Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 27

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318

USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania > Part 27

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

PETER HARRIS GARDNER, M.D. - His fourth paternal grandfather, Stephen Gardner, of East Greenwich, R. I., is believed to be a great-grandson of Lion Gardiner, first proprie- tor of Gardiner Island. Perigreen, son of Ste- phen, born in East Greenwich about 1710, married Susanna Robinson, of South Kingston, had eight children, and removed about 1747 with his family to New London, Conn. John, third child of Perigreen, born 1737, married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah Mumford, who were sureties for Gilbert Stew- art, the famous portrait painter of Revolution- ary days, in the baptism of his infant son Gil- bert in 1756, and with his wife and two chil- dren, Richard and Thankful, removed to Exe- ter, in the Wyoming Valley, about 1771. He was elected a town officer there at the first elec- tion in 1774, and was a prominent and patriotic citizen. On June 30, 1778, while at work with seven others in their cornfields, three miles up the river from Fort Jenkins, the party was attacked by the Indians, four of their number killed and scalped, one escaped, and John Gard- ner and two others were taken alive. Miner, in his history of the early settlers of Exeter, makes special mention of this John Gardner. On the morning of July 4th following, his wife and children were permitted to sce and take leave of him. A heavy load was then placed

144

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

on his shoulders, a halter was put around his neck and he was led away by his captors. "I go to return no more," he said. Upon arriving at "Standing Stone," Bradford County, he fell, crushed to the ground by the weight of his load, and was handed over to the squaws, who drove slivers of pine into his flesh and tortured him to death by fire. Steuben Jenkins also wrote an account of Gardner's captivity as related by an eye-witness-Elisha Harding, then a boy After the parting, the wife and mother, by the advice of her husband at the interview, with her five children, made her way on foot back to her friends in Connecticut, passing over the mountains and through the "Shades of Death" in Northern Pennsylvania. Ten years after- ward, the eldest child, Richard, married Lydia Chapman, and, with his mother and the other children, returned and settled upon the lands formerly occupied by his father in the Wyoming Valley. He established Gardiner's Ferry (so spelled from the spelling of his own name) across the Susquehanna, which has been in uninterrupted operation for nearly a century. He distinctly remembered the terrible days of the massacre and the circumstances of his father's captivity. He died July 4, 1858, aged ninety-one, just eighty years from the last time he saw his father. John (1789-1867), eldest son of Richard, married, at twenty-two, Rosina, youngest daughter of Peter Harris, a Quaker and an early settler of the Wyoming. He was a stone-mason and farmer, served in the War of 1812, and in 1819 settled with his family at Tunkhannock, where he resided until his death. He was an honest man and a Christian. His wife died in 1863. She was a woman of Chris- tian excellence and marked individuality.

This Peter Harris was also taken by the scouts prior to the massacre of Wyoming ; but, being known by some of them to be a non- combatant, was released subsequent to the battle and immediately started with his wife, Mrs. Gardner and their children, to Goshen, N. Y. Leaving his family there with their friends, he accompanied Mrs. Gardner and children to her father's home in Connecticut. Returning after the Pennamite War, he found his land on the east side of the river, in Exeter, occupied by

one Jones, to dispossess whom he instituted pro- ceedings, and in 1803 obtained judgment before the board of commissioners appointed by the State of Pennsylvania to hear the claims of Yankee settlers, and afterward possession of the property, nothing having been established in court to invalidate his claim, though great and persistent efforts was made by Jones to annul his title by an attempt to prove disloyalty to his neighbors and the settlement. Peter Harris' wife was Polly Goldsmith, a Quaker lady whose family was prominent in the early history of New York colony, and her mother was a sis- ter of Lientenant-Governor Colden.

The children of John and Rosina Gardner were Mary A., born 1812, married Adna Wood, resided in Philadelphia, where she died, leaving six children ; Lydia Malvina, 1814, unmarried, resides on the old homestead at Tunkhannock, was for many years a member of the faculty of Franklin Academy, where she taught bot- any, drawing and painting ; Ruth, 1815, mar- ried Rev. Nathan Leighton, now of Tunkhan- nock, and has two surviving children, her son Theodore being an Alumnus of Yale College and principal of a private school at Yonkers, N. Y. ; Phebe (1817-61) married George Leighton, and has seven surviving children, of whom one son, James G., is a leading merchant at Tunkhannock; Dr. Peter Harris, 1819; John Richard, 1821, a mill-wright, went West in 1853; Nancy, 1824, married Dr. F. B. Davison, of Fleetville, Pa., had four children, one of whom, Dr. Harry Gardner Davison, died in 1886; Caroline Calista, 1826, wife of Dr. J. C. Miles, of Dalton, Pa., has three children,-Dr. C. A. Miles, of Yonkers, N. Y., Edward Miles, a lawyer in Scranton, and Car- rie Miles ; Sarah Samantha, 1829, wife of Dr. G. B. Seamans, of Pleasant Valley, Pa., has two children ; and Angeline, born in 1833, wife of Thomas Young, resides in Scranton.

