USA > Maryland > Baltimore County > Baltimore City > History of Baltimore, Maryland, from its founding as a town to the current year, 1729-1898, including its early settlement and development; a description of its historic and interesting localities; political, military, civil, and religious statistcs; biographies of representative citizens, etc., etc > Part 112
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Mrs. West in her girlhood was Miss Ma- tilda Price Smith, daughter of Mr. Benjamin Price Smith, of Washington, D. C., during his life a prominent landed proprietor of that city.
Doctor West is a vestryman of St. Barna- bas Church, of Baltimore. Although at times a club member, Doctor West was never an attendant upon any of those bodies and has since withdrawn from all of them, preferring to spend what leisure time he may have in the seclusion of his happy home.
ADELBERT J. VOLCK, Dentist, 338 N. Charles street, Baltimore.
It is with pleasure that we devote space to a brief sketch of the Nestor of the dental profession in Baltimore, the well-known Dr. Adelbert J. Volck. His practice extends farther back into the century than any prac- titioner in Baltimore. Born in a foreign land, the career at first planned for him was far other than the scenes in which it has been cast. His father, Andreas Volck, was a man of scientific attainments, being a
large manufacturing chemist of Nuremberg, Bavaria. He was a man of wide culture and learning and devoted his leisure hours to scientific researches, especially in the field of theological learning. Several of his sons are men of renown in various fields of human activity in their native land, only two of them having come to America.
Adelbert J. Volck was born in the city of Augsburg, Bavaria, April 14, 1828. While yet in early childhood his parents removed to Nuremberg, where his early education was secured, after which he became a stu- dent in the University of Munich. His ca- reer here was cut short by reason of having to flee the country for being suspected of participating or sympathizing with the rev- olution of 1848, when Schurz, Hecker and many other of our now distinguished Amer- ican citizens inaugurated a movement for greater freedom that resulted in their expa- triation. Escaping from the fatherland, our fleeing student made his way in secret to Bremen, whence he sailed for New York, where he landed late in November, 1848. A penniless stranger in a strange land, little familiar with a foreign tongue, he met with discouragement everywhere he applied for work. The young foreigner found little de- mand for an expert chemist or one of the scientific attainments. He sought positions as teacher, as assistant, as chemist-any- thing that would bring him remuneration, but nothing was to be found. Hoping for better fortune in Boston, he departed for that city, where it was worse than in New York. He nearly starved. To sustain life he sought any kind of employment, manual or otherwise, but met with discouragement on every hand. By good fortune he came to the notice of Doctor Keep, an eminent
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dentist of Boston, and was given employ- ment assisting him in chemical experiments and operations in his laboratory, and was here employed something upwards of a year.
Dr. Chapin A. Harris, hearing of the young German who was so expert a chem- ist, sent for him to assist in his office and the laboratory of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, and from that time on the field was open to him. He became at once a teacher as well as student in the dental school, and on graduating in 1851 opened an office in Baltimore, where he has since been in active practice for upwards of forty- eight years. Though unable to remain at the university in Germany to complete his course, Doctor Volck wrote his thesis here, and had conferred upon him the degree of D. Ph. He has always been an original in- vestigator, never being content to tread the beaten paths of others' research. He made many investigations in the field of micro- scopy with Dr. Christopher Johnson. In- metalurgy he has had a wide experience, assaying thousands of samples of foil used in the practice of dentistry to establish what manufacturers' products are pure and in which an alloy is found, either by care- lessness or design of the manufacturer.
Doctor Volck was the first dentist to make use of enamel inlays for fillings, as far back as 1854. At that time the work was inlaid in gold, and was more durable than more modern methods of cement. The Doctor now has in his possession his first specimen of work and the inlay is in a per- fect state of preservation.
