Luther Augustus Davison, M.D., Hartford. JOHN HOWARD, M.D., HARTFORD. Dr. Luther Augustus Davison, son of John and Rosella (Richards) Davison, was born in Norwich, Conn., October 16, 1847, and it was in that city he spent his youth and obtained his preliminary education. In his early life, he showed marked mechanical ability, working in Meriden, and later with the Pratt & Whitney Company, in Hartford. Dr. Davison graduated in medicine in the spring of 1882 from the University Medical College of New York. The doctor was a 32d degree Mason, belonging to Hartford Lodge, No. 88, A. F. and A. M., and to Washington Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar, also to Sphinx Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He was an active member of the Putnam Phalanx, a member of the Hartford City Medical Society, the County Medical Society and also the State Medical Society. Possessing a firm belief in the efficacy of medicine in the treatment of disease, a more than ordinary enthusiasm in his work, a pleasing personality, and no little personal magnetism, he succeeded in building up a lucrative practice, which he retained up to the day of his death. In the fall of 1909 he had an attack of pneumonia, from which he never fully recovered. On the thirty-first day of October of the same year, while returning from a professional visit, he was stricken on the street with apoplexy, and died at the Hartford Hospital soon after his arrival. Dr. Davison was twice married, being survived by his second wife, a sister and two brothers. Robert Eleazer Ensign, M.D., Berlin. THEODORE G. WRIGHT, M.D., NEW BRITAIN. Dr. Robert Eleazer Ensign was born in Hartland, Conn., February 25, 1834. He died at his home in Berlin, Conn., March 29, 1909, aged seventy-five years. His father was Eleazer Ensign, a shoemaker and tanner. His mother was Harriet Bosworth. Dr. Ensign was their only child living to adult age. Dr. Ensign attended a short course at Harvard before attending medical college. His preliminary education was in public schools in Hartford and New Britain, and he was a school teacher. His early life was spent in Hartland. He was graduated from the Albany Medical College in the class of 1857. His first medical practice was in Poquonock, then in Harwinton and subsequently at Poquonock again. Later he practiced about a year in Westfield, Mass., and came to Berlin twentyfive years ago. He was assistant surgeon in the Civil War in the 6th Connecticut Regiment; was medical examiner and health officer about twenty years; was a member of the Grand Army. He was a communicant in the Episcopal church in New Britain. In 1859 he married Emma Hatheway of Poquonock and had five children: Robert, now living in Winsted, Conn.; Harriet, who died two years ago; Alice and Mary, who died at the age of five or six years; and Thomas, now living in Berlin. Dr. Ensign was a Mason, and was surgeon of the Grand Army Post. When Dr. Ensign was practicing in Harwinton I was located in Plymouth and we met regularly at the meetings of the Litchfield County Medical Association, and after leaving Litchfield County soon became members of the Hartford County Society. Dr. Ensign's birthday antedated mine just one week. For nearly forty years we have met frequently and our spirits have been congenial. The doctor's death came suddenly and unexpectedly. He had been failing very gradually and died from exhaustion. He was with members of his family sitting by a table in the evening, and after examining the day's mail, pointed to a part of it and said: "You can put that in the stove in the morning." Soon after that remark he sank down in his chair and was lifeless. His remains were taken to Poquonock for burial. Like the majority of his brethren who practice their profession in rural vicinities, he invested his securities in the place "where moth and rust doth not corrupt and where thieves do not break through and steal," following the injunction of his Lord and Master, who directed his disciples to not lay up for themselves treasures on the earth. He did not despise the day of small things and was very considerate of the necessities of his patrons, being very kind to the poor and needy and finding it more blessed to give than to receive. Consequently his bank account was not enormous. Evidently he agreed with Andrew Carnegie that it was a sin for a man to die rich. To his surviving brethren he might say: "Go thou and do likewise." |