USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of the state of Pennsylvania with a compendium of history. A record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume II > Part 22
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Following his graduation he was appointed physician to the Fifth street dispensary in Philadelphia, and attended outdoor patients and held clinics. His carefulness, accuracy and capacity for work are illustrated in the complete records he kept of all the cases he treated. He con- tinued this practice throughout his medical life of nearly sixty years, and no one was ever treated whose record will not be found in his voluminous record books. He was a most indefatigable worker. never relaxing his forces, and although he accomplished an amount of labor which would have been utterly impossible to many a man. he enjoyed good health because of the outdoor exercise in which he indulged, and his ability to fall asleep almost anywhere, and thus gained the power and renewal of energies which only sleep can bring. He was also methodical in his tasks, and was so regular in his habits that irritability was never noticed in his intercourse with people. He cultivated repose of manner, and maintained a cheerful spirit under all circumstances. As he grew older these peculiarities increased and his later years mellowed him as they came and made him a most delightful companion.
Following his dispensary experience. Dr. Green returned to Easton in 1836 and entered upon the active practice of his profession in his native city. While the demands for his professional services constantly increased he yet found time and opportunity not only to continue his own studies but also to advance learning in his city through the in- struction which he gave to private classes. While still a medical student
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he determined to become a teacher of chemistry, which he designated as "his darling study." Following his return to Easton he organized a class of young people, whom he instructed in the science, and it was his enthusiasm in this subject that probably attracted the attention of the board of Lafayette College and occasioned his selection for the position of professor of chemistry in that institution. In the spring of 1837 the president of the college called upon him, made known the decision of the board, and requested that Dr. Green take up the work the following day and was met with the characteristic response "I will." Following his acceptance of the position, he continued his studies in the natural sciences, as he had determined to do in his boyhood days. At this time he embraced the opportunity to acquaint himself with min- erals, and in the course of years he had a collection which at his death was bequeathed to Lafayette College. Successively he took up the study of geology, zoology and botany, finding on each new page of nature's text book fields for thought and interest.
In 1841 Dr. Green accepted the call from Marshall College at Mercersburg. Pennsylvania, to teach the natural sciences. Here medicine was dropped, and his whole time was devoted to the teaching of his favorite subjects, except that he was occasionally called in consultation in difficult cases, and that he lectured to the students on physiology and hygiene. He remained at Mercersburg from 1841 until 1848, return- ing then to Easton, and the following year he was reappointed to the chair of chemistry in Lafayette College. He continued to deliver an annual course of lectures in chemistry, and at the same time engaged in the active practice of medicine, and. as he expressed it. "in the flower season, as often as he could, ran out to hold converse in their wild haunts with the sweet gifts of our loving Father." With all the labors implied in an extensive practice and a professorship, he found time for
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other work. He instructed classes of boys and girls in botany, and it was a rare occasion when he was not giving instruction in one or more of the natural sciences. His interest in Lafayette College never abated, and in speaking of his connection therewith Professor Moore said :
"He gave his time, his money, his influence, not once. but thousands of times. He was not a friend for a year, but for every one of over fifty years. He filled every official position in the college, generally without any. always, with insufficient, remuneration. He worked be- cause he loved the cause and furnished what money will not buy-cheer- ful, unselfish devotion. He was professor of chemistry, trustee, acting president, chairman of the building committee, a member of the pru- (lential committee, dean and general adviser, and always a devoted friend. He gave his professional services to everyone connected with the faculty who called him, for absolutely nothing, during all his pro- fessional life. He made sacrifices for the college-the only test of sincerity and devotion. The observatory was his gift, and the gift was an observatory because he felt that astronomy might be among the last subjects to be the recipient of a gift. The building and furnishings were given on condition that his name should not be mentioned. Dr. Cattell, in his usnal happy mood, said at the laying of the cornerstone that 'the donor was too modest to allow his name to be mentioned and he felt that he could not violate confidence, but he knew that whoever he was, his name would be green in the memories of all true lovers of Lafayette." He commenced his lectures in chemistry in the basement of South College-'the tombs'-where he was compelled to do all the work and furnish the materials himself, and lived to see and preside over the finest chemical laboratory in America. He was always hopeful, and when everything seemed dark at the burning of that magnificent mon-
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ument, erected through the liberality of Mr. Pardee, he alone seemed to have no fear of the future."
As a teacher he was accurate-the first requirement of scholarship ; he was thorough-the first requisite of the instructor ; he was truthful -truth was his highest ambition ; he was inspiring, because he believed what he taught ; he was a good disciplinarian-he never said what he did not mean. His patience was inexhaustible, but, when necessary, he could be severe.
