| Notes |
- "Dr. Nathan Remington Tefft was born in Greenwich, Washington County, N.Y. December 25, 1808, his ancestors coming from Rhode Island to this State in 1766. He was reared by his maternal grandfather, who gave him an excellent common school education, which enabled him to early engage in teaching and thus obtain the means to defray the expenses of a course of study at Lansingburg Academy, then in charge of the late Alexander McCall, of Troy, who ranked among the most popular educator of that period. In the fall of 1827 he came to Marcellus, Onondaga County, and entered upon the study of medicine in the office of his brother, the late Dr. Lake I. Tefft, with whom he remained until the spring of 1831, excepting two winters in teaching school in the town of Skaneateles and a few months as a student under Drs. Hopkins and Porter, of that village. Removing to Onondaga Hill in 1831 he continued his medical studies with the late Dr. Samuel Healy, and in the winter of 1822-33 attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city. In the spring of 1833 he obtained from the New York State Medical Society a diploma to practice medicine and surgery, and returning to Onondaga Hill he formed a copartnership with his old preceptor, Dr. Healy, which continued for two years, when, owing to ill-health and advanced age, the latter retired, leaving Dr. Tefft his extensive patronage. Dr. Tefft resided there and successfully prosecuted a wide professional business until shortly before his death, which occurred November 19, 1890.
"He was long one of the best known physicians in Onondaga county, and in hundreds of homes his cheerful presence, kindly manner, and words of encouragement were welcomed and revered. His practice covered a wide territory, extending even into the adjoining towns of Geddes, Camillus, Marcellus, Otisco, and La Fayette, and wherever he went his strong personality and personal influence were potential factors. Though unassuming and characteristically modest, he was endowed with rare tact and perseverance, and invariably succeeded in whatever he attempted. He was public spirited, enterprising, and progressive, and took a deep and often an active interest in all that concerned the general welfare. For fifty years he was the efficient physician and surgeon to the Onondaga County Poorhouse and Asylum for the Insane. In 1862 he was commissioned surgeon of the 122d Regt. N. Y. Vols., and remained in active service in the war of the Rebellion for two years, when ill-health forced him to resign. He brought from the war physical ailments from which he never recovered, and which year by year exhausted his naturally strong constitution and ultimately impaired his system. He continued, however, in the practice of his profession with the same success that marked his earlier years, and also identified himself with the affairs of the community. In 1869 he was elected to the State Legislature from the Second Assembly district of Onondaga and at the expiration of his term declined a renomination, which was unanimously tendered to him.
"Dr. Tefft joined the Onondaga County Medical Society on June 11, 1833, and served as its secretary from June, 1838, to June, 1847. At the annual meeting in 1882 the society unanimously adopted the following resolution:
" 'Resolved, In view of the estimable character of our worthy member, Dr. N. R. Tefft, and his having reached the fiftieth anniversary of his membership in this society, we hereby tender to him as a mark of our respect and high regard a public reception and dinner at such time and place as shall best suit his convenience.'
"Dr. Tefft was never able, owing to impaired health, to make that appointment. He was held in high esteem, not only by his professional brethren, but by the public at large, and especially by those with whom he came in contact. He led a very useful life both as a physician and as a member of society, and was much sought after as an executor for the settlement of estates. He was a close student and an indefatigable practitioner, a man of good ability and of excellent judgment, a courteous gentleman, a skillful surgeon, a safe physician, and an honest citizen. His integrity was never questioned. He rode in the saddle as long as he practiced medicine, and that as long as he was able to travel. He was also a member of the New York State Medical Society.
"In 1834 Dr. Tefft was married to Miss Emily Strong, daughter of the late Hezekiah Strong, of Onondaga Hill, who died in March, 1890. Their life was a peculiarly happy one. She was long an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, with which he united a few years before his death, but which he always liberally supported. Three children survive them: Ellen and Emma, of Fayetteville, N.Y., and Edward S., assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Syracuse."
Source: Bruce, Dwight H. (Ed.), Onondaga's Centennial. Boston History Co., 1896, Vol. II, Biographical, pp. 97-99.
For Onondaga Co. genealogy and history, see:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyononda/INDEX.HTM
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In the 1850 Federal Census, Nathan R. Tefft is living at Onondaga, Onondaga Co., NY. He is a physician, age 41. His wife Emily H. is 34. Daughter Emma is age 4. I don't know where daughter Ellen is at this time. In 1870 the family is still living there, with three children in the household: Ellen, Emma, & Edmund. Nathan is age 61. In 1880 he is age 71, living at Onondaga Hill; Emily is 64.
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1808 - 1890 (81 years)
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