USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 34
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ISAIAH WILTON, M. D., police surgeon of Evansville, was born at New Albany, of American parents, September 27, 1846. His father was James Wilton, a native of Kentucky, born in Edmonson county, in November, 1814. He was one of the pioneers of Indiana, having come to Harri- son county while this state was a territory. His death occurred in Floyd county, in 1870. The mother is a native of Indiana, born in Harrison county, in January, 1814. She is now a resident of Evansville, making her home with her son. Dr. Wilton was reared in Floyd county, Ind., and there attended the public schools. He began reading med - icine in 1877 in this city, where he had removed in 1870. He attended the Evans- ville Medical College during 1877-8, and in 1882-3, attended the Hospital Medical College, from which he graduated in 1883. Ile then began practicing his profession in Evansville, and in July of the same year was appointed surgeon for the metropolitan police force of Evansville, and has filled that place up to the present. While read- ing medicine from 1870 until 1877, he filled various official positions, including police- man, patrolman, and deputy city marshal. He was married in February, ISSI, to Annie Frederick, who was born in Jennings county, Ind., in 1853, and is the daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Lewis) Frederick. To this union six children have been born - four daughters and two boys. The young- est son died July 23, ISS8, aged eight years. RUFUS M. CORLEW, M. D., was born in
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1843, and is the son of William and Eliza (Pritchard) Corlew, both natives of Tennes- see. The father was born in 1810 and died in 1881. The mother was born about 1820, and is still a resident of Tennessee. To these parents four children, three sons and a daughter, were born, all of whom survive. Dr. Corlew was reared in Montgomery county, and educated in Nashville, Tenn. He began the study of medicine in his native county in 1860, with Dr. B. W. Us- sery as a preceptor. He entered the Uni- versity of Nashville, Tenn., in 1865, and took a thorough course, graduating in 1868, his term in college being at a time when the faculty was composed of such distinguished physicians as Drs. Paul Eve, Thomas R. Jen- nings, W. K. Boling, J. B. Lindsley, Joseph Jones, now of the University of New Orleans, and William T. Briggs, now of Vander- bilt University, Nashville. After leaving college Dr. Corlew located on the Tennessee river in west Tennessee, where he practiced for three years, and then removed to Robertson county, Tenn., where he re- mained until 1880, then locating in Evans- ville, Ind., where he has since resided de- voting his attention to the general practice of medicine and surgery. He is one of the consulting physicians of St. Mary's Hospital, and a member of the Vanderburgh Medical society. He was married in 1868, to Sally A. Batts, of Robinson county, Tenn., and to this union, three children have been born. Dr. Corlew is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is popular as a physician and citizen.
J. L. Dow, M. D., of Evansville, was born at South Tamworth, Carroll county, N. H., in 1839, and is the son of Eben and Harriet Newell (Mason) Dow, both natives of New Hampshire. Eben Dow was born in 1810, and died in 1859. His wife was born in 1813 and is still living. The Dow
family came west in 1849, locating at Can- nelton, Perry county, Ind., where the father's death occurred. £ Dr. Dow was reared in Indiana, and his early education was secured in the public schools. Graduating from the Cannelton high school, he commenced the study of medicine. He came to Vander- burgh county in 1861, and continued his medical studies, at the same time teaching school. In 1865-66 he attended Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, gradu- ating from that institution. He then began practicing medicine at St. Wendell's, Ind., where he resided and practiced for three years. At the end of this period he located at Fort Branch, Gibson county Ind., where he remained for ten years, within which time, in 1875-6, he again attended Miami College, spending the time in the hospital, however. On November 1, 1877, Dr. Dow located in Evansville, where he has since resided and practiced his profession. In October, 1883, he visited with his family in Washington city, where he remained until September, 1884. Dr. Dow has filled the office of sec- retary of the Vanderburgh county board of health, which position he held for several months in 1887, and then resigned. He is a member of the Vanderburgh county, state, tri-state and national medical societies. He was married in 1867 to Miss Irene Graves, of Cincinnati, and to this union four child- ren were born, two of whom survive. His wife dying in 1873, the doctor was again married in 1876 to Miss Lucie S. Wood- bury, of Massachusetts. Dr. Dow is a member of Reed Lodge, No. 316, Evans- ville Chapter No. 12, Simpson Council No. 23 and La Vallette Commandery No. 15, F. and A. M .; of Crescent Lodge No. 122, and Evansville Encampment No. 20, I. O. O. F .; also of the grand lodge of the state in both orders.
