USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 38
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 1 > Part 38
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and successfully performing the duties of principal of several high grade schools in his native State, and at Man- chester, Carroll County, Maryland. In 1870, he began to read medicine with his step father, Dr. Samuel Enterline, with whom, after the completion of his studies, he prac- ticed in the city of Baltimore, till 1876, when he began practice on his own account at No. 49 Calhoun Street, in the same city. During his settlement his practice has been steadily increasing, and his success with his patients has been remarkable, especially in the treatment of women and children, in which department he particularly excels. A gentleman of high character, a close student, with ex- cellent judgment, a successful and prosperous career is as- sured to him. Dr. Coombs was first married to Miss Mary Blasser, of York, Pennsylvania, who died in 1873, leaving him two children, Francis Leslie and Miriam Adelaide. In 1874 he was married to Miss Fannie Hudson, of Balti- more city. They have three daughters, viz., Elsie E., Bertha G., and Lulah May.
OY, BYRON F., D.D.S., was born in Penobscot County, Maine, September 4, 1825. His father, Rev. Eliab Coy, of Scotch-English extraction, was a leading Baptist minister of Penobscot County, and afterwards of Hebron, Oxford County, Maine. He married a lady whose ancestors for several generations were natives of that State. Dr. Coy is the eldest son of seven children, all of whom are living at the present date (1879). Ile received his early education at the academy at llebron, to which place his father had removed when the son was about four years of age; he then attended North Yarmouth Academy, and afterwards Gorham Sem- inary, receiving his classical education in the collegiate department of the latter institution. At an early age he evinced a decided inclination towards the medical profes- sion, and upon leaving school devoted two years to its study, under two preceptors. Ile then determined to adopt the profession of dentistry, and in pursuance of this resolution, underwent a course of instruction from several leading dentists of Boston and Portland, learning from each a separate branch, but as at that time the profession was comparatively in its infancy, he was enabled to acquire what would now be considered only the rudiments of a dental education, and the high state of efficiency after- wards attained by him is entirely due to hisown energy, perseverance, and devotion. He practiced successfully for six years in Oxford County, Maine, and at Lancaster, New Hampshire. At the expiration of that time a decided and increasing antipathy to the rigorous New England cli- mate, and a strong predilection for a southern residence indneed him to carry out a long cherished design of ie moving to the South. In the fall of 1852 he started with
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the city of New Orleans as his objective point, but on ar- riving in Baltimore he became so pleased with that city and received such strong inducements to remain and prac- tice there, that he concluded to go no further. Among his earliest and sincerest friends were Dr. Chapin A. Harris and Dr. Cone, both talented and eminent members of the profession, whose efforts in the interests of dentistry are well known. Dr. Coy then attended another course of lectures to perfect himself in medical science, qualifying himself for the degree of M.D., which, however, he did not care to accept, considering it unnecessary and superth- ous for a gentleman of his professional standing. He be- came one of the founders of the Maryland Dental Col- lege in 1873, and with others was instrumental in procur- ing a charter for that institution, now in a very flourishing condition, and in the formation of the faculty he was ap- pointed to the chair of Operative Dentistry, a position he held for five years, resigning it in 1878, when he found that he could not devote to it the amount of attention he thought it required, on account of the pressing and con- tinuous demands of his office practice. He was a strong advocate of the plan of vesting in a Board of Regents the power of conferring degrees, a power previously pos- sessed by the faculty, which plan was adopted, and has been found to operate very favorably. At the first meet- ing of the Board of Regents, the honorary degree of D.D.S. was conferred by them upon Dr. Coy. In 1874 he was elected Vice-President of the National Dental Convention, and was afterwards elected President for two successive terms, 1875-76. The latter year, 1876, he was elected Vice-President of the State of Maryland and Dis- trict of Columbia Dental Association, and in 1877 was chosen President. He has been elected also a member of the Southern and of the American Dental Associations. There are few members of the profession who have made such continuous and indefatigable efforts to bring dentistry to its present high scientific standard, and to promote its general interests, as has Dr. Coy, and the knowledge of this fact, together with his eminent reputation for skill and efficiency as an operator, for persevering and enter- prising research as a theorist, and for his abilities as an expounder, have made him an acknowledged leader and an authority among his brethren, not only of Baltimore, but of the whole United States and Europe, and that these qualities have been appreciated is manifest by the number of important positions to which he has been called, and in many of which his executive abilities have been conspicu- « ously displayed. That he has at times met with considera- ble opposition in carrying out his ideas cannot be denied, but he has never faltered on that account, but has continued unswervingly and steadily on his course, and has generally succeeded in convincing his opponents of the correctness of his views. Dr. Coy is a constant and diligent student of literature, confining himself, however, principally to professional and scientific works. In polities, he has been
a consistent Democrat all his life ; in religion, he holds no very pronounced views, nor is he a member of any church, but attends the Protestant Episcopal service. Ilis personal appearance is commanding and dignified, and at the same time pleasing ; in his personal character he is high-toned and manly, strong in his likes and dislikes, an ardent friend, a decided, but not a malicious enemy, outspoken and generous, and a fluent and interesting conversationalist. In June, 1866, he married a daughter of Dr. Bates, a highly eminent surgeon of Massachusetts, and has had five sons, four of whom are now living, the eldest a bright, promising lad of ten years of age.
