My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM GULICK, M. D., is one of the oldest and most distinguished physicians and surgeons in Watkins, and in all the country round about his name is that of a familiar friend and helper. A native of Seneca County, he was born in the town of Ovid, December 7, 1814, and is a son of Samuel and Ann (Sayre) Gulick, the former a descendant of German, ancestors, and the latter of English lineage. His maternal grandparents were John and Sallie (Brewster) Sayre. His paternal grandfather, Nicholas Gulick, settled in the town of Ovid and engaged in farm pursuits, which occupation his son Samuel also followed.

Dr. Gulick is the eldest of five children, three sons and two daughters, who comprise the parental family, and all of whom are living. He passed his boyhood in Seneca County, and after attending the common schools, for some years attended Ovid Academy, and then finished in Homer Academy at Cortland, an institution of high grade. One year was spent in teaching school, and he then turned his attention to the study of medicine, which he read with Dr. E. J. Busvine, formerly of London, England, but then of Ovid. His studies were finished under Dr. Lewis Post, of Lodi, and in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fairfield, N. Y. He received a license to practice from the Seneca County Medical Society, and began professional work January 1, 1838, in Tyrone, Schuyler County.

In the spring of 1865 Dr. Gulick came to Watkins, where he has carried on a general practice from that time to this, and is now one of the oldest practitioners of this part of the state. He has practiced continuously from 1838 to the present time (1895), and his career has been that of a careful, skillful and well informed physician. In 1878 the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him by the Regents of the State University. His ability has been recognized by his fellow-townsmen in other than professional directions. He was Superintendent of the schools of Tyrone Town, and was made County Superintendent of Schools when that office was established. He also served as a member of the State Assembly, to which position he was elected in 1876 and 1877. Prior to the firing on Ft. Sumter, he had been a Democrat, but since that time he has acted with the Republican party, and has always been loyal to the interests of the Government. For many years Dr. Gulick has been a Mason, being a member of the blue lodge at Weston and the chapter at Watkins. He has a commodious house, well furnished and surrounded with pleasant grounds, and here he is passing his declining days, environed with the regard of those among whom he has labored during his professional life.

In December, 1837, at Lodi, Seneca County, Dr. Gulick and Miss Louisa Couch were united in marriage. Mrs. Gulick was a daughter of Aaron Couch, and a native of Seneca County. She died at the family home in Watkins, in February, 1876. Two children were born of the union, both daughters, of whom Anah is deceased, and Anna E. is with her father. The latter was carefully educated, and for a time was a student in Dundee Academy. She is a woman of fine literary acquirements, and while very young exhibited a natural talent for music, drawing and painting, and studied these branches under good masters. In the higher branches of culture she has been an indefatigable worker. She improvises many of her musical compositions, and several of her productions, both sacred and secular, have been published, one of which may be found in the Epworth Hymnal. Among her best-known compositions are the “Seneca Lake Mazurka” and the “Dance of the Brownies.” Since the age of fourteen years she has been organist in some one of the churches where she has resided. In her studio may be seen many fine paintings in oil, water-color and pastel. For many years she has been a very successful teacher of music and painting, and since 1890 has been Vice-President for Schuyler County of the State Music Teachers’ Association. When not engaged in her musical or artistic work, she finds time to indulge a few hours of each day in her well selected library and in the companionship of her father.