Peter Harris Gardner, eldest son of John, was born at Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, Pa., May 16, 1819. In boyhood he learned to work on the farm and in the quarry, and besides in- struction in the public school, he was taught by his elder sisters at home. He was a student at Franklin Academy for two years, and in the

145

MEDICAL HISTORY.

private school of his sisters at Tunkhannock during the winter of 1842-43. At the age of seventeen he met with an accident which proved the determining circumstance in cansing him to choose the practice of medicine for his life-work, and afterward he gave himself to study. He read medicine with Dr. B. A. Bonton, of Tunk- hannock, and attended lectures in 1844-45 at Pennsylvania Medical College. He began the practice of his profession at Merryall, Pa., in May, 1845, removed to Tunkhannock in the autumn of 1848, and in 1852 settled in Clifford, Susquehanna County, where he has since resi- ded and successfully practiced medicine.

Dr. Gardner married, in 1844, Adaline S., daughter of Deacon Lee Richardson and Lois Carpenter, and sister of Dr. William L. Rich- ardson, of Montrose. She was born March 21, 1822, and educated at Franklin Academy un- der the eminent educator, Rev. Lyman Richard- son, her uncle. Deacon Richardson was a descendant of Stephen Richardson, who came from England abont 1666 and settled at Wo- burn, Mass. The line follows through Wil- liam, born 1678, and his son Stephen, born 1714, residents of Attleborough, in the same State. Caleb, born at Attleborough, 1739, son of Stephen, married Esther Tiffany, was a soldier in the French War of 1765 and was with General Bradstreet at the capture of Fron- tenac. He was a captain in the Continental Army under Washington and was left in com- mand of the fort when the latter withdrew from New York. He was one of the "Nine Partners " noticed in the early history of Har- ford township, although he did not make Penn- sylvania his home nntil 1808. His son Caleb, 1762, came to Harford in 1806, and his sons, Dea. Lee, Rev. Lyman, Preston and Dr. Braton Richardson, are prominent in the early history of the county.

Lois Carpenter was a granddangliter of another of the " Nine Partners." Dr. Gardner has five surviving children,-Morton Atlee, married Minnie M. Wells, resides in Clifford, was a merchant, was sixteen years assistant postmaster at Clifford, and about 1882 estab- lished the Clifford Agency for Fire and Life In- surance ; Helen A., married George Simpson,

of Clifford ; A'Delphine, married Rev. James W. Putnam, pastor of the Temple Baptist Church, Philadelphia ; Dr. Edward R., since his graduation in 1882, has been associated with his father in the practice of medicine ; Clara M., is the wife of Professor Frank S. Miller, prin- cipal of the public schools of Everett, Bedford County, Pa.

Dr. Gardner has, through disheartening physi- cal disability, largely retired from the active practice of his profession. In his chosen field of labor he has been a student, skillful in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and highly esteemed by his professional brethren. As a citizen, he has been identified with the varions public enterprises of the community where he resides, and especially has he taken a deep in- terest in educational matters and advocated every measure tending to facilitate and improve the school system and educational work. In 1862 he was chiefly instrumental in the removal of the board of directors of the township and in the appointment of a new board pledged to construct suitable school buildings. He was prime mover in the purchase of the grounds of the Clifford Valley Cemetery Association and in instituting that organization. Dr. Gardner is a member of the Susquehanna County Medical Society and held the commission of postmaster of Clifford for over sixteen years.

EZRA PATRICK, JR., M.D., son of Ezra and Rhoda Casey Patrick, was born at New Leban- on, Columbia County, N. Y., November 22, 1815. His early education was obtained at Columbia Boarding School. At the age of twenty-one he read medicine with Dr. Harvey Barnes, of Canaan, Columbia County, one year and the remainder of his time with Prof. H. H. Childs, of the Berkshire Medical College, at Pittsfield, Mass., where he attended his first course of lectures. He attended his second course of lectures at the Vermont Medical Col- lege, at Woodstock, and his third at the Berk- shire College, from which he graduated in 1839. He spent the winter of 1839-40 in one of the hospitals of New York City, and in 1840 located at Montrose, Pa., where he continued in practice for a quarter of a century. At first he was in partnership with Dr. E. S. Park for a

146

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

few years, with Dr. G. Z. Dimock in 1855, and with Dr. E. L. Gardner from 1859 to 1861.

