Henry Putnam Stearns, M.D., Hartford.. GURDON W. RUSSELL, M.D., Hartford. Dr. Henry P. Stearns came from an old colonial family in Massachusetts, which had, in its subsequent generations, a strain of the Israel Putnam blood. Our friend, with pardonable satisfaction, occasionally made reference to this, in a laughing way, as perhaps responsible for some of his opinions and actions in his professional life. It doubtless did give him a quickness of perception and an energy in action which made him ready at all times and on all occasions. For most of the mere statistical matter which follows, I am indebted to articles which appeared in several of the daily papers of the city. Dr. Stearns was born at Sutton, Mass., April 18, 1828, and was the son of Asa and Polly (Putnam) Stearns. His early education was at the ordinary country schools of his native town, and at the Academy at Munson. He entered Yale College and was graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1853. Having decided upon his future work in life, he attended lectures in the medical department of the Harvard University, and in the medical department of Yale College, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1855. He passed a part of the next two years in Scotland and in Paris attending the lectures of some of its best teachers, and was house surgeon of the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh. He married Miss Annie Elizabeth Storrier of Dumfries, Scotland, in 1857, and returned to his home with a charming and sympathetic wife, and an improved education. He commenced his practice in the small town of Marlborough, Middlesex County, where he remained about two years. He doubtless learned something in that budding and enthusiastic time of life, for most young men do, who are planning and striving to make a place for themselves. In bringing him in direct contact with his patients in their homes, he learned something about the necessary behavior in private practice, that sweetness of temper, sympathy, and desire to please, which is not always found in a public institution. It is a field which must be found and understood, and is a material help to the success of anyone. But it was too narrow for a man of his ambition, and so he came to Hartford in 1859 and offered his services to the public. The early years of a young physician are hard enough in any case, and he who expects to be successful in any business will find that much depends upon his own exertions. While Dr. Stearns' acquaintance with people in Hartford was not very extensive, he had a few who had known him in previous years, and were well disposed to help him. With industry and confidence in himself he was gaining a fair standing in the city, and especially with his professional brethren. There was a wider opportunity opening, which he quickly embraced at the beginning of the Civil War, and when the call was made for troops he offered his services to Governor Buckingham, and was appointed surgeon to the 1st Regiment Connecticut Volunteers. He first saw actual service at Bull Run, that discouraging location to half-hearted sympathizers, but not to men who had counted the cost. When the term of enlistment had expired and the regiment returned, and other forces were being called for, Dr. Stearns again volunteered, remaining in the city, hoping for appointment. There were hindrances and delays somewhere, which prevented the quick execution of business. The art of fighting is born in our human nature and is easily learned, but the art of war comes from experience, and is bought at a terrible cost. He was anxious and impatient at the delay, and going to Washington, passed the examination board with credit, and turned his face to the West, being appointed Brigade Surgeon of Volunteers, under General Fremont. It was in that region of country that he was actively engaged for the succeeding four years. I copy from a published record: "He was brigade surgeon under General Fremont. He was later ordered to report to General Grant, after the latter's first battle at Belmont, and was a member of his staff during the winter of 1861-2, and until the army was reorganized for the campaign up the Tennessee River. |