History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 33

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 761

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" Respectfully yours,

" N. M. THOMAS. " SCHOOLCRAFT, June 27, 1879."

DR. DAVID E. BROWN, who came to Schoolcraft in Oc- tober, 1830, was born June 20, 1795, in Loudon Co., Va. He was a graduate of the medical department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and was in many respects a marked man. Naturally frank, open-hearted, hospitable, and generous, he had many warm friends ; brim- ful of mirth and humor, he was highly entertaining and attractive in social life ; his clear perceptions, sound reason, and general good sense commanded universal respect; and all these, together with his energy, high-bred courtesy, and integrity, made him a successful man. As a physician he was, for the time, remarkably well educated; his mind was well trained in professional thought, and his memory well stored with medical science. For some time (just how long cannot be ascertained) he was the Professor of Practice in a medical school established at La Porte, Ind. In 1852 he moved to his farm in Pavilion township, and made that his ·home until about the time of his death, which occurred May 13, 1871, at Boone, Iowa. His remains lie in the township burial-ground of Schoolcraft.

DR. ABBOTT came to Kalamazoo in 1831, and was a prominent character in nearly all the early affairs of the township. He was its first postmaster, he held several town- ship offices, and he was its first physician. His professional experience embraced much that was interesting to the his- torian, and especially to the medical man, but it is impos- sible, within the space allowed for this article, to give the details of his life. It is enough to say that, healthy and vigorous himself, he did a large amount of professional work,-his rides radiating from his home to New Buffalo, to Ionia, to Union City, and to Muskegon ; and that, with- out being remarkable or noteworthy on account of his en- dowments or his attainments, he was a careful and honor- able physician, a kind and good man, who had many and warm friends, and whose death one year ago was lamented by all who knew him.

DR. DEMING, who came to Cooper in 1834, was a man

of many good and remarkable traits. A good physician, a kind neighbor, a true friend, and a faithful worker, he did great good in the north part of this county, and in Allegan and Barry Counties. (A fuller account of his life and death will be found in the history of Cooper township.)

Passing now to the medical generation in Kalamazoo only, immediately following these pioneers, we notice DR. STUART, the father of Hon. Charles E. Stuart, a man of marked intellect and character, who lived to a great old age, and died only a few years since.

DR. LEWIS F. STARKEY, a native of New York, a grad- uate of the University of Pennsylvania, and for a while assistant surgeon in the navy, came to Detroit in 1836, and to Kalamazoo in 1837. In 1842 he was elected State senator from this district, and for years was prominent in the politics of the State. He died May 19, 1848.

DR. EDWIN N. COLT settled in 1836, and left in 1843. He was postmaster at Kalamazoo in 1841-42.

DR. STARKWEATHER, another man of marked character, came about the same time, prospered in his practice, and died in the spring of 1854.

DR. CADMAN, also for many years in practice, was prom- inent in all the reformatory measures of the day, and has gone to his rest.

DR. HOWARD, gentlemanly, pleasant, and popular, died about 1860.

DRS. AXTELL (brothers), of whom the elder died from a dissecting wound about 1854; the younger immediately thereafter retired from practice, and still lives in the county.

DR. J. ADAMS ALLEN, a graduate of Middlebury (his father was a professor in the college), came to Kalamazoo about 1848, and soon became eminent in his profession. He was for several years a professor in the medical school at Ann Arbor, but removed, in 1860, from Kalamazoo to Chicago, where he has since occupied with great distinction the chair of practice in Rush Medical College.

DR. GEORGE J. LONGBOTTOM, a native of England, a distinguished graduate of the London University Medical College in 1838, came to Kalamazoo in 1849. During a successful practice here of fifteen years he gained a large amount of popular confidence in his professional knowledge and skill, and by his keen, quick sympathy with trouble and distress won the hearts of all with whom he became intimate. He died Oct. 4, 1864.

DR. THOMAS BRADSHAW, also a native of England, a graduate of the London University, and a man of remark- able intellectual endowments and professional attainments, a visiting surgeon of one of the Liverpool hospitals, and for several years a general practitioner in that city, came to Kalamazoo early in 1851. (He made Pavilion his later home.) He was, for some occult reason, an eccentric, mis- anthropic recluse, scorning all conventionalities, but com- manding attention and respect from all who had intelligence enough to appreciate his knowledge and mental powers. He died in December, 1872.

DR. COATES, for some time associated in practice with Dr. Longbottom, left here about 1850, and has since died.

DR. WELLS MARSH, a Kalamazoo boy, a graduate of Michigan University, and a surgeon during the late war, also practiced awhile in Kalamazoo.