In early manhood Dr. Green also entered upon the enjoyments of home life. He was married in 1844 to Miss Harriet Moore, of Mor- ristown, New Jersey, who shared with him his great love of flowers, and who had been a student in one of his botany classes. Those who knew aught of his home life recognized in him the ideal husband and father, who put forth every effort in his power to promote the wel- fare of his family, and counted no personal sacrific too great that would enhance the happiness of his wife and children. In his entire life he was a close follower of Him who came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, for Dr. Green, throughout the years of an active manhood. devoted his life to his fellow men. It seemed his chief object to dis- seminate knowledge that people might make the best use of their powers and gain the most that life offers in true enjoyment, happiness and character development. He regarded no interest which had bearing upon the welfare of a fellow creature as too unimportant to claim his attention.
As is every broad-minded man, he was a public-spirited citizen, and community affairs claimed his co-operation and profited by his services. He was instrumental in promoting many measures of public progress and reform, and delivered many addresses on these questions which resulted in arousing public thought and action. His lectures on the
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evils of graveyards in crowded places suggested a movement for the establishment of Easton cemetery, and a charter was secured on the 5th of April. 1849. His name first appears on the list of charter mem- bers. and, becoming president of the board of directors at the time of the establishment of the cemetery, he continued to act in that capacity until his death. There is no instance in his whole life which illustrates better his firmness than his resistance of the attempts of the Easton & Northern Railroad to lay its tracks through the cemetery grounds. His lectures on public lighting and his effective defense of gas lighting had much to do with the successful introduction of gas in Easton. He was one of the first directors under the charter chosen May 5. 1851. In his old age he was just as enthusiastic over the successful introduction of electric lighting as he had been years before over the introduction of gas. He was not fearful of a fall in gas stock, but if it came he counted it one of the prices to be paid for every modern improvement. In his lectures on public wells his words were of sufficient weight to crystallize an opposition which resulted in their abolition. He became interested in the project of the electric railway system of Easton, although he himself so loved outdoor exercise that he thought the project would prove a financial failure because "the points of interest were so close together-all being within the limits of a reasonable walk."
In politics he became a stanch Republican. He regarded it the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to support the principles which he believed contained the best elements of good gov- ernment. Political honors and emoluments had no attraction for him. but he labored untiringly to advance many interests affecting the wel- fare and advancement of his commonwealth. He did not believe in the ring rule of any party, but in the organized efforts of the best men to promote the best measures. His fellow citizens honored him by
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putting him where they knew his knowledge of educational matters would benefit the community most. He was a member of the board of control from August 15. 1856. until April 3. 1866, when he volun- tarily retired, and he was president of the board from March 26. 1858. until his retirement. Here he again made his impress. In those early times the public school system of Easton was mokled by men of known worth and ability. Men like the Hon. Washington McCartney. Rev. John Van Derveer. Edward F. Stewart, Esq .. Dr. Samuel Sandt, Dr. Traill Green, and others, were willing to serve the people. The ex- cellent public school system is a living monument of their intelligence and foresight. The state used him in positions where his special knowledge was of value. He was trustee of the Insane Hospital at Harrisburg for twenty-four years, having received appointment from Governors Geary, Hartranft, Hoyt. Beaver and Pattison. In 1868 the legislature appointed him one of the commissioners to build a new in- sane hospital at Danville. His last public service was rendered in 1892, when he was chosen as a presidential elector.
Dr. Green stood for high standards and ideals in the medical pro- fession, and his labors became an active factor in promoting the best interests of the medical fraternity of Pennsylvania. He early recog- mized the value of an interchange of thought. experience and ideas be- tween representatives of the profession. and felt that through organi- zation the most desirable results along this line might be obtained. Accordingly, in 1848. after discussing the question with some of his colleagues, he called a meeting which resulted in the formation of the Medical Society of Northampton County. In the memorial exercises held in honor of Dr. Green, Dr. AAmos Seip, of Easton, Pennsylvania. his colaborer in the organization of the Northampton County Medical Society, said :
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"The memory of Dr. Green needs no memorial of marble or granite to perpetuate his fame! Ilis important services rendered to the people, his great professional eminence as a physician and scientist, his discriminating tact, clearness of perception and solid judgment, his generous and disinterested spirit, his purity of character, free from tainted thought or whatever partook of the disingenuous, mean, or sorbid, his admirable example of all that was beautiful or good, are yet fresh in our recollections, and are engraved upon the hearts of the people, which will live, and will be remembered by generations yet to come. Notwithstanding his arduous labors with an extensive practice, which for thirty-five years was almost entirely done on foot. extending from Cooper's furnace to Glendon, and from South Easton to Chestnut Hill, with the outlying and intervening districts, his indomitable in- dustry and systematic arrangement of time enabled him to accomplish so much. He was always able to meet his engagements, public or pri- vate, for matters in which his presence was required. With his strong moral perception, and gentle, sympathizing heart, his firm conviction of duty, he could not contemplate with indifference the moral degrada- tion or suffering of his fellow mortal, and, conscientiously believing that one of the most prolific sources of poverty, misery and crime is the fruit of the unlimited indulgence in intoxicating beverages, he became a zealous and ardent advocate of temperance. and opposed the indis- criminate use of alcoholic stimulants in the practice of medicine. In later years he noticed with regret that so many young men were enter- ing the medical profession without previous training in the regular colleges. He thought that the preparation for the study of medicine could not be too complete, either for the physician or his future patients. Hence in 1876, with others, he launched the American Academy of Medicine, entrance to which could only be obtained by those who had
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taken a degree in college. It was not an institution for the formation of a medical aristocracy. but an organization to prevent the practice of medicine from degenerating into a mere trade. He was the first president, and continued to be active during the remainder of his life. The Academy has wrought a great work. The colleges have been influenced to adapt their curricula to the needs of the medical student, and the student has taken advantage of what they have provided. The time has at last come when the medical student has an opportunity to pursue a course which, while it has the same elements of utility for drill as the displaced one, prepares in a measure for future medical studies. His desire to promote the more general knowledge of science is illustrated in his being one of the first members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, whose birth is coincident with his membership ( 1851). He continued a member and fellow until his death, taking an active interest in its proceedings."
