USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. I > Part 57
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Dr. David M. Greene was born at Rochester, Mich., March 22, 1853, and graduated at Ann Arbor, in the medical department of the University of Michigan, with the class of 1881. He practiced general medicine seven years at Plainfield and Leslie, Mich., and then went to New York City and took a post-graduate course at the New York Post-Graduate School. He settled in Grand Rapids on June 15, 1889, and practiced his profession here until about 1911.
Dr. Cornelius A. Johnson was born June 2, 1857, in Grand Rap- ids. He graduated in the medical department of the University of Michigan, June 27, 1889, and settled for practice in Grand Rapids, in September of the same year. He remained here but a short time and then removed to Mancelona, Mich.
Dr. Ralph H. Spencer settled in Grand Rapids in 1889, and is still engaged in the practice here, as is also Dr. Henry Hulst, who re- moved to Grand Rapids, Jan. 1, 1890.
Dr. Reuben Peterson was born in Boston, Mass., June 29, 1862. His preparatory education was rounded off at the famous Boston Latin School, and from that institution he entered the literary depart- ment of Harvard College in the Fall of 1881. Graduating in arts at Harvard in the Summer of 1885, he took up the study of medicine, matriculating in the medical department of Harvard in the Fall of the same year. He pursued his professional studies in this department three years, completing the course in 1888, and he received his degree a year later. He came to Grand Rapids for the practice of his pro- fession in March, 1890. In 1908 he removed to Chicago, Ill., and later to Ann Arbor, Mich.
WOMEN PHYSICIANS.
The first woman to practice medicine in the city of Grand Rapids was Frances A. Rutherford, who as before stated is still engaged in the practice in this city. She was born Oct. 8, 1842, at Thurston, Steuben County, New York, of English parents. She entered Elmira Female College, of New York, in 1856, but was obliged to leave the following year on account of ill health. She spent a portion of the following years, until 1862, in teaching, and then began the study of medicine with Rachael Gleason, M. D., the resident physician of the
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Elmira Water Cure and graduate of Syracuse University. Miss Ruth- erford began attending lectures at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1865, and graduated in that college in 1868, spending meanwhile one year in the New York Infirmary for Women and Chil- dren as junior assistant, and having special courses of study in dis- eases of the heart and lungs, and also in operative surgery, in derma- tology and microscopy, this being the first class of female physicians that ever received such instructions in operative surgery. In May, 1868, Dr. Rutherford began the practice of medicine in Grand Rap- ids. She was elected by the common council city physician in 1870, being the first woman to hold that office, either in this or any other city in the United States. She was elected a member of the Michigan State Medical Society, in 1872, being, with Sibelia F. Baker, of Cold- water, and Ruth A. Garry, M. D., of Ypsilanti, the first women so honored. She spent the winter of 1873 in New York City, giving spe- cial attention to gynecology, at the Woman's Hospital. In 1878 she was sent as delegate from the Grand Rapids Medical and Surgical Society to the American Medical Association at Chicago, and was the first woman so sent and elected as a regular delegate by that society. The winter of 1882-83 she spent in visiting hospitals and clinics in Berlin and London, where every courtesy was shown by the physicians in charge. From the start she enjoyed a large and remunerative prac- tice.
Following Dr. Rutherford came Emma Nichols-Wanty, Bessie Earle, and others. Louisa M. Butts, a graduate of the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College, was the first woman to practice medi- cine according to that system in Grand Rapids. (See Homeopathy below.)
MEDICAL SOCIETIES.
In Albert Baxter's History of the City of Grand Rapids (page 694) occurs the following: "There was a 'Grand River Medical As- sociation' as early as 1852, which included in its membership at least six physicians of Grand Rapids. Alonzo Platt was vice-president, and John H. Hollister was secretary." No records of such a society can be found, but the following information is given in the same con- nection : "It included the profession as far up the river as Ionia. At its annual meeting in June, 1852, it recommended the teaching of the principles of anatomy, physiology and hygiene in the primary schools."
