Читать книгу A Cyclopædia of Canadian Biography - Various - Страница 75

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Currie, John Zebulon, A.B., M.D., &c., Fredericton, New Brunswick, was born at Keswick, parish of Douglas, York county, New Brunswick, January 3, 1847. He is the second son of Thomas Gilbert and Patience Currie. Both parents belonged to old loyalist families. His father’s family is descended from John Currie (Currey), who came from Leeds, Yorkshire, England, and settled in New York about A.D. 1700. At the outbreak of the American revolution, Joshua, a son of Richard, refusing to join the insurgents, escaped to the British army, served as a lieutenant in that force, and at the close of the war came to St. John, New Brunswick, with the fall fleet. He brought three sons with him, of whom Richard, the eldest, having married Barbara Dykeman, became the founder of this family in New Brunswick. Dr. Currie’s mother is a daughter of the late Major Abraham Yerxa, who lived at Keswick, York county, N.B. John Yerxa, father of Abraham Yerxa, came from Holland to New York, with his parents, at the age of fourteen years. He was married to Katie Gerow, and throughout the American revolutionary war served as a volunteer in the British army. At the close of the war he came to St. John, N.B., being a member of one of the two regiments that were disbanded and given lands in New Brunswick. When he came to St. John there was but one house where the city now stands. Subsequently he settled upon lands on the Keswick stream, York county, and remained there until his death. Dr. Currie remained at Keswick until about fifteen years of age, and received his preliminary education in the schools of his native parish. When in his sixteenth year he attended the Provincial Normal School in St. John, and at the close of the term of study there, received a second class teacher’s certificate. In 1864, he became a student at the Baptist Seminary, Fredericton, New Brunswick, where he remained two years. In September, 1867, he matriculated at the University of New Brunswick, and pursued the regular course of study there. During his undergraduate course at this institution he was the successful competitor for the scholarship in English Language and Literature, besides taking honours in this and other departments. Having completed the course of study he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in June, 1870. He at once began the study of medicine, entering the medical department of Harvard University, Boston, the same year. Having completed the regular course of study in this institution he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine (M.D., Harvard) in 1873. At the same time he passed the required examination for, and was admitted a fellow of, the Massachusetts Medical Society. He then went to Scotland to complete his professional studies, and matriculated at the University of Edinburgh, and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Edinburgh. At the completion of the course in the University of Edinburgh he was awarded the first medal in midwifery and diseases of women and children, with the highest standard which had at that time been attained. He also received a special license in the same department. In the College of Physicians and Surgeons he was the successful competitor for the second prize in surgery under Prof. Patrick Heron Watson. He then went to London, England, where he spent some time in visiting the different hospitals and in further professional study. In the latter part of 1874 he returned to Fredericton, N.B., began the practice of his profession, and has remained there ever since. Dr. Currie’s student life was marked by careful study and constantly advanced standing. On June 15, 1881, he was appointed assistant surgeon of the 71st York battalion of the Active Militia of Canada, and on the 25th of December, 1883, was promoted to be surgeon of the same corps, which office he still holds. Dr. Currie is secretary and registrar of the Council of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick, and has constantly held this office since the organization of the council in July, 1881. He is a member of the Provincial Board of Health of New Brunswick, and also secretary of the board; both appointments date from June 1st, 1887, when the Public Health Act went into operation. In virtue of his position as secretary of the Provincial Board of Health, he is chief health officer for the province. Dr. Currie is at present a member of the council of the Associated Alumni of the University of New Brunswick, and has been since June, 1885. He is also a coroner for York county, N.B. This appointment dates from October 17, 1882. He is a member of the New Brunswick Medical Society and of the Canada Medical Association, and at present is vice-president for New Brunswick of the Canada Medical Association. In 1886 he was appointed a delegate from this association to the meeting of the American Health Society, held in Toronto, October, 1886. He is also a member of several secret societies. He became associated with the Independent Order of Oddfellows, August 22, 1881; with the Independent Order of Foresters, October 1, 1881; and with the American Legion of Honour, September 28, 1880. He still continues his membership in, and is physician to, each of these societies. His travels were not important, and only such as were necessary in the prosecution of study or on business. His religious views have always been those held by the Baptist church, but he was not united with any religious society until 1867, when he became a member of the Fredericton Baptist Church. On the 5th of June, 1877, he was married to Helen M. Estey, second daughter of the late Harris S. Estey. The first representative of this family in New Brunswick was Zebulon Estey, who came to New Brunswick from Newburyport, Mass., about 1765. Before leaving Newburyport he was married to Mollie Brown. After coming to New Brunswick they had a large family, one member of which, Nehemiah B. Estey, was great-grandfather of Harris S. Estey. Dr. Currie has been eminently successful in every respect in the practice of his profession. He was the originator and one of the principal promoters of the movement which led to the passage of the New Brunswick Medical Act. He is devoted to his profession, giving his whole time to it, and taking a lively interest in everything which pertains to its well-being.