USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Landmarks of Rensselaer county, New York, pt 1 > Part 19
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esty of his purpose, the clearness of his decisions, and his mastery of the principles of the law and their application to the rules of evidence and the practice of courts. Judge Robertson also had a long and hon- orable political career. In December, 1869, President Grant appointed him United States assessor of internal revenue for the fifteenth dis- triet of New York State. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster of Troy by General Grant, was reappointed by President Hayes in 1832, and was again reappointed in 1881 by President Arthur. During his in- cumbency of the office he spared no pains to make its administration acceptable to the people, introducing many improvements and giving greatly increased facilities to its patrons. So great was the publie con- fidence in his integrity and the publie appreciation of his intelligent service, that on both occasions when his term was about to expire almost every business firm and prominent citizen of Troy, irrespective of party, petitioned for his reappointment.
Judge Robertson was originally a Whig. Upon the formation of the Republican party he joined that organization, and held many respon- sible trusts under it. He was made chairman of the first Republican committee of Rensselaer county ever formed, and with the exception of one year, retained the position for twenty-one years continuously. He was a member of the Republican State committee for several years, and for three years a member of the executive committee of that body. His influence extended throughout the State, and his coun- sel and judgment were invoked in deciding some of the most important questions relating to party management and the enunciation of political principles. He attended, either as a delegate or spectator, almost every convention of his party held in the State within the past twenty-five years, and the same may be said of his attendance upon national con- ventions. Judge Robertson was true to every official and personal relation of life. His professional brethren respected his legal abilities and attainments as greatly as the people honored him for his faithful- ness to all the interests committed to his hands. As a politician it may be said of him that the offices he held were in no sense commen- surate with his merits. In 1886, on the passage by the Legislature of the State of New York of the law creating a State Board of Arbitra- tion, Judge Robertson was appointed a member of said board by the governor and Senate. In 1887, under an act passed by the Legislature creating a State Board of Mediation and Arbitration and enlarging the powers of the board, Judge Robertson was reappointed, which position
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he held until a few weeks before his death. Judge Robertson married, in 1852, Angeline Daggett, daughter of Dr. Joseph Daggett of Troy, by whom he had three children-Gilbert Daggett, Mary Elizabeth, and John Livingston Robertson. He died April 23, 1896.
CHAPTER XII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
COMMEED BY REED B. BONTECOU, M. D.
The Rensselaer Medical society was organized July 1, 1806. The minutes of the first meeting were as follows:
In conformity to an act of the Legislature of the State of New York entitled "An act to incorporate medical societies for the purpose of regulating the practice of physic and surgery in this State," passed April 4, 1806, the physicians and surgeons of the county of Rensselaer to the number of twenty, viz., Benjamin Woodward, Aaron D). Patchin, Benjamin Rowe, Abner Thurber, Moses Willard, Asher Arm- strong, Eli Burritt, J. M. Wells, Hezekiah Eklridge, Samuel Gale, John Loudon, David Gleason, Edward Davis, Alexander Rousseau, U. M. Gregory, Sanford Smith, Edward Ostrander, David Doolittle, Moses Hale and James H. Ball, convened in the court-house of Troy and proceeded by ballot to elect their officers, when the fol- . lowing gentlemen were declared duly elected: President, Dr. Benjamin Woodward ; vice-president, Dr. John Loudon ; treasurer, Dr. Samuel Gale; secretary. Dr. J. M. Wells: censors, Dr. Eli Burritt, Dr. Moses Willard, Dr. Hezekiah Eldridge, Dr. David Doolittle and Dr. Benjamin Kowe; delegate to the Medical Society of the State of New York, Dr. Moses Willard.
BENJAMIN WOODWARD, Secretary pro tem.
The following resolutions were passed :
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to draft a code of by-laws for the use of the Rensselaer County Medical society, and Dr. Eli Burritt, Dr. Hezekiah Eldridge, Dr. Moses Willard, Dr. Moses Hale and Dr. Aaron D. Patchin to be the committee.
