20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 57

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 57

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There have been few "Uriah Heeps"

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CHAPTER XXI.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF CLARK COUNTY.

(BY DR. W. B. PATTON.)

Sources of Information -- Medical Districts-Richard Ilunt-William A. Needham Isaac Hendershott-Job Haines-Organization of Medical Society-Re-Or- ganized 1850-Second Re-Organization-Robert Rodgers-Dr. Berkley Gil- lette-Dr. Andrew Bruce-Benjamin Winwood-Alexander Dunlap-Isaac Kay-John H. Rodgers-H. H. Seys-Buckinghams-Andrew Mclaughlin -- Present Society-Hospital.

Sources of Information-Medical Dis- tricts-Richard Hunt-William A. Need- ham-Isaac Hendershott-Job Haines- Organization of Medical Society-Re-Or- ganized 1850-Second Re-Organization- Robert Rodgers-Dr. Berkely Gillette- Dr. Andrew Bruce-Benjamin Winwood -Alexander Dunlap-Isaac Kay-John H. Rodgers-H. H. Seys-Buckinghams -Andrew Mclaughlin-Present Society -Hospital.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION.

The history of the earliest practitioners of the healing art in Clark County is very meager. What is known of them has come from two sources; that which has been handed down from one generation to the next in the memories of men, and that which has been preserved in the more or

less incomplete records of the Clark County Medical Society. Some physi- cians, of course, were not members of the Society, and so nothing is known of them from that source. In the early days there was no elaborate system of registration. such as we have today, by means of which some record is kept of every legalized practitioner and will be preserved for fu- ture generations.

Two physicians are still living whose lives span the greater part of the history of the county. For more than a half cen- tury they have been useful and honored members of the profession and of the County Society. These men are Dr. Isaac Kay and Dr. John H. Rodgers, both of whom read interesting and valuable pa- pers on medical history upon the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of membership in the society of Dr. Isaac Kay and the

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late Dr. H. H. Seys. These papers have ham, Richard Hunt, Elijah Lawrence, Am- been incorporated in the minutes of the brose Blount, Job Haines, Thos. S. Towler and Robt. Houston of South Charleston. society.

The Clark County Medical Society has an ancient and an honorable history. The records of the society have been pre- served from its earliest infancy. They were well written and are of great inter- est, especially to physicians, as they show in a definite manner the progress of med- ical thought. One thing that is inelined to cause a feeling of sadness as they are read, is the fact that they contain the names of so many men who were evi- dently prominent members of the society and probably influential citizens of the community, who are practically unknown today only a few decades after they have gone to their rewards, so fleeting is hu- man memory, and so few men there are who succeed in making a secure place even in a local history.

MEDICAL DISTRICT.

In 1815 the Legislature divided the state into medical districts, the Seventh, which was composed of the following coun- ties: Montgomery, Champaign, Greene, Preble, Miami and Darke. The medical society organized in this district, licensed to practice medicine, among others, Dr. Isaac Hendershott and Dr. W. A. Need- ham, who located in this county and who were probably among the very earliest pioneers of the profession in the county.

In 1824 the Legislature again divided the state into districts, this time twenty in number, of which the Seventh was com- posed of Montgomery and Clark Counties. The Clark County physicians who were members of the society organized in this district were as follows: Drs. W.A. Need-

DR." RICHARD HUNT was probably the first physician to locate in Springfield. He was born in Greenwich, Cumberland County, New Jersey, in 1780. He came to Cincinnati in 1807, and learning that there was no physician in Springfield, came here at once and began to practice, boarding at Griffith Foos' tavern. He is said to have been present at the Indian conference when Tecumseh refused to disarm his fol- lowers and it was he who offered the clay pipe which Tecumseh tossed away in dis- gust. In 1818 he wrote to a friend that Springfield "had four public houses, eleven stores, three physicians, three at- torneys, and mechanics of every descrip- tion." He married Miss Frances Reeder, then living on the Yellow Springs Road about three miles from town. His daugh- ter, Miss Sophia Hunt, is living here. He died in 1848.

