History of Floyd County 1882
Joel Washington Smith Page 771 – 775
Is one of the oldest physicians and older residents of Floyd County. He came here in 1857, when thirty-two years of age. He was born in Franklin, Delaware County, N. Y., July 23, 1824. The most remote member of his family that is clearly authenticated was Thomas Smith, - born near 1700. Traditionally, he or his near ancestors emigrated from Haverhill, in Northeastern Massachusetts, to Feeding Hills, in West Springfield, Mass., where he and several succeeding generations resided. His wife was Abigail, daughter of Anthony Austin, of Suffield, Conn. His father, Anthony, when about twenty-two years of age, went from Boston to Suffield. He was the youngest child of Christian Jew parents, that, near the time of Luther, to escape religious (?) persecution, fled from Bohemia or Hungary to Holland, then to England; and thence the widow with three boys – youngest, three years – and two girls, came to Boston. There she soon married a merchant and the children were well educated for those times. Mrs. Smith lived to the age of ninety-eight. They had two sons, John and Thomas. The descendants of the latter are numerous about Springfield, and are widely scattered.
John married M. Stockwell. They had four sons and two daughters. He died at Franklin, N. Y. One son Anthony, had a large family and died at Whiting, Vt., in 1853. Juba and Thomas, with families, removed to Springfield, Bradford County, Pa. The daughters married but had no children.
The other son, Darius – Doctor's grandfather – was born 1766; near 1790, married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Colegrove and Mary Olin. She is reported as born at Preston, R. I. There is such a place in New London County, Conn., adjoining – none in Rhode Island. Colgrove was of English descent. Died at Southwick, Mass. Family removed to New York. About 1801 Darius Smith and family removed to Franklin, N. Y. Six children grew up. His wife died near 1828 at Otego, Otsego County, N. Y.; he at Franklin, 1849; both were buried at Otego.
Their elder son, Silas, Doctor's father, was born at Feeding Hills, Sept. 3, 1794; died at Franklin, N. Y., April 10, 1878. His wife – married 1821 – was Lydia, eldest daughter of Major Joel Gillett, of Franklin, N.Y., who emigrated from Hebron, Conn., near 1806. She was born at the latter place 1801; died at Franklin, 1877.
The earliest Gillett ancestor known was John – said to be Welsh – born at Rehoboth, Mass., near Providence, R. I. He was taken prisoner at Deerfield, Mass., by the Indians and French, Sept. 16, 1696; taken to Quebec; a servant for a time at a nunnery, and returned home the next year. (?) via France and England; settling at Lebanon, Conn., - farther from Indians, - where he had a large family. One son was Ebenezer; a son of his, Ezekiel, born at Lebanon, April 3, 1743, was, during the Revolution, on of the staff, or body-guard of Gov. Trumbull, of Lebanon. Ezekiel married Dorcas Hawkins, born May 1739, at Coventry, Conn. He removed to Hebron, Conn., near 1768. Major Gillett was one of his sons, born at Hebron, Feb. 7, 1773; with his family removed to Franklin, N. Y., 1806-'7, where he died 1853. His wife, Clarissa, born March 28, 1778, daughter of Capt. Thomas Carrier and Lydia Ingram, of Marlborough, Conn., is reported a descendant of Martha Allen, wife of Thomas Carrier. She was put to death for witchcraft at Salem. They had thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters; all grew to maturity and eight of them are living (1882) her age was eighty-five. Major Gillett was a captain of artillery, and the Doctor's father a private in the war of 1812.
Silas Smith was a successful farmer, living fifty-five years, or until his death, April 10. 1878, upon the same farm, at Franklin, N. Y. Joel W. is the second of twelve children. He has eight brothers and two sisters living. The father and nine sons cast ten votes for Gen. Grant for President in 1868.
It was thus the good fortune of the subject of this sketch to spend the early years of his life upon a farm – to learn to work. He was born in a log house, - is not ashamed to own it either; was an average boy, though called a trusty one, and spent his time as was usual with boys of the place and period. Some of the occupations were, turning grindstone, helping clear the heavy timbered land, building stone walls for fences, catching trout – then plenty – and attending the district school in winter. His impressions of picking up stones into heaps, on mowing land, and planting and hoeing corn and potatoes in tough, stony soil, were not favorable to such farming.
When fifteen, he was sent to the academy in Franklin, - "Delaware Literary Institute," – even then, as later, a school of high reputation. Until 1846, each winter, with one exception, was spent there or in teaching; the other time upon the farm. Fortunately, if his early opportunities were somewhat limited, he made the best possible use of what he had. Home influences, business training and most of the surroundings were good. While he liked farming and teaching pretty well, as successful in each, he did for a time think of becoming a civil engineer, but finally decided to be what he had long thought of, a physician. Most of the time from 1846 to 1850 was spent in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York City, pursuing professional studies, - teaching several terms to partly defray expenses, - and graduating at Yale in January 1850. Previous to and after that time, he took special courses of instruction in New York, being the private pupil of Prof. William Detmold, a distinguished physician and surgeon of that city.
