The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-11-16
A Biographical Sketch OF the late
DR.. Hiram Y. stevens.

THE SocIETY:--Agreeably to your in
structions at the annual meeting OF
this Society, holden at Sheldon in MAY
last, | have imperfectly prepared q
tribute of respect and affection to one
whose memory is as fresh in our minds
as though he had left us but Yesterday,
one with whom all of us were more OF
less acquainted, whose profession was
similar to our own, and one with whom
some of us were bound by close ties OF
intimate friendship.
Doctor Hiram Fairchild Stevens
was born in St Alhnns, We, Aug. od,
1925. He was the first son and sec
ond child Of David and Rachel Fair
child Stevens. Early in life he exhib-
tied taste for learning, and at the
age of fifteen had completed the neces-
sary studies preparatory to entering
upon collegiate course. At this pc
ROD he lost by death his father, whose
watchful care had ever been over him,
and guided his youthful steps.
At the request Of his dying parent,
and advice Of friends, in whom his
father had confidence, he became a
private pupil of the Rev. Worthington
Smith, ID. d., then pastor Of the Con
F al Ill, -. i
afterwards President of L. V. NJ He
continued his studies with him until
August 1912, when he entered and be
came member of the Sophomore class
III the University of Vermont. His
health was SO precauous that he was
frequently interrupted in his studies,
and at the commencement of his senior
year he was obliged TO abandon his
collegiate course am told this was
source Of great disappointment to
linn Returning home to St. Adams
he spent most Of his time, although
an invalid, Ia carrying on and closing
up his fathers business, chat Of tam
ner and currier In SO doing am
informed he gained reputation for
business talent far beyond his years.
la 1919 he entered the Office of Dr.
John L. Chandler OF St Adams, and
commenced the study of Medicine II
Al ~. Ia.
pursued bis studies, attending lectures
at Plttsheld, Mass, Woods ock, Yer
mont, and at the College Of Physicians
and Surgeons in New York City, where
ho took the degree Of Doctor Of Med
icine in March 1850 During his pu-
pilage he gained SO much of the es-
TEEN and confidence Of his preceptor,
that immediately after graduating, he
became associated with him in the
practice OF Medicine at St Adams.
have heard DR.. Chandler remark
that at that tine, for one So young
in experience, he was a remarkably
close thinker, and thorough inyestl
gator Of disease,
But his health failing him again, he
was obliged to relinquish his partner
ship, and the practice of medicine. -
During the Winter and Spring OF 1852
he was most of the time confined TO
his room with an affection of the lungs,
pronounced by competent judges to be
tubercular deposit. In the Fall of the
same year he went South, spending
the winter in Florida. He came home
the following summer, much improved
IN health, but fearing recurrence OF
his disease, he returned to the South,
aud spent the winter OF 1853 and "a
IN Charleston, 5. c. Returning home
the following season, his health was
so far improved that he commenced
again the practice of medicine IN his
native town, and continued 1t, with
now-and-then an interrup ION, with
remarkable success until the time of
his death, which occurred from typhoid
fever, the 18th of January, 1866.
In the Spring of 1865 lie formed a
copartnership with Dir. s 5. Clark, OF
Alburgh, VT, with whom he was asso-
ciated ut the time OF his death. In
1856 the honorary degree of Master
of Arts was conferred upon him by
the University of Vermont.
For the medical profession he al
WAYS manifested the llveliest interest
In 1864 he was chosen President Of
the Franklin County Medical Society
In October 1857 he was President OF
the Vermont Medical Society, before
which he delivered the annual address
IN Oct. 1858, giving valuable sketch
of the history, of the origin and prog
ress of Medical Societies III Vermont
In January, 1862, he read, by request
before the Vermont Historical Society,
biographical sketch OF his kinsman'
,ha Han David Olmsted, which was