USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > History of Savannah, Ga.; from its settlement to the close of the eighteenth century > Part 12
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Dr. John F. Posey died on January 15, 1860, and at the time of his death was the oldest practitioner in Savannah. He was a native of North Carolina. During the Mexican War he served as surgeon. At its close he settled in Savannah, where he remained until his death. He was a man of great information, meteorology being a favorite pursuit, while he was a regular correspondent of the Smithsonian Institute. His personal character was of the highest kind. For many years he served the city as one of its municipal guardians. He took a deep interest in the efforts of organized medicine, and at the time of his death was president of the Georgia Medical Society.
Dr. Joseph Clay Habersham was another physician whose professional attainments and moral worth added luster to the medical fraternity of Savannah during the period of which we are treating. He was a grand- son of Governor Habersham and graduated at Princeton College, pre- viously having studied under the celebrated physician, Dr. Grimes, of Philadelphia. He became very proficient as a geologist, and Prof. Lyle, the eminent geologist and mineralogist, in his works mentions Dr. Haber- sham as " the eminent Southern scientist, thoroughly versed in miner. alogy and geology." In 1838, with Dr. W. C. Daniel, of Savannah, he visited northern Georgia to investigate the alleged gold fields in that sec- tion, and wrote a description of the mineral and other resources of that section, which is in exact accord with the result of later examination of the mineral region of Georgia. Dr. Habersham was thoroughly devoted to his profession, and during the yellow fever of 1854 was untiring in his exertion in behalf of the scourge-stricken people. His death was due to his overwork in this epidemic, although it did not occur until a year later
The yellow fever of 1854 tested the metal of the medical profession of Savannah to the utmost. Drs. Harris, Arnold, Bulloch, Habersham,
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Wragg, Cunningham, Daniel, and others, with desperate valor, faced the foe, and with few exceptions survived the battle. Other tests of professional integrity have occurred from the same source, and it is not too much to say that in every outbreak of this destroying disease, the profession al- most to a man remained at the post of duty and heroically fought the ter- rible destroyer.
From 1850 to the present it would be an almost impossible task to even gather the names of all the physicians who have practiced in Savan- nah, much less to gather even limited information concerning their attain- ments or achievements. Among those who may be said to have gained a worthy place in their profession, and who are not now living, and not before mentioned, may be named : Drs. J. J. Waring, D. H. Morrison, William H. Cuyler, P. M. Kollock, J. Gordon Howard, James Stoney, James Campfield, Joseph West, C. W. West, Joseph Turner, John Wake- field Francis, Harvey L. Byrd, George P. Padelford, R. H. Footman, Frank Demere, E. H. Martin, R. M. Nunn, James S. Sullivan, Thomas Smith, J. C. Habersham, E. P. Starr, Easton Yonge, William M. Charters, A. B. Starr, James G. Thomas, Thomas Smith, Juriah Harriss, Thomas Stewardson, C. A. DeCortez, and J. M. Gordon.
Dr. J. J. Waring was born in Savannah in 1829, and was a son of Dr. William R. Waring. His literary and scientific education was obtained in Yale College. He graduated in medicine at the University of Penn- sylvania in 1852, and for one year following was assistant resident physi- cian of the Bleckly Hospital, in Philadelphia. In 1853 he went to Dub- lin, Ireland, where for some time he studied medicine under Prof. White. This was followed by an appointment as assistant resident physician in Bartholomew's Hospital, London. After a stay of some months in Paris, and extensive traveling in Switzerland and Italy, he returned to Amer- ica, and in 1856 settled in Washington city and began the practice of his profession. In 1857 he was elected professor of physiology and ob- stetrics in the National Medical College, and in 1859 surgeon and cura- tor of the Washington Infirmary. At the breaking out of the war he re- turned to Savannah, where he remained until his death in January, 1888. Dr. Waring was a man of great mental strength, a skillful physician, and no man held more of the confidence of Savannahians than did he.
