History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens, Part 32

Author: Gansser, Augustus H., 1872-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond & Arnold
Number of Pages: 738

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From 1855 to 1865 the Indians added start- ling experiences to the daily life and practice of the few physicians, who risked health and fortune in this settlement. Seldom did these red men visit Bay City, but what a general carouse ensued, ending usually in a brawl and bloodshed. Then the doctor would be sent for and, at the risk of meeting the altogether too promiscuous blade of the hunting knife,

would bind up the wounded and maimed, or assist at the inquest of the dead.

Almost as dangerous and exciting was the doctor's work in Bay City during the palmy days of the lumber industry. Many were the free for all fights among the lumber jacks and sailors, and the calls for the surgeon's services in the tenderloin district were of almost daily occurrence. Frequently the surgeon on his mission of mercy would arrive before peace and quiet had been restored, and while revolver shots and beer kegs were still flying promiscu- ously about at the hands of burly fellows crazed by fire-water and licentiousness. That these lurid experiences were the exception, and con- fined to the harbor district, did not detract from the risk taken at some time or other by all the physicians who practiced here during those stirring times, and many a life, recklessly thrown away in these shambles of a frontier settlement, was saved by the devoted effort and scientific treatment of the doctor who chanced to be called first, only too frequently without as much as a single word of appreciation, let alone remuneration. This was particularly true of the roving population who came and went like a surging tide among this and simi- lar lumber towns of Michigan in the decade from 1870 to 1880.

From that time on the population assumed a more staid and reliable character. Working- men came to make homes and take up land, and the rough and read rambler followed the frontier as it was pushed steadily westward and northward. And just as the population became more stationary, even so the professions became more numerous and progressive. Emi- nent surgeons who had served through the bloody campaigns of the Civil War continued the practice of their profession amid more peaceful and more promising surroundings in Bay City, then just entering on its period of

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unprecedented growth and development. Young students who had left the high school and university, risking their life no less than their profession, in defense of their country, flocked from the battle-fields back to school and later went from college and university halls to the wider fields of life and practice.

Great discoveries were being made about this time in every field of endeavor. Railroads were connecting all parts of the country, steam- boats connecting the most distant portions of the globe, and the electric spark was provid- ing a sure and ready means for an interchange of knowledge and experience, unknown in pre- ceding ages. The medical profession was one of the chief beneficiaries of these modern inven- tions, just as in the profession itself rapid strides were made in scientific knowledge and practical application.

Thus early the concentration and combina- tion of kindred interests were being appreciated and carried out in an humble way, humble we say, when compared to the giant combinations of capital, of labor and even of the professions in these opening years of the 20th century. The origin of medical associations sprang from the same desire for mutual benefit and protec- tion that has characterized other pursuits, with this marked distinction however, that the peo- ple at large truly share in the benefits derived from this concerted study and effort of the medical profession.

Wonders have been acomplished in medi- cine and surgery in the last 40 years, and who can say how much of this advancement, so precious to mankind, has been brought about by the concerted effort and concentrated study and investigation of the medical profession the world over? Yet the benefits to be derived from collective effort required years of practi- cal demonstration, before even here the dawn of a new era pierced the antiquated customs of

other and darker days! As these benefits be- came more apparent, the question of education upon lines of the greatest advantage to all be- came recognized, and the organization of socie- ties, which have for their basic principle the in- terchange of ideas that benefit the members mutually, soon followed. The development of medical science and the requirements of civili- zation have created conditions that call for all that is brightest and best in our professional life, and the medical society ocupies a position of recognized utility in human endeavor and an honored position among the educational as- sociations of the world. The benefits it confers. on its members are invaluable. It has enabled the profession to purge itself in a large meas- ure of quacks and ignorant pretenders, "fakers" more properly designated, and to protect the public as well as itself from the wolves that have preyed upon the credulity of the masses.

Since Bay County from its earliest days possessed able and devoted practitioners, it fol- lowed as a matter of course that the bright young men then largely comprising the profes- sion here should early take a most advanced stand on so vital a proposition. Hence the Bay County Medical Society as early as 1865 began, in an informal way, its period of usefulness. But not until about 1873 was a permanent organization perfected, and even this suffered an interval when this promising field lay dor- mant. The late Dr. Horace Tupper was the first president of the Bay County Medical So- ciety, and Dr. Robert W. Erwin, one of the deans of the profession locally, who in 1905 is still enjoying a lucrative practice, and who but two short years ago was the vigorous pres- ident of the Board of Health, was its first secre- tary. Dr. Tupper was one of Bay County's pio- neer physicians, and one of the most widely known practitioners in Michigan, his services being required all over this part of the State.

