USA > New York > Onondaga County > Marcellus > The centennial history of the town of Marcellus : delivered in the Presbyterian Church of Marcellus, Onondaga County, N.Y., July 4, 1876 > Part 7
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As they first started out in large numbers and with their. good cheer, the accomplishment of their object seemed but a small matter; but with the exception of keeping the road open in com- mon, every man was for himself in chopping and drawing his wood. A part of them were not accustomed to that kind of life, and on their return cach day, (for they usually made but one trip a day,) long, tired faces were frequently to be seen among them. As a
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team could only haul a limited amount of wood through the cumbersome snow, weeks elapsed before wood enough could be obtained. For years afterwards, the stumps of trees cut in that deep snow, presented a novel appearance on account of their great height, which, instead of being two and a half, or three feet as is usual, were six and a half or seven feet high.
As the Spring was approaching great fears were entertained in regard to the manner in which this heavy body of snow would be removed from the earth. It did not begin to disappear until the latter part of April; and then it diminished so in periods, that no serious trouble attended it. But the long lying of the snow up- on the ground caused largely the destruction of winter wheat, by what the farmers called smothering; although previously, they did what they could to prevent it, by driving oxen over the fields when the snow was sufficiently thawed, so that they would sink through to the ground, thereby ventilating the wheat.
In an early day the poor of the town, who were not able to support themselves, were cared for by the town distinct from the county. It was customary to find them a home with the lowest bidder, provided he was a reliable and humane man. A man on the West Hill, by the name of Samuel Parker, is said to have been longer engaged in that business than any other citizen. He lived where George Seeley now resides. He prepared a house in the East part of his door-yard for the paupers to summer in, but in the winter would assign a portion of his own house for their use.
While on the subject of paupers I will relate an incident ap- pertaining thereto. About forty-five years ago there was a widow with several small children, and one of them blind, assigned to the County poor-house. The father of the widow, Elijah Carrier, a poor man, tried by the circumstance, rallied and took the family to his own home, declaring that they should share with him his humble fare, and that he would make extra exertions for the support of all. This so affected the neighbors, that helping hands were soon about him, and Dr. Bildad Beach was foremost in
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starting donations to aid the willing, working poor man A score of years rolled by and this Elijah Carrier and wife, well nigh on to four score years, decrepit and poor, appealed to the town for help. According to the law they were fit candidates for spending their remaining days in the Poor House. But after some consul- tation among the people, it was decided that the town of Mar- cellus owed to the aged couple a living so long as God should spare their lives, and that not in the Poor House either, but in their own quiet shanty, close by the side of an ever noisy brook as its waters rattled their way down the steep declivity of stones. So the town, true to its purpose, fed and clothed, warmed and nursed them until the end of their lives,
Three brothers George, Adam and John Dunlap emigrated from Ireland to the United States in 1811. George went to Vir ginia and hired out as a laborer to a cousin, a planter. The situa- tion in which he was placed in the family of his cousin seemed quite strange to him, for he did not, previously, know the views that the slave-holding portion of the South entertained in regard to laborers whether white or colored. They looked upon them as an inferior creation of the human family. Consequently cousin George was assigned his place with the slaves at meal-time. Al- though this was a surprise to him yet he held his peace, for he felt himself to be in a foreign land, far away from home and
friends. Not wishing to be dependent, and receiving suitable wages, he thought best to remain where.he was, and fill his situation ' honorably, until he should have accumulated sufficient money to enable him safely to look elsewhere for a home. When that con- dition was attained, he bad good-bye to his cousin, and came North. The first year he lived with Judge Dill of Camillus. After that he came into this town, and hired out in different places as he could find opportunity. Being a strong robust man, and in- dustrious in his habits, he performed labor with a will and a power that few could equal.
The next we hear of him he has married a Miss. Gillespie,
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and has made his residence inf Pumpkin Hollow, on forty or fifty acres of land. He goes on adding farm to farm until he becomes the greatest landholder not merely in the Hollow, but almost in the town; his farm containing in one plot five hundred and seventy two acres ; and this in the Eden of our town. The strange name Pumpkin Hollow was given to this section in an early day on ac- count of the luxuriant growth of Pumpkins, which, year by year, it produced, wherever planted. As fast as Mr. Dunlap procured new land, he beautified and adorned it by nice husbandry, so that by the time he became sole possessor of that large plot of land amounting to full half of the Hollow, this, together with its over- hanging hills of Evergrean forests, gave it the appearance more of a garden or park, than of an ordinary farm.
