Volume III: Biographies

FUCHSIUS, Dr. J.H.

Temporary studio employee (1915)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: In May 1915, Dr. John H. Fuchsius, a physician, was employed for several days by Edwin Thanhouser, who desired that he be on hand during the filming of the battle scenes in The Patriot and the Spy (which was released June 7, 1915).

Biographical Notes: John H. Fuchsius address was 93 Centre Avenue, New Rochelle, according to a listing in the New Rochelle Directory that year. Most of the following information was extracted from his obituary in the New Rochelle Standard-Star, September 6, 1934:

Born in Brooklyn, New York on April 28, 1869, John Hancock Fuchsius was the son of John and Bertha Fuchsius. His father, a tobacconist, had been a captain in the Civil War. John H. Fuchsius was educated in New York City public schools, after which he attended the College of the City of New York and Bellevue Medical College, graduating from the latter in 1889. He was subsequently a surgeon at the Bellevue Hospital and an assistant surgeon at the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital. Later, he was connected with the Harlem Hospital. During the Spanish-American War in 1898 he was a captain of the New York Volunteers, 69th Regiment. On June 15, 1905 he married Martha L. Engelhardt, of St. Johnsville, New York, whose family was prominently involved in the production of automatic musical instruments, including ornate coin-operated pianos and orchestrions marketed under the "Peerless" name.

He came to New Rochelle and set up a medical practice in 1908, specializing in diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat. For many years he was associated with the New Rochelle Hospital. His pastimes included song writing. One of his compositions, Mother, won second prize in a contest sponsored by a New York City radio station. He belonged to numerous medical and civic organizations and was a prominent part of New Rochelle community affairs. Dr. Fuchsius died on September 5, 1934 at the New Rochelle Hospital. Flags in New Rochelle were flown at half mast the following day. Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery. He was survived by his wife; a daughter, Miss Bertha B. Fuchsius, of New Rochelle; and two sisters: Mrs. Walter Beecher, of Chatham, New York, and Mrs. Jacob Deubert, of New York City.

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