My Genealogy Hound

WILLITT M. STACEY, M. D. Probably no physician in the town of Tyre, Seneca County, is more thoroughly equipped for his profession than is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, for his studies have been widely extended, and prosecuted under exceptional advantages. He asks no odds of ancestors, rank or position to lend color to his ability in his chosen profession.

Our subject is a native of this state, having been born at Skaneateles, Onondaga County, September 18, 1860. His parents were Richard M. and Mary (Stearns) Stacey, the former of whom is still living and is engaged in various enterprises of importance at Skaneateles, being the proprietor of a thriving general merchandise establishment and the owner of a large flourmill. He was born at Kingston on the Hudson, and comes of English ancestors. His good wife, however, was a native of Onondaga County, and was born of Yankee parents, formerly of Connecticut. Richard M. Stacey is a man of fine education, having completed his studies in the literary department of Munro Collegiate Institute at Elbridge. It was his ambition and desire when a young man to study for the ministry, but before the time arrived when he could do this he had changed his plans. He had his own way to make in the world from earliest boyhood, and has become a successful man of business and one whose career has ever been upright and honorable. In politics he is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, although his father never failed to cast a ballot for Republican candidates after the organization of that party. He has held many local positions, and in all of these has discharged the duties in a very satisfactory manner, being competent to fill almost any position. In religious affairs he is a believer in the doctrine of the Universalist Church, a liberal contributor to its interests, and an earnest advocate of all good works.

The parental family included six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest. His boyhood days were passed under the parental roof, and, inheriting much of the enterprise and industry of his father, he in early life became desirous of getting a good education. He took an academic course in his native town, after which he went to Syracuse and spent several months in the business college there, being under the instruction of Professor Meade.

Young Stacey later went to Elbridge and carried on his studies for a time in Munro Collegiate Institute, attending to his studies very closely and applying himself with great earnestness to the work before him. Shortly after this he was taken into his father’s business as full partner, remaining in the store for a period of eight years. His aim in life, however, was to become a professional man, and during his business career he read medicine at such times as his attention was not needed in the business. At the expiration of the time above referred to, or in 1887, he gave his entire attention to studying medicine, reading in the office of Dr. F. H. Lester, of his native town. His first course of lectures was in the University of the City of New York, but after a year he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore. During the third year of his course he went to Kentucky, and became a student in the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, which is the oldest and most renowned school of medicine in America. From that institution he was graduated in 1892 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Thus equipped with an extended knowledge of his profession, he settled in Baltimore, Md., but a few months later changed his location to Louisville, Ky. The same year, however, he came to this place, ready to alleviate such human suffering as should present itself to his attention. He is identified with the regular school of medicine, and although having been in the community only a few years, is well and favorably known, and his skill in difficult cases is called into requisition in all parts of the county.

Dr. Stacey and Miss Elizabeth C. Burton, of Clyde, this state, were united in marriage October 14, 1884. The lady is the daughter of Hiram and Phebe (Conklin) Burton, the former of whom is deceased, while the latter resides in the town of Galen, Wayne County, N. Y. In religious matters the Doctor is a member of the Episcopal Church, while his wife is identified with the Baptist Church. In politics he is independent, reserving his right to vote for the man who will best fill the office, regardless of party lines. Socially he is a member of Seneca County Medical Association, in which he is greatly interested. He likewise belongs to Skaneateles Lodge No. 522, F. & A. M., in which order he has filled nearly all the chairs, and with which he has been associated for eight or ten years.