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THE PROFESSIONS.

DR. R. C. KEDZIE for a short time was professionally located in Kalamazoo, but for a long time has been Pro- fessor of Chemistry at the State Agricultural College, near Lansing. In this position, while winning laurels for him- self, he has conferred reputation on his school and honor upon his profession. He is a member of the Michigan State Medical Society, and has been its president. He is an active and useful member of our State Board of Health. He is a permanent member of the American Medical Asso- ciation, and also of the National Health Commission.

DR. J. H. WHITE, coming to Kalamazoo in 1847, stayed but a few years, left on account of his health, and is now dead. He was a genial man and a good physician.

DRS. MACK and BOLES, both dead, were, each of them, a short while in practice among us. Dr. Mack removing to Kankakee, Ill., became wealthy and politically prominent in the State, and died there.

DR. GEORGE W. LYON, a native of Connecticut, a grad- uate of Bellevue College, New York, and twice a member of the Legislature of New York, came to Kalamazoo in 1858. Finely endowed by nature with personal and intellectual gifts, he had added thereto by study a fine literary culture, unusual professional acquirements, and a polish of manner which made him a pleasant companion and a successful physician. Health failing, travel did not restore it, and he died in 1876, in the prime of life.

DR. EDWARD LEE, too, a talented and accomplished phy- sician and gentleman, came from his home in New York, on the Hudson, practiced here for about a year, and returned to his old home and died soon after of consumption.

DRS. FORBES, CHASE, FITCH, LAUBENSTEIN, and UP- JOHN, SR., each practiced for a time in Kalamazoo. All are living, but all have left this field. Dr. Upjohn, Sr., has been for many years a practitioner in the county, and now lives at Richland.

DR. CHARLES V. MOTTRAM, after practicing here for several years (much of the time associated with his brother William), went to Kansas, where he is now a highly-suc- cessful physician. During the war he was surgeon of the 6th Regiment of Michigan Infantry, serving with distinction and success.

DR. EDWARD CLAPHAM, a native of England, a nephew of our old druggist, James P. Clapham, and a well-educated physician, practiced here a few years. While yet quite young he died, his death occurring in Canada, Oct. 5, 1879.

The preceding catalogue is believed to comprise all rep- resentatives of regular medicine who have practiced in Kal- amazoo, and who, because of death or removal, are not now here. Of those now here and in practice, the oldest is DR. WILLIAM MOTTRAM, who came here in 1851, from Not- tawa Prairie. With him for years was associated his brother, CHARLES V., now of Kansas; and, more recently, his grandson, DR. ARTHUR RANSOM. Dr. Mottram has been president of the local medical society and a delegate to the American Medical Association.

Next in order of settlement is DR. FOSTER PRATT, who came in 1856. Dr. Pratt has been twice president of the local society ; once vice-president and acting president of the State Medical Society, and once its president by election ; a permanent member of the American Medical Association,

and a member also of its judicial councils ; surgeon during the war of the 13th Regiment Michigan Veteran Volunteer Infantry. He was also, in 1858, a representative of the Kalamazoo district in the State Legislature ; and in 1871-72 the president of Kalamazoo village.

DR. HOMER O. HITCHCOCK also came (later) in 1856. Dr. Hitchcock has been twice president of the local society, president of the State society, member and president of the State Board of Health, permanent member of the American Medical Association, and also of the American Social Sci- ence Association.

During the late war came DRS. I. W. FISKE, W. B. SOUTHARD, and MOSES PORTER. Since the war, DRS. W. T. STILLWELL, HENRY U. UPJOHN and his sister, MRS. HELEN M. UPJOHN KIRKLAND, J. M. SNOOK, H. H. SCHABERG, O. B. RANNEY, A. HOCHSTEIN, MRS. M. L. TOUSLEY, and MORRIS GIBBS have been added to the catalogue of medical practitioners in Kalamazoo.

DRS FISK, SOUTHARD, PORTER, STILLWELL, UPJOHN, and SNOOK have each been president of the local society and delegate to the American Medical Association. Be- sides these, living here, but not now in practice, are Drs. L. C. CHAPIN and W. H. JOHNSON.

MEDICAL SOCIETIES .- Prior to 1866, several attempts were made to form a medical society, but with no success. In 1866 a society was formed, which took the name of " Kalamazoo Valley Medical Society," and embraced as its territory Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Allegan, and Van Buren Counties. This organization lived about one year, and died because it covered too much territory. Immediately upon the demise of this society, another was born to inherit its " effects," which was christened the " Kalamazoo County Medical Society," its territory being indicated by its title. But very soon it was discovered, after a careful diagnosis, that it had inherited the infirmity of its parents,-too much territory,-and the diagnosis was triumphantly vindicated by its speedy dissolution.