The Doctor works at his profession for the nourishment of his body, finding food for his soul in art. And it is not in one
branch of art alone that this many sided man excels. Had he chosen that for his vocation in life instead of his avocation, there can be little doubt that he would have made his mark. As a designer and draughts- man he is excelled by few; as a painter he shows a familiarity with the handling of pigments and of the various schools of art and the individual styles of the old masters that might be envied by many who make a profession of painting. A little study in the Doctor's office, dashed off in a few hours one morning before a little coterie of artist friends who used to congregate weekly at his house to discourse on topics of art, is a good imitation of the style of Rem- brandt, whose work the Doctor was il- lustrating, and which has many times been taken for a work of that master. The branch of art for which the Doctor is most widely known, perhaps, is his fine work in metals. There is probably not his superior in the establishments of Tiffany or Graham in New York, nor in any of the cities of America. The Appold Testimonial, the product of his brain and hand, is as artistic a piece of work as one can find. For exqui- site and artistic delicacy of design, and for boldness of execution, it could not well be excelled. Much of the finest work turned out by the various establishments of artistic metal work in Baltimore was executed by him. A testimonial, artistic groups in silver, etc., to Mayor Hooper, by the citizens of Baltimore, irrespective of political creed, a large and important work, is from his de- signs.
When the work of the day is over-when his last patient has gone-then the work of his heart and soul begins. His hours are long and midnight usually finds him in his
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laboratory with the tools of the silversmith in his hand, or mayhaps the charcoal or pen- cil of the artist. Though nearing the sev- entieth mile-stone in the journey of life, Doctor Volck retains to a remarkable de- gree his faculties. His eyesight is still so strong and perfect that he has little use for glasses.
He is a member of the University and Athenaeum Clubs of this city and of various medical and dental societies, both National and State. In his professional and private life he is revered by his colleagues and loved by all his friends.
DR. THOMAS S. LATIMER was born in Savannah, Ga., in 1839, one of a family of eleven children. He attended public and pri- vate schools and enjoyed the advantages of having a private tutor. He completed his literary education in Sherwood Academy, located at York, Pa., and shortly after ma- triculated in the University of Maryland Medical School, from which he graduated in 1861. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Doctor Latimer espoused the cause of the South, and enlisted April 19th as a private in the First Regiment of Maryland C. S. A., and went south early in May. After about eight months' service in the ranks, his med- ical ability was recognized and he was ap- pointed assistant surgeon to his regiment, where he completed his first year's service. In the spring of 1862 he was appointed medical field purveyor to General Lee's army of Northern Virginia, which position he held until after the battle of Gettysburg. On reaching Richmond, Doctor Latimer was made surgeon in charge of the Confederate States Dispensary and the Robinson Hos- pital, and attended to the medical needs of
the wives and children of soldiers in the field, which was his pleasant duty until the fall of Richmond and the army's retreat. On that unhappy event the Doctor was as- signed to the division of Gen. Joseph John- ston, and reached Charlotte, N. C., before receiving the news of the surrender, and there laid down his arms. Fearing that the lot of the vanquished might be anything but a pleasant one, Doctor Latimer went to the Spanish West Indies, intending to prac- tice his profession and make his home there for a time at least. But as leniency was shown all who had been supporting the Confederate States he returned in a few months to Richmond, where he spent the winter of '65-66. Coming to Balti- more in the spring of '66 with the intention of enlisting under Generals Price and Ma- gruder in Mexico to sustain Maximilian, he was deterred by a letter from General Early, who seeing that the French Empire in Mex- ico was doomed, advised Confederate vol- unteers not to come.
During his service in the army of North- ern Virginia, Doctor Latimer enjoyed the personal friendship of General Lee, as inti- mately as a young surgeon could that of his superior officer, and in his intercourse with the greatest Confederate became very much attached to him. In 1866, receiving an ap- pointment as resident physician to the Uni- versity Hospital, Doctor Latimer was placed in charge and remained with the institution two years, when he resigned to begin his private practice, in which he has received recognition as one of the most skillful phy- sicans in the city, holds a high place amongst his colleagues, and has a large and influential practice.
Doctor Latimer is Professor of Physiol-
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ogy in the Baltimore College of Surgery and Professor of the Practice of Medicine in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Bal- timore, and during the existence of the Post-Graduate Medical College held a professorship in that institution. He has held a prominent position in the pro- fession in the city and State, having served as president and vice-president of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty, and Pres- ident of the Baltimore Medical Association.
Of the writings of Doctor Latimer the chief is "Anatomy and Physiology of Har- ris' Principles and Practice of Dentistry." His chapter on Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis is a well-written part in Loomis' Text-book on Medicine, and his many monographs are papers of recognized merit.
The earliest American ancestor in the male line was one James Latimer, who com- ing from England settled in Wilmington, Del., in early colonial times, his descendants spreading thence southward.
