John Derby Smith
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Nathan Smith (father)
John Derby Smith | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Smith in a 1914 publication | |
| Member of the Massachusetts Legislature | |
| In office 1854–1854 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 9, 1812 Hanover, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | April 26, 1884 (aged 72) Scotland, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Spouses | Sarah Bacon
(m. 1837; died 1848)Mary M. Dole
(m. 1849; died 1854)Susan A. Anthony
(m. 1855; died 1883) |
| Parent |
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| Education | |
| Occupation |
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John Derby Smith (April 9, 1812 – April 26, 1884) was an American minister, physician, and Massachusetts state legislator.
John Derby Smith was born on April 9, 1812, in Hanover, New Hampshire, as the youngest son of Nathan Smith. His father became the head of the Yale School of Medicine in 1813.[1]
Smith graduated from Yale College in 1832.[1] In 1833, he entered Yale Divinity School and he attended the school for two years. He then attended the Andover Theological Seminary for two years. He became licensed to preach in 1837.[1]
Career
Smith was acting pastor in Athol, Massachusetts. He was ordained pastor of the 2nd Congregational Church in Charlemont, Massachusetts, on November 20, 1839. He continued there until August 11, 1844.[1] Following poor health, he studied medicine and graduated from Baltimore Medical College in 1846 with a Doctor of Medicine.[1][2] He continued as pastor in Charlemont from June 1848 to May 1852.[1]
Smith served in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1854. He was a pastor in Berkley, Massachusetts, from 1854 to 1858. He was pastor in Douglas, Massachusetts, from 1860 to 1863.[1]
In 1863, Smith joined the Union Army as a contract surgeon. After the Civil War, he was a clerk in the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C.[1][2] In July 1867, he was appointed as acting assistant surgeon in the United States Navy. He worked for four years at the Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Due to poor health, he returned home and was placed on the retired list.[1][2]
