TRITES, WILLIAM BUDD, M. D. – Biographies – History of Homeopathy

RITES, WILLIAM BUDD, M. D., of Manayunk, Pa., was born in Sunbury, Northumberland county, Pa., on August
22nd, 1847, being the eldest child, and only son of Dr. David T. Trites. His father’s family were of German extraction, and settled early in the county
of Delaware, in Ridly township. His mother’s family were among the early Swedish settlers of New Jersey. She was related to the famous Mrs. Lydia
Darrach, who so heroically carried the news of a threatened surprise to Washington ; in the undertaking she walked many miles, bearing twenty-five
pounds of flour as a pretext for her presence on the road. Watson in his “Annals” says ; “Mrs. Darrach undoubtedly saved the Army of
Washington from great disaster while it lay at White Marsh, in December, 1777.” The subject of this sketch received his education principally in
the public schools of Philadelphia, entering the Mount Vernon School in Catherine street, in 1860. His parents removed to Manayunk, in 1861, and from
there he was admitted to the Central High School in February, 1864. He graduated at that institution in 1867, and, in 1872, received from it the
honorary degree of Master of Arts. While attending the Central High School, he determined to become a physician, being influenced thereto by the
eloquence of Professor Henry Hartshorne, in his lectures on Anatomy and Natural History, and the charming manner of Professor Lemuel Steaphens in
Chemistry and Natural Philosophy. Accordingly on leaving school, he entered his father’s office, and immediately commenced his medical studies. In the
fall of 1867, attracted by the fame of Drs. Hering and Rane, he entered the then newly formed Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, at that time
located at 1307 Chestnut street. He also attended four courses of lectures on Anatomy and Surgery at the Philadelphia School of Anatomy, delivered by
the able anatomist, Professor Keen, and dissected under his tuition during his whole course. He graduated in March, 1869, his thesis on Sanguinis Hominis being publicly commended on
Commencement Day by the Faculty. After graduating he took charge of the practice of John R. Reading, M. D., of Somerton, Pa., who had been elected to
Congress from the Fifth District of Pennsylvania. He remained there for several months, obtaining a tolerably accurate knowledge of the hardships
attendant upon the life of a country physician. In the fall of 1869, he returned to Manayunk, and entered into partnership with his father in the
practice of medicine and surgery.

     Dr. Trites was married in August, 1871, to Amanda C. Sutton, daughter of Charles H. Sutton, of Bohemia
Mills, Cecil county, Md.

     He was elected a member of the American Institute of Homœopathy at the Boston meeting in 1870, and a
member of the Pennsylvania State Society in February, 1872.

     He is a young man of brilliant parts ; has already established a reputation as a skilful
practitioner, and undoubtedly has a bright future before him.

Source : Cleave’s Biographical Cyclopædia of Homœopathic Physicians and Surgeons By
Egbert Cleave