The father of our subject, Mr. William Geddes Latimer, was prominent in public affairs during the first half of the century, and at the time of his death about 1846 was postmaster of Savannah. The lady whose life was linked with his own was in her maidenhood Miss Mary Collins, of an old and respected family.
DR. HENRY LEE SMITH, Physician and Surgeon, of Baltimore.
This gentleman was born at Ashland, Va., March 23, 1868. He is the son of Maj. J. Thomas Smith and Margaret Lewis (Marshall) Smith, both of Fauquier county, Va. Through his father, Doctor Smith has common ancestors with Generals George Washington and Robert E. Lee,
and through his mother he is a great-grand- son of Chief Justice Marshall, and great- great-grandson of Col. Thomas Marshall (father of the Chief Justice), who com- manded the Third Virginia Regiment, and for distinguished services was presented with a sword by the House of Burgesses, in 1777. He is also a descendant of Augus- tus Warner, Speaker of the first House of Burgesses. Augustus Warner was an an- cestor of Gen. George Washington.
He was educated in private schools and in the Episcopal High School near Alex- andria, Va. In 1866 he came to Baltimore, and for five years was engaged in mercan- tile life. In 1891 we find him a student in the Maryland University School of Medi- cine from which he graduated with honors in 1894, having enjoyed, during the last year of his studies there, the privilege of resident student in the University Hospital, and the position of special assistant to the eminent Dr. Wm. T. Howard. Since his graduation he has held the position of assistant physi- cian to the Out-Patient Department of the Johns Hopkins Hospital; resident physi- cian to the Hospital for the Women of Maryland, and resident physician to the Blue Mountain House, a well-known sum- mer resort in the western part of the State.
He is identified with the leading medical organizations, holding membership in the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Mary- land, the Clinical Society of Maryland, and in others. While a young man, Dr. Henry Lee Smith has won a place of recognition in his profession that promises a successful career.
The ancestry of Dr. Isham Randolph Page, dating back into the earliest colonial days, is one in which any American may
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well take pardonable pride. . The earliest progenitor of the male line was Col. John Page, son of Francis Page, a merchant of the parish of Bedford, Middlesex, England, who died November 13, 1678, at the age of 84. Col. John Page settled at Williams- burg, James City county, Va., where he died January 23, 1692, at the age of 65. He was a man prominent in the affairs of the colony, and his name appears frequently in the annals of the time. Omitting the names of several intervening generations we find during the period of the Revolu- tionary War that of Maj. Carter Page, grandfather of our subject, who was born on the old family estate "Willis Fork," Cumberland county, and was a student in William and Mary College during the Revolutionary War. Leaving school be- fore completing his course he joined the patriot army, and by his attainments and valor became aide-de-camp on the staff of General Lafayette, and was in the final en- gagements around Yorktown, resulting in the surrender of Cornwallis and the close of the war.
He married Lucy, daughter of Gen. Thomas Nelson, one of the most prominent personages of Virginia during the strug- gle for liberty. Gen. Thomas Nelson was a native of Virginia, born at Yorktown De- cember 26, 1738, and died in the prime of life, January 4, 1789, just at the time the nation began its career under the Constitu- tion he had struggled so long and at such a cost to establish. Although a young man in his thirties when the great conflict began he was even then prominent in the councils of the province. He was a member of the Provincial Convention that advanced the idea of independence; he took part in the
proceedings of the Colonial Congress and was a signer of the Declaration of Inde- pendence; he fought throughout the war as colonel of Second Virginia Infantry; was. one of those who suffered during the ter- rible winter at Valley Forge, and was one of the besieging army at Yorktown.
The day after the surrender of Corn- wallis, October 20, 1781, he was highly commended by General Washington on the field, for valiant services of himself and men, and was appointed major general of Vir- ginia militia. He raised and equipped from his own private fortune a regiment of three thousand men and spent his entire fortune in the cause. He never asked nor received any recompense from the Government, al- though he gave one of the largest fortunes of colonial times to the cause. He inherited at his father's death, besides large landed es- tates, forty thousand pounds in hard cash, a fortune that in those days was larger than a million now. At the close of the war he was elected Governor of the State, and was first Senator from Virginia to the United States Senate. When Virginia erected a statue to Washington, Governor Nelson's was chosen as one of the six statues to sur- round it, and was thus honored by Vir- ginians as one of the greatest men of the colonial period. The woman who was help- meet to Governor Nelson and who sus- tained him throughout that time which tried men's souls, was in maidenhood Miss Lucy Grimes, a woman of sterling worth. Her charm of person and earnest piety endeared her to all that knew her. At her death, as recorded by one of her time, "She gave twenty dollars to her minister and freedom to her soul."
