George Herbert Smith, M.D. George Herbert Smith, M.D., son of Edmund H. and Lucy B. Smith, was born in Chicopee, Mass., July 4, 1840. He received a liberal education and made himself proficient in all the branches taught in the common and high schools, and in the summer of 1861 graduated with full honors at the Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham, Mass. In the same year he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. R.T. Chaffee, of Hartford, Conn. In September, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 25th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, and in January, 1863, when the regiment was stationed at Baton Rouge, he was detailed on special service, and was quartermaster-sergeant in the Ambulance Corps, under command of Surgeon Rogers. In April he returned to his regiment, the surgeon of which having died, and the second assistant being unfit for duty, he was assigned to act under First Assistant Surgeon Woods, who was soon after promoted to full rank. Dr. Smith was with the Army of the Gulf during the campaign of 1863, and was present and rendered valuable service at the battle of Irish Bend, Franklin, Donaldsville, and the siege of Port Hudson. On the 17th of June, 1863, he was taken prisoner while at Linwood Hospital, but during the day the enemy was driven back and he was released. He returned with his regiment, and on the 20th of August , 1863, was mustered out of service. He then resumed his studies, attended two courses of lectures at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York, and graduated March 1, 1865. He commenced the practice of medicine in Tariffville, Conn., but, his health failing, in the fall of 1866 he moved to Sycamore, Ill.; but in 1868 he returned to new England, and established himself at Holyoke, Mass., where he has since resided. Dr. Smith makes a specialty of obstetrics and the diseases of women and children, and his extensive practice is sufficient testimony to his professional skill. Though an ardent advocate of homeopathy, he has, by his liberal views and courteous demeanor, secured the respect and good-will of his professional opponents. In December, 1874 he was elected a member of the common council of Holyoke, and re-elected in 1875. In January, 1876, he was chosen president of that body. In December, 1876, he was elected a member of the board of aldermen, and re-elected the following year. He has been connected with the city government in an official capacity since its organization. He married, June 8, 1869, Miss Ada M., daughter of Dr. C.W. Babcock, of Medina, Ohio, and has had three children,—Abbie M., born May 19, 1872; Edward H., born March 4, 1874 (died on the 11th of the following December); and Lucy C., born March 11, 1876. | Previous Page | Contents | Next Page | | HolyokeMass.com Blog | HolyokeMass History | Hampden County | | Western Mass History & Genealogy | © Laurel O'Donnell 1997 - 2012, all rights reserved This is an adaptation of the original publication This document may be downloaded for personal non-commercial use only and cannot be reproduced or distributed without permission.