1895 Landmark's History Book, The Medical Profession, Oswego County, NY  
1895 Landmark’s Book of Oswego County, NY

CHAPTER XVI

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION

Many thanks and appreciation to Natalie Runyan for her time and efforts in transcribing this history of the Medical Profession in Oswego County, NY.  <[email protected]>
 
Medical Organizations-The Medical Society of the County of Oswego-Its Members and Principal Officers-Homeopathic Medical Society-Eclectic Medical Society-Early Physicians-Biographical Sketches.
 
 

Frank L. Low, MD

B. E. Bowen

 The pioneers to any locality have always been closely followed by “the Good Physician.”  This is one of the unpleasant necessities of human experience.  In the early years of the present century the State of New York, unlike Pennsylvania and the New England States, had done very little to encourage science, and there was no school of medicine worthy of the name nearer than Boston and Philadelphia.  Few young men could then afford to go so far to qualify themselves for a profession, whatever the inducements offered by the future.  This led to the prevailing custom among young aspirants for medical practice to enter the office of a neighboring physician, study his books two or three years, at the same time accompanying him on professional visits.  At the end of such a term the young doctor felt qualified to begin his professional career.
 Laws then governing the admission and practice of physicians were substantially worthless; but in 1806 the Legislature passed an act repealing former laws applying to this profession, and authorizing a general State Medical Society and County Societies.  Under the provisions of this act the Medical Society of the County of Oswego was organized June 9, 1821, at the school-house in Oswego village, with Benjamin Coe in the chair, and Luther Cowan, secretary.  The early records of this society were twice destroyed by fire, rendering it impossible to present more than a mere reminiscence of the early proceedings of what is now one of the oldest organizations in this county.  Among its original members were Anson Fay and Luther Cowan, of Volney; Allen Andrews, of Pulaski; Stephen F. Kinney, of New Haven; Sardius Brewster, of Mexico; Benjamin Coe, of Oswego; J. Gurnsey, Dr. Gridley and possible others.
 The first officers of the society were Benjamin Coe, president; Stephen F. Kinney, vice president; Luther Cowan, secretary; Anson Fay, treasurer; J. Gurnsey, Luther Cowan, and Anson Fay, censors.  The second meeting was held at the house of Ezra May on the first Tuesday in June, 1822.  The following is a complete list of physicians and surgeons who have joined the society from its organization to the present time:
 1821--Anson Fay, Volney; S. F. Kinney, New Haven; Allen Andrews, Pulaksi; ------ Gridley, Sardius Brewster, Mexico; Benjamin Coe, Oswego; L. Cowan, Volney.
 1822--S. Dunlop, Samuel Torbutt, Williamstown; H. G. Torbutt, Williamstown; Samuel Freeman, Williamstown.
 1823--D. W. Coe, Oswego; H. Smith, Constantia; Deodatus Clarke, Scriba; John A. Paine, Lyman Huntley, Ransom Howard, Volney; Al. Frederick Smith, Mexico.
 1824--P. H. Hard, Oswego; Samuel Hart, Oswego; Silas Meacham, Pulaski; W. Steward, New Haven.
 1825--Bushnell B. Carey, H. Dewey, Scriba.
 1826--A. S. Bradley, Fulton; D. Robinson, Mexico; A. Howland, Oswego; John M. Watson, Pulaski.
 1827--Elisha Moore, Mexico; D. G. Ayer, Sandy Creek; H. F. Noyes, Pulaski; Justin Morgan, Richland.
 1828--H. Perkins, A. L. Cooper, ----- Owen, Isaac Whittemore, Pulaski; J. Douglas, Scriba; L. Root, Lucius Van Schaik, Oswego; H. P. Van Valkenburg, Volney; J. H. Richmond, Parish; Arden Allen, Hannibal; Egbert S. Barrows, Oswego; Samuel K. Lee, J. Hewett, Oswego; J. K. Thurber, Oswego; John G. Ayre, Sandy Creek; ----Hough, N. Tift.
 1829--William G. Adkins, Oswego; Timothy Goodwin, R. B. Root, Mexico.
 1830--E. Palmer, Mexico; A. F. Kent, Hannibal; David L. Hardy, Granby; N. F. Bruce, Oswego; N. W. Lathrop.
 1831--M. L. Lee, Fulton; J. Steele, Mexico; A. Steele, Volney; T. S. Gilbert, Orwell; Dolson Morton, Orwell; Abiathar Gardiner, Mexico; ----- Webster, Hastings; E. G. Mygatt, A. White, Parish. 
 1832--P. Sprague, Hannibal; J. P. Rosa, Albion.
 1833--A. Goodwin, Mexico; Caleb Burge, Sandy Creek; A. K. Beckwith, Palermo; S. O. Thompson, Sandy Creek.
 1834--L. Wellington, Williamstown; M. Ostrander, Mexico; Chas. W. Mitchell, Oswego.
 1835--Wm. M. Baker, Scriba; Daniel P. Stryker, Hannibal; Wm. James Goulding, Oswego; O. W. Randall, Schroeppel; A. E. Noble, Palermo; Benjamin E. Bowen, Mexico; Stephen Pardee, Fulton. 