Resolved, That the annual meeting of the society be the first Tuesday of July at the court-house.
Resolved, That a tax of twenty-five cents be levied on each member for the use of the society.
Resolved, That the president direct the treasurer to purchase two books, one for the secretary and one for the treasurer.
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Resolved, That the committee on by-laws report the same on the second Tuesday of January next, to which time this meeting is adjourned.
Resolved, That the adjourned meeting be held in the court-house at Troy at ten o'clock A. M. 2d Tuesday of January next.
Resolved, That the secretary publish the adjourned meeting in the Northern Budget three weeks previons thereto.
J. M. WELLS, Secretary.
The following have been the presidents of the society, which in re- cent years has been known as the Medical Society of the County of Rensselaer :
David Doolittle, 1820; Moses Ilale, 1821, 1824, 1825; Samuel MeClellan, 1822, 1823; James W. Ball, 1826; Asaph Clark, 1827, 1828; John Van Namee, 1829, 1830; Robert Collins, 1831, 1832; Sinton Newcomb, 1833; Amatus Robbins, 1831; Daniel Ilaines, 1835, 1836, Jolm Wheeler, 1837, 1838; Samuel MeCleflan, 1839; Thomas W. Blatchford, 18:10, 1811; Simeon A. Cook, 1849, 1843; Alfred Wotkyns, 1844, 1815; Frederick B. Leonard, 1846, 1847; Thomas C. Brinsmade, 1848, 1819; J. W. Richards, 1850, 1851; Caspar V. W. Burton, 1852; Avery J. Skilton, 1853, 1851, 1855; William P. Seymour, 1856; Edward Hall, 1857, 1858; Philander 11. Thomas, 1859, 1860; James Thorn, 1861, 1862; Francis B. Parmelee, 1863; Eber W. Carmichael, 1861; Ilemy C. Carrington, 1865; William S. Cooper, 1866; Henry B. Whiton, 1867; George Il. Hubbard, 1868, 1869; M. Il. Burton, 1870; John Squire, 1871; D. W. Hiscock, 1879; W. N. Bonesteel, 1873; W. L. Cooper, 1874; C. L. Hubbell, 1875; C. 11. Bur- beck, 1876; R. 11. Ward, 1877, 1828; F. B. Parmelee, 1879, 1880; Jos. D. Lomax, 1881; J. C. Hutchinson, 1882; E. W. Capron, 1883; R. D. Traver, 1881; Z. Rous- seau, 1885; C. E. Nichols, 1886, 1887; M. Felter, 1888; Hermon C. Gordinier, 1889; R. B. Bontecou, 1890, 1891; Le Roy MeLean, 1892, 1893; W. Akin, 1894; R. Brins- made Bontecou, 1895; O. F. Kinloch, 1896.
Up to 1812 Dr. Mellen, Dr. Gale and Dr. Ball were the physicians of Nassau. Dr. Rowe practiced in Schodack and was succeeded by Dr. Sammel Mcclellan. Dr. John Miller commenced practice in East Greenbush about 1815 and Dr. Ebenezer D. Barsett at Nassau about the same time. Some years later Dr. Harris commenced practice in South Sand Lake, and Dr. Graves in Stephentown. At Dr. Gale's death Dr. John 11. Haynes succeeded to his practice at East Nassan and a few years later Dr. George W. Straft also opened an office there. Dr. Hogeboom was practicing in Castleton about that time, and was succeeded by his son, who is also dead. About 1840 Dr. MeClellan took Dr. Beckwith in with him, having previously had Drs. Simpson and Coventry until their removal from the county. Dr. Beckwith con- tinued his practice there until his death in 1870, Dr. MeClellan having died meanwhile. Drs. Miller, Harris, Gale and Ball died before 1850.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 169
Dr. Harris was succeeded by his son-in-law, Dr. Elliott, and afterwards by Drs. Anson and Boyce of Sand Lake. Dr. Eber W. Carmichael was in practice in Sand Lake since 1843. Dr. Philander II. Thomas practiced a long time at West Sand Lake and was succeeded at his death by Dr. Hull, whose son is practicing in Poestenkill. Dr. Hoge- boom was succeeded by his son at Castleton. Dr. John Squire prac- tieed at Schodack Landing since 1830. Dr. Neher settled at Nassau and later Dr. Samnel MeClellan, the grandson of the elder and cele- brated physician.