On March 4, 1856, a number of physicians met and organized "The Grand Rapids Medical and Surgical Society," later known as "The Grand Rapids Medical Society." Dr. D .. W. Bliss was elected president ; W. H. DeCamp, vice-president ; A. Platt, corresponding secretary ; and C. L. Henderson, recording secretary and treasurer. O. H. Chipman was another prominent member of the organization. The society had a lively existence until the Civil War broke out, at which time, for obvious reasons, interest in the matter waned; but in 1865, after the cessation of military hostilities, the interest revived and the society entered upon a long period of active work and growth. Meetings were held regularly until 1885, when the organization ceased to exist. It was succeeded by the "Grand Rapids Academy of Medi- cine," organized late in the Fall of 1884, and which continued in ex- istence for a score of years or more.
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In November, 1889, a call was issued for a meeting of physicians for the purpose of organizing the "Kent County Medical Society." The organization was effected on Nov. 22, 1889, and the following officers were elected: S. R. Wooster, president; O. C. McDannell, Lowell, first vice-president; P. Schurtz, second vice-president ; D. J. Wallace, Sparta, third vice-president; H. W. Catlin, secretary; and T. D. Bradfield, treasurer. It held regular meetings for a number of years and then was allowed to pass "into a state of repose." But it came to life late in the Fall of 1902. Its reorganization was brought about by the newly adopted plan for the reorganization of the com- ponent societies of the Michigan State Medical Society. By this plan every county in the State is entitled to a county medical society, and upon application to the State Council it is granted an official charter. This charter confers upon the members membership in the State so- ciety, and also makes one eligible for membership in the American Medical Association. Since its reorganization the society has main- tained an active existence. The officers for 1918 were Dr. Francis J. Lee, president, and Dr. Frank C. Kinsey, secretary. The society is affiliated with the American and Michigan State Medical Associations and has a large membership. It meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, from October to June, at St. Cecilia Build- ing, and at nearly every meeting a paper is read and discussed, touch- ing some phase of professional work. Many of the papers thus read before the society have been published in the standard medical jour- nals of the country. Besides the general purpose of fostering good feeling and comradeship among the members and promoting the in- terests of the profession, the society is interested in securing legisla- tion for the protection of the public health and the introduction of better methods of public sanitation. In fact it and its members indi- vidually manifest a progressive spirit along all lines that tend to make the environment of the citizen more elevating and life more enjoyable.
HOMEOPATHY.
The foregoing portion of this chapter appertains to the allopathic or "regular" school of medicine, the object of which is to produce in the human body suffering from disease a condition different from that in or from which the disease originated, the theory being that if this can be accomplished the disease will cease. Homeopathy proceeds on an entirely different hypothesis. The founder of the homeopathic school was Samuel Hahnemann, a celebrated German physician, a native of Saxony. It is related that, in 1790, while engaged in trans- lating Cullen's Materia Medica from English to German, he was not satisfied with the author's explanations of the cure of ague by the use of Peruvian bark. By way of experiment, to ascertain the action of the bark on a healthy body, he took a large dose of it and soon after- ward experienced symptoms of ague. After further investigation he arrived at the conclusion that for every known disease there is a spe- cific remedy, and that this remedy will produce in the healthy person symptoms of the disease it is intended to cure. In 1810 he published at Dresden his "Organon of Rational Medicine," in which he set forth his theory, and also proclaimed the advantage of small doses. This work was followed by one on "Materia Medica," which consisted of a
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description of the effects of medicines upon persons in good health. From his theory came the school of homeopathy, the fundamental idea of which is expressed by the Latin dictum: "Similia similibus curantur," or in plain English: "Like cures like."
