BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
OF THE LATE 
JO SI AH TROWBRIDGE, M. D. 
OF B U FFALO. 
WITH NOTICES OP HIS COTEMPORARIES BEFORE AND DURING THE WAR 
OF 1812, AND HIS COPARTNERS. 
PREPARED BY DR. JOHN S. TROWBRIDGE, 
AT THE REQUEST OF THE ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
THE COURIER COMPANY, PRINTERS. 
BUFFALO: 
1&69 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
OF THE LATE 
JO SI AH TROWBRIDGE, M. D. 
OF BUFFALO.- 
WITH NOTICES OP IIIS COTEMPORARIES BEFORE AND DURING THE WAR. 
OF 1812, AND HIS COPARTNERS. 
PREPARED BY DR. JOHN S. TROWBRIDGE, 
AT THE REQUEST OF THE ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
BUFFALO: 
THE COURIER COMPANY, PRINTERS. 
1869 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Erie County Medical Society: 
In a country, the government of which has had an existence of 
less than a century, and the history of which is nevertheless replete 
with incidents, the labors of the historian and biographer are by 
no means easy. Historical, political and social changes are so 
rapid and novel, and of such magnitude, that there can be but 
little more accomplished in this direction than the simple record- 
ing of events. It remains for the future to establish their philos- 
ophy and measure their ultimate results upon society, whether 
they be for good or for evil, Generally speaking, this scantiness 
of material for personal history, is more a matter of regret than 
surprise. It is too common a fact to excite astonishment. 
But little is known of the personality of most of the early and 
eminent medical practitioners of this country. The lecturer and 
author have in many ways left material for biography. “Life is a 
story, it is a short story, but it is the whole story.” It is a story 
that is told of the doers of great deeds, or the thinkers of great 
thoughts, who lived or died in the past, and anterior to the biogra- 
pher who describes, or to the poet who immortalizes. 
This is peculiarly applicable to the early medical men of our 
land. It was only late in life that they became the centers of 
observation, and in a period that we may call, not only historical, 
but recent. It is to be regretted that men who lived in the open 
light of day, and so continually associated with their fellows, 
should have left so deplorable a lack of material for biography to 
transmit to coming generations; but, drifting over this vast and 
comparatively unexplored county, as circumstances or their inter- 
est might dictate, they left scarcely any records of their doings. 4 
Their uncertain wanderings were attended with experiences 
which, had they been preserved, would in many instances be 
instructive and curious, and, oftentimes savor highly of romance. 
This peculiarity of the American character, so common to our 
noble progenitors, has been too little noticed, and, in this “fast 
age,” only appreciated when recorded as part and parcel of our 
local history. Having their origin in that fruitful nursery of men— 
and great men, in the most enlarged sense of the word—their pro- 
gress has been steadily westward until the sons of New England 
now largely populate every Northern State and Territory from the 
Atlantic to the Pacific, carrying the church, the school and the 
other noble influences of New England civilization with them. In 
this there is true romance, but of a character unlike that of the 
Crusades of earlier centuries. It is romance under the guidance 
of God. It is, in reality, preaching the Gospel to all nations. 
The necessities and privations of those pioneer progressives were 
borne by the strong-minded and the brave sons of the older and 
more populous States. They came on foot, or on horseback, alone, 
or with a devoted wife, and perhaps young family, and so dared to 
plunge into the then unknown wilderness, inhabited by the savage, 
and, perhaps, worse than all, were compelled to encounter new 
forms of malarious disease from which none were exempt. Now 
the rail, steamboat, and other improved modes of travel, enable 
the emigrant to pass from one extreme to the other of our extended 
republic with rapidity, in safety and comfort. 
I am led to dwell upon these reflections for the reason that this 
now prosperous and beautiful city and the county beyond, was, in 
the days of which I write, what now has scarcely an existence—an 
unexplored West. The truthful compass still points westward as 
it did then; but when we speak of American civilization, the East, 
the West, the North and the South, have lost their social, and 
almost their political and geographical significance. 
We are now with the early and the more recent trials and the 
irresistible advances of civilization, leaving the past to complete 
its history, and compelling the statesman and politician of these 
times to acknowledge the fact that we have a common country. 
This mighty, this unexampled, and, I may say, miraculous work 
has been accomplished in less time than was occupied in the erec- tion of most of the English cathedrals. A nation of over thirty 
millions of people has sprang into existence almost within the 
memories of those who have so recently left us that the remem- 
brances of their virtues are still fresh in our hearts. 
