History of Rutland County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 28

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n; Rann, William S
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > Vermont > Rutland County > History of Rutland County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 28

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).

Rutland. - The medical profession has been so numerously represented in this town during past years, by men, too, who were in every way an honor to both their calling and the town, that we can only attempt to give brief sketches of the more prominent.

The first physician in Rutland of whom there is an authentic record was Dr. Jacob Ruback, who was born in Prussia between 1740 and 1750. He was a sur- geon in the Prussian army and came to America previous to the Revolutionary

2.41

MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND THE PROFESSION.

War, landing in Quebec. After a short period in the British army as surgeon, he went to Connecticut, where he married and then removed to the New Hamp- shire Grants. He took part in the battle of Bennington, and in 1798 was ap- pointed surgeon to the Vermont troops. He was one of the petitioners for the first State Medical Society. Soon after Burgoyne's defeat he came to Rutland and remained here until 1782 ; he lived on the road leading to the high bridge in Clarendon. In the records of the Council of Safety, October 10, 1777, is the following : "This may certify to whom it may concern that Dr. Jacob Ruback being a friend of his country has full power from this council, to take his estate, where it may be found, proving his property. " On March 20, 1778, it was voted by the Council to provide a surgeon for Captains Allen and Clark's companies, and that Dr. Jacob Ruback be the surgeon for the purposes aforesaid. The captains referred to were Ethan Allen and Isaac Clark. Dr. Ruback died at Grand Isle in April, 1809.

Dr. James Porter may be said to have been born to the profession, as his father and three uncles were physicians. He was left an orphan at four years of age and lived a part of the time until he was seventeen with his uncle Ezekiel, in Rutland. At that age he was permitted to go to sea as super-cargo. The vessel was captured by a French privateer and he suffered for a period, not only much hardship, but danger of confinement in a French prison. Being released, however, by a British vessel, he was sent to Norfolk and soon after- ward arrived in New York with but one penny as his possession. Returning to Rutland, he began the study of medicine with his uncle and continued until he was duly licensed to practice; for the first few years he practiced with his uncle, and when the epidemic of 1812-13 swept over the country, Dr. Porter was here alone to contend against its ravages. With such singular ability, fearlessness and endurance did he discharge his duties, that he gained the most unqualified esteem and friendship of the community. His skill increased with his practice and he became widely known for his success in surgery. Dr. Por- ter died in Rutland at the age of seventy-four years, after a long life of the greatest usefulness.

Dr. Lorenzo Sheldon, son of Medad and Lucy (Bass) Sheldon, was born in Rutland, Vt., May 8, 1801. He was the eldest of a family of eleven children, consisting of five sons and six daughters. His father carried on a farm north of what is now known as West Rutland village.

The subject of the sketch early manifested a desire for a broader culture than a constant devotion to the farm permitted ; and, having a taste for the study and practice of medicine, the way was opened for his entrance upon the necessary preparation for that profession. He entered the Academy of Medi- cine at Castleton, Vt., where he continued his studies until his graduation, Jan- uary 16, 1820. After completing his course at the medical college he returned to his native place and commenced study and practice with Dr. Jonathan Shaw, 16

242

HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.

with whom he formed a partnership. This connection, however, continued only about one year, when Dr. Shaw removed to Clarendon Springs, leaving young Dr. Sheldon to practice independently in his chosen field.

He soon won a good practice, and commanded the confidence of the com- munity as a conscientious, attentive, intelligent and skillful physician. After a few years' practice, inducements were held out to secure his removal to Wad- dington, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., to which place he removed in the year 1826.

On his return, 1828, he entered, with all the ardor and energy of his nature into the practice of his profession, and won an honored position which he maintained till death, continuing to respond to the last to calls of friends who would not give him up, though he sought relief from the fatigues and cares of practice as the infirmities of age crept on. In the year 1829, February 6, Dr. Sheldon was married to Mahala Smith, of West Rutland. Of this marriage were born seven children -Sophronia M., Darwin Rush, Lucy Amorette, Charles S., Lucy L., Harley G. and Mary Kate, only two of whom, Lucy and Harley, survive him. In the year 1835 Dr. Sheldon entered into partnership with Mr. William F. Barnes, and commenced the marble business, then in its infancy. At one time this company owned the entire marble deposit extending from the present quarry of Sheldons & Slason, north. Dr. Sheldon, at a later date, be- came senior member of the firm of Sheldons & Slason, continuing his connec- tion with the firm till 1865, when he sold out, and ceased to have any connec- tion with the marble business. But he continued to have large interests in real estate, which absorbed a considerable portion of his time through the remainder of his life. While the responsibilities of his large marble interests were upon him, he sought some relief from his professional duties, and hence during those years his practice was somewhat restricted.

