrating vassals, live only in the hated recollection of Greece's proud, but melancholy history, which portrays Xerxes as the most tyrannic monster before whom an awed world ever bowed in abject submission. Earth, from pole to pole, resounded with the name and fame of Alexander who wept for other worlds in which ambition might revel in triumphal conquest. Caesar, Hannibal, Charlemagne, Napo- leon, alternately saint and sinner, emblazoned their lurid pathways, and sailed in tempest down the stream of life amid the meteoric splendor of marvelous achievements.
" And now, a single spot Where oft they triumphed is forgot."
Passing away is written upon the brow of man and the face of nature. Philosophical reflection and Christian resignation, views with smiling compla- cency the brevity of human ambition. Spring and summer, ere long give place to autumn, when we that are now must take our destined places in the silent cavalcade ever moving to that mystical realm where no wave of trouble breaks upon the silent shore; where no echo of joy or sadness disturbs eternal repose, or everlasting gladness. Calmed by the elysian reveries of hope, im- agination wings its flight beyond the shining stars and finds there written in legends of eternal light, this golden motto, "'Tis only truly noble to be truly good."
1 Contributed to the chapter by a friend.
300
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
From this atmosphere of moral purity, we may pursue with pleasure and profit the subject of our present sketch who was born in the town of Moreau, Saratoga county, New York, September 25th, 1818. His parents, James Mott and Anstis Merritt, were among the early settlers of Saratoga county and were blessed with a family of fourteen children, nine sons and five daughters. Isaac, the fifth son, " worked on the farm" and attended the " district school" until about the age of sixteen years, at which time he attended the schools at Glens Falls, where he obtained a good English education and the higher branches of mathematics. In 1836, a young man just from school, he was en- gaged as civil engineer on the New York and Erie R. R. The financial crisis of 1837 led to a suspension of the work and the young engineer was thrown out of employment, an incident which probably changed the entire current of his life. About this time he was offered a lucrative position on the State works, but declined, anticipating the continuance of the work on the Erie R. R. The summer of 1837 was devoted to the study of mathematics and trav- eling, and the following winter was profitably spent in teaching school in Washington county. In the spring of '38 he commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. William Hay at Glens Falls, and continued his studies for several years, occasionally teaching school in the winter. Was admitted to the bar in 1844 and commenced at once the practice of his profession at Schuy- lerville, Saratoga county. In 1847 Mr. Mott was married to Miss Mary A. Cox, of Schuylerville, by whom he has had three sons, Charles M., Abram C. and Edward P., and a daughter, Alice E. Charles M. Mott, now of Dakota Territory, was one of the youngest and brightest ornaments of the Warren county bar. Genial of nature, happy of thought, pleasing in conversation, a safe counselor and honest friend ; the happy possessor of every quality that endears, and every virtue that ennobles, he is a valuable acqusition to his new home, and will be admired and respected most by those who know him best. Abram. C. is extensively engaged in the iron trade, and is president of the Abram Cox Stove Company of Philadelphia. Edward P. Mott is manager of a branch house of the latter company at Chicago. Alice E., a most estimable and talented lady, is the wife of Edward E. Hazlett, M.D., an eminent young physician now practicing in Kansas.
In the fall of 1847, Mr. Mott, then but little known in the legal profession, moved to Glens Falls, N. Y., where he formed a law partnership with Allen T. Wilson and in a few months succeeded to the extensive law practice of Mr. Wilson, who moved to California. In 1850 Mr. Mott was elected superintend- ent of public schools for the town of Queensbury, a position which he most sat- isfactorily discharged for six successive years. In 1856 he was elected district. attorney for the county of Warren and discharged the duties of this position with marked ability, tact, wisdom, prudence and economy, which merited and won universal respect, and as a consequence retained possession of the office for twelve successive years.
30I
THE BENCH AND BAR.