H. T. DIXON, M. D., was born in Ken-
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tucky, March 20, 1850, and is the son of C. C. and Isabella (Clay) Dixon, both natives of Kentucky. The father died in ISS4, and the mother is now residing in Henderson county. Dr. Dixon was reared in Hender- son county, Ky., on the farm, attended the public schools, and later took a special course of studies under Prof. Gibson, of this county. He began reading medicine in 1869, with his brother, Dr. R. S. Dixon, of Posey county, Ind. He entered the Uni- versity of Louisville, Ky., in 1872, from which he graduated in 1878, having taken three courses. He commenced the practice of his profession with his brother in Posey county, Ind., and later established himself in Union township, Vanderburgh county. After a time he removed to Henderson county, Ky., where he practiced until his removal to Evansville, Ind., in 1884. He was married October 1, 1878, to Miss Amelia Wilson, of Louisville, Ky., daughter of William Wilson, and to this union a son has been born. Dr. Dixon is a member of the McDowell Medical Society of Kentucky, of the Vanderburgh County and Indiana State Medical societies, and as a practitioner has been eminently successful.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER, M. D., physician and surgeon and druggist, at corner of Wa- bash and Pennsylvania streets, was born in Union county, Ky., November 27, 1855, and is the son of William and Augusta ( Boetiger) Alexander. William Alexander, sr., was born in Ireland, and his wife in Germany. They emigrated to the United States about 1850, and in 1856 located in Evansville. The mother died in 1879, and the father is at present engaged in merchandising on Franklin street in this city. Dr. Alexander was reared principally in Evansville. When about fifteen years of age he entered a drug store as clerk. He began reading medicine in IS79, and took his first course of lectures in
1883, at the Evansville Medical College, and afterward attended the Evansville Hospital Medical College. He began practicing in ISS6 in Evansville, and in May, 1888, engaged in retail drug business. Dr. Alexander was married in May, 1877, to Ellen McNamara, and to this union four children have been born, three of whom survive.
HOMEOPATHY.
The homeopathic school of medicine did not have a representative in the city of Evansville until about 1852. In that year Dr. E. J. Ehrman, coming from York, Penn., became the pioneer homeopathist in this city. He possessed considerable medical ability, although not a graduate of any med- ical school; he had quite an extensive following among the Germans, and was quite suc- cessful. He was followed in 1863 by Dr. Herr, a convert to homeopathy from the eclectic school, and a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Herr is still practicing and is regarded as a popular and successful physician.
In 1866 Dr. Davis, a graduate of the Cleveland Homeopathic College, became a partner of Dr. Ehrman. After the advent of Drs. Herr and Davis homeopathy rapidly grew in favor with the best families, and it was not long before its advocates were pos- sessed of a lucrative business. Both Dr. Herr and Dr. Davis were able exponents of the Hahnemann system of medicine, and their success obliterated in a very large de- gree the prejudice existing against what some were pleased to term the " small pill " practice. Several homeopathists have come to Evansville at various times, but finding the field well occupied and the school ably represented, left for more desirable locations. The present practitioners are Drs. Herr, Davis, Taylor, Tyrrell and Schultz.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
to Miss Elizabeth Churchill, a native of Switzerland, born in 1821. Of this union eight children were born, four of whom survive. Mrs. Ehrman is still a respected resident of this city.
