Nebraska State Historical Society
Date of this Version
1885
Abstract
The biographies of these two old and prominent citizens were written by Mr. G. M. Hitchcock, grandson of Dr. Monell, and son of Mr. Hitchcock.
DR. GILBERT C. MONELL was born Oct. 20th, 1816, in Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., and was his parents' second son. As his father could afford to do so in but one case, the elder brother was alone accorded a college education, and the subject of this sketch was thrown upon his own resources at an early age with a fair common school education. He, however, at once made the resolve to acquire himself what his parents were unable to give him. He took a salaried position in a country store, and began at the same time earnestly to prosecute the studies preparatory for a college course. He was enabled by strict economy and by a gift from his father, to raise a sufficient amount for a three years' course, and by self education while at work in the store, he fitted himself to enter Union College in the Sophomore year, abreast fully with those of his own age. He graduated at the age of nineteen years, and soon thereafter married Miss Lucinda Carpenter, in 1836, and then for a short time he continued his mercantile occupation, but only for the purpose of supporting himself while he studied medicine in New York city. Completing his course there, he, with his wife and little son returned to Orange county, N. Y., and located in Newburg. Here a large practice soon rewarded his early privations, and in the specialty he made of the diseases of women his success was so great as to bring patients from New York city and New England.
Comments
Published in Transactions and Reports of the Nebraska State Historical Society, Volume I (Lincoln, NE, 1885).