USA > New York > Oneida County > Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York; > Part 26
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From 1826 to 1853, when he removed elsewhere, Dr. Peleg B. Peck- ham was a successful and respected physician in Utica. He gave most of his attention to family practice, was little employed as a surgeon, and attended strictly to his professional duties. He was one of the foremost in the organization of Grace church.
Dr. Charles B. Coventry has already been mentioned. He practiced successfully in Utica for nearly fifty years, graduating at Fairfield in 1825. He held a lectureship in Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, three years from 1828, and in 1832 was sent by the Utica Common Council through the eastern cities to study the nature of cholera in an- ticipation of its appearance here. He was lecturer in the Geneva Col- lege after 1839, which institution he aided in founding, and in 1846 be- came similarly connected with the Buffalo Medical College. He was one of the first board of managers of the local insane asylum ; president of St. Luke's Hospital and Home, a warden in Grace church, and was otherwise honored by the profession and his fellow citizens. He died February 23, 1875.
Dr. William Morris, born in Columbia county in 1806, graduated with honor at the Medical College in Massachusetts, and settled in Utica in 1832. He soon made a large circle of friends and gained a large practice. He had two sons, one of whom succeeded him in business.
Dr. Daniel P. Bissell was born in Randolph, N. Y., May 27, 1802,
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and graduated from Yale Medical College in 1826. He began practice in Livingston county, N. Y., and held the office of canal commissioner from 1842 to 1848. In the mean time he settled in Utica where he practiced with Dr. Goodsell and afterwards alone. He was delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1860, and for a time manager of the State Hospital for Insane. He was an active and public spirited citizen.
Dr. Nicoll H. Dering, who had long been in successful practice in New York city, removed to Rome in 1842, where he acquired a large practice. In 1847 he settled in Utica, and by his wide experience, cour- teous manner, and upright character, gained the confidence of the com- munity and a large business
Dr. Daniel G. Thomas, a native of Dutchess county, gained his med- ical knowledge by study, and by attending lectures at Fairfield and in Philadelphia, practiced in Norwich, N. Y., for a time and went thence to New Hartford and from there to Whitesboro, where he attained promi- nence. In 1848 he settled in Utica as partner with Dr. C. B. Coventry ; this continued until 1860, when he became associated with his own son. He was a prominent member of the County Medical Society and held the various offices therein. He was a skillful physician and much re- spected. His death took place March 26, 1880.
Dr. John P. Gray was a physician belonging in a certain sense to this county, whose reputation in connection with treatment of the insane was unlimited. He was born August 6, 1825, in Center county, Pa., and received his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania in 1848. Two years later he was chosen junior assistant in the Utica In- sane Asylum, where he passed the remainder of his life. He passed through the higher grades and in July, 1854, was elected superintend- ent of the asylum. Under his able management the institution became a model one in every respect. He introduced many reforms, some of which were radical and attracted widespread attention. He achieved great celebrity as an expert on insanity and was called long distances to give evidence in court. As a writer and lecturer on insanity he was also widely known. His death occurred November 29, 1886.
Dr. William Russell was born in Glasgow, Scotland, June 25, 1821, and settled in Oneida county with his family in 1832. He graduated
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from the Berkshire Medical College in 1848, and soon afterward began practice in Utica where he soon reached the front rank of the profes- sion. He served as president of the County Medical Society, was a per- manent member of the State society and a member of the American Medical Association ; he was also on the staff of both the Faxton and St. Lucy's Hospitals. He had a very large practice, especially in ob- stetrics. He died June 27. 1890.
Dr. Isaac H. Douglass, a successful physician in New Hartford and Utica many years, was born in New York city November 26, 1808, studied medicine with Dr. Pomeroy in Utica and at Fairfield, and prac- ticed some years in Bucyrus, Ohio, settling in Utica in 1857. He was admirably equipped by nature for the duties of the sick room, while his medical knowledge was broad and clear. He gained a large practice. He died March 13, 1884.
Dr Jacob Hunt was born in Hillsdale, N. Y., in 1810, and in 1814 was brought to Westmoreland by his parents. He graduated at Fair- field in 1836, practiced in Lowell, N. Y., until 1853, when he settled in Utica. He became remarkably successful in the treatment of fevers, was a life long member of the Methodist church and was in active sym- pathy with temperance and other reforms.
