Connecticut western news., 1884-02-13
A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE.
Elisha Whittlesey Cleaveland, late

near the spot where he departed thii
 life. He began the study of medicine
 in the office of Dr Kellogg of Sheffield
 and was graduated at the medical col
 lege of Pittsfsld, Mass, when about 21
 years of age. After his graduation he
 was assistant physician in the office oi
 Dr Turner of Salisbury.
 He removed to New York city to
 begin the practice of medicine by him.
 self He opened one drug store and
 then another, experimenting the two
 for several years. He employed in each
 a capable foreman and one or more
 clerks. Meanwhile he practiced, keep
 ing careful record of his calls, but
 never sent out & bill for collection.
 Office advice he never made any record
 of, nor would he accept any fee for it.
 His health failing somewhat, he sold out his drug stores, gave up his large city practice and removed to his native town, on a rugged farm adjoining that of his father at Lakeville.
 He was married in New York at the age of 51 to a lady quite unceremonious ly, but whom he had known for seven years. There were born to him and his good wife elght children, in New York and four at Lakeville. His own was the first death in the family.
 He was frcm boyhood an original character. He was gentle, but observing and thoughtful. He was a great ad- mirer of nature and of the curious in art and nature. The last evening that he was able to walk, he on returning from out of doors summoned so many of his family as were home to come out and look at the stars. It was not an infre- quent remark of his, "I can't see my stars very well this evening. Clouds hide them"
 His language was simple, but his expressions were for the most part unique. While he never laughed, one could not converse with him without smiling or laughing at his witty sayings. As a physician he studied men more than medical books. It was common for him to advise one and another to have the least possible to do with phy- sidians. And still he would never doc tor himself nor any member of his fami- ly. He always had his family physician. He held salt and water in high esteem as a medicine and wash ]; for over 50 years he daily washed his head (close shaved) his face and hands in salt and water. He never used soap to wash his person. His clothing in color and fashion was quakerish; black garment he would not wear. He never wore & cravat or so-called necktie he would not black his boots, but did keep them oiled. He would ''broom" his clothes, but not brush them.
 Before he ever saw men wear shawls, he wore yard or two of woolen cloth about his neck and shoulders for the of the thing, regarding it preferable to an overcoat. When asked why he did not wear an overcoat, he uniformly replied that he preferred to wear his overcoat under. He invariably, lore than half the year, wore chamois wrapper and drawers, our cloth under wear. .~s -z -.s s,ss4
 He was more than an average reader and was endowed with most retentf7e memory. He was pleased with hard reading leisurely and thought fully. He was fond of fronting and of bathing in fresh and salt water Swim ming was diversion and constitutional with him all his life.
 For over 40 years he was an active Mason. His religious views were avow- edIy those of the Quakers, though it is not known that he ever worshipped with them. His religion was thorough going honesty. He preferred to lose dues rather than go for men as-if they would cheat if they could.
 On coming into the country he said he came there to withdraw from prac- tice. When persons came for him he would sometimes respond to their calls, but in no instance would he accept for his services.
 For years he on retiring made it his care to place his shoes and every gar ment put off by him in such way that he could rise and put his hand on every article in the dark. In old age he used to say, :" I wish to leave my garments thus for use in case live to need them; but if I should not live, they might as we'll be left thus as otherwise.
 Standing by his bedside one night he fell to the floor, dislocat- ing his hip joint and fracturing its sock ct. Unable to move or be moved, he after few days peacefully died, 86 years old, greatly respected and beloved by all knowing him. One of his admirers and true friends to the last was the ven- erable and renowned ex-President Hop- kins of Williams college. Dr Cleaveland left to his family a mortgaged farm and uncollected bills to the amount of thou sands of dollars nor did he ever con- plain that money due him was not paid.
 One of his peculiarities was never to drink hot drinks. He was fond of coffee, but it must be simply warm; tea he made no use of A common remark of his was that he late to live" He never found the least fault with his food he ate most anything thankfully and sparipgly and had no craving for dainties. He made no use of intoxicants