Dr. Green's interest in the young was ever one of his salient char- acteristics, and the boys and girls of younger age, as well as the students who came under his instruction as a college professor, recognized his deep sympathy and his earnest and sincere appreciation for all they were doing in the line of intellectual progress and character develop- ment. Boys always delighted to do him honor by making him an honorary member of their societies, and this was often done. It made no difference how humble the call, he was always gentleman enough and interested enough to acknowledge his thankfulness for their con- sideration, and to offer his service if he could assist them in any way. All this took time from an extensive practice. Among these societies were the Philomathean, of the Lawrenceville high school; the Callio- pean, of the same school: the Natural History Society, of Lafayette College ; the Natural History Society of Rutgers College. December
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18, 1883; the Buffalo Society of Natural History, 1864; the Troy Sci- entific Society, September 18, 1871; the Lancaster Linnaan So- ciety, January 30, 1864; the Scientific Society of the University of Pennsylvania, December 18, 1883, and doubtless others which are now unknown.
Dr. Green was a champion of education for women as well as men, and was aggressive in the improvement of opportunities for their higher education. The idea that sex was a subject for discussion in the case of education was to him a self-evident absurdity. and he instructed many classes of girls in various branches of natural sciences. He was the advocate of more study for women in the line of medical instruction and of association with their brethren of the fraternity in different incdical organizations. He championed the admission of women students into the clinics of the hospitals of Philadelphia and in the active membership relation with the County, the State and the American Medical societies. He felt that his work in this direction, however, was not complete even when his efforts in these fields were crowned with success. His study of the conditions of the State Insane hospitals led him to the firm belief that it was an absolute wrong to the women patients to have the wards in which they were confined presided over by men. lle felt that women physicians should be placed in charge, and introduced the subject to the state legislature. Again and again he met defeat in his efforts to have a bill presenting his ideas passed by the general assembly, and he never gave over his effort until it was attended by successful completion. He held a most chivalric feeling for women, and possessed for them the greatest sympathy, and this quality in his nature made his presence in the sick room like a ray of sun- shine. His labors as a physician also brought to him an intimate knowledge of the horrors of the liquor habit such as few men possess
51
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and he put forth every effort in his power to suppress intemperance and to arouse public sentiment concerning the evils of intoxication. He was a leader in the temperance movements in his county, and long served as the president of the organized temperance movement there. Dr. Green's fight was again alcohol as a beverage, just as his fight against opium was against its abuse. He recognized both drugs as God-given, and prescribed them when he thought the occasion demanded them. He was thoroughly consistent in his beliefs and in his practice.
Dr. Green's loyalty in citizenship was manifested in particular measure by his co-operation in behalf of the Union cause at the time of the Civil war. His utterances, his writings, his means and his time. were given to uphokl the government at Washington and to promote the cause of humanity. In the early days of the war almost every physician offered his services as a surgeon to the state troops, but it was found that cvil results from this course followed. Many men un- trained and untried in the practice of medicines volunteered, and threatened a danger to the soldiers often greater than that of the bullets of the enemy. It became necessary to establish a board to examine all surgeons who ministered to the Pennsylvania troops, examinations being held in Harrisburg. Philadelphia and Washington, and Dr. Green was made a member of the State Medical Board in 1861 and again in 1862.