Among the brave spirits that so fearlessly shared in these priva- 
tions, there were no men who were so uniformly found in the front 
rank as the physicians. And in this advance of civilization no 
class of men were required to make so many and continued sacri- 
fices as they. Distance without roads, streams without bridges, 
were no cause for refusal when the calls of humanity reached them. 
Speaking from my early remembrances of the privations of an 
honored father, and referring incidentally to those of his associates, 
I necessarily mention all the medical men of this region until after 
the close of the war of 1812, and those with whom he was after- 
wards associated. They were few in number, differing as men 
differ, bnt all possessed of commendable qualities, and eminently 
fitted for the responsibilities of pioneer life. I refer particularly 
to the two Drs. Chapin—Daniel and Cyrenius—and to Ebenezer 
Johnson. As evidence that I am not indulging in exaggeration, 
it is only necessary to refer to the testimony of a few noble men 
and women, honored monuments of the past, and living witnesses 
of the present, who shared with them the perils and privations 
attending the settlement of a new country. Those names are, with 
them, household words; and when referred to, it is with veneration 
and respect, sufficient to convince us of the present age that those 
pioneer physicians were more than ordinary men, and deserving 
the remembrance of all who are enjoying the substantial fruits of 
their labors. They were extraordinary men, shining examples of 
heroic faith, of invincible courage, of generous self-sacrifice, of 
bold and untiring enterprise. Their lives afford models to the 
genius of the age and the race. They aided in transforming the 
forests into a prosperous city and the adjacent country into beauti- 
ful fields; or, in the language of the eloquent Bancroft, “they lived 
the life of the American people, walked in its light, reasoned with 
its reason, thought with its power of thought, felt the beatings of 
its mighty heart, and were in every way the children of nature, the 
children of the West, the children of America.” 6 
Prominent among them was Dr. Daniel Chapin, and the oppor- 
tunity of rescuing from unmerited oblivion this name, affords me 
more than ordinary pleasure. He was a graduate of Yale College, 
a cultivated man, a skillful physician, and was an intimate and 
personal friend of my father, Dr. Trowbridge. I am only able to 
present a few prominent incidents connected with his life, for the 
reason that those with whom he was most intimately associated are 
either numbered with the dead or have removed to distant parts of 
our country. I am informed that he was born in Salisbury, Ct., 
and that he first practiced medicine in Kinderhook, and afterwards in 
East Bloomfield. Turner in his history of the “ Phelps and Gorham 
Purchase,” page 188, says: “Dr. Chapin was the early physician. 
He was the next representative of Ontario county in the Legisla- 
ture after Gen. Israel Chapin.” He states that he removed to 
Buffalo in 1805, and died there in 1835. This is an error, since he 
removed to this vicinity in 1807, never was a resident of the vil- 
lage of Buffalo, but resided on a farm a few miles distant, located 
on the present Main street, and now owned and occupied by Elam 
R. Jewett, Esq. He died in 1821, at about sixty years of age. 
His death was partly induced by the many and continued expos- 
ures incident to the practice of his profession in times when it 
required an amount of personal courage, self-denial and hardship 
but little understood by us of the present day. 
As I have in the preparation of this paper had occasion to reflect 
upou the trials incident to the practice of our profession in the 
rude times that tried the very souls of men, I am free to confess 
that I am at a loss to know what were the incentives to encourage 
them to persevere, when so many easier avenues to wealth and 
prominence presented themselves. The merchant, mechanic and 
agriculturist, all had a pleasant future to stimulate them to action. 
That educated men, accustomed to the ordinary refinements and 
comforts of life, should be willing to devote their days to the prac- 
tice of a profession continually demanding an amount of self-denial 
and sacrifice unequaled and unlike any other profession, or avoca- 
tion, is to my mind beyond comprehension. 
Dr. Daniel Chapin left three sons and three daughters. Col. 
William Chapin, the eldest, occupied the homestead until his 
decease, which occurred in 1858. He was much respected. Dr. 7 
Chapin has left with his very few and remaining relatives and 
friends an odor of pleasant remembrance. I the more readily pay 
this earnest, if imperfect, tribute to the character of this more than 
ordinary man for the reason that there existed a reciprocal feeling 
of respect and confidence between him and the subject of this paper. 
After Dr. Chapin was incapacitated for the practice of his pro- 
fession, he was accustomed to recommend Dr. Trowbridge to his 
relatives and patients. Between Drs. Daniel and Cyrenius Chapin 
there always prevailed an intense but wordy rivalry. In some 
respects they resembled each other, especially in the possession of 
an indomitable will. The professional differences of these two 
veterans were always the source of much amusement to their 
friends, and there were many characteristic anecdotes related of 
their encounters. 
