DELAMATER,
John, physician, born in Chatham, New York, 18 April 1787" died in Cleveland,
Ohio, 28 March 1867. His family (the De la Moitres) was of French origin, his
ancestors being Huguenot exiles, who found refuge in Holland. His father removed
to Duanesburg, New York, then in Albany County, where he received a good
education for those days, and at the age of nineteen was licensed to practice
medicine. He entered into partnership with his uncle, Dr. Dorr, of Chatham, but
in 1815 established himself in Sheffield, Massachusetts, and during a residence
of eight years in that place his professional ability began to be recognized. In
1823 he was invited to a professorship in the Berkshire medical institute,
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and when, in 1827, the regents of the state of New
York at Fairfield, Herkimer County, opened a new medical school Dr. Delamater
was assigned to a leading place in its faculty. After residing there eight years
he removed to Willoughby, Ohio, having previously visited Cincinnati, where he
delivered a course of lectures. Having labored in the Medical institute at
Willoughby about six years, he removed in 1842 to Cleveland, where he spent the
remainder of his life.
He took part in the establishment of the Cleveland
medical college, lectured at Bowdoin, Dartmouth, Geneva, and other Colleges
throughout the country, and at his death left the manuscript notes of over
seventy different courses on almost every branch of medical science. He was all
incessant student, gifted with a clear mind, a never failing memory, and a
remarkable command of language, and it is doubtful whether, as a College
lecturer, he has ever been surpassed in this country. As a consulting physician,
his opinions took high rank. In 1860 he resigned his work in connection with the
College, and was made professor emeritus, at the same time receiving the degree
of LL. D. He subsequently delivered fifty lectures, taking the place of a number
of the faculty called away on duties arising from the civil war, which was his
last appearance in public.
Edited
Appletons Encyclopedia, Copyright © 2001 VirtualologyTM