So generally was the ability, talent and sterling honesty of Mr. Mott recog- nized by the community that he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the position of county judge in 1871, and under many adverse circumstances and a pernicious system of electioneering practiced by the opposition which Mr. Mott could not and would not practice, was, after a most brilliant run, de- feated by a small majority. In 1872 he was elected presidential elector on the Republican ticket and voted for General Grant at the electoral college of that year.
Mr. Mott is of long-living Quaker stock, and, although advanced in years, is hale and hearty in body and mind ; possessing a fine person, pleasing fea- tures, a most agreeable manner of address, and a peculiar manliness and grace which art cannot teach or method imitate. Honesty, candor, moderation, is the golden tie running through the pearl-chain of his every day duty.
"These shall resist the empire of decay,
When time is o'er, and worlds have passed away."
Feeling from his youth that the fundamental principles of moral and politi- cal philosophy are realities of the grandest and greatest importance, he never has fallen into the indolent and popular habit of declaiming about them as if they were nonentities incapable of being seen or understood. He therefore never hesitates to frankly express his views on important subjects when the occasion demands it. Ardently devoted to home and family he naturally pre- fers an atmosphere superlatively pure and calm, to the more turbulent and tumultuous channels of life, where lives are wrecked and hopes are blighted. Whole-souled and generous to a fault, his theology is tinged with the same characteristic generosity. A believer in a Supreme overruling power, yet ab- solutely without "ism " and therefore free from the distorted vision, cramped views, clouded understanding, illiberal opinions, and restless melancholy so fre- quently the prey and pride, the glory and shame of the narrow and contracted mind. Evidently believing with the poet,
" If there is another world, I'll live in bliss, If not. I've made the best of this."
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Respected by his neighbors, and admired by his friends; a successful law- yer, a kind husband and prudent father. No sentiments can embellish, no words can add to the worth and importance of a life of usefulness devoted to honest and successful effort for nearly a half century.
"To guild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth ice or add another hne Unto the rainbow, or with taper light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven lo garnish Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. "
From Holden's History of the Town of Queensbury, to which we are largely indebted for much of the information contained in this sketch, we find that Seth C. Baldwin, Hiram Barber, Horatio Buell and William Robards were judges of this county for terms varying from three to eight years.
302
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Melville A. Sheldon, for fourteen years a partner of Judge Brown's, was born in Essex county, N. Y., in 1829; was admitted to the bar in 1852. Came to Glens Falls in 1868, has been president of the village of Glens Falls, district attorney for three years, and is now a member of the board of education of the Union Free School. As a lawyer Mr. Sheldon is conceded to be without a superior in Northern New York, is a man absolutely without hypocritical pol- ish, sham or pretense, a man eminently worthy of respect and confidence and an honor to the profession and the community in which he lives. Seemingly reserved and distant in manner, yet possessing a heart kind, generous and sympathetic as could bless man.
Emery D. Harris, for many years a law partner of the late Judge Davis, was born in Washington county, N. Y., in 1837; was admitted to the bar in 1861 ; was the Democratic candidate for district attorney in 1868, making a remarkable run under adverse circumstances, and coming within thirteen votes of an election. Genial and warm hearted by nature, generous to a fault, pos- sessed of a bright, clear, perceptive intellect, widely known and very popular, a good lawyer and devoted friend, he has passed quietly away in the morning of his manhood, a victim of the fatal malady of consumption, loved and esteemed most by those who knew him best.
"Green be the turf above thee, friend of my better days, None knew thee but to love thee, or named thee but to praise."
