Union County NJ Archives Biographies.....William Henry RISK, 1842 - 1905
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 8, 2008, 6:44 pm

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

RISK, William Henry,
Physician, Leader in Community Affairs.

  From 1874 until 1913 the borough of Summit, New Jersey, was the seat of
practice of a Dr. Risk, brothers and contemporaries from 1892 when Dr. James
Boyd Risk joined his brother, Dr. William H. Risk, in Summit, until 1905, when
the latter was called to his reward. To the memory of Dr. William H. Risk this
tribute of respect is dedicated. For thirty-one years he was the good family
physician to countless households and between him and these households there
existed that bond of affection which exists only between the family doctor and
his patients. He was with them in birth and in death, in joy and in sorrow, in
weakness and in strength, he was the guest of honor at the wedding and a sincere
mourner at the bier. His professional service, his business sagacity, his strong
personality, high sense of honor and true manliness, left a deep impress upon
Summit and its people, perhaps greater than any other of those who had gone
before him.

  One of his most marked characteristics was a detestation of hypocrisy,
falsehood, chicanery or meanness. He was outspoken in his opinions and was often
opposed, but whether criticised or praised, he was always respected and was
always worthy of respect. Underneath an exterior sometimes reserved and a
brusqueness of manner, sometimes assumed to conceal the depth of his emotions,
he carried the kindest of hearts, the tenderest of sympathies. Adding to this
his manliness, sincerity and those attributes forming character, he drew the
hearts of men to him and the better they knew him the deeper their affection for
him.

  He had an abiding faith in Summit and his interest was manifested constantly.
In his early life there he was always planning some improvement, finding time
from a constantly increasing practice to devote much time to public affairs, and
no single individual since Summit was incorporated ever accomplished so much
toward making it so desirable a suburban community. He was one of the few men
who realized the importance of a pure and ample water supply and possessed the
courage to advocate such a system for Summit. He advanced a part of the money to
insure the beginning of the work, withdrawing when a supply was assured and his
support not essential. In like manner he courageously advocated a sewerage
system at a time when practically the entire community was opposed to it. The
results of both the water and sewerage systems were alike tributes to his good
judgment and fearless public spirit in supporting those movements he believed
beneficial. He possessed strong qualities of leadership, believed in himself and
inspired others with his own courage and enthusiasm, and thus became a wonderful
power for good in his community.

  Dr. William Henry Risk, son of James and Catherine (Stauffer) Risk, was born
at Muncy, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1842, died at his home in
Summit, Union county, New Jersey, February 7, 1905. William H. Risk obtained his
early and preparatory education in boarding schools, later entering Lafayette
College, Easton, Pennsylvania, there completing his classical studies. Deciding
upon the profession of a healer, he matriculated at the Medical School of the
University of Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1866. He had
served a brief term of enlistment during the Civil War, and after receiving his
degree was for several months recruiting surgeon for the United States navy at
Philadelphia. The same years until 1874were spent in practice in Philadelphia,
valuable experience being gained in hospital work as well as in his private
practice. In 1874 he located at Summit, New Jersey, and thenceforth his life
history is that of Summit, until after thirty-one years of valuable association
Dr. Risk beheld the "King in His Beauty."

  It was inevitable that a man of his characteristics should become a power for
good in the community. Summit was then little more than a village, but with
possibilities which inspired the public spirit of Dr. Risk. He at once sprang
into prominence and as the village grew he saw that there must be a strong hand
to guide if Summit was to take and retain its position as a popular suburban
town. He did not aspire to prominence outside of his profession, but certain
things had to be done, and a leader being necessary he naturally fell into the
position and once he had demonstrated an ability to lead the public unanimously
accorded him the privilege and there was no improvement inaugurated during his
active years in Summit in which his influence was not felt and his leadership seen.

  Although so deeply interested in Summit's development, Dr. Risk was
essentially the physician and in no direction was his influence stronger than in
those matters which concerned the public health. That influence was seen in
procuring a pure and abundant water supply. in the installation of a system of
sewerage and in the operation of the Board of Health. Membership on that board
was the only public office he would ever accept, but as president of the board
he used the full power of the office to safeguard the public health. Although he
was ardent in his Republicanism, he was strictly independent in local affairs,
and the public official, whether of like or opposite public faith, who was
faithfully endeavoring to discharge his duties could always count upon the
staunch friendship and support of Dr. Risk, just as the official recreant to his
trust could be certain of his vigorous and energetic opposition.

He was one of the first to aid in the establishment of the Fresh Air and
Convalescent Home in Summit and served as attending physician to that excellent
institution from the time of its inauguration. He was a prominent member of the
New Jersey Medical Society, the Morris County Medical Society, and took a very
deep interest in the Orange Inter-Medical Society. His philanthropy extended to
all, and to the poor he was a constant and generous friend. He was one of the
organizers of the Kent Place School for Girls and to that institution gave
unwearied effort, also displaying a deep interest in the public schools and
their supervision.

  He did more for the upbuilding of Summit than is shown in the preceding
activities, as the sections lying along Hobart and Summit avenues testify. Both
localities were simply large tracts of woodland when their beauty and
desirability as home sites attracted his attention. He purchased the tracts and
with his genius for improvement he developed them with an energy and good
judgment which in a few years converted both into the choicest of residential
sections. He was a lover of horses, always owned good ones and was particularly
fond of horseback riding. He was a director of the Summit Trust Company, was one
of the organizers of the Monday Night Club, and of the Highland Club, was an
attendant of Central Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Masonic order, in
fact there was little of a social or charitable nature in the borough in which
he was not interested or that failed to enlist his cooperation.

  Dr. Risk married, December 20, 1871, Sophia, daughter of George Drake
Woodruff, of East Orange, New Jersey. She died April 29, 1901, aged fifty-five
years, leaving an only child, Margaret Henderson Risk, married Benjamin Vroom
White, an architect of note, and has three children: Benjamin Vroom (2),
Margaret Risk and James Boyd Risk White.

  The following resolutions were adopted by the Summit Board of Health in honor
of the memory of Dr. William H. Risk:

  This board recognizes that in his death, it has lost a kindly and courteous
fellow member, and a vigorous and efficient head. The city of Summit has met
with an irreparable loss, deprived as it is of an official who was always at his
post, who had a solicitous regard for the best interests of the city, and who
was equipped by nature and education with such knowledge, skill and experience,
disposition and temperament, as made him an ideal head of the city's health
department. Ever on the alert, quick to diagnose the trouble, and prompt and
sure with the remedy, our late president guarded well the public health of the
city entrusted to his case. Therefore be it resolved, the members of the Board
of Health in common with the people of Summit mourn the loss of a beloved,
upright fellow citizen, whose interest in the City's welfare was always
preeminent; that they especially mourn the loss of one who as President of this
Board, endeared himself to every member thereof, and that individually they
mourn the loss of one who was to each a dear, personal friend. Dr. Risk's long
resident in Summit, his rugged, unflinching courage, and his high professional
gifts, especially adapted him to the office of our President, which office
without reward he filled for many years. The Board desires to put on record its
appreciation of him as a man, a citizen and a friend. With grief we bow to the
inevitable will of God and tender deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.


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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