DR. WILLIAM A. NEEDHAM was born in Shoreham, Vt., in 1776, and came to Springfield in 1813. He first located near Lagonda, which for that reason was called "Pillville." He afterwards lived in a log cabin on the southwest corner of Columbia and Factory Streets until 1817, when he moved to his own frame house on the cor- ner of Main street and the first alley east of Limestone, where he died in 1834. An interesting fact in his history is that his last visit was made upon the occasion of the birth of William Needham Whitely, "The Reaper King." the middle name of whom is thus accounted for. He, siek as he was, returning from this call, died in four days of some malignant epidemie fever. He was buried in the old Colum-

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bia Street graveyard. Dr. Henry Bald- eye Hotel. A preliminary meeting to ar- win, the city health officer, is a great- ' range for the organization had been held grandson of Dr. Needham.

DR. ISAAC HENDERSHOTT is another of the pioneers of special interest to present- day physicians, as he was the first Presi- dent of the Clark County Medical Society and one of the few physicians who have held an elective office in Clark County, ex- cepting that of coroner. Nothing is known of the date or place of his birth or of his coming to Springfield. He was a cripple, walking with one cane, as the re- sult of hip-joint disease, and had a very beautiful daughter who became afflicted with and died as a result of the same dis- ease. He was at one time postmaster and twice was elected county recorder, from 1835, and from 1856 to the time of his death, in 1862.

DR. JOB HAINES was born in New Jer- sey in 1791 and graduated from the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania in 1815. He practiced medicine in partnership with Dr. Hunt until 1817, when he removed to Dayton, where he practiced until he died in 1860.

The above meager facts are about all that can be learned of the first generation of physicians, the real pioneers of the profession. There are no doubt persons living, who, if they were known, could give something of interest of others, espe- cially of those who practiced outside of the City of Springfield. If there be any such, the writer would be more than pleased to have them communicate with him in regard to the matter.

COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

The Clark County Medical Society was organized on April 4th, 1838, at the Buck-

March 1st, 1838, in the office of Dr. Robert Rodgers. The following officers were elected: President, Isaac Hendershott. vice-president, ---- Smith, secretary, Robert Rodgers; treasurer, William Murdock; Board of Censors, Berkley Gillette, E. W. Steele, and Robt. Rodgers. The constitution was signed by the follow. ing: Isaac Hendershott, Benj. Winwood, Berkley Gillette, Elias Garst, Robt. Ro- gers, Wm. Murdock, Robt. Houston, John C. Stone, Michael Garst and James Rob- bins. In addition to these there appear in the minutes the names of Happersette and Towler. Two meetings were held each year; the annual meeting in April and semi-annual in November, somewhat in contrast to the present society, which meets twice each month. The first paper was read April 30th, 1838, by Dr. Win- wood on "Progressive Improvement of Medicine in America," and another at the same meeting by Dr. Garst on "The Mucons Membrane of the Alimentary Tract." The infant could not survive the second summer, and passed away after the election of officers, April 14, 1840.

REORGANIZATION.

A meeting was held to reorganize in the office of Dr. Robt. Rodgers May 31, 1850, and elected the following officers: Presi- dent, Robt. Rodgers; vice-presidents. Berkley Gillette and Isaac Hendershott: secretary, E. M. Buckingham; treasurer, G. H. Bimyan; Board of Censors, B. Gil- lette, Jesse Cook, J. N. Stockstill, G. H. Bunyan and Robt. Rodgers.

While all of those who were present at the meeting to reorganize the society have

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RESIDENCE OF MRS. A. S. BUSHNELL, SPRINGFIELD

RESIDENCE OF J S. CROWELL, SPRINGFIELD

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long since gone to their rewards, it is dur- ing this period that naines begin to ap- pear that connect it with the present. At the May meeting, 1853, the late Dr. H. H. Seys was admitted to membership, and one year later the same honor was be- stowed upon Dr. Isaac Kay, who is the senior member of the present society. Dr. John H. Rodgers, the second member of the present society, in the point of age, and one of the first in interest, was admitted in 1856.

SECOND REORGANIZATION.

After five years of activity the society was again allowed to discontinue, this time for nine years, or until April 12th, 1864, when it was reorganized and again the meeting was held in the office of Dr. Rod- gers. Of the eight men at the meeting in May, 1850. Dr. Rodgers was the only one present at this one, the others having all died or moved away. The following were the officers elected at this meeting: Presi- dent, Robt. Rodgers: vice-presidents, A. C. MeLaughlin, and Edward Owen; secre- tary, Isaac Kay; treasurer, A. Dunlap; censors, A. Dunlap, E. M. Buckingham, Geo. F. Kennedy, H. H. Young and Isaac Kay. Of the officers elected at this time, Dr. Kay alone survives.