In addition to the above mentioned, the following gentlemen constitute the members of the Warren county bar admitted to practice in the Supreme Court : -
A. B. Abbott, Eugene L. Ashley, Louis S. Brown, J. H. Bain, W. M. Cam- eron, Henry A. Howard, W. A. Holman, D. F. Keeffe, H. Prior King, Charles F. King, Calhoon S. Enches, Charles M. Mott, James J. Mead, Charles R. Pat- terson, Edwin R. Safford, Edward L. Sterns, Frank H. Streeter, Royal L. Davis, of Glens Falls; H. P. Gwinup, Abram Newcomb, of Luzerne; Thomas Cun- ningham, L. C. Aldrich, of Warrensburgh; Adam Armstrong, Charles P. Coyle, Stanly H. Bevins, of Chester ; C. F. Aldrich, L. H. Aldrich, of Thur- man.
Within the recollection of the writer many bright and noble spirits, orna- ments of the Warren county bar, and the pride of the community in which they lived, have fallen by the wayside to appear before the final tribunal, where the costs are fixed by statute; where motions for new trials will not be heard, proceedings stayed, or appeal possible.
In conclusion it is but just to say, that the Warren county bar has furnished its full quota of distinguished men to the legal profession, men who have swam to triumph on the crest of fortune, to pass away down the receding slope of years, leaving behind them sunny recollections and noble aspirations with those who in their turn shall obey the command of Nature and pass away.
"Thus the multitude goes like the flowers and the weeds ; The multitude goes to let others succeed."
303
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.1
Early Medical Legislation - Organization of the State Society - The County Society - Loss of Records - First Members - Early Delegates to the State Society- List of Officers of the Warren County Society - Biographic Sketches of Prominent Members of the Profession.
UN UNFORTUNATELY for a correct and authentic account of the Warren County Medical Society, the records of that association were burned about the year 1858. Anterior to that period we are indebted chiefly to such brief mention as may be found in the transactions of the State Society for any reliable information concerning it.
By an enactment of the New York Legislature, passed on the 4th of April, 1806, authority was given for the organization of medical societies for the purpose, as therein stated, of "regulating the practice of physic and surgery."2 In accordance with this statute the Medical Society of the State of New York was duly organized on the first Tuesday of February, 1807. The county of Warren was not set off from the county of Washington, of which it formed an integral part, until March 12, 1813 ; hence it is manifest there could not have been a County Medical Society prior to this date.
The first record that has been found of the existence of a county society is dated February, 1814, which states as follows: "The following gentlemen presented their credentials from their respective county societies [viz., to the State Society] and were duly admitted as delegates." Then, among other names, follows that of Dr. Asa Stower.
The society (as is learned from the present record book, which was re- written as well as possible after the destruction of the original records on the 2d day of October, 1858) was formed by the following named members : Asa Stower, of Queensbury ; Zephaniah Tubbs, of Caldwell; John P. Little, of Chester; Reuben C. Gibson, of Bolton ; Thomas Pattison, of Warrensburgh ; Darius Hewitt, of Queensbury; Chester Thomas, of Chester; and Harmon Hoffman, of Warrensburgh. The organization took place some time in the year 1813.
There afterwards, and previous to 1858 (when the records were destroyed), joined the society the following named physicians : Martin Jillett, Johnsburgh; Truman B. Hicks, Caldwell; John S. St. John, Luzerne; Paul More, Bolton ;
1 Prepared by Dr. A. W. Holden, of Glens Falls.
2 Prior to this time a most remarkable provision for licensure of candidates existed, by virtue of an act passed March 23d, 1797, which authorized " the chancellor, a judge of the Supreme Court or Com- mon Pleas, or a Master in Chancery, to license physicians and surgeons on receiving evidence of their having studied two years," etc.
