Morris County NJ Archives Biographies.....Amasa A. MACWITHEY, 1819 - 1908
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 8, 2008, 8:59 am

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

MACWITHEY, Amasa A., M. D.,
Physician, Hghly Estimable Citizen.

  The eminence of Dr. Amasa A. Macwithey, late of Pompton, Morris county, New
Jersey, was conceded by all. His place in public confidence, esteem and honor,
was secure. It was won by a life of unsullied integrity, of identification with
educational and philanthropic interests, and of devotion to the public welfare.
It is interesting to trace the factors in the making of such a career. Although
"blood will tell," aristocracy of rank is unknown among us, and it is the
aristocracy of culture, character and ability that will always have our respect.

  Dr. Macwithey was born in Saratoga county, New York, December 15, 1819, and
died at his home in Pompton, Morris county, New Jersey, in January, 1908, at the
age of eighty-eight years. He was a son of John and Mary (Jeremiah) Macwithey,
also natives of Saratoga county, the former a contractor and builder by
occupation, who was employed in the construction of the Union College, in
Schenectady, New York. Dr. Macwithey was reared in the latter place and acquired
his literary education in its public schools, after which he followed the
printer's trade in New York City for some years. He studied medicine under Dr.
Isaac S. Smith, of New York City, and attended lectures at the New York
University, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1843, his
diploma being signed by Theodore Frelinghuysen, then chancellor of the
university. Dr. Macwithey entered upon his professional career in New York City,
where he remained until the year 1850, when he removed to Pompton, New Jersey,
where he made his home and devoted his energies to the restoration of the sick.
He was always a close student of his profession and, by careful and concentrated
reading, kept abreast of the improvements which characterize the science of
medicine. He was very successful in his work, and was the respected and honored
family physician in many of the best homes in his section of the county. He
belonged to the Morris County Medical Society, and was examining surgeon for the
New York Mutual and the Manhattan Life Insurance companies many years.

  Dr. Macwithey was a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to
Orange Lodge of Paterson, New Jersey. He was also a member of the United
Friends, and in his political associations was a Republican, warmly espousing
the principles of the Grand Old Party. He was connected in religious belief with
the Reformed church, and served as elder of that congregation in Pompton.

  Dr. Macwithey married (first) in 1844, Mary Helen Quinn, who died in 1880, a
daughter of Robert Quinn, of New York City. He married (second) June 21, 1882,
Isabel Nostrand, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Pierce) Nostrand, of New York
City. Children by the first marriage: Edward L. C, who also became a physician
in New York City, and is now deceased, as are his three sisters; he married Anna
Belle Reamer, and they had one child: Edward Louis, who married Alice Linen, of
Pompton. The only child of the second marriage was Herbert Alonzo. In his
private life Dr. Macwithey was a man of high ideals and rare attainments.
Intellectually he was a man of unusual force and influence, and all who came in
contact with him felt the impress of his personality. He was a deep and constant
student along many lines of research, and possessed a wide and accurate fund of
information, which made him at all times a most interesting and instructive
conversationalist. He loved his friends and delighted in their company, for
there was in him none of the misanthrope. He had no personal enemies and
provoked no one to enmity, for the simplicity and cordiality of his nature and
manners invited friendship and disarmed enmity. His domestic life was exemplary,
his home a genial and happy one, and he and his wife were held in the highest
esteem by all. Such a life is a valuable asset to any community. To young men of
ambition, industry and ability, it is an incentive to seek a career that will
not serve selfish interests alone, but, by integrity of conduct and promotion of
public good, to lead their age a little higher on humanity's upward path, which
at last shall be crowned with the light of a perfect civilization.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

MEMORIAL CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF MARY DEPUE OGDEN

VOLUME III
MEMORIAL HISTORY COMPANY NEWARK,  NEW JERSEY
1917

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