Mr. Dunlap was permitted to live to a good old age to enjoy the fruits of his faithful toils, and often in his last days, he spoke of his gratitude to God for thus crowning his labors with such success. He was a member of the Presbyterian church during the last twenty years of his life. His last days were his best days and he died at the advanced age of seventy-nine.
Wm. F. Bangs first appeared in this town in 1801. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and in his earlier years made that his chief business, although, quite early, he purchased a farm on the East Hill for his home, which he ever after retained as such.
Some years ago the late Hon. Oliver Strong, in conversation with the writer, related with much animation various incidents connected with his early life; and among them, one which I will here repeat- Quite early in life Mr. Strong, after being a clerk in a store in Pittsfield, Mass. removed to Onondaga Hill, where he resided the remainder of his life When I enjoyed this last con- versation with Mr. Strong, I think he was in his eighty-ninth year. He said, I was early made Deputy Sheriff of this county, which afforded me a rare opportunity for making acquaintances in the surrounding towns. But in no town was there so numerous and elovated a society of young people, as in Marcellus. Although
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Onondaga was the shire town, yet Marcellus was by far its superior . in this respect. I embraced every occasion for forming acquaint- ances there, and the consequence was that I soon mingled in that society ; so that now as I look back to those early days, some of my most delightful experiences were in Marcellus. In the year 1803, two of us received an invitation from Sterling Cossit and Ebenezer Rice, (managers,) to attend a ball Thanksgiving eve- ning at a tavern on the East Hill. In response to the invitation, at the appointed time, we rode over to Marcellus, and there met a large gathering of young people assembled in the ball-room. We had not been together but a brief time, and were engaged socially when to the surprise of all, Judge Bradley was introduced into the room, and in his usual way made very plesant saluation. In a few minutes four chairs were brought in, and placed in a row, in the middle of one side of the room. Quickly Wm. F. Bangs and Roxana Hall moved from different points in the crowd, and seated themselves in the two middle chairs, while, instantly another gentleman and lady occupied the two remaining chairs. No sooner was this done, than Judge Bradley, calling the house to order, took his position in front of them, and said " you may now 'rise and present yourselves for marriage." At the close of the usual ceremony the Judge pronounced Wm. F. Bangs and Rox- ana ITall husband and wife, and then in a very appropriate and dignified speech, exhorted them to the mutual discharge of their duty. Then followed the individual hearty greetings from the excited and astonished audience, and the bride and groom, with tripping steps led off in the dance of the evening,
When music rose with its inspiring swell, "And all went merry as a marriage bell."
It is gratifying to know that the tavern which was the theatre of this interesting and thrilling exhibition is yet standing, per- feetly erect and as level as when the master-builder first level- ed its foundations ; a fine relic of the durability of the architect- ure of that period; and also that in the first dwelling house
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on this side of the building, there is still living one of the guests of that evening, (Mrs. Julia Lawrence, to whom we have previous- ly referred.) She was thirteen years old at that time, and was living four and a half miles East of here. She accompanied a Miss. Caroline Butler. Mrs. Lawrence spoke of the occasion as being one attended with great interest. Mr. Strong regarded the whole proceeding as the best devised, and most successfully ex- ecuted of any of the pleasurable plans of those times.
Mr. and Mrs. Bangs celebrated their sixtieth anniversary day in 1863. Their surviving children, Dwight, Franklin, Mrs. Booth and Mrs. Kennedy and their families were present, together with some special friends of the family. Their former pastor, Rev. Mr. Parsons, of the same age as Mr. Bangs - eighty four - made re- marks pertinent to the occasion, in which he contrasted their present situation and prospects, with those of sixty years before; represented them as then - life just begun, their work before them; now - their work done, and they waiting the call of the Master. Surely ! for in one year from that time, Mr. Bangs and tho'speaker, within one month of each other, laid aside their clayey tabernacles and entered into their rest. Mrs. Bangs survived her husband five years and died at the age of eighty-seven.
