The New York herald., 1870-09-07


was born in Baltimore, Nd, 1905, and was the great
nephew OF the famous Cunning Bedford. OF Della
ware, OF revolutionary distinction who was tho
Attorney General and member OF the Legislature o,
that State, one Of the trainers and signers OF the
constitution Of the United States and the intimate
friend Of George washington, by whom ne Was ap-
pointed chief Justice Of Deaware-a position whic
he held till the time OF his death in 1872.
DR.. Bedford graduated In 1925 at Mount st. Mary IS
College, Emmetsburg, No. with high honors, dis.
tingushng himself while at college for his oratorlcal
powers and beautiful dict!on. as well as achieving
an enviaole rank as lecturer and speaker. He was
also chosen by his classmates their valedictorian
commencement" He carried or the honors Of his
class In the "casslcs." which studies he kept up in
after life and for which no always entertained the
greatest fondness.
Among his fellow students ut ST. Mary's and
whose college acquaintance ripened into an ardent
and stanch friendship In after life, may be men.
toned the late Archbishop Hughes and Rev. Charlie
Archbishop Purcell Of Cincinnati, ana Colonel Dan
gerde.d, OF Baltimore. After graduating DR.. Bed
he left Batmcrs with letters Of ' introduction
10 Daniel Webster, intending TO study law with
however, TO Consult with Mr.. Webster on the sub
Ject, by mere chance he met an enthusiastic ac-
quaintance who had Just commenced the study of
medicine. This acquaintance on learning from DR..
Bedford that he was about to devote himself to the
study Of the law persuaded him before visiting Mr..
Webster to 70 with him and hear pr. John d. God
man lecture. Tbey went. The lecturers subject
was an interesting One-the "Circulati0n OF the
Blood" Dr.. Bedford was charmed and carried
away with tho el0quence OF Goldman and deter
mined ut once TO give up all idea OF law and to
mence the study OF medicine Immediately after
duced himself, actually showing his letters, which
| he was about to present 10 Mr.. Webster, frankly
acknowledged that the eloqucnce OF the lecture had
converted him, and decided that thenceforward he
would devote his time and energy to medicine. He
accordingly became the pupil OF Goldman. who In
turn became his preceptor and frlenu, and
did much to advance him In the profession.
This John d. Goldman, who 30 accidentally changed
the career ana life OF Cunning 3. Bedford, the ven-
cradle Dr. Valentine Mott once had occasion TO
speak OF In the following manner-"In the perfec-
ton Of his anatomical knowledge, IN eloquence and
efficiency as q lecturer, DR.. Goldman was not sur.
passed In this and perhaps not In any other coun-
Try. He was one or the meteors whose brightness
daZzles for the moment ere It fades and leaves the
darkness moro visible than before. THIS country,
III my opinion, has produced few abler men In the
profession than the late John ID. Godmann
Dr.. Bedford graduated at Rutgers Medical Col
legc, in his twenty-third year. Shortly alter IN
re nrope o here M On aa vsi
the hospitals and devoting himself day and nigh, to
his profession Shortly alter his return 10 America
twenty six years old the Charleston Medical Col
lege, $. c., and subsequently ne was appointed Pro-
lessor at the Medical College in Albany. Remaining
there but short time ne determined to visit New
YORK city and make that place the field for his future
exertloDs. and at once commanded most lucrative
Dr. Bedford was the first to start the idea of found
ing the University Medical College. He was aided
in his undertaking by one Of his former preceptors
afterward his colleague Valentine Mott. The faculty
consisted Of Patterson PANE Draper. Reyen, Mott
and Bedford, and was an immense success.
Dr. Bedford was Professor OF ODsiel lslcs, Which
OMAR he held with great distinction TIL 1862, when lie
was compelled, on account Of III health, TO resign.
lie was tie first professor who ever held In the
United States on "0bstetrical" cnique HIS
deavo-s towards accomplishing this were met with
much opposition; but he finally triumphed, and the
clinques. were held every Monday as a matter Of
charity to those who were too poor to employ ply
scians. These clinlques were carried on Tor num-
ber OF years, and 1t Is estimated that annually coo
poor patients gratuitously received medical treat
ment at the hands OF Professor Bedford.
His works. which are among the most popular Of
the day, lre "Dseases OF Women and Chlldrenr aud
tie principles and Practice Of Ohstetrlcs.n The
latter through five editions. They have Decn trans
lated In the French and German languages and
the United States and Europe Upon the decease of
John w. Francis, NJ d., and also or DR.. Valentine
Mott Professor Bedford was selected by the New
York County Medical Society to deliver euIogies
upon them. lie did so and the beautiful and touch
irg tributes he PAID TO them may be found on lle
He had great faith In the catholic religion. In 1865
on the evening OF the Tth November Mr. Charles
O'Conor gave magnificent banquet at DelmonicO's
10 Archbishop McCloskey, congratnlating MIN upon
his appointment as Archbishop OF this city. Dr.
Bedford was called upon, and In making speech,
thus alluded 20 the Church:-"IhlS ~ U 1T OCCASION
surrounded as l am by some OF the most distin-
guished Catholics OF this and other countries, TO
Church, which has successfully resisted the storm
Of Misrepresentation and survived the gales OF reli
gi0us Intolerance. The standpoint of this ancient
Church-tORa tides Gttare communists, indeed,
characteristic, and 1t is this very standpoint which
has given such q charm to her cOnsis
tency and impaired to her such cohesive
and irresistible power. Erase from the his.
tory OF civilization the truthful and philo.
sophie chapters embracing the annals OF the Catho-
lie Church. and you Will have but the preface Of the
book without lis contenIs-the casket without
the gem. The history Of the Catholic Church
is to the history of the world what the g0r
geous sunset, at the approach OF the shades OF
1t ilumines, beauties, yltalizes. And here
may DE permitted to say that the records OF this
Church LII America Will prove rich and fruitful
theme for the future historian. Those records will
embrace many illustrious names forming galaxy
at once brilliant and attractive. Among these may
be mentioned Archbishop Carroll Charles Carol, or
fancy, Chief Justice Of the United States. The lat
ter has recently been taken from us; he died at a
ripe old age, and when lnexorable Death
great and good man passed serenely m from earth
amid the consolation OF that religion which had
through long and exemplary life SO practically AMI
ardently prOfessed and maintained. Peace to his
names and honor 70 bis memory"
DR.. Bedford was u devoted husband, kind and
indulgent fatner who took great pride in giving his
sons every advantage and opportunity OF acquiring
knowledge, being believer to the fullest extent
that knowledge is power" He leaves widow and
three sOns-two OF whom nave adopted the same pro-
fessiOn as their father The third, and the one
named after deceased, Cunning =. Bedford, Jr
chose the law his profession, thus treading the
path which had originally been marked out for his
father and Is at present the City Judge OF this city,
The deceased physician is mourned by a large Cir
Gle OF friends and thousands among the poor, who
were and ever will remain his grateful patients. No
ierings of the poorer classes without receiving COM
pensatlOn; his nand and heart were ever ready and
always at their service.