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The Bay County Medical Society in 1905 holds regular meetings, and from a small be- ginning now includes the larger number of the members of the profession in Bay County. It has been an agency of value to the city and county, as well as to the individual members. The subjects that form topics for consideration are such as appeal to the advanced medical practitioner, including surgery in its various branches, and the best methods of combatting maladies that affect human life. It has been of inestimable advantage to the profession in the valley and is strong, vigorous and alive to every onward movement in medical science. It represents the finest equipped physicians and surgeons in this county, and there are no abler practitioners to be found anywhere.

As a relaxation from the arduous labors of the profession, the members of the society are accustomed to gather occasionally at a physi- cians' banquet, where the best of good-fellow- ship reigns. Even here it is their chief delight to discuss learned matters and from the lips of a leader in their chosen profession acquire more knowledge and the benefit of ripe experi- ence and minute research. Their predecessors in the line of duty 30 years ago did not have these advantages. Preeminent leaders there were, then as now, but the same means of travel and intercourse were so restricted that able treatises in the medical journals alone could convey to the profession in the rural districts the benefits of new ideas, new formulas and new methods.

The present officers of the society are: Dr. Russel W. Brown, president ; Dr. Archibald W. Herrick, secretary; Dr. Charles H. Baker, treasurer. It would be impossible to give in this connection a list of the membership of the society in all these years since its organization, but among those who have been prominent are the well-known and still active practitioners,

the deans of the profession locally,-Dr. Henry B. Landon, Dr. Robert W. Erwin, Dr. Isaac E. Randall, Dr. Charles T. Newkirk and Dr. John W. Hauxhurst, while the necrology of the society contains such honored names as Dr. Horace Tupper, Dr. Columbus V. Tyler, Dr. Jeffrey R. Thomas, Dr. R. W. Elliott, and Dr. A. F. Hagadorn, able and beloved practi- tioners, whose names will live long in the hearts of those they served so well in life, many of whom owe their very lives to timely and expe- rienced medical aid in times of need !

While we are decidedly in the age of the $ mark, when almost everything and everybody is measured by the monetary standard, and when there are occasionally people who feel that anything they pay for in hard cash re- quires no further comment or concern, to the great majority the devoted care of the family physician cannot and will not be measured by that low standard. Life and health are price- less gifts, and those who serve humanity in the consideration of those gifts merit a reward that goes beyond the grave and that cannot be com- puted in mere dollars and cents, be the com- putation ever so liberal. Verily the able and de- voted physician is indeed a benefactor of man- kind!

Bay County has reason to appreciate the ability, character and services of its medical practitioners ! If every community in our good State and great country is as ably served, then can we well understand and believe that the nation's mortality statistics are becoming year- ly more encouraging, and the average span of life, despite our strenuosity, is gradually and steadily being prolonged. The advance in sur- gery and medicine is one of the great marvels of this enlightened age, and progress and re- sults are constant and well-defined on this vital field of human endeavor. We need but look about us and take but a fleeting glance at com-

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parative statistics of health and mortality right here at home during the past 30 years, to appre- ciate the benefits conferred by the earnest study and advanced methods used by our own es- teemed guardians of life and health.

There is no organization of citizens which has for its objects the welfare of the community and advancement of its members that has been productive of a greater measure of general good than the Bay County Medical Society. It deserves the highest meed of praise and its members are among our most esteemed citi- zens. From its ranks have come some of the ablest instructors in our country's leading schools of medicine. Dr. Fleming Carrow, the noted oculist, who was for some time in prac- tice in Bay County, was for many years profes- sor at the University of Michigan, the special- ist on diseases of the eye and ear. He was en- joying a lucrative practice extending all over the State, when the call came to accept a chair in Michigan's far-famed university at Ann Arbor. Dr. R. S. Copeland, of the Homeo- pathic Medical School at the University of Michigan, came to Bay City about the time Dr. Carrow was called to Ann Arbor, and for some years also enjoyed a lucrative practice, until called to the higher post of duty and honor.