He died Sunday morning, September 5, 1880, at the age of eighty years. He was a prominent member of the Congregational Church from 1826 and a deacon from 1865 to his death. He was also a member of the Masonic order, and conspicuous in all good works. It was written of him by his biographer that " his was a well-balanced, well-developed, rounded manhood, which, while presenting no very striking features, was strong at every point."

Dr. Ezekiel Porter came to Rutland either before the beginning of the present century or very soon thereafter. He was uncle to James Porter and for some years contemporary with him in practice. He lived in Rutland village on the southeast corner of Main and Green streets; was a prominent citizen and physician during his stay here, and finally removed to Floyd county, Ind. His wife was Eunice Pomeroy, of Coventry, Mass., and she died in Rutland in 1814. He died in Indiana in 1823, leaving three sons there - Pomeroy, James and Julius.

James B. Porter was a son of Dr. James Porter, and was born September

243

MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND THE PROFESSION.

10, 1806, at Waterford, N. Y. He was fitted for college at Rutland and took a partial course in Middlebury College; attended lectures at the Castleton Medical College and took his degree at the Woodstock Medical College in 1832. He immediately began practice in Rutland and continued prominent in the profession for forty-seven years. He lived in the building now owned by the Rutland Missionary Association, on Main street, until 1851, when he built the house afterward occupied by him until his death, a little back from Main street. He was noted as a family physician of the old school, and as such was very popular and enjoyed a large practice. He died February 17, 1879. His wife was Harriet Griggs.

Dr. Cyrus Porter, son of Dr. James Porter, was born June 25, 1808, and one of the four brothers, three of whom were physicians, as well as his father and grandfather. He received his early education in Rutland and attended later the then flourishing seminary at Castleton. His health was never rugged and fearing he would not be able to endure the hardships of active practice, he learned all there was to learn at that early date of the profession of den- tistry. This he practiced for some years here, and at Manchester and other towns. He then made an extended tour of the West and returning with im- proved health, he began studying medicine with his father. He attended lec- tures at the Albany Medical College and at Woodstock, and graduated from the Vermont Medical College June 11, 1839. He practiced here a few years and then removed to Peru, Clinton county, N. Y., but remained there but about two years. He was married in 1841, returned to Rutland and joined in practice with his brother James B. He received the appointment of examin- ing surgeon early in the last war, and was afterward president of the board of examining surgeons, a position which he resigned in 1871. He died of paralysis, June 12, 1883, aged almost seventy-five years. As a physician and a man he was held in high esteem by all who enjoyed his acquaintance.

Dr. Hannibal Porter, younger brother of Cyrus and James B. Porter, was born November 10, 1819. He was educated at Dartmouth College and grad- uated in 1841. His medical studies were pursued with his father and at Woodstock, taking his degree from the latter institution. He also attended lectures in New York city and practiced there about two years before coming to Rutland. He was possessed of an unusually active and brilliant intellect, and his studies were pursued with energy and perseverance, until his education was exceptional. But his health, never very good, became still more impaired, and he died on the 27th of September, 1863, of paralysis caused by poison re- ceived in a post mortem examination. He was stricken down in the midst of his usefulness.

Of Dr. Jonathan Shaw, who was in practice in Rutland before the present century, not much is known. He was born in 1771 and died in 1839. His first wife was Mary, daughter of Obadiah Bass. He was located in practice at

244

HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.

West Rutland, and lived in the house now occupied by C. H. Sherman ; he became a prominent man in the community, both in and out of his profession. He subsequently came into possession of a grist- mill at Clarendon Springs and removed thither, where he died of a cancer.

Dr. James Ross was born in Shrewsbury, May 8, 1809, and studied his profession and attended lectures at the old medical school at Woodstock. In 1832 he married Almira Edson and began practice at Rochester, Vt., but re- moved to Rutland in the following year. The remainder of his life was spent here, excepting five years passed partly in Woodstock and partly in Le Roy, N. Y. For his second wife he married Rebecca Young in 1858. He was the father of seven children, one of whom is Charles E. Ross, one of the leading merchants of Rutland. He died on the 17th of May, 1880, aged seventy-one years. Dr. Ross was a man of exemplary character, upright and honorable in all his business with others. His tenderness of heart and warm sympathies made him deservedly successful and popular with his patients, while his thor- ough knowledge of lis profession gave him a position in its front rank.

