“ Of the Southard family little is known, as the great-grandfather was an adopted child of a Hudson merchant and could remember only that his name was Southard, and that he was stolen from a port in England. From all that can be gathered he is believed to be of good English family, and probably Southworth was the original name. Her maternal ancestors were of the Sutherland family, who have a clear connection with the nobility of England and Scotland. Her early education was conducted almost entirely by her mother, who ranked among the educated women of her day. ”

“ Though exceedingly busy in her profession, both as physician and surgeon, in social life and the literary and scientific world, she is at the head of several literary and social organizations, and is greatly interested in charitable and philanthropic work. ”