Bay City has skilled men filling the places of those who have been called to larger fields, and right well are they maintaining the repu- tation of their predecessors. Dr. W. W. Wil- liams and others have this very year, after studies abroad, taken up at home the practice of electro-therapeutics, and it may be safely asserted that in this branch of the profession there are none better equipped than those in this city. In the field of general practice the society is strong and the names and reputations of a score or more of these are secure.

Note the changes in the honor roll of our medical profession of 30 years ago and now.

In 1875 we find practicing here the following physicians : Charles A. Bogert, John H. Bur- land, William H. Burr, James Clark, Sira Car- men, William W. Elmer, John M. Emery, Ste- phen H. Hagadorn, John Hargrave, W. E. Vaughn, who located here in 1868; Norman Johnson, Owen Kelley, C. C. Kingsbury, Rich- ard Kratzsch, George LaMontagne, Jeremy T. Miller, John Oldfield, Patrick W. O'Toole and WV. R. Tupper, practitioners long since van- ished from the scene of their activities, whether by death or removal. Among the active list of 30 years ago, but whom the Grim Reaper has since gathered to the majority, we find the late Dr. William Cunningham, Sr., Dr. Edwin H. Gates, who came here in 1866; Dr. A. F. Hag- adorn, who came here in 1875; Dr. George Heumann, whose thrilling experience in a bliz- zard while crossing Saginaw Bay cost him a leg and nearly his life, a vivid reminder of the dangers constantly attending the devoted min- istrations of the first physicians in this frontier settlement ; Dr. Henry A. Marks, Dr. Aaron A. Pratt, Dr. Jeffrey R. Thomas, Dr. Horace Tupper, Dr. Columbus V. Tyler who came here in 1869; and Mrs. Marion F. Maxon, the lone woman physician 30 years ago, with offices in the Griswold Block, were all beloved and es- teemed practitioners, whose memories are treas- ured by the thousands they served so well, and whose fame as leaders in the various branches of the profession locally will endure for genera- tions yet to come.

To few men in any walk of life is it given to be able to look on 30 years of consecutive service in one community, and in this distin- guished list we find on active duty in 1875, and some much earlier ; Dr. Robert W. Erwin, then located on Fifth avenue and Adams streets; Dr. Harvey Gilbert, then in the Cranage Block and in 1903-04 the energetic health officer, combatting a mild, local epidemic of smallpox,

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and incidentally carrying forward the campaign for more effective work in the secretary's de- partment of the State Board of Health; Dr. Henry B. Landon, our esteemed veteran soldier and physician, the first of the still living and practicing physicians to come here, who can now look back upon 40 years of almost con- tinuous service among the good people of Bay County, and who in 1875 had offices on Fifth avenue and Jefferson street; Dr. Charles T. Newkirk, the globetrotter and veteran army surgeon, whose medical experience extends over three continents, who in 1862, hardly of age and just graduated from Victoria College at Toronto, joined his brother in the Argentine Republic, in South America, later lost his brother, Dr. Daniel Newkirk, in a smallpox epidemic, served three years as surgeon in the army of Brazil in Paraguay, with the rank of captain, then four months in a yellow fever epidemic in Buenos Ayres, and, after visiting the leading hospitals of London and Continen- tal Europe, located permanently in Bay City in 1868. In 1875 we find him located at No. 305 North Water street, where to-day stand the mammoth storage tanks of the gas company. In 1898 the writer had reason to see and appre- ciate the work of Dr. Newkirk, then major and surgeon in the United States Army, serving before Santiago, amid the hospitals of the wounded and dying at Siboney, and the fever wards near Aquadores. In 1905 Dr. Newkirk is still serving his State as surgeon, with the rank of captain of the 3rd Infantry, Michigan National Guard. Dr. Charles A. Walsh was located in the Cranage Block in 1875, and for more than thirty years Bay City has admired and appreciated his professional services, his good citizenship, which ever finds time and energy from his other duties for public-spirited endeavors. Dr. George A. Williams had head- quarters in Whitney's drug-store in 1875, and