 1836--Wm. S. Randall, Benj. A. Rosseau, Scriba.
 1837--Joseph H. Bagg, Oswego; Lucien M. Haynes. 
 1838--Lewis M. Yale, Scriba; Richard M. Clark, Hannibal; J. H. Skinner, Hannibal.
 1839--T. Secor, Volney; H. Murdoch, Richland; E. A. Potter, Oswego; James A. Thompson, Sandy Creek; Alex M. Charles, Eleab M. Joslin, New Haven; Uri Lee, Amboy. 
 1841--A. W. Robinson, New Haven; Joseph R. Brown, Schroeppel.
 1842--D. Conger, Phoenix; A. Whaley, Mexico; S. G. Place, Southwest Oswego; H. A. Skinner, C. G. Bacon, Fulton; Lyman Osborne, Hannibal; M. Tuttle, Hannibal.
 1843--Wm. J. Acker, Hannibal; Alfred Rice, Hannibal; Gilson A. Dayton, Mexico.
 1844--James V. Kendall, Pulaski; A. Van Dyck, Oswego; Justin B. Colwell, Oswego.
 1845--Joseph H. Allen, Oswego; J. Marble, Hastings; A. B. Coe, Oswego.
 1846--A. Reed, Oswego; A. C. Livingston, Fulton; Wm. C. Coy, Schroeppel.
 1847--S. Inman, Williamstown.
 1848--N. Williams, Phoenix; A. B. Howe, Orwell; S. Avery, Phoenix.
 1849--A. M. Dunton, Oswego; George W. Snyder, Scriba; C. Porter, Fulton.
 1850--Daniel Neugent, Wm. H. Rice, Phoenix.
 1851--M. Bradbury, Mexico; M. R. Holbrook, Fulton.
 1852--Wm. M. Skinner, Orwell; Robt. Scott, Oswego; R. C. Baldwin, Volney; T.J. Green, Parish.
 1852--John Hart, Oswego.
 1855--A. S. Coe, Oswego; N. B. Rice, Fulton; J. C. Rhodes, Oswego; C. Ford, Parish; A. P. Williams, Phoenix.
 1856--Lucius Stevens, Constantia; Franklin Evarts, Oswego; S. W. Austin, Oswego; J.B. Murdoch, Oswego; D. B. Van Slyke, Central Square.
 1857--D. Pardee, Fulton; S. D. Andrews, Oswego Falls; C. S. Waters, Fulton.
 1858--C. C. P. Clark, Oswego; F. S. Low, Pulaski; Wm. H. Rulison, Parish. 
 1861--Geo. W. Earle, Hastings; S. P. Johnson, New Haven; C. Mudge, Fulton; F. A. Sherman, Sand Bank.
 1862--E. A. Huntington, Mexico.
 1863--Charles M. Lee, Fulton.
 1864--Ira L. Jones, Minetto.
 1865--Chas. G. Bacon, Fulton ; Byron De Witt, Oswego ; George Seymour, Pulaski ; L. O. Huntington, Palermo ; D. D. Becker, Parish.
 1866--Geo. G. Whittaker, New Haven; Isaac Morrell, Fulton; D. T. Whyborn, Cleveland; J. Lyman Bulkley, Sandy Creek; Joseph Gardiner, Williamstown; Carpenter Macfarlane, Oswego; D. D. Drake, Central Square; Nelson W. Bates, Central Square.
 1867--L. C. Mitchell, Sand Banks; Ed. M. Curtiss, Oswego; S. P. Kingston, Oswego; Joseph Pero, West Amboy.
 1868--George P. Johnson, Mexico.
 1869--A. B. Bowen, Mexico; S. J. Crockett, Oswego; Dillon Acker, Hannibal.
 1870--A. A. Desauliners, Oswego; D. A. Lawton, Pulaski.
 1871--J. K. Stockwell, Oswego; F. C. Durant, Oswego.
 1872--R. N. Cooley, Hannibal Centre.
 1873--George W. Nelson, Orwell.
 1874--Mary K. Hutchins, Oswego; J. W. Eddy, Oswego; A. S. Low, Pulaski; A. S. Rockwell, New Haven; E. F. Kelley, Albion; J. A. Griffen, Constantia; J. J. Taylor, Parish; A. L. Thompson, Sandy Creek; H. D. C. Phelps, Palermo. 
 1875--J. N. Mease, Oswego; A. P. Hamill, Phoenix; Cyrus Haven, Hannibal.
 1876--H. E. Balcom, Oswego; R. M. O’Reilly, United States Army; J. B. Todd, Parish,; H.  H. Philbrick, Sandy Creek; H. W. Caldwell, Pulaski; George E. Carpenter, Sand Bank.
 1877--George H. Whitcomb, Phoenix; E. A. Mattoon, Oswego; Chas. E. Heaton, Mexico; J. W. Huntington, Mexico; Ella M. Whittaker, New Haven.
 1878--De Witt J. Phillips, Oswego; Elvira Rainier, Oswego; Charles R. Lee, Fulton; William A. Hall, Fulton.
 1879--M. W. Frary, Redfield; George Gardner, Williamstown; A. F. Groves, P. M. Dowd, Eggleston Burrows, Oswego; J. E. Hamill, Phoenix; Emory J. Drury, Phoenix.
 1880--Charles F. Wright, Sand Bank; Warren A. Loomis, Vermilion; William M. Wells, Oswego Falls.
 1881--W. T. Towsley, Holmesville.
 1882--F. F. Potter, Cleveland; A. M. Tully, J. B. Low, Oswego.
 1883--W. J. Bulger, Oswego; R. J. Dimon, Hastings.
 1884--S. M. Bennett, Mexico; Albert W. Green, Palermo; V. G. Hamill, Phoenix; C. M. Coe, Lycoming.
 1885--Frank L. Harter, Parish.
 1886--E. F. Marsh, N. F. Hall, Fulton.
 1887--F. B. Foote, Mexico (now of Parish); D. C. Highrighter, New Haven (now of Fulton).
 1887--J. L. More, South Richland; W. C. Todt, C. H. Butler, Oswego.
1888--F. L. Cooley, Oswego; J. C. Curtiss, Fulton.
1890--C. A. Sheridan, John T. Langan, Oswego.
1891--M. J. Lawler, Oswego; H. P. Wilcox, Central Square.
1892--James S. Howard, Willis G. Babcock.
1893--Leroy F. Hollis, Minetto; Homer P. Marsh, Fulton.
1894--Melzer B. Veeder, Central Square; Will O. Scott, Parish; W. H. Conterman, Cleveland; J. J. Tillapaugh, Sand Bank; S. A. Russell, Fulton.
Chas. W. Shaver, Constantia, and F. R. Coe, Sand Bank, without dates.

