USA > Washington DC > Washington DC > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 49
USA > Maryland > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Maryland and District of Columbia Pt. 2 > Part 49
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MILTENBERGER, PROFESSOR GEORGE W., M.D., was born in the city of Baltimore, March 17, 1819. On both sides he is descended from okl and highly respectable families, who have made Baltimore their home and been identified with its history ever since the last century. On the mother's side he is descended from the Warners, while his father, the late General Anthony F. W. Miltenberger, who died in October, 1869, at the venerable age of eighty years, was from his youth a prominent and active citizen. General Miltenberger held a commission in the war of 1812, and continued to occupy during his long and useful life various positions of public trust and honor, until the infirmities of advancing age compelled him to relinquish all such employments. Ile was a man of great sagacity, quick perceptions, sound judgment, generous impulses, and remarkable force and determination of character. Strictly honorable in all the relations of life, and of un-
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blemished integrity, he commanded the respect and con- fidence of the community, and always wielded extensive personal influence. Professor Miltenberger received his primary education in the Boisseau Academy, a famous school in those days in Baltimore city, at that time under the charge of: Dr. Stephen Koszel and brother. Here he was distinguished for his studious and industrious habits, and for several years in succession carried off the highest prizes of the school. Hle afterwards went to the Univer- sity of Virginia, where he remained during the session of 1835-6, and in the fall of the latter year commenced his medical studies in Baltimore, which he continued to pros- ecute until the spring of 1840, purposely delaying gradu- ation for one year that he might enjoy the clinical ad- vantages attached to the position of resident student in the Baltimore Infirmary, a position only open to under- graduates. As Senior Student he performed during this year, all the duties in the Infirmary which now devolve upon the House Physician. In March, 1840, he graduated, and during his absence in the following summer, without previous solicitation on his part, he was elected by the Faculty of the University of Maryland Demonstrator of Anatomy, which place he continued to fill until 1852. He at once devoted himself with ardor and assiduity to the duties of his new position, seldom spending less than three hours a day with the class in the anatomical room in personal instruction. His class consequently became a very large one, although at his express desire his ticket was not made obligatory upon the students except for the single session required by the statutes. Such was his popularity, however, as an instructor that second and third year students were always to be found in attendance upon his course. What contributed to render his demonstrations more attractive and useful, was the habit which Dr. Mil- tenberger early adopted of inducing the class to refer to him upon such occasions for explanations and information in regard to any doubts or difficulties which they had encountered in the course of their reading. When his private practice had increased to that degree that he could no longer devote himself to instruction in the daytime, he continued to give the same number of hours to his duties at the anatomical rooms at night. During thesc years he always had in addition a large private class of office students, to whom he devoted from two to three hours thrice a week, not infrequently prolonging his in- structions, which were given partly in a didactic and partly in a conversational manner, until long after mid- night. In this portion of his career as a teacher Dr. Miltenberger seems to have taken great satisfaction, espe- cially enjoying the close personal relations with his class, and the consequent fulness and thoroughness of the means and opportunities of teaching thus afforded. Ile kept up his private classes until 1858, when the increasing demands of his practice compelled him to discontinue them. A short time after. his appointment as Demonstrator of
