Biography

"The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 caused the village of Utica to take on a rapid growth, and in 1832, with a population of ten thousand it became the City of Utica, at that time the
largest city in the United States west of Albany.  The joy of the city in its new dignity was short lived for in the same year the scourge of the Asiatic cholera settled upon it.  Panic reigned and onte-third of the population fled.  Through the actions of a board of health and efforts especially of Dr. John McCall, another remarkable Scotchman, who was appointed health officer, the epidemic was checked after 206 cases and 65 deaths.  Fourteen years later, in 1846, Dr. McCall was honored by being raised to the presidency of your Society."