He whose name initiates this brief review has gained recognition as one of the able and successful physicians of the central part of the Empire state, and by his labors and high professional attainments justifies the respect and confidence of all who know him. William H. Petrie was born in the town of Manheim, Herkimer county, New York, on December 10, 1874, his parents being John and Martha (Arnold) Petrie. John Petrie was born in Fort Herkimer, on September 12, 1844, and now resides with his son, Dr. Petrie, aged eighty years, having followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life. He is the son of Peter and Mary (Cassler) Petrie. Peter Petrie, a farmer by occupation, was born in Fort Herkimer, in 1805, and died in 1848, as a result of injuries received from a blast in a stone quarry. His wife, Mary (Cassler) Petrie, was born at Jacksonburgh, New York, and died on May 2, 1882, in the town of Manheim. Peter Petrie was the son of Jacob Petrie. The father of Jacob Petrie was John Marks Petrie, who in turn was the son of John Jost and Gertrude (von Rinck) Petrie. John Jost Petrie was born in Germany in 1668 and came to America with his wife, who was of noble birth, and four sons, and first settled at Herkimer, New York. Martha (Arnold) Petrie, mother of Dr. William H. Petrie, was born in the town of Manheim, on January 31, 1850, and died in Dolgeville, New York, on October 19, 1917. She was the daughter of Charles and Almira (Hoover) Arnold. Charles Arnold was born in Little Falls, New York, on July 20, 1820, and died on March 8, 1888. He was a contractor and builder. His wife was born in 1822, and died on September 12, 1908.
William H. Petrie attended Fairfield Seminary, where he was graduated with the class of 1895. He then entered the Albany Medical College at Albany, New York, from which he was graduated in 1900, with the degree of M. D. Subsequently he served as an interne at St. Peter's Hospital of Albany for a short time, after which he took a maternity course at the Mothers' and Babies' Hospital in New York city. In February, 1901, Dr. Petrie began the practice of medicine at Gray, New York, and in December, 1908, removed to Dolgeville, where he has since practiced his profession.
On the 27th of June, 1901, at Kerhonkson, Ulster county, New York, Dr. Petrie was united in marriage to Anna M. Green, who was born on January 27, 1875, the daughter of Increase and Lucinda (Quick) Green, both of whom were born in the town of Rochester, Ulster county. Increase Green, a son of Henry Green, is a retired farmer, and now resides in Ulster county, at the age of eighty years. His wife was born on April 11, 1844, and also resides in Ulster county. Mrs. Petrie is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and of the Universalist church. Dr. and Mrs. Petrie are the parents of three children: Eudora Loys Petrie was born in Gray, New York, on August 24, 1903. She completed a high school course in Dolgeville, New York, with the class of 1922 and taught in the public school of that place until she became the wife of B. Gordon Snyder of Utica; William Arnold Petrie was born in Gray on April 28, 1907, and now attends the high school in Dolgeville; Robert John Petrie was born at Dolgeville on December 3, 1914, and is a student in the grammar school.
Dr. Petrie was chairman of several local Red Cross and Liberty Loan committees during the World war and is the present chairman of the local Red Cross committee of the village of Dolgeville. He was appointed coroner by the governor of New York state and later elected to the same office. While residing at Gray he was the public health officer and is now village trustee and school physician of Dolgeville. He is a member of Newport Lodge No. 455, F. & A. M.; Oriental Chapter No. 305, R. A. M.; the local organization of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Dolgeville; and the local lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in Little Falls, New York. He also holds memberships in the Ongowanda and Exchange Clubs of Dolgeville. He is a member and trustee of the Universalist church and in politics is a democrat. For diversion he turns to hunting and fishing. Dr. Petrie has indeed persevered in the pursuit of his chosen profession and gained a most satisfactory reward.