Anatomy, Dr. Miltenberger, by permission of the Faculty, commenced a course of lectures on surgical anatomy, which he continued until 1847. Ile had previously, during the first session after his appointment, upon the occasion of the death of his esteemed friend and preceptor, Dr. William Baker, who was then Professor of Anatomy, at the request of the Faculty, delivered the lecture required to complete the unfinished anatomical course of the term. In 1847 the Faculty of the University placed under Dr. Milten- berger's charge the surgical wards of the Infirmary, attend- ance upon which had hitherto been exclusively restricted to their own body. In 1847, a new lectureship on Patho- logical Anatomy being established, Dr. Miltenberger was elected to its duties, still retaining at the same time his position as Demonstrator. Partly for the purpose of this lectureship, in 1849-50 he became one of the attending physicians at the Baltimore City and County Almshouse? Thus at one time he had partial charge of two large hospitals, performed the duties of Demonstrator at the University, lectured on Pathological Anatomy, attended to his class of office-students, besides meeting the onerous and exacting demands of a large and increasing practice. Up to this time he had devoted himself chiefly to surgery, but he now began to turn his attention to general practice, but more particularly to obstetries. In 1852, when the late lamented Professor Chew was transferred to the chair of Theory and Practice of Medicine in the University of Maryland, Dr. Miltenberger was elected to succeed him in the vacant chair of Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pathology. This department he continued to occupy until 1858, when he was elected Professor of Obstetrics, which chair, after the lapse of twelve years, he still retains. In 1855 the further honor was conferred upon him of being chosen Dean of the Medical Faculty, and soon after Treasurer of the Faculty and Infirmary. These offices he held until within a few years, when his constantly increas- ing private practice rendered it necessary that he should deeline a re-election to either position. With the excep- tion of the duties of his chair he has been compelled to devote himself exclusively to his practice, which has grown to such extent as to demand every moment of his time, As a physician it need hardly be said that Dr. Milten- berger is held in the very highest estimation. The record of his life is filled with evidences of the regard in which he is held by his professional brethren. The thousands of students who have profited by his instructions, his coun- sels, and example, during his connection with the Univer- sity of Maryland, will ever remember him with sentiments of gratitude and affection. He has devoted his life to his profession, and has been deservedly crowned with its choicest rewards. To attain the success which he has reached, he has never resorted to extraneous means or in- fluences, or any of the arts by which popularity is some- times purchased at the expense of science and truth. ITe has risen simply by the same means which would have en-
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abled any other person to have risen to his place, and without which no man in any of the professions, but es- pecially in that of medicine, can hope to achieve perma- nent distinction. In his lectures, which are delivered withont notes and are entirely extemporaneous, Dr. Mil- tenberger aims to be clear, precise, and practical, and rather to adapt his instructions to the needs and comprehension of his hearers than to make any personal or oratorical display. Dr. Miltenberger married, May 1, 1850, Miss S. E. Williams, daughter of N. Williams, formerly of Mobile, now of Baltimore .- Baltimore, Past and Present.
HLER, PHILIP REESE, President of the Maryland e Academy of Sciences, was born in Baltimore, June 3, 1835. Ile is the oldest son of George Washington Uhler and Anna Maria Uhler, nee Reese. His father was the youngest son of Philip Uhler, a saddler by trade, but who became a commission merchant and grocer. Philip Uhler removed to Baltimore from York County, Pennsylvania, a few years previous to the war of 1812. He was with the American troops which met the British at North Point, but not with the advance column which engaged in the battle. Ile married Mary Botner and had several children, all but three of whom died in childhood or youth. The only daughter who reached ma- turity was Sophia Uhler, who became the wife of the late James Harvey, of Baltimore. The Botner family was one of prominence and wealth in Philadelphia, New York, and Canada. Among this family were the Edwards, Muhlen- bergs, Alcocks, and other branches, who were closely con- neeted with the aristocracy and nobility of England. Some of them were enthusiastic Tories, while the nearer ancestors of the younger branch of the family were ardent patriots, who risked life and property in their devotion to the cause of American liberty. A large part of what is now West Philadelphia was a part of the large estate of the older branch of the family. Philip Uhler was a man of strong moral character and deep patriotism, who constantly held up to his children and grandchildren their duties to their country, their fellow-men, and, above all, to their God. He was one of the founders of the first English Lutheran Church in Baltimore, and continued to be one of its officers until he had reached the age of fourscore years. Ile served a term in the Baltimore City Council, and always used his inthience in the cause of popular education. His wife lost her life in middle age by being run over by a freight car with which some mischievous boys were playing, on lloward Street, near Lexington Street, Baltimore. She was a woman of rare excellence of character and a devoted friend to the poor. George W. Uhler was educated at the school of Joseph Lancaster, a popular teacher of his day. After completing his education he was apprenticed to Jacob Rogers, a hatter, with whom he served his term, winning the'esteem of his employer and becoming thoroughly