Feb. 11, 1868, the "Kalamazoo Medical Association" was organized by Drs. Pratt, Hitchcock, Southard, Fiske, W. Mottram, Chapin, Johnson, and Porter, and all who are now practicing regular medicine in Kalamazoo are members of it. The only feature that distinguishes this from any other medical society is a provision in its law that it shall meet monthly at the homes of its members, as may be convenient, whereby sociality is cultivated as well as science. Its present president is Dr. Pratt, and Dr. Snook is secretary and treasurer. During the twelve years of its existence it has done much good not only to its members, but, by its example, to other doctors in other localities.

On the 27th day of February, 1878, another organization, known as the " Kalamazoo District Medical and Surgical Association," was organized, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and officers elected. It, too, though scarcely two years old, has also prospered and is doing a good work. Dr. Edwin H. Van Deusen, of Kalamazoo, is now the presi- dent, and Dr. J. M. Snook is secretary. Its membership includes all who have been previously named as practicing in Kalamazoo, and who are members of its local society ; and, in addition to these, it also includes the following,

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HISTORY OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

viz., Drs. B. Barnum, Schoolcraft ; D. M. McLay, Prairie- ville; S. B. Davis, Alamo ; O. F. Seeley, Climax ; E. B. Dunning, Paw Paw ; M. Hill, Pavilion; Milton Chase, Otsego; J. F. Failing, Oshtemo; G. B. Nichols, Martin ; J. L. H. Young, Cooper ; L. C. Van Antwerp, Vicksburg ; L. D. Knowles, Kendall ; J. W. Sackett, Prairieville ; J. M. Elliott, Hickory Corners; J. M. Rankin, Richland ; Fred. E. Grant, Mattewan ; O. F. Thomas, Lawton ; C. H. McKain, Pavilion; Geo. C. Pease, Wakeshma; E. C. Adams, Alamo; M. Spencer Bradley, Oshtemo; H. J. Turner, Wayland.

Neither the medical history of Kalamazoo nor its list of medical men can be completed without a mention of another class of physicians, who came here not as other medical men, to locate and enter into general practice, but who came appointed to perform duty as medical officers in the " Michigan Asylum for the Insane." First and foremost among all these is Edwin H. Van Deusen, from 1856 till 1878 the distinguished medical superintendent of the in- stitution. Among the assistant medical superintendents were Drs. Tyler and Geo. C. Palmer, the latter being now the medical superintendent. Dr. Henry M. Hurd, for years assistant physician, is now the medical superinten- dent of the similar institution at Pontiac, Mich. Worthy of honorable mention among them are Dr. Emerson, resigned to enter general practice, and Dr. E. G. Marshall, who went from here to a similar institution in Wisconsin, and there died of a dissecting-wound inflicted while engaged in scien- tific investigation. Now in service at the institution, in addition to the superintendent, Dr. Palmer, are Drs. Adams, Wood, Worcester, Savage, and Miss Bissell,-all ornaments to their profession, and eminently fitted for their responsible duties.

DR. LAMBORN.

The following fragmentary information and anecdotes of a most eccentric but at the same time most remarkably endowed individual, who for many years was a citizen of, or at least a dweller in, Kalamazoo County, have been mostly gathered by A. D. P. Van Buren, Esq., and oblig- ingly placed at the disposal of the historian.

Dr. Isaac E. Lamborn was a native of Leesburg, Lou- don Co., Va., where he was born towards the close of the last century .*

He is said to have graduated at the University of Penn- sylvania, at Philadelphia, where he also studied medicine under Professor Gibson, a man of well-known reputation. Dr. Mottram says he graduated an M.D., and thinks he also graduated at William and Mary College in Virginia.

Dr. Uriah Upjohn says of him : " Theoretically he knew everything in the science of medicine ; was learned-pro- foundly versed-as a physician," though he never engaged in regular practice. He was like Washington in one re- spect-he seldom laughed. He seems either to have been regularly bred a Quaker or subsequently adopted the Quaker manner of expression.

Dr. Thomas says he came of Quaker parentage, and the

doctor also thinks he studied medicine near the place of his birth. He also states that his father was noted for his eccentricities, of which his neighbors often made sport.