In 1846 he married Miss Elizabeth Jane Niven, step-daughter of Col. F. Lusk, of Mon- trose. He had a son, a young man of great promise, who died in 1861, and a daughter Jenny, who is still living. Dr. Patrick removed to Great Bend village about 1866, and died there in Marclı, 1874. His widow died in July, 1877.

He was colonel of militia of Susquehanna County. His grandfather, Robert Patrick, of the State of Connecticut, was a captain in the War of the Revolution. The doctor's youngest brother, Dr. David N. Patrick, of Schuyler's Lake, N. Y., is the sole survivor of his father's family.

Dr. Patrick was a member of the Susque- hanna County Medical Society for several years prior to 1855, and was secretary in 1848. In his best days he was the leading surgeon of the county. His keen perception, ready and reten- tive memory were of great service to him in the practice of his profession. His intuitive judgment of human nature was rarely equaled or surpassed, while his superabundance of anec- dote, wit and humor, combined with the bril- liancy of his professional skill, were potent fac- tors in the enviable popularity which he for many years enjoyed among the people of Sus- quehanna County.

EZRA S. PARK, M.D., son of Dr. Asa and Lorana Gregory Park, was born at Mount Pleasant, Pa., August, 1811, and came with his parents to Montrose in the spring of 1812. At the age of fourteen he commenced attending the Montrose Academy winters, and worked on the farm during the summer months. He secured a good education. He read medicine with his father, Dr. Asa Park, and attended two courses of lectures at Berkshire Medical College, Mass., where he graduated in 1836. He at once commenced practice in Montrose, where, with the exception of a few months at La Porte, Pa., in 1851, he continued until 1858, when he removed to Iowa, and in 1862 to Red Wing, in the State of Minnesota, where he now resides. Failing health compelled him to abandon practice in 1876. He held the office

of coroner of Goodhue County, Minn., for eighteen years.

In 1835 he married Miss Ann Warner, of Montrose. They had seven children, of which two died in infancy. Four are now living in Iowa and one in Illinois.

Dr. Park was a member of the Baptist Church. A kind, generous heart gave him a warm place in the affections of many. He joined the Susquehanna County Medical Society in 1838, and for a score of years was deeply inter- ested in its welfare. He was its president in 1847, secretary in 1857-58, and delegate to the State Medical Society in 1853. While adhering to the code of ethics, he was sensitive of unpro- fessional treatment, and on such occasions could express himself in a manner not to be misunder- stood.

WILLIAM LEE RICHARDSON, M.D., the old- est son of Lee and Lois Carpenter Richardson, was born at Harford, Susquehanna Co., Pa., June 7, 1815. His father was son of Caleb Richardson, one of the nine partners of Harford. He owned a farın, but was a millwright by trade, and owned a saw-mill, grist-mill and carding machine. He was colonel of militia, but was generally known as, and called "Deacon

Lee." William lived at home until eighteen years of age, when his father died. He had no love for farm labor, but had a fondness for me- chanics, and working with his father, learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked until October, 1839, when, on account of physical inability to work at the bench, he determined to prepare himself for the medical profession. He built the fine residence of his uncle, Dr. Braton Richardson, of Brooklyn Cen- tre, and lived with him from the spring of 1838 until the fall of the succeeding year, when he went to Fairfield, N. Y., to attend lectures at the western district of the University of New York. This was the first course of lectures delivered by the late Frank H. Hamilton. In 1840 he attended lectures at the Geneva Medical College, N. Y., and soon afterward commenced practice in Brooklyn. In 1842 he went into partnership with his uncle Braton for two or three years, and afterwards practiced at Brook- lyn independently. He attended lectures at

W. L. Richardson

147

MEDICAL HISTORY.

Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1847-48, graduating there in the latter year.

He joined the Susquehanna County Medical Society prior to 1855-was secretary in 1859, president 1873-78, six years-represented the society in the State Society in 1859, '71, '75, '76, '84 and '85, and was a vice-president of the State Society in -. He was a delegate from the State Society to the International Medical Congress, held at Philadelphia in 1876.

In January, 1849, he married Miss Mary Fish, whose parents were among the early set- tlers of Brooklyn township.

From Brooklyn Dr. Richardson removed to Nesquehoning, Carbon Co., Pa., in 1848, and was in the employ of different mining compa- nies until October, 1858, when he removed to Montrose. At the end of a year he returned to Nesquehoning and remained there until 1867, when he again returned to Montrose, where he now resides.