April 4, 1850, he married Susan Maria, only daughter of William Wheat, Esq., of East Franklin – Croton Postoffice – New York, where she was born, Jan. 8, 1826. Her father was born 1796, at Marlborough, Hartford County, Conn. When twelve years of age, his parents removed to Franklin, N. Y., where he died in 1871. His father, also William, was a sea captain in early life. His wife was Mary, daughter of Joshua Bolles and Eunice Shepherd, she of Hartford, Conn.; each died at Franklin; she, March 4, 1839; her husband near 1866, aged ninety-six years. They had a family of nine children. The Captain's father was Solomon Wheat, a preacher and a physician. He and his wife Rebecca or Susannah Richardson died at Franklin, New York. They had thirteen children, of who twelve grew up. Their descendants are widely scattered. Traditionally, the Wheats are Welsh.
Mrs. Smith's mother – wife of William Wheat, Esq. – was Altamira, eldest daughter of Deacon Thomas Wolcott and Margery Boyd, of East Franklin, N. Y., where Deacon Wolcott and wife died. The family came from near Southampton, Mass., where Mrs. Wheat was born. She died Sept. 27, 1871, aged sixty-nine years. Four of their five children are living.
Dr. Smith practiced successfully in his native county and town until 1857, when he removed to Charles City, then St. Charles. His quick perception, industry, good judgment, thorough medical education, kindness and gentlemanly deportment have been appreciated; and professionally he now ranks the equal of any physician of his years in the State. In practice, he has always been conservative, yet progressive and independent. He has never thought that to use drugs was the only way by which the good physician may earn his fee. His great excellence has been a rare gift of seeing the end from the beginning, and using such means, and such means only, as he believed might aid nature in her work of restoration. As a pioneer surgeon he has been quick to improvise means to accomplish the best results; and he has performed many new and delicate operations, usually attempted only by city specialists. The prevention and cure of disease by hygienic and sanitary measures early engaged his attention, - too often to his cost, - and long before it was the popular subject that is now is with the more intelligent classes. He has always preferred to excel in one calling – his profession – to engaging in too many other things, politics included. Pecuniarily, he has been reasonably successful, though a poor collector for himself. The key note of permanent success with him, as in all cases, has been to try do everything well, and observe the golden rule in all his dealings.
A man of quiet demeanor and kindly nature, of intelligent but positive views, of deep convictions and large common sense, cannot fail to impress the community and age in which he lives. Taking a deep interest and an active part in all educational, moral and material interests; contributing liberally to benevolent objects according to his means; at times holding various positions of public trust, in none of which was his integrity or ability ever questioned. None but himself can know, and eternity only can reveal, the labors, the sacrifices and pecuniary cost to himself of the work which he has done for the school of Charles City and vicinity. This alone showed business capacity of high order. He has often spoken with his pen through the press of his town and other leading newspapers, - oftenest without name, that the matter might be judged by its merit, - and has contributed valuable papers in his profession. In 1876 he was a member of the International Medical Congress, at Philadelphia, a delegate from the Iowa State Medical Society. He is connected with different medical and scientific bodies, but is not a member of any secret societies, and more from want of time than any other reason. While his life has been a busy and active one, he is still a student; and with an excellent memory, possesses extensive general knowledge; is a progressive and practical man, a close observer of men and things, an independent thinker, a good public worker when interested, and, though forgiving in his nature, abhors shams and frauds in individuals, in politics, in medicine, in religion and everywhere. As much as he desires the good opinion of his fellow men, he had rather be right than popular. He has uniformly opposed the use of tobacco and alcoholic drinks, and worked vigorously for the Constitutional Amendment of 1882. In politics he was a Republican from the first, but places principle above party obligations. In religious belief he is liberal orthodox, a usual attendant at the Congregational church, partly from force of education, but is wholly unsectarian in his views. The family consists of four sons and one daughter – another died when young. The eldest, Irving Wheat Smith, M. D. born in New York, March 1, 1851, graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1875, and is in business with his father – Smith & Son. In 1876 he married Sallie, daughter of George Stalker and Hannah Milliken, of Richland, Keokuk County, Ia. They have one daughter – Hannah – and one has died. Ida Elizabeth, the daughter, is the wife of La Verne W. Noyes, of Chicago, a successful inventor and manufacturer. Mr. Noyes is the son of Leonard R. Noyes and Jane Jessup, former residents of Geneva, Cayuga County, N. Y., but now of Springfield, Linn County, Ia. The son and wife, daughter and husband are graduates of the Iowa State Agricultural College. William Thomas and Charles Francis – twins – born Nov. 3, 1864, and Fred Edmund, born Aug 18, 1866, reside with their parents. Theirs is an elegant home, the family a happy one, its members commanding the respect of all who know them.
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Smith, Dr. Joel
Died
SMITH - At his home in this city, Monday, June 6, 1897, of paralysis, Dr. Joel Washington Smith, aged 79 years, 10 months and 13 days.
Joel W. Smith was one of the oldest physicians and oldest residents of Floyd County. He came here in 1857, when thirty two years of age. He was born in Franklin, Delaware County, New York, July 23, 1824.
Newspaper clipping from the Floyd County Museum.