Dr. Joel Green was born in Westminster, Mass., about the year 1781, and came to Clarendon when five years old. He soon afterward was taken to New Boston, town of Chittenden in this county. When he had reached a proper age he studied medicine with Dr. Josiah Hale, of Brandon, who married his sister. Dr. Green removed to Rutland in 1816 and practiced here until near his death, just previous to which event he went to Castleton and there died in the summer of 1849.

Dr. Horace Green was a brother of Dr. Joel Green, and was born in Chit- tenden, this county, early in the century. He was probably educated at Cas- tleton Medical College, and was professor of the theory and practice of medi- cine in that institution from 1839 to 1841. He practiced several years in Rut- land and subsequently removed to New York city, where he became very cel- brated for the treatment of throat affections. He was president of New York Medical College from 1849 to 1858. Some years later he removed to Sing Sing and died there in 1864.

Dr. J. Dunham Green, son of Joel Green, studied his profession with Dr. Horace Green and graduated at Castleton in 1849, and in the New York Med- ical College in 1850. He practiced ten years in New York and about ten years in Rutland, entered the army and lost his health, forcing him to abandon his profession.

Drs. David E. and Thomas Page practiced in Rutland many years ago and were a short time in partnership together. They were born in Bennington, Vt., and secured their medical education at Castleton. Thomas located at once in Rutland and David E. in Shoreham, Addison county, where he re- mained about fourteen years, and came to Rutland about 1864. He died about a year later. Thomas is remembered as a thoroughly educated physi- cian, but became somewhat dissipated. They both died in Rutland.

245

MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND THE PROFESSION.

Benson. - Following are the names of the physicians who have practiced in this town as far as known, with the years of their stay : - Chauncey Smith, the first, came to Benson with his father, Asahel Smith, in 1785 and soon be- gan practice, continuing to 1815. Ella Smith, brother of the above, from about 1786 to 1801. Perez Chapin from 1797 to 1807. Cyrus Rumsey, from 1808 to 1822. Rowland P. Cooley, born in 1784, came to Benson in 1810 and practiced very successfully for more than forty years. His native talent was of a high order and he was remarkably skillful in his profession. He was sent to the General Assembly in 1834-35, and was delegate to the State Con- stitutional Convention in 1836. Edmund Barnes, from 1812 to 1816; re- moved to Le Roy, N. Y. Seth Ransom, from 1817 to 1854. Edward Lewis, 1824-25 ; removed to Fair Haven and later to Jackson, Mich. Abijah H. Howard, 1827 to 1846; removed to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he died in 1859. Charles S. Perry, 1846 to 1849; removed to Poultney. Seneca E. Park, 1848-50; removed to Franklin. Dixon Alexander, 1849 to 1853; removed to Poultney and later to Iowa. Sheldon Ransom and Erasmus D. Ransom, sons of Dr. Seth Ransom, practiced a short time here, but removed, the former to Burlington, Iowa, in 1837, and the latter to the same place in 1846. Lu- cretius D. Ross, 1865 to 1869; was assistant surgeon Fourteenth Vermont Volunteers, during its service of nine months, and in 1869 removed to Poult- ney. (See town history for present physicians.)

Brandon .- The records in existence of physicians who have practiced in the past in this town are very meagre, except as to those now in practice, which will be found in the history of the town. Dr. Nathaniel Sheldon was in the town before the Revolutionary War, but removed to the west soon after 1796. He speculated in land while here and probably did not practice much.

Dr. Benjamin Powers was one of the original proprietors and one of the only two who came into the town to reside. He was from Greenwich, Mass., and is said to have been a good physician and a worthy man. He was the first practicing physician to settle in the town and died about the close of the Revolutionary War.

Dr. Anderson Green Dana, born September 17, 1791, was one of the prom- inent early physicians of the town and a strong man in many ways. He began the study of medicine when eighteen and in 1812 began attending lectures in Philadelphia Medical College. In the following February he studied surgery in the hospitals of Boston. He began practice in 1813, and was one of the incorporators of the Vermont Medical Society in that year. He was several times a delegate to the American Medical Association and repeatedly appointed councilor of Rutland county and delegate to the Castleton Medical College ; he was chosen the first president of the hospital department in that institution, and in 1830 received the degree of M.D. from Middlebury College, and the degree of LL.D. from the same institution in 1860. He was a man of elevated

246

HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.

character, brilliant intellect and a writer and speaker of exceptional ability. He was associated for some time before his death with Dr. Olin G. Dyer, now of Brandon. Dr. Dana died on the 20th of August, 1861.