   Following is a list of the presidents of this society as far as known; 
 Allen Andrews, 1823; Anson Fay, 1827; S. F. Kinney, 1830;  E. S. Barrows, 1831; P. H. Hard, 1832; H. F. Noyes, 1835; B. E. Bowen, 1836; S. Brewster, 1837; R.Howard, 1838; A. Gardner, 1839; S. Hart, 1841; J. M. Watson, 1842; A. K. Beckwith, 1843; H. Murdoch, 1844; S. Brewster, 1845; P. H. Hard, 1846; S. Pardee, 1847; A. Van Dyck, 1848; C. G. Bacon, 1849; B. E. Bowen, 1850; A. White, 1851; A. Williams, 1852; A. B. Coe, 1853; T. J. Green, 1854; J. P. Rosa, 1855; G. A. Dayton, 1856; M. R. Holbrook, 1857; John Hart, 1858; S. G. Place, 1859; Franklin Everts, 1860; A. S. Coe, 1861; D. Pardee, 1862; C. C. P. Clark, 1863; J. B. Murdoch, 1864-5; M. Bradbury, 1866; F. S. Low, 1867; C. M. Lee, 1868; G. A. Dayton, 1869; William H. Rice, 1870; L. L. Stevens, 1871; Carrington Macfarlane, 1872; J. L. Bulkley, 1873; D. T. Whyborn, 1874; A. S. Coe, 1875; D. D. Drake, 1876; R. N. Cooley, 1877; Ira L. Jones, 1878; G. G. Whittaker, 1879; Byron Dewitt, 1880; Charles J. Bacon, 1881; J. K. Stockwell, 1882; G. P. Johnson, 1883; A. P. Hamill, 1884; W. A. Hall, 1885; W. H. Loomis, 1886; J. B. Todd, 1887; J. W. Eddy, 1888; E. Frank Marsh, 1889; P. M. Dowd, 1890; C. G. Bacon, 1891; H. W. Caldwell, 1892; Charles R. Lee, 1893; J. E. Hamill, 1894.
 
