tion, which to some future collator, must prove highly valuable for historal purposes. He was by this means, also, led to trace back our language to its roots, and to familiarize himself with the vagaries of its different branches, since the days of the Anglise, and the Saxons. He had thus wholly or in part familiarized himself with between fifty and sixty languages, many of which have been out of current use for centuries. Aside from this, he has at differ. ent periods been an enthusiastic student of Natural History, in its various forms. At different times, he has pursued the study of Botany, Geology, Mineralogy, Conchology and Paleontology, following up once branch persistently until he had exhausted it, and then taking another. In this way he had collected a valuable philological library, which embodies his peculiar characteristics, and a cabinet of natural, mineral and fossil specimens, which is believed to be the most complete of any private collection in this section. He used to remark that he purchased works and specimers much on the same principle that a farmer will try to buy up all the land that adjoins his own. In the studies to which he devoted the leisure hours he could steal from an extensive practice, he was a thorough enthusiast.

"Dr. Skilton first learned the principles of medicine from works which had been studied by his great-grandfather. At an early period he was doubtful whether he should study for a physician or a clergyman, but having betaken himself, after the manner of John Wesley, to prayer, he became convinced that it was his duty to enter upon the line of life which he did finally adopt. He passed through the usual course in the Yale Medical College, in 1826-7, having previously studied with a practicing Physician at Saugerties, in this State, He commenced his practice in 1827, in this city. He had therefore just entered upon the thirty-first year of his practice in this city, when seized with his fatal illness. The general features presented by the life of a physician-at least, those which come to the knowledge of the public, are monotonous, and to an extent unvaried. Few may know the trials, few realize the necessities, few comprehend the responsibilities of such a life. To those whom he has attended during the 'generation of time' in which he has practiced his profession here, Dr. Skilton stood in the light of a cherished brother, a noble protector, a kind and sympathizing friend. A Christian impulse governed every action of his life, and regulated his relations with his patients. Acute sympathy, and that ardent enthusiasm which was a charac

teristic of his nature, led him to make their interests his own. He was faithful in season and out of season. In desperate cases, he forgot comfort and the claims of nature, and every hour found him by the sufferer's bedside. In this he was remarkable. During the cholera season of 1849, he passed several days at a time without removing his clothing, snatching a few moments sleep as he was able to do so. No danger ever deterred him from the performance of his duty. He first became noted here during the fearful cholera season of 1832, when he frequently had as many as fifty cases at a single time. Since then, his list of patients has been very large-much larger than a single man should have attempted to attend. A peculiarity of his practice was the unyielding obstinacy with which he fought disease, combatting it step by step, and inch by inch, and never giving over till life was no more.

"Were the subject approachable, we should like to dwell upon the incidental features of Dr. Skilton's professional career in this city, but we may not. During the three cholera seasons of '32, '47 and '52, his cases were exceedingly numerous, and his time continuously occupied, to the exclusion of all schemes of comfort and recreation. He had been remarkably successful in obstetric practice having attended over three thousand five hundred births. He made the study of epidemic diseases of all kinds a peculiar professional duty, and was very fortunate in treating them. At different periods, he has held various honorable professional posi. tions. He was a short time since President of the Rensselaer County Medical Society, was a member of the Troy Lyceum of Natural History, which always during its existence had his earnest attention, was a prominent member of the American Medical Society, member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Corresponding member of the State historical Societies of Connecticut, Vermont and Wisconsin.

"In character, Dr. Skilton was upright and unimpeachable. He was scrupulously regardful of the rights and feelings of others, and exceedingly careful to avoid wronging his fellow-men. To the poor, he was ever kind and benevolent; the poverty of his patient was never allowed to stand in the way of his receiving thorough medical attendance. To all, he was courteous and affable, suffering much in the way of aggression, but never allowing himself to be drawn into passionate ebullitions of ill-temper. He was in every sense of the word, an entire Christian man. In him, the medical profession of Rensselaer county has lost one of its

brightest ornaments, the State street Methodist Church, with which he had been connected during his residence here a consistent member, a zealous working Christian, a kind and benevolent man, and the community at large a citizen in whom were united the most desirable attainments and the most brilliant and admiraable traits of mental and moral character."

AZARIAH B. SHIPMAN, M. D.'

Dr. Shipman was the son of Daniel Shipman, and one of five brothers, all of whom were physicians, viz: Parson G., long and favorably known as an accomplished and skillful practitioner in the city of Rochester, N. Y.; Azariah B., the subject of this memoir; John O., formerly of Fayetteville, N. Y., and afterwards of Syracuse, N. Y.; until suddenly removed by death, in the autumn of 1866; Daniel M, also a successful practitioner in Rochester; and Joseph A., who is now practising his profession in Illinois.— Dr. Shipman was born in Roxbury, Conn., March 22d, 1803. His father, Daniel Shipman, an early resident of Saybrook, Conn, was an intelligent farmer in moderate circumstances, a zealous old school Presbyterian, and distinguished for his industry and integrity. His mother was Sarah Eastman, a daughter of Dr. Azariah Eastman, of Roxbury, an eminent physician in his day, who bore the armor of his profession for nearly seventy years. The maiden name of the mother of Daniel Shipman was Temperance Franklin, a lineal descendent of the Franklins, and a relative of the illustrious statesman and philosopher.

