Background
Henry Sergeant West, the son of Dr. Silas and Lucy C. (Sergeant) West, was born in Binghamton, N. Y.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Henry Sergeant West
Edit ProfileEducation
In the schools of N. Y. ommunity he received his early education. In 1844 he entered Yale College but withdrew in his sophomore year because of ill health. Later he studied medicine in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, where he received the degree of M. D. in 1850.
Career
For several years he practised medicine in Binghamton. Under the auspices of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the Wests sailed from Boston for Turkey to undertake service in the Northern Armenian (later the West Turkey) Mission. Arriving in Smyrna Feburary 22, they proceeded to Sivas, which was their home for the next seventeen years. Once only, in 1868-69, were they again in America. During this furlough West sat as a member of the annual meeting of the American Board, held at Norwich, Connecticut, in October 1868. He also read a paper before the Medical Society of the State of New York, entitled "Medical and Surgical Experience in Asia Minor, " which was published in the Society's Transactions (1869). His first letter to the board refers to the extent of his medical service in 1860. It included "thousands of professional calls, " one hundred surgical operations, and as many as one hundred "prescriptions" in a single day. During the years that followed he continued to carry this heavy burden of practice. His surgical work involved lithotomy, and ophthalmic and hernia operations. In over one hundred and fifty lithotomic operations there were but six fatalities. In rendering his medical service he traveled widely, often being called to Tokat, Cæsarea, Marsovan, Harput, and Erzerum, the last-named town being 230 miles from Sivas. He also visited Nicomedia and Adrianople, and was everywhere acclaimed for his skill. He gave training in medicine to a number of young Armenian students and doctors, some of whom entered the employ of the Mission or began practice in distant stations. He also conducted Bible classes in Sivas in the language of the region, Armeno-Turkish. Many of his medical fees were devoted to the building of chapels in various stations. He contracted typhoid pneumonia and died in Sivas, survived by his widow; their children had all died in infancy.
Achievements
Personality
According to a minute of the West Turkey Mission, dated April 1877, West was "unassuming, gentle and courteous in manner, firm and resolute in spirit, of integrity never suspected. " He had the high respect of officials and natives, and was beloved by his missionary associates in no ordinary degree.
Connections
On September 20, 1858, he was married in Watertown, Wis. , to Charlotte, daughter of Henry and Mary Youts.