Dr. Joseph Clay Habersham, jr., son of Dr. J. C. Habersham, grandson
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of Major John Habersham, of the Continental army, and great-grandson of Governor James Habersham, one of the earliest settlers of the State, was born in Savannah on October 9, 1829. He studied his profession in Har- vard Medical College graduating in May, 1853. He immediately entered the field of professional usefulness at Savannah. In 1861 he was made a full surgeon in the Confederate army, and held various posts of trust and importance. At the termination of the contest he resumed the duties of his profession at Savannah, and was actively and successfully engaged un- til his death, on January 11, 1881. In 1866 he was elected vice- president of the Medical Association of Georgia, and in 1876 president. In 1870 he was elected health officer, which position he held until 1875. During the yellow fever of 1876 he remained at his post and did his utmost to alle- viate the scourge-stricken people. In 1878 he was again elected health officer, and held this position until 1880. His quiet and Christian-like life was marked by great devotion to the duties of his profession By education and attainments he held a foremost place in the medical ranks of Savannah. The Georgia Medical Society, in its tribute of respect to his memory, among other words of praise said : "Sensitive on all points of honor, he scorned and manfully discountenanced any degrading or du- bious action, and though entitled by birth and by a thorough medical ed- ucation to be in the foremost ranks, he moved unostentatiously among his acquaintances and his patients, and has left in their recollections a pleasing and lasting impression. . While we bow with submis- sion to the decree of Providence, it is with sincere grief, and that in our hearts we will ever cherish with kindly affection and esteem the memory of our departed brother."
Dr. William Morris Charters was born in Florida township, Mont- gomery county, N. Y., in 1806. His literary education was received in New York and Cincinnati, and in the latter city his medical education was commenced in the medical college of that city. His degree of M.D. was received in 1837. He began the practice of his profession in Leb- anon county, O., where he remained for several years. In 1850 he set- tled in Savannah. He labored through the epidemic of 1854, and was particularly successful in the treatment of this malignant disease. Real- izing the value to the profession of medical associations he became a most zealous advocate and supporter of such organizations. In 1838 he was
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one of the organizers of the Lebanon Medical Society, and in 1843 was president of the society. At the time of his death he was a member of the Georgia Medical Society, the State Medical Association, the Georgia Historical Society, St. Andrew's Society, the Savannah Benevolent So- ciety, and the Savannah Board of Education. The laws of hygiene and proper sanitary measures were his constant study. He was professor of chemistry in the Savannah Medical College, one of the trustees of the institution, and at one time president of the faculty. His contributions to medical literature consisted of addresses before the medical society, and numerous essays on medical subjects. He died on January 6, 1883.
Dr. E. P. Starr, was a son of C. H. Starr, who was born in Savannah in 1798, and died May 23, 1866. Dr. Starr was born in Bryan county, Ga., March 20, 1841. After spending considerable time in studying medicine he entered the Savannah Medical College, and was graduated in 1861. Immediately after graduation he entered the Confederate ser- vice as a private in the Eighteenth Georgia Battalion. He served with much credit, and in 1864 was appointed adjutant. During the latter end of the war he was taken prisoner and was confined until the summer of 1865, when he returned to Savannah. His enfeebled health at this time prevented his practicing his profession and he engaged in mercantile pursuits. Exposure during his military career, however, had so under- mined his health that he was not permitted to prosecute his business. After vainly trying to establish his health by traveling he succumbed to the ravages of consumption in March, 1873. He was a young man of unusually bright intellect, and had he lived and been enabled to engage in professional work it is believed he would have gained high position.
Dr. Thomas Smith was born in Fredericksburg, Va., in 1839. He was educated in Washington city, where he studied medicine under Dr. J. J. Waring. After graduating at the Georgetown Medical College he went to Europe and pursued his medical education at London, Paris and Edinburgh. Returning to Virginia in 1861 he ran the blockade and became assistant surgeon in the Confederate service. After the war he came to Savannah, and for one year was associated in practice with Dr. J. J. Waring, his old preceptor, while in Washington city. He was en- gaged in the general practice of his profession and had attained a posi- tion of prominence when he died of yellow fever in 1876. He was a
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professor in the Savannah Medical College and a member of the Local Medical Society of Savannah, and the State Medical Association.