Joel Washington Smith Page 771 – 775
Is one of the oldest physicians and older residents of Floyd County. He came here in 1857, when thirty-two years of age. He was born in Franklin, Delaware County, N. Y., July 23, 1824. The most remote member of his family that is clearly authenticated was Thomas Smith, - born near 1700. Traditionally, he or his near ancestors emigrated from Haverhill, in Northeastern Massachusetts, to Feeding Hills, in West Springfield, Mass., where he and several succeeding generations resided. His wife was Abigail, daughter of Anthony Austin, of Suffield, Conn. His father, Anthony, when about twenty-two years of age, went from Boston to Suffield. He was the youngest child of Christian Jew parents, that, near the time of Luther, to escape religious (?) persecution, fled from Bohemia or Hungary to Holland, then to England; and thence the widow with three boys – youngest, three years – and two girls, came to Boston. There she soon married a merchant and the children were well educated for those times. Mrs. Smith lived to the age of ninety-eight. They had two sons, John and Thomas. The descendants of the latter are numerous about Springfield, and are widely scattered.
John married M. Stockwell. They had four sons and two daughters. He died at Franklin, N. Y. One son Anthony, had a large family and died at Whiting, Vt., in 1853. Juba and Thomas, with families, removed to Springfield, Bradford County, Pa. The daughters married but had no children.
The other son, Darius – Doctor's grandfather – was born 1766; near 1790, married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Colegrove and Mary Olin. She is reported as born at Preston, R. I. There is such a place in New London County, Conn., adjoining – none in Rhode Island. Colgrove was of English descent. Died at Southwick, Mass. Family removed to New York. About 1801 Darius Smith and family removed to Franklin, N. Y. Six children grew up. His wife died near 1828 at Otego, Otsego County, N. Y.; he at Franklin, 1849; both were buried at Otego.
Their elder son, Silas, Doctor's father, was born at Feeding Hills, Sept. 3, 1794; died at Franklin, N. Y., April 10, 1878. His wife – married 1821 – was Lydia, eldest daughter of Major Joel Gillett, of Franklin, N.Y., who emigrated from Hebron, Conn., near 1806. She was born at the latter place 1801; died at Franklin, 1877.
The earliest Gillett ancestor known was John – said to be Welsh – born at Rehoboth, Mass., near Providence, R. I. He was taken prisoner at Deerfield, Mass., by the Indians and French, Sept. 16, 1696; taken to Quebec; a servant for a time at a nunnery, and returned home the next year. (?) via France and England; settling at Lebanon, Conn., - farther from Indians, - where he had a large family. One son was Ebenezer; a son of his, Ezekiel, born at Lebanon, April 3, 1743, was, during the Revolution, on of the staff, or body-guard of Gov. Trumbull, of Lebanon. Ezekiel married Dorcas Hawkins, born May 1739, at Coventry, Conn. He removed to Hebron, Conn., near 1768. Major Gillett was one of his sons, born at Hebron, Feb. 7, 1773; with his family removed to Franklin, N. Y., 1806-'7, where he died 1853. His wife, Clarissa, born March 28, 1778, daughter of Capt. Thomas Carrier and Lydia Ingram, of Marlborough, Conn., is reported a descendant of Martha Allen, wife of Thomas Carrier. She was put to death for witchcraft at Salem. They had thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters; all grew to maturity and eight of them are living (1882) her age was eighty-five. Major Gillett was a captain of artillery, and the Doctor's father a private in the war of 1812.
Silas Smith was a successful farmer, living fifty-five years, or until his death, April 10. 1878, upon the same farm, at Franklin, N. Y. Joel W. is the second of twelve children. He has eight brothers and two sisters living. The father and nine sons cast ten votes for Gen. Grant for President in 1868.
It was thus the good fortune of the subject of this sketch to spend the early years of his life upon a farm – to learn to work. He was born in a log house, - is not ashamed to own it either; was an average boy, though called a trusty one, and spent his time as was usual with boys of the place and period. Some of the occupations were, turning grindstone, helping clear the heavy timbered land, building stone walls for fences, catching trout – then plenty – and attending the district school in winter. His impressions of picking up stones into heaps, on mowing land, and planting and hoeing corn and potatoes in tough, stony soil, were not favorable to such farming.
When fifteen, he was sent to the academy in Franklin, - "Delaware Literary Institute," – even then, as later, a school of high reputation. Until 1846, each winter, with one exception, was spent there or in teaching; the other time upon the farm. Fortunately, if his early opportunities were somewhat limited, he made the best possible use of what he had. Home influences, business training and most of the surroundings were good. While he liked farming and teaching pretty well, as successful in each, he did for a time think of becoming a civil engineer, but finally decided to be what he had long thought of, a physician. Most of the time from 1846 to 1850 was spent in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York City, pursuing professional studies, - teaching several terms to partly defray expenses, - and graduating at Yale in January 1850. Previous to and after that time, he took special courses of instruction in New York, being the private pupil of Prof. William Detmold, a distinguished physician and surgeon of that city.
