lliam


280  GARDNER

Dr.  F.  F.  Laircl  was  graduated  from  Hamilton  College  in  1877,  ex-
celling in  every  department  of  study  during  his  course,  but  taking  espe-
cial delight  in  oratory.  In  this  he  was  given  a  start  by  his  cousin,  Hor-
ace Samuel  Dyer  of  Whitestown.  In  his  senior  year  he  carried  off  the
prize  at  the  intercollegiate  oratorical  contest  at  the  Academy  of  Music  in
New  York  city.  He  was  class  orator  at  graduation.  He  studied  medicine
and  graduated  valedictorian  of  his  class  at  the  Hahnemann  Medical  Col-
lege in  Philadelphia.  From  1881  to  1900  he  practiced  his  profession
in  Utica,  and  met  with  great  success  in  his  calling.  Gradually,  how-
ever, asthma  got  the  better  of  him  so  that  he  was  obliged  to  remove  to
the  milder  climate  of  Los  Angeles.  There  with  surprising  rapidity  he
built  up  a  splendid  practice  but  in  1904  he  had  to  give  up  the  tight.  He
returned  to  Utica  and  there  resumed  his  residence  the  remaining  two
years  of  his  life.
