Last week we began out look into 19th Century Collins Center; starting with
schools, this week we will begin looking at 19th century professionals and
businesses within Collins Center.
Physicians:
Although today's generation would never think of physicians and Collins Center
together, the last physician in Collins Center was during my lifetime. It appears that
physicians were a big part of Collins Center throughout the 19th century as well.
According to written history a Dr. McDaniels was the first regular practicing physician
In the entire township of Collins. The first McDaniels to show up in area Census
reports is a William McDaniels who lived here in 1840. He was a male, between the
ages of 40 - 60 years; in his household was one female in the same age bracket. By
the 1850 Census, this family was no longer living in town. It is noted that he was in
the area but a short time.
According to the same written account, McDaniel was followed by Dr. Harwood. We
were able to locate an Aurelius Harwood who lived, with his family, in the area
according to the 1830 Census, ten years prior to when we located William
McDaniels. Dr. Moses Blakely practiced Botanical Medicine (herbs, etc.) here during
the 1840's.
Then came a Dr. Congdon who died here in 1846. We find Israel Congdon and a
wife in both 1830 & 1840 Census records. We also found the following obituary in
the Buffalo Medical Journal and Review of August 1846:
Obituary - Died June 24, 1846, in the town of Collins,
Erie County, N.Y., in the 46th year of his age. Dr. C.
graduated at Fairfield, Herkimer County, N.Y., in 1828,
soon after which he located in Collins, where, by his
medical skill, he soon won the confidence of the
public, and by his sterling integrity secured their unaffected
esteem and friendship. Dr. C's sickness was severe and
protracted, having been confined to his couch for more than
two years. The esteem in which Dr. C. was held was
manifest in the vast concourse of people who attended
his funeral. In the death of Dr. C. the profession has lost
a member who was an ornament to it, and the community
a much esteemed physician, an upright citizen, a kind
neighbor. The sick and the afflicted have emphatically
lost a sympathizing friend.
June 26, 1846 S. G. Ellis, M.D.
Dr. Alexander Bruce practiced here until shortly before his 1866 death. Dr. William
A Sibley is said to have practiced here for many years (verified via 1850 & 1860
census reports). Next was Dr. Albert D Robinson (verified in 1860 census report).
He was followed by Dr. Henry (Given the many families with the Surname Henry
this has yet to be verified). During 1878 & 1879, Dr. M. M. Sperry practiced
allopathic medicine (a more modern type of doctoring) here. Doctors Erastus
Letson (verified throughout 19th & 20th century via census reports) & Harley
Atwood (verified via Buffalo Medical Journal and various census reports) practiced
simultaneously into the 1880's.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by. Stop in next week as we dig further into
professionals, merchants and other businesses of 19th century Collins Center.