During the periods of the history of the medical society just passed over there appear the names of the truly great men of the profession. men whose lives and deeds were such that they deserve to be handed down to future generations as Clark County's examples of "The doctors of the old school," men who braved the perils of flood and storm, of pestilence and fever, just as real as those

faced by that great creation of the novel- ist's imagination, Weelum MacClure of Drumtockty. All of them are worthy of mention, but space and available material will permit of only the briefest mention of some of them.

DR. ROBERT RODGERS was born in Cum- berland County, Pa., September 11, 1807. After graduating at the University of Pennsylvania in 1828, he practiced in his home county for three years, moving to Portsmouth, Ohio, and two years later to Springfield, where he died in 1880. No name has been more intimately associated with medical history and but few with the history and progress of our city than that of Rodgers. Three times the society met in his office to organize and reorganize, twice he served as its president. He had a very extensive general practice, and had the reputation of being a skillful surgeon. He read a paper before the society giv- ing an account of an operation which he performed, being the only Caesarian Sec- tion ever performed in the county. Dr. Kay said of him in a memorial address, "Being sedulously devoted to the healing art, of indomitable perseverance and courteous in his manners, he attained to a high degree of influence among his pro- fessional brethren towards whom he con- dneted himself in accordance with the best requirements of ethical and Christian principles."

DR. BERKLEY GILLETTE began to practice here about 1836. He had one of the larg- est surgical practices in this vicinity, and stood high as a member of the county and state society. Of him Dr. Kay said, "He was a man of firmness and practical skill in his profession, and despised quackery and sham of every kind. He was plain

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and blunt in his manner and language, He is known throughout the world as one and scarcely ever dealt in flattery or blarney," all of which goes to prove that he was one of the truly great.

DR. ANDREW BRUCE came here in 1849, having practiced previous to that time in Western Pennsylvania. He had a large general practice and died October 17, 1873. He was at one time in partnership with Dr. Geo. P. Hackenberg, who at- tained some fame as a surgeon, in New York State, where he located after leav- ing here. He was a surgeon in the Civil War and afterwards in the regular army, finally locating in Austin, Tex. He wrote largely for medical journals, and was the anthor of a pretentious work entitled the "Medical Consultation Book."

DR. BENJAMIN WINWOOD was born in 1804, in Soho Square, London. His fam- ily came to Baltimore, Md., early in his life, where he received his medical educa- tion, having been a student of Prof. Davis Davvidge. He first located in Dayton, coming here in 1842, and practiced here until he was appointed to the Union Mil- itary Hospital at Nashville, Tenn., where he died in 1864.

ALEXANDER DUNLAP, A. M., M. D., was the most renowned physician who ever practiced in this county, and but few in the state or nation have been any more widely known. He was born in Brown County, O., in 1815, graduated from Miami University in 1836, and from the Cincinnati Medical College in 1839. He practiced with his brother at Greenfield, Ohio, until 1846, when he moved to Spring- field where he practiced until the date of his death.

He was pre-eminently a surgeon, and in this line of work achieved his great fame.

of the first surgeons to operate for ovarian tumors. The first operation of this sort was performed by Ephraim Me- Dowell of Kentucky in 1809. It was met with such opposition that it was aban- doned. Clary of England again tried it in 1842 and Atlee of Philadelphia in 1843. Two months after Atlee's operation, and knowing nothing of it, Dr. Dunlap per- formed his. The woman had urged him repeatedly to do it, and finally told him she would cut it out with a butcher knife if he continued to refuse. In the presence of a few country physicians, without an anesthetic, he successfully removed a 45- lb. tumor. The woman died a few weeks later of other trouble. Dr. Dunlap was denounced by the medical profession, the journals refusing to publish reports of his case, because it was an unsafe and un- justifiable operation. Time, however, demonstrated that he was right, and then the honors came thick and fast. He was elected president of the Ohio Medical So- ciety 'in 1868, and twice a member of the Judicial Council of the American Medical Association, which position he resigned, to become vice-president of the same in 1877. He was a Fellow of the American Gynecological Association, with a mem- bership limited to sixty. In 1875 he was elected to the chair of surgical diseases of women in Starling Medical College. He was married in 1839 to Miss Maria E. Bell. of Highland County, and two children were born to them, a son and a daughter. The son, Dr. C. A. Dunlap. spent his professional career in this city within the memory of most of the physi- cians of today.

