USA > New York > Kings County > History of the Medical Society of the County of Kings : official program of the Graeco-Roman Festival to Asklepios and Aesculapius, Borough of Brooklyn > Part 2
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The early history of the Society is so closely identified with the lives of its members that it is well to give a brief sketch of the biographies of the founders.
CORNELIUS LOW, M.D., the first President of the Society, was born in Albany, N. Y., about 1750. He was licensed to practice medicine in 1782. Served the Society in the capacity of President for three terms, beginning 1822. Little is known of his personal history. He died in Bushwick, L. I., 1830.
Dr. MATTHEW WENDELL, the first Vice-President and sixth President of the Society, was born at Albany, N. Y., July 9th, 1777. He came to Brooklyn from his birthplace, Albany, having studied under Dr. Hyde of that city. He became a licentiate in 1804, and entering into partnership with Dr. Charles Ball in 1805, he opened an office at the corner of Sands and Fulton Streets. In 1812, he became surgeon in the United States Army. From 1815 to 1816 he was free vaccinator. In 1815 he was President of the Society for the Prevention of Vice in the Town of Brooklyn. He was Health Officer of this city during the years 1831 to 1838, and 1851 to 1857, and in hours of pesti- lence, as well as quiet, showed great executive ability. He died in July, 1860.
Dr. JOHN CARPENTER, first Treasurer of the Society, was the son of Anthony Carpenter; his mother was a daughter of the late Rev. John Moffat, a Presbyterian preacher; also the early tutor of Governor DeWitt Clinton. Dr. Carpenter was born at Goshen, N. Y., on April 17th, 1791. His education was conducted by the Rev. John Moffat; he came, however, to New York, about 1807. On his arrival in the city, he made his home with Rev. James B Romeyn, D.D., and found employment in the Governor's office. A few years later he began to study medicine under Dr. Douglas of New York, as precep- tor. He attended the course of lectures at the old College of Physicians and Surgeons, and in 1812, was licensed to practice by the New York State Medical Society. It is believed that he obtained the first license granted by the Kings County Society, which was given him in 1822. At the beginning of
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JOHN BARREA ZABRISKIE, M.D.
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the war of 1812, he was connected with the United States Army, and con- tinued with the army until 1822, when lie commenced private practice in Fort Hamilton and New Utrecht. In the same year, he was one of the organizers of the Medical Society. He also organized the first Sunday-school in Fort Hamilton, of which he was Superintendent for thirty-eight years. In fact, he might be termed the father of the Brooklyn Sunday-school system. He dicd on September 13th, 1864.
Dr. ADRIAN VANDEVEER was born in Flatbush, December 21, 1796. He was prepared for Columbia College at Erasmus Hall Academy, and after graduating from there, studied medicine at the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, New York. In 1819, he entered upon a practice which finally extended over the whole of Kings County. At the organization of the Society, he was clected First Secretary ; and became its seventh President, during the years 1837 to 1838. He and Dr.T. W. HENRY were the only members of the Society at its organization who were graduates of a medical college, all otliers being licentiates. In the epidemic of Asiatic cholera in 1832, Dr. Vandeveer was appointed Health Officer of Flatbush. He was one of the first physicians to abandon general practice and confine himself to a special branch of the pro- fession. This aroused opposition from his medical brethren, but he persevered, and eventually accomplished much. He died July 5, 1827, in his sixty-fifth year. Like many of the early physicians, he was closely identified with church work, having organized the Reformed Church Sabbath School of Flatbush in 1825, of which he was Superintendent from 1825 to 1857.
The duties of the Censors were far more onerous than the general public can realize. It was their duty to examine candidates and license them to practice medicine. The first three men who formed the Board of Censors were Drs. JOSEPH G. T. HUNT, THOMAS W. HENRY and CHARLES BALL.
Dr. HUNT was born in 1783. He studied medicine with Drs. WHITE- HEAD, HICKS and BARD, was licensed in 1804 and appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Navy. After having been promoted to full surgeon, 1806, he served in the Algerian war under Decatur, and was on board the "Chesapeake " when she was captured by the "Leopard." Later on, he was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and in addition to his official duty, acquired consider- able private practice. In 1820 he resigned from the service. In 1825, he was appointed First Health Officer of Brooklyn, with a salary of $200 a year, and served until 1830. He was also President of the Medical Society from 1825 to 1830. He died August, 1830, having held the office of President longer than any other member up to the present time.