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skilled in his trade. Ile soon afterward commeneed busi- ness for himself ; but not being satisfied with the small in- come he derived from his business, he united with his, friends, James and Joshua Harvey, in the drygoods busi- ness, and was thus enabled to place himself in a more in- dependent position. He finally withdrew from that firm, and entered into business on his own account on Franklin Street, Baltimore, where he carried on a flourishing business. Ile originated the first "one price" establishment ever known in Baltimore. He was a man of the strictest busi- ness integrity, and an earnest Christian gentleman, beloved and esteemed by all who knew him, and deeply lamented by the poor, who bore testimony to his benevolence. The maternal grandparents of P. R. Uhler were Captain John Reese and Mary Resse, née Zacharias, both of whom were highly respected on account of their superior moral worth. Captain Reese was in the engagement at North Point, - where he received a painful wound in the thigh, which un- fitted him for military duty, and which at intervals caused him great pain during his long life. Ile was one of the com- mittee appointed to entertain General Lafayette on the oc- casion of his second visit to the United States, and was one of the originators of the system of public schools of Balti- more. Both he and his wife lived to a ripe old age, and endeared themselves to a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. Philip Reese Uhler, the subject of this sketch, was carefully trained by a pious mother, who amid the pressing cares of a large household, found time to teach her children the rudiments of knowledge, and to imbue them with the principles of honor and virtue. The instruc- tion in the clementary branches received by Mr. Uhler from his mother enabled him, in his eighth year, to enter the private school of Mr. C. E. Wetmore, from which he was in due time transferred to the Latin school of Daniel Jones, where he received the remainder of his school edu- cation. At the expiration of three years he was placed by his father as a salesman in his drygoods store. Being very fond of nature, he devoted nearly all his spare time to amassing a collection of insects, shells, and minerals. Before attaining his sixteenth year he became acquainted with a German entomologist, Mr. J. P. Wild, who then carried on a candy manufactory on Franklin Street, Balti- more. By his assistance he became thoroughly trained in the methods of observing, collecting, and preserving these objects, and in a short time had secured a fine entomologi- cal collection. About this time he was introduced to the Rev. Dr. John G. Morris, who took great interest in his sindies, and through whose counsel, encouragement, and aid he was made familiar with the best books upon the subject, and stimulated to still greater effort. Dr. 'Morris was in close relationship with the chief entomologists of this country and Europe. By his zeal in such pursuits he oh- tained a large collection of the Coleoptera of all the world, and to this his young friends had frequent access. By such' means Mr. Uhler made steady progress in his studies, and
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soon became familiar with all the known forms of beetles of the United States. Ile was not satisfied to be merely acquainted with their names, but labored assiduously to ascertain the reason of their strange structure ; why it was that certain forms could only be obtained in restricted localities, and why under ascertained conditions of tem- perature and surroundings particular characteristics of form and color presented themselves in the species. Gradu- ally, as the range of his knowledge and powers increased, he ventured to write down his experiences and to commu- nicate them to others. Encouraged by his new friend, Dr. John L. Leconte, of Philadelphia, he described some new species of beetles, and sent the paper to the Academy of Natural Sciences of that city, which was accepted and pub- lished in the Proceedings of that society the same year, 1855. In 1863, through the courtesy of Dr. Leconte, his name was mentioned to Professor Agassiz, who was then actively interested in securing young men as assistants in enlarging the various Departments of his Museum of Com- parative Zoology at Harvard University. The place of assistant in charge of the entomological division was offered to Mr. Uhler, who accepted it, and removing to Cambridge soon afterward entered upon his new duties, which relation he sustained for about three years. The collection grew rapidly in extent ; large numbers of forms were arranged and made accessible to students, and this department received its fair share of attention. Professor Agassiz became Mr. Uhler's kind, appreciative friend, and aided him in many ways. In 1864 it was decided to send some one to Hayti to make collections for the museum. Mr. Uhler was selected for that purpose. He spent sev- eral months in that island, made large collections in va- rious branches of zoology, and returned home a short time after Professor Agassiz had started on his trip to Brazil. After the return of Professor Agassiz, he urged Mr. Uhler to turn his attention to that great country, and offered to send him there to supplement a part of his own explora-