The father of our subject, Prof. Wil-
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liam Nelson Page, was born in Cumber- land county, Va., in 1803. He was educated at Hampden Sidney College, in which in- stitution he became a Professor of Latin and Greek. Later he conducted a private school of his own, and for the unusual period of fifty years was an educator in his native State, making his influence for good felt in more than one generation, teaching father and son. He passed away Novem- ber, 16, 1883, at the advanced age of eighty-one, as vigorous in mind as at any period of his life. Latin and Greek were to him as his native tongue, and were spoken as fluently. His marriage occurred in his early manhood, when he was united to Miss Frances P., daughter of Mr. Isham Randolph, a cousin of John Randolph, of Roanoke, of Revolutionary fame.
Dr. Isham Randolph Page was born near Richmond, Va., June 3, 1834. He attended his father's private school until prepared for college, when he became a student in the medical department of the University of Virginia during 1857-58. Next he entered the University of New York, graduating in medicine in 1859. The two succeeding years he was interne of Bellevue and Char- ity Hospitals, and then returned to his na- tive State and enlisted in the service of the South. For a few months he was assistant surgeon in the Eighteenth Virginia Regi- ment, and after an examination by a board of officers was appointed in November, 1861, to the position of Surgeon of Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia. In No- vember, 1864, he was asigned to hospital duty in Richmond, and was employed at the Chimborazo Hospital at the close of the war. For a short time after the close of hostilities Doctor Page resided in Danville, and in the
fall of 1865 removed to Richmond, which continued to be his field of labor until his removal in 1871 to Baltimore, since which time he has made his residence in the City of Monuments.
During the existence of the Washington University, before its mersion with the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, Doctor Page was Professor of Principles and Prac- tice of Surgery. Since that time he has de- voted his entire time to his private practice, which is general in its nature, with a pre- dominance of cases of obstetrics and gyne- cology. Doctor Page is a member of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Mary- land, the Obstetrical and Gynecological So- ciety, the Clinical Society and the Book and Journal Club. He has contributed at vari- ous times to the medical journals papers of interest on various topics of a medical nature.
Doctor Page communes with Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church; holds fel- lowship with the Benjamin Franklin Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Baltimore, and formerly held fellowship with the Royal Arch Chapter in Richmond. He is also a member in good standing of the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Honor and the Golden Chain.
Doctor Page first married in 1863 Miss Virginia Barton, daughter of Mr. Robert Barton, of Richmond. His second mar- riage in October, 1886, occurred in Balti- more to Miss Charlotte Stevens, daughter of Mr. Robert Stevens, of this city.
DR. JOSEPH EDWARD CLAGETT, 108 S. Eutaw street.
Of the physicians of Baltimore who saw active service during the trying times of the Civil War, few have passed through more
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interesting experiences than Dr. Joseph E. Clagett. His birth occurred in Pleasant Valley, Washington county, Md., Septem- ber 5, 1830. After completing his academic education in the private schools of Wash- ington and Frederick counties, at the age of eighteen Doctor Clagett began his medical course in the medical college at Winchester, Va., with Prof. Hugh McGuire as precep- tor, after which he attended a course of lec- tures in Philadelphia, going thence to New York, where he studied in the hospitals of the city, and later in Charity Hospital in New Orleans.
Returning to Maryland he began practice with his father, Dr. James H. Clagett, for a period of two years. His health failing, Doctor Clagett discontinued his practice and purchased a drug store in Harper's Ferry, and was there during the stormy period preceding the outbreak of the Civil War. He was an eye-witness of the turbu- lent scenes of the John Brown Raid, and the attending events, and for a long period saw almost daily the central figure of that tragic prologue to the great tragedy that followed, as he made the Doctor's store his daily stop- ping place.
