USA > Ohio > Summit County > Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens > Part 32
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CHAPTER XVIII
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
North Akron was founded by a doctor. The prosperous and busy Akron of today is due more to the restless energy of Eliakim Crosby, M. D., than to any other factor. Since his time, the medieal profession have not been content to busy themselves with pills and fevers alone, but have been active in an extra- ordinary degree, in the civil, business and social life of the community. The first two large additions to the city were those planned and executed by physicians: Dr. S. H. Co- burn and Dr. S. W. Bartges. Two of the im- portant streets of the eity have been named after thein. The founder of one of Akron's largest manufactories-perhaps the largest- was Dr. B. F. Goodrich, from whom the B. F. Goodrich Company takes its name. The pro- fession has also been prominent in the City Council, the Board of Education and Publie Library affairs.
There is very little on record coneerning the early physicians of the county. Who was the first to regularly practice medicine in Summit County is a matter of dispute. Dr. Crosby was practicing in Middlebury in 1820; Dr. Joseph Cole began his practice in 1826, removing to Akron in 1827. Other early physicians were Elijah Hanchett, Titus Chap- man, Theodore Richmond, E. F. Bryan, H. A. Aekley, D. D. Evans, W. T. Huntington and Edwin Angel. Perhaps, the very oldest residents now living will recall the names of Drs. E. L. Munger, Elijah Curtis, A. Kilbourn and Wareham West. Of all these early phy- sieians there is only one whose name is famil- iar to posterity: It is that of Dr. Eliakim Crosby. It is perpetuated in the names of Cro-by School, Crosby street and the Crosby Race. Ile was born in Litchfield. Conneeti-
cut, March 2, 1779, studied medicine in Buf- falo, N. Y .; began his professional career in Canada, where he also married; served in the American Army in the war of 1812, as a sur- geon; and, in 1820, moved to Ohio and re- sumed the practice of medicine, in Middle- bury, now a part of the city of Akron. In 1826 he formed the partnership of Crosby and Chittenden, contractors. From that time on his gigantie business affairs claimed his at- tention almost exclusively, and what practic- ing of medicine he did was merely incidental. His next business venture was the operation of the Cuyahoga Furnace for the reduction of the local iron ores. Then in rapid succession he took on the manufacture of agricultural implements, the operation of a sawmill, and, lastly, a grist-mill. Finally, in 1831, came his great scheme for the hydraulic eanal and the founding of the village of Cascade, which are fully described in another chapter of this history. In 1836, he started the "Portage Canal and Manufacturing Company" project, a gigantic undertaking, but one which ended disastrously. He lost his entire fortune in this disaster, and evidently his fine spirit was crushed by the completeness of the failure, for we hear of him no more in connection with any additional schemes. Upon the cele- bration of the completion of the Crosby Race, May 29, 1844, this was the one sentiment of the entire community as voieed by the ehair- man of the meeting, namely, "Dr. Eliakim Crosby: The noble projector and efficient ex- ecutive of the great enterprise this day suc- cessfully accomplished, of introducing the waters of the Great Cuyahoga River to Akron by land. Of his noble and persevering spirit of enterprise, his fellow citizens are justly
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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY
proud." The tribute was as deserved as it was fitting. Dr. Crosby's wife, whom he mar- ried in Canada in 1810, died in Akron, Octo- ber 13, 1830. Seven children had been born to them. He was twice subsequently mar- ried. In 1853 he moved, with his family to Wisconsin, near the city of Green Bay, where he died September 2, 1854, in the 76th year of his life. Akron owes much to Dr. Crosby. We should pause once in each year and pay a tribute of respect to his memory. In the 30's and 40's the Crosby family was easily the foremost in the village, in every sphere of activity. The Doctor was not only foremost in the work of founding the city and establishing its business enterprises but he was active in every good work. One is
compelled to admire that restless energy, that magnificent spirit of activity, that was his first characteristic. If Akron should ever have a "Founder's Day" in its list of Anni- versary Days, the largest part of the celebra- tion will be the recalling of the works of this early physician.
