- SAMUEL S. JUDD, M.D., deceased, was a native of Connecticut,
born in Bethel, Fairfield
- County, March 1, 1829. The branch of the JUDD family to which
our subject belongs was descended from Thomas JUDD, who came
from England in 1634, and settled in Cambridge, Mass., where
for twenty-two years he held a seat in the Colonial Chamber of
Deputies.
- The father of our subject, Samuel JUDD, was a carpenter and
joiner by trade, but in middle life
- turned his attention to farming, at which he was quite successful.
He was a man of sterling worth and great amiability of character,
and gave all his children good educational advantages. He was
a member and active worker in the Protestant Episcopal Church,
and reared his family in that faith. He filled many offices of
local trust, and was highly esteemed a citizen. His wife, who
in her maidenhood was Anna BARNUM, was a native of Bridgeport,
Conn., and a cousin of the celebrated showman, P. T. BARNUM.
- The subject of our sketch attended the district school until
twelve years of age, when he was sent to
- an academy at Cold Springs, near West Point, N.Y., where
he remained two years, boarding with his maternal uncle, Starr
BARNUM. He later went to Bridgeport Conn., where he spent several
years as a student of an academy and collegiate institute, clerking
in the store of a cousin in the morning and evening to pay for
his board and lodging. On the 1st of September, 1846, he repaired
to Greenville, Pa., and entered the office of an elder brother,
Dr. F. H. JUDD, with whom he studied medicine, remaining with
him until the winter of 1848, when he attended a course of lectures
at the Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio. The following spring
he went to Wellsville, Va., where he engaged in teaching in order
to secure the means to enable him to continue his medical studies.
In October of the same year (1849) he entered the office of Dr.
William PAYNE, of Warren, Ohio, as a student, and soon after
became a partner of the doctor, with whom he continued until
August, 1852. He had now become proficient in medical studies,
and possessed superior acquirements as a physician. Returning
to West Greenville, Mercer Co., Pa., he formed a partnership
with his brother, Dr. F. H. JUDD. Though now well-versed in the
science of medicine, and already achieving a reputation as a
physician, he had not yet received the medical degree, which
with many is a matter of more importance than actual endowments.
He accordingly sold out his interest in Greenville, and removed
to Gustavus, Ohio, where he opened an office and again attended
lectures in Cincinnati, being graduated on the 7th day of February,
1857, ranking first in order of merit in a class of 130. He continued
his practice at Gustavus, and soon gained a leading rank in the
profession. At the beginning of the Civil War he was elected
and commissioned Surgeon of the 2d Ohio Cavalry, but was unable
to accompany the regiment to the field on account of his health,
which had broken down under the strain of professional work.
- Dr. JUDD was soon compelled to give attention to the restoration
of his health. Previous to that
- time he had visited Janesville, and was much impressed by
the beauty of its location, together with the salubrity of its
climate, and now resolved to make it his home. On the 1st of
September, 1864, he removed to this city, purchased a residence,
and opened an office in the spring of 1865. He entered at once
upon a lucrative practice, and became one of the foremost physicians
of this region. He took part in public affairs, being twice elected
Alderman of the 2d Ward, held the rank of Master Mason, and passed
all the chairs of Odd Fellowship. He was also a stockholder in
the Cotton Manufacturing Company, and in the Boot and Shoe Company
of Janesville. He was indefatigable in business, prospering in
whatever he undertook, and religiously, was a communicant of
the Protestant Episcopal Church.
- A biographical notice of Dr. JUDD, in the "Transactions
of the National Eclectic Medical
- Association," says of him: "Dr. JUDD was an organizer.
Such are wanted wherever an enterprise is undertaken. Being an
Eclectic from conviction, he engaged actively in the establishment
and maintenance of societies and institutions whose object it
was to promote the interest of that school. Until the day of
his death, he was a Trustee of the Bennett College of Eclectic
Medicine and Surgery of Chicago, and took a lively interest in
its prosperity. He was, however, diffident and unassuming, and
though repeatedly solicited to accept a professorship in a medical
institution, always declined. In 1877 he procured a charter for
the Wisconsin Eclectic Society, which was organized in June of
that year with five members. He was elected the first President,
and continued to occupy that place for four years. This society
has now become one of the most effective State medical organizations
in the Union. In 1880 Dr. JUDD attended the annual meeting of
the National Associate held in Chicago, and became a member of
that body, in the next year he was elected its Vice President,
in St. Louis, and no subsequent meeting of the association, until
the time of his death, did he fail to attend."
