My Genealogy Hound

DR. HENRY T. DANA, a skilled and experienced physician and surgeon, residing in Cortland, N. Y., is a gentleman who has, in the quarter of a century spent in his chosen field, become closely identified with all the interests that cluster about this section. His work from its very nature has brought him into contact with the many phases of life which go to make up the community. He fully understands and appreciates the dignity and the responsibility of his calling, and in all the delicate matters brought to his attention has so well adhered to the ethics and the teachings of his craft, that he has attained a standing and reputation of the most enviable kind. He is the warm friend and trusted adviser of all his patients, and in his position has been able to do a world of good in many of the walks of life. His practice is general and more than merely local in its nature; his excellent character and splendid success have combined to give him great prestige, and yield him fair returns of a financial nature.

Dr. Dana was born in Fenner, Madison County, N. Y., in the year 1836, and was a son of Judge Sardis Dana, and a grandson of Asa Dana. His education had its inception in the common schools of his native section; after completing an academic course in Cazenovia Seminary, he became a private student under Dr. James H. Armsby, the distinguished Professor of Anatomy in the Albany Medical College. When his course of reading with his worthy preceptor was completed, our subject entered the Albany Medical College, and in 1863 was graduated with high honors from that institution. The same year he located at Tully, Onondaga County, N. Y., where he practiced medicine for the following six years. His health began to fail him at this period of his career, and he decided that a change of locality would be beneficial to him. Forthwith he took up his abode in Chicago, Ill., and there resided for three years. Yearning for the hills and valleys of his native state, he returned to the East in 1872, and located in Cortland, which since that date has been the scene of his busy and useful career.

Asa Dana, the grandfather of Dr. Dana, came from Holland, Mass., into Madison County in 1801. He reared a family of seven children, of whom one was Judge Sardis Dana, who was born in Holland, Mass. This son, brought into New York State at the age of four years, was trained in the home schools and at an early age took up the study of law. Success followed him in his legal work, and he became a very prominent man in his profession. His political views were of the Democratic stamp, and he wielded a wide and powerful influence in his party. In the estimate of his fellowmen he stood high, and by them was called to the judgeship of Madison County. He also represented his district in the State Legislature and occupied many other positions of trust. His legal business was of the more important kind, and pertained chiefly to the settling of estates, drawing of wills and other documents of a weighty nature. He was an exceedingly careful and just man, and his legal learning was profound and complete. Judge Dana was married to Miss Mary Faulkner, a native of Rhode Island; the Judge reached the age of sixty-nine, while his wife was taken at sixty-eight. Their children were: Lorenzo D.; Eliza; Julietta A. (Feron); Clinton; Edward B.; Andrew J.; Charles C.; and Henry T., our subject.

Dr. Dana united himself to Elizabeth Van Bergen of Tully, N. Y., and their wedded life has been blessed with two children, Anna M. and Charlotte. In social and civil life, Dr. Dana is as well known as in his professional career. He was in 1874 appointed U. S. Examining Surgeon for Pensioners, and held that office until 1897, with the exception of three years. He is on the staff of physicians of the Lehigh Valley R. R., is a member of the County and State Medical Societies, and is a fellow of the American Medical Association. In Masonic affairs, he is a member of the Cortlandville Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 470; Cortland Chapter, No. 194, R. A. M.; Cortland Commandery, No. 50, K. T.; and the Central City Consistory. He is also a Shriner, and has passed through all the chairs in the different grades of the Masonic Order.