Dr. Edwin Hutchinson was a surgeon of high repute, born in Utica in 1840. He was a Yale graduate and studied medicine with Dr. John McCall and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. He served as surgeon of the 137th Regiment in the war, receiving his de- gree after his return. He enjoyed a large practice in surgery and eye and ear treatment until near his death, which took place October 19, 1887.
THE HOMEOPATHIC PROFESSION .- The first physician who prac- ticed in this school of medicine in Oneida county was Dr. Erastus Humphrey, who opened an office in Utica in the winter of 1843-44. About a year later he was joined by his son, Frederick Humphrey. The elder Dr. Humphrey was a native of Canton, Conn., born in 1784, and received his diploma from the State society there in 1808. Two years later he removed to Marcellus, Onondaga county, N. Y., where he met with success, but removed to Auburn in 1823. There he be- came known as a skillful and successful physician ; was several years
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president of the Cayuga County Society and some years surgeon in the State Prison. In 1840 Dr. Horatio Robinson came to Auburn, having gained some knowledge of homœopathy and having with him a small quantity of remedies He sought to convert Dr. Humphrey, but with- out success, and was left in temporary charge of the business of the latter while he made a trip to New York, but with no idea that homœ- opathy would be tried on his patients. But immediately upon Dr. Humphrey's departure, Dr. Robinson " sent for more pills and another book (Dr. (J. Jeans's Practice of Homeopathy) and opened fire on all comers with the little pills." And the sick were cured or helped. As a consequence Dr. Humphrey began the investigation and study which soon made him a radical homœopathist, and ultimately one of the most successful practitioners. He removed to Syracuse in 1842, and in the following year to Utica. He practiced there until 1847, when he re- moved to New York, leaving his business with his son and Dr. Samuel Stewart. He died in 1848.
Dr. Erastus A. Munger was born in Copenhagen, Lewis county, N. Y., February 12, 1813. He began studying medicine with Dr. S. G. Haven, in Waterville, and after attending lectures at Fairfield obtained in 1834 a license from the Oneida County Medical Society (allopathic). He began practice in Sauquoit and in the fall of the same year entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and graduated in March, 1835. He began practice immediately in Waterviile and there passed most of his life. He became an exponent of homeopathy in 1843 and was emi- nently successful in its practice. He was the first president of the Oneida County Homeopathic Medical Society and in 1844 was presi- dent of the New York State Homoeopathic Society.
Leverett Bishop was born in Guilford, Conn., in 1791 and removed to Paris, Oneida county, in 1808. He received his diploma from the Oneida County Medical Society in 1815, and in the next year settled in Sauquoit, where he practiced most of his life. He joined the homœo- pathic ranks in 1843-4 and was ever after a close adherent of that school.
Samuel W. Stewart was born in North Argyle, Washington county, N. Y., in the year 1800 and graduated at Fairfield. He practiced in New Haven, Oswego county, and at Bridgewater several years, and in
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1833 removed to Clinton, N. Y. In 1845 he became a convert to the homœopathic school, and in 1847 removed to Utica where he remained until his death June 20, 1854. His standing as a physician in either of the two schools was high. He was a partner with Dr. J. C. Raymond from about 1850. The latter was born in Troy in 1823 and studied with Dr. Munger and received his diploma from the county society in 1849. Embracing homœopathy he received a diploma from the Ho- mœopathic College of Pennsylvania in 1851. He removed westward in 1877.
Dr. L. B. Wells, a native of Pompey, Onondaga county, where he was born October 8, 1810, graduated at Fairfield in 1831. He prac- ticed one year with Dr. Batchelder in Utica, from which time he was in Onondaga county until July, 1851. He was converted to homœopathy in 1846, and formed a partnership with Dr. Raymond, Utica, in 1850. He held the positions of president in both the county and the State societies, and in 1848 was made a member of the American Institute of Homœopathy.
It will be correctly inferred that the new school of practice met with the same opposition in Oneida county that it encountered elsewhere ; it was bitter and long continued. But soon after the formation of the two partnerships above mentioned, and through the accession to its ranks of many theretofore leading physicians of the old school, a rapid change in public sentiment began in Utica and soon extended to sur- rounding villages. The physicians of whom brief notices have just been given were men of character and their example inspired the public witli confidence and their brethren with respect. These conditions led to the formation of the old Central New York Homoeopathic Medical Society, the first meeting of which was held in Mechanics Hall, Utica, in June, 1849. There were present Drs. Samuel Stewart, Leverett Bishop, J. L. Kellogg, E. A. Munger, N. Stebbins, and F. Humphrey. The society was formally organized and a committee on by laws appointed. The second meeting was held January 7, 1850, when the constitution was adopted. Subsequent meetings were held in Syracuse several years, until the society was reorganized ; it is still in existence.