THOMAS W. HENRY was born in the City of New York, June 17, 1796. His education was obtained in the private boarding schools of New York. In 1818, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1820. Dr. Henry began the practice of his profession in the Village of Brooklyn, as Brooklyn at that time did not extend much further than the present City Hall, the population being about 5,000.
His first office was at Sands and Jay streets, then he removed near the further corner of Henry and Orange streets, and the old directories give his
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THEODORE LEWIS MASON, M.D.
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address as 65 Henry street. The name of this street was chosen by the Trus- tccs of the Village of Brooklyn, April 8, 1819. This disproves the contention of some of the writers of Brooklyn history, that Henry street was named in honor of that Henry family. According to the custom then in vogue, Dr. Henry conducted for a number of years a drug store at the corner of Sands and Jay streets. In addition to holding the office of Censor in the Society, Dr. Henry was elected to the Vice-Presidency in 1827, and to the Presidency in 1831. In 1832, he was elected an honorary member of the Medical Soci- ety of the State of New York. The records show that he was preceptor for the late GEORGE GILFILLAN and RIPLEY E. W. ADAMS. It is said of Dr. Henry that he was a man of marked education, stern and conscious in his manner, ever ready to assist the sick and needy by his advice and treatment.
In comparison with the other two Censors, little is known of Doctor CHAS. C. BALL. He was licensed July 4, 1806, and entered into private practice. In 1824, he and Dr. Wendell had joint offices at Columbia and Cranberry streets. They then moved to 112 Fulton street, corner Main. He erected the first three-story brick house in Brooklyn, where he lived at the time of his death. This house was surrounded by beautiful grounds, and is pictured in Guy's snow scene of 1820. Besides holding the position of Cen- sor, he was President from 1833 to 1834. He was also a member of the Society for the Prevention of Vice. It is interesting to note that he was the richest physician of his time, owning all of what is now known as Brooklyn Heights; he was the first to give up horseback for the more luxurious carriage.
Of DR. FRANCIS DU BOIS, like Dr. Ball, little is known. He was the son of JOHN E. DU BOIS, of the Town of New Utrecht. Was born May 21, 1783. He married Sarah Bergen, and died January 22, 1827.
With Dr. CREED, however, we are more fortunate. He was born in 1787, in the Town of Jamaica. His early education was obtained at Friars' Hall Academy, with the addition of a few years at Columbia College. He began the study of medicine in 1805, under the preceptorship of Dr. COMAINE, in New York. He also attended medical lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and was licensed to practice medicine in 1809. He accepted the position of interne in Bellevue Hospital during the year 1810, being the second interne in that institution.
In 1811, he began the practice of medicine in the Village of Brooklyn. The same year he was Sheriff of Kings County, and was the only medical man in Kings County to hold that office. In 1812 he was appointed surgeon in Jeremiah Johnson's brigade, stationed at Fort Greene. He resumed the practice of his profession after the close of the war, and in 1822, became one of the organizers of the Medical Society of the County of Kings. When the first board of Health was organized in Flatbush in 1832, by JOHN B. ZABRISKIE, M. D., with Dr. ADRIAN VANDEVEER as Health Officer, his associates were Drs. WM. D. CREED and ROBERT EDMOND, all members of the Society. Soon after, Dr. Creed removed to Jamaica, and connected himself with the Queens County Medical Society, of which he was President during the years 1856 and 1857. He was also a
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JOHN SULLIVAN THORNE. M. D.
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member of the Suffolk County Medical Society. Dr. Creed, like many of the old physicians, was interested in the temperance cause, and for a number of years was President of the Queens County Temperance Society. He also or- ganized the First Reformed Church at Queens, L. I., laying the corner stone in September, 1858. Dr. Creed died 1870, aged eighty-three years.
In addition to the biographies of the founders it will be interesting to touch briefly upon the lives of the deceased presidents.
Doctor Isaac J. Rapelye became the fifth president of the Society in 1835. He came of a very interesting family, for tradition has it that the first white child born on Long Island was a Rapelye. The date of the doctor's birth has never been ascertained. In fact, little is known of him up to the date of his graduation from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1820. He prac- ticed in Newtown from 1820 to 1830, and in Brooklyn from 1830 to 1847. He held the position of Health Officer from 1839 to 1840; was Censor of the Society during the years 1831, 1832 and 1833. In 1847 he met with a tragic death. While going upstairs a favorite dog jumped upon him with such force that he was thrown the full length of the stairs. It was found, upon examin- ation, that his neck was dislocated, thus producing instant death.