Dr. Joseph Cole was born in Winfield, New York, September 17, 1795, graduated in med- icine in 1825 and began the practice of his profession in Old Portage in 1826. The next year he moved to Akron where he built up a very large practice. He took a leading part in formulating local sentiment in favor of the Temperance and Anti-slavery Move- ments. He aided in securing the Akron School Law, and served on the Akron Board of Education in 1847. Dr. Cole died Octo- ber 28, 1861, in the 67th year of his life.
Dr. Elias W. Howard, another of the most prominent of the early physicians, was born in Andover, Vermont. April 14, 1816; studied and was graduated in medicine; and came to Akron in 1839. Here he enjoyed a large general practice for more than fifty years. Dr. Howard served many years in the 70's on the Board of Education, the City Council and the Board of Health. In 1875, he was president of the Council. He was one of the founders of the Summit County Medical So- ciety and was a member of many other medi- cal societies. He was married in 1840 to
Elizabeth Chittenden who bore him two sons: Dr. II. C. Howard and Frank D. Howard. Dr. E. W. Howard died August 9, 1890.
Dr. Amos Wright was the first white male child born in Tallmadge. He was born Oc- tober 8, 1808. His parents were natives of Connecticut. His father was a practicing physician, and he read medicine in his fath- er's office and also attended lectures in New Haven, Connecticut. He began his practice in Tallmadge in 1833 and continued his minis- trations until his death, more than sixty years of active practice. Ile was married to Clem- ence C. Fenn, of Tallmadge, March 31, 1831. Nine children were born to them.
Dr. Mendal Jewett was born in Greenwich, Massachusetts, on September 4, 1815; moved to Portage County in 1836; was graduated from Western Reserve Medical College with the class of 1839, and began the prac- tice of his profession in Mogadore in the autumn of that year. In the 50's he was elected to the State Legislature and served four years. Ile was a strong advocate of temperance and a bitter foe of slavery. He was much interested in education, horticulture and scientific matters, and the city owes much to his activity in worthy causes. He moved to Middlebury in 1858 and continued his practice until the time of his death. He was married to Cordelia H. Kent, on June 14, 1839.
Dr. Stephen H. Coburn, the father of Mrs. J. A. Kohler, was one of the most prominent citizens of Akron during the period 1850- 1880. He was born in Hillsdale, New York, December 29, 1809; studied medicine and be- gan his practice in Massachusetts; moved to Akron in 1848 and for many years enjoyed a large practice as a homeopathic physician. He was married to Adeline Myers, May 15, 1839. Soon after coming to Akron, he be- came interested in several business concerns, and was very successful. He made large in- vestments in real estate and platted a large tract in the southwestern part of the city, which is still known as the Coburn allotment. Coburn Street, in that portion of the city, was
.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
named for him. He died June 12, 1888, at the age of 78 years.
Another early Akron physician who made considerable money in his real estate ventures was Dr. Samuel W. Bartges, who was born in Mifflinsburg, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1814. Upon completing his medical studies in 1842, he commenced practice in Akron, and soon enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. The Bartges allotment and the Bartges-Mallison allotment were both laid out by him' and were big successes. They now constitute a substantial portion of the city. Dr. Bartges was married to Catherine A. Crump in 1835. Ile died November 24, 1882, aged 68 years, leaving a widow and three children.
The kindly face of Dr. Daniel A. Scott will be recalled by all old Akron residents. Ile was born in Cadiz, Ohio, May 4, 1821; was graduated in medicine and commenced prac- tice in Akron in 1848. He was soon in com- mand of a large practice, which he continued to look after until the day of his death-Janu- ary 23, 1890. During the last four years of his life he was a member of the Akron Board of Health.