In 1843 the first homeopathic physician-John Ellis-came to Grand Rapids. He left after about two years, and was followed by Dr. A. H. Botsford, in 1851, Dr. E. R. Ellis in 1858, and Dr. Charles J. Hempel in 1861. Dr. Botsford resided here until his death in 1879, and Dr. E. R. Ellis removed to Detroit in 1867. Dr. Hempel was a native of Prussia, where he was born in 1811; was educated at a uni- versity in his native country and graduated in the medical department of the University of New York, becoming one of its earliest gradu- ates. Before attending medical lectures he had become a convert to homeopathy, and after graduation he began the translation of the
leading works of that school, most of which being written in German were thus far closed books to American students. While living in New York he became acquainted with and married a daughter of the late George Coggeshall, of Grand Rapids. In 1856 he was called to the chair of materia medica and therapeutics in the Philadelphia Homeopathic Medical College, and in 1861, upon the death of his father-in-law, he removed with his family to Grand Rapids, where he retained his residence until his death on Sept. 23, 1879. In addition to his translations, Dr. Hempel was also the author of the following original works: "Hempel's Domestic Physician," "Organon of Home- opathy," "A Life of Christ," written in German, "The True Organ- ization of the New Church," and "A System of Materia Medica and Therapeutics," in two volumes, and in the revision of which he, with the aid of Dr. H. R. Arndt, occupied the last hours of his life. His medical works are recognized as authorities by homeopathic physi- cians.
In 1869, DeForest Hunt came to Grand Rapids and continued in the practice of his profession here until his death, March 10, 1903.
Dr. Isaiah J. Whitfield came from Big Rapids in 1872 and prac- ticed here until his death, Oct. 25, 1901.
Dr. Malcolm C. Sinclair, another disciple of Hahnemann, began practice here in 1873 and continued with a few years interim until his death, which occurred Nov. 26, 1916.
Dr. Louisa M. Butts, the first female physician of the homeo- pathic school in this city, came in 1874 and built up a good practice. She died in 1904, and has been described as a bright and industrious woman, an honor to her sex and an ornament to the profession. Other women who have practiced medicine in Grand Rapids according to the tenets of homeopathy were Frances S. Hillyer, Phoebe A. French Alley, and Amanda J. Evans. Dr. Hillyer practiced here until about 1905, Dr. Alley moved away in 1891, and Dr. Evans died July 2, 1909.
Among the homeopaths who came to the city between 1874 and 1884 were A. B. Botsford, G. N. Brigham, Robert M. Luton, LaDor Marvin, Hugo R. Arndt, and Herbert Whitworth. Of these Dr. Bots- ford, who died March 17, 1895, was a brother of Dr. A. H. Botsford, above mentioned. Dr. G. N. Brigham died June 21, 1886, and Robert M. Luton continued in the practice here until about 1909, when he re- turned to his old home in Canada, where he died. Dr. Marvin, a graduate of the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, began prac-
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tice in 1877 in Grand Rapids, and is still so engaged. Dr. Arndt was born in Prussia and served as a soldier in the Danish War of 1864; located in Grand Rapids in 1878, and was subsequently called to the chair of materia medica and therapeutics and the clinical professor- ship of nervous diseases in the Homeopathic Medical College of the University of Michigan. Dr. Whitworth was a graduate of the Pulte Medical College at Cincinnati, a native of England, and came from Niles, Mich., to Grand Rapids in 1881. Some years ago he removed to Dodge City, Kan.
Dr. Arthur T. Bodle was born July 18, 1858, at Middletown, N. Y. He obtained his early education in Wallkill Academy, and then journeyed westward and entered the office of Dr. N. B. Delamater, of Chicago, for preparatory study of medicine. Three years later he entered the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, and graduated there in 1883. His standing in his studies and hospital work com- mended itself so highly to his professors that soon after graduation he was appointed resident physician of the hospital, but declining the position he went to England, spent five months in the general hospital at Liverpool, and then returned to begin practice at Traverse City, Mich. He remained there over two years, after which he came to Grand Rapids, succeeding to the office and practice of Dr. H. R. Arndt, who in that year accepted a professorship in the University of Michigan. About 1892, Dr. Bodle removed to Northern Michigan.
Dr. Homer C. Brigham, who was called to Grand Rapids in 1886, to take the extensive practice left by the death of his father, Dr. Ger- shom N. Brigham, is still engaged in the practice here.
Dr. Walter S. Shotwell was born at Newark, N. J., June 14, 1844. He graduated in the literary department of the Kansas State Univer- sity, in 1874, and from the Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri, at St. Louis, in 1883. He was in active practice three years in Peoria, Ill., and came to Grand Rapids in 1886. He died Nov. 13, 1890.