Doctor JOHN BARREA ZABRISKIE was President of the Medical Society of the County of Kings in 1839, being the eighth in line of succession of the preced- ing officers. He was prepared for college at Millstone, New Jersey. He entered Union, Schenectady, leaving that college in 1823. The following ycar he began the study of medicine in the office of Mr. William McKeesick, of Mill- stone, and became a student in the College of Physicians, in New York, 1825. In 1826 he was licensed to practice medicine by the Medical Society of the State of New Jersey. Not being satisfied with this legal qualification, he entered the University of Pennsylvania, and received the degree of M. D. in 1827. In 1830, after having practiced for a time in New York, he removed to New Lots, and thence to Flatbush, where he spent the remaining eighteen years of his life in the active practice of medicine. He joined the Medical Society of the County of Kings in 1829. He was Censor and Secretary in 1831-2, and Vice-President in 1833-4-5, and was President in 1839. He also represented the County organization in the State Medical Society in 1829-31, where he presented a paper on the medical topography of Kings County, which was published in the transactions for 1832. During that same year he was a member of the Flatbush Board of Health, and in 1847 Superintendent of the Flatbush School District, which included New Lots. Besides these posi- tions he was at one time physician in charge of the Kings County Almshouse, and at another, surgeon to the 241st regiment, New York State Militia. He was also trustee of the Erasmus Hall Academy, and was an elder in the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1848 he died of a contagious disease contracted in his professional career. His son, JOHN L. ZABRISKIE, deceased, was a member, and his two grandsons are now active members of the Society.
The date of the birth of Dr. Purcell Cook is not known. He was licensed by the County Medical Society in 1824, and in 1851 received the honorary degree of M. D. from the Regent of the University of the City of New York.
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LUCIUS HYDE, M.D.
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He practiced all his life in Brooklyn, and held the following positions in the Society, of which he was a member during the years 1835 to 1860, was Cen- sor in 1835, Vice-President in 1839, President in 1840, '41 and '45. Hc died a bachelor December 24, 1860.
The next in line is Dr. Theodore Lewis Mason. He was born in Coop- erstown, New York, September 30. 1803. He was the son of the Rev. David Mason, of Norwich, Conn., and a direct descendant of the John Mason who came to Boston from England in 1632. The early education of Dr. Mason was received under the preceptorship of Rev. Isaac Lewis. He began thestudy of medicine in 1822 at Greenwich, Conn., under Darius Meade, M.D. A few years later, after matriculating at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, with DAVID HOSACK as his preceptor, he graduated in 1825. In that same year he began the practice of his profession at Milton, Conn., where he remained until 1832, when he removed to New York city. In 1834 he came to Brooklyn, remaining here until his death, February 12, 1882.
BRADLEY PARKER graduated from the Medical Department of Dart- mouth College in 1824. In 1836 he joined the Medical Society of which he remained a member until his death in 1874. He was Censor of the Society during the years 1838, '40, '41,'46 and '47. Secretary in 1842 and 1843, and President in 1844.
JOHN SULLIVAN THORNE was born in the City of New York, April 19th, 1807. Entered Union College, and received the degree of A.M. in 1826, and immediately began the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Matthew Wendell and Charles Ball, two of the organizers and ex-Presidents of the Medical Society. Received the degree of M.D., from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, in the class of 1829, and immediately began the practice of medicine in Brooklyn, at 51 Sands Street. In 1830, he assisted in organizing the first dispensary in Brooklyn; when the dispensary was discon- tinued in 1839 he assisted in the organization of the City Hospital, and was one of the attending physicians until 1855. During the years '44 and '45 he was President of the Hospital. In 1832 he was physician to the Cholera Hospital, and from 1840 to 1880 physician to the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum. In 1876 he became a member of the Council of the Long Island College Hospital, and, at the same time, one of the consulting surgeons. In 1879 a member of the Board of Regents. His connection with the Medical Society County of Kings, dates from 1834. He became the Vice-President in 1844, President in 1846, and Censor in 1851. In 1843 Dr. Thorne became a member of the Brooklyn Board of Education, retaining his membership until 1872. In 1868 he was elected President of the Board, retaining the position until his retirement in 1872, and as far as is known, was the only physician who ever held that position. In addition to these various offices of trust, he held the position of Trustee of the Brooklyn Female Academy, and was also a director of the Packer Institute of Brooklyn. His life was a record of usefulness.
LUCIUS HYDE was the son of Isaac Hyde, M.D., of Connecticut. He was born December 13th, 1800. Educated at Union College, he studied under
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Frank, Hastings Harellos, AM. M.D.L.D. the Youth Clinton Enos, MI. William Henry Hadley, MA. Jaunes Dauting Track MAMMA.