DR. ISAAC KAY, the senior member of

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the Clark County Medical Society and of Maryland in 1853, locating here the one of the most devoted members of the society and profession, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in 1828, and moved to Preble County, Ohio, in 1836. When eighteen years of age he be- gan to read medicine in the office of Dr. William Gray of Lewisburg, Ohio, and graduated from Starling Medical College in 1849. After practicing a few years in Lewisburg he came to Springfield in 1853. He was secretary of the medical society for twenty-six years and his minutes of the society meeting during those years are interesting and valuable documents. He has written a number of articles, both for lay and medical publications, all of which are interesting, couched as they are in beautiful diction.

JOHN H. RODGERS-Another of the pio- neer physicians, whom the present also claims, is Dr. John H. Rodgers, who was born here August 19, 1834, the son of Dr. Robert Rodgers, whose name is so inti- mately associated with medical history in this county. He received his literary de- gree from Miami University and his med- ical from the University of Pennsylvania in 1856. He answered his country's call, enlisting in 1861 as assistant surgeon to the Forty-fourth Regiment, O. V. I., and after eighteen months' service, was pro- moted to the position he held until 1865, since which time he has followed his chosen calling in this city, although of recent years he has been living a retired life, so far as active practice is concerned.

same year. He served in several impor- tant positions during the Civil War, where he gained a wonderful store of experience, both surgical and general, and it was always a pleasure to hear him relate some of his experiences, which he could do both eloquently and graphically. However great the value of Dr. Seys' services to his country in time of war, they could not possibly compare with those which he rendered this community in times of peace as city health officer. He was appointed to this position in 1888 and still retained it at the time of his death, June 17, 1904. Single-handed and alone he has more than once in the face of criticism and opposi- tion stood between this city and positive disaster. By reason of his overpowering personality, his habits of discipline incul- cated during his army life, and his strenu- ous methods of dealing with dangers, seen and unseen, he has saved this community many precious lives and untold treasure. Nature certainly did unite in him all of the qualities that made an efficient health officer.

DRS. BUCKINGHAM-Time and space will permit only the briefest mention of such splendid representatives of the profes- sion as Drs. Buckingham, senior and junior. The former had one of the larg- est practices of any Clark County phy- sician, especially in obstetrical work. The latter succeeded Dr. Seys as health officer, and his untimely death but a few months later came as a great shock to the community. Dr. Jolin Buckingham was a typical professional gentleman, well worthy of the respect of all who knew him.

DR. H. H. SEYS was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., October 13, 1830. He was the son of Rev. John Seys, a Methodist mission- ary, and was one of a family of twelve. DRS MCLAUGHLIN AND SENSEMAN-Of Dr. Seys graduated from the University - the men outside of the city who have

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been prominent members of the county society, Drs. MeLaughlin and Sense- men of Tremont are the most conspicuous. The former was six feet and one inch tall and weighed over 300 pounds. He was at one time president of the society and vice president of the Ohio State Society. The minutes of the society show that these two men were frequently appointed dele- gates to both the state and national asso- ciation meetings.

There are now in Springfield about eighty-five physicians, and in the county, outside the city, about twenty-five more.

PRESENT SOCIETY.

The county society is now in the most prosperous condition in its history, hav- ing about seventy-two members. The change in the spirit of the profession is shown in the fact that graduates who are reputable men, of all schools of medicine, are eligible to membership. The present

officers are: President, C. M. Heistand; first vice president, A. H. McIntyre; sec- ond vice president, D. K. Gotwald; sec- retary, Thad MeLaughlin ; treasurer, S. R. Hutchings; executive committee, E. F. Davis, H. H. Austin and R. B. House.

HOSPITAL.

Perhaps the greatest impetus the pro- fession of this community has ever had has been in the establishment of the City Hospital, one of the most complete and best equipped general hospitals operated by any city in the state. The capacity of the hospital, including the "contagion" building, is 100 beds. There is in con- nection a training school for nurses, un- der the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth Hart- sock. There are at present twenty-two pupil nurses, and three graduate nurses connected with the institution.

