Franklin District Medical Society
Amos Taylor.—Among the eminent medical men who have adorned and honored the profession in the Connecticut Valley was Dr. Amos Taylor, who was born in the town of Chester, Hampden Co., Mass., Oct. 21, 1785. He studied medicine and surgery with Dr. Elihu Dwight, of South Hadley, and attended the medical department of Yale College in 1818 and 1814. He married, in 1815, Polly Day, of South Hadley, and soon after settled in the town of Northfield, Franklin Co., where he practiced about one year, when he removed to Warwick, in the same county, where he soon established a reputation and an, extensive and successful, though not very remunerative, practice.
In 1820 he was commissioned surgeon of the 3d Infantry Regiment, in the 2d Brigade and 4th Division of Massachusetts Militia, which position he held with distinguished ability until 1830, when, at his own request, he was honorably discharged from military service. He was for many years a reputable and active member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and held the civil office of town clerk in Warwick for a long period. He was also a prominent member of the school committee, and always took an active part in the interests of education.
His standing among his professional brethren was excellent, and among all classes he maintained the reputation of a thorough and able physician, and an upright and valuable citizen.
Dr. John Long came from Worcester County to Shelburne Centre about 1776. He had served as a surgeon in the American army for a short time previous to his settlement in Western Massachusetts. He practiced his profession from that time until his death, which occurred about 1807, and bore a good reputation, both as a physician and citizen.
Dr. Silas Long, son of the foregoing, studied with his father, and practiced at the centre for a number of years. He also practiced for a considerable time in Greenfield. His whole term of practice in Franklin County probably extended over a period of forty years. About 1840 he removed to Illinois, where he recently died at the advanced age of about ninety years.
Dr. Robert Burns Severance was a student with Dr. John Long, whose daughter he married; and he also practiced at Shelburne Centre for a considerable time. He died about the year 1831.
Dr. Ebenezer Childs was another resident physician at the centre, in Shelburne, where he practiced for a number of years previous to his death, which occurred about 1813.
Dr. Ebenezer Childs, Jr., son of the last mentioned, studied with his father, and practiced in Shelburne from about 1813 to 1834. He subsequently removed to Western New York, where he resided for several years, when he went to North Carolina and lived with a son until his death, a number of years ago.
Dr. George Bull was born at the centre, in Shelburne, about 1796. He was educated at Williams College, studied medicine with Dr. Robert B. Severance, and practiced for many years at the centre, and a number of years at Shelburne Falls. He is now (April, 1879) living in the eastern part of Shelburne, at the age of eighty-three years.
For notice of Dr. Charles M. Duncan, see biography in another connection.
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