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John Call hallow, AB. MD. Joseph Chrisman Hus totou, MILJ. Chauncey Leeds mitchell, MA, MP .. Godwins Nesbit Chapman, Mama
Furet Corned and Faculty, Long Island College Hospital -1860.
History-Continued
his father, Isaac Hyde, in 1823, and in 1825 was licensed by the New York State Medical Society. Practiced in Brooklyn 1825 to 1862. Joincd the Society in 1835. He was Censor during the years 1843, '46, '48, and Presi- dent in 1847. A delegate to the New York State Medical Society 1848-50, and to the American Medical Society 1847, '49, '50 and '51. He died Sep- tember 11th, 1862.
CHAUNCEY LEEDS MITCHELL, A.M., M.D., was born at New Canaan, Conn., November 13th, 1813. He graduated at Union College in 1833, received the degree of A.M. 1836, and the degree of M.D. in 1836, from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. He practiced medicine in Brooklyn, from 1843 to 1888, was a member of the Council of Long Island College Hospital, from 1860 to 1888; a member of the Board of Regents, from 1878 to 1888. Was Professor of Obstetrics at Castleton, Vt., Medical College 1842 to 1845. Member of the Medical Society of the County, of which he was President in 1848, and 1858 to 1859; New York Academy of Medicine from 1847 to 1888. The American Academy of Medicine, from 1879 to 1888, and the Brooklyn Pathological Society, from 1871 to 1888.
HENRY JAMES CULLEN, born at Manor Hamilton, Sligo, Ireland, July 2d, 1806, came to this country when about fourteen, remaining in New York five or six years, when he removed to New Orleans, where he began the study of medicine. In 1828 he graduated from the Geneva Medical College, in New York. Immediately after graduation he returned to Matamoras, Mexico, where he had previously lived some years, and remained there three years. In 1837, after a trip abroad, he settled in Brooklyn, where he resided at the time of his death. He became a licentiate of the Medical Society in 1843, a member in 1844, Vice-President in 1846 to 1847, and was elected its President in 1849. He served as Censor in 1851, '56 to 57. He was for years one of the physicians of the Brooklyn City Hospital, and at the time of his death consulting physician to St. Peter's Hospital and St. Mary's. He was a member of the Brooklyn Medico-Chirurgical Society 1856 to 1866, and President in 1866. He was one of the worthiest practitioners Brooklyn ever had. The last time he was seen by some of his medical friends was on a cold night, when the air was filled with snow and rain, the pavements slippery with sleet, walking a good dis- tance in spite of his chronic enemy, asthma, to witness the transfusion of blood from the carotid of a lamb to the veins of a man enfeebled by disease. Such occasions Dr. Cullen never allowed to pass. He was a practitioner of the old school, but in perfect sympathy with the progressive spirit of the profes- sion. To Dr. Cullen the medical corps of the Navy owes a debt of gratitude which, when known, will be fully appreciated. It was he who instigated the movement in 1859 to secure for the surgeons the right which had often been asked for, and as often denied. Acting upon his recommenda- tion, the Society appointed a committee with power to promote, by all lawful means, the passage by Congress according to the Naval medical corps their just demands. Circulars were addressed to medical societies far and wide. Petitions were sent to Washington and members of Congress appealcd to per-
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HENRY JAMES CULLEN, M.D.
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sonally to further the cause, which two years later signally triumplied. Dr. Cullen was a man of decided natural ability and high intellectual qualitics.
JAMES HARVEY HENRY was born at Rutland, Mass., Feb. 22, 1806. He died in Brooklyn, November 1, 1875. He graduated at the Berkshire Medical Institute in 1827. A member of the Council of the Long Island College Hos- pital from 1860 to 1867, and of the Medical Society of the County of Kings of which he was President in 1850.
SAMUEL JOHNSON OSBORN. He was born May 4, 1813, at Mount Airy, Germantown, Pa. His early schooling was obtained at the Middletown Academy, Connecticut, and Joseph Hoxie's School, New York. After com- pleting his education, he entered the drug business, where he remained until 1840, when he began the study of medicine in the city of New York, under the preceptorship of Drs. NICHOL H. DEERING and JOSEPH SMITH. Entering the Medical Department of Rutgers College in 1842, and the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1843, he obtained the degree of M. D., in 1844, and began the practice of medicine in the City of Brooklyn, connecting him- self with the Medical Society the same year, serving the Society as Censor, 1846-50-52-55, and as President in '51. He was Secretary from 1845 to 1851. In 1855, he removed to Oshkosh, Wis., where his ability was recog- nized by the citizens, in evidence of which he was called upon to fill the follow- ing positions : Supervisor; School Superintendent, 1859 to 1869; School Commissioner, '69 to '71, and Alderman, '71 to '72. He was an upright man, a profound student of human nature, and an honor to his profession. Dur- ing sixty years of his life, he was connected with the Masonic order, having held the position of Master and High Priest in his lodge and chapter.