- The Doctor was quite an extensive traveler, and saw much
of the world. In 1877, accompanied by
- Judge H. S. CONGER, he made a trip to the West Indies and
to South America, and in February, 1877, with the desire of benefiting
his failing health by an ocean voyage and a change of climate,
crossed the Atlantic, accompanied by William HADDEN, of Janesville.
He visited England, Ireland, Scotland, and France, spending some
time in Paris, and returned home in April. In June of that year
the Wisconsin Eclectic Medical Society met at Waukesha, and its
leading members resolved to press the name of Dr. JUDD for the
Presidency of the National Association. The suggestion was cordially
received, and the Doctor was elected by a flattering majority.
His speech of acceptance was characteristically modest and effective,
and the cordiality extended to him he felt to be of itself no
common testimonial. He resolved he would reciprocate by earnest
labor for the prosperity of the National association. It had
been his ambition to serve acceptably in the ranks, and let others,
whom he deemed more deserving and capable, occupy the official
positions; but since had had been elevated to this position of
honor and trust, he determined that his utmost ability should
be given toward the advancement of the best interests of the
great body over which he had been called upon to preside. His
last official act was the approval of the Journal of the meeting.
He died at his home in Janesville on the 30th day of August,
1887, the immediate cause of his death being hemorrhage of the
stomach. On his decease a local paper paid him the following
tribute: "He was a man of refined manners and prepossessing
appearance. His social qualities were of the highest order. His
ready and entertaining conversational powers made him a welcome
guest. He possessed not only the happy faculty of making friends,
but the rarer one of retaining them. Generous and tolerant of
the view of others, he was positive and fixed in his own opinions.
Notwithstanding his flattering success and popularity, he was
modest and unassuming, acknowledging and appreciating the talents
of others. He was a keen observer of human nature, a close analyzer,
a logical and incisive reasoner, and in every sense a successful
and eminent physician."
- Dr. JUDD was twice married. On the 6th day of August, 1850,
he wedded Miss Juliet C.
- YOUNG, a daughter of Warren YOUNG, Esq., a prominent citizen
of Warren, Ohio. By this marriage three children were born, two
of whom survive - Dr. William Henry and Clara A., the latter
born in Gustavus, Trumbull Co., Ohio. His second marriage, which
was celebrated Feb. 1, 1870, was with Miss Helen M. DOLAND, of
Rushford, N.Y., a lady of superior accomplishments, and especially
noted as an artist. For several years she was the professor of
drawing and painting in an eastern academy, and her paintings
possess superior merit.
- Dr. William Henry JUDD, the only son of Dr. Samuel S. JUDD,
was born in Greenville, Pa., on
- the 29th day of November, 1853, and was about eleven years
of age when he came to this city with his father. He was educated
in the public schools of Janesville, and in 1879 he began the
study of medicine with his father, later being graduated from
the Bennett Medical College of Chicago, in March, 1883. During
the following April he became associated with his father in the
practice of medicine, that continuing until the time of the latter's
death, when he succeeded to the business of the firm. In 1877
he led to the marriage alter Miss Mary L. HANSFORD, a daughter
of James HANSFORD, of Carthage, Ill. She was born in that town,
July 4, 1858, and died July 26, 1883. Their only child, James
Starr, who was born May 5, 1879, died May 25, 1880. The Doctor
was the second time married, Jan.27, 1885, this union being with
Miss Belle C. HOLMES, a daughter of W. C. HOLMES, of Janesville,
in which city the lady was born May 13, 1862. She is a graduate
of the Janesville High School, and is a cultured and socially
popular lady. One child blesses their union, William Starr, born
July 12, 1887.
- Dr. JUDD owns and occupies the same offices as did he and
his father. This consists of a suite of
- rooms, well-arranged and conveniently adapted to the various
needs of the profession. These pleasant and neatly furnished
rooms contain many objects of interest, placed there by him who
has now passed away, and are treasured by his son as sacred to
the memory of his lamented father. The Doctor much resembles
his father, both in manner and personal appearance, and as a
physician takes high rank in his profession. He is energetic,
progressive, and every ready to give aid and influence to all
enterprises that tend to promote the best interests of Janesville.
In disposition, he is cordial and genial which renders him popular
with all. In politics, he is an ardent and consistent Republican,
and has influence in the local counsels of his party. Twice has
been elected Alderman of the 2d Ward, and is now (1888) serving
in that capacity. He is a member of the National Eclectic Medical
Association, and a prominent Odd Fellow, having passed through
all the chairs of that order, and is also a member of the Knights
of Pythias.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 315-317.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|