From Mr. Ketchum’s book, entitled, “Buffalo and the Senecas,” 
I am enabled to glean a few items relating to Doctor Ebenezer 
Johnson: He studied his profession in Cherry Valley, under the 
direction of the celebrated Doctor White; he arrived in Buffalo in 
1809; was surgeon on this frontier during the war, and continued an 
active member of the county society until 1821; established a drug 
store; was associated with Judge Wilkeson; subsequently became 
a banker and broker, accumulating a handsome property; was 
elected the first mayor. In common with others, he had to meet 
the business revulsion of the times, losing his all. He then emi- 
grated to the State of Tennessee, where, after a residence of a few 
years, he died. 
As considerable time has elapsed without producing any fitting 
tribute to the memory of one whose civil and professional life 
always exhibited the highest virtues that should adorn a man, I 
am constrained by the suggestion of his few early and remaining 
friends and professional associates, and a personal sense of duty, 
to assume what to me is a delightful, if it is a delicate task, namely, 
to prepare a brief memoir of my father, Doctor Josiah Trowbridge. 
The subject of this paper was descended from a highly respected 
English family. He was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, 
September 28th, 1785. His American ancestry occupied an ele- 
vated position among the early colonists. He was a descendant of 
Thomas Trowbridge, a gentleman of means, who emigrated to this country in 1636. The name of Trowbridge first appears in Dooms- 
day Book. A younger branch of the Devonshire family of Trow- 
bridge seems to have settled in Somersetshire as early as 1541. 
They resided at Taunton, in that county. From this branch sprang 
the Trowbridges of America. That the Taunton family descended 
from that of Devonshire is sufficiently proved by their arms being 
precisely the same as those seen in the stained glass window in the 
chancel of St. James’ Church, Devonshire. 
Among the descendants was Edmund Trowbridge, who graduated 
at Harvard College at the age of nineteen, and was one of the most 
learned lawyers in Massachusetts. By his severe toil and discipline 
he surmounted every obstacle in his honorable career. He was a 
member of the Colonial Council; appointed Attorney-General of 
the province, and afterwards Chief Justice; was acknowledged to 
be a learned man; reckoned preeminent on the bench and at the 
bar, and is said to have exercised a salutary and elevating influence 
on the younger members of the profession with whom he associated. 
Many of the most distinguished lawyers in Massachusetts enjoyed 
the advantages of his instructions. The eminent jurist, Chief 
Justice Parsons, was ever ready to acknowledge the benefit he 
experienced from his early intercourse with Judge Trowbridge. 
The father of Doctor Trowbridge was no ordinary man, as the 
records show. He served in the revolutionary army, first at the 
battle of Bunker Hill, then as orderly sergeant with Washington, 
in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was with the overland expe- 
dition, under the command of Arnold, in his attack on Quebec, 
and, before leaving the service, I think, was captain; was select- 
man eight years; town treasurer nineteen years; representative ten 
years; delegate to the State Convention in 1820; trustee of an 
academy twenty years, and left, at his death, a handsome legacy 
for the benefit of indigent students. The record closes by saying 
that he was held in high esteem. 
The mother of Doctor Trowbridge, like all mothers of good sons, 
was more than an ordinary woman; pious, affectionate, devoted, 
and making it her daily duty, to cultivate all social and Christian 
graces in the family. Until the subject of this sketch was some- 
what advanced in years he remained at. home, assisting his father 
on the farm. This proving too laborious, and his health not being 9 
equal to the task assigned him, in 1799 he took the position of 
clerk with an elder brother, who was engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits in Boston. Tiring of this, and seized with a desire to see more 
of the world, he shipped for Holland in 1800, and, after a most 
tempestuous return voyage, the vessel reached Charleston, South 
Carolina, in a disabled condition. He returned to his home, and 
undertook a course of preparatory studies with a view to the adop- 
tion of the medical profession. Commencing his readings with 
Doctor Willard, of Uxbridge, he finished with Doctor Kitteridge. 
I have frequently heard him mention the names of these gentlemen 
with respect and evident pleasure. 
During this time he taught school two winters, one in Southboro 
and the next in his native town. He used to relate, in an amusing 
way, his experiences as school teacher, involving the manner in 
which he quelled—what was then quite common—rebellion against 
the teacher. I need not dwell on the experiences of the teacher in 
those primitive times, further than to refer to the necessity of the 
strong application of what may be styled military law, when the 
teacher assumed the only arm of defence at hand, the poker, and 
disposed of the insurrection as summarily as the necessities of the 
case required. According to his representations, like the rebellion 
among us, one determined effort was sufficient to end the struggle. 