About 1824 he visited Washington, D. C., where he was employed as a stenographer or reporter during the administration of John Quincy Adams. In that depart- ment his reputation was unrivaled. In the capital of the nation he formed the acquaintance of many prominent statesmen and politicians, and, having a superior capacity and a most retentive memory, acquired a remarkable knowl- edge of not only the principal actors in the political arena, but of the most profound principles of human government. His penetration of character was wonderful, and Dr. Mott- ram says his analysis of the character, peculiarities, and special traits of all the noted men of his time was better than a phrenological delineation by the ablest lecturer upon the (so-called) science.

While in Washington he turned his attention mostly to American politics, and, as in the case of his study of med- icine, he soon mastered the subject. His knowledge of men and principles was most wonderful. As a prominent gentleman of Kalamazoo puts it : " He seemed to have no common sense, but had the greatest store of uncommon sense of any man I ever knew." Whatever subject he investigated he seemed to grasp at once and become profi- cient in. With all his other acquirements he had a very wide knowledge of history.

Dr. David E. Brown was from the same part of Virginia, and an old-time friend of his; and when he removed to Michigan, about 1830, Dr. Lamborn came also. Dr. Brown was a Whig and Dr. Lamborn a Democrat, though a very independent one, reserving tenaciously the right of private judgment .; He and Dr. Brown had many a " pas- sage-at-arms" upon political matters, and it is said that Dr. Brown was always discomfited, or at least overwhelmed, in the argument.

But, like many a great man before him, he had a weak spot in his armor; he was open to flattery. Dr. Mottram relates an instance in point : The Michigan Central and Southern Railway Companies got into difficulty about crossing each other's lines south of Chicago. One day Dr. Mottram made the statement to Dr. Lamborn that the two companies had agreed to refer the matter in dispute to two distinguished umpires in England. The latter gentle- men had desired to have associated with them some eminent American, and Mr. Brooks, superintendent of the Michigan Central Railroad, requested Dr. Mottram to secure the coun- sels of Dr. Lamborn. The latter was wonderfully pleased at this distinguished recognition of his abilities. A few days after this announcement Dr. Lamborn said to Dr. Mottram, " Has thee heard anything more about the matter from Superintendent Brooks ?" The doctor would make some explanation for the time being, and the matter would drop for a few days, when Dr. Lamborn would again inquire,

* Dr. Thomas met him in September, 1828, in Mount Pleasant, Jef- ferson Co., Ohio, and Hon. S. F. Brown thinks he lived in that State for a few years when young. Dr. Thomas and others think he first came to Michigan in 1840. Others say in 1830.

t Dr. Upjohn, according to Mr. Van Buren, reverses this statement, and makes Dr. Lamborn a Whig and Dr. Brown a Democrat. It is not material. Others make him a strong Abolitionist, and he seems to have been an adept at argument on all sides of a political question. Dr. Brown was a Whig till 1854. After the formation of the Re- publican party he became a Democrat. Dr. Lamborn was a pupil of Madison, and always a Democrat .- Dr. Pratt.

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in an eager whisper, " Has thy friend Brooks yet decided when the matter of adjudicating this railroad difficulty shall take place ?" Some plausible excuse had finally to be framed for the failure to call upon him.

Dr. Upjohn says, in answer to a question as to whether Dr. Lamborn graduated from any literary institute,-

"I think he did; there is not much doubt of it; but, be that as it may, one thing is certain, he knew enough to have graduated from a half-dozen of the best colleges in the land.

"I first met him at Gun Plains, where I learned that he was to de- liver a lecture on stenography. I went and heard a masterly lecture on that beautiful art."

Among his multitudinous accomplishments was that of a practical knowledge of surveying. Upon this subject he took great pleasure in discoursing, and had an excellent understanding of the system of surveys adopted by the United States authorities about 1785. He was a most accomplished mathematician.

Religiously he was a Hicksite Quaker, and his opinions were not kept to himself in this direction any more than in political matters. He was outspoken, earnest, able, and cuttingly critical, a most remarkable debater, and furnished with an unfailing stock of repartee. He was habitually of a melancholy temperament, which was said by those who knew him to have been caused by a disappointment in an affair of the heart in early life.

Mr. E. M. Clapp furnishes some interesting information which we have drawn upon.