    The following are officers of the society for 1894:  President, J. E. Hamill; vice president, J. L. Moore; secretary, H. P. Wilcox; treasurer, Charles G. Bacon; censors, C. R. Lee, F. S. Low, Ira L. Jones; delegates to New York State Association, W. O. Scott, P. M. Dowd, G. M. Nelson; delegates to the American Medical Association, J. W. Eddy, W. H. Caldwell, N. W. Bates; delegates to the Central New York Medical Association, Leroy Hollis, A. W. Green, R. J. Dimon; delegate to the State Society, M. W. Dawley.
 This society now has about sixty active members.  Annual and semi-annual meetings are regularly held, the former on the second Tuesday in May, and the latter on the second Tuesday in November, alternating between Oswego, Pulaski and Central Square.  At these meetings many able and valuable papers have been read and measures adopted to elevate the dignity of the profession.
 The Homeopathic Medical Society of Oswego county was organized on January 23, 1861, with the following officers:  E. A. Potter, president; A. F. Rockwell, vice-president; F. W. Potter, secretary and treasurer; F. W. Potter, T. D. Stowe and W. L. Woodbury, censors.  The original members of the society were E. A. Potter, W .L. Woodbury, A. F. Rockwell, F. W. Potter, Augustus Pool, T. Dwight Stow and William W. Rundell.  The successive presidents have been:

E. A. Potter in 1861-62; Augustus Pool in 1863; W. W. Rundell, 1864; Augustus Pool 1865-67; G. D. McManus, 1868-69; T. Dwight Stowe 1870-72; L. B. Waldo, 1873; W. W. Rundell, 1874; W. L. Woodbury, 1875-76; Augustus Pool, 1877; Harriet Rundell, 1878; C. W. Radway, 1879; G. D. McManus, 1880-81; C. W. Radway, 1882; G. D. McManus, 1883-87; C. W. Radway, 1888; J. H. Keeney, 1889-90; W. L. Woodbury, 1891; C. W. Radway, 1892; J.H. Keeney 1893-93.