› tions, which Mr. Uhler declined to do, feeling that the material already brought together sufficient to demand his whole energy for years to come. In 1866 it became ap- parent that the health of Professor Agassiz was greatly im- paired by overwork, and it was feared that his life would not long be spared. Mr. Uhler's old place in the library of the Peabody Institute of Baltimore was open to him, which he re-accepted, believing that he could make him- self more useful in that position. ITis stay at Harvard Uni- versity had enabled him to become familiar with the latest and most approved methods of library economy, and thus fitted him to take a more advanced position in the profes- sion. Since that time, through the courtesy of the Peabody Trustees, he has been granted time to make explorations in Colorado, in connection with Prof. Hayden's expedi- tion, the results of which have been published in the bulletins and reports of the surveys. His numerous · papers have been printed in the scientific journals of this
country and Canada, and he has contributed to magazines and newspapers popular articles on geology and natural history. An extensive foreign correspondence with naturalists in almost all parts of the world has brought him in contact with their latest views and most matured investigations, and has thus enabled him to profit by a wider experience than would otherwise fall to the lot of a single individual. He has been honored with membership in most of the scientific societies of the United States and Canada, such as the Society of Natural History, the Phila- delphia Academy of Natural Sciences, and other similar organizations. He is a Fellow of the American Associa- tion for the Advancement of Science; an Honorary Mem- ber of the Entomological Society, and an Associate in the Johns Hopkins University ; besides being Librarian in the l'eabody Institute. As a Collaborator of the Smithsonian Institution in 1860, he translated an extensive Latin work upon the Neuroptera of North America, which had been prepared by Dr. Hagen, of Koenigsberg, at the request of Professor Henry. A few months later he arranged it for the press, annotated and furnished it with a glossary and index, and read the proof-sheets. It was published in 1861, and classified as one of the series of Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections. In 1869 he was married to Miss Sophia Werdebaugh, of Baltimore, and has one son, Horace Scudder Uhler, born August 5, 1872.
RIGGINS, HON. EUGENE, Member of the Legislature of Maryland, was born in Baltimore, December 22, 1839. - Ilis father, Edward Iliggins, was for many years a merchant in that city, and one of the
re largest importers of fruit, in which business he ac- quired a considerable property. Ile died in 1863 at the age of sixty-three years. His mother, Susan ( Abbott) Higgins, was a native of Talbot County. She died in 1860 at the age of forty-four. IIer son Eugene was educated in the public schools of his native eity, and graduated at Georgetown College, District of Columbia, in 1856. Ile soon after became a member of the firm of Iliggins & Jenkins, doing business on the corner of Calvert and Pratt streets. On the outbreak of the civil war he went South and enlisted in Captain J. Lisle Clark's company. Early in the struggle he with eight others were on a steamer bound for Baltimore, with the intention of capturing a cer- tain Baltimore steamer, but they were discovered, and three of their number, including Mr. Higgins and Colonel Zer- bona, were captured. The former was confined in Fort McHenry about three months, when he was released and went South. After ten months in the army he was ap- pointed Assistant Provost-Marshal of Richmond, Virginia, which position he held for one and a half years. Again entering the Confederate Army he continued with it till he with the rest surrendered at Appomattox Court-house.
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On his return to Baltimore he was a clerk for one year in the furniture establishment of Messrs. Renwick & Sons, when he received the appointment as clerk in the Re- corder's office, in which he remained eight years. In 1875 he was elected a member of the Second Branch of the city Council tor two years. In 1877 he was elected to the Legislature for two years, and is still a member of that body. He also holds a position as Deputy Inspector in one of the State tobacco warehouses in Baltimore. Mr. Iliggins is an active and influential politician, and has discharged with ability and credit the duties of the various positions which he has been called upon to fill.
