Biography of Dr. John H. Steel
FROM OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A DESCRIPTIVE AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
PREPARED AND PUBLISHED UNDER THE
AUSPICES OF THE SARATOGIAN
THE BOSTON HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 1899
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JOHN H. STEEL, M. D. JOHN HONEYWOOD STEEL was one of the most notable men of Saratoga county. He was born in Leicester, Mass., in
1780, a son of Samuel and Anne (Garfield) Steel,-and a lineal descendant of William Steel, esq., magistrate, counsellor,
recorder of London, baronet, and lord-lieutenant of Ireland.
When he was a youth Dr. Steel left home, and his parents dying, soon after, he never returned. He began the study
of his profession in the office of Daniel Bull, M. D., of Saratoga, and in 1829 received the honorary degree of
M. D. from the University of, the State of New York. (He had received his diploma to practice "physic and
surgery" in 1800.) For thirty years he was a moving spirit and official member of the Saratoga County Medical
Society. He was also president of the New York State Medical Society for a time.
Dr. Steel was appointed surgeon of the Fourth Regiment of Cavalry of New York State and served in the war of 1812
He was also at one time an assistant surgeon in the Navy and was present at the bombardment of Algiers. He was
a prominent Mason, an official member of the Albany Lyceum of Natural History, and either an honorary or corresponding
member of every scientific or historical association of note in North America and many in Europe. He served as
judge of the Saratoga County Court of Common Pleas for several years, and as postmaster of the village of Saratoga
Springs.
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