Biographical Sketch

Dr. Samuel Shumway

In the Northern Lancet of April, 1850, published by Dr. Horace Nelson, appears the above portrait of Dr. Shumway, of Essex, Essex county, together with an interesting sketch of his life.

Dr. Shumway was one of the noted physicians in the Champlain Valley in his day. He commenced practicing in Essex about 1820, and was practicing there in 1850, when Dr. Nelson wrote his very eulogistic article for the Lancet.

An incident occurred in 1842, that brought Dr. Shumway prominently before the people of this region. He was induced to accept the nomination of Member of Assembly from the new and aggressive Whig party, and was elected by a large majority. He was urged to take a re-nomination in 1843, but declined on account of professional duties.

He was one of the wide-awake, aggressive, public-spirited men of the times.

Dr. Horace Nelson, Dr. Shumway's biographer, was an eminent surgeon. His Northern Lancet had a wide reputation.

Source:

Plattsburgh Sentinel Annual for the Year 1893, W. Lansing & Son, Plattsburgh, New York, 1893; transcribed 9 August 2002 by Emily C. Ford.

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