After the usual course of study, he was licensed to practice. This 
was in 1808 or 1809. 
His first professional efforts were put forth in Weathersfield, 
Vermont, where he remained for a brief time. In company with 
a young lawyer, an intimate friend, by the name of Walker, in the 
spring of 1811, he came to Buffalo on horseback. On this journey 
they made the acquaintance of the distinguished lawyer, Elisha 
Williams, and of his wife. The latter afterwards spoke of Doctor 
Trowbridge as her “handsome doctor.” Mr. Walker returned to 
Vermont, where he obtained eminence as a lawyer, and consider- 
able political prominence. Buffalo not offering sufficient encour- 
agement to Doctor Trowbridge, he took up his residence at Fort 
Erie. At this time that place and Black Rock were the enterpots 
of the then limited commerce of the lakes, Buffalo Creek being 
blockaded by sand-bars. Doctor Trowbridge remained in Canada 
until the declaration of war, when he returned to Buffalo. During 10 
his residence in Canada he formed an attachment which, notwith- 
standing the belligerent condition of the two countries, resulted in 
a much more than friendly arrangement between himself and one 
of His Majesty’s subjects. I cannot do better than make an extract 
from a letter, dated October 11th, 1813, written to his brother, in 
which he says: “I will now inform you something of myself and 
family, for you must know that I am married. I am not a friend 
to the war, but I could not forbear engaging in an expedition. 
On the nineteenth of September, 1813, I crossed into the Province 
of Upper Canada, and succeeded, with the assistance of Cupid, 
(who, by the by, is a good general,) in capturing one of His 
Majesty’s subjects, without bloodshed. I have her now in close 
confinement, and hope I shall be able to keep possession until I 
have the pleasure of presenting her to you.” He was married in 
Buffalo by the Rev. Elkanah Holmes, a Baptist missionary, Sep- 
tember 22d, 1813, to Margaret Wintermute. Before and during 
the war he was associated with Doctor Cyrenius Chapin, who had 
preceded him in his location. 
As my friend, and the common friend of both these gentlemen, 
Doctor Pratt, has read to this society a lengthy and interesting 
paper on Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, it will not be necessary for me to 
dwell on his character. How long this copartnership continued I 
have no sufficient data to enable me to say; it commenced before 
the war and ended directly after its close. His next business con- 
nection was with a most estimable man and physician, Doctor John 
E. Marshall, the first medical man that settled in Chautauqua 
county, and who, upon its organization as a distinct county, was 
elected or appointed county clerk. He died in 1838, greatly be- 
loved and respected. The first copartnership was formed Sep- 
tember 8th, 1823, under the name of Marshall & Trowbridge. In 
1829 the firm was dissolved in consequence of the ill health of 
Doctor Marshall, he retiring from practice, when the copartnership 
of Trowbridge and Sprague was formed. October 16th, 1830, Dr. 
Marshall renewed practice, and the firm of Trowbridge & Marshall 
was established, and continued until December 2d, 1831. He was 
an honor to the profession and a useful member of society. 
Mj7 early remembrances of Doctor Marshall are all pleasant. It 
would afford me pleasure to dwell more at length on his many 11 
agreeable qualities, were it not that I am anticipated by a careful 
and well-written memoir, prepared by Doctors Josiah Trowbridge 
and Frank H. Hamilton. Those who desire to know more of Dr. 
Marshall, I refer to the Buffalo Medical Journal, vol. 6th, October, 
1850, page 282. Dr. Trowbridge was also associated with Drs. 
Bela H. Colegrove, Thomas B. Clark and Alden S. Sprague; at a 
much later period with Dr. Charles Winne. All these gentlemen 
obtained eminence in their profession and challenged respect as 
citizens. Dr. Sprague continued to practice his profession in this 
city, as most of us know, with great success. He died in 1863. I 
am thus brief, for the reason that there was prepared a biographical 
notice of the doctor by his nephew, E. C. Sprague, Esq., which 
appeared at the time in the Commercial Advertiser, January 8th, 
1863. Dr. Thomas B. Clark, a most estimable and excellent citi- 
zen, removed to Detroit, where for a few years he gave his profes- 
sion his attention, operating, at the same time, in real estate, by 
means of which he became wealthy. He died in that city, honored 
and respected. 