At Lansingburgh Dr. Willard was practicing before 1800. Some- what later Dr. Timothy Cone practiced there until his death. Dr. John Taylor was a prominent physician there for over thirty years. Dr. Michael Henry was cotemporary with Dr. Willard and practiced there about 1800. Dr. Brinsmade also practiced there a few years prior to his removal to Troy. Since these, Dr. Frederick Leonard practiced from 1830 to 1845, and Dr. C. V. W. Burton, for several years a part- ner of Dr. Leonard, practiced for some years after, until his death. Since his time Drs. E. W. Capron, E. H. Davis, Daniel D. Bucklin and his son, Aubry C. Bucklin, A. D. Hull, Milton HI. Lamb and D. Newcome have been practitioners. Dr. Leonard was graduated from Vale, was a scholar and dignified gentleman, and a first-class physician. IIe was fond of the natural sciences and was for some time professor of natural history at the Rensselaer school under Prof. Amos Eaton. Ile became wealthy, probably by inheritance or marriage, and finally gave up practice. He was president of the county society in 1846 and 1847. Dr. Burton was president in 1852 and Dr. Capron in 1883. All of these at one time or another resided on State street in Troy, the main street of the village at the time.
At Hoosick Falls, Dr. Salmon Moses practiced for over fifty years, until he attained great age, dying in 1874. Dr. Fowler was one of the early physicians of prominence, and his sudden death in a railway ac- cident was considered a public calamity. Dr. II. K. McLean has been a prominent practitioner there for many years, a good physician and much esteemed by the community. Dr. S. A. Skinner has had a large practice there and in the surrounding country for the last twenty years, and has great ability and ingenuity. He has invented fracture beds and appliances for fractured limbs and improvements in various machines, which have been a source of income. He resides in a fine residence with his wife and two daughters, and is held in high esteem by the com-
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munity. He has been a member of the county society since 1828. Dr. H. D. C. Hanners was for several years a practitioner there, until his death. Dr. J. C. Hannon for many years has been a very popular practitioner of Hoosick Falls, is a member of the American Medical association, fellow of the New York State Medical association and mem- ber of the Rensselaer County society, and is regular in his attendance at the meetings of these associations. Dr. T. C. Hannon has, for the last few years, enjoyed quite an extensive practice there and is a mem- ber of the Rensselaer County Medical society. Dr. R. II. Green, a graduate of Dartmouth college and later a medical officer in the United States navy, settled in Hoosick and had an extensive practice all about that country. Ile was fond of the study of natural history and spent much time collecting plants and objects of interest in that department. HIe was a most amiable and genial man, and a practical Christian. Ile was a member of the County Medical society since 1872. His death a few years since was deeply regretted by the community. Drs. Bishop, Blanchard and Ashton each practiced there some years ago, but all are dead. Dr. Ashton died of diphtheria contracted from a patient he was attending. Dr. Cahill is in the practice there yet. Dr. Mayberry, a very excellent young physician, has been in practice there for some years, and is highly esteemed. Dr. Hewett is also practicing there. Dr. John Warren, now dead, was one of the old practitioners at Hoosick Corners. He was a graduate of Bowdoin college, and a mem- ber of the Rensselaer County Medical society since 1841. Dr. P. A. Armstrong was another of the old and honored physicians of that locality, and was a member of the county society since 1828. He is also dead. Dr. John 11. Haynes, another of the old physicians of that region, is also dead. He was a member of the county society since 1831. Dr. Curtis and Dr. Clark also practiced there. Dr. Curtis is dead. Dr. Stewart practiced at Eagle Bridge for a number of years. Ile was killed at a railroad crossing by the cars one evening while returning from a sick call. Dr. Rider has been in practice some time at Buskirk's Bridge, succeeding Dr. Stewart. Dr. Fox has been for some years past the principal physician of North Hoosiek.
Dr. Samuel Leonard lived near Nassau in the early part of the nine- teenth century and had an extensive practice. Dr. Ebenezer Balen- tine succeeded him. He moved away and his departure was much regretted by the people. Dr. Joseph Shirts succeeded him, but died in two years of typhus fever. Drs. Henry P. and Cornelius Vandyke
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were in practice at Muitzes Kill about eight years later. Dr. John Van Buren practiced in Castleton about sixty-five years ago, but removed to Albany, where he died. Dr. James Hogeboom was a contemporary of Dr. Van Buren. He was succeeded by his son, James L. Hogeboom, who has since died. Dr. John S. Reynolds practiced in Schodack in 1857, and Dr. John S. Miller was a leading physician of that town for half a century. Dr. A. Boyce also practiced there. Dr. J. Reed Davison and Dr. MeLaughlin practiced in Castleton. Dr. Pruyn, Dr. Willis and Dr. Peasley were in practice at Schodack Landing about four years. Dr. Barkman, Dr. Schaffer, Dr. Bulkley and Dr. Jenks have since been in practice there.
In North Greenbush, Dr. Henry Downs was one of the earliest prac- tieing physicians, seventy years ago. Ile was succeeded by Obadiah E. Lansing, who practiced over fifty years ago. Dr. Anthony Ten Eyek succeeded him. Dr. Tappan was the first to practice at Bath-on- the Hudson. Dr. Yates practiced and died there. Dr. Harrison, Dr. Rulison, Dr. Abbott and Dr. Haskell have succeeded since. Dr. Aseph Clark practiced at Wynantskill, and was followed by Dr. Alonzo Streeter, both in turn postmasters. Dr. Roswell Kinney was in prac- tice there at one time.
Of the later physicians of the county who have passed away the lead- ing ones were the following:
Dr. Hiram Moses was born at Norfolk, Litchfield county, Conn., September 9, 1800. He was graduated from the Yale Medical school March 1, 1825, and commenced practice in Petersburgh, Rensselaer county, in the fall of the same year. His practice extended over many towns of this county, Vermont and Massachusetts. It is estimated that he annually rode ten thousand miles for a long series of years. lle married Abalina Worthington March 30, 1828, and had five sons, of whom one, Dr. Hiram Moses, jr., succeeded to his practice.
Dr. Simon Newcomb was a prominent physician in Pittstown for several years. Removing to Troy he engaged in the drug business. Hle was fond of scientific pursuits, and made conchology a specialty, acquiring a large and very valuable collection of shells. He was prom- inent as a public man.
Dr. Theodore E. May and his son, Dr. John May, were for many years the most prominent physicians in Pittstown and vicinity. They enjoyed a large practice and were greatly esteemed by the community and the profession.
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
Dr. John Van Namee was a highly educated and very popular physi- cian residing near Raymertown. He took great interest in the county medical society and was quite regular in attendance at its meetings. He was its president two successive years, 1829 and 1830. Hle was born at the homestead in Pittstown in 1789, was a licentiate of the Columbia County Medical society and received a diploma from the Rensselaer County Medical society on parchment, dated June 10, 1811, signed by N. Schuyler, president. He died October 22, 1859, after four years' illness resulting from sunstroke, at the age of seventy years.
Dr. Ezekiel Baker and Dr. Nicholas B. Harris were physicians in Stephentown a hundred years ago, and are remembered by some of the older inhabitants as wearing buckskin knce breeches and carrying im- mense saddlebags. Specific information concerning them is not ob- tainable. They were both members and organizers of the county med- ical society.
Dr. Emerson Hull practiced in the town of Berlin in 1819. Ile was a native of the town and remained in practice there until his death March 20, 1831. His two sons, A. D. Hull of Lansingburgh and A. E. Hull of Berlin, both became medical men and successful practitioners.
Dr. A. E. Hull was born in Berlin in 1844 and received his prelimi- nary education at Sand Lake academy. At the age of sixteen years he commenced the study of medicine with his father, Dr. Emerson Ilull, and three years later attended a free course of lectures at the Albany Medical college. One year later he was licensed to practice by the Rensselaer County Medical society and commenced to practice with his father. Later on he attended a course at Bellevue Medical college in New York and finally received a diploma from the Albany Medical college. On the death of his father he succeeded to his practice, which he still carries on. He married Miss Brimimer and has one son.
Dr. Salmon Moses came from Norfolk, Conn., studied medicine and was graduated from Vale College Medical school, beginning the prac- tice of medicine in Petersburgh, N. Y., in 1816. Two years later he removed to Hoosick Falls and became associated with Dr. A. D. Patchin, and at the death of the latter in 1820 he succeeded to his practice, which became very extensive all about that section. Dr. Moses was a lifelong supporter of Christian institutions and a member and warden of St. Mark's church from its organization in 1833 to his death in 1874. During the last few years of his life he was quite blind, but his faithful saddle-horse carried him safely about the country.
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Dr. Il. M. Reynolds was born in Washington county, Vt., August 23, 1821. Ile received his preliminary education in the common schools and for ten years followed teaching. In 1845 he commenced the study of medicine and in 1848 was graduated from Castleton, Vt., Medical college. He first practiced in La Salle, III., and in 1851 commenced practicing in Castleton, N. Y., where he had a successful career. He was twice married, but leaves no children.
Dr. Samuel Gale, jr., was fitted for his profession by the Medical Society of Vermont, graduating May 9, 1792, and was licensed to prac- tice in Troy April 12, 1798. He removed to the West Indies, where he practiced for a short time, and returning to Troy he abandoned the profession to become an apothecary and druggist. He was postmaster of the village of Troy from 1804 to 1828, and died July 1, 1839, at the age of sixty-seven years. His father, Dr. Samuel Gale, was a graduate of Yale, practiced medicine in Connecticut and in 1725 was a captain in the Continental army. John B. Gale of Williamstown, Mass., and E. Thompson Gale of Troy were sons of Dr. Samuel Gale, jr.
Dr. John London announced his coming to Troy February 14, 1493, by an advertisement in the American Spy, then published in Lansing- burgh, as follows: "The subscriber having finished the studies of physies, surgery and man midwifery at the University of Edinburgh and practiced in Europe for some years past, now offers his services to the citizens of Troy. John London." Dr. London enjoyed quite a large practice and acquired wealth, leaving a valuable property on the northeast corner of Second and Ferry streets. Ile was licensed to practice in Troy October 14, 1797. He died in the winter of 1819-20. He was one of the charter officers of the city on its incorporation .April 12, 1816.
Dr. Moses Hale, one of the earlier practitioners of Troy, was more generally known in Troy and its vicinity than any of the other physi- cians of his time, on account of his reputation as a surgeon, and all important cases were seen by him. He was born July 12, 1780, studied medicine with Dr. Josiah Kitridge of Walpole, N. II., and afterward was a pupil of the celebrated Dr. Nathan Smith. He was licensed July 12, 1801, and commenced practice in Troy in that year. In 1818, with Prof. Amos Eaton and Ira M. Wells, he perfected the in- corporation of the Troy Lyceum of Natural History, which was the first society of the kind in this country. He was also deeply interested in the establishment of the Rensselaer school, now the Rensselaer
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LANDMARKS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.
Polytechnic institute, and was its secretary at the time of his death. He was several times president of the County Medical society, and was a delegate and afterward a permanent member of the State Medical society. The University of Vermont conferred on him the honorary degree of M. D. in 1825. He died January 3, 1837, of disease of the heart and aneurism of the aorta.
Dr. Amatus Robbins was educated at Williams college and studied medicine with Dr. Eli Burritt, then an eminent physician of Troy. Dr. Robbins was licensed July 9, 1818, and after the death of his pre- ceptor succeeded to his practice. He married a daughter of Dr. Bur- ritt and her early death cast a gloom over his life from which he seemed never to rally. He was tall and very slim in figure, which gave him the appearance of melancholy. He, however, continued in practice until his death, June 15, 1851, enjoying the confidence and esteem of a large and select clientèle. llis office and residence was for many years and up to the time of his death at 35 First street.
Frederick Baldwin Leonard, A. M., M. D., was born in Sharon, Litch- field county, Conn., July 13, 1804. He was the son of Timothy and Mary ( Baldwin) Leonard. He was graduated from Yale college in 1824. He afterwards studied medicine and was in practice in 1835, when he married Margaret Caroline Nichols, who died March 16, 1851, leaving seven children October 12, 1852, he married Ann Maria Stewart. Dr. Leonard was a highly educated and accomplished man and physician. He was a member of the Rensselaer County Medical society since 1828 and its president in 1816 and 1817. He was pro- fessor of botany and zoology in the Rensselaer institute from 1845 to ISIS. He had made extensive collections of plants and minerals. His plants were many of them in papers stored in a closet, and an ignorant servant used them for kindling fires for some time before the doctor discovered it, greatly to his sorrow and grief. He was a trustee of the institute from 1866 to 1869. Ile died in Lansingburgh February 9, 1872.
Charles R. Cook, C. E., M. D., son .of Rice and Ann Cook, was born August 20, 1820, at Stillwater, N. Y. He served as engineer on the Genesee Valley canal for about four years, studied medicine with his unele, Dr. Simeon A. Cook, of Buskirk's Bridge, and was graduated at the Albany Medical college in 1847. He located in Troy at 1] Fourth street and practiced there until his death, August 5, 1851.
Dr. John Wright was born in Troy February 2, 1811, the son of John
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Wright and Hannah Dawson Wright. His preliminary education was received at Allen Fisk's school in Troy, where he was prepared for admission to the Rensselaer institute, which he entered in 1828 and was graduated therefrom. His education was further completed at Yale college, where he was graduated in 1834. He was also graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He was an ardent student and a great lover of natural history. At one time he had quite a museum of birds and animals which he had procured and mounted himself. Rafanesque and Audubon were his friends, and each visited him at Troy. Ile always spoke in after years of Mount Rafanesque, which he named in honor of his friend (it is known now as Bald mountain, about five miles northeast of Troy). Dr. Wright had a pet raccoon, a remarkably fine specimen, of which Audubon made a sketch while on his visit to Troy, reprodueing it in his great work on the Animals of North America. Dr. Wright was professor of nat- ural history in the Rensselaer Polytechnic institute from 1838 to 1815. Ile published a flora of Troy and vicinity, and was associated with Prof. Amos Eaton in publishing the North American Botany. He was appointed to the State survey of Michigan in 1837 as State botanist, and continued in that work about two years. He was for several years associated in practice with Dr. Thomas C. Brinsmade of Troy, a com- bination of talent that gave them the best class of practice, Dr. Wright attending to the surgical cases. He was amiable in disposition, unobtru- sive and kind in manner, and was loved by all who knew him. He was married April 11, 1838, to Mary Cottrell, who died April 10, 1811. They had one son, who died Sept. 18, 1841. He was again married to Miss Cath- erine Wyant December3, 1841. He died of phthisis pulmonalis April 11, 1816, at Aliken, S. C. In 1871 a handsome memorial window was placed in the east end of the institute hall by Mrs. James Gardiner of Lansingburgh, in memory of her brother, Dr. John Wright. Dr. Wright was a member of the Rensselaer County Medical society since 1831.
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