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ROLLINGSHEAD, DAVID A., A.M., Principal of the Western Female High School, Baltimore, was born, March 8, 1817, in Baltimore County, near the Pennsylvania line. Ile was the son of William and Martha Hollingshead, both of Scotch descent. His mother's maiden name was Kerr. He was the young- est of five children, and was left motherless in his third year. Ilis father was a farmer, who came to this country during the rebellion in Ireland, about 1798. He was an officer in the army of the United Irishmen. Ilis grand- father sold his property in Ireland about the close of the rebellion, at a great sacrifice, and came to this country with his entire family on account of the troubles in that country. Until he was sixteen years of age, David worked on the farm, attending school in winter. Having moved to Ilopewell Township, York County, Pennsylvania, about the year 1827, he was then taught English grammar by Samuel Kirkwood, at his private school, who was after- ward Governor of Iowa, and is at present United States Senator. Among his classmates was Daniel Kirkwood, now Professor of Mathematics in Indiana University. Ile remained in Hopewell until 1838, meantime teaching and studying, much of his education being self-acquired. At the age of eighteen he commenced the study of Latin and mathematics under Dr. William Smith, who was the tutor of Governor Henry A. Wise of Virginia. Mr. Hollings- head went to Baltimore County, and established a private school near the city, which he conducted for about five years. Shortly after the organization of the Western Fe- male Iligh School, about the year 1845, he became assis- tant principal, under Robert Kerr, Principal, they being then the only teachers. After a period of five years he was transferred to the Central Male High School of Baltimore, now Baltimore City College. The school was then held in a plain building on Holliday Street ; since then a beau- tiful and commodious modern building has been erected on North Howard Street. Ile served there acceptably for three years as assistant to Dr. Waters, the principal, teaching Mathematics. Upon the resignation of Mr. Keir,
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he was elected Principal of the Western Female High School. His ability to fill this position in all its require- ments is attested by the twenty four years which he has held it, and by the willing testimony of hundreds of uoble women who have graduated under his guidance and fos- tering care. He has ever evinced a thirst for the acquisition of knowledge, and revels in books and study. Teaching, such a drudgery to many in the profession, is to him a rec- reation and rare enjoyment. His first effort with a pupil is to fix the belief that he is a friend ; and that once estab- lished is never shaken, and hence, coercive measures are rarely, if ever, needed. Mr. Hollingshead was married a few months after attaining his majority to Miss Jane Tar- but, daughter of William Tarbut. of York County, Penn- sylvania, by whom he had two sons and two daughters. The second son died in early manhood, in the midst of great usefulness, as a successful teacher in Male Grammar School No. 10. The others are still living, and are named as follows : William II., Eliza R., and M. Ella. The de- ceased son was Robert Kerr. The mother of these children having died, he married Miss Elenor Sullivan, a daughter of the late Dennis Sullivan, Esq., of Baltimore, by whom he had two sons, one of them dying in infancy. The survivor, Dennis Sullivan Hollingshead, is now a student in the Bal- timore City College. Mr. Hollingshead has been an elder in the Twelfth Presbyterian Church about twenty-four years, and superintendent of the Sunday-school for twenty- five years. Since the age of seventeen he has been a mem- ber of that denomination, and in its welfare he has always taken a most lively interest. He has been a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities for a number of years, as also for several years a member of the Maryland Historical Society. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him by the Franklin and Marshall College, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
LEBIG, GUSTAV ADOLPH, Ph. D., was born, Angust 18, 1Szq. in Hayda, Austria, His father, Frantz Liebig, was an artist of considerable merit and celebrity, and portraits from his brush are still held at the Courts of Saxony and Bavaria. The doc- tor's early education began at the College of the Piarists. After passing through that institution, he studied phar- macy with Baron Berndt, in Prague, and in 1845 entered the Carolinum, the oldest University of Germany, where ' he graduated, in 1849, as Doctor of Philosophy. The fol- lowing years he devoted exclusively to the study of chem- istry, occupying the position of assistant with his tutor, Professor Joseph Bedtenbachen, one of the most distiu- guished chemists of the period, whom he followed to Vienna, where he remained until 1854, engaged in scien- tific researches. After travelling a year or more through