April 4, 1850, he married Susan Maria, only daughter of William Wheat, Esq., of East Franklin – Croton Postoffice – New York, where she was born, Jan. 8, 1826. Her father was born 1796, at Marlborough, Hartford County, Conn. When twelve years of age, his parents removed to Franklin, N. Y., where he died in 1871. His father, also William, was a sea captain in early life. His wife was Mary, daughter of Joshua Bolles and Eunice Shepherd, she of Hartford, Conn.; each died at Franklin; she, March 4, 1839; her husband near 1866, aged ninety-six years. They had a family of nine children. The Captain's father was Solomon Wheat, a preacher and a physician. He and his wife Rebecca or Susannah Richardson died at Franklin, New York. They had thirteen children, of who twelve grew up. Their descendants are widely scattered. Traditionally, the Wheats are Welsh.
Mrs. Smith's mother – wife of William Wheat, Esq. – was Altamira, eldest daughter of Deacon Thomas Wolcott and Margery Boyd, of East Franklin, N. Y., where Deacon Wolcott and wife died. The family came from near Southampton, Mass., where Mrs. Wheat was born. She died Sept. 27, 1871, aged sixty-nine years. Four of their five children are living.
Dr. Smith practiced successfully in his native county and town until 1857, when he removed to Charles City, then St. Charles. His quick perception, industry, good judgment, thorough medical education, kindness and gentlemanly deportment have been appreciated; and professionally he now ranks the equal of any physician of his years in the State. In practice, he has always been conservative, yet progressive and independent. He has never thought that to use drugs was the only way by which the good physician may earn his fee. His great excellence has been a rare gift of seeing the end from the beginning, and using such means, and such means only, as he believed might aid nature in her work of restoration. As a pioneer surgeon he has been quick to improvise means to accomplish the best results; and he has performed many new and delicate operations, usually attempted only by city specialists. The prevention and cure of disease by hygienic and sanitary measures early engaged his attention, - too often to his cost, - and long before it was the popular subject that is now is with the more intelligent classes. He has always preferred to excel in one calling – his profession – to engaging in too many other things, politics included. Pecuniarily, he has been reasonably successful, though a poor collector for himself. The key note of permanent success with him, as in all cases, has been to try do everything well, and observe the golden rule in all his dealings.
A man of quiet demeanor and kindly nature, of intelligent but positive views, of deep convictions and large common sense, cannot fail to impress the community and age in which he lives. Taking a deep interest and an active part in all educational, moral and material interests; contributing liberally to benevolent objects according to his means; at times holding various positions of public trust, in none of which was his integrity or ability ever questioned. None but himself can know, and eternity only can reveal, the labors, the sacrifices and pecuniary cost to himself of the work which he has done for the school of Charles City and vicinity. This alone showed business capacity of high order. He has often spoken with his pen through the press of his town and other leading newspapers, - oftenest without name, that the matter might be judged by its merit, - and has contributed valuable papers in his profession. In 1876 he was a member of the International Medical Congress, at Philadelphia, a delegate from the Iowa State Medical Society. He is connected with different medical and scientific bodies, but is not a member of any secret societies, and more from want of time than any other reason. While his life has been a busy and active one, he is still a student; and with an excellent memory, possesses extensive general knowledge; is a progressive and practical man, a close observer of men and things, an independent thinker, a good public worker when interested, and, though forgiving in his nature, abhors shams and frauds in individuals, in politics, in medicine, in religion and everywhere. As much as he desires the good opinion of his fellow men, he had rather be right than popular. He has uniformly opposed the use of tobacco and alcoholic drinks, and worked vigorously for the Constitutional Amendment of 1882. In politics he was a Republican from the first, but places principle above party obligations. In religious belief he is liberal orthodox, a usual attendant at the Congregational church, partly from force of education, but is wholly unsectarian in his views. The family consists of four sons and one daughter – another died when young. The eldest, Irving Wheat Smith, M. D. born in New York, March 1, 1851, graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1875, and is in business with his father – Smith & Son. In 1876 he married Sallie, daughter of George Stalker and Hannah Milliken, of Richland, Keokuk County, Ia. They have one daughter – Hannah – and one has died. Ida Elizabeth, the daughter, is the wife of La Verne W. Noyes, of Chicago, a successful inventor and manufacturer. Mr. Noyes is the son of Leonard R. Noyes and Jane Jessup, former residents of Geneva, Cayuga County, N. Y., but now of Springfield, Linn County, Ia. The son and wife, daughter and husband are graduates of the Iowa State Agricultural College. William Thomas and Charles Francis – twins – born Nov. 3, 1864, and Fred Edmund, born Aug 18, 1866, reside with their parents. Theirs is an elegant home, the family a happy one, its members commanding the respect of all who know them.
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Smith, Dr. Joel
Died
SMITH - At his home in this city, Monday, June 6, 1897, of paralysis, Dr. Joel Washington Smith, aged 79 years, 10 months and 13 days.
Joel W. Smith was one of the oldest physicians and oldest residents of Floyd County. He came here in 1857, when thirty two years of age. He was born in Franklin, Delaware County, New York, July 23, 1824.
Newspaper clipping from the Floyd County Museum.