Following is a list of the members of the society with the years in which they joined:

1861--E. A. Potter, * W. L. Woodbury, F. W. Potter, T. Dwight Stow, * Augustus Pool, * William W. Rundell.
1863--David J. Chaffee, George D. McManus.
1866--Catherine Townsend, * Harriet Rundell.
1869--L. B. Waldo, DeWitt C. Fowler, Gerritt Smith, G. S. Farmer.
1874--M. R. Woodruff.
1877--N. H. Haviland, C. W. Radway.
1880--George H. Fulford.
1882--W. H. Dewing, N. S. Hopkins, E. B. Hopkins.
1885--J. H. Keeney.
1888--L. B. Richards, G. F. Adams.
1890--D. F.Young.
1891--E. L. Hinman.

The society has always held regular meetings, at which many interesting and valuable papers have been read and discussed.  Dr. McManus was secretary many years, and was succeeded in June, 1893, by Dr. Richards.  Following are the officers for 1894:  J. H. Keeney, president; G. D. McManus, vice-president; L. B. Richards, secretary and treasurer; G. D. McManus, N. H. Haviland and E. L. Hinman, censors.
The Eclectic Medical Society of the county of Oswego was organized at the office of Dr. C. D. Snell in Mexico, on September 20, 1865, in pursuance of a call for a meeting which was circulated by Dr. A. C. Taylor, of New Haven.  The first officers chosen were:  Jesse Watson, Fulton, president; C. D. Snell, Mexico, vice-president; James N. Betts, Pulaski, recording secretary; A. C. Taylor, New Haven, corresponding secretary; John Wiltsie, Hannibal, treasurer; C. T. Greenleaf, Brewerton, John Wiltsie, Hannibal, and S. Douglas, Sandy Creek, censors; H. L. Baker, West Amboy, J. B. Chapman, South Richland, and C. D. Snell, Mexico, delegates to the State Eclectic Medical Society.  On 

* Deceased

June 2, 1874, under a general act passed by the Legislature in May of that year the society was reorganized for the purpose of more fully carrying out the new law.  At one period the membership numbered forty-five.  In May, 1891, the society ceased to exist, and was merged with the Central New York Eclectic Medical Society, with which the 
eclectic practitioners of Oswego county continue to meet.

 The presidents of the society after 1874 were as follows:

Jesse Watson, 1874; James N. Betts, 1875-76; A. C. Taylor, 1877; H. W. Leonard, 1878-79; J. U. Manwarren, 1880; D. E. Lake, 1881-82; E. J. Marsh, 1883; A. C. Taylor, 1884; D. E. Lake, 1885-86; A. C. Taylor, 1887-88.

The last meeting convened at the Hamilton House in Oswego, June 7, 1888 and the last officers, who were first elected June 7, 1887, and twice regularly re-elected were:  President, A. C. Taylor; vice-president, Jennie M. Lake; secretary and treasurer, M. W. Dawley; censors, H. L. Lake, J. N. Betts, J. U. Manwarren.

The members of the society were Jesse Watson, Fulton; C. D. Farlin, Ira Killborn, Oswego; W. H. Cox, Sand Bank; J. U. Manwarren, C. E. Heaton, Mexico; Samuel Cox, Williamstown; D. E. Lake, Fulton; E. J. Marsh, Oswego town; A. C. Taylor, Scriba; Van R. Rich, Albion; J. N. Betts, Pulaski; J. B. Chapman, South Richland.  The foregoing, with these practitioners outside the county, were charter members; the following joined afterward:  O. C. Knight, C. S. Marsh, S. W. Miller, Oswego; W. B. Forsyth, Vermilion; E. M. Manwarren, Mexico; Jennie M. Lake, Fulton; H .L. Drury, Holmesville; H. L. Lake, Fulton; George W. Manwarren, Amboy Center; M. W. Dawley, New Haven.