His friend, Dr. R. Leonard, of Mauch Chunk, in the "History of Carbon County," says of him, " He has always been a faithful and con- scientious physician, kind and attentive to his patients, gentlemanly and courteous to his brother practitioners and a strict observer of the code of ethics He takes an active interest in the local medical society where he resides."

A plain, unassuming man, these sentiments have been applicable to him in all his profes- sional career, and there are few practitioners in the county who have found more steadfast friends among their patients than he. Childless, he has a fondness for children which is heartily reciprocated by his many little friends. He has an eye for good horses, and always drives a splendid team; and, though not a sportsman, has skill with rod and gun.

Among the people of Brooklyn he was famil- iarly called Doctor " Bill," to distinguish him from his uncle Braton.

DR. DANIEL AVERY LATHROP, son of Hon. Benjamin and Clarissa Avery Lathrop was born in Bridgewater township, March 3, 1811. He attended school at Montrose, and com- menced the study of medieine with Dr. Adam Davison and finished with Dr. Charles Fraser of the same place. He attended lectures at

Jefferson College, Philadelphia in 1833-34, and practiced a short time with Dr. C. Leet, of Friendsville. A young man of good parts, with share of good sense and acquired ability, he located at Bellevue, Ohio, in 1835, where he re- maincd until 1862, when he returned to Mont- rose. In 1836 he married Miss Nancy M., daughter of Dr. Forbes. They had five chil- dren-Fredrick, Chauncey, Mary, Clarissa and Benjamin. Fredrick died in 1846; Chauncey passed through the whole of the war of 1861, and was five years in the regular service after its close ; he resides at Bellevue, Ohio ; Mary died in her early girlhood. Clara married W. E. Green, Esq., and little Benny, the youngest, died almost instantly from being choked to death by a morsel entering the windpipe and producing spasmodic stricture of the glottis.

Dr. Lathrop remarried Miss Eudora, daughter of George and Flora Simmons Keeler, of Mont- rose, in 1861. He died in 1884.

The Experiment published at Norwalk, Ohio, in September following, says of him, "The doctor was one of the best known physicians and surgeons in this section of country for many years. His practice was extensive, and his attainments in his profession universally re- cognized. He was for some years surgeon for the "Cleveland and Toledo Railroad," and is said to have performed difficult surgical oper- ations on the same day both at Toledo and Cleveland, one hundred miles apart. He was a man of great industry and energy, which he freely gave to the calls of his profession until past middle life, when he retired from its hard- ships and spent the remainder of his days in quiet, among his kindred and early friends in his native home-his health for several years having seriously broken down. He was seventy- three years of age. Death was due to loss of vital force.

He joined the Susquehanna County Medical Society in 1863 and enjoyed the fraternal re- gard of the profession.

DR. JOHNSON C, OLMSTEAD, son of Osborn and Violetta Raymond Olmstead, was born in New York City in 1819. In carly life his parents moved to Bethany, then the county-scat of Wayne. He received his education at

148

HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Bethany Academy. Among his school mates were R. B. Little, Wm. Little, R. R. Little, David Wilmot, G. B. Eldred, Ira Vadakin and Jonathan Langdon, all since residents of Mont- rose.

In 1841 he entered the office of Dr. Edwin Graves of Bethany. He attended lectures at Castleton Medical College, Vermont in 1844- 45, and in the following year commenced prac- tice with his preceptor at Honesdale. In 1846 he married Dency C. Woodward, sister of Hon. W. J. Woodward, who died in 1864. He remarried to Emelyn Brownel of Dundaff, in 1868. In the latter part of 1846 he settled at Clifford, and in 1849 removed to Dundaff, Pa., where he remained in continuous practice except the year 1856, which he spent in taking lectures at University of New York and Bellevue Hospital Medical College (his brother, Dr. J. H. Olmstead, occupying his place in his absence), until his death after a short illness, in 1887, leaving his widow and one son. Drs. James L. Reed, Wm. Alexander, J. H. Olmstead and D. L. Bailey were his partners at different tinies.

DR. JOHN WILLIAMS DENISON, son of Ben. Adam and Eunice Williams Denison, was born at Montrose, 1818; read medicine with his father and uncle, Mason Denison ; also with Drs. Park and Patrick, of Montrose. He attended lectures at the Berkshire Medical College, Mass., in 1840, and the following year located at Mehoopany, Wyoming County Pa., where (with the exception of from 1856 to 1866 at Terrytown, Bradford County, Pa., and from 1866 to 1877 at Wilkes-Barre Pa.,) he has since resided, and is at present engaged in tlie drug business. He was elected to the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania in 1852. He married Miss Caroline Margaret, daughter of Major John Fassctt of Mehoopany, in 1843. She died in 1854. He remarried Clarissa, daughter of Timothy Whitcomb, 1856.