Dr. Colegrove retired from the firm and returned to the town of 
Sardinia, where he resides at an advanced age, with accumulated 
honors derived from his profession. In a recent communication 
from this venerable man, he informs me that he was born in the 
State of Rhode Island the twentieth of April, 1799. At the age of 
eighteen he commenced the study of his profession with Dr. 
Hubbard, of Pomfret, Connecticut, who, after the death of Prof. 
Nathan Smith, then occupying the chair of surgery in the New 
Haven Medical College, was appointed Professor of Surgery in his 
stead. After attending lectures at New Haven, the University of 
Pennsylvania, and College of Physicians and Surgeons in New 
York, he graduated at the latter institution, his diploma being first 
recorded in the County Clerk’s office, of this county, in the year 
1821. 
He has now been a resident in the town of Sardinia for nearly a 
half a century, with the exception of the short period he was asso- 
ciated with Marshall and Trowbridge. His rides extending over 
some portions of this county, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, 
and many of the northern counties of Pennsylvania. Is an ardent 
and industrious man in his profession. There are very few, if any 12 
medical men, who have had so extended and varied practice as Doc- 
tor Colegrove. He has been ever ready, and eminently capable, to 
successfully encounter its responsibilities. He says: “I love to 
“cherish a recollection of my cotemporaries. With the exception 
“of Doctor Carlos Emmons of Springville, and, perhaps, one or 
“ two others who were in the county of Erie in 1820, all are gone. 
“Among the departed, I remember no one in whose character 
“was blended high professional attainments, with a nicer apprecia- 
tion and practice of those courtesies and amenities, personal and 
“ professional, which made the green oasis in human life, than your 
“father. While you, my dear Doctor, with a filial affection in the 
“ highest degree commendable, are weaving a deserved garland for 
“ the brow of your late excellent father, permit me to add my hum- 
“ ble chaplet to the wreath; which, though the product of an obscure 
“mountain town, is no exotic: and while the younger members of 
“ our profession are seeking models to emulate, and imitate,—sure 
“lam, they will seek in vain for a better than the late Josiah 
“Trowbridge.” It affords me pleasure to be able to testify that 
these kind expressions of respect and affection were reciprocal. 
Doctor Charles Winne you have with you, and propriety forbids 
me to speak of him as kindly as my feelings prompt me. 
During the war of 1812, Doctor Trowbridge gave the govern- 
ment his hearty support, although, in common with a large politi- 
cal party, not recognizing its absolute necessity. He was at no 
time in the regular service, but was attached to a volunteer com- 
pany of artillery, and always ready to respond when humanity or 
the interests of his country made a demand upon him. After the 
close of the war he received a grant of land for his services, in the 
State of Indiana. He was fond of the gun, and on one occasion, in 
company with Frederick B. Merril, Lieut. Dudley, of Perry’s fleet, 
and one or more boatmen, while shooting ducks on Strawberry 
Island, was surprised and captured by the British and taken to 
Fort George. While there, the Indians in the service of the gov- 
ernment broke into their quarters, and for a time their safety seemed 
quite precarious. The interposition of officers and chiefs prevented 
a massacre. The Doctor with his comrades was detained a few 
days and then discharged, arriving in Buffalo after a most tedious 
journey on foot. 13 
During the war he, with most of the early settlers, had many 
adventures, but none of sufficient importance to occupy your time. 
At the burning of the village of Buffalo, which was a surprise, 
although it had been threatened, he, with others, remained engaged 
in securing the safety of the women and children, and was among 
the last to leave. As he passed up Main street, he was fired upon 
by the Indians ambuscaded in the vicinity. With other refugees, 
he spent the winter, and part of the spring, at various localities 
east of Buffalo. 
Among his experiences at this time was one at the boarding house 
established by the erratic John Root. Perhaps the credit of this 
establishment belonged more properly to Mrs. Root. It was at a 
locality then known as “Harris Hill,” three or four miles beyond 
Williamsville, a small log house, containing one room on the first 
floor, answering for parlor, dining room, kitchen, &c. The second 
story was reached by a ladder, furnishing a commodious sleeping 
room, divided by blankets, for Mr. and Mrs. Heacock, Doctor Trow- 
bridge and wife, and Stephen K. Grosvenor. I only regret that 
the present opportunity is not the one to revive something of these 
early and prominent persons and pioneers. 