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Representative Citizens.

GOV. ASA SMITH BUSHNELL, who ment of a local firm, he became bookkeeper was once the chief executive of the great for Leffel, Cook and Blakeney, and was Commonwealth of Ohio, in passing out of life left behind him a record of public serv- ice and private virtue which places his name among the distinguished citizens of the state. Jater with Warder, Brokaw and Child. In the fall of 1858, he entered into partner- ship with Dr. John Ludlow, in the con- duct of a drug store, and for the succeed- ing ten years continued to be interested Mr. Bushnell was born September 16, 1834, at Rome, Oneida County, New York, and was a son of Daniel and Harriet (Smith) Bushnell. He belonged to one of he prominent colonial families of New England and was descended from Rev- lutionary stock. His grandfather, Jason Bushnell, a native of Connecticut, served the War of the Revolution, and died at .isbon, Connecticut, full of years and onors. Daniel Bushnell, father of the overnor, was born at Lisbon, February , 1800, and died at Oberlin, Ohio. For number of years he resided in New 'ork, but came to Ohio in 1845, settling rst at Cincinnati and later at Oberlin. 'n March 9, 1825, he married Harriet mith. in that business. Subsequently he became a partner with Warder, Mitchell and Company, which later became the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, mann- facturers of mowers and reapers. In 1886 Mr. Bushnell became president of that company and to his business ability has been attributed much of its remark- able success. He was financially inter- ested in many other large business en- terprises and was president of the First National Bank at Springfield and of the Springfield Gas Company. If he had no other claim to fame, his success in busi- ness life would have made him notable, even in the day when the captains of in- dustry are numerons. He was a man of great decision of character, combined with a quickness of comprehension that made it possible for him to view a business field and realize its possibilities with a quick understanding that inspired confidence in

The only college from which Governor ushnell graduated was the common ·hool, and he was sixteen years old when e began his business career in Spring- eld. After an experience of three years . his associates.

3 a salesman in the mercantile establish-

Politically he had long been a Republi-

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can leader before he was honored with and Charles, who resides at No. 148 East High Street. His son, Charles R. Lud- election to the chair of governor of Ohio. In 1885 he was made chairman of the Re- low, is connected with the First National publican State Executive Committee; in Bank at Springfield. An extended sketch of Dr. John Ludlow will be found in this work. 1886 he was appointed quartermaster gen- eral on the staff of Gov. J. B. Foraker; and in 1887 he was nominated as a candi- Governor Bushnell and wife reared two daughters and one son, viz: Fanny (Mrs. John F. MeGrew), Harriet E. (Mrs. H. C. Dimond), and John L. Mrs. Bushnell occupies one of the most beautiful homes of Springfield, her residence being sit- uated at No. 838 East High Street. date for lieutenant governor, an honor he declined, as he did a nomination for gov- ernor in 1889. In 1891, Mr. Bushnell ardently supported MeKinley, and in 1892 he was sent as a delegate to the Republi- can National Convention, serving subse- quently many times as such. In May, John L. Bushnell, the only son of the late Governor Bushnell, is one of Spring- field's most prominent citizens. He is president of the Champion Construction Company, and of the Springfield, Troy and Piqua Railway Company, and second vice president of the First National Bank. and attends to his large business interests at offices located in the Bushnell Block. which is the finest office structure in this city. 1895, the nomination for governor came to him without solicitation on his part, and his election by a larger majority than was ever before given a candidate for the office, with one exception, was a grand testimonial to the confidence felt in him by his fellow-citizens. As the fortieth gov- ernor of Ohio, he was inaugurated Jan- nary 13, 1896, and was re-elected in 1897. History records the achievements of his administration and it accords him a lead- ing place among a long line of brilliant statesmen and true patriots.

In September, 1857, Mr. Bushnell was married to Ellen Ludlow, daughter of Dr. John and Elmina (Getman) Ludlow. The late Dr. John Ludlow, who for many years was president of the Springfield Bank, was one of the valued and honored citi- zens of Springfield. He was born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1810, and was a son of Cooper Ludlow, who was a pioneer from New Jersey. In 1835 he married Elmina Getman, who was born in Herki- mer County, New York, and they had three children, namely : Ellen, who is the widow of the late Gov. Asa S. Bushnell; Frederick, who died January 18, 1906;

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20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 57

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993