History of Floyd County 1882
Joel Washington Smith Page 771 – 775
Is one of the oldest physicians and older residents of Floyd County. He came here in 1857, when thirty-two years of age. He was born in Franklin, Delaware County, N. Y., July 23, 1824. The most remote member of his family that is clearly authenticated was Thomas Smith, - born near 1700. Traditionally, he or his near ancestors emigrated from Haverhill, in Northeastern Massachusetts, to Feeding Hills, in West Springfield, Mass., where he and several succeeding generations resided. His wife was Abigail, daughter of Anthony Austin, of Suffield, Conn. His father, Anthony, when about twenty-two years of age, went from Boston to Suffield. He was the youngest child of Christian Jew parents, that, near the time of Luther, to escape religious (?) persecution, fled from Bohemia or Hungary to Holland, then to England; and thence the widow with three boys – youngest, three years – and two girls, came to Boston. There she soon married a merchant and the children were well educated for those times. Mrs. Smith lived to the age of ninety-eight. They had two sons, John and Thomas. The descendants of the latter are numerous about Springfield, and are widely scattered.
John married M. Stockwell. They had four sons and two daughters. He died at Franklin, N. Y. One son Anthony, had a large family and died at Whiting, Vt., in 1853. Juba and Thomas, with families, removed to Springfield, Bradford County, Pa. The daughters married but had no children.
The other son, Darius – Doctor's grandfather – was born 1766; near 1790, married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Colegrove and Mary Olin. She is reported as born at Preston, R. I. There is such a place in New London County, Conn., adjoining – none in Rhode Island. Colgrove was of English descent. Died at Southwick, Mass. Family removed to New York. About 1801 Darius Smith and family removed to Franklin, N. Y. Six children grew up. His wife died near 1828 at Otego, Otsego County, N. Y.; he at Franklin, 1849; both were buried at Otego.
Their elder son, Silas, Doctor's father, was born at Feeding Hills, Sept. 3, 1794; died at Franklin, N. Y., April 10, 1878. His wife – married 1821 – was Lydia, eldest daughter of Major Joel Gillett, of Franklin, N.Y., who emigrated from Hebron, Conn., near 1806. She was born at the latter place 1801; died at Franklin, 1877.
The earliest Gillett ancestor known was John – said to be Welsh – born at Rehoboth, Mass., near Providence, R. I. He was taken prisoner at Deerfield, Mass., by the Indians and French, Sept. 16, 1696; taken to Quebec; a servant for a time at a nunnery, and returned home the next year. (?) via France and England; settling at Lebanon, Conn., - farther from Indians, - where he had a large family. One son was Ebenezer; a son of his, Ezekiel, born at Lebanon, April 3, 1743, was, during the Revolution, on of the staff, or body-guard of Gov. Trumbull, of Lebanon. Ezekiel married Dorcas Hawkins, born May 1739, at Coventry, Conn. He removed to Hebron, Conn., near 1768. Major Gillett was one of his sons, born at Hebron, Feb. 7, 1773; with his family removed to Franklin, N. Y., 1806-'7, where he died 1853. His wife, Clarissa, born March 28, 1778, daughter of Capt. Thomas Carrier and Lydia Ingram, of Marlborough, Conn., is reported a descendant of Martha Allen, wife of Thomas Carrier. She was put to death for witchcraft at Salem. They had thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters; all grew to maturity and eight of them are living (1882) her age was eighty-five. Major Gillett was a captain of artillery, and the Doctor's father a private in the war of 1812.
Silas Smith was a successful farmer, living fifty-five years, or until his death, April 10. 1878, upon the same farm, at Franklin, N. Y. Joel W. is the second of twelve children. He has eight brothers and two sisters living. The father and nine sons cast ten votes for Gen. Grant for President in 1868.
It was thus the good fortune of the subject of this sketch to spend the early years of his life upon a farm – to learn to work. He was born in a log house, - is not ashamed to own it either; was an average boy, though called a trusty one, and spent his time as was usual with boys of the place and period. Some of the occupations were, turning grindstone, helping clear the heavy timbered land, building stone walls for fences, catching trout – then plenty – and attending the district school in winter. His impressions of picking up stones into heaps, on mowing land, and planting and hoeing corn and potatoes in tough, stony soil, were not favorable to such farming.
When fifteen, he was sent to the academy in Franklin, - "Delaware Literary Institute," – even then, as later, a school of high reputation. Until 1846, each winter, with one exception, was spent there or in teaching; the other time upon the farm. Fortunately, if his early opportunities were somewhat limited, he made the best possible use of what he had. Home influences, business training and most of the surroundings were good. While he liked farming and teaching pretty well, as successful in each, he did for a time think of becoming a civil engineer, but finally decided to be what he had long thought of, a physician. Most of the time from 1846 to 1850 was spent in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York City, pursuing professional studies, - teaching several terms to partly defray expenses, - and graduating at Yale in January 1850. Previous to and after that time, he took special courses of instruction in New York, being the private pupil of Prof. William Detmold, a distinguished physician and surgeon of that city.
