American Medical Biographies/Grinnell, Ashbell Parmalee
Grinnell, Ashbell Parmalee (1845–1907)
This legal physician was born at Massena, New York, December 26, 1845, the son of Josiah Heman Grinnell, a successful country practitioner of St. Lawrence County, New York. His early years were spent in study and teaching in the district schools of his own county and his medical degree was taken at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1869. For a time he practised at Ogdensburg, New York. In 1870, however, he removed to Burlington, Vermont. He was professor of physiology and of the theory and practice of medicine at the Medical Department of the University of Vermont, situated at Burlington. Of the same institution he was dean from 1874 to 1877, and again from 1884 to 1898, and professor of practice in the Long Island College Hospital from 1885 till 1887.
In November, 1904, he removed from Burlington to New York City. There he engaged in medico-legal practice until his death, and was remarkably successful.
He was of medium height, of rather heavy build, his hair red, his eyes large and deep blue. His face was always kindly, yet ever changing its expression. A quick and active man, full of nervous force and magnetism; a hard student and exceedingly fond of his profession. He loved all children and, though extremely busy, he somehow managed to spare the time in which to talk with and to play with them. He was also extremely friendly and helpful to his students. The present writer, one day, after a lecture by Dr. Grinnell, spoke to him in the hall concerning some matter which he had not sufficiently understood. "Come down to my house at 7:30 tonight," said the doctor. "I happen to be quite busy at the present moment." Of course I went, expecting to receive a very few moments. But Dr. Grinnell put me in a rocking chair and then, himself in another, he discoursed on small-pox for more than two full hours.
He married, in 1873, Miss Elizabeth D. Guest, of Ogdensburg, New York, and had one son, Albert R., and two daughters.
Dr. Grinnell died in New York City, April 8, 1907, of malignant endocarditis, following a long attack of grippe.