Dr. Thomas J. Charlton who died in Savannah December 8, 1886, after a long illness, was born in Bryan county, Ga., March 5, 1833, and was a son of the late Dr. Thomas J. Charlton, and a grandson of Hon. Thomas U. P. Charlton, for many years judge of the Superior Court of Chatham county. Dr. Charlton received his preparatory education in Savannah and graduated with distinction from the University of Georgia. He pur- sued a course of medicine at the Savannah Medical College, graduating in 1856. During the time he was pursuing his medical education the city was ravaged by yellow fever, and Dr. Charlton did noble work among the distressed people. He was one of several Savannah physicians who went to Norfolk, Va., during the prevalence of the fever there in 1855. and remained during the epidemic, receiving with his copartners a gold medal from the city of Norfolk in recognition of his devoted services. Shortly after graduation he received an appointment as assistant surgeon in the United States Navy and was attached to the sloop, Jamestown. While stationed at Chelsea, at the breaking out of the war, he resigned and came home. Soon after he was commissioned as surgeon in the Confederate army. A short time after receiving his commission he was sent on a secret mission to France, and remained there about a year. Upon his return he joined the Confederate cruiser, Florida, and was captured with the vessel at Bahia, Brazil, and sent with the officers to Fort Warren, Boston. He was released on condition that he leave the country. He then went to England, where he remained some time, and finally settled in Halifax. At the close of the war he returned to Sa- vannah. He was a member of the Georgia Medical Society, the Medical Association of Georgia, and for many years was one of the most promi- nent physicians in the State. Dr. Charlton took a lively interest in public affairs. He was a man of strict integrity and great strength of character, and held the esteem of every one who knew him.
Dr. John Wakefield Francis was another ante bellum physician who occupied a high place in the Savannah medical profession. After fully half a century of successful practice he died in 1861.
Dr. James Grey Thomas, descended from English and Welsh settlers in Virginia and Maryland in colonial times, was born near Bloomfield,
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Nelson county, Ky., June 24, 1835. He was educated at the Bloomfield High School, and at the Roman Catholic College at Bardstown, Ky. He entered the medical department of the New York University, and from that institution in March, 1856, received the degree of M.D. During the ensuing four years he practiced in Bloomfield. During the war between the States he was commissioned surgeon in the Confederate States army; was chief surgeon of McLaw's Division, and at one time medical di- rector of Hardee's corps. In 1865 he located in Savannah, where he re- mained in active practice until his death in 1884. He was a member of the Georgia Medical Society, and of the Georgia State Medical Associ- ation. Of his more important medical publications may be mentioned : "The Use of the Thermometer in the Practice of Medicine." "The Use of Water in the Summer Complaint of Children." "The Use of Water in Typhoid Fever." In 1874 he was elected to the Lower House of the Georgia Legislature. He was the author of the law creating the State Board of Health of Georgia, and requiring the registration of all deaths, births and marriages. He was president of the State Board of Health for several years, and in the two reports issued by that body in 1875 and 1876, is the author of several articles upon public hygiene.
For several years after the close of the war Dr. Alexander Means held the position of agricultural chemist for the State at the port of Sa- vannah. He was born in Statesville, Iredell county, N. C., February 6, 1801. The Hon. Alexander H. Stephens contributes to " Johnson's Uni- versal Encyclopedia " the following sketch of his life: "He received a classical education at the academy at Statesville ; removed to Georgia in 1822; taught school for four years, then attended medical lectures at Transylvania University, Kentucky, and commenced the practice of medicine in Covington, Ga., in 1826. In the same year he was licensed to preach by the M. E. Church. In 1834 he was called to the superin- tendency of the manual labor training school near Covington. At the reorganization of Emory College at the same place, (now known as Ox- ford) in 1838, he was chosen professor of physical science, which position he held for eighteen years; in 1840 was appointed professor of chemis- try and pharmacy in the medical college of Georgia located at Augusta ; delivered a regular course of lectures there during the winter season, continuing at the same time for eight months in each year to fill his chair
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in Emory College. In 1853 presided over the Masonic Female College in Covington a few miles from Oxford. In 1854 Dr. Means was called to the presidency of Emory College, but shortly after accepted the chair of chemistry in the Atlanta Medical College, which position he held twelve years, including the period of the war, lecturing during the sum- mer season. In 1851 he traveled extensively through Europe. As a member of the State Convention of 1861 he spoke eloquently and effect- ively against the ordinance of secession, but when it was carried he thoroughly and promptly identified himself, his family and his fortunes with his native South. Since the war he has held the position of agri- cultural chemist for the State at the port of Savannah which he still (1875) holds, retaining also his time-honored connection with Emory College. His latest work is entitled the ' Centennial of Chemistry.'"