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304
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Zerah Cushman, Chester ; Nathan Tubbs, - Kelley and Benjamin Dean, Chester ; Lemuel Bugbee, Bolton; George Andrews, Athol ; Fletcher Ran- som, Queensbury ; Nathaniel P. Seaver, Bolton; Wm. Wilson, Johnsburgh ; Fuller, and Nathan P. Colvin, Bolton ; Wm. N. Edgerton and Oliver Strong, Warrensburgh; Alfred Mallory, Chester ; James Lawrence, Luzerne; Bethuel Peck, Glens Falls; Ira Clement, Athol; Eliakim W. Howard, War- rensburgh ; Louis Charette, Bolton; Morgan W. Pritchard, Chester; Hiram McNutt, Warrensburgh; Samuel H. Hooker, Chester ; Austin W. Holden, Glens Falls; John B. Burneson, Luzerne; Marshall Littlefield, Glens Falls ; James Cromwell, Queensbury ; James Ferguson, Glens Falls.1
In addition to the above list (which may be more or less incorrect) the rec- ords show the following named physicians to have joined the society, the dates being given in some cases : Godfrey R. Martine (then of Johnsburgh); D. B. Howard, Warrensburgh; F. L. R. Chapin, Glens Falls; M. R. Peck, Glens Falls ; John T. Parker, Thurman ; James G. Porteous, Luzerne; N. E. Sheldon, Glens Falls; Wm. D. Aldrich, 1872, Warrensburgh; Hiram E. Mc- Nutt, 1872, Warrensburgh ; R. J. Eddy, 1875, B. G. Streeter, 1876, and Ben- jamin C. Senton, 1876, Glens Falls; W. R. Adamson, 1877, Lake George; G. H. Aldrich, 1878, Stony Creek; W. W. Aldrich, 1878, Weavertown; F. E. Aldrich, 1879; W. W. McGregor, 1879, Glens Falls; Fred B. Streeter, 1879, Glens Falls; A. O. Ameden, 1880, Glens Falls; Jno. C. Wall, 1880, Olm- steadville, Essex county ; Adam Weston, 1880, Glens Falls ; Chas. F. C. Wes- ton, 1880, Glens Falls ; W. S. Robinson, 1878, Schroon Lake ; S. J. Murray, 1881, Glens Falls; J. B. Washburne, 1882, Caldwell ; Edward S. Coyle, 1882, Chester ; Cassius J. Loggins, 1882, Chester; C. A. Foster, 1882, Glens Falls; Chas. F. Aldrich, 1882, Thurman ; Chas. S. Barney, 1882, Glens Falls; E. J. Dunn, 1882, Pottersville ; F. H. Stevens, 1882, Lake George.
In the annual reports of proceedings of the society we find in addition to the above the names of W. C. B. Stewart, John Cady, A. Irving Sternberg, and D. P. Kaynor among those admitted to membership.
In 1817 the Warren County Society was represented at the State meet- ing by Dr. John S. St. John, then practicing at Glens Falls. The county does not appear to have been represented in the State Society again until the year 1822, and there was considerable irregularity in sending delegates until com- paratively recent years. In 1822 the name of Truman B. Hicks appears as delegate ; he then resided and practiced in Luzerne and was for many years, subsequent to 1820, president of the County Society. He was also delegate to the State meetings in the years 1823, 1824, 1826, 1827, and was present in several other years, but not as a delegate. In the years 1829, 1830 and 1831 the County Society was not represented.
The first meeting held after the records were destroyed was on January
1 The spelling of these names is as given in the record.
A. W. HOLDEN, M. D.
A.LITTLE
305
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
19th, 1859, at which were present Doctors Bethuel Peck, Alfred Mallory, E. W. Howard, Louis Charette, Hiram McNutt, Marshall Littlefield, M. R. Peck, N. E. Sheldon and James Ferguson.
New by-laws were ordered drawn and other routine business transacted. Doctor M. Littlefield was elected president for the ensuing year, and Doctor Charette, vice-president ; with Doctor James Ferguson secretary ; and M. R. Peck, treasurer. Doctor H. McNutt was appointed delegate to the State So- ciety.
Since that date the following physicians have held the offices of president, vice-president and secretary of the County Society and delegates to the State Society : -
1860, Louis Charette, president ; Alfred Mallory, vice-president; H. Mc- Nutt, secretary ; James Ferguson, delegate.
1861-62, no record.
