FIFTY YEARS A^IONG THE BEES 15 



STUDY AND PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. 



After teaching a term in Geneseo (N. Y.) Academy, 

 I took lip the study of medicine in Johnstown, Pa., at- 

 tended lectures in Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, 

 j\Iich., and received the degree of "Si. D. I practiced med- 

 icine a short time in Earlville, 111., and went to Marengo, 

 111., for the same purpose, in July, 185(j. 



It did not take more than a year for me to find out 

 that I had not a sufficient stock of health myself to take 

 care of that of others, especially as I was morbidly anx- 

 ious lest some lack of judgment on my part should prove 

 a serious matter with som.e one under my care. So with 

 much regret I gave up my chosen profession. 



TEACHES AND TRAVELS. 



In 185T I abandoned a life of single blessedness, mar- 

 rying Mrs. Helen ^i. White. I spent some years in 

 teaching vocal and instrumental music, and was for sev- 

 eral years principal of the Marengo public school. Before 

 devoting my entire time to bee-keeping, I was for one 

 year principal of the Woodstock school, most of the 

 time driving there thirteen miles each morning, and 

 returning to Marengo at night. 



I traveled two years for the music house of Root 

 & Cady, making a specialty of introducing the teaching 

 of singing in public schools. In 1872 I w^ent to Cin- 

 cinnati, where I spent six months helping to get up the 

 first of the May musical festivals under the direction of 

 Theodore Thomas. At the close of the festival I began 

 work for the Mason & Hamlin Organ Co. at their Chi- 

 cago horse. 



FIRST BEES. 



To go back. July 5, 1861 — I was in Chicago at the 

 time — a. swarm of bees passing over Marengo took in 

 their line of march the house where my w^fe was. She 