E. J. EHRMAN, M. D., was born in Jax- thausen, Wurtemburg, Germany, October 29, 1819. He was educated in the common schools of his native land. In 1833, his L. S. HERR, A. B., M. D., was born in Ashland county, Ohio, February 3, 1828. His father was John Herr, a native of Vir- ginia, and a descendant of the Herrs who emigrated from Holland and settled in Vir- ginia about the year 1700. From Virginia John Herr removed to Harrisburgh, Penn., thence to Ohio, and settled in Ashland county in 1827. He and his wife were killed by accident in 1829, by the falling of a tree, while on a visit to Pennsylvania. Be- ing thus bereft of his parents while a child, an elder brother took charge of L. S., and gave him a good common school education. He was an apt scholar, and made rapid prog- ress. Before his seventeenth year he had taught two terms in the public schools. He continued his studies while engaged as a teacher, and entering Wooster College, Ohio, graduated therefrom in 1848. Being then twenty years of age, he decided to take up the study of medicine, and make the practice of that profession his life's work. He began his studies with Dr. T. W. Samp- sel, of Ashland, Ohio, and then attended a full course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, matriculating in the winter of 1851-2. In 1854, he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated from that institution in the follow- ing year. Locating at Peoria, Ill., he began the discharge of his professional duties, and soon thereafter found himself in the posses- sion of an extensive practice. After three years he removed to the city of Mexico, and there successfully engaged in the work of his profession. Returning to the United States at the end of three years, he located father, Dr. Frederick Ehrman, who was well advanced in the science of medicine, and one of the first advocates of homeo- pathy in this country, emigrated from Ger- many and settled in Liverpool, Penn., where he died in 1849. Dr. E. J. Ehrman was the youngest of five brothers, all of whom be- came homeopathic physicians. At the age of twenty he commenced the study of medi- cine in his father's office, continuing five years, and then beginning the practice at Liverpool, Penn. After several years of pro- fessional work he attended a full course of lectures at the Homeopathic Medical Col- lege of Pennsylvania, graduating therefrom in 1852. In the fall of the same year he came to Evansville, being the first advocate of the homeopathic school in this city. He struggled against grave prejudices and sev- eral years elapsed before he could lay any foundation for the new mode of treatment. After securing a few intelligent patients his practice began to increase and his reputation was enhanced by a skillful treatment of a vari- ety of cases incident to this climate. After ten years his practice had so extended itself that he was forced to have an assistant in order to attend the many patients desiring his services. From that time until his death, which occurred November 24, 1879, his practice was quite extensive and lucrative. He was county physician and medical at- tendant at the marine hospital and orphan asylum. His ability was conceded by the profession of all schools, and his many years of honorable conduct in the community as citizen and physician won him universal respect. Dr. Ehrman was married in 1845 in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1860 removed
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thence to Quincy, Ill. Up to 1862 he prac- ticed allopathic methods, but in that year he embraced the homeopathic system of prac- tice, and has since been a prominent advo- cate of that school. In 1863 he removed to Evansville, where he has since resided, suc- cessfully practicing his profession. During his residence here of a quarter of a century he has thoroughly established himself in public favor as a physician and citizen. Progressive and active, he has kept abreast of the times, and has always favored efforts intended to advance the general prosperity of the city. When he came here homeo- pathy was still struggling against strong prejudices, which, by his skill and ability, he did much to overcome. He is now, and for many years has been, one of the leading homeopathic physicians in this part of the state. He is a member of the Indiana State Homeopathic Medical Association. In 1858 Dr. Herr was married to Miss Sophia, daughter of Dr. Christian Fetter, a distin- guished physician of Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Herr was born in Pennsylvania in 1834. To this union one son was born, in 1859, who died in infancy, living but nine months.
nated with a term at the district school in winter. In this way he obtained the rudi- ments of an English education. At the age of sixteen he began teaching school. His savings were carefully husbanded, and for several years he attended school alter- nately as teacher and pupil. He paid especial attention to mechanics and civil engineering, and for a time followed sur- veying. In 1855, he began the study of medicine, firmly resolved to make it his life's vocation. He completed his preparatory course under many difficulties and discour- agements, and in 1864 entered the Cleve-
land Homeopathic Hospital College. A lack of means, however, prevented his grad- uation until 1869. His first location was Greencastle, Ind. Here he built up a suc- cessful practice, but not thinking the place a desirable one he came to Evansville in 1866 and formed a copartnership with Dr. Ehrman, with whom he remained until 1877. At the time Dr. Davis came to Evansville, the general public knew but little of the principles of homeopathy, and whatever of popularity it has since obtained is due largely to his efforts in its advancement and his skill and success as a physician. Success attended his efforts almost from the outset, and despite opposition he was soon the pos- sessor of a lucrative practice and an enviable position as a citizen. He is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the oldest national medical organization in the United States, the Indiana Institute of Homeopathy, and the American Microscop- ical Association. In his religious and polit- ical affiliations he is a Methodist and a staunch republican. In 1855 the doctor was married to Miss Jane, daughter of Lewis Taylor, one of the early settlers of this sec- tion of the state.