Dr. Green was for many years a member of a church, and it is per- haps in his Christian life and faith that we find the true secret of his kindliness, his sympathy and his usefulness in the world. Rev. Mr. Haines at the funeral services said :
"We are very thankful that those who best knew and loved Dr. Green, who truly appreciated the lofty type of his character. did not wait until after his departure to give worthy and deserved praise for
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all that he was and accomplished among us. It is a source of great gratification to his many friends that on more than one memorable occasion when he was the honored center of interest. there was laid before him very sincere tributes of respect and affection. Who of us shall ever forget the celebration of his eightieth birthday, four years ago, on the 25th of May, 1893? All the flowers of love have not been kept to spread upon his grave : all praise has not remained unspoken until after he left us. It has well been said since his translation. 'With the death of Dr. Green there ends one of the most useful careers of any man who has made Easton his home.' We cannot improve on such a fitting and just statement as this. He always thought life worth the living; yes. he made his life to be worth the living. He delighted in life, in its joys, in its sunshine. in its friend- ships, in its work and in its demands upon him. 'It is good to be alive' was the language of his life. He enjoyed young life ; he easily made friends with the young, and kept them as friends until the end. Thus he kept his own heart young. He did not separate his life as a physician from his life as a Christian. He lived as the Christian physician before us: his Christianity was not hid: his Christian char- acter was manifest to all. lle always sought to arrange his duties as a physician so that they would not interfere with his duties as a member of his church. 1 know of no physician with a practice so large and demanding who has been more faithful in attending divine worship on Sundays and at midweek services than was Dr. Green. He believed in all good causes; he gave much strength and attention to the work of the American Bible Society, to the American Tract Society, to Sab- bath observance and to temperance reform at a time when temperance reform was far from popular in this place. In every movement that had for its purpose the promotion of the good of the world, he was
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interested and Lore no insignificant part. Often, as the chairman of a meeting, called to advance the moral well-being of the community, was his voice heard; and always did his words carry weight with them, as he sought to further some good cause. He took delight in good people; he welcomed to his home many a person who came here for the purpose of advancing some form of beneficent endeavor. He be- lieved in and practiced Christian hospitality in a very cordial and hearty way."
MAJOR LEVI GHEEN MCCAULEY.
Major Levi Gheen McCauley, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, who made a brilliant record as a soldier during the war of the Rebellion, and has since rendered valuable service to the state in various important public positions, is of Irish ancestry, descended from Hugh and Mar- garet (Means) McCauley. Hugh McCauley was born in the county of Armagh, Ireland, and married after his coming to this country.
John McCauley, son of the parents before named, was born July 29. 1804. in Concord, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he attended the public schools. He was a farmer for a time in Chester county, but in 1843 went to Harrisburg and became manager of iron works in the counties of Dauphin and Luzerne. He was a man of fine business quali- fications and excellent character, a member of Grove church ( Methodist) at West Whiteland, and of the Masonic order. Originally a Democrat, he became a Republican at the outbreak of the rebellion. In 1834 he married Lydia Gheen, who was born in East Goshen, August 31, 1815, a daughter of Levi Gheen, of East Goshen, Chester county. Of this marriage were born the following named children: i-2. Elizabeth and Margaret, twins, born April 13. 1835: the last named died in infancy.
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3. Levi Gheen, to be written of hereinafter. 4. Williamt Cooper, born May 6, 1839, and died January 3, 1902. 5. Mary Gheen, born in 1840, and died in 1854. 6. John Roberts, who resides at Susquehanna, Penn- sylvania. 7. James Niel, born February 18. 1845, and died May 9, 1881. 8-9. Freeman H. and .\. C. Bayard, twins, born in 1847, both deceased. to. Charles H., died in infancy. The father of these children died in West Chester, September 11, 1889, and the mother died April 4, 1850.
Levi Gheen MeCauley, third child and eldest son of John and Lydia (Gheen) McCauley, was born in West Whiteland township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 2, 1837. He began his education in the public schools, and he subsequently attended for brief periods, in turn, Abington Seminary, Berwick Academy and Wyoming Seminary. At the age of eighteen he entered the Vulcan Iron Works, which he left three years later with an intimate practical knowledge of mechanical engineering. For a year he was in the employ of the New York & Erie Railway Company, at Susquehanna. Early in 1859 he went to Ala- bama, and was successfully engaged in the development of the iron interests in that state until early in 1861. when signs of impending war impelled him to sacrifice his immediate interests and hasten home.
With splendid patriotism, the elder MeCauley recruited a battalion of two hundred men in Susquehanna county, within a few days after the firing upon Fort Sumter, and Levi with two of his brothers entered its ranks. Mr. MeCauley was unable to obtain a commission, on ac- count of his age, and Levi left the battalion and enlisted as a private in a Wilkesbarre company recruited by Colonel E. B. Harvey, and which was mustered into the service as Company F. Seventh Regiment, Penn- sylvania Reserves, at Camp Wayne. Chester county.
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