GrOUS CHESLEY, NATHANIEL DARE, M.D., son of Rev. William Fitzhugh and Jane Gray (Dare) Chesley, was born in Baltimore, December 16, 1815. His father was for many years Rector of Herring Creek Protestant Episcopal Church, in Anne Arundel County, one of the most important country parishes of that denomination in Maryland. The ancestors of Dr. Chesley, those represented by his own name, as well as the Dares, the Fitzhughs, and the Grays, were among the oldest and most distinguished families of the State. From his earliest boyhood his clear and penetrating intellect and amiable and affectionate disposition were the constant subject of re- mark. Sincerity, sympathy, kindness, and cheerfulness, all were expressed unmistakably in his countenance and man- ner, and won him many friends. His early education was received in the best schools of the city and State, where he made rapid progress in his studies. He commenced his medical studies in Frederick City in the office of Dr. Magill, and afterwards prosecuted them for two years in Baltimore under Dr. William Baker, at the same time at- tending the Medical College of the University of Mary- land, from which in his twenty first year he graduated with distinction, and received his degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. The qualities which won him so much popularity in his boyhood also made him a great favorite in college and in society. Shortly after receiving his diploma he opened an office in the West River settlement of Anne Arundel County, where he remained for thirty-five years, devoting himself most assiduously and conscientiously to the duties of his profession. From the beginning his practice was large, but his great tenderness of heart and kindness and . sympathy for all would never permit it to be very lucrative. Ile was as devoted in his attentions to the poor as to the rich ; to even the vagabond and the outcast he was tender and gentle, not only asking nothing for his services, but supplying their necessities out of his own purse. Hle was a Christian gentleman in the highest sense of the word, and no man who had ever lived in the community had so strong a hold on the affections and respect of the people. Ile was very successful as a physician, and his skill as a surgeon was unsurpassed. Ile was consulting physician
for his own and the adjoining counties, and wherever known was considered a man of unusual gifts and effi- ciency. A naturally vigorous constitution alone enabled him to endure the long strain and excessive labors of his extensive country practice. A friend says that during the last years he averaged in the saddle at least twelve hours out of the twenty-four, but this constant exposure, particularly to the night air and a malarious atmosphere, gradually undermined his health. Hoping to benefit it he removed in May, 1874, to Baltimore, where he practiced his profes- sion successfully until February, 1877, when his health continuing to fail he was confined to his room, lingering through a long and painful illness until January 23, 1878. A large number of the most distinguished physicians of the city attended him constantly, and his affectionate family and friends ministered to him with the devotion that only such a life and character as his could inspire." Hle preserved to the last the sweetness, gentleness, and considerate regard for others that had always distinguished him, and died in the Christian faith. Every honor was paid to his memory that respect and affection could sug- gest, and the deepest sympathy for his family in their be- reavement was called forth from all classes. Dr. Chesley was elected and served with distinction as a delegate to the National Medical Convention which met in Washington in 1855. Ilis first marriage took place in October, 1844, the bride being Mary, the eldest daughter of John Harry, of Georgetown, District of Columbia, a lady of great loveliness of character. . She died in 1854, leaving two children, John William and Nathaniel Dare Chesley. Dr. Chesley was again married, July 7, 1859, to Miss Sarah J., daughter of the late George P. Rieman, and granddaughter of Mr. Daniel Rieman, Mrs. Chesley is also a grand- daughter of the late Robert Garrett. By this lady he had three children, George, Lizzie, and Maggie Jennie Gray Chesley.
E COURCY, WILLIAM HENRY, M.D., was born, February 8, 1824, at Cheston, the family seat, on the Wye River, Queen Anne's County, Maryland. Ile is the last male representative of his house. Ilis father, William Henry De Courcy, a planter, who died in 1848, was the son of Captain Edward De Courcy, of the Revolutionary Army, who was attached to Patton's Regiment of the old Maryland Line. Ile died April 8, 1827. The mother of Dr. De Courcy was Eliza, daughter of llenry Notley Rozier, of Notley Hall, Prince George's County. She died in 1865, leaving, besides her son, one daughter, the wife of the lon. Henry May. The estate of Cheston was granted in 1642 to John and William De Courcy (then written Coursey), who it is supposed emi- grated from Ireland and were of an illustrious Anglo- Norman family. A number of the New York World, in April, 1874, says: " When a family has vigor enough to keep one name and one title in its blood for seven con-
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