FIELDING LEWIS DAVIS, M. D., was born near Boonville, Ind., December 16, 1831. His parents, Amos and Elizabeth (Cain) Davis were of Welsh and Irish extraction. The grandfather of Dr. Davis was a native of Wales, and came to this country some time before the revolution. But little is known of his history further than that on the breaking out of the war he joined the Continental army and served until its close. The early life of Dr. Davis was replete with struggles and sorrows. At the age of five his father died, and seven years later he met with that irreparable loss, the death of his mother, and was thus thrown upon his own resources. His boyhood was passed upon THEODORE II. TAYLOR, M. D., was born the farm, where the summer's work alter-[ in Warrick county, Ind., September 24,
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1852, and is the son of Peter and Margaret (Perigo) Taylor, natives of Indiana. He was reared on a farm, and in 1876, gradu- ated from the State Normal School at Terre Haute. In ISSo, he began the study of medicine under Dr. Johnson, of Dale, Ind., finishing, however, his preparatory course with Dr. Davis, of Evansville, Ind. He is a graduate of the Cleveland, Ohio, Homeo- pathic College, and became the partner of Dr. Davis, in 1882. He is one of the prom- inent young practitioners of the county, and has already attained an enviable position. He was married September 30, 1886, to Ella F., daughter of Dr. I. Haas, the well- known citizen and dentist of this place.
DENTISTRY.
DR. ISAIAH HAAS, for nearly thirty years past a well-known citizen of Evansville and a leader in the practice of dentistry, was born at Newark, Ohio, February 22d, 1829. His father, Adam Haas, was a Virginian, born December 25, 1798, and in early man- hood moved to Newark, where he was mar- ried to Miss Christina Le Pert, of New York. From Newark he went to Delaware county, in the same state, and commenced merchandising. In 1845 he removed to Wa- bash, the county seat of Wabash county, Ind., at which place he continued in business as a merchant until 1860. Isaiah Haas re- ceived a fair education, such as could be ob- tained in the imperfect schools of that lo- cality and time; and when not at school, assisted his father in the store, as book- keeper and salesman. In 1849, when the Morse electric telegraph was being extended westwardly, an office was opened above the store of Adam Haas, and a teacher was sent to instruct a young lawyer of the place how to manipulate the (at that time) wonderful instrument. The pupil failing to compre- hend quickly and the instructor's time being
limited, Isaiah was induced to undertake the work. His consent was reluctantly given because of his father's absence, who was then in New York city buying goods. In ten days thereafter he was able to receive and send communications, and for three or four years devoted his entire time to the electric telegraph. During this time Ezra Cornell, of Ithaca, N. Y., the founder of Cornell University, became lessee of nearly a thousand miles of telegraph line running in and through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. This great length of line with all its offices, men and material, was placed un- der the supervision of the young operator, with headquarters at La Fayette, Ind. His energetic, able, and successful management caused him to receive many flattering letters from Mr. Cornell. During this time he was married to Miss Adeline McHenry, of Vin- cennes, who early fell a victim to consump- tion. Two children were born to them; but in three years, all were gone. Before leaving the telegraph his attention was attracted to the profession of dentistry, the study of which he commenced and prosecuted with vigor, having for his preceptors Prof. A. M. Moore, of La Fayette, Ind., and Prof, Samuel Wardle, of Cincinnati, Ohio, both eminent men in the profession. Prior to coming to Evansville, he spent some seven years in La Fayette, Ind. In 1857 he was married to Miss Sarah K. McHenry, a sister of his first wife. Two years later while on his way south for the purpose of visiting friends, he was unexpectedly detained in this city for two days. Here he met old friends who insisted that he make this place his future home, setting forth the outcome of the city in such glowing terms that a few weeks later he became a permanent resident of Evansville. For seven years, besides his dental work, he assisted Dr. Bray in all his surgical operations, and from that time for_
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ward, he has given his undivided attention to the practice of his profession. His repu- tation and practice increased year by year until they were by no means confined by the limits of this city. He has won a remark- able success, attaining prominence among the leading dentists in the state. For the good of the profession he has invented nu- merous articles, among them artificial palates and noses, but has refused to take out pat- ents to monopolize their use. His high ideal of his profession is equaled only by his achievements. He is the dental father of eighteen dentists, all reputable practitioners, who are scattered throughout the country from New York city to San Francisco. He served as lecturer on dentistry in the Evans- ville Medical College, when that institution was in existence. Dr. Haas has had a dis- tinguished career in Masonry-as master of Evansville Lodge, No. 64, F. and A. M., for seven years; as officer of the Grand Lodge of the state, one year; as district deputy master, four years; and as lecturer of the district, four years. His knowledge and able exposition of Masonic law and land- marks have distinguished him in the order.