The present members of the medical fraternity of Savannah, will as a class, compare favorably with those of any city in the country, and were it possible to have obtained the necessary information and space permit- ted their use we would have been pleased to give biographical sketches of many living practitioners who have obtained an honored place in their profession. The physician whose professional practice extends over the longest period is Dr. J. Bond Read who was born in Savannah in 1837, He was educated in Charleston, S. C., and at the University of Maryland. graduating from the medical department of the latter institution in 1849. He commenced practice in Savannah immediately after graduation and soon attained a high position in his profession. During the war between the States he entered the Confederate service as surgeon being stationed at hospital No. 4 at Richmond, Va. He has taken a prominent part in the various medical associations of his city and State and has frequently contributed to the literature of his profession. He is a member of the Medical Association of the State of Georgia and the Georgia Medical Society.
Dr. Robert P. Myers was born in Savannah January 20, 1839, but received his literary education in the county schools of Cobb county. In 1857 he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. R. B. Arnold of Savannah, supplemented by a course of lectures in the Savannah Medical College, graduating in 1860. After one year's practice he be- came assistant surgeon in the Confederate army, remaining in this capac-
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ity until the final surrender of the Southern forces at Appomattox. Af- ter the war he returned to Savannah and in 1866 was elected coroner, being the first physician to serve in that capacity in Savannah. He was demonstrator of anatomy in the Savannah Medical College; has been permanent secretary of the State Medical Association and for thirteen years has been recording secretary of the Georgia Medical Society. For the last eight years he has been superintendent of the Georgia Infirmary. Dr. Myers' practice has been general in its character and his standing in his profession is deservedly high. Personally he is a pleasant, genial gentleman and is highly esteemed.
Dr. Richard J. Nunn was born in Ireland, December 13, 1831, and is the son of Dr. R. M. Nunn. After receiving his preliminary educa- tion in Ireland and a course of instruction in the Royal College of Sur- geons of London and Apothecary Hall, Dublin, he came to America and settled in Savannah. Here he continued his medical studies and in 1854 graduated at the Savannah Medical College. The year following gradu- ation he spent in Europe. Returning to America in 1855 he settled in Norfolk, Va., but soon after returned to Savannah, where he has since been engaged in the general practice of medicine. In the beginning of the late war he entered the Confederate service as captain of Company D, of the Twenty-second Georgia Artillery Battalion. He served in this position during the early part of the war, when his health failing he was discharged from service. After regaining his health he again resumed practice in Savannah in 1865, and has since been engaged in continuous professional work. He has spent considerable time in traveling in Eu- rope both for pleasure and for the purpose of perfecting himself in medi- cal science. He held the chair of practice in the Savannah Medical Col- lege and a similar position in the Oglethorpe College. He has always taken an active part in every movement to make medical associations more beneficial to the profession, and is a member of the county, State and American Associations. His contributions to medical literature have been numerous and have covered nearly every branch of practice, but while he does a general practice it is in the field of gynecology that he particularly excels.
Dr. William Duncan was born in Savannah January 4, 1840. He was educated at Chiatham Academy, Springfield Academy and Ogle-
Vunc an
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thorpe University, Georgia. He graduated in medicine from the Savan- nah Medical College in March, 1861, and the Rotunda Lying-in Hospital, Dublin, in 1865. He is also a licentiate in midwifery of the King and Queen's College of Physicians, Ireland, 1865. Besides the above he studied in King's College Hospital, London, and in Paris hospitals in 1865 and 1866, settling in Savannah the latter year. He is a member of the State Medical Association of Georgia and of the Georgia Medical Society ; was treasurer of the latter in 1867 and vice-president in 1877. He was demonstrator of anatomy in the Savannah Medical College in 1867 and a few years later held the chair of Pathological anatomy, and from 1872 to 1881 was dean of the faculty. For the last twenty years he has been chief surgeon of the Savannah, Florida and Western Railroad; for over twenty years superintendent and one of the managers of the Savannah Hospital, and from 1870 to 1888 was secretary and treasurer of the Geor- gia Infirmary. During the four years of the late civil war he was assist- ant surgeon in the Confederate States army, and served in the field and in the hospitals at Savannah, Ga., and Harrisburg and Richmond, Va. He has been an alderman of the city of Savannah, and a member of the board of sanitary commissioners of the city. His practice is general, but largely pertains to surgery and obstetrics.
