ister of the Society of Friends, and a descendant of one of the early Holland settlers of New York. To this couple twelve children were born, of whom Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was eldest. The first sixteen years of his life were spent in that finest school of preparation that could be opened to any boy who desired to grow to a fine physical and mental manhood-the summer work of a New England farm, and the winter work in a New England common school. The youth made the most of his chances. Mind and ambition grew with his bodily growth, and from the first he gave evidence of the results that were to be. His taste for knowledge was such, and so good were the uses he made of his chances, that his parents wisely decided to give him at thorough education. In 1845 they sent him to an excellent boarding school at Nine Partners, Dutchess county, where he obtained a liberal education, and from which he graduated with honor. His personal tastes led him to choose medicine as a profession, and the eminence he has won therein justifies the wisdom of that choice. He became a student of Dr. Hugh Taggart of Hinesburgh, who was one of the leading physicians of western Vermont. After this preparatory office-work he attended regular lectures at the Woodstock and Castleton school of medicine, and subsequently matriculated at the Albany Medical college. In June, 1855, he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Imbued with a desire to make his preparation thorough, he went to New York city after receiving his di

ploma, and attended clinics for a time in the various hospitals of that city, or took what is known as a polyclinic course. In 1856 he returned to his native state of Vermont, and began practice in the village of Charlotte. He remained there seven years, growing in experience, and adding to his store of knowledge by keen observation and close study. In 1863 he decided to seek a broader field for his energy and talents, and accordingly removed to Buffalo, and finding the place congenial and fruitful, made it his permanent home. His advance has been steady from the first, and both as physician and man he stands high in public repute, and has won success in every meaning of the term. His practice has grown into an extensive and remunerative one, and he finds his time and hands. fully occupied. Among his professional brethren he holds a place due to his talents and manly character. He is a member and ex-president of the Erie County Medical society; is a member and also ex-president of the Buffalo Medical union; is a permanent member and vice-president of the New York State Medical association, and president of the fourth branch of the last named, comprising fourteen counties of western New York. Dr. Greene is also a member of the Buffalo Microscopical society, of the American Microscopical society, of the Buffalo Historical society, and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In all these associations his personal and official influence has ever been used to advance the great objects for which they were

Dr. Greene has found time amid the many demands of his profession to aid the public of Buffalo in several direct and practical ways. In 1873 and 1874 he filled the office of district physician to the Buffalo board of health. Having always taken a deep interest in municipal affairs, he was nominated in 1884 by the Republicans to the position of alderman. Being elected to that responsible trust he entered on the discharge of his duties on January 1, 1885, and is now serving the public in that capacity. In the common council. he has proved himself a wise and capable legislator. Keenly alive to the interests of his immediate constituents and of the general public, and unalterably opposed to all forms of trickery and jobbery, he has already been of great public service and will add thereto even greater results in the future. one of scholarly attainments and having a deep interest in the cause of education, his appointment to the important position of chairman of the committee on schools was universally recognized as a proper and wise movement. In that office, which places him officially at the head of the Buffalo school system, Dr. Greene has been able to do most timely and excellent work for the public schools.

As

Although professional cares have kept Dr. Greene out of politics, he has always done all that lay in his power for the Republican party, and is known to all as a warm and earnest supporter of its principles. In many directions

public and social life of Buffalo and western New York. He was a member of the building committee of the Young Men's Christian association of Buffalo. He has for years been a prominent Mason, being a Knight Templar and also of the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He is a leading member of the Acadia club of Buffalo, and takes a leading part in the matter of literary culture. He was married on September 21, 1856, to a daughter of William and Anna Taggart. Three children were born to them-Dr. De Witt C. Greene, now a practicing physician, and district physician of Buffalo, who married Miss Julia M. Gates of Medina, New York, June 10, 1885; Anna Adelaide, the wife of Edward Andrews, a well-known Buffalo lawyer, and Julia Delphine, who is yet in school. Dr. Greene's beloved companion was removed by death on October 15, 1882.

To give some degree of completeness to this brief sketch of Dr. Greene's career, we append the following description of his personal traits and analysis of his mental and moral endowments by a well-known citizen of Buffalo, who has been in such relations with the doctor, for over twenty years, as to afford him the amplest opportunity for a thorough study and knowledge of his character:

In person Dr. Greene is large and massive. He has always enjoyed almost perfect health, and possesses the ability to undergo almost any amount of labor and fatigue. His robust and ample physical frame is the fitting expo

Largeness and strength are his leading mental endowments. He has an unusual grasp and sweep of thought, and never fails to "take in" any subject submitted to his investigation.

His robust and comprehensive common sense not only renders him proof against deception, but wise in counsel, skillful in planning, and unerring in the choice of means and employment of expedients. Although somewhat inclined. to conservatism, there is not the least taint of" old fogyism" about him. He is self-poised and deliberate; nothing throws him off his base. He is a natural leader of men, and in his connection with deliberative bodies his associates highly respect his advice and judgment.

As a friend, Dr. Greene's adhesion and reliability are unconquerable. He is incapable of anything like a betrayal of friendship. Through thick and thin he stands by those to whom he has given his confidence and his pledges. His hospitality is unbounded, and the breadth of his sympathies unlimited. As a physician he is in the main cau

In diagnosing it is rare that his sagacity is at fault, and so he is seldom or never at a loss to know "what to do' for his patients.

Dr. Greene has given to certain diseases close and special attention, and has worked out for them peculiar and independent modes of successful treatment. In consultation the doctor has, in a marked degree, the confidence and respect of his professional brethren. For this purpose his services are eagerly sought from near and far, and his judgment on such occasions is generally sound, and his advice usually followed.

Dr. Greene is now in the full maturity of his powers, and, with health unbroken, with unflagging physical and mental strength, and energy unabated, he and his friends may reasonably look forward to his enjoyment of many years of still increasing usefulness and honor.

JAMES HENRY SEYMOUR.