Alvin Elizur Barber, M.D. WILLIAM H. DONALDSON, M.D. In the passing away of Dr. Barber the Connecticut Medical Society parts with its oldest member; oldest in age, years of practice and of membership in this Society. He was admitted to membership in 1872. His face was familiar to all of the past, as well as the present, generations gathered in our State and County meetings. He served as Vice-President of the State Society in 1912; also as President of the County Society at an earlier date. After a practice of over sixty years, fifty of which was in this state, he retired from active work at the urgent request of his family. Alvin Elizur Barber was born in Torrington on the 7th day of April, 1831. He passed away from us without warning at noon on the 2d day of March, 1922, after a few years of enforced quietness from a weak heart incident to age. After a short period of teaching in the public schools of Winsted he entered Berkshire Medical College at Pittsfield, Mass., graduating with the class of 1854, of which he was the sole survivor for several years. He later took a short course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Beginning his practice in Riverton he shortly removed to Northport, L. I., where he remained for eleven years. After a few years in Bridgeport and Torrington he located in Bethel in 1871 where he established his home in the house in which he passed the rest of his life. In Harwinton he found his life-mate,—Julia A. Birge-to whom he was wedded soon after graduation in 1854. His happy choice was proven by their long years of life together. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1904 surrounded by the members of their family. The union was blessed with two daughters, Miss Lisbeth Barber and Mrs. Theodore H. Smith, who with two grandchildren, were left to minister to them to the end. Mrs. Barber preceded the Doctor in death by less than two years. Their companionship was ideal. Soon after settling in Bethel both united with the Congregational Church in which they were ever active and faithful workers. Dr. Barber ever exemplified his Christian faith in the practice of his profession, living and preaching as he professed, ever ready with a word of cheer and uplift for his patients and friends. He took little interest in fraternal organizations. Upon the adoption of the present Health Officers law he was appointed Town Health Officer for Bethel and continued in office for nearly twenty-five years. He was faithful, fearless and interested in the discharge of the duties of this office as in those of his practice. Although he had been unable to meet with us in gatherings of late years he frequently expressed his regret at being unable to do so, and showed great interest in the reports of our proceedings. The memory of his long association with us will fade slowly. |