The following is a list of the physicians who have practiced medicine in town, and are either dead, or removed from their lo- cality of practice. I will mention them in very much the order in which they have occupied their several localities so far as my knowledge of them will permit. It is impossible to give the precise time that any one of them was engaged in practice, and of many of them not even the probable time.
Dr. Elnathan Beach was the first physician in this village. He commenced the practice of medicine here in the winter of 1795 and 96, and died in 1801 at about forty years of age. Ile was rep- resented as a well educated and skillful physician, and very much beloved. Dr. Elnathan was succeeded by his brother Dr. Bildad Beach, who practiced until about 1820, when he retired, leaving
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the field to his partner Dr. Erastus Humphrey. Dr. Bildad en- joyed the raro advantage in those days, of reading medicine un- der the supervision of the eminent Dr. Rush of Philadelphia. He is said to have been a good physician, and somewhat eminent as a surgeon. A man of wit, he often amused and aroused Hypo- chondriac patients by story-telling, and giving illustrations bear- ing closely upon their cases. Dr. Beach was a lover of farming, and made that his business after he abandoned medicine. He was very useful in an early day in laying out new roads, and encourag- ing, through his scientific knowledge, the proper construction of roads. He was a good medical counsellor up to extreme old age. IIe died in 1856 at the age of eighty-five.
Dr. Pliny Godard was one of nine sons of Capt. Martin God- ard, who removed from Connecticut to this place. Dr. Godard practiced medicine here, a limited period of time, about 1804 or 1805. He married a daughter of Dr. Elnathan Beach, and remov- ed to Jefferson Co. where he soon after died,
How early Dr. Erastus Humphrey commenced his practice here is not known ; but we have his signature in the Presbyterian Soc. Book as clerk of the board of trustees under date of 1813. He removed to Auburn about 1823, where he practiced medicine for more than twenty years, and then became a resident of Utica. where he died aboat eight or ten years ago. Dr. Humphrey was a skillful physician, a great lover of music, and for a long period of years, leader of the choir in the Presbyterian church in this village.
Dr. Richard N. Davis was probably here not far from 1820, and continued until about 1832, when he removed to Syracuse, opened a drug store, and divided his time between the practice of .
medicine and the care of his store until 1848 or 50, when he went to California, and there he died. He possessed great refinement of manner, and I believe, had received a good classical as well as medical education. Dr. Davis was considered `an excellent prac- titioner of medicine. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal
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church of this village.
Dr. Lake I. Tefft came from Washington Co. to Camillus, where he located for practice, but remained only a short time, and then transferred himself to this village. This was about 1823. He soon succeeded Dr. Humphrey by buying his real estate, drug store and office. He continued in active practice until Dec. 24th 1849, when he retired; ever after that to do business only as a counsellor. He removed to Syracuse about 1863, where he still lives in the enjoyment of a quiet and intelligent old age. His med- ical life was one of success, both medically and financially. Dr. Tefft united with the Presbyterian church of this place about 1856.
Dr. Samuel Gay succeeded Dr. Davis. After continuing a few years ho sold out to Dr. Alexander Cowles of Hall's Corners. After an absence of eight or ten years he returned to this village, and practiced medicine until about 1847, when he removed to Syracuse, where he has ever since resided, and continues in prac- tice.
Dr. Joseph Cheeseman opened an office in this village for the practice of medicine in 1843, and left in 1846. He was possessed of rare natural qualifications. Although not "liberally educated" as was the term in those days, yet he had been educated in some of the finest schools of the state. Dr. Cheeseman early felt that it was his duty to be a preacher of the Gospel, but an occasional throat ailment so disabled him, that while here he made the practice of medicine his business; although he supplied the Meth- odist pulpit when opportunity offered. He was very acceptable as a preacher, and a scientific doctor. After leaving this place, as time passed on, he began so to divide his time between preaching and practicing medicine, as his health would permit, that he fin- ally became a regularly appointed minister of the M. E. Church.