1863, H. McNutt, president ; James Ferguson, vice-president ; L. Charette, secretary.
1864, A. Mallory, president ; L. Charette, vice-president ; A. Irving Stern- berg, secretary. F. W. Howard was elected delegate to the American Medi- cal Association.
1865, L. Charette, president ; James Ferguson, vice-president ; E. W. How- ard, secretary ; H. McNutt, delegate to American Association.
1866, A. I. Sternberg, president ; H. McNutt, vice-president ; D. B. How- ard, secretary.
1867, G. R. Martine, president ; F. L. R. Chapin, vice-president; D. B. Howard, secretary ; M. R. Peck, delegate to American Association.
1868, F L. R. Chapin, president ; J. G. Porteous, vice-president ; D. B. Howard, secretary ; M. R. Peck, delegate to American Association. Doctor H. McNutt was sent as delegate to the State Society.
1869, M. R. Peck, president ; G. R. Martine, vice-president ; D. B. How- ard, secretary ; F. L. R. Chapin, delegate to American Association.
1870, Alfred Mallory, president; J. G. Porteous, vice-president ; D. B. Howard, secretary.
1871, J. G. Porteous, president; Louis Charette, vice-president; D. B. Howard, secretary.
1872, Alfred Mallory, president; Louis Charette, vice-president; D. B. Howard, secretary.
1873-74, no record.
1875, James Ferguson, president ; Louis Charette, vice-president ; D. B. Howard, secretary.
1876, E. W. Howard, president ; G. R. Martine, vice-president; R. J. Eddy, secretary. Doctor Chapin was elected delegate to the State Society and Doctor Louis Charette to the American Association.
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306
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
1877, B. G. Streeter, president ; William Aldrich, vice-president; R. J. Eddy, secretary.
1878, William D. Aldrich, president ; W. R. Adamson, vice-president ; R. J. Eddy, secretary.
1879, W. R. Adamson, president ; W. W. McGregor, vice-president ; R. J. Eddy, secretary. D. B. Howard, delegate to State Society ; L. Charette, to American Association.
1880, R. J. Eddy, president ; F. E. Aldrich, vice-president; E. W. Hill, secretary.
1881, W. W. McGregor, president; W. R. Adamson, vice-president; F. B. Streeter, secretary ; G. H. Aldrich, delegate to American Association.
1882, L. Charette, president ; F. E. Aldrich, vice-president ; F. B. Streeter, secretary ; W. D. Aldrich, delegate to American Association.
1883, D. B. Howard, president ; , vice-president; F. B. Streeter, secretary.
1884, C. S. Barney, president ; F. H. Stevens, vice-president ; W. D. Ald- rich, secretary.
The new by-laws were adopted at the second meeting, as was also a code of ethics, the latter being drawn by Doctors James Ferguson, Hiram McNutt and A. W. Holden, as committee.
* In the year 1875 a committee embracing Doctors F. L. R. Chapin, R. J. Eddy, M. R. Peck, Louis Charette and D. B. Howard, was appointed to revise the by-laws. This was done, but no changes of great importance were made. Another revision was made in 1881.
Herewith we give in brief the statistics of the medical profession in War- ren county, so far as they could be ascertained by diligent and persistent re- search through town, county, family and society records. Old residents have been consulted, correspondence instituted with those far away, and every avail- able source of information sought out in order to make this chapter creditable alike to the subject, to the individuals memorized, to the work itself, and to the compiler as well. The results are unsatisfactory. Considering, however, the many difficulties in the way, the long time which has elapsed since many of the actors in this field of science have " passed over to the great majority," it is not surprising that so many of the pioneers of medical practice should be passed by with the mere mention of a name. This, however, does not excuse or apologize for those who, still living, have declined or neglected to avail themselves of the opportunity to place themselves fairly and squarely on the record, a chance that is not likely to occur again in many years. Following we give life sketches of such individuals of the profession as we have been able to procure sufficient data :-
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