The Oneida County Homoeopathic Medical Society was organized October 20, 1857. The preliminary steps were taken at a meeting held
33
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
in Dr. Wells's office in Utica on the 6th of that month. It was then de- cided to invite the homeopathic physicians of Herkimer county to unite with those of Oneida county in organizing the society. This measure was carried out, and the first regular meeting of the society was held in the office of the mayor in Utica October 20, 1857. The following physi- cians were present :
Drs. John A. Payne, L. B. Wells, J. C. Raymond, W. H. Watson, Thomas F. Pom- eroy, H. E. Dykeman, of Utica; E. A. Munger, of Waterville ; H. M. Paine, of Clin- ton ; and W. B. Stebbins, of Little Falls. On motion of Dr. Watson, a temporary organization was effected by the appointment of Dr. j. A. Paine as chairman. Dr. J. C. Raymond stated the object of the meeting to be the formation of a county homœopathic medical society, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, passed April 13, 1857. Drs. Watson, Raymond, and Munger were appointed a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws for the society. Dr. E. A. Munger was the first president, Dr. Stebbins the first vice-president. and Dr. Pomeroy the first secre- tary and treasurer.
The following physicians signed the original constitution of the society, giving the dates of their admission :
Oct. 20, 1857, E. A. Munger, Waterville; L. B. Wells, Utica; J. C. Raymond, Utica; Thomas F. Pomeroy, Utica; William II. Watson, Utica; H. E. Dykeman, Utica; J. A. Paine, Utica; H. M. Paine, Clinton; Wm. B. Stebbins, Little Falls. A. A. Mason, Knox Corners, June 22, 1858; D. D. Loomis, Bridgewater, Oct. 19, 1858; Leverett Bishop, Sauquoit, June 21, 1859; Silas Bailey, Utica, June 21, 1859: C. Judson Hill, Utica, June 21, 1859; Woodward Warren, Deerfield Corners, June 21, 1859; S. O. Scudder, Rome, June 21, 1859; M. M. Gardner, Holland Patent, Oct. 18, 1859; Nathan Spencer, Winfield, Jan. 19, 1860; Hiram Hadley, Boonville, Oct. 16, [860; J. W Moyer, West Schuyler, June 19, 1861 ; Harrison Willis, Clinton, June 19, 1865: Gaius J. Jones, Holland Patent, Oct. 16, 1866.
The following roll embraces the names of members subscribed to the constitution and by - laws adopted Oct 15, 1861 :
Nathan Spencer, G. A. Gifford, W. B Stebbins, J. C. Raymond, Leverett Bishop, Silas Bailey, L. B. Wells, J. W. Mower, Abram Guiwits, J. Younglove, Wm. Landt, H. M. Paine, Wm. H. Watson, S. O. Scudder, G. W. Bailey, M. M. Gardner, John A. Paine, E. A. Munger, Woodward Warren, George B. Palmer, L. B. Waldo, D. D. Joslin, C. Judson Hill, G. J. Jones, A. B. Southwick, Aug. E. Zeitler, C. H. Thomp- son, David W. Vander Burgh, Selden H. Talcott, Arthur M. Woodruff, M. O. Terry, C. E. Chase, L. L. Brainard, II. J. Spencer, C. A. Osborne, Arthur Beach, Randall Lamont Spencer, W. Estus Deuel, Hiram Hadley.