On one occasion the old doctor had been exceedingly active in procuring signatures to a petition which he had drawn up to be presented to the Legislature. He secured a large number and forwarded it, sanguine of success, to the Legislature. But although his name, like that of " Abou Ben Adhem," led all the rest, the petition was never after- wards heard of. The doctor could not bear to be foiled. He was intensely restive under what he deemed restraint. At that time Edwin H. Lothrop, an old acquaintance, was a member of the Legislature, and for some reason the doctor believed he was instrumental in suppressing the lost document. Cut to the quick by what he considered a flagrant act of injustice, he exclaimed, " The right of petition, the most sacred right of an American citizen,-a right conceded by all legislative bodies where man is free,- this right is denied us in Michigan ! Edwin H. Lothrop has done an act that would have cost Louis Napoleon his head !"

He was sometimes remonstrated with for being so posi- tive and outspoken ; and the suggestion was ventured that it would be better for him to curb himself and use milder language. He replied, " It was born with me! I was once put in a barrel by my parents for some disobedience ; but I could not brook restraint. I rolled my prison over and got out !"

In the days when Mormonism had a foothold in south- western Michigan, on one occasion there was a meeting of the " faithful" held in the log school-house in Mr. E. M. Clapp's neighborhood. Several able preachers were present, the house was crowded, and in the course of the proceedings considerable feeling was beginning to manifest itself, when of a sudden the shrill voice of Dr. Lamborn was heard piping harshly out as he entered upon a most searching

and logical castigation of the Mormon theories and doc- trines.

Very few in the neighborhood were familiar with the doctor, and the inquiry, " Who is it ? who is it ?" passed from mouth to mouth.

The few who happened to know him understood well that the subject would be exhaustively treated in his hands, and the " saints" soon found that an "enemy was within the gates" who would thoroughly expose the whole business. Their leaders replied to him, but the more they said the worse they made matters appear, and their arguments were so skillfully parried and turned against them that they very soon were ready to exclaim, with Sir Andrew Aguecheek, "An' I thought he had been valiant and so cunning in fence, I'd have seen him d-d ere I'd have challenged him.".

The result was like that where the belligerent hornet got into the camp-meeting,-the " meetin" broke up.

That log school-house in after-years was often pointed out as the spot where " old Dr. Lamborn routed the ' Latter- Day Saints.'"

He was known among the students of the old branch of the university at Kalamazoo as the " Wandering Encyclo- pædia" and the " Bodleian Library in boots." We give a couple of characteristic anecdotes : During the exciting political campaign of 1844, he happened to step into a Whig meeting at Battle Creek, and in the course of events made a brief speech, in which occurred this passage :

" Fellow-cit-i-zens ! I come among you a Christ-ian, pat-riot, and scholar ! Really there are but three great men in A-mer-i-ca ; Dan- i-el Webster is one, Henry Clay is another, and the third modesty forbids me to mention !"

Dr. Lamborn and Judge Pratt .- In the fall of 1848, Messrs. Pratt and Hughes, of Marshall, came to Cassopolis to examine the testimony taken in the celebrated "Ken- tucky Slave Case," which was to be used before the Dis- trict Court of the United States.

While here their headquarters were at the office of Geo. B. Turner, Esq., who was connected with the case. Those acquainted with Judge Pratt will remember him as a man of commanding personal appearance, an inveterate joker, and a most unmerciful antagonist to those who dared meas- ure swords with him in a contest of wit and humor. Dur- ing their stay the judge had been unusually successful in playing his jokes upon Hughes, and the latter " acknowl- edged the corn."

One day Hughes and Turner were standing in the door of the office looking out upon Main Street, when Dr. Lam- born came along. Turner, knowing his political dislike of Judge Pratt, whom the doctor had never met, proposed to turn the tables upon the judge. Dr. Lamborn was ac- cordingly invited in, and the three gentlemen walked into a back room where the judge was lying upon a lounge. As they reached the centre of the room, Turner remarked to the doctor,-

"I would like to have your opinion concerning the three prominent Democrats of Michigan. First, what do you think of Judge Ran- som ?"

DR. LAMBORN .- " What do I think of Epaphroditus Ransom ? I will tell thee. He is not a great man, but I think him an honest one, and a good judge. In politics he is a mere boy."

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TURNER .- " What of Judge Felch ?"

DR. LAMBORN .- " Alpheus Felch has proven himself to be an ex- cellent judge. He was a man of much culture, but too honest for a politician."

TURNER .- "Now, doctor, what is your opinion of Abner Pratt, of Marshall ?"

DR. LAMBORN .- " Well, I will tell thee" (raising his voice and ac- centing it as only the doctor could). "When Abner Pratt was born they were destitute of souls, and they gave him a gizzard !"

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History of Kalamazoo county, Michigan, Part 33

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott Number of Pages: 761

Author: Durant, Samuel W. comp
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia. Everts & Abbott
Number of Pages: 761