its termination he was in the ranks of the federal army as a soldier. He first enlisted in the hundred-day service at Greenville, Ohio, joining Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment, O. N. G. At the end of his service with the state troops he enlisted, in 1864, for one year in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Regiment Ohio Infantry Volunteers as regimental musician, and served faithfully until the expiration of his term of enlistment. After the war, re- turning to his father's home in Ohio, he be- gan the study of dentistry, in 1866, having for his preceptor his brother, Dr. Walter F. Lewis. Coming to Evansville, he continued his studies in the office of Dr. Isaiah Haas, the well-known practitioner, and completing his studies he returned, in 1868, to Green- ville, Ohio, where he entered upon the practice of his profession. Five years later he came back to this city and lias since de- voted his undivided attention to dentistry, his skillful and satisfactory work giving him a valuable reputation and an extensive prac- tice. During his fifteen years' residence in the city he has maintained a high standing as a citizen and has become prominently identified with the secret orders working here. He has attained high rank in the G. A. R. and Royal Arcanum, being at the present time grand orator in the latter. In the I. O. O. F. he has passed through the chairs and has done much to advance the interests of the order. In 1869 he was mar- ried to Miss Emma C. Dorman, of Green- ville, Ohio, and to them two children-a son and a daughter -- have been born.
DR. S. B. LEWIS, surgeon dentist, was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., April 3, 1846, and is the second of three children born to John F. and Mary E. (Brigham) Lewis. His parents were natives of New York, the father born in 1816 and the mother in 1818. His father died in 1878 and his mother is still living at Greenville, Ohio. About 1853 his parents removed from their native state to Clermont county, Ohio, and twelve years later settled at Greenville. DR. CHARLES E. PITTMAN, surgeon den- tist and prominent young citizen of Evans- ville, was born February 17, 1854, in Posey county, Ind., and is the son of Robert K. and Parthenia (Ross) Pittman. His educa- tion was obtained in the public schools of John F. Lewis was a stock dealer and a prominent man in his locality throughout his long career. Dr. Lewis was reared in Clermont county, and received a fair educa- tion in the public schools. He was a mere lad when the civil war broke out, but before this city, and in January, 1875, he began the
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study of dentistry under the direction of Dr. I. Haas. After a thorough course of study and practical training he entered upon the active work of his profession, and from the outset established himself firmly in public favor. His popularity and practice rapidly extended themselves because of his personal accomplishments and his conversance with the details of dentistry. At the present time he enjoys an extensive and lucrative business. His professional work is always of the highest order. His social achieve- ments have been no less gratifying. As a member of the K. of P. fraternity he has won an enviable distinction. He has passed through all the chairs in Orion Lodge, No. 35; is a member of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, having served for two years as grand master at arms of that body; is now district deputy grand chancellor of Orion, St. George and Ben Hur lodges, and is a prominent member of Evansville Division, No. 4, M. R., K. of P. He is a typical knight, being an earnest worker, an ardent lover of the principles, familiar with the work in all its details and a perfect gentle- man. The doctor affiliates with the repub- lican party, and has taken a prominent part in organizing and drilling companies for a public parade. The histrionic talent pos- sessed by Dr. Pittman has contributed largely to public entertainment. As a mem- ber of the Ideal Opera company - whose presentations of the " Chimes of Normandy,"
the "Mikado," the "Grand Duchess," and the "Musketeers," have afforded delight to the music-loving portion of the populace - he has always played a prominent part, winning many laurels. November 16, 1881, Dr. Pittman was married to Miss Annie Knowles, daughter of Charles and Emily Knowles. Mrs. Pittman is a native of Van- derburgh county, and was born June 28, I860.
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