CALVIN COLTON HALSEY, M.D., son of Rev. Herman and Sophia Woolworth Halsey, both natives of Bridge-Hampton, L. I., was born at Bergen, Genesee County, N. Y., March 31, 1823. His paternal ancestry is traced back three hundred and sixty-seven years. The

"History of Hertfordshire, England," says the family of Halsey has been settled in Great Gaddesden for many generations. The earliest mention of the family is contained in a deed bearing date 10th of July, 1458 (now in pos- session of Thomas Frederick Halsey, Esq., M.P., of Gadsden Placc). In 1559 there were four families of the name resident at Great Gaddesden, viz. : Halsey of the Parsonage, Halsey of the Wood, Halsey of Northend and Halsey of the Lane. March 20, 1520, the Rectory of Great Gaddesden was leased to John Halsey and William Halsey, his son. On the dissolution of religious houses this rectory came to the Crown, and was granted by Henry VIII., on 12th of March, 1545, to William Halsey. The estate known as the Golden Parsonage has since continued in the family of Halsey, and is now vested in Thomas Frederick Halscy, M.P. Thomas Halsey, great-grandson of William Halsey, was baptized in 1592; was in Lynn, Mass., in 1637, whence he re- moved to the eastern part of Long Island. The subject of this sketch is in the seventh generation from this Thomas Halsey.

His paternal grandfather, Dr. Stephen Hal- sey, Jr., was born at Southold, L. I., in 1757, served in the army of the Revolution, received a pension and died at Bridge-Hampton, N. Y., in 1837. His paternal grandmother was Ham- utal, daughter of Philip and Cleopatra Howell, of Bridge-Hampton.

His father, Rev. Herman Halsey, graduated at Williams College, Mass., in 1811, and now, nearly ninety-four years of age, enjoys good health.

His maternal grandfather, Rev. Aaron Woolworth, D.D., was born at Long Meadow, Mass., October 25, 1763. He was grandson of Richard Woolworth, of Suffield, Mass., who was born in the latter part of 1600. Dr. Woolworth was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Bridge-Hampton, L. I., from Au- gust 30, 1787, to his death, in 1821. His ma- ternal grandmother was Mary, daughter of Rev. Samuell Buell, D.D., pastor at East Hampton, L. I., from 1746 to 1798, a period of fifty-two years.

Dr. Halsey's advantages for education in

Craquiel Masup

149

MEDICAL HISTORY.

early life were very limited, being mostly un- der the supervision of his father, a pioneer preacher among the Presbyterian Churches in Western New York.

He entered Williams College, Mass., in 1840, graduated in 1844, and subsequently received the degree of A.M. from his Alma Mater. To help himself through college, he taught school in Pownal, Vt., as did also Garfield and Arthur.

In the winter of 1844-45 he taught school in Lewiston, N. Y. ; came to Montrose, Pa., in April, 1845, and was principal of Susquehanna Academy until April, 1847; read medicine with Drs. E. Patrick and G. Z. Dimock, of Montrose, and attended first course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1847-48. In the fall of 1848 he became clerk of the Bank of Susquehanna County, and so continned until January, 1850, when the bank went into the hands of assignees ; attended lectures at Castleton Medical College, Vermont, and received the degree of M.D. in 1850; practiced in Cambria, Niagara County, N. Y., one year ; returned to Montrose and practiced one year; then, early in 1853, removed to Nicholson, Wyoming County, Pa., and re- mained until late in the fall of 1859, when he returned to Montrose, where he has remained until the present time. During an active prac- tice of seven years at Nicholson he found time and inclination for pioneer work in Sabbath- school and religious services.

In 1859 he joined the Susquehanna County Medical Society, of which he was secretary in 1861-63, 1873-78 and 1880-87, and president 1868-71. He attended the meetings of the State Medical Society in 1863, '66, '85 and '86, and twice represented that body as a dele- gate to the Medical Society of the State of New York. He was elected vice-president of the State Society in 1885. He was examining surgeon for Susquehanna County for the draft of 1862, and went to Harrisburg with the drafted men. He was appointed pension exam- ining surgeon in 1864, and after holding the position twenty-one years he was notified that his serviees were no longer required. Since 1865 with the exception of two years, he has

held the office of jail physician for Susquehanna County. He was elected coroner for three years in 1860, and again in 1869, and re-elected three successive terms, making fifteen years of service.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 27

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848- Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318