Dr. Myron F. Edson was born in Brandon July 18, 1846. He studied with Dr. E. A. Smith, of Brandon, one or two years, and spent about one year and a half in the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 1874. He then took a course in the Brooklyn Long Island Hospital, after which he returned to Brandon and passed a year with Dr. Smith. He then removed to Castleton and in 1875 married Belle D. Kellogg, of Ann Arbor, Mich. He died on Au- gust 9, 1879. He was a man of unusually brilliant natural gifts.

Among the other early physicians of the town, of whom little can now be learned, were Dr. Joel Green, who lived on the site of the present Baptist church. He removed to Rutland before 1820, and is mentioned further on. Dr. J. W. Hale, who may be called the successor of Dr. Green, practiced here for some years. Dr. Isaac F. Merriam was contemporary with Dr. Green and remained some years after Dr. Green's departure.

Castleton .- Dr. Samuel Shaw was the first physician in this town, and at- tained eminence, both in his profession and in politics. He was born in Mas- sachusetts in December, 1768, removed to Putney, Vt., in 1778 and to Castle- ton in 1787, where he entered upon the practice of his profession at the age of nineteen ; he became especially prominent and successful as a surgeon. He entered ardently into politics and was one of the victims of the sedition law. He represented Castleton in the Assembly from 1800 to 1807, when he was elected councilor, serving one year. He was elected to Congress in 1808 and served to 1813. On his retirement from this office he was appointed surgeon in the United States army, which place he filled until 1816. He died at Clar- endon, Vt., October 22, 1827.

Dr. Selah Gridley was one of the early physicians of the town, commencing practice in 1795. He was born in Farmington, Conn., in 1767. He had a large practice for about thirty years, and was one of the founders of the Castle- ton Medical College and president of that corporation from 1811 to 1819; he remained a member of the corporation until 1825. He died in Exeter, N. H., about the year 1826.

Dr. Theodore Woodward began practice in 1812, and became distinguished as a physician. He was also one of the original incorporators of the Castleton Medical College and a member of the faculty for more than twenty years. He died in 1840.

Dr. Joseph Perkins, born April 1, 1798, in Bridgewater, Vt., graduated at Castleton Medical College in 1820. He gained an enviable reputation as a physician and was largely instrumental in reviving the Castleton Medical Col- lege after its few years of suspension. He was its president from 1843 to 1857.

Dr. George L. Bliss was born in Castleton December 23, 1818, and began

247

MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND THE PROFESSION.

the study of medicine in 1841 at Castleton Medical College. He graduated in November, 1844, and practiced in Hydeville until January, 1847, when he re- moved to Poultney. (See history of that town.)

Other physicians who have practiced in Castleton and are deceased were, Dr. Jonathan Don Woodward, born April 28, 1799, at Hanover, N. H., grad- uated at Castleton Medical College, 1824 and practiced to 1869. He died June 20, of that year. Dr. Selah Gridley Perkins, born in Castleton Novem- ber 26, 1826 ; graduated at Union College and took his degree in the Castle- ton Medical College in 1851 ; was demonstrator of anatomy in the college after graduation ; practiced in Castleton and Waterford, N. Y. He was killed at Ashby's Gap, September 22, 1862. Dr. Henry F. Smith graduated at Albany in 1855 and practiced a short time here. He died in 1870. William Cullen Perkins, born in Castleton March 12, 1828 ; graduated at Castleton Medical College in 1853, and immediately began practice with his father. Removed to Lansing, Iowa, in 1856, and died in Castleton March 13, 1865.

Investigations kindly made by Dr. John M. Currier, in the Castleton land records, show that Dr. Kellogg Berry purchased land in this town in 1787, on the north side of " Broad street." And a later transaction (1789) between other parties, alludes to " the south side of Broad street opposite Kellogg Berry's store." Dr. Berry is also mentioned in several other places in the records. According to the same authority, Dr. William Wolcott bought and sold land in this town between 1787 and 1793. In 1793 Dr. Wolcott, Aaron Hastings and Elisha Baker were sued by a New York physician named Dr. Effingham Lawrence, and the records speak of the defendants as " physicians and drug- gists in company under the firm of Hastings, Baker & Wolcott." Probably nothing further can now be learned of these men.