Dr. Alexander Cowles succeeded Dr. Gay in his first period of practice in this village, and continued until death. He was in- dofatigable in the practice of his profession. That relentless enemy to human life tubercular consumption, selected him for a victim,
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long before he slew him. With his usual treachery, he would at intervals let in so much sunshine.of health, as almost to beguile the Dr. into the belief that all was well. Year after year he rode clinging to life with a tenacity such as is seldom witnessed. He once informed the writer that many were the times, that he rode with blisters on his side, when others would have considered them- selves fit subjects for the bed. But, finally, like the myriads who had passed on before him, he found "there was no discharge in that war," and laid himself down to sleep that last sleep, in the year 1854, aged fifty three. Years before his death, he gladly re- ceived into his interests in practice, his son Dr. John H. Cowles. After his death, Dr. John continued in the ride of his father until 1871, when, on account of poor health, (having several times suf- fered with hemorrhage of the lungs, ) he abandoned his practice here and removed to Iowa, where he still resides as a farmer.
Dr. Wiggins came here in May, 1848, after practicing in Mc Grawville twelve years, and remained until Nov. of the same year, when he removed to Delphi in this county. After a few years there, he went to Cicero, and about 1868 settled in Elbridge where he still resides, practicing his profession.
Dr. Kingsbury located in Clintonville at an early day, and practiced medicine until his death in1840. He was a man of great energy and perseverance.
Dr. Eastman was long in the practice of medicine at Marietta, cotemporary with Dr. Kingsbury. About 1860 he removed into Virginia on to a farm, where he remained until his death, which occured near 1870. Dr. Eastman was a man of calm and deliber- ate judgment.
Dr. Jonathan Kneeland commenced practice at Thorn Hill about 1840, where he continued more than twenty years. He then opened an office in Jordan, but only remained a few months, and removed to South Onondaga, where he still resides and is in active practice. Originally Dr. Kneeland made choice of the min- istry for his work in life, and accordingly entered Auburn Theo-
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logical Sem. But persistent poor health obliged him to abandon his favorite scheme, and then he turned elsewhere to seek a liveli- hood, finally settling upon medicine. Happy decision, for in learn- ing the art of curing others, he discovered how to cure himself. His many mournful years as an invalid, proved really to be a course of training also, fitting him for practice, for in after years, that ex- perience became a power in the sick room, as he recited it, a little here, and a little there, to meet the wants of the respective cases.
Dr. Jeremiah Bumfus Whiting located in Borodino in 1802, continuing in the practice untill 1819, when he removed to Seni- pronius, and after vards to Michigan, where he died. As was said of him, by Dr. Kneeland in the fore part of this paper, "he was a good classical and medical scholar, and was the best skilled in the use of American indigenous remedies, of any of our early physic- ians."
Dr. Benjamin Trumbull came to Borodino in 1816 and con. tinued in the practice of medicine until 1836, when he died aged fifty-six. Ile is invariably represented by physicians who knew him as a gentleman, scholar, and skillful physician.
Dr. Beecher settled at Borodino about 1834, remained but a short time, and removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Dr. Killian Van Rensalaer Lansing selected Amber as the field for his practice about 1818, and lived there until 1833, when he sold out to Dr. F. HI. Bangs, and returned to Albany, his native place, where he still resides.
. Dr. F. H. Bangs made Amber his home in 1833, continuing in practice until 1844 when, failing in health, he sold out to Dr. John Tyler. The Dr. embraced this freedom from practice to refresh himself in the medical line, by attending a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city. Then he purchased a drug-store in New York, in the management of which, connected with the practice of medicine, he continued until 1865, when he became a resident of this village. In 1869 he received an appointment to a clerk-ship in the Comptroller's office, New
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York city, which he filled until 1875, when he resigned, preferring to spend the remainder of his days in the place of his. nativity, to living in the bustle and din of a city. We think that he has acted wisely, and gladly welcome him to a place among us again.
Dr. James Baker stationed himself at Amber about 1840, but only remained a few months, and then went to Tully where he practiced several years. From Tully he removed to Collamer, and there remained until 1850, when he abandoned the practice of medicine, and located in this village as a dentist. About 1864, he gave up dentistry and commenced preaching. From being a lay- man in the Presbyterian Church, lecturing in school-houses on bible subjects, he became a Methodist exhorter, then an ordained minister in the M. E. Church, under whose auspices he filled ap- pointments in South Onondaga, and in Madison, each of two or . three years. He then accepted a call to the Presbyterian church in Madison, the pulpit of which he filled for a few years; then sup- plied for sometime the parishes of South Onondaga and Otisco; and at last, for several years supplied the combined pulpits of Onondaga Valley and Onondaga Hill, when he died in 1875 at the age of fifty-two.