Many of us in Akron have reason to be thankful for the skill and patient care uni- formly exercised by Dr. Thomas MeEbright toward his large circle of patients during his long professional career. He came to Akron in November, 1864, upon the mustering out of the 166th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. He had served as an Army Surgeon continuously since 1861. Dr. MeEbright was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1824. His parents soon moved to Ohio where he received his education in Norwalk Academy and Ohio Wesleyan University. Graduated in medicine in 1851 he commenced active practice at once. In 1857 he moved to Millersburg. When the Civil War broke out, he offered his services to his country, and for three years rendered splendid service as an army surgeon. In 1864, he was appointed colonel of the 166th Regiment. Dr. Mc- Ebright was married to Naney Liggett, of Millersburg. on the 16th day of June, 1853. Until the time of his death. Dr. MeEbright
took an intense interest in public affairs, es- pecially those concerning education. His strong public spirit is shown by the fact that he served for more than fourteen years as a member of the Akron Board of Education, some of the time as its president. The next public school building should be named for him.
Another of the early doctors who was also greatly interested in Akron school affairs, and for whom the Bowen School on North Broad- way was named, was Dr. William Bowen. He was born in New York July 3, 1805, and about 1825 moved to Ohio, locating in Can- ton. He taught school and studied medicine there until 1832, when he commeneed prae- tice in Doylestown, Ohio. In 1836, he was graduated from the Ohio Medical College and resumed his practice, locating first in Canton and later in Massillon. In 1857 he came to Akron and soon won a large practice. In, 1830 he was married to Iluldah MI. Cnitteri- den. Nine children were born to them, one of whom married Dr. A. E. Foltz, of Akron. Dr. Bowen served for many years as a member of the Akron Board of Education, part of the time as its president. While living in Massil- lon he published a journal called "The Free School Clarion" in the interests of education.
Dr. Byron S. Chase was born in Vermont, January 9, 1834. About 1856 he came to Akron and studied medicine with Dr. E. W. Howard. Ile finished his medical education at Michigan University and began his active practice in Akron. Upon the advent of the Civil War, he was appointed surgeon of the 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully throughout the whole war period. In 1865 he resumed his practice in AAkron. In 1863 he was married to Henrietta Sabin. Four children were born to them, the eldest of whom is Dr. William S. Chase, a success- ful practicing physician of Akron at the pres- ent time. Dr. Chase, the elder, died February 23. 1878, at the early age of forty-four years.
Dr. Eliznr Hitchcock was born in Tall- madge; Ohio, August 15, 1832; graduated at Yale in 1854; received his medical education at the University of Michigan and the West-
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ern Reserve Medical School; practiced two years, and then entered the Union Army as surgeon of the Seventh Regiment, Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. In 1870 he came to Akron and practiced successfully until his death a few years ago. In November, 1861, he was married to Hattie Reed, who died in 1864. Ile afterward married Lucretia Kellogg, who bore him two children, Hal. K. Hitchcock, an electrical engineer of Pittsburg, and Lueins W. Hitchcock, the artist, now living near New York City.
Dr. William C. Jacobs probably enjoyed the confidenee of a larger circle of patients and friends than any other physician who ever practiced in Summit County. His death a year or two ago was lamented throughout the county. He was an earnest, honest, straight-forward and plain-spoken man whom everyone who knew him loved for his fine qualities. Ile was born in Lima, Ohio, February 26, 1840; was educated for the Navy, but resigned from the Academy at Annapolis to study medicine. In Annapolis he was a schoolmate of Admirals Schley and Sampson. He was graduated from Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, with the class of 1862. He immediately joined the Union Army as a sur- geon and served until the close of the war. He was connected with the Fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and the Eighty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He came to Akron in October, 1865, and com- meneed to practice medicine and surgery. He was one of the chief workers in founding the Akron City Hospital, and at the time of his death was Chief of the General Staff of that institution. Dr. Jacobs was twice mar- ried, his first wife being Hulda M. Hill, to whom one child was born, Dr. Harold Hill Jacobs, at present a successful and respected surgeon of Akron and the head of the City Hospital.