thirty years after still enjoys good health, his share of the county's practice, and the reputa- tion of being a capital entertainer and a pro- ficient linguist. Dr. William F. Hovey, Civil War veteran, was in 1875, practicing on South Water street, but of late years he has retired for a well-earned repose from the exacting du- ties of his profession. He lives with his daugh- ter, Mrs. H. C. Clements, on Center avenue, but still takes an active interest in public affairs of his ward, city, county and State. Bay City, West Side, has in 1905 no more popular and representative a citizen than Dr. Isaac E. Ran- dall, who began his professional career there in 1867, and practically grew up with that com- munity. In 1875 we already find him in the lo- cation on John and River streets, where he is in 1905, the beloved family medical adviser in hundreds of Bay County homes, pension ex- aminer and public-spirited citizen, who contrib- uted much toward the union of our municipali- ties. Dr. William E. Magill came to Denona in 1870, was practicing in 1875 on Henry street between John and Jane streets, and soon there- after began active public life and service, which kept him much from his professional duties. For five years he was superintendent of the West Bay City schools ; mayor, 1881-82, county treasurer six years; insurance commissioner for Michigan 1891-93, since which time he has held sundry other local offices, being the last city treasurer of West Bay City, going out of office upon the consolidation of the sister cities in April, 1905. There is in all Bay County no better illustration of loyal friendship and un- swerving devotion, the local illustration of the far-famed story of Damon and Pythias, than the thirty-five years of companionship of Hon. H. H. Aplin and Dr. William E. Magill, a friendship that has exerted a marked influence on the course of local and public events in that long period, unhampered by opposing political

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beliefs, Dr. Magill being for years as ardent a Democrat as his friend was a stanch Repub- lican. Both are still in active service, united now politically, since the money issue changed party demarcation and their fellow-citizens wish them many more years of usefulness and happy comradeship. Dr. John W. Hauxhurst in 1875 was located on Midland street between River and Linn streets, then as now, the heart of the West Side, and in 1905 we find this eminent physician still enjoying the confidence and es- teem of a wide circle of acquaintances, with his professional services in much demand. Dr. Henry Wiede, practicing in Salzburg in 1875, has vanished from this vicinity. Dr. Fred D. Hiesordt has the unique distinction of being the oldest native-born practitioner. Born in Bay City in 1858, he graduated from the Bay City High School in 1876, the University of Mich- igan in 1879, and the Detroit Medical College in 1881. He came here immediately to prac- tice, and in an unostentatious way has followed his chosen profession here since, living with his father, P. S. Hiesordt, who taught the first graded school in Bay City. Dr. Columbus V. Tyler was one of the most conspicuous figures in Bay County's medical profession. Born in 1825, he came here in 1869, was elected State Senator for the term from 1876 to 1879, and served on the State Board of Health. He was a prominent member of the Bay County Med- ical Society and of the American Medical Asso- ciation.

In 1905 we find Bay City well supplied with hospitals and sanitariums, yet only five years ago there was not in all Bay County a single emergency institution. In 1880 Dr. J. A. Water- house, graduated of the Eclectic Medical Insti- tute at Cincinnati, Ohio, came here to estab- lish the Bay City Hospital, occupying four rooms in the Smith & Hart Block on Water street; the year following he engaged thirty

rooms at Third and Saginaw streets, called in his brother, Dr. H. M. Waterhouse, a skilled surgeon, and for several years treated thous- ands of patients. This and similar institutions started later thrived for a while and then van- ished. In 1900 Mercy Hospital was founded through the self-denying and persistent efforts of the good Sisters of Mercy, ably assisted by the medical profession and many of the laity. This institution has been successful from its very inception, as well as a boon to suffering humanity. Since then the Lewis Hospital on Broadway, Bishop Hospital on Center avenue, and several private sanitariums have been es- tablished, so that in this particular Bay County is now well equipped and has in fact ample hos- pital facilities for all the surrounding region, whose people gladly avail themselves of the splendid corps of local practitioners and modern hospital accommodations. In surgery Bay City stands pre-eminent in the State, a large corps of capable and experienced surgeons enjoying. extended and constantly increasing practice.