Soon after Dr. Shipman's birth, his father removed, with his family, to Pitcher, Chenango County, N. Y. The county then was new; most of the inhabitants were poor; and few were the hands exempted from toil; for even the necessaries of life were obtainable only through persevering industry and economy. Mr. Shipman formed no exception to the rule-his limited means, and the increasing demands of a growing family, not only precluded extraordinary advantages, but required the assistance of the sons as soon as they were of sufficient age to render their services available. Azariah was employed on the farm in summer, and en

1 Condensed from a Biographical sketch by H. O. Jewett, M. D., of Cortland, N. Y.

joyed such educational advantages as were afforded by a district school during the winter months, until after the death of his father, which occurred in Nov., 1820. By this event, at the age of 17, he was cast upon his own resources for a livelihood.

Although without money or influential friends, he resolved upon attaining a profession, and accordingly we find him for a number of years, laboring in summer and teaching school in winter, meanwhile devoting himself to study whenever time could be spared from his other duties.

In 1822, he went to Delphi, N. Y., to study medicine with his eldest brother, Dr. Parson G. Shipman. Applying himself with earnestness and assiduity, he made rapid progress in his studies, and in the winter of 1825-6, attended a course of medical lectures at Castleton, Vt. In the autumn of 1826, he obtained, as was then customary, a license from the County Medical Society, and commenced practice at Delphi, In Jan. 1828, he married Emily Clark, daughter of Richard Taylor, Esq., a lady of refined taste and culture, to whom he remained ardently attached, and who now survives to mourn the loss of a kind, indulgent and devoted partner.

In Sept., 1829, he removed to Fayetteville, and entered at once upon a fair practice, with more than ordinary success. The summer of 1832, was a season memorable for the advent of the Asiatic Cholera in this country. Many cases occurred along the line of the Erie Canal in his vicinity, creating intense alarm among the population. Dr. Shipman attended most of the cases, became interested in, and made a special study of the disease, and treated his cases with good success.

In the winter of 1832-3, he attended the lectures of the "University of Pennsylvania," and the anatomical demonstrations at the "Jefferson Medical College," at Philadelphia. On his return from Philadelphia, in the spring of 1833, he located at Cortland, N. Y., where he encountered older physicians, who, with the usual tenacity, sharply contested the pretensions of the new comer. A few successful operations, however, such as had not before been performed in that section, brought his name before the public; and Dr. Shipman was soon recognized, not only as an accomplished physician, but as the surgeon of that vicinity, and a few years found him engaged in an extensive and lucrative practice.

In 1844, his reputation as a surgeon, and his frequent contributions to medical literature, having made him generally known to

the public, Dr. Shipman was, without solicitation on his part, appointed Professor of Anatomy in the medical department of the University of Laporte, Ind. With no time for preparation, he accepted the appointment, and entered at once upon its duties. In the following year he was elected to the chair of surgery, in the same institution-a position more in consonance with his taste, and which he continued to occupy for five consecutive seasons, laboring with all the energies of his active mind, and acquitting himself with much honor.

Seeking a wider field for the exercise of his special talent, he removed to Syracuse, N. Y., where he at once took a high rank amongst distinguished surgeons, and soon secured a large medical and surgical practice in the city, and in the surrounding towns.

Soon after the commencement of the late rebellion, Dr. Shipman entered the U. S. Service as assistant surgeon in the 17th Regt. N. Y. Vols. He was on duty a part of this time in the field, and a part of the time in hospital, at Upton's Hill, through the summer and autumn of 1861. In March, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Brigade Surgeon, and placed in charge of a large Hospital at Newport News. In the winter 1863, he resigned his commission, and returned to Syracuse, Soon afterwards, however, he was induced to accept the appointment of reserve surgeon, to be called upon in cases of emergency, and was almost immediately ordered back, to attend the wounded after the severe battles then being fought by the Army of the Potomac, where he remained until failing health compelled him again to resign and return home, nearly ruined in health, after his three years' service, and depressed in spirits, to terminate his career, just at that period which usually marks the full vigor of ripened manhood.

He resumed his practice, and though gradually declining, he did much professional labor, until the spring of 1868, when it was apparent to his friends, and probably to himself, that his constitution was broken, and the season of his usefulness passed. He, therefore sailed, with his wife, for Europe, March 21st, 1868; hoping that a change of climate, and relaxation of mind might improve his health and prolong his life. Proceeding first to Paris, he visited the principal cities of France, Austria and Italy during the spring and summer months. He spent several weeks at Rome and Naples, examining and admiring their antiquities and splendid works of art. Charmed with the scenery around him, and stimulated by a lively interest in everything he saw, he appeared for a