Clarendon .- Dr. Silas Bowen was one of the early physicians in this town and born in Woodstock, Conn., in September, 1774. He studied his profession in New York State and in 1799 settled in Reading, Vt., and located in Clar- endon in 1822. He died in Nebraska City, whither he had gone on a visit to his son, on the 26th of September, 1857. He is said to have been a man of energy and perseverance, and kindly and lovable in his profession.

Dr Silas Hodges came to Clarendon about 1783, and was about the first physician in the town. He had previously practiced in Woodstock, Conn., and in Dunbarton, N. H. He continued practice in Clarendon until his increasing infirmities compelled him to desist, and died in 1804.

Dr. Socrates Smith, a native of Clarendon, and a graduate of Castleton Medical College, practiced a short time here and removed to Rush, N. Y., where he died in 1870.

Danby .- Dr. Adam Johnson came from Norton, Mass., to Danby about 1799, and was the first physician who had much practice here. He is spoken of as a well-educated man for those days, very pleasant and mild in his man-

248

HISTORY OF RUTLAND COUNTY.

ners and considered a true gentleman in all his relations with the people. He bought out Dr. Tolman, the latter being the first physician in the town. Dr. Johnson was a good physician, possessed of sound sense and great energy. He practiced here until his death in 1806. Dr. Tolman's name appears upon the records for 1778. He became a land speculator and quite prominent in public affairs, remaining here until about 1800, when he removed to some other locality.

Dr. Abraham Locke, born at Cambridge, Mass., in 1777, studied his pro- fession with Dr. Campbell, of Rockingham, Vt., and settled in Dorset. Be- coming acquainted with Dr. Adam Johnson, the latter employed him when his own health began to fail. He continued a prominent physician in Danby for forty years, and died of paralysis June 4, 1844.

Dr. Galen J. Locke, son of the above, born October 2, 1806; graduated at Castleton Medical College in 1835. He gained a thorough knowledge of his profession, but devoted a part of his attention to mercantile pursuits in Danby, and held several prominent political stations. He died in 1866, after practicing thirty years.

Dr. Harris Otis, born in Scituate, Mass., in 1775, came to Danby in 1793, the third physician to locate in the town. Although an educated physician, his natural tastes led him into agricultural pursuits, which he followed most of his life, and with eminent success. He was a leading Quaker and held several town offices. He died August 8, 1847.

Fairhaven .- Dr. Simeon Smith was about the first physician in this town, coming from Sharon, Conn. He became an extensive landowner in what is now the Westhaven part of the town, and at his death bequeathed that town $1,000, the interest of which was to be devoted to educational purposes, through a grammar school. He was a very prominent man; selectman three years ; in the General Assembly three years (1789, 1792, 1797) ; delegate to the State Convention at Bennington in 1791, and in 1789 elected one of the assist- ant judges of Rutland county. He died February 27, 1794.

Dr. Stephen Hall came from Connecticut in March, 1788, and is the first physician mentioned as owning land in the town. He removed to New Leba- non, N. Y., in 1791.

Dr. James Witherell came from Mansfield, Mass., and in 1791 purchased the place of Stephen Hall, above mentioned, and probably succeeded to his practice. He was well known for many years as "Judge Witherell," and was a man of great prominence in the community for twenty years. He was sev- eral times sent to the General Assembly, and was Member of Congress while residing in Fairhaven. He removed to Detroit, Mich., in 1810, and became prominent in public life there.

Dr. Israel Putnam, March 25, 1785, was in practice in this town as early as 1811 ; he was from Corinth, Vt. He became interested in a mercantile busi-

249

MEDICAL SOCIETIES AND THE PROFESSION.

ness soon after the war of 1812, and died in Hartford, N. Y. (whither he re- moved in 1817), December 10, 1835.

Dr. William Bigelow, born in Middletown November 9, 1791, studied med- icine with Dr. Ezra Clark, of Middletown, and received an honorary degree from Castleton Medical College. He came to this town in 1815, and practiced until 1828, when he removed to Bennington. In 1858 he removed to Spring- field, Mass., and died there April 20, 1863.

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.

History of Rutland County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 28

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n; Rann, William S Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co. Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Smith, H. P. (Henry Perry), 1839-1925. 1n; Rann, William S
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 1170