Following is a list of those who have held the offices of president and secretary-treasurer of the society from its organization to the present time :
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1858, E. A. Munger, Thomas F. Pomeroy; 1859, J. A. Paine, H. M. Paine; 1860, Leverett Bishop, H. M. Paine; 1861, Wm. H. Watson, H. M. Paine; 1862, Wm. B. Stebbins, H. M. Paine; 1863, J. C. Raymond, H. M. Paine; 1864, L. B. Wells, H. M. Paine; 1865, Hiram Hadley, M. M. Gardner; 1866, S. O. Scudder, M. M. Gard- ner; 1867, C. J. Hill, G. J. Jones; 1868, L. B. Wells, H. Willis; 1869, E. A. Munger, H. Willis; 1870, M. M. Gardner, G. A. Gifford; 1871, N. Spencer, G. A. Gifford; 1872, L. B. Wells, D. W. Vander Burgh; 1873, E. A. Munger, D. W. Vander Burgh ; 1874, J. C. Raymond, M. O. Terry; 1875, Selden H. Talcott, M. O. Terry; 1876, Woodward Warren, C. E. Chase; 1877, E. A. Munger, C. E. Chase; 1878, Silas Bailey, C. E. Chase; 1879, M. O. Terry, C. E. Chase; 1880, A. B. Southwick, C. E. Chase; 1881, L. L. Brainard, C. E. Chase : 1882, F. F. Laird, C. E. Chase ; 1883, W. G. Allen C. E. Chase; 1884, R. L. Spencer, C. E. Chase; 1885, J. Devillo Moore, C. E. Chase; 1886, F. Leggenhager, C. E. Chase; 1887, W. W. Dewing, C. E. Chase; 1888, N. C. Scudder C. E. Chase; 1889, S. A. White, C. E. Chase: 1890, C. E. Chase, Clara Barrus; 1891, R. F. Tousley, Clara Barrus; 1892, M. McMaster, C. G. Capron ; 1893, C. G. Capron, E. B. Guile; 1894, C. G. Capron, E. B. Guile; 1895, C. G. Cap- ron, N. C. Scudder; 1896, C. G. Capron, N. C. Scudder.
It is proper that a few other early and prominent homœopathic phy- sicians of the county shall be briefly noticed here.
Dr. S. Z. Haven was born in Chesterfield, N. H., September 6, 1794, was licensed in 1821, and practiced in Waterville in 1835. Three years later he settled in Utica. practiced in the old school eight years, when in 1846 he changed to the new. In 1849 he removed to Buffalo.
Dr. John A. Paine was born in Whitestown July 10, 1795, studied medicine in Clinton, and graduated from Yale in 1825. His practice was in Oswego county, in Paris, Oneida county, Newark, N. J., Albany, and Utica. In 1865 he returned to Newark and in 1871 removed to Illinois. He was made a convert to homœopathy in 1843, was a successful practitioner and was elected to various honorary positions in the county and State societies. He died in 1871. Dr. H. M. Paine was his son and studied with his father and graduated from the Uni- versity of New York. He practiced ten years in Clinton, aside from which his work was confined to Albany.
Dr. Hiram Hadley was born in Weare, N. H., May 26, 1800, and studied at Fairfield, graduating after a four years' course. He prac- ticed in New Hampshire and in Herkimer county until 1851, when he settled in Boonville, where he entered upon the practice of home- opathy. He died March 13, 1876.
Dr. John L. Kellogg was a native of Manlius, Onondaga county, where he was born in 1811. He graduated from Middlebury College,
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Vt., in 1837, practiced in Chenango county until 1840, when he settled in Bridgewater. He continued there until 1857, when he removed to Chicago. He was converted to homœopathy about 1847.
Dr. Thomas F. Pomeroy was born in Cooperstown, N. Y., May 1I, 1816, graduated from Union College in 1835. and from the Cleveland, Homeopathic College in 1853. He practiced six years in Utica, whence he removed to Detroit.
CHAPTER XXIV.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
The Regents of the University of this State were incorporated in 1787, and in their report for 1793 they called attention to the benefits likely to accrue from the establishment of schools in various parts of the State. "The mode of accomplishing this desirable object," said the report, " we respectfully submit to the wisdom of the Legislature."
At the opening of the session of 1795, Governor Clinton thus alluded to the subject in his message :
While it is evident that the general establishment and liberal endowment of acad- emies are highly to be commended, and are attended with the most beneficial conse- quences, yet it cannot be denied that they are principally confined to the children of the opulent, and that a great portion of the community is excluded from their im- mediate advantages. The establishment of common schools throughout the State, is happily calculated to remedy this inconvenience, and will therefore engage your early and decided consideration.
These were the first steps taken towards the establishment of the common school system of the State. On the IIth of January, 1795, the Assembly appointed a committee of six to consider the school sub- ject, and on February 19 they reported "An act for the encouragement of schools," which became a law on the 9th of April. This act appro- priated $50,000 annually for five years, for the general support of com- mon schools, which sum was at first apportioned to the several counties according to their representation in the Legislature : later it was appor- tioned according to the number of electors for member of assembly, and
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to the several towns according to the number of taxable inhabitants The act provided for the election of not less than three nor more than seven commissioners in each town, who should have supervision of the schools in each town. . The inhabitants in different sections of the towns were authorized to meet for the purpose of procuring "good and suffi- cient schoolmasters, and for erecting and maintaining schools in such and so many parts of the town where they may reside, as shall be most convenient," and to appoint two or more trustees, whose duties were defined by the act. The public money paid to each district was to be apportioned by the commissioners according to the number of days of instruction given in each of the schools. Provision was made also for annual returns from all districts, towns and counties.