The medical profession of Oswego county has always had among its members physicians who were an honor to their calling.  Some of these not only attained distinction in the profession, but took an active interest in public affairs and were chosen to fill various stations of trust.  Biographical materials of the early physicians of the county who have passed away are very meager and only brief notes have been attainable.
Of the early physicians of Oswego village, little can now be learned.  Dr. Deodatus Clarke was the first.  A Dr. Caldwell was here almost with the first permanent settlers, and taught school in connection with his profession.  He was succeeded by Dr. Benjamin Coe, and a little later by Dr. Walter Colton, both of whom were among the leading citizens of the place.  Dr. L. M. Yale, who died August 20, 1840, was a popular and skillful physician.  Dr. Robert Scott was a native of Sterling, Cayuga county, born June 13, 1814, graduated in 1846 from Rush Medical College, Chicago, and settled in Oswego.  He was an excellent physician, was warden of Christ church and lived a blameless life.  He died April 5, 1882.  Dr. Lawrence Reynolds came to Oswego in 1851, and soon gained a large practice, particularly among the Irish, who were his countrymen.  He was a fine classical scholar and possessed high qualities; was assistant surgeon of the 24th Regiment, and later surgeon of the 63rd Regiment, N.Y.V.  He was subsequently appointed surgeon of Meagher’s Brigade.  He died April 25, 1887.
Dr. Coe was the first physician in Union Village (now Fruit Valley), in the town of Oswego.  Dr. James Milne, was was killed at his mill in Union village December 8, 1886, settled in Oswego in 1869; he was successful as a surgeon; traveled in Europe; was a Mason of high rank and a public spirited citizen.  Dr. Samuel Hart practiced here some years; was a graduate of Harvard College, and was a leading physician.  He died in Brooklyn September 3, 1878.  Dr. Augustus Pool, a homeopathic physician, born in 1819, settled in Oswego in 1837, and obtained a large practice.  He died in 1884.  Dr. Stephen P. Johnson, who died in New Haven October 13, 1889, was a graduate of Albany Medical College (1859), and settled in Oswego in 1866.  He was a native of Palermo.
Of the very early physicians of the old town of Mexico, there were Dr. Tennant, whose first name has passed out of memory, and who settled in Colosse in 1806, and was succeeded by Dr. Brewster.  Dr. A. Smith, a native of Connecticut, came to Mexico with his parents in 1806.  Dr. Lyman Huntley was another early doctor in that village.  Dr. Benjamin E. Bowen, a native of Rhode Island, born January 15, 1801, attended Berkshire Medical Institute and located at Holland Patent in 1828, and about 1835 removed to Mexico village, where he became a very successful physician and a prominent citizen; was president of the Oswego Medical Society in 1837 and 1851; was postmaster of the village under President Polk; was member of assembly in 1863, and held many minor positions.  He died March 12, 1878.  Dr. C.D. Snell, born in Paris, N.Y., August 8, 1808, was reared on a farm and studied medicine with Dr. Bissell at Clinton, N.Y., and settled in Mexico; he was supervisor of the town in 1839, a Republican, and prominent citizen and good physician.  He died December 9, 1867.  Franklin Everts, who died in Mexico February 12, 1864, studied with Dr. Alexander Whaley and later Dr. Benjamin Coe, of Oswego, graduated from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons; was house surgeon at Bellevue Hospital; surgeon for a time on an ocean steamer; pursued his studies in Europe and subsequently located in Oswego city.  He was chosen surgeon of the 1st New York Artillery, and in later years lived in Mexico village and died there, as stated.  Dr. Gilson A. Dayton began practice in Colosse in 1842, and about 1850 formed a partnership with Dr. Benjamin E. Bowen and removed to Mexico village.  He was chairman of the Democratic County and State Committees; was clerk of the Board of Supervisors; canal auditor, 1871-74; and died in Brooklyn in August, 1889.  Other physicians of the town of Mexico were Dr. James U. Manwarren, who was born in the town March 18, 1824, and is deceased; Dr. Matthew Bradbury, born April 23, 1826, settled in Mexico in 1854.
