Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Safford, Moses "Victor," 1867-1947 |
Othernames |
Victor |
Born |
Dec. 13, 1867 |
Birthplace |
Kittery, Maine |
Deceased |
1947 |
Places of residence |
Kittery, Maine Brooklyn, NY Boston, MA |
Occupation |
physician |
Father |
Moses A. Safford |
Mother |
Catherine C. Bellamy |
Spouse |
Mary Westway (1869-1952) from Canada |
Education |
Dartmouth, 1890 Bowdoin Medical College, 1893 |
Notes |
Buried in First Baptist Church Cemetery, Kittery, Maine Dr. Moses Victor Safford, the son of Moses A. and Catharine C. (Bellamy) Safford, was born in Kittery, Dec. 13, 1867. He graduated at Dartmouth College in the class of 1890. Was employed by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, in the seasons of 1890-94; chiefly on physical hydrography with the late Henry L,. Marindin; but part of the season of 1893, was associated with Prof. R. S. Woodward, (now President of the Carnegie Institution) in base line measurement in West Virginia, in connection with the trans-continental triangulation work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey. Meanwhile he studied medicine, between seasons, at the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1893, he entered the senior class of the Maine Medical School at Bowdoin, receiving his degree of M. D., at the latter institution in June, the same year. In December, 1893, he secured an appointment in the New York City Hospital, at Blackwell's Island; but soon resigned to accept an appointment as resident Physician at the hospital of the New York Polyclinic. In October, 1894. he became resident Physician of the Children's Hospital, of the St. John's Guild, where he remained until the following spring, leaving to take charge of the medical work of the Good Samaritan Dispensary. In 1895, he was appointed as a Surgeon in the U. S. Immigration Service at Ellis Island. Later, transferred to the U. S. Marine Hospital Service, but continuing in the same line of work. In August 1902, he was transferred to Boston, to take charge of the Medical side of the work of the Immigration Service, at that port,—where he is at present stationed. Dr. Safford is considered as an expert in Immigration matters, in their general as well as medical aspects. Was one of a committee selected by the Secretary of the Treasury, and devised the system of Racial Classification which now forms the basis of the statistical systems of the Immigration Bureau. Assisted in framing the Immigration Act of 1903, and has frequently been called on to advise with reference to framing regulations for governing the practical work of the Immigration service, as well as to the proposed legislation upon the subject. He is a recognized authority on European ethnology and racial geography; and has a reputation as a linguist, —speaking well French, German, Spanish and Italian, and being conversant in a lesser degree with five more tongues. As his work in connection with immigration matters has been of an unofficial character, his contributions to the literature of immigration have been made chiefly through official channels and appear in official reports. [Source: OLD ELIOT A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF THE HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY OF THE UPPER PARISH OF KITTERY NOW ELIOT (Google eBook); Vol VII, 1906; Historical Press of Eliot, Maine; J. L. M. WILLIS; 1906; Augustine Caldwell, Printer; pages |
Titles & honors |
Named epiremiolgoist in Boston Health department on Sept. 2, 1917. |
Relationships |
Spouses: Mary Westway (1869-1952) from Canada |