April 4, 1850, he married Susan Maria, only daughter of William Wheat, Esq., of East Franklin – Croton Postoffice – New York, where she was born, Jan. 8, 1826. Her father was born 1796, at Marlborough, Hartford County, Conn. When twelve years of age, his parents removed to Franklin, N. Y., where he died in 1871. His father, also William, was a sea captain in early life. His wife was Mary, daughter of Joshua Bolles and Eunice Shepherd, she of Hartford, Conn.; each died at Franklin; she, March 4, 1839; her husband near 1866, aged ninety-six years. They had a family of nine children. The Captain's father was Solomon Wheat, a preacher and a physician. He and his wife Rebecca or Susannah Richardson died at Franklin, New York. They had thirteen children, of who twelve grew up. Their descendants are widely scattered. Traditionally, the Wheats are Welsh.
Mrs. Smith's mother – wife of William Wheat, Esq. – was Altamira, eldest daughter of Deacon Thomas Wolcott and Margery Boyd, of East Franklin, N. Y., where Deacon Wolcott and wife died. The family came from near Southampton, Mass., where Mrs. Wheat was born. She died Sept. 27, 1871, aged sixty-nine years. Four of their five children are living.
Dr. Smith practiced successfully in his native county and town until 1857, when he removed to Charles City, then St. Charles. His quick perception, industry, good judgment, thorough medical education, kindness and gentlemanly deportment have been appreciated; and professionally he now ranks the equal of any physician of his years in the State. In practice, he has always been conservative, yet progressive and independent. He has never thought that to use drugs was the only way by which the good physician may earn his fee. His great excellence has been a rare gift of seeing the end from the beginning, and using such means, and such means only, as he believed might aid nature in her work of restoration. As a pioneer surgeon he has been quick to improvise means to accomplish the best results; and he has performed many new and delicate operations, usually attempted only by city specialists. The prevention and cure of disease by hygienic and sanitary measures early engaged his attention, - too often to his cost, - and long before it was the popular subject that is now is with the more intelligent classes. He has always preferred to excel in one calling – his profession – to engaging in too many other things, politics included. Pecuniarily, he has been reasonably successful, though a poor collector for himself. The key note of permanent success with him, as in all cases, has been to try do everything well, and observe the golden rule in all his dealings.
A man of quiet demeanor and kindly nature, of intelligent but positive views, of deep convictions and large common sense, cannot fail to impress the community and age in which he lives. Taking a deep interest and an active part in all educational, moral and material interests; contributing liberally to benevolent objects according to his means; at times holding various positions of public trust, in none of which was his integrity or ability ever questioned. None but himself can know, and eternity only can reveal, the labors, the sacrifices and pecuniary cost to himself of the work which he has done for the school of Charles City and vicinity. This alone showed business capacity of high order. He has often spoken with his pen through the press of his town and other leading newspapers, - oftenest without name, that the matter might be judged by its merit, - and has contributed valuable papers in his profession. In 1876 he was a member of the International Medical Congress, at Philadelphia, a delegate from the Iowa State Medical Society. He is connected with different medical and scientific bodies, but is not a member of any secret societies, and more from want of time than any other reason. While his life has been a busy and active one, he is still a student; and with an excellent memory, possesses extensive general knowledge; is a progressive and practical man, a close observer of men and things, an independent thinker, a good public worker when interested, and, though forgiving in his nature, abhors shams and frauds in individuals, in politics, in medicine, in religion and everywhere. As much as he desires the good opinion of his fellow men, he had rather be right than popular. He has uniformly opposed the use of tobacco and alcoholic drinks, and worked vigorously for the Constitutional Amendment of 1882. In politics he was a Republican from the first, but places principle above party obligations. In religious belief he is liberal orthodox, a usual attendant at the Congregational church, partly from force of education, but is wholly unsectarian in his views. The family consists of four sons and one daughter – another died when young. The eldest, Irving Wheat Smith, M. D. born in New York, March 1, 1851, graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1875, and is in business with his father – Smith & Son. In 1876 he married Sallie, daughter of George Stalker and Hannah Milliken, of Richland, Keokuk County, Ia. They have one daughter – Hannah – and one has died. Ida Elizabeth, the daughter, is the wife of La Verne W. Noyes, of Chicago, a successful inventor and manufacturer. Mr. Noyes is the son of Leonard R. Noyes and Jane Jessup, former residents of Geneva, Cayuga County, N. Y., but now of Springfield, Linn County, Ia. The son and wife, daughter and husband are graduates of the Iowa State Agricultural College. William Thomas and Charles Francis – twins – born Nov. 3, 1864, and Fred Edmund, born Aug 18, 1866, reside with their parents. Theirs is an elegant home, the family a happy one, its members commanding the respect of all who know them.
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Smith, Dr. Joel
Died
SMITH - At his home in this city, Monday, June 6, 1897, of paralysis, Dr. Joel Washington Smith, aged 79 years, 10 months and 13 days.
Joel W. Smith was one of the oldest physicians and oldest residents of Floyd County. He came here in 1857, when thirty two years of age. He was born in Franklin, Delaware County, New York, July 23, 1824.
Newspaper clipping from the Floyd County Museum.