At the outbreak of the Civil War Doctor Clagett espoused the cause of his State and remained in the service until the last gun was fired and arms were stacked for the last time at Appomattox. It was his pleasure to give to General Lee his last breakfast prior to the surrender. It was not an elab- orate spread, only a tin cup of black coffee and a slice of bacon resting on a piece of corn bread. The General refused to accept it at first, but when assured that the Doctor could procure another such ration, accepted
gratefully. During most of his service Doc- tor Clagett was at the head of the Receiving and Forwarding Hospital of the army of Northern Virginia.
After the close of the war Doctor Clagett remained for a year in Richmond and then removed to Baltimore in 1866, engaging in the general practice of medicine. For sev- eral years after his coming to Baltimore Doctor Clagett occupied the chair of Ma- teria Medica and Midwifery in the Wash- ington University of Maryland prior to its merging with the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Doctor Clagett is a member in good standing of the Masonic Fraternity, affiliat- ing with Adherence Lodge, No. 88; Druid Hill Chapter, No. 8, and Beausant Com -- mandery.
Dr. James Hawkins Clagett, father of Dr. Joseph Clagett, was a native of Montgomery county, Md., born in 1804. His death oc- curred in 1869, after a long life of usefulness. After graduating from the Maryland Uni- versity Medical College he practiced for a time in his native county, and then moved to Washington county, where he spent his remaining years. His wife was Miss Eliza- beth M. Garrott, daughter of Mr. Edward and Mary Ann Garrott, of Washington county.
The first American ancestor of the male line was Rev. Thomas John Clagett, the first Episcopal Bishop of Maryland, who for many years presided over St. Peter's Church.
Doctor Clagett was married to Miss Sid- ney Carter Lindsay, daughter of Mr. Lewis Lindsay and Nancy Lindsay, of Virginia. Mrs. Clagett is the mother of a daughter- Miss Rose Clagett.
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HISTORY OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.
DR. GEO. WARNER MILTENBERGER, 321 W. Monument street.
Few, if any, of the noble men of medicine who have been an ornament to the profes- sion in Baltimore have won a higher re- gard in the hearts and minds of the thou- sands who have gone out from their teach- ings, than has the venerable Dr. George Warner Miltenberger, now retired from the active practice of the profession of which he was so long a leader.
During the many years he was called upon to preside over one of the most ef- ficient and renowned institutions of medical instruction in America, he endeared himself to the thousands who came within the sphere of his influence, and by his precept led them to higher planes of ethical and moral conduct, making them better citi- zens while making of them healers of the sick.
Doctor Miltenberger was born in Balti- more, March 17, 1819. His father, Gen. Anthony F. W. Miltenberger, won his title and distinction by meritorious services dur- ing the War of 1812. He died in October, 1869, at the age of eighty years. He was as a citizen prominent in civil life, a man of wide influence and sterling worth, of strong mental and moral attributes, and of a stamp too seldom found in high places. His help- meet was a Miss Warner, who was graced with a high type of Christian womanhood.
Doctor Miltenberger attended Boisseau Academy under the tutelage of Dr. Stephen Roszell, and was one of the brightest pupils, having for a number of successive years car- ried off the scholarship prizes of his class. Attending the University of Virginia dur- ing the season of 1835-36 he began his medical studies in Baltimore, which he con-
tinued until 1840, postponing his graduation one year for the benefit of the study during that time as resident student of the Balti- more Infirmary, performing all the duties of house physician during that period. He was immediately appointed demonstrator of anatomy, and as he took an especial per- sonal interest his classes soon became the largest and best attended in the college. When his private practice became too large to allow him to attend to his classes during the day, rather than discontinue them, ses- sions were held at night.
During these years Doctor Miltenberger was an indefatigable worker, and as fast as vacancies occurred he was promoted to higher positions on the staff of the college, filling at times two chairs simultaneously. From 1840 to 1852 he was demonstrator of Anatomy and lecturer on the same from 1840 to 1847; lecturer on Pathological Anatomy from 1847 to 1849; Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics from 1852 to 1858, and after that date until his resignation Professor of Obstetrics. In 1855 he became Dean of the Faculty, and during his long administration evinced a high order of executive ability. During most of these years he served as treasurer also, and although a man of many duties, nothing that was allotted to him was neg- lected, but all that was expected of him was done well.
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