Edward Bleeker (1844-1899) was a prominent physician who served his community as a member of the Whitestone Board of Education for more than 25 years and as the first president of staff physicians at Flushing Hospital.

He was born in Albany, New York, in 1844. After studying at the Albany College of Medicine for one year, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, graduating in 1865. Following his studies, he went on to serve at the State Barracks at Albany, helping to tend to the thousands of wounded soldiers lodged there at the time.

He married Ellen Hollinshead Barton, and the couple had two children, Anna and Rutger, and made their home in Whitestone. Bleeker worked for more than 20 years at Flushing Hospital. He died at his home on November 5, 1899, and a funeral was held three days later at Grace Episcopal Church. He is buried in a family plot at the Albany Rural Cemetery.

J.H.S. 185 Edward Bleeker, named in his honor, is located at 147-26 25th Drive in Flushing.

*The spelling of the last name varies - “Bleeker” (in the 1899 medical journal cited) and also “Bleecker” on his headstone.