GEORGE MARVIN was born at Norwalk, Conn., February 23, 1798. Having been prepared for college in his native town, he entered Yale Univer- sity in 1814, receiving the degree of A. M. in 1817. In 1818, he matriculated with the University of Pennsylvania, where he received the degree of M. D. in 1821. He began private practice in Rochester, remaining there until 1828, when he came to New York City. In 1831, he removed to the City of Brook- lyn, where he engaged in active practice until 1874. In 1831, he became a member of the Medical Society, holding the position of Censor in 1837-38 and '39. Was Vice-President in 1840 to '41, and President in 1852. He was As- sistant Physician to the City Hospital, 1840 to '45, and a member of the Council of the Long Island College Hospital from 1867 to 1874. For thirty- five years he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of this city.
Dr. Andrew Otterson was born near Amsterdam, Fulton County, N. Y., February 22d, 1822, and died April 15th, 1897. His academic education was received at Hempstead Harbor, L. I., and Freehold, N. J., and in the year 1840 he commenced the study of medicine at Whitehouse, N. J., having for his preceptor Dr. William Johnson of that place. He went to the University Medical College, graduating from there in 1844, and immediately selecting Brooklyn as the field of his future efforts for fame and success. In 1845 he became a member of the Medical Society of the County of Kings, and remained a member fifty-two years. His connection with the Medical Society
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SAMUEL JOHNSON OSBORN, M D.
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covers a period of more than two-thirds of his life. He signed his name as the seventy-eighth member on the roll, and added to that eminent list an unim- peachable presence, a sublime purpose, and a dignity of character that remained unquestioned, and lived to enjoy the growth of its membership to more than six hundred. At the time of his death he was the oldest ex- President of the Society in active membership, the oldest non-resident ex- President living being Samuel J. Osborn, who filled the chair in 1851, removed to Wisconsin in 1862, attaining his 84th year of age on May 4th, 1897. Between these two there existed a warm friendship, which time failed to dim or distance to sever. Dr. Otterson's membership in the Medical Society was not without recognition. He was President in 1853, '54, and again in '68. He held the position of Censor in 1849, '64 and '65. Secretary in 1850, '51 and '52, and Treasurer from 1855 to 1861. He also became associated with the Brooklyn Medical Society in 1856, and was its President in 1857. With the Brooklyn Medico-Chirurgical Society from 1857 to 1866, being its Presi- dent in 1857, '58 and '59. The Brooklyn Pathological Society from 1877 to 1897. The Brooklyn Medical Book Club from 1892 to 1897, and the Alumni Association of the University Medical College of the City of New York, of which he was elected Vice-President in 1896. While thus professionally affiliated, there were social duties which claimed his attention; among these were Altair Lodge, No. 601, F. & A. Masons, Constellation Chapter R. A. M., Brooklyn Consistory, No. 24, and Ancient Scottish Rite, 33d degree. To cease here would be denying him the time-honored association of a member- ship where his presence was ever punctual and an inspiration for good-a Fellow for fifty years of Montauk Lodge, No. 114, I. O. O. F. In his early professional life he filled the position of Attending Physician to the Brook- lyn Dispensary from 1850 to '55. In professional public life, Dr. Otterson was Health Officer of the City of Brooklyn in 1872, and again in 1883; was President of the Board of Health in 1875 and '77. Commissioner of Health in 1879 and '80, and again from February 6th, 1886, to February 1st, 1888. Like many physicians in active practice, Dr. Otterson found little time for contributing to the medical literature of the day. He was essentially a practical man, who never lost a suggestion, and was never found without one. His reports of the Health Department are chiefly clerical, but his papers on the cholera epidemics of 1848 and 1854 in Brooklyn, give proof of a facile pen and an ability to understand the hygienic requirements necessary in times of sudden outbursts of disease. Dr. Otterson's life was one continued earnest effort; right or wrong, he knew no middle ground. To his brothers in the pro- fession he was singularly courteous, upright and void of dissimulation, ever ready to extend the helping hand. In ethics, he was a moralist; in politics, a Jacksonian Democrat, in the practice of his profession, an idcal physician, kind, conscientious, faithful and beloved.
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