Lotteries were early instituted by the State for the support of schools, first in 1799, when $100,000 was to be raised, $12,500 of which was to go to academies and the remainder to common schools. Again in 1801 an equal amount was raised, one-half of which went to common schools.
On the 2d of April, 1805, an act was passed providing that the net proceeds of the sale of 500,000 acres of unappropriated State lands should be made a permanent fund for the support of schools, the avails to be invested until the interest amounted to $50,000, when an annual distribution of that amount should be made By February, 1807, re- ceipts for the school fund in the treasury had reached $151, 115.69.
In 1811 a law was enacted authorizing the governor to appoint five commissioners to report a system for the organization of the common schools. The commission consisted of Jedediah Peck, John Murray, jr., Samuel Russell, Roger Skinner, and Samuel Macomb. Their report, made February 14, 1812, was accompanied by the draft of a bill em- bodying the main features of the common school system as it existed until 1838. One feature of the bill was, that each county should raise by tax an amount equal to that apportioned by the State. Following is a brief outline of the system :
That the several towns in the State be divided into school districts, by three com- missioners elected by the citizens qualified to vote for town officers, that three trus- tees be elected in each district, to whom shall be confided the care and superintend- ence of the school to be established therein; that the interest of the school fund be divided among the different counties and towns, according to their respective popu-
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lation, as ascertained by the successive censuses of the United States ; that the propor- tions received by the respective towns be subdivided among the districts into which said towns shall be divided, according to the number of children in each, between the ages of five and fifteen years; that each town raise by tax annually, as much money as it shall have received from the school fund; that the gross amount of moneys received from the State and raised by the towns, be appropriated exclusively to the payment of wages of teachers; and that the whole system be placed under the superintendence of an officer appointed by the Council of Appointment.
Gideon Hawley was made the first superintendent of common schools and held the office from 1813 to 1821. In his first report (1814) he called attention to the fifth section of the law under which it was a possibility that a single town in a county might receive the whole of the public money for that county ; and to other provisions giving each town the choice of complying with the law and receiving its benefits and bearing its burdens, or of refusing such compliance. Under these pro- visions many towns had refused compliance with the act, to the great detriment of the system. The superintendent suggested that it be made obligatory upon the towns to comply with the act, and also on the Boards of Supervisors to levy on the respective towns a sum equal to the sum " which shall be apportioned to such towns out of the public money to be distributed." These suggestions were promptly carried out by amendments to the act.
The founding of this school system was an educational movement of the greatest importance and its benefits became at once apparent. In his second report (1815) Mr. Hawley said :
But the great benefit of the act does not lie in any pecuniary aid which it may afford. . . It consists in securing the establishment of common schools wherever they are necessary; in organizing them on a suitable and permanent foundation : and in guarding them against the admission of unqualified teachers.
In his sixth annual report the superintendent renewed his recom- mendation before made, for a revision and consolidation of the existing school laws. On the 19th of April, 1819, accordingly, the Legislature re-enacted the "act for the support of Common Schools," making the various amendments suggested by Mr. Hawley. To him is given the honor and credit of having done more than any one person in the founding of the common school system in this State. John Van Ness Yates was secretary of state and superintendent ex officio of common schools from 1821 to 1826, the separate office of superintendent of
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schools having been abolished by the Constitution of 1821. The Con- stitution, provided, also, " the proceeds of all lands thereafter to be sold, belonging to the State, with the exception of such as might be reserved for public use or ceded to the United States, together with the existing school fund, were declared to constitute a perpetual fund, the interest of which should be inviolably appropriated and applied to the support of the common schools."
Azariah C. Flagg held the office of secretary of state and superin- tendent of schools from 1826 to 1833, and was succeeded by John A. Dix (1833 39), during which period great improvements were made in the details of the school system. In 1827 the sum annually distributed to the various districts was increased to $100,000; in 1837 it was $110,000. On the 13th of April, 1835, an act was passed which laid the foundation of district school libraries; it authorized the taxable in- habitants of each district to impose a tax of not more than $20 the first year, and $10 each succeeding year for the purchase of a district library. Under this act libraries were established in very many dis- tricts of the State and the resultant benefit is beyond estimate.
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