Dr. James H. Peterson came to Akron in 1854 and was one of the earliest practitioners of dentistry in Summit County. He was born in New Brunswick in 1830 and passed his early years in Buffalo, New York. In November, 1855, he married Caroline Van
Evra, of Akron. The eldest of their three children is the wife of Senator Charles Dick. Up to the time of his death, Dr. Peterson gave much attention to public affairs and rendered valuable serviee in behalf of the general wel- farc.
Dr. Mason Chapman, who came to Akron in 1865, was another successful dentist who took a deep interest in municipal affairs, serving in the 70's as a member of the Akron City Council.
Dr. John W. Lyder, now rounding out a successful career as dentist, came to Akron in April, 1870. Ile has been very much in- terested in Horticultural and Agricultural de- velopment, and has been of much service to those interests during his residence in Sum- mit County. Other physicians who came to Akron just after the close of the Civil War and to whom this community is much in- debted both for the unselfish and faithful practice of their profession, and their untir- ing zeal in public affairs, are Dr. Warren J. Underwood, the father of the present Dr. Ed- ward S. Underwood; Dr. A. C. Belden, who met an untimely death by accident, Decem- ber 11, 1890; Dr. Abner E. Foltz, the father of the present Dr. Esgar B. Foltz; Dr. O. D. Childs, who is still continuing his snecessful practice; and Dr. Leonidas S. Ebright, Ak- ron's efficient postmaster, who has been con- tinned in that post since the first term of President Mckinley. The five last mentioned were veterans of the .Civil War, and the first four served long appointments as army sur- geons in various Ohio regiments. This chap- ter should not close without reference to the services of Doctors John Weimer, George P. Ashmun, O. E. Brownell, George G. Baker, Alexander Fisher, Henry M. Fisher and Rol- lin B. Carter. The following is a complete list of the Physicians and Surgeons practic- ing their professions in Akron and vicinity in the year 1907:
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF AKRON.
Adams, F. X. Alspach, E. Z.
Angier, J. C. Barton. E. W.
RESIDENCE OF II. B. MANTON, AKRON
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES B. RAYMOND, AKRON
7
L
RESIDENCE OF F. H. MASON, AKRON
-
CITY HOSPITAL AND NURSES' HOME, AKRON
259
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Beidler, William Bowman, D. S. Boyd, J. P. Callin, F. B. Cauffield, E. J.
Humphrey, C. M.
Reed, F. C.
Humphrey, L. B.
Jacobs, H. H.
Johnson, S. W.
Robinson, R. DeW. Rockwell, J. W. Rowe, Darius Rowland, Albert
Chase, W. S. Childs, O. D.
Keller, W. L.
Saekett, W. A. Sanborn & Gleason
Clapsadel, F. 1.
Kennedy & Kergan
Seiler, J. H.
Cleaver, J. V.
Kneale, W. E.
Shirey, J. L.
Conn, Eli Conner, II. E.
Kurt, Katherine
Sicherman, Armin
Cranz, D. E.
Leas, Lucy
Dixon, C. 1.
Lee, J. L.
Eberhard, L. R. C.
Leonard, W. W.
Stevenson, M. D. Sturgeon, S. H.
Emery, Win. J.
Lyon, O. A.
Swan, C. G.
Evans, Jennie L.
McDonald, D. M.
Taggart, H. D.
Fehr, Peter
Millikin, C. W.
Theiss, H. C.
Foltz & Foltz
Montenyohl, E. A.
Todd, H. D.
Grant, J. G.
Morgan, D. II.
Waldron, L. P.
Hassenflue. J. W. .
Morgenroth, Simon
Weaver, Elizabeth M.
Murdock, Win.
Weber, J. H.
Hays, C. J. Held. C. E. Hiddleson, C. S.
Norris, C. E.
Weeks, E. A.
Parks, Thos. C.
Weller, J. N.
Hill, C. T. Hill, J. E.
Rabe, J. W.
Wise, L. J.
Hottenstein, E. K. Hulse, J. A.