Joel Washington Smith Page 771 – 775
Is one of the oldest physicians and older residents of Floyd County. He came here in 1857, when thirty-two years of age. He was born in Franklin, Delaware County, N. Y., July 23, 1824. The most remote member of his family that is clearly authenticated was Thomas Smith, - born near 1700. Traditionally, he or his near ancestors emigrated from Haverhill, in Northeastern Massachusetts, to Feeding Hills, in West Springfield, Mass., where he and several succeeding generations resided. His wife was Abigail, daughter of Anthony Austin, of Suffield, Conn. His father, Anthony, when about twenty-two years of age, went from Boston to Suffield. He was the youngest child of Christian Jew parents, that, near the time of Luther, to escape religious (?) persecution, fled from Bohemia or Hungary to Holland, then to England; and thence the widow with three boys – youngest, three years – and two girls, came to Boston. There she soon married a merchant and the children were well educated for those times. Mrs. Smith lived to the age of ninety-eight. They had two sons, John and Thomas. The descendants of the latter are numerous about Springfield, and are widely scattered.
John married M. Stockwell. They had four sons and two daughters. He died at Franklin, N. Y. One son Anthony, had a large family and died at Whiting, Vt., in 1853. Juba and Thomas, with families, removed to Springfield, Bradford County, Pa. The daughters married but had no children.
The other son, Darius – Doctor's grandfather – was born 1766; near 1790, married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac Colegrove and Mary Olin. She is reported as born at Preston, R. I. There is such a place in New London County, Conn., adjoining – none in Rhode Island. Colgrove was of English descent. Died at Southwick, Mass. Family removed to New York. About 1801 Darius Smith and family removed to Franklin, N. Y. Six children grew up. His wife died near 1828 at Otego, Otsego County, N. Y.; he at Franklin, 1849; both were buried at Otego.
Their elder son, Silas, Doctor's father, was born at Feeding Hills, Sept. 3, 1794; died at Franklin, N. Y., April 10, 1878. His wife – married 1821 – was Lydia, eldest daughter of Major Joel Gillett, of Franklin, N.Y., who emigrated from Hebron, Conn., near 1806. She was born at the latter place 1801; died at Franklin, 1877.
The earliest Gillett ancestor known was John – said to be Welsh – born at Rehoboth, Mass., near Providence, R. I. He was taken prisoner at Deerfield, Mass., by the Indians and French, Sept. 16, 1696; taken to Quebec; a servant for a time at a nunnery, and returned home the next year. (?) via France and England; settling at Lebanon, Conn., - farther from Indians, - where he had a large family. One son was Ebenezer; a son of his, Ezekiel, born at Lebanon, April 3, 1743, was, during the Revolution, on of the staff, or body-guard of Gov. Trumbull, of Lebanon. Ezekiel married Dorcas Hawkins, born May 1739, at Coventry, Conn. He removed to Hebron, Conn., near 1768. Major Gillett was one of his sons, born at Hebron, Feb. 7, 1773; with his family removed to Franklin, N. Y., 1806-'7, where he died 1853. His wife, Clarissa, born March 28, 1778, daughter of Capt. Thomas Carrier and Lydia Ingram, of Marlborough, Conn., is reported a descendant of Martha Allen, wife of Thomas Carrier. She was put to death for witchcraft at Salem. They had thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters; all grew to maturity and eight of them are living (1882) her age was eighty-five. Major Gillett was a captain of artillery, and the Doctor's father a private in the war of 1812.
Silas Smith was a successful farmer, living fifty-five years, or until his death, April 10. 1878, upon the same farm, at Franklin, N. Y. Joel W. is the second of twelve children. He has eight brothers and two sisters living. The father and nine sons cast ten votes for Gen. Grant for President in 1868.
It was thus the good fortune of the subject of this sketch to spend the early years of his life upon a farm – to learn to work. He was born in a log house, - is not ashamed to own it either; was an average boy, though called a trusty one, and spent his time as was usual with boys of the place and period. Some of the occupations were, turning grindstone, helping clear the heavy timbered land, building stone walls for fences, catching trout – then plenty – and attending the district school in winter. His impressions of picking up stones into heaps, on mowing land, and planting and hoeing corn and potatoes in tough, stony soil, were not favorable to such farming.
When fifteen, he was sent to the academy in Franklin, - "Delaware Literary Institute," – even then, as later, a school of high reputation. Until 1846, each winter, with one exception, was spent there or in teaching; the other time upon the farm. Fortunately, if his early opportunities were somewhat limited, he made the best possible use of what he had. Home influences, business training and most of the surroundings were good. While he liked farming and teaching pretty well, as successful in each, he did for a time think of becoming a civil engineer, but finally decided to be what he had long thought of, a physician. Most of the time from 1846 to 1850 was spent in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York City, pursuing professional studies, - teaching several terms to partly defray expenses, - and graduating at Yale in January 1850. Previous to and after that time, he took special courses of instruction in New York, being the private pupil of Prof. William Detmold, a distinguished physician and surgeon of that city.