The following mortality statistics gleaned from the Federal census of 1900, will be of in- terest to the medical profession, no less than to the laity. During the census year there were 547 deaths in Greater Bay City, 351 on the East Side, and 196 on the West Side. Of these, 348 were native born and 191 foreign born. Let it be recalled here that this same census shows Bay City, East Side, to have had in that year 13,546 males, and 14,082 females ; 27,485 whites, and 143 colored, of whom 19, 143 were native born, and 8,485 foreign born. The for- eign born amounted to 30.7 per cent. of the whole. Now we have always been told that the hardy foreigners are far stronger physically than the pie-eating Yankees, but for Bay City the statistics tell a different tale. The total death rate per 1,000 of population in Bay City, East Side, was 12.7 per cent .; the death rate

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of the native born was 11.8 per cent., while that of the foreign born was 14.9 per cent. On the West Side the total death rate was 14.9 per cent per 1,000 population; the death rate of the native born was 13.8 per cent., while that of the foreign born was 17.8 per cent. The age periods of the deaths on the East Side were as follows : Under one year, 72; under five years, 108; five to 14 years, 25; 15 to 24 years, 30; 25 to 34 years, 27; 35 to 44 years, 25; 45 to 64 years, 68; 65 years and over, 68. On West Side the age period of the deaths were as fol- lows : Under one year, 46; under five years, 67 ; five to 14 years, 14; 15 to 24 years, 23 ; 25 to 34 years, 21 ; 35 to 44 years, 14; 45 to 64 years, 30; 65 years and over, 27.

The principle causes of death on the East and West sides, respectively, were as follows : Measles, 3 and 4 ; scarlet fever, 10 and 2; diph- theria and croup, 21 and 8; diarrheal diseases, 13 and 15; typhoid fever, 8 and 6; malarial fever, 2 and 3; influenza, 3 and I ; pneumonia, 13 and 14; consumption, 19 and 20 (the first number being the deaths on the East Side, the last figures the deaths on the West Side). In- creased mortality during the last decade is shown in pneumonia, 5 per cent ; heart disease, 12.2 per cent .; kidney diseases, 24 per cent. (now used as an argument favoring temper- ance !) ; apoplexy, 17.6 per cent .; cancer, 12.I per cent. ; old age, 9.1 per cent (mark that !) in- fluenza 17.7 per cent. ; stomach diseases, 1.9 per cent .; suicide, 1.5 per cent. ; septicemia, 2.3 per cent .; diabetes, 3.9 per cent. ; burns and scalds, 3.3 per cent. ; cerebro-spinal fever, .8 per cent. (this disease is causing much illness and death in New York and elsewhere in 1905) ; gunshot wounds, 1.4 per cent. Encouraging decreases in mortality for the same period are shown in consumption, 54.9 per cent ; diarrheal diseases, 19 per cent .; bronchitis, 26.1 per cent. ; cholera infantum, 31.9 per cent .; debility and atrophy,

43.I per cent .; diphtheria, 34.7 per cent; con- vulsions, 23.2 per cent. ; brain diseases, 12.3 per cent. ; croup 17.8 per cent. ; malarial fever, 10.4 per cent. ; rheumatism, 1.3 per cent. ; inflamma- tion of the brain, 7.3 per cent. ; paralysis, 2.7 per cent. ; liver diseases, 1.5 per cent .; dropsy, 3.4 per cent. Much of this discrease in our most dreaded national ailments is of course due to the advances made by the medical profession in the last decade, no less than to the more ra- tional living of the nation itself. Verily we do progress !

In this place it may not be inappropriate to note a few of the coordinate branches of the schools of medicine. There is the druggist, the skilled mixer and compounder, upon whose ex- perience and ability often depends so much of the physician's success and the weal and woe of many patients. William W. Vedder is the dean of druggists on the West Side, being the first pharmacist to locate there in 1873, and in 1905 he is still dispensing drugs to his appre- ciative neighbors. On the East Side, John K. Mason is the dean, beginning under the firm name of Mason & McNeil in 1874, taking in Lyman F. Beach in 1879, the firm of Mason & Beach continuing to this day among the leaders in the drug line in Northern Michigan. Lucien S. Coman was located at No. 107 Center ave- nue in 1875, later going to the corner of Center and Washington aveues, where he continued in business almost up to the hour of his death. Florentine H. J. VanEmster was located on Broadway and 18th street in 1875; later he erected the fine block at the head of Washing- ton avenue, which bears this name. Mr. Van Emster met a tragic death a few years ago through the burning of his drug store, three lives being lost in the conflagration. Frederick Von Walthousen was in 1875 located on Third and Water streets; later he removed to Center avenue and Adams street, and in 1905 is still

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History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens, Part 32

Author: Gansser, Augustus H., 1872- Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond & Arnold Number of Pages: 738

Author: Gansser, Augustus H., 1872-
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond & Arnold
Number of Pages: 738