Bruchhausen Park
Utica Saturday Globe, July 1900
Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]: movement is on foot to adorn the plot devised by the late Dr. Casper Bruchhausen for a public park. The success of the movement is assured by the fact of its having been undertaken by the ladies. A meeting of those interested was held at the home of Mrs. James Packer on Division street on Wednesday evening and was largely attended. An organization was formed to be known as the Bruchhausen Park Association, officers being chosen as follows: President, Mrs. James Packer; Vice Presidents, Mrs. H.D. Mallory, Mrs. C.H. Zeorb, Miss Sarah l. Packer, Mrs. Dwight McNitt, Mrs. Jerome Sherwood, Mrs. H.N. Marenes, Mrs. Jonas Haynes, Miss Mary J. Griffin; Secretary, Mrs. W.J. McCaw; Treasurer, Mrs. Henry Hewitt. At another meeting to be called by the president, it is expected that a large number of members will be enrolled and definite plans adopted. Membership is not confined to any locality, but is open to all ladies in the village, who wish to lend their aid to the good work.
Dr. Bruchhausen, the donor of the property, died December 28, 1891. Among the provisions of his will drawn February 4, 1888, and probated March 7, 1892, was one which the document relates he had had under consideration for a number of years--the establishment of a park in the lower portion of the village, a place for health, exercise, recreation, refuge and rest, and for that purpose he offered the plot, containing 188 square rods, running through from Division to Hale streets, a distance of 26 rods, and fronting eight rods on each street. He suggested that the dwelling and barn on the northwest corner of the plot be removed and the whole area leveled, ploughed up and sowed with grass; that walks be laid out, the main path to be 10 feet wide and to run straight south from the middle of the north fence on Division street to the middle of the south fence on Hale street, with double iron gates at either end.
For the fences and gates he contributed the sun of $200. The other fixtures he referred to the village treasury and private generosity and "particularly to the ladies who are always willing to lend their wits and hands to any good enterprise." A further plan of ornamentation which he suggested provided for the laying out of paths and flower beds, the setting out of native trees and the erection in the midst of the park a Roman pagoda 16 feet in diameter and supported by iron pillars, roofed with tin and supplied with stone seats. In time he thought there might be added to the decorations of the park the statues and busts of meritorious citizens. Ball playing and bicycle riding was not to be permitted in this quiet retreat for weary mothers and children, tired laborers, mourners returning from the cemetery or others who sought rest and recreation.
Two years' time was allowed the trustees of the village to set the plan of the devisor in operation at the end of which time no essential measures appearing, the property should revert to the principal heir under the will, Mrs. Mary Ellen Burchard, and children. An appropriation was valid by the citizens and improvements made on the property which satisfied the heirs, who have promptly paid the bequest in accordance with the will. A portion of the amount appropriated by the citizens still remains in the village treasury and it is understood is available for further improvement of the park. The Park Committee of the Board of Village Trustees will co-operate with the ladies in their efforts to carry out the plan of the donor. The plot has been graded, seeded and fenced and the main path laid out through the middle four rows of maples set out and four iron benches placed within its borders.
A plan for the further adornment was prepared by the late Thomas Doughty, a local landscape gardener, several years since which provides for the laying out of paths and flower beds, etc., in accordance with the will and is viewed with favor as not entailing an excessive expense. It is probable that a fountain in the center of the park will be substituted in place of the pagoda and the number of statues and busts of meritorious citizens to be added to the adornment will likely depend upon the individual contributions of the aforesaid meritorious citizens at least for some time to come. The present plans, which are indefinite as yet, will be simple and sensible enough so that all interested will be glad to lend a hand.
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Dr. Casper Bruchhausen
Obituary
Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, December 30, 1891
Dr. Casper Bruchhausen
1806 - 1891
Utica Saturday Globe, July 1900
Monday morning, this venerable and widely known physician passed away. His illness was brief. Thursday he was up town and around the streets as usual. Christmas Day he started to go to Oxford to visit his daughter. He was too late for the train. Returning home, he complained of feeling ill. His ailment increased in severity and Sunday found him very sick. Suddenly Monday morning, the end came.
Casper Bruchhausen was born in Frankfort on the Main Prussia, August 25th, 1806, and was educated in Frankfort college. His parents intended him for the priesthood and therefore he was thoroughly grounded in Greek, Latin and Hebrew. He also spoke French and English beside his native German. After graduation, he found himself in doubt about certain theological dogma and turned aside from theology to medicine. Coming to the United States in 1839, he stopped in Philadelphia and entered upon the study of homeopathy with the eminent Dr. Charles Fredrick Hoffendahl, a graduate of the University of Berlin. In 1840, his teacher removed to Albany and Dr. Bruchhausen went with him. Later he studied with Dr. George W. Clark, of Hudson, and subsequently in New York was under the instruction of Drs. Fredrick Gray and A. Jerald Hull, who were then the principal practitioners of the homeopathic school in New York City.
In 1841, George W. Roberts, who through Dr. Hoffendahl had become acquainted with the homeopathic system of practice, removed from Troy to Greene. He brought with him a case of homeopathic remedies. He was frequently appealed to by his neighbors to administer his new medicines to them. He saw an opening for a physician and wrote to young student Casper Bruchhausen and invited him to come to Greene. In 1842, the latter accepted the invitation and in August of that year located in Greene. Nine months later he removed to Oxford, where he remained for five years, and from there in 1848, he came to Norwich, where he has practiced his profession ever since.
He was a successful practitioner and though in the early years of his practice here he had to fight against the prejudice with which the then comparatively unknown homeopathic system had to contend, he successfully overcame all opposition and became a recognized and much sought after medical authority. In manner he was always courteous and retiring but self-assertive. He delighted in his books and spent hours in study. As a recreation, he took up poetry. Many of his poetical productions were published in the local and other papers. About twenty-five years ago he published "Georgikon, a Eulogy on Farming." Subsequently he collected his poems into a volume which he printed under the title, "Rhymes for The Times." Last year, he put forth another volume of later poems with the name, "Iduna." Beside his poetical productions, he was a frequent contributor in prose to medical journals and contributed many learned articles to McClintook and Strong's encyclopedia.
In 1845 he was married to Miss Mary Leonard, of Coventry, and lived with her happily till August 15, 1883, when she departed this life. He is survived by his adopted daughter, Ella, who is the wife of Mr. Fred Burchard, of Oxford.
His funeral will be attended from his late residence, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. E.W Colloque, of Oxford, will officiate, assisted by rev. H .D. Stebbins.
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