Dr. Baker was a man of strong native talent, was a good scholar, thoroughly educated, and never, until he reached the pulpit, did he feel that he had found his proper field of labor. Although well educated for a physician, yet he always rather shrunk from the practice of that profession.
Dr. John Tyler succeeded Dr. Bangs in Amber in 1844, but his residence there proved only long enough, to make him very acceptable as a practitioner to the people, for in the following year he died aged thirty-two. Dr. Tyler was son of Samuel Tyler of Tyler Hollow, consequently his younger years were spent among us. He was passionately fond of music, was himself a fine tenor singer, a leader in music and, sometimes, a teacher in music. Some present will probably never forget the sensation produced at a concert, given at the close of a singing school led by Mr. O'Farrel,
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when Dr. Tyler seated in a part of the church remote from the choir, sang the part of pilgrim in that wonderful piece entitled "Voice of Angels." ยท
Dr. Clark following Dr. Tyler, practiced in Amber some twelve or fifteen years, and then removed to Elbridge where, after a few years he died. He was very much beloved.
Dr. French is supposed to have been the first physician in Otisco, and practiced there probably from ten to fifteen years, the precise time not known, and died there. His name is still held in affectionate remembrance by some in extreme old age, who knew him.
Dr. Ashbel Searle was probably in Otisco as early as 1815, and remained an acceptable practitioner until about 1850, when he removed to Onondaga Hollow, where he continues in practice even in his old age.
Dr.Smith was his cotemporary and left Otisco about the same time with Dr.Searle and not long after died. They did business over that country of high hills quite to the satisfaction of the people. Dr. Searle was a lover of music, and used to lead the choir of the church. When he sung he brought into requisition most thorough- ly both soul and body.
Dr. Willis Smith, a son of the above, was in partnership with his father, and remained in Otisco after the father left. About 1860 he removed to Sodus, or in that vicinity, changed from prac- tice to the life of a merchant, which he still follows. Poor health constrained him to surrender his professional life.
Dr. Isaac Baker lived several years at Otisco Centre in the practice of medicine. He then removed successively to Tully, Del- phi, then to Syracuse, South Onondaga, and back to Syracuse again.
Dr. Hillyard practiced at Marcellus Falls perhaps a year, then went to Otisco for some years, and afterwards went to the war. He has since passed from our knowledge.
Dr. Hall is on record as one of the first physicians in Skaneat-
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ales as early as 1796. In 1797 appeared Dr. Munger and Dr. Sam- uel Porter. The history of Dr. Munger I have not obtained. Dr. Porter practiced there forty years or more and died. He was pos sessed of wonderful energy and acquired quite a name as a surgeon. Probably no physician at that day had a larger ride than Dr. Por- ter.
Dr. Hopkins was cotemporary with Dr. Porter, and died about 1835. His death was the result of being thrown from his sulky, in the village of Skaneateles. He is represented as very much beloved both as a man and physician.
Dr. Evelyn Porter, son of Dr. Samuel Porter, commenced the practice of medicine in Skaneateles about 1830 and continued un- til his death, which occurred about 1874 or 75. Ile exhibited excel- lent judgment in the discrimination of disease.
Dr. Michael Benedict was cotemporary with Dr. Evelyn Por- ter in Skaneateles until the time of the war, when he enlisted as Sur- geon, and served at New Orleans and vicinity. At the close of the war he removed to Syracuse where he still resides in full practice. Dr. Mandeville was located in Mottville in 1840, and remained only a few years. A part of his course of study of medicine, he passed in this village, under the supervision of Dr. Gay.
At the close of this long list of physicians, I wish to add another name, Dr. E. Chapman, who did not properly belong to the num- ber, because he was not engaged in practice during that portion of his life, which he spent in Marcellus. Yet having been in active practice in Hampden and New- Haven, Conn. up to the age of fifty-six, (when he became a resident of this place, and continued until his death,) made his situation here one of influence, and that favorably for the scientific practice of medicine. He first resided on the farm afterwards long owned by Capt. Gad Curtis, and then exchanged it with Dea. Samuel Rice for the Tavern, which he kept until his death in 1819.
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