The testimony of Mrs. R. B. Heacock is, that Mr. Root was 
more successful in supplying his individual wants, than he was the 
table and the house. Since the preparation of this paper was com- 
menced, this venerable Christian and eminently charitable woman, 
has been gathered to her heavenly home. Doctor Trowbridge was 
absent one winter in Washington, on private business and business 
connected with the interests of the village. In the course of a long 
life he was an applicant for office in but two instances. Early in 
life for the position of Collector of Customs, when he was induced 
to make way for Major Dox, and much later in life for the Post 
Office. 
He continued to practice his profession until 1836, when he had 
accumulated a handsome property. He then sold his office prop- 
erty to Doctor Winne, and gave his time to the management of his 
private affairs—attending to the improvement of his property, 
erecting the United States Hotel and other buildings, and loaning 
his name and money among his supposed friends. In 1837, when 
all went by the board, he was unfortunately included among them, 14 
losing bis all. He made an assignment and was left penniless. 
This year he was elected Mayor, Hon. Bela D. Coe, an old and 
intimate friend, being the opposing candidate. 
The Patriot war occurring shortly after he was installed, law and 
order being put at defiance, and he being unable to maintain the 
supremacy of the former, resigned, and was succeeded by P. A. 
Barker. During the years described in these sheets, Dr. Trowbridge 
held many minor places of usefulness. Once, for a short time, 
he was side Judge; several times he was Supervisor; was associated 
with Maj. John G-. Camp, as Commissioners for finishing the building 
now known as the “ Old Court House.” He was President of the 
High School, afterwards known as the “ Buffalo Military, Scientific 
and Literary Academy.” He was Secretary of the meeting held 
at the house of Elias Ransom, for the purpose of organizing the 
Episcopal Society of St. Paul’s Church, February 10, 1817. He 
was one of its first vestrymen, held the position for eleven years, 
and was warden for six. The original church edifice was enlarged 
in 1828, under a contract entered into by him, at an expense of 
twenty-five hundred ($2,500) dollars, he depending upon the 
increased sale of sittings to make good the outlay. It proved to 
be a remunerative experiment for the parish. He was the last sur- 
vivor of the original number—was always greatly interested in the 
prosperity of the church, giving his services to its members and 
contributing, frequently beyond his means to its treasury. 
I will state, in this connection, that he was the friend and medi- 
cal adviser of Joseph Ellicott, agent of the “Holland Purchase,” 
and through his influence Mr. Ellicott was induced to deed, for 
church purposes, the lot now occupied by St. Paul’s Cathedral. 
The Presbyterian society taking the hint, made application and 
obtained the opposite lot. In the year 1839, he was appointed a 
Commissioner to represent certain rights possessed by the State of 
Massachusetts in the lands owned and occupied by the Seneca tribe 
of Indians, about to be ceded to the “ Ogden Land Company ” by 
treaty and purchase ; but, for reasons never explained, he was 
removed. Perhaps the real reason was, that he expressed an opin- 
ion that it would be better for the Indian and the white man, were 
they more distinctly separated. 15 
There were great differences of opinion as to the means employed 
in the consummation of this treaty. All interested entertained and 
expressed their own opinions, and in the arguments the reputation 
of both sides suffered materially, if the various representations are 
to be believed. As to the merits of these differences, Doctor Trow- 
bridge was never an interested party. It was his opinion that it 
would prove an expensive purchase to the company, and a favorable 
treaty for the Indians. 
He was actively engaged in his profession in this locality about 
fifty years, with only one interruption. His rides extended over 
long distances without reference to day or night, the weather, or 
circumstances as against personal comfort. Their bounds included 
Cattaraugus Creek, Olean, Batavia, Lockport, Tonawanda, Lewis- 
ton and Canada; late in life he was called as far as Detroit. In 
1838 he resumed his profession with Doctor Charles Winne, and 
continued until 1842. During a portion of this time the writer was 
a student in their office. Having completed his studies he was 
associated with his father, continuing until the fall of 1852. 
Doctor Trowbridge did a large private and consultation practice 
until 1856, when increasing infirmities compelled him to relinquish 
it entirely. 
I have forgotten to mention, in its proper order, that in 1833, the 
honorary degree of “Doctor of Medicine,” was conferred upon him 
by the “Regents of the University.” 
Thus you have the incidents connected with a long and unpretend 
ing, but eminently practical and useful life. 
His excellencies were appreciated and most intimately known 
among suffering humanity, or in quiet association with his fellow 
men. He never aspired, by means practiced by many, to be known 
as a popular man. 
Those who committed themselves to his care were not subject to 
doubtful experiments with a view to his personal aggrandizement. 
He exhibited all those qualities that are needful to constitute the 
true gentleman, and his amenities were extended to all without 
distinction. 