Dr. Samuel G. Milner was born in Eastern Ohio in 1846. After profiting by the best educational facilities his native place afforded, in the fall of 1868 he entered the literary department of the University of Michigan, in which he received the degree of A. B. in 1872, and that of A. M. in 1876. Immediately after graduation he was appointed to the principalship of the Union School at Grand Rapids, which posi- tion he held for thirteen years. In 1885 he entered the Homeopathic Medical College of the University of Michigan, and received the de- gree of M. D. in 1887. After graduation he was appointed resident physician of the hospital of the Homeopathic Medical College, but declined that to accept the position of assistant to the professor of theory and practice, and to the professor of obstetrics and diseases of women and children in the same institution. Six months later he re- signed and returned to Grand Rapids to enter practice. He was for a time on the editorial staff of the Homeopathic Medical Counselor. He continued in the practice here until about 1900, when he removed to Detroit.
Dr. Daniel S. Sinclair has been in the practice of his profession here since 1887.
Dr. Frank L. Hoag was born at Homer, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1857. He acquired his academic education at the academy in his native town
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and at the State Normal School at Cortland, N. Y., after which he was for four years principal of the Union School at Accord, N. Y. He then began to study medicine, entered the Chicago Hahnemann Medical College in 1882, and graduated at the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College in 1884. After practicing at Cincinnatus and Cort- land, N. Y., four years, he determined to leave general practice and devote his time to the special treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat. Accordingly, for about two years he was in New York City, taking special courses in the Polyclinic Hospital, in Prof. Knapp's Ophthalmic and Aural Institute, and in the New York Oph- thalmic College and Hospital, in which he graduated in 1889. He began the practice of his specialty in Grand Rapids in July, 1890. He left the city a few years later and located at Ionia.
Dr. S. Porter Tuttle, who came to Grand Rapids in 1901, is still in practice in the city.
In the work of the charity hospitals, homes, dispensaries, etc., of the city the homeopathic physicians have always shown a willing- ness to contribute their share of professional work, giving their serv- ices gratuitously upon request of the patient.
The Grand Rapids Homeopathic Medical Society was organized at an early day by the less than a dozen doctors of that school in the city, and was maintained by them for several years, when it was al- lowed to pass quietly out of existence. In 1890 the College of Home- opathic Physicians was organized by the homeopaths, and this was a flourishing organization for a number of years.
Grand Rapids has suffered at divers times from epidemics of mi- nor diseases, such as diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever, lagrippe, etc., but none of these has been marked by great mortality. The board of health has always been persistent in its efforts to bring about improved sanitary conditions in the way of securing better drinking water, better sewerage, stopping the sale of unwholesome or adulerated food products, etc., and it is due to these efforts that Grand Rapids today holds the record of being one of the most healthful cities in the country. On this board physicians have been well represented and have always taken the lead in advocating measures for the preserva- tion of the public health. Said one of the leading physicians of the city recently : "Medical progress in the city of Grand Rapids during the past quarter of a century cannot be separated from the medical progress of the world. The medical profession in Grand Rapids main- tains a position abreast of the times; her surgeons perform success- fully the most difficult operations from day to day, her physicians treat in a scientific manner the most difficult and obscure diseases ; those engaged in special work rank among the best in the medical societies. Some of the physicians of Grand Rapids are authors of standard medical works, and the writings of many are quoted in the leading medical literature ; and among their members are neurologists and alienists who are frequently called to give testimony in the courts in some of the most difficult cases in medico-legal experience. Surgi- cal appliances and inventions, the products of their ingenuity, in special lines of work are recognized throughout the country, and no person need seek advice in distant cities in order to obtain the latest and best that medical science can afford. The future of medical
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science is no doubt very great, and Grand Rapids is well equipped to join the advance. The high standing and lofty aims of her medical practitioners should stimulate a just pride and confidence in all who believe in true scientific progress, and if education and research mean anything the medical profession of Grand Rapids merits consider- ation."
CHAPTER XXXVIII. COURTS AND LAWYERS
TERRITORIAL AND EARLY STATE COURTS-CIRCUIT COURT-PROBATE COURT-LIST OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS-CIRCUIT COURT COM- MISSIONERS - SHERIFFS - MEMBERS OF THE BAR - PERSONAL SKETCHES-BAR ASSOCIATIONS.
