A representative of the third generation of the family in the medical profession in Oneida county, Dr. Edwin C. Babcock of Utica, has from the beginning of his practice shown an adaptability to the healing art which has redounded greatly to his credit. He was born in Oriskany Falls, New York, on the 11th of July, 1872, a son of Dr. Welcome E. and Frances A. (Clark) Babcock. The father died in 1883, and the mother is now residing at Madison, New York. The former was for many years very active in practice and the grandfather, Dr. Welcome A. Babcock, was also well known on account of his prominence in the profession. At the time of the Civil war he was examining surgeon for the United States government at Utica.
Edwin C. Babcock received his preliminary education in the public schools. In 1888 he entered Colgate University, where he pursued the Latin scientific course for three years. In 1891 he matriculated in the New York Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, from which he was graduated in 1894, with the degree of M. D. After spending one year in the hospitals of the city of New York he located in Boonville, where he continued in general practice until 1904. He then went west and after one year returned to Oneida county and settled in Utica, where he has since engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, being freely accorded a place as one of the foremost physicians of the city. A man of scholarly attainments, he made good use of his opportunities and kept fully abreast of the times as to the great advancements in all departments of his profession. He is a member of the staffs of the General Hospital and the Homeopathic Hospital at Utica and is also actively connected with the New York State Medical Society and the Medical Chirurgical Society. He is an earnest worker in those organizations and a valued contributor to their proceedings.
Dr. Babcock has been twice married, his first wife being Florence Grosjean. One son, Howard Lewis, was born to them in 1901. In 1907 Dr. Babcock was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Lambert of Chadwicks, New York. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and has crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is identified with the Elks and is a popular member of the Masonic Club, the Curling Club and the City Club. Notwithstanding the demands of a large practice, he takes two vacations each year, devoting the time to trout fishing or hunting. He is an ardent lover of nature and has made many interesting observations in the course of his rambles through the forests and along the streams. As a practitioner he ranks among the leading homeopaths of the state.