The first physician in the town of Richland was a Dr. Porter, who came from Vermont in 1806.  The first physician to settle in Pulaski village was Dr. Isaac Whitmore, of Madison county, N.Y., who settled there in 1810, on the south side of the river.  Dr. Allen Andrews came soon afterward.  Dr. Gridley came to the village about 1815 and lived on the site of Don A. King’s house.  Dr. H. F. Noyes came a little later and lived in the same house, and Dr. A. F. Low was there a little later.  In 1844, Drs. Hiram Murdock, John M. Watson, and J. V. Kendall were in practice in Pulaski.  Dr. James N. Betts, born in Chenango county, N.Y., April 2, 1822, studied medicine in the Worcester (Mass.) Medical College and later graduated from Syracuse Medical College; settled in Pulaski in 1855, where he took a leading position in his profession and in public affairs; was a member of the Board of Education; built the Betts Opera House block.  He died March 19, 1892, and is succeeded by his son, Dr. G. W. Betts.
The first physician in the town of Sandy Creek was Dr. James A. Thompson, who settled there in 1815, and practiced until his death forty years later.  He was succeeded buy his son, Dr. Allen L. Thompson, who recently died at Troy.  Other early physicians of this town were Dr. Douglas, and his son Dr. Solomon J. Douglas, both of whom died in the town; and Dr. John G. Ayer.
In Cleveland village, Constantia, Dr. John A. Yates settled in 1840.  He was born in near Fonda, N.Y., April 7, 1811, and died December 14, 1868.  He had a partner for a time in Dr. V.A. Allen.  Dr. D. F. Whyborn was also a physician and druggist there for a time.  Dr. Lucius Stevens located in Constantia prior to1856, and Dr. J. A. Griffen some time afterward.
Of the early physicians of Hannibal there are mentioned Drs. Ure and Moore, who settled there probably before 1820.  About 1822 Dr. Arden Allen located in the town, and was soon followed by Drs. E. H. Boyd, F. Acker and his father, Alfred Rice, and Dr. Dillon.
Of the physicians of Fulton and Volney Dr. Bissell was the first.  He came to what is now Fulton village in 1807 and in 1810 was succeeded by Dr. Anson Fay.  The first practitioners in Volney outside of Fulton were Drs. Cowan and Payne, who located at Volney Center, and who were followed by Dr. Ransom Howard.  Dr. Howard was born in Windsor, Mass., March 7, 1793, and came from Oneida county to Volney Center about 1820.  He spent the remainder of this life there, except six years in Gilbert’s Mills and died in 1864.  Dr. Stephen Pardee came to Volney Center in 1831 and in 1851 removed to Fulton, being succeeded by Dr. Reuben C. Baldwin. Dr. Bradley also practiced at Volney Center a short time about 1830.
Dr. Moses Lindley Lee, who died in Virginia April 19, 1876, settled in Fulton while young and married a daughter of Jonathan Case.  He was a very successful physician, made profitable investments and became wealthy.  He was a man of affairs; held the office of postmaster; was member of assembly in 1846 and re-elected; was elected to the State Senate in 1855; and in 1858 was elected to Congress.  He subsequently gave up practice twenty years prior to his death.  Dr. C. M. Lee, now of Fulton, is a nephew of Moses L. Lee.
Dr. Charles G. Bacon, born in Trenton, N.Y., October 20, 1814, came to Fulton in 1841, and subsequently held several positions of honor.  He married a daughter of James Whittaker, an early and prominent merchant in that village.  Dr. Bacon is still living in Fulton.
The first physician in the town of New Haven was Dr. Eliphalet Colt, who remained until about 1830.  Dr. Stephen F. Kinne was the second and practiced there until 1839.  Dr. Samuel Stewart came about 1827, Dr. Lee in 1828, Dr. John G. Ayer in 1833, Dr. E. M. Joslin in 1838, Dr. John Ash about 1840, Dr. A. W. Robinson in 1842, Dr. Amos Austin in 1847, Dr. S.P. Johnson in 1854, Dr. James Austin (who opened the first drug store in town) about 1862, Dr. James Manwaren in 1862, Dr. A. S. Rockwell, Dr. George G. Whitaker, Dr. Harvey L. Jewell, Dr. William Titus, and others.
 In Phoenix and the town of Schroeppel Dr. Joseph R. Brown became a medical practitioner in 1834 and remained until 1848.  Dr. Otis W. Randall came in 1837 and Dr. Nathan Williams and Davis Conger in 1841.  Dr. Ransom Howard practiced at Gilbert’s Mills for six years following 1838.  Dr. Conger and Dr. C. M. Lee opened the first drug store in Phoenix village.  Subsequent physicians there have been Drs. M. M. Carter, Samuel Avery, John and John E. Hamill, William B. Coy, Andrew P. Hamill, T. D. Whyborn, G. H. Whitcomb, William H. Rice, Garrett Smith, and others.
 In Scriba Dr. Deodatus Clark, from Onondonga county, was the first physician to acquire any considerable practice.  He settled in what is now the east part of Oswego city.  Dr. George W. Snyder was born in Ellisburg, N.Y., March 25, 1820, graduated from the Vermont Medical College in 1848, and the same year settled in Scriba, where he had previously taught school, and where he resided until his death June 16, 1892.  Dr. A. C. Taylor was also for a long time a prominent physician there.
 Dr. Chester Smedley, from Connecticut, was without a doubt the first settled physician in the town of Hastings.  He located near Fort Brewerton in 1826 and practiced in the neighborhood until his death in 1862, aged eighty-one.  At Central Square Dr. Nelson W. Bates, still living, has practiced for many years. Dr. D. B. Van Slyke and Dr. D. D. Drake were formerly physicians there.
 Dr. David L. Hardy became a physician in Granby prior to 1830, and remained in town several years.  Dr. S. D. Andrews took up his practice in Oswego Falls some years later.  The medical practice here has been largely attended to by physicians residing in Fulton or Hannibal.
 In Palermo Dr. A.K. Beckwith located as a resident physician before 1833 and Dr. A.E. Noble soon afterward.
 Dr. T.S. Gilbert was one of the earliest physicians in Orwell, locating there prior to 1833, about which time Dr. Dolson Morton also became a resident medical practitioner.  Dr. A.B. Howe followed a few years later and soon after him came Dr. William M. Skinner, and still later Dr. George W. Nelson arrived.
 Dr. J.P Rosa settled in Albion before 1833 and followed his profession there several years.  Dr. L.C. Mitchell was a more recent practitioner in Sand Bank and a still later arrival in town was Dr. E.F. Kelley.  Other physicians in Sand Bank have been Drs. F.A. Sherman, George E. Carpenter, C.R. Cramer, John M. Brown, and Van R. Rich.
 Dr. Uri Lee became a resident physician of Amboy in the thirties and was probably the first one in town.  Dr. Joseph Pero has practiced at West Amboy for many years. 
 The first physician in Redfield was Dr. Enoch Alden, who came from Rome about 1801, in which year his infant son Franklin was buried at Center Square, which was the second burial in that town.  About five years later Dr. Alden returned to Rome.  In 1813 Dr. David Dickerson came in and remained in active practice many years.
 Drs. Samuel and H.G. Torbutt and Samuel Freeman became physicians in Williamstown as early as 1822, for in that year they joined the County Medical Society. Dr. L. Wellington settled there a few years afterward, and later still Dr. S. Inman located in the village.  Drs. Joseph Gardiner and George Gardner are more recent practitioners.
 Dr. J.H. Richmond located in Parish in the twenties, and soon after Drs. E.G. Mygatt and Austin White came in.  Dr. White was born in Albany county, was graduated from the Fairfield Medical College, and practiced in town until his death in 1876.  Dr. Tobias J. Green settled in Parish in 1847 and a few years ago removed to Mexico, where he now resides.  Other physicians have been Drs. Judson J. Taylor, now of Syracuse; Cornelius S. House, deceased; William H. Rulison, John B. Todd, and D.D. Becker.
 The foregoing physicians are only a few of the more prominent practitioners who have pursued their professions in the several towns of the county.  Nearly all of them as well as many others who have at one time or another occupied eminent positions in the medical fraternity are mentioned in the lists of members of the various societies.  A number of these and of the present practitioners are noticed biographically in Part III of this volume.
 

Source:  Landmarks of Oswego County New York, edited by John C. Churchill, L.L.D., assisted by H. Perry Smith & W. Stanley Child, Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Company Publishers, 1895. 
 

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Copyright © August 22,  2004 Natalie Runyan, Transcriber 
    Copyright © August 23,  2004Laura Perkins 
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