The establishment of courts of justice and the installation of the necessary officials were naturally the first work attending the organi- zation of Kent county. As has been stated in a previous chapter, the county was detached from Kalamazoo county and given a civil juris- diction, March 24, 1836.
Under the Territorial government of Michigan, as established in 1805, the supreme court of the Territory consisted of a chief and two associate justices, appointed by the President of the United States. Their terms of office were "during good behavior," and so they held until 1824, when the "second grade" of Territorial government was established. This court at first had original and exclusive jurisdiction in all cases involving the title to land, criminal cases punishable capi- tally, and cases of divorce and alimony; afterwards, of all cases be- yond the jurisdiction of inferior courts, all cases wherein the United States was a party, and all actions of ejectment. During the existence of the district courts, it had concurrent jurisdiction therewith in civil matters, when the demand exceeded $500, and after that it was given original and exclusive jurisdiction of claims above $200. After the organization of county courts, it had original jurisdiction in ejectment and civil actions, when more than $1,000 was in controversy. It also determined all legal questions arising in circuit courts, on motion for new trial, in arrest of judgments or cases reversed, and it also issued writs of error to circuit and county courts. Under the establishment of the "second grade" of Territorial government, in 1824, the term of office, was limited to four years.
The constitution of 1835 provided for a supreme court, the judges of which were to be appointed by the governor, by and with the ad- vice and consent of the senate, to hold for a term of seven years. By an act approved July 16, 1836, the court was made to consist of a chief justice and two associate justices, a majority of whom should consti- tute a quorum. It was given essentially the same powers, except chancery, that the supreme court and circuit courts of the territory exercised. The State was divided into three circuits, and the supreme court was required to hold an annual term in each circuit.
The revised statutes of 1838 made the supreme court consist of one chief and three associate justices, and gave it "original and appel-
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late jurisdiction of all such matters and suits at law, and in equity and in probate cases," as might be lawfully brought before it; also "jurisdiction of suits, actions and matters brought before it by writ of certiorari or writ of error." Authority was also given "to issue writs of error, certiorari, mandamus, habeas corpus, procedendo, superse- deas," and other necessary writs and process for the due execution of the law. The supreme court was, moreover, given a general superin- tendence over inferior courts. Any two of the justices constituted a quorum for the transaction of business. The revision of 1846 made no essential changes in the composition or the jurisdiction of the su- preme court, but altered its annual terms.
The constitution of 1850 provided that for the term of six years the judges of the several circuit courts should be judges of the su- preme court. Four of them were to constitute a quorum, and a con- currence of three was necessary to a final decision. There were five circuit judges in the State at that time, and they constituted the first supreme court under the 1850 constitution. The court thus organized had "a general superintending control over all inferior courts," and had "power to issue writs of error, habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, procedendo, and other original and remedial writs." In other cases it was given appellate jurisdiction only. Four annual terms were provided for, and these were fixed by statute as follows : A January term to be held at Detroit, a May term at Kalamazoo, a July term at Adrian, and an October term at Pontiac.
In 1857, acting under constitutional authority, the Legislature organized the supreme court, making it consist of one chief and three associate justices, elected by the people for a term of eight years. The Legislature of 1887 increased the number of justices to five, and the terms of the additional justice and all justices elected after 1887, to ten years. By Act 250 of 1903, the number of justices was increased to eight, five of whom constitute a quorum, and the term of office was reduced to eight years.
Upon the establishment of a State government, equity and com- mon law jurisdiction were separated and vested in distinct courts. All equity powers were vested in a court of chancery exclusively, save that certain exceptional cases might be taken to the supreme court, and appeals by any person aggrieved by the decree or final order of the court of chancery. This court held sessions, in turn, in each of the circuits into which the State was divided by the act establishing circuit courts. All causes were to be heard and determined in the cir- cuits in which they arose. This court was abolished by the revised statutes of 1846, as passed by the Legislature, although the original draft of the revision provided for its continuance, with some modifi- cations intended to simplify and perfect the system. Its jurisdiction was conferred upon the several circuit courts and it has remained there ever since.
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