15EDF0RD
BEECH
Bedford, Gunning S. (1S06-1S70).
Gunning Bedford, born in Baltimore, Maryland, 1806, was an author and phy- sician and the great nephew of the famous Gunning Bedford, of Delaware, of revolu- tionary distinction.
Dr. Bedford graduated in 1825 at Mount St. Mary's College, Emmetsburg, Maryland, and after graduating his first idea was to study law. With that re- solve he left Baltimore with letters of introduction to Daniel Webster, intend- ing to study with him. However, he met an enthusiastic acquaintance who had just commenced the study of medicine. This acquaintance persuaded him before going to visit Mr. Webster to go with him and hear Dr. John D. Godman lec- ture. They went. Bedford was charmed and carried away with the eloquence of Godman, and determined at once to become his pupil.
He graduated at Rutgers' Medical College, in his twenty-third year. Short- ly after (1829) he married and made an extended visit to Europe, where he remained two years, visiting the hospitals, and shortly after his return to America was appointed, in 1S33, professor to the Charleston Medical College, South Carolina, and subsequently professor at the Medical College in Albany. Re- maining there but a short time, he de- termined to visit New York City and make that place the field of his future exertions.
He was the first to start the idea of founding the University Medical College, lie was aided in this by one of his former preceptors — afterwards his colleague — Valentine Mott. The faculty consisted of Patterson, Paine, Draper, Revere, Mott and Bedford.
He was professor of obstetrics, which chair he held with great distinction till 1862, when he was compelled, on account Of ill health, to resign, and the first pro-
' il V, lin e\ il In-Ill in I In' I Mil ill Sill le
an obstetric clinic.
His wink-, which were among the most popular of the day, were "Diseases of Women and Children" (1855) and
the "Principles and Practice of Obstet-
rics" (1861). The former went through
ten editions, the latter through five,
and have been translated into French
and German and were adopted gen-
erally as text-books throughout the
United States and Europe. His earliest
effort was the translation of Baudeloc-
que's "Treatise on Puerperal Peritonitis"
into English (1831), and in 1844 Chaille's
"Treatise on Midwifery."
He died 3.30 A. M., Monday, September 5, 1870, leaving a widow and three sons, two of whom followed the profession of their father.
Med. Reg., New York, 1871, vol. ix. N. V. Med. Rec, 1870, vol. v.
Beech, John Henry (1819-1878).
John Henry Beech, surgeon, was born September 24, 1819, at Gaines, Orleans County, New York, where his father, Dr. Jesse Beech, had practised many years. John Henry had his early education at Gaines' Academy, New York, afterwards attending lectures at Albany Medical Col- lege, and receiving his M. D. April, 1S41, immediately afterwards beginning prac- tice in Gaines, but in 1850 removing to Coldwater where he stayed till his death, except for time spent in the army during the Civil War. He aided in res- urrecting the Orleans County Medical Society, New York; was active in reviv- ing the Michigan State Medical Society in 1S66 and its president in 1856. At once, on hearing of the disastrous bat- ties of Shiloh Church, Pittsburg Lan- ding, Tennessee, Dr. Beech took the first train for the field of battle. He was made acting assistant surgeon under medical director Surgeon Murray, and assigned to the care of Michigan and Ohio batteries of artillery. Though in feeble health he was made surgeon of the twenty-fourth regi- ment of Michigan Volunteer Infant ry. In 1862 lie was appointed one of the operat- ing surgeons of the first brigade, first div- ision, first army corps. In 1863 he acted as surgeon pro tem for the same brigade, the appointment being made permanent at the opening of ISfil. At the battle of
