LEVI PIERCE GREENWOOD was born in the town of Lebanon, Madison county, N Y., the 26th of 
September, 1816.  He is the son of PAUL and BETSEY (BRIGHTON) GREENWOOD, natives of 
Massachusetts.  His father was born the 5th of October, 1767, and died November 17th, 1841.  His 
mother was born August 26th, 1777, and died February 9th, 1839.  These parents settled in Lebanon 
about 1800.  They located near the center of the town and followed farming, and afterwards settled 
at Smith's Valley, where Mrs. GREENWOOD died.  After the death of his wife, having become 
infirm, Mr.GREENWOOD went to the town of Marion, Wayne county and lived with his son (IRA) 
until he died. 
 Mr. & Mrs. PAUL GREENWOOD had ten children, viz: JONAS, born February 18th, 1797, 
believed to be now dead; LUCY, born February 10th, 1799, married CALVIN SHAPLEY, and died 
September 11th, 1830; ELI F., born January 16th, 1801, and was crushed to death in a mill in 1848; 
SALLY, born April 15th, 1802; MARION, born July 1st, 1804; ERASTUS, born July 5th, 1807, killed 
by a limb of a tree falling on him, May 24th, 1819; IRA, born July 4th, 1810; LEVI P., as above; 
CORNELIA, born April 5th, 1814, married JOHN POWELL, died August 23d, 1865; and ROXANA, 
born August 12th, 1822, married LODERIC PLYMPTON, of Wayne county. 
 LEVI lived at home until he was about eighteen years old, working on the farm, and attending district 
school winters.  He also attended the academy at Hamilton about a year.  He taught school winters 
and worked summers at farming from the time he left home until he was twenty-one.  He then 
commenced reading medicine at Hamilton in the office of Dr. PETER B. HAVEN, Sr., and continued 
in his office and attending lectures at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., till 1840, graduating there at the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York in February of that year. On the first 
day of May, 1840, he came to Erieville, where he is still practicing medicine.  His worldly possessions 
on his arrival here consisted of a passably decent suit of clothes and two dollars in money.  He formed 
a co-partnership with Dr. JOHN HEFFRON, and they practiced medicine together eleven years.  He 
then severed his connection with Dr. HEFFRON and began for himself, and continued alone till April 
1st, 1863.  He then gave Dr. WESLEY M. CARPENTER, a former student of his, a share in his 
business, and the partnership existed until the 1st of November, 1868, when Dr. CARPENTER was 
elected to the Legislature.  After the close of his term, Dr. CARPENTER came back and they 
practiced together another year, when he removed to New York city, where he now resides. 
 Dr. GREENWOOD continued alone in his practice until June, 1873, when he associated Dr. 
CHARLES H. RANSOM, a graduate of University Medical College of New York city, with him in his 
business, and the partnership is still continued. 
 Dr. GREENWOOD has practiced medicine forty years with a success rarely met with.  His ride has 
been as extensive and constant as that of any physician that has ever practiced in Madison county.  
He has been devoted to his profession, and has found the duties of it pleasant and agreeable rather 
than irksome. He has been kind and lenient to the poor, never refusing to respond to the calls of those 
whom he knew could not pay for his services.  It has been his rule to make his charges in cases of the 
poor and unfortunate so low that they were able to give him something in settlement.  He has, thereby, 
not only secured the love and respect of his patrons both rich and poor, but he has lost few outstanding 
accounts. 
 Dr. GREENWOOD is popular, and his friends and acquaintances are legion.  In politics he is a 
democrat, staunch and fearless in his advocacy of the principles and measures of his party.  He has 
been Supervisor of his town, and has been Railroad Bond Commissioner several years.  Possessed of 
an ample fortune of which he himself is the architect, dwelling in a pleasant home, unblemished in 
reputation, ever ready with judicious counsel and helpful hand, never an aspirant for any political office, 
commanding the respect of the public and the affection of his friends, - yet he has not grown idle.  With 
leisure awaiting his enjoyment, time and fortune at instant command, he has never laid off the harness of 
busy life; and he is wise, for no rust is so corrosive as the rust that comes from premature rest after a life 
packed full with interests and energies.  His leading characteristics are great activity, strict integrity, and 
a desire to be useful.  He is of the better class of self-made men.  Such men are pillars of society and salt 
against the world's corruption.  Long may he live, mingling ever with men in the busy walks of life, always 
a warm side for his friends, and a cheerful word for everybody, - an admirable illustration of the splendid 
possibilities a pioneer farmer's boy with hands, heart and head, that he knows how to use, may achieve 
in America. 
 
From "History of Chenango and Madison Counties, NY" starting on page 648. 
Transcribed by Sandy Goodspeed.