I never knew him, by word or act, to depart from strict honor 
and decorum. His life was that of one who, in his intercourse with 
men, exhibited all personal virtues and generous sentiments, 16 
founded on an intelligent Christian faith, which is necessary to the 
good citizen and true physician. In his associations with his medi- 
cal brethren, it was his highest aim to merit their confidence, and 
without reservation to give them such aid and comfort as the neces- 
sities of the case would seem to require. I think I can safely state 
that in but few instances was this confidence misplaced. The 
younger members of the profession, with whom he came in contact, 
were always treated with the most careful consideration. Errors 
were quietly indicated, and the proper method for their rectification 
pointed out. We all have had our youthful hopes and aspirations 
brought low, and our pride grievously wounded by the unfair, over- 
bearing and supercilious treatment received from our seniors, to 
whom we looked not only for professional assistance, but for that 
material aid to which the young practitioner is entitled; but pride 
was never wounded by him. With Doctor Trowbridge, honor was 
the polar star. In the early organization of society there was no 
lack of men of enterprise, possessing high moral character, but with 
them there were mingled the usual proportion of hardened individ- 
uals, lacking principle, but still influential through native talent and 
energy. Our profession had its proportion. Profanity and intem- 
perance were, unfortunately, lightly regarded, in the cases of both 
the physician and the citizen. The parties themselves were not 
entirely responsible for this unfortunate condition of morals. The 
practices of society tended to make drunkards, not only of medical 
men, but of all—not excluding woman. With the primitive doc- 
tor it seemed essential in his exposures that he should fortify his 
inner man with stimulus; as often as he visited a patient, it was 
thought necessary that he should take something internally, that 
the external man might be protected. As a consequence a popular 
practitioner, with a large field of operations, could hardly fail to 
be more or less under the influence of stimulants before the day’s 
work was ended. 
There was no discredit in reasonable intemperance. It was a 
common saying that “ if you can find a sober, you will find a more 
than ordinary doctor.” To such temptations were he and all 
exposed; the only matter of wonderment is that any escaped these 
direful influences. Notwithstanding this condition of society Dr. 
Trowbridge not entirely unaccustomed to the practices of the day, 17 
ignored the use of alcohol, and to this rule he most religiously 
and steadily adhered. It was only near the close of his life, and 
upon the recommendation of a medical friend, that he consented 
to use a certain and exact quantity of stimulus daily. I mention 
this for the reason that it occurred long before the temperance 
movement was attempted, or had obtained any influence on the 
popular mind, when any endeavor to practice temperance was 
rather a cause of reproach than merit. 
In his business habits Dr. Trowbridge was negligent in securing 
his just dues, though punctilious in the discharge of his personal 
liabilities. He was never exorbitant in his charges, seldom if ever 
employing the law in the enforcement of his claims, and often 
making liberal deductions, or donating his services. The conse- 
quence was that, notwithstanding a large practice, he was often 
pressed for means. With his friends he always erred on the side 
of liberality. His purse was never closed to the demands of reli- 
gion and charity. He had many pupils,—among them I name Drs. 
Frank B. Hansom, Charles C. Haddock, O. S. St. John, Badger, 
Dunn, and James P. White. The number and the positions 
obtained in their profession and society indicate his ability as a 
teacher. Those living will bear me out when I assert he always 
endeavored to influence them with high and honorable sentiments, 
not only his teachings but by his example. By some he was pre- 
ceded to the grave, while others remain to testify to his many 
excellent qualities. It is not to the discredit of his associates to 
say that he was a courageous, safe and judicious practitioner. He 
was constitutionally, and otherwise, eminently calculated for the 
practice of his chosen profession. In the exercise of its high and 
often unexpected and exhausting responsibilities, and in all the 
varying circumstances and vicissitudes incident thereto, there was 
no one, with the lights then at command, better schooled or fitted 
to meet them all than he. In the obstetrical science no one of his 
time, or perhaps since, in this locality, was or is his superior. He 
always appreciated the grave responsibilities surrounding him, 
possessed an intelligence that was equal to anj? emergency, and 
professional boldness that was ready for every necessity, the want of 
which is a serious detriment to the success of the more timid but 
equally intelligent and conscientious practitioner. 18 
In conversation he was peculiarly happy, entertaining and in 
structive; and, in whatever principle was not concerned, he yielded 
ready obedience to social usage and custom. He had a faculty of 
satisfying his pride—for at heart he was a proud man—by honoring 
the avocation through which he had achieved the right to be what 
he was. 