Rankin, G. T.
Workman, T. W.
Rankin, I. C.
Wright, S. St. J.
DENTISTS OF AKRON.
Albany Dental Parlors, Dr. C. C. Spangler, Prop.
American Painless Dentists, Dr. F. H. Mc- Lean, Prop. Barton, H. W. Branch, E. E. Browne, L. T. Buchtel, A. P.
Capron, F. M. Cole, H. W. Conner, W. B. Cooper, W. C. Dewey, W. H. Drentlein, B. H.
Felker, Charles Hamilton, T. J. Henninger, D. H. Hillman, J. W. Hottenstein, W. J.
Johnson, A. G. Lewis, F. M.
Lyder, J. W. and F. H. Maxwell, W. J. Mottinger, C. C. Philadelphia Dental Rooms, Dr. W. J.
Slemmons, Prop.
Pontius, B. B. Quirk, E. E.
Sweitzer, L. S.
Evans, Nellie M. Ewers, F. 1.
Mckay, R. II.
Mather. E. L.
Theiss, G. A.
Fouser, A. K.
Moore, T. K.
Underwood, E. S.
Halter, M. V.
Leppa & Co.
Sippy, A. F. Stauffer, G. W.
Ebright, L. S.
Kohler, 1. 1.
Shuman, J. C.
Kendig, R. C.
Jones, A. W.
Pumphrey, J. M.
Wilson, William
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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY
Risch, J. F. Ruegsegger, D. C. Saunders & Locy Schultz, J. E. Shriber, B. A.
Sibley, N. B. Smith, C. E. Vedder, J. B. Watters, W. J. White Dental Parlors, Dr. A. C. Buffing- ton, Prop. Williams, E. J. Williamson, G. B.
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF BARBERTON.
Brown, G. A. Carr, C. B. Cory, Mrs. Kate W. Davidson, II. S. Gardner, G. E.
.
Lammers, Frederick Livermore, F. B. Mansfield, W. A. Rodenbaugh & Rodenbaugli
Snyder, II. . 1. Stall, A. H.
Whipple, C. H.
BARBERTON DENTISTS.
Chandler & Benner Gallogly, D. B. Fille, O. 1. Wearstler, H. O.
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS OF CUYAIIOGA
FALLS.
Bill, A. Il.
Hough, W. S. . Middleton, W. B. Smith, F. D. Taylor, W. X.
CHAPTER XIX
THE BENCH AND BAR
Early History-The Present Bar and Its High Standing.
Prior to the erection of Summit County, about the year 1838 or 1839, there were com- paratively few lawyers in the city of Akron. Those who were here, were required to attend the courts in Ravenna, Medina and Canton, which were then the county seats of Portage, Medina and Stark Counties. The county of Summit was, in fact, made up by taking a number of townships from each of the coun- ties named.
Among the earliest practitioners who had established themselves in the little town of Akron, were some of the old pioneer advo- cates who have long since passed away.
The completion of the Ohio Canal about the year 1827, and the subsequent junction at Akron of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal brought the town of Akron into great promi- nence, as there were practically no railroads at that time in the state, and the opening of these canals, opened water-ways for the transportation of produce to the cities of Cleveland, Pittsburg and Cincinnati.
Quite a number of lawyers came to Akron who had previously located at Ravenna, and among the earliest lawyers of that time may be mentioned Gregory Powers, Rufus P. Spaulding, Seneca and Alvin Hand, John C. Singletery, Van R. Humphrey, David K. Carter, George Bliss and others, who came in later years.
Later on the General Assembly of this state enacted a law, authorizing suits against water craft by name, and as the canal was then in full tide of prosperity, and there being a con-
stant procession of boats in use, a large amount of litigation in the way of collections, damage suits and otherwise resulted, and this class of business occupied a considerable por- tion of the time of the court.
In those earlier years. following the erec- tion of the Court House, there were compara- tively few divorce cases and very few cases for the recovery of damages for personal injury. And the amounts involved in suits, