USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 7
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" It was in the sick room and at the bedside that Dr. Healy shione most
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
conspicuously. Here his characteristic awkwardness and timidity seemed to leave him, and he stood forth the keen discriminator and eloquent ex- pounder of his well-digested opinions. * * Few men have been so suc- cessful in securing the entire confidence of the sick, and such unlimited con- trol over their acts and feelings."
DR. HORACE F. HATCH was born in Syracuse, June 30, 1849, and died here September 2, 1875. After his studies in the schools of the city he en- tered the local Business College at the age of seventeen and remained two years. He then went to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and took a three years' course, giving a part of his time to medical study, and especially to chemical and pharmaceutical work. At the end of his course he graduated in chemistry and pharmacy. Returning home he entered the office of Dr. Teller, of Chittenango, and later began study in the Medical College of the University of Syracuse, graduating in the class of 1874. He began practice in Syracuse in the office of Dr. Benedict, but a little later opened an office in the Second ward, where he remained until his death. In the sinall-pox epidemic of 1875, he fell a victim to his unselfish labors. "Dr. Hatch was a correct student and physician, an exemplary son and man, in all respects worthy of respect and admiration."
DAVID ALBERT MOORE, M. D., came to Syracuse in the year 1848, before the city was incorporated. He had studied medicine and surgery with Josiah Nolton, M. D., of Cazenovia, and attended the Medical College at Albany, under Drs. March, Armsby, McNaughton and Beck. He became a Doctor of Medicine and opened an office in Cazenovia in company with his former preceptor, with whom he had a large and successful practice for several years. Here Dr. H. D. Didama, who has since become eminent in the pro- fession, was for a long time his student and assistant. Tempted by the great and prospective growth of Syracuse, he removed to this place, started a medical office, and afterward entered also into an extensive drug busi- ness, running several stores at the same time. He was a cotemporary of Drs. Foote, Davis, Stewart, Samson and Hoyt. At length, by the pressure of other work, he was gradually led outside of the practice of medicine. As evidence of his honored standing in his profession, in the year 1877, the officers and Faculty of Syracuse University conferred on him the honorary degree of M. D., by which he was made an alumnus of that institution. Dr. Moore was also one of the pioneers of life insurance in this city, and took the lead at an early day, to render this business extensive and honorable. When the New York State Life Insurance Company was incorporated, he was unanimously chosen, for three years, as general agent and manager of the institution. After that period, he was elected president of the same, at four successive annual meetings, by such men as Hon. E. B. Judson, E. T. Longstreet, D. P. Phelps, R. N. Gere, George Barnes, G. P. Kenyon and 60
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
General Peck. The company uniformly prospered under his management. Dr. Moore is a fluent and graceful writer and has contributed two or three volumes and much good literary matter of various kinds to the press. He is now " in the sere and yellow leaf," but his life has been an active and honorable one. He was married to Miss Cornelia A. Carpenter, of Caze- novia, in 1844, but has been a widower since 1876.
ALTIIOUGH not the first dentist to locate in Syracuse, Dr. Amos West- cott was one of the most successful followers of that profession, not only of this city, but of the country. He was born in Newport, Herkimer county, April 28, 1815, and his boyhood and early manhood was passed in obtaining an education and in teaching. At the Rensselaer Institute, of Troy, he graduated as civil engineer and took the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1835. In 1836 and 1837 he taught in the Pompey Academy, at the same time studying medicine with Dr. Stearns. Immediately after- wards he attended medical lectures at the Geneva College and the Albany Medical College, graduating in the spring of 1840. In the following year he came to Syracuse and here passed the remainder of his life. He at once took up the study of dentistry and thenceforth devoted the most untiring industry, perseverance and intense study to that profession. The result was that he soon stood in the very front rank of operative dentists and gained almost a national reputation. He was connected with a dental college of Baltimore, aided in founding the New York State Dental Society and was made associate editor of the Dental Science. His arduous labors under- mined his health and in 1871 he spent several months in Europe, but with no permanent benefit. Ilis broken health affected his mind, and in a pe- riod of despondency he committed suicide in 1873. Dr. Westcott was, out- side of his profession, a man of broad knowledge and progressive spirit, and always evinced a lively interest in current affairs. He was Mayor of Syracuse in 1860 and accomplished much for the general good of the city .*
THE HOMOEOPATHIC PROFESSION.
Homeopathy has for many years held an important place in the history of this community, in its medical aspect. Although Syracuse was not, in its earliest days, the home of regular practitioners of this faith, its represen- tatives, who ultimately cast their lot here, laid a strong foundation on which is based a powerful and enduring clientele. In the list of Onondaga county's homcopathists may be found the names of strong men ; men of recognized ability and of high standing ; men who were honored and beloved. Here, as elsewhere, the younger school of medicine has, thus far, been in the mi- nority, but it has proved itself an active one.
*Further sketches of prominent physicians will be found in the department devoted to biography in later pages.
Jay MoSheldon
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THE HOMOEOPATHIC PROFESSION.
The pioneer of homeopathy, in this county, was Dr. H. H. Cator, who came to this city in 1846, locating his office opposite the old packet-landing. Dr. Cator, together with a partner, had formerly practiced old school med- icine at Moravia, N. Y. The cure of an intractable malady of Dr. Cator's wife, by Dr. Robinson, a homeopathist of Auburn, occasioned the adop- tion, by Dr. Cator, of the practice of the new school. This led to the rup- ture of the partnership and Dr. Cator's withdrawal. The next to adopt homeopathy were Drs. Lyman Clary and - Richardson, both of whom had been old school physicians. In or near the year 1850, three prominent old-school practitioners, Drs. Clary, Richardson and Hoyt, constituted a committee to investigate homœopathy. Books and medicines were pur- chased for use in the tests, the clinical, or practical portion of which was placed in charge of Drs. Clary and Richardson, while Dr. Hoyt conducted the theoretical work. The result was that Drs. Clary and Richardson form- ulated so favorable a report of the new practice that they were refused a hearing by their colleagues. These two physicians became and continued homcopathists during the remainder of their lives. Shortly afterwards, Dr. Stephen Seward, then at Liverpool, cautiously investigated and finally adopted this practice. Next came Dr. Loomis. Other pioneers in home- opthy were Drs. Charles Baker, of Fayetteville, and B. B. Schenck, of Plainville. Following them came to Syracuse Drs. A. R. Morgan, William Henry Hoyt, Theodore Y. Kinne, William A. Hawley, Jay W. Sheldon, H. V. Miller, J. G. Bigelow, Franklin Bigelow, and more recently, John Nottingham, A. B. Kinne, J. Willis Candee, and E. Olin Kinne.
The Onondaga County Homeopathic Medical Society was organized in this city, December 3, 1863. Charter members were Drs. Lyman Clary, William Henry Hoyt, J. G. Bigelow, William A. Hawley, Theo. Y. Kinne, R. D. Rhodes, Charles Baker, H. V. Miller, and H. H. Cator. Its first meeting was held at the office of Dr. Clary. The first officers were : Pres- ident, Lyman Clary ; Vice-President, William Henry Hoyt ; Secretary and Treasurer, J. G. Bigelow ; Censors, Clary, Hoyt and Hawley. Meetings were held at first annually, later semi-annually, then quarterly. The soci- ety now numbers thirty members. Its officers for the current year are : President, James Willis Candee ; Vice-President, Richard S. True ; Secre- tary and Treasurer, E. Elmer Keeler; Censors, Seward, Brewster and A. B. Kinne.
Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, at the rooms of the Syracuse Homeopathic Medical Association, 213 East Genesee street. The society, by activity in its own particular work, as well as in matters concerning the profession in general, has received recognition as a progres- sive body.
The Central New York Homeopathic Medical Society (not incorporated) composed of physicians of several counties, from Utica to Buffalo, has for
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
its object the study of Hahnemannian Homeopathy ; especially of the Organan and the fundamental principles. Meetings are held quarterly, three of the four generally occurring in this city.
The Syracuse Homoeopathic Medical Association, organized November 29, 1889, a body of resident physicians associated to further the interests of Homeopathy, has officers as follows: President, Jay W. Sheldon, M. D .; vice-President, S. L. Guild-Leggett, M. D .; Secretary and Treasurer, J. H. Hallock, M. D. Through this association the Syracuse Homeopathic Free Dispensary was founded and is maintained. Plans for further public institutions are in progress by this organization.
The Dispensary, at 213 East Genesee street, is open every week-day for gratuitous treatment of the worthy poor. It has, from the first, been conspicuously successful. The staff are: Drs. Leggett, Putnam, Flint, True, Schumacher, and Du Bois, General Practice; Dr. Lukens, Diseases of the Skin; Dr. Keeler, Diseases of Eye, Eor, Throat and Nose; Dr. Hallock, Discases of Women; also Diseases of Bladder and Kidney; Dr. Sherwood, Surgery.
CHAPTER XXIX.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
First Religious Meetings in the Vicinity-Early Meetings at Salina and Geddes-Meetings in the Old School House -- Organization of the First Baptist Church-Burning of the Church-Other Baptist Churches-Presbyterian Churches of Syracuse-Congregational Churches of Syracuse- Methodist Episcopal Churches of Syracuse-Protestant Episcopal Churches -- Catholic Churches.
The First Religious Organization in Syracuse .-- Previous to the year 1821 there was no regularly organized religious society in any part of what is now Syracuse. Religious services were held, of course, long before that time, particularly in Salina, and probably in Geddes. They were certainly held in Liverpool at a very early day, for a church was organized there in 1820, which may have drawn to its doors some of the residents of Salina. A church organization has existed in the Valley since 1809 and one on the Hill since a few years earlier than that. Previous to the erection of churches, meetings were held in private houses and school-houses. We may accept it as evidence of the religious tendency of the little community ultimately named Syracuse that they effected a religious organization as early as 1821, while preaching was maintained in Geddes after 1822. The first school- house in Syracuse, as now constituted, was built in Salina in 1805; and another was erected at "the Corners" about the year 1821. In both of these buildings early religious services were held. The Syracuse school-
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
house, of which a further account is given in another chapter, stood on Church street. Here all the religious meetings in the place were held for several years.
In February, 1821, a little society of thirteen persons organized the First Baptist Church of Syracuse. Services had been held with commend- able regularity for about two years previous, James B. Moore, Thomas Spencer and Samuel Edwards being prominent in sustaining the gather- ings. Students from the Theological Seminary at Hamilton often con- ducted the services." The meeting of the thirteen persons, held on the 12th of January, 1821, convened at the house of Braddick Dart and agreed to call a council of brethren of different denominations to advise with them in reference to forming the society. The names of the thirteen persons were as follows: David Johnson, James Wilson, Thomas Spencer, Alvin Walker, Rufus Cram, Benjamin G. Avery, Wyllys Brown, Braddick Dart, Polly Walker, Rhoda Wilson, Eliza Spencer, Hannah Fish and Sally Dart. The council was held in the school house on the 16th of February, and on the 17th the organization was perfected. There was no regular pastor of the society during the first year. Rev. J. G. Stearns preached regularly for about six months after his graduation at Hamilton, and in June, 1823, the society secured the services of the Rev. N. J. Gilbert, who had been appointed a missionary of the Hamilton Missionary Society. In June of the following year he became the regular pastor. The foundations of a new church were laid in the same year, on the site of the present Uni- versalist church edifice, on West Genesee street. It was a wooden struc- ture and was built by David Safford and a Mr. Bicknell. When the sills were laid and a floor temporarily placed on them, the Rev. Mr. Gilbert stood forth before the people who had assembled to aid in the "raising" and made an earnest prayer that God would bless the effort in every good work. The Rev. Mr. Gilbert continued to labor faithfully with this church until 1832, in which year the Asiatic cholera swept over the country. The first person who died here of that scourge was a laborer living on Clinton
*The Baptist Seminary at Hamilton offered to provide for preaching every Sunday in the school-house, on condition that those interested should furnish a horse and saddle which should become the property of the Seminary. Mr. James B. Moore had just bought a fine horse in exchange for sixty bushels of salt at one dollar per bushel. Ile was notified one day that this little religious society had voted that his horse had a providential call for this purpose ; he at once added his vote and the horse was sent to Hamilton. It was thought that Mr. Moore was a good, gener- ous Christian, for he was a strong Methodist and never a member of the Baptist society. This unsectarian and Christian act was characteristic of Mr. Moore. He spent what money he had in builling up the place ; he was a good citizen, devoted to his wife and family, and for his good deeds was granted to him the praver recorded in Tobit. viii., 7: "Therefore mercifully ordain that we may become aged together." Mr. Moore and his good wife lived to see more than eighty years and both died from old age on the same day and were buried side by side in the same grave .- M. C. Hand, in "From a Forest to a City."
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
street. Mr. Gilbert preached the funeral sermon and the next day was stricken down with the disease and died within a few hours.
The successive pastors of the church since Mr. Gilbert's term have been as follows: Rev. Orsamus Allen, August 20, 1833. to October 20, 1834; Rev. Stephen Wilkins, November, 1834, to December, 1837; Rev. John Blain, 1837 to 1841 ; Rev. Joseph W. Taggart, December, 1841, to August, 1847; Rev. Robert R. Raymond, IS47 to 1852; Rev. A. G. Palmer, 1852 to 1855 ; Rev. J. S. Backus, D. D., 1857 to 1862 ; Rev. E. W. Mundy, to March, 1864 ; Rev. John James Lewis, 1867 10 1869; Rev. E. A. Lecompte, 1869 to 1874; Rev. S. Hartwell Pratt, 1874 to 1875; Rev. Charles E. Smith, 1877 to 1882: Rev. H. W. Sherwood, March, 1882, to October, 1889. Rev. Cortland Myers, the present pastor, began his work with the church May 1, 1890.
The old church building was enlarged in 1839 and the society continued to occupy it until 1848, when an exchange was made for a lot a little east of the first, whereon was erected a handsome brick edifice at a cost of about $15,000. On the 23d of August, 1859, the brick church was burned to the ground ; but the energy and liberality of the members enabled them to rebuild at once and on the Ist of November, 1860, the present handsome edifice was dedicated, free of debt.
Since May Ist, 1890, when Rev. C. Myers, the present pastor, was ordained and installed, the First Baptist church has prospered beyond pre- cedent. The first three months of his pastorate was marked with a thorough renovation and painting of the edifice and during this time the work of the church went on as usual. A city missionary was secured to assist the pastor and from the first day the effect was felt in the church. The Sunday school increased in membership until the roll is over 600 mem- bers. During the first nine months of Rev. C. Myers' pastorate, over 130 persons joined this church either by letter, experience or baptism and now with larger plans the outlook for this, the oldest church in the city, is grand.
A mission Sunday school in the Tenth ward under the management of members of this church is doing a fine work and having good results. The Society of Christian Endeavor of this church was the first one ever formed in Syracuse and to-day is doing a large part of the work of the church. Twenty-eight societies are now formed in Syracuse, many of them being made by members of this pioneer society.
The officers of the church and society are as follows: Pastor, Rev. Cortland Myers ; Deacons, A. B. Schreuder, W. D. Burrill, C. F. Walworth, Beverly Chase, C. A. Baird, Nelson Gilbert ; Deaconesses, Mrs. A. B. Schreuder, Mrs. F. T. Davie, Mrs. E. A. Gage; Clerk, M. A. Hudson; be- nevolent fund, A. B. Schreuder, Treasurer ; relief fund of the church, Nel- son Gilbert, Treasurer; Trustees, W. D. Burrill, A. B. Schreuder, W. S. Peck, O. C. West, G. B. Wood, G. R. Crocker, Grove L. Hickox.
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CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH.
Central Baptist Church .- This society is an offshoot from the First Baptist Church, and was organized by a few persons in IS48. In the next year, under the ministry of Rev. Mr. A. Pinney, a small chapel was erected on East Genesee street, which was soon afterwards dedicated by the Rev. Dr. John Dowling Services continued there during several pastorates, until Rev. Dr. H. J. Eddy was called, who remained until September I, 1873. During his ministrations the lot on which the present church stands was purchased and a chapel erected, which was finished and occupied in 1869. In 1872 the main edifice was completed at a cost of $75,000. It is a handsome structure of brick, with Onondaga limestone projections, and seats about 750. On the Ist day of September, 1873, Rev. George Thomas Dowling assumed the pastorate, and under his ministrations both the church and the Sunday school were exceptionally prosperous. But during that period a calamity fell upon the society which has never been equalled in its terrible results by any similar occurence in this vicinity. On the evening of June 23, 1874, a large assemblage had gathered in the church parlors to participate in a festival and listen to a "Little Olde Folks' Concert," to be given by children. While in the midst of the festivities and without a sound of warning, the floor of the parlors gave way and fell down into utter darkness. Amid shivering beams and stifling plaster, broken furniture and twisted gas pipes, old men, maidens, young men and children, were hurled in inextricable confusion. For a moment a silence awful in its in- tensity reigned, and then groans of agony, shrieks of terror, wails of mortal fear, anguished cries for help, arose in one great chorus from the struggling, bleeding, dying mass of humanity. Among the first to extricate themselves was the young and devoted pastor, Rev. George Thomas Dowling. He ran through Montgomery street to East Genesee, and tlience to No. I en- gine house. An alarm of fire was struck and the engines appeared, but happily the horrors of fire were not added to the awful catastrophe. The police were promptly on the ground. Within an incredibly short period of time after the calamity (which occurred 20 minutes past 9 o'clock,) the space about the church and the streets leading tliereto were thronged with a mass of people swayed by one common impulse, and that the noble one of giving aid to the victims.
" The work of extricating the unfortunate was carried on quietly, calmly and systematically, and as the living, one after another, were released, grate- ful prayers of thankfulness arose from loving hearts whose fears were so happily dispelled; but as the dead were by reverent hands brought out into the quiet night, sharp cries of despair and agonizing appeals for assist- ance under this heavy weight of woe, pierced the still air of the summer night. As the church bell tolled the hour of midnight, the remains of the last victim were removed from the wreck."
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
The number killed in this fearful disaster was fourteen, while one hun- dred and forty-five were more or less injured.
The sad event cast a gloom over the entire city; churches were draped, and in many places flags appeared at half-mast. Suitable commemorative services were conducted on the Sunday following (June 28) in many of the churches, in which offerings of appropriate flowers combined with words of sympathy and fitting music in shedding a hallowed influence over the as- semblages which a common sorrow had brought together. Most of the pastors spoke feelingly and eloquently on topics suggested by the late dis- aster. A memorial service was held in Wieting Opera House, morning and evening, on which occasion the theatre was draped with emblems of mourn- ing and the ceremonies were most impressive. Rev. Dr. Dowling preached in the morning and his son, the pastor, in the evening. Letters and telegrams of sympathy and condolence were received from numerous sources and all united in expressions of grief at the disaster. Plymouth church tendered the afflicted society their house and the congregation met there for a time on Tuesday evenings. The ruined portion of the church was repaired and every possible precaution taken to render it safe beyond the possibility of accident.
Rev. Mr. Dowling resigned the pastorate in August, 1877, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. E. J. Goodspeed, D. D., on October Ist, 1877. He re- mained until September, 1879, and was succeeded by Rev. T. E. Clapp, in September, ISSo, who continued in the pastorate until March, 1886. In September of that year, the present pastor, Rev. S. T. Ford, assumed the charge.
Mr. Ford is the son of Rev. William Ford, one of the pioneer Baptist preachers of Oneida county. He was born in Camden, Oneida county, in 1851, and graduated at Madison University in 1878. His first pastorate was at Waverly and his next at Albany. He is an earnest, effective speaker, carefully preparing his sermons, but delivering them without notes. As an organizer he is one of the best. Over 250 members have been added to the church during his present pastorate, and its condition is most prosperous, having a membership of 660, and a Sunday school enrollment of 450, Fred S. Hall, superintendent.
The present church officers are as follows: Treasurer, Riley V. Miller ; Trustees, Riley V. Miller, William Sears, William Knapp, M. C. Palmer, Ceylon H. Lewis, C. T. Brockway, John S. Carter ; Deacons, John Larra- bee, Eli C. Brayton, Fred S. Hall, H. H. Sanford, Dr. C. L. Chandler, C. A. Horton ; Clerk, William J. Sanford ; Organist, G. E. Pabst.
Immanuel Baptist Church. - This society is a development from the Hawley Street Mission, and was organized on the 15th of January, 1886, with Rev. R. A. Vose as pastor, and 23 members. The present member-
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DELAWARE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.
ship is 233. He was succeeded by Rev. C. R. Storey, the present pastor. The church is a wooden building erected at a cost of about $3,000. The present officers are as follows : Treasurer, DeVere C. Wheeler; . Trustees, Clinton L. Scoville, John M. Carpenter, DeVere C. Wheeler, Herbert L. Stevens, E. A. Hill, T. H. Teall; Clerk, J. Wildman ; Deacons, F. L. Hines, J. Wildman, J. K. Hulbert. The Sunday school membership is 450.
Delaware Street Baptist Church .-- Organized March 6, 1889, with the following officers: Pastor, Rev. R. E. Burton ; Clerk, Fred L. Barney ; Treasurer, Geo. L. Ford; Deacons, D. F. Harris, C. H. Smith, Wm. War- ing, Sr., S. B. Pratt and John A. Mackay; Trustees, G. W. Wisner, Geo. L. Ford, W. B. Graves, Charles Foreman, R. A. Risley, F. L. Harris, E. A. Legg, A. W. Smith and W. E. Masten.
This church is in part and remotely the outgrowth of Hope Chapel Mission, organized April, 1860, by the Y. M. C. A., but under control of the First Baptist church. The location of this mission proving undesirable, the property was sold by the Trustees of the First Church and the proceeds held and used by them, and the mission abandoned. In the winter and spring of 1889, some of the old Trustees in the abandoned mission deter- mined, after most careful and prayerful consideration, to establish a church in the Fifth ward. The church was organized March 6, 1889 with a constit- uent membership of 70-48 from the First and 22 from the Central Baptist churches of this city. White's hall, corner of Delaware and Geddes streets was rented and services held, with preaching by Rev. C. R. Storey, student in Colgate University and supply for Immanuel church. A lot, corner of Delaware and Dudley streets, was purchased for $3,000, and Deacon D. A. Munro, of Camillus, advanced the money for payment. Rev. R. E. Burton, of Owego, was called to the pastoral care of the new church and at once it entered upon a period of almost phenomenal growth and enlargement.
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