His leisure time was either employed in general literature, or in 
keeping pace with the progress of his profession, Politically' he 
always had the best interests of the country at heart, although 
rarely or ever taking an active part in politics. Early in life he 
was a Federalist; later a Whig, and lastly a Republican. The gov- 
ernment, in its earlier efforts to maintain itself as against England 
always had his best efforts, and in its recent and successful attempt 
to maintain the supremacy of the Union and the Constitution was 
the recipient of his devoutest wishes. Two of his sons were in the 
service; one of them, the youngest, Capt. Henry W. Trowbridge, 
of the 5th Michigan, died while his regiment was in front of York- 
town. Dr. Trowbridge often expressed a desire to live to see the 
government recover its control over the rebellious States, and to 
assert and successfully maintain its supremacy, but this was not 
allowed him. 
The religious faith and opinions of one who has satisfactorily 
finished his earthly mission, is always a delicate subject. It is too 
much the case that men are appreciated and judged in proportion 
as they are prospered in the goods of this world. Wealth too 
often gives its possessor a social position to which his deficiencies 
in moral and educational qualities do not entitle him. Religious 
belief and practice are very greatly dependent upon education, 
circumstances, and the will of the individual. Faith is manifested 
in various ways—with some it is quiet and unostentatious; with 
others, demonstrative and presuming. Dr. Trowbridge’s parents 
were Puritans, and as his father’s house was his home until he was 
quite a young man, it is fair to suppose there were no opportunities 
neglected in attempting to impress on his youthful mind their 
religious belief. Addison remarks, that these early impressions 
are never entirely lost, although they may fail in their full fruition. 
In conversation Dr. Trowbridge would often refer, pleasantly 
and with profound respect, to the rigid strictness of his most excel- 19 
lent and pious father, and also with the utmost affection to that of 
his devoted and pious mother. While clerk in Boston, he attended 
the only Episcopal church in that city, then known as “King’s 
Chapel,” and as his wife was educated in the Episcopal faith, he 
was thus influenced and confirmed in his early predilections. He 
was a communicant with this body before my remembrance. The 
truths and requirements of religion were received and discharged 
by him with an intelligence worthy of their importance. His belief 
was earnest, simple, honest, founded in the exercise of the high 
prerogative of reason. It was neither uncharitable nor sectarian. 
He was always ready to concede to others the right and the oppor- 
tunity of an honest Christian difference, rebelling most stoutly 
against pretence and cant, whether it had an existence in religion, 
morals or the medical profession. The Bible and the Book of 
Common Prayer, for many A'ears, had a place on his table, and 
every day were the subject of his study. 
In active life his labors on the Sabbath were always arranged, 
when possible, so that those portions of the day devoted to public 
worship might not be subject to interruption. Judging him by 
what makes up the actualities of life, I am safe in claiming for him 
a reasonable effort to live acceptably to God and man. 
Towards the close of his life, and after he was incapacitated for 
the active duties of his profession, the subject of religion was a 
matter of serious consideration and frequent conversation. In his 
expressions he never made place for doubt. The near and certain 
approach of death was calmly awaited, although he expressed him- 
self as having in an imperfect manner, and, perhaps, not according 
to the talents committed him, completed his usefulness. 
Fearing that he might be regarded as a burden, he was ready 
and prepared to give place to others, physically and otherwise, 
better prepared to accomplish the never-ending duties of life, only 
expressing a desire to be exempted from that intense physical suf- 
fering which is often attendant upon the final departure of the soul. 
In this not unreasonable request he was Providentially gratified. 
It was my practice to spend a portion of each of his latter days in 
his company. I left him on the evening of the twenty-seventh 
September, 1862, in his usual health and spirits. Early the next 
morning I was suddenly but not unexpectedly called to find him 20 
in an insensible condition. lie rallied for a short time, not suffi- 
ciently long to be able to give expression to his wishes, but so as 
to be conscious of his situation. Soon, with a smile on his coun- 
tenance, and without pain, he passed into -that eternity in which 
we hope and believe the cares and distractions of life and the 
necessities of administering to the physical sufferings of humanity 
are ended. 
The public, by private manifestations, the press, the medical 
profession, each in their own proper way, gave expression to the 
loss that society had been called upon to sustain. This was the 
last of a long and useful life. If there is purity here below, then 
it was pure. 
The foregoing paper was read at the Annual Meeting of the Erie 
County Medical Society, January 12th, 1869: 
Resolved, That one thousand copies be printed, and that six hundred be bound 
in the “Buffalo Medical Journal.” 
And also read before the “Buffalo Historical Society,” January 
19th, 1869.