Dr. Harris H. Beecher, Surgeon, 114th NY Infantry, Civil War

 

Dr. Harris H. Beecher – Obituary

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, July 18, 1889

After a long and painful illness, Dr. Harris H. Beecher peacefully passed from life, at the residence of O.H. Wheeler on Henry Street [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] at seven o’clock Sunday morning last.

Dr. Beecher was born in Coventry, this county [Chenango Co. NY], November 21^st, 1820.  His father, Parson Beecher, was one of the early settlers of that town, having removed from Connecticut in 1806.  While young, the subject of this sketch was incapacitated for manual labor from an injury and at the age of sixteen he was sent to Oxford Academy, where he remained four years, teaching at intervals.  He then commenced the study of medicine with different practitioners in his native town, and subsequently at Binghamton, in the office of Dr. Davis, now Professor in Chicago.  In the latter part of 1847, he was graduated in medicine at Castleton, Vt.

In the spring of 1848 Dr. Beecher located at North Norwich, where he built up a lucrative practice in his profession.  That he was popular in his new home is shown by his election to various town offices, he having held the office of School Superintendent for several years, and represented his town in the Board of Supervisors in 1850.

He removed to Norwich in December 1861, where he has since practiced, with the exception of three years spent in the army, which he entered in 1863, as Assistant Surgeon of the 114^th Regiment, at the organization of that regiment, serving in that capacity till the close of the war and the disbandment of the regiment.  For nearly nine months he was on duty by order of Gen. Banks, at the United States Marine Hospital at New Orleans, and also for several months in charge of a post-hospital at Berwick City, La., containing a large number of wounded from the battlefield of Bisland.  Before leaving the Marine Hospital for the famous Red River campaign, he was presented by the soldiers of that hospital with an elegant gold headed cane and other valuable tokens of their appreciation and regard.  In the Shenandoah Valley, during the closing year of the war, he was most of the time the only medical officer with his regiment in the field.

Dr. Beecher early exhibited a literary taste, and wrote on miscellaneous subjects for the newspaper press, which he continued more or less until ill health prevented.  He was for years the local correspondent of the Utica Herald.  In 1866 he published a “Record of the 114^th Regiment” a work of nearly six hundred pages, dedicated to his lamented Colonel Elisha B. Smith and his fallen comrades.

During his residence in Norwich, Dr. Beecher was a well-known and respected citizen.  Quiet and unassuming, kindhearted and affable, he had hosts of friends.  He was for years a Trustee of Norwich Academy, and President of the Board.  In 1874 he was elected Member of Assembly and served on the Committees on Public Health, Public Education and Joint library.  He held the office of Pension Examiner and was President of the Board until a change in the administration took place.  But a few weeks since he was reappointed to the office.  He was a prominent member of the Chenango County Medical Society, of the State Medical Society, and other Medical Associations.  A ready speaker, he was often upon the platform and gave carefully prepared addresses, embracing medical, agricultural, scientific and political subjects.  He was one of the charter members of Smith Post, G.A.R., and took great interest in the observance of Memorial Day and was at his death Corresponding Secretary of the 114^th Regimental Association, an organization which he first suggested.  For years he took much interest in a proposed soldiers’ monument which failed for want of public encouragement and later he has interested himself in raising funds for a monument to the memory of his deceased Colonel, his efforts ending with his death.  He was popular with the veterans of the war, who cannot forget his tender ministrations in the hospital and on the battlefield.  Many an eye moistened when it was announced that their old Surgeon was no more.  He will be missed at their annual reunions, at the observance of Memorial Day, at their Post gatherings, on the streets.  He will be missed by this community, of which he has so long been a useful and esteemed member.

He was never married.  Three brothers and two sisters survive him:  Daniel Beecher and Hector Beecher of Coventry; Harry Beecher of Norwich, Mrs. Hoyt, of Pittston, Pa and Mrs. Yale of Binghamton.

Funeral

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 17, 1889

His funeral was attended Tuesday morning.  Smith Post, G.A.R., and the Chenango County Medical Society attended in a body.  There were also present many representatives of his old regiment, the 114^th, and a large concourse of citizens.  The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W.G. Partridge, with prayer by Rev. C.C. Otis.  A detail of Smith Post accompanied the remains to Coventry, where the interment took place with Grand Army ritual.