Dr. William Henry Elliott was born in Savannah, March 10, 1837. His father was Dr. Ralph E. Elliott of Beaufort, S. C., whose ancestors were from Cornwall, England, and his mother was Margaret C. Mackay, of Scotch descent. He received his literary and classical education at Hartford, graduating there in 1837, and his medical education at the University of Virginia and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, graduating from the former in 1858, and from the latter in 1859. He has been president of the Georgia Medical Society and held the position of surgery in the Savannah Medical College. During the civil war he was assistant surgeon of the Confederate army. In March, 1862, he married Sidney, a daughter of Mr. B. E. Stiles of Savannah.
Dr. J. C. Le Hardy was born in Belgium, October 21, 1831. His literary, classical and scientific education was received at the Brussels Athenaum, the Brussels Universete libre and Ecole Ponts et Chaussee, and his medical and pharmaceutical studies in the Georgia Medical Col- lege at Augusta, Ga., and the Jefferson Medical College of Pharmacy,
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Philadelphia. He graduated from the Jefferson College in 1855 and set- tled first near Rome, Ga., and afterwards in Savannah. He is a member of the Georgia Medical Society, of the American Medical Association, of Georgia. He is the author of several contributions to medical litera- ture of which may be mentioned : "Treatment of Stricture of Uretha," "The Duality of Syphilitic Poison," "The Aerial and Terrestrial Influ- ences on Disease." He held the position of professor of chemistry in the Oglethorpe Medical College and has been especially active in pro- moting the objects of organized medicine.
Dr. Raymond B. Harris, son of Dr. Raymond Harris, and brother of Dr. Stephen N. Harris, was born in Bryan county, Georgia, in May, 1830. He studied medicine under Dr. R. D. Arnold, of Savannah; in 1859 graduated at the Savannah Medical College, and also took a post-grad- uate course at the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1860 he was appointed demonstrator of anatomy in the Savannah ยท Medical College. In 1861 he became assistant surgeon in the Second Georgia Hospital at Richmond, Va. He also had considerable field ser- vice with the Fifty-seventh Georgia Regiment, Army of Tennessee. He served throughout the war and during the latter part with General Smith's brigade. After the war he located in Darien, Ga., where he remained seven or eight years. He then returned to Savannah, where he has since been engaged in a general medical practice. He is a member of the Georgia Medical Society, and the State Medical Association, of Georgia.
Dr. John D. Martin was born in Charleston, S. C., in 1839, and at the age of nine years came to Savannah. His literary and scientific educa- tion was received at Emmettsburg, Md., and Georgetown College, Washington, D. C. He studied medicine in the office of Dr. R. D. Ar- nold, and in 1861 graduated at the Savannah Medical College. He was for a time associated with Dr. Arnold in practice. For the last twenty years he has been connected with the Savannah Hospital, and is a mem- ber of the medical staff of the Telfair Woman's Hospital. He is presi- dent of the Georgia Medical Society, and is a member of the State and American Medical Association.
Dr. Frank Lincoln is one of the younger physicians. He is a native of Savannah, and is conceded to possess one of the strongest and most remarkable intellects in the State.
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Dr. George H. Stone was born in Albion, N. Y., on January 8, 1844, and in 1868 graduated from the medical department of the Georgetown College, Washington, D. C. He soon after settled in Savannah, where he has since been engaged in a general medical practice.
Dr. J. P. S. Houstoun is a native of Florida, and was born No- vember 3, 1849. In 1869 he graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. C. N. Brandt was born in New York, on May 30, 1860, and is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York.
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