Dictionary of American Biography, Vol. 11: Larned-Maccracken

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Excerpt from Dictionary of American BiographyHe was active in professional organizations, notably in the College of Physicians, the Patho logical Society of Philadelphia (of which he was an original member and at one time president), and state and county medical societies. He was one of the editors of the North American M edi cal and Surgical Journal which ?ourished in Philadelphia from 1826 until 1831. Laroche was greatly interested in music and collected a large and valuable music library, much of which ultimately passed into the hands of J. W. -drexel [gm]. Haydn's Third Mass was sung with orchestral accompaniment for the first time in Philadelphia at St. Joseph's Church, un der his direction as choir  master. Gross, who knew him intimately, He never seemed so happy as when he was. In his library up to his elbow in his manuscripts. He was a charm ing conversationalist, always instructive and free from affectation and pedantry (ibid., II, 375 He was of frail build, and yet could endure much physical exertion.