April 4, 1850, he married Susan Maria, only daughter of William Wheat, Esq., of East Franklin – Croton Postoffice – New York, where she was born, Jan. 8, 1826. Her father was born 1796, at Marlborough, Hartford County, Conn. When twelve years of age, his parents removed to Franklin, N. Y., where he died in 1871. His father, also William, was a sea captain in early life. His wife was Mary, daughter of Joshua Bolles and Eunice Shepherd, she of Hartford, Conn.; each died at Franklin; she, March 4, 1839; her husband near 1866, aged ninety-six years. They had a family of nine children. The Captain's father was Solomon Wheat, a preacher and a physician. He and his wife Rebecca or Susannah Richardson died at Franklin, New York. They had thirteen children, of who twelve grew up. Their descendants are widely scattered. Traditionally, the Wheats are Welsh.
Mrs. Smith's mother – wife of William Wheat, Esq. – was Altamira, eldest daughter of Deacon Thomas Wolcott and Margery Boyd, of East Franklin, N. Y., where Deacon Wolcott and wife died. The family came from near Southampton, Mass., where Mrs. Wheat was born. She died Sept. 27, 1871, aged sixty-nine years. Four of their five children are living.
Dr. Smith practiced successfully in his native county and town until 1857, when he removed to Charles City, then St. Charles. His quick perception, industry, good judgment, thorough medical education, kindness and gentlemanly deportment have been appreciated; and professionally he now ranks the equal of any physician of his years in the State. In practice, he has always been conservative, yet progressive and independent. He has never thought that to use drugs was the only way by which the good physician may earn his fee. His great excellence has been a rare gift of seeing the end from the beginning, and using such means, and such means only, as he believed might aid nature in her work of restoration. As a pioneer surgeon he has been quick to improvise means to accomplish the best results; and he has performed many new and delicate operations, usually attempted only by city specialists. The prevention and cure of disease by hygienic and sanitary measures early engaged his attention, - too often to his cost, - and long before it was the popular subject that is now is with the more intelligent classes. He has always preferred to excel in one calling – his profession – to engaging in too many other things, politics included. Pecuniarily, he has been reasonably successful, though a poor collector for himself. The key note of permanent success with him, as in all cases, has been to try do everything well, and observe the golden rule in all his dealings.
A man of quiet demeanor and kindly nature, of intelligent but positive views, of deep convictions and large common sense, cannot fail to impress the community and age in which he lives. Taking a deep interest and an active part in all educational, moral and material interests; contributing liberally to benevolent objects according to his means; at times holding various positions of public trust, in none of which was his integrity or ability ever questioned. None but himself can know, and eternity only can reveal, the labors, the sacrifices and pecuniary cost to himself of the work which he has done for the school of Charles City and vicinity. This alone showed business capacity of high order. He has often spoken with his pen through the press of his town and other leading newspapers, - oftenest without name, that the matter might be judged by its merit, - and has contributed valuable papers in his profession. In 1876 he was a member of the International Medical Congress, at Philadelphia, a delegate from the Iowa State Medical Society. He is connected with different medical and scientific bodies, but is not a member of any secret societies, and more from want of time than any other reason. While his life has been a busy and active one, he is still a student; and with an excellent memory, possesses extensive general knowledge; is a progressive and practical man, a close observer of men and things, an independent thinker, a good public worker when interested, and, though forgiving in his nature, abhors shams and frauds in individuals, in politics, in medicine, in religion and everywhere. As much as he desires the good opinion of his fellow men, he had rather be right than popular. He has uniformly opposed the use of tobacco and alcoholic drinks, and worked vigorously for the Constitutional Amendment of 1882. In politics he was a Republican from the first, but places principle above party obligations. In religious belief he is liberal orthodox, a usual attendant at the Congregational church, partly from force of education, but is wholly unsectarian in his views. The family consists of four sons and one daughter – another died when young. The eldest, Irving Wheat Smith, M. D. born in New York, March 1, 1851, graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1875, and is in business with his father – Smith & Son. In 1876 he married Sallie, daughter of George Stalker and Hannah Milliken, of Richland, Keokuk County, Ia. They have one daughter – Hannah – and one has died. Ida Elizabeth, the daughter, is the wife of La Verne W. Noyes, of Chicago, a successful inventor and manufacturer. Mr. Noyes is the son of Leonard R. Noyes and Jane Jessup, former residents of Geneva, Cayuga County, N. Y., but now of Springfield, Linn County, Ia. The son and wife, daughter and husband are graduates of the Iowa State Agricultural College. William Thomas and Charles Francis – twins – born Nov. 3, 1864, and Fred Edmund, born Aug 18, 1866, reside with their parents. Theirs is an elegant home, the family a happy one, its members commanding the respect of all who know them.
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Smith, Dr. Joel
Died
SMITH - At his home in this city, Monday, June 6, 1897, of paralysis, Dr. Joel Washington Smith, aged 79 years, 10 months and 13 days.
Joel W. Smith was one of the oldest physicians and oldest residents of Floyd County. He came here in 1857, when thirty two years of age. He was born in Franklin, Delaware County, New York, July 23, 1824.
Newspaper clipping from the Floyd County Museum.
Inscription
Their Children: Irving Wheat, Alta Maria, Charles Francis, Ida Elizabeth, William Thomas, & Frederick Edmund
Family Members
Siblings
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