NORWICH – The late Dr. Thomas F. Manley is once again being honored as one of the Norwich's most influential people early on in its beginnings.

Recently, a portrait of Dr. Manley that was painted by the artist Joseph Earl Schrack, was donated to the Chenango County Historical Society, by Dr. Manley's grandson Thomas Manley III.

“The only thing I'm interested in are protecting the portrait, since I live in Germany and would hate to have something happen to it in transit. The reasons I put the piece on loan are multifaceted. First and foremost, I think it's kind of selfish for me to spirit the picture away to a country where only one person would benefit from its. If it's in Norwich, there is a higher likelihood that people who want to see it, can see it,” said Manley III.

Dr. Manley was born in 1874, and more than 100 years later, his mark and the role he played in the history of Norwich can still be felt throughout the city.

Dr. Manley is most widely remembered for his role in founding Chenango Memorial Hospital.

“Dad was Chenango County's medical pioneer, and first surgeon. He led the construction of out first hospital with the help of Dr. Lewis Morris,” said Tom Manley Jr., son of Dr. Thomas Manley.

The Manley House was actually where the Manley family lived and eventually became the offices of Thomas and his brother George. The house was only officially re-named the Manley House in dedication later on, once Ed Nelson bought the property and converted the building into a law office. Following Ed Nelson's death, this very same building now houses Patrick Flanagan's Law office, as Flanagan's father is the nephew of Dr. TF Manley

“He is really known as the father of our hospital. He was the district surgeon for the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad and the Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad for many years,” said Dr. Manley's niece Patricia Smith.