First Physicians

Canaan,

Columbia County,

New York

By Capt. Franklin Ellis³⁵¹

1878

     Among the first physicians in active practice was Dr. Isaac Averill, but nothing concerning his antecedents has been learned.  A Dr. Stewart, living at the Four Corners, was probably the next in point of settlement.  Drs. John Merriman, Thomas Seas, and David Leavenworth followed soon after, and were long known as eminent practitioners.  Dr. John Lusk engaged in the practice of medicine at Flat Brook at an early day, and yet resides there, although retired.  Contemporary with him was Dr. Lorenzo Gile, at Canaan Four Corners, also retired.  Dr. Joseph Bates, of Lebanon Springs, was many years a prominent physician in town, and Dr. M. L. Bates is at present an able practitioner at the Four Corners.

     Members of the legal fraternity have resided in the town.  Among the foremost was Judge Whiting.  Several natives of the town have attained prominent positions as attorneys and jurists in other localities, and a few are noted in the history of the bar in this work.