Europe, he came to this country in 1856, landing in New Vork, at which place he remained for two years, He then went to Baltimore, where he has ever since resided, and has become identified with one of the leading industries of the country. Being early impressed with the great agri- cultural importance of the phosphates found upon various West India Islands, he suggested their value, and was the means of bringing them into use. He has published a number of articles upon the subject, and is president of one of the leading manufacturing establishments in that line in Baltimore. Upon the subject of agricultural chem- istry, he is considered high authority, and as an analyst, he is well known and appreciated at home as well as abroad. He married Elizabeth S. Holland, of Baltimore, and has four sons.
CIIEIB, REV. HENRY, Pastor of Zion (German) Church, in Baltimore, and Educator, was born July 8, 1808, at Bacharach, a small town on the Rhine, under French jurisdiction at the time of his birth. He was the eldest of five children. His father was a wine-grower, in easy circumstances, but owing to a series of misfortunes became greatly reduced. Ilis parents attended the Reformed Church. Henry re- ceived his first instruction at the Reformed School of the town. When he had reached his tenth year, his father sent him to the Latin school, where, in addition to that language, he studied geography, history, geometry, and natural history. He remained at that school two years. During the hours which were not spent in school, Henry assisted his father in the vineyards, fields, and garden. Ilis father was at length induced, through the promise of assistance from friends, to enter him at the newly founded gymnasium at Kreuznach. That was to Henry the begin- ning of long years of trials and hardships. The assistance promised never arrived. Destitute of resources, he was frequently at a loss for the means of subsistence, llis parents did for him all that was in their power, yet that was very little. His troubles at this time were greatly in- creased by the death of his mother, for whom he had always entertained the sincerest love and veneration. It was the desire of his parents that he should prepare for the ministry. Accordingly, while reading the classics at the gymnasium, he commenced studying Hebrew, and before he went to the University had completed the books of Sammel, most of the Psalms, and Isaiah. Ile remained at that institution for a period of six years, t In the spring of 1830, he matriculated as studiosus theologie at the Univer- sity of Bonn. Probably but few young men had taken such a step with such slender means. During the three years which he spent at Bonn the total amount of money which he received from home was sixteen thalers and a few groschen -- something more than twelve dollars. Be- 1
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sides theology, he became greatly interested in the study of the natural sciences, and also attended lectures on med- icine, especially the pathological, anatomical, and clinical. Hle also devoted much attention to pedagogical sciences. Ilis sojourn at the University being ended, having success- fully passed the state examination, he now began to look around for a position, but could find nothing. Thirty-five other candidates for the ministry had to be cared for first. Insuperable obstacles arose before him, and failing, after vigorous efforts, to overcome them, he decided to cmigrate to America. In the latter part of December, 1834, he sailed from Rotterdam, and after a long and stormy voyage landed in New York, in April, 1835. He now stood penniless on the shore of the New World. Letters of recommendation introduced him to Dr. F. W. Geissen- hainer, Senior, Pastor of St. Matthew's (German) Church, and the cordial reception which he found in the family of that noble man consoled him for much that he had borne. In this family he was treated like an own son, and he strove to show his gratitude by assisting the doctor in his professional duties, and by preaching when he was ill or absent from the city. In September, Mr. Scheib received an invitation to fill temporarily the position of minister at Zion Church, in Baltimore. Although he had determined to accept a call to Newark, New Jersey, by the advice of Dr. Geissenhainer he went to Baltimore, without a thought that thenceforward it would be his home for more than forty years. In Baltimore he found a congregation utterly neglected, divided by bitter dissensions between the min- ister, vestry, and congregation. With many fears and no sanguine expectations, he commenced a long and tedious work, taking sides with neither party, but giving himself no rest until he had removed the evil and its roots. So unpromising did the field appear, if it had not been for the sympathy and encouragement of a few clearsighted and warmhearted friends of truth, who soon became his friends, he would have withdrawn at the expiration of his provisory appointment. On October 18, 1835, he was almost unani- mously elected pastor of Zion Church. The experiences of his youth were invaluable to him now. A division took place in the congregation, and some of the members, with their former minister, erected a new church. For many years he met with much opposition from these persons, and attempts were made to arouse suspicion as to his charac- ter, but he pursued the even tenor of his way, " not ren- dering again evil for evil," until, at length, they extended their hands to make peace with him who had never quar- relled with them; and when they explained why they wished no further contention, they added : " Especially as not a whisper is breathed against your moral conduct, and testimony is borne to much that is highly landable in your deportment and life." But what afforded him more grati- fication than even this peace-making, was the new and vigorous Christian life manifesting itself in his congrega- tion. Ile saw around him men to whom his best thoughts
were the most welcome, whilst between himself and his congregation a feeling of cordiality was developed. The relationship then established has continued for more than forty years, darkened by no cloud and interrupted by no misunderstanding. Early in his pastorate, Mr. Scheib be- came convinced that the education of the children would be a necessary condition of success in his work. The school of the congregation was held in a filthy apartment in an old house. Here, on his first visit, he found seven- teen boys and girls seated on broken benches, neglected and forsaken by those who should have cared for them. For many years the children of the members of the con- gregation had been permitted to grow up in this manner, and the development of their minds had been intrusted to an ignorant and morally weak teacher. Mr. Scheib called together the vestry, led them into the school, and pointing ont to them the existing misery, he implored them to assist in removing the evil. Ile delivered a course of lectures on education at the church-something unusual at that time-and then began a series of improvements, extending through many years, superintended and mainly planned in all their details by Mr. Scheib, which resulted in the eree- tion of a large and commodious school-building, furnished with all the appliances that the most advanced educa- tional experiences have adopted as necessary to the sue- cessful work of the thorough educator. From seventeen students, of both sexes, as Mr. Scheib first found it, the school now numbers its hundreds in regular attendance ; and from the study of the German language only, its courses now embrace all that is taught in first-class institutions. These continuons and arduous labors severely affected Mr. Scheib's health. Hle voluntarily assisted in the instruc- tion, superintended the school, arranged the schedule of exercises, and the grades of the classes; it was he who examined and appointed the teachers, worked out text- books for the various studies, and upon him the life of the establishment depended ; and, with all this, performing without an assistant all the duties of his pastorate. Mr. Scheib was very anxious to bring together young men and awaken in them an interest for scientific pursuits, and par- tienlarly to develop in them a love for the natural sciences. lle formed a society, which soon counted many members, and for twelve years he gave a large part of his time and attention to the " Bildungsverein" in delivering lectures on history, social life, and the natural sciences, Such appa- ratus as were useful for the explanation of the laws of mechanics, hydraulics, heat, light, air, and electricity were purchased, besides a complex of optical instruments, in- cluding a large magic lantern, dissolving views, gas, micro- scope, polariscope, and hydro-oxygen generators and lamps. Thus, too, the opportunities of affording instrue- tive entertainment were greatly increased. Besides, Mr. Scheib prepared a large number of drawings and charts. lle was much occupied with the microscope and the polari- scope, and had himself prepared many hundreds of objects
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for those instruments. Thus a vast amount of material was collected that could also be used to great advantage in the school, and, when his declining health obliged him to withdraw, which brought about the dissolution of the society, the whole collection of instruments, maps, etc., was made over to Zion School. Later acquisitions, par- ticularly of models for the study of zoology and anatomy, drawings, maps, and geometrical bodies, made this collec- tion one of the largest and most valuable to be found in any school of the country. For more than forty years Mr. Scheib has been engaged in this work ; never stopping, never despairing, always confident and hopeful and as active as ever, he still stands at his post, surrounded by a corps of teachers who are not merely his fellow-laborers but his friends, sensible, refined men, who are alive to their profession, and the important work which they are called upon to perform, and each of them striving to be, in the midst of their scholars, the centre of healthful mental life. In this manner alone could he hope to see one of the greatest objects of his life realized: the establishment of a school which strives not merely to train, but to educate ; which aims not merely at ease and clearness in thinking and per- ceiving, but seeks to cultivate the will and strengthen it for the performance of whatever is right and good; a school which nourishes sympathy for all that is true and beautiful, and exerts itself to plant in the heart those germs, which in after years make us noble, loving, and feeling men and women. In short, a school which has for its purpose real mental and moral development. At the be- ginning of his pastoral work in Baltimore, Mr. Scheib had organized a society for the cultivation of church music. This organization still exists (though no longer a church association), and under its original name, " Liederkranz," is a well-known and highly esteemed musical society. In 1839 Mr. Scheib married Lisette D. Eisenbrandt, eldest daughter of Christian Henry Eisenbrandt, the celebrated musical instrument manufacturer, well known throughout Europe and this country. This union laid the foundation to a lasting happiness, and in a great measure compensated him for the inconveniences of a life full of trials. Sorrow of the most painful character penetrated even this narrow circle, and repeated losses of beloved children left new and deep wounds. Mr. Scheib's Christianity is a religion of the spirit of truth, freedom and love, in contradistinction to a religion of the letter of force and of fear; it is the worship of the Father " in spirit and in truth." It is nothing more or less than the Christianity of Jesus Christ. With the ex- ception of a number of school-books, many dissertations on education, in the yearly reports of Zion School, and some speeches at festivals, nothing from his pen has ever ap- peared in print. He never wrote out his sermons in full. A retentive memory, a remarkable command of language, and perfect case in demeanor, made that unnecessary. Ilis voice is flexible and sonorous, his movements unstudied and graceful. His words are well chosen, his hgures of
rare brilliancy, and his delivery earnest and impressive. Ilis lectures and sermons possess an inexpressible charm for all who hear him.
USK, GEORGE GLANVILLE, M.D., of Baltimore, was born in that city, September 1, 1846. He received his early education at the private schools of his native city, as also at the Baltimore City Col- lege, leaving the latter institution in 1863. The same year he commenced the study of medicine in the office of the late Dr. J. C. S. Monkur, Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in and President of the faculty of the Washington University. He matriculated in the fall of the above year, as a student in the Medical Department of the University of Maryland. Whilst he was attending the University lectures, Dr. Monkur died, and Dr. Rusk entered as a private student the office of the late Professor Nathan R. Smith, remaining under the in- structions of that eminent surgeon, physician, and teacher, for about six months, or until his graduation in the spring of 1867. After receiving his diploma from the University of Maryland, he occupied, for awhile, the office of his first preceptor, Dr. Monkur, and had a large practice among the patients of that gentleman. Dr. Rusk then established himself, independently, in the practice of his profession, in the eastern section of Baltimore, which he has been continuously and successfully prosecuting in that locality for about ten years. Ile enjoys a wide reputation for his rare surgical knowledge and skill, and has performed, with signal success, many important and delicate operations, among which we would mention lithotomy, inguinal hernia, ete. He is thoroughly devoted to his profession, which appears to occupy his exclusive time and attention. For this rea- son he has not attached himself to societies of any kind that would draw him away from his practice. He is, how- ever, a member of the Medico-Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland. On October 21, 1873, Dr. Rusk married Miss Mary Yiesley, daughter of Jacob Viesley, of Baltimore, an extensive and successful builder. llis father is Jacob Krebs Rusk, one of Baltimore's most substantial citizens, and largely engaged in the provision business. Ilis grand- father, George W. Rusk, actively participated in the war of 1812 against the English. He was a gentleman of great publie spirit and unbounded hospitality. ' The Rusk family are of North of Ireland origin, and principally of the Methodist persuasion. '(For further information in regard to the genealogy of the Rusk family, see Johnson's Uni- versal Encyclopedia.) The doctor's mother's maiden name was Catharine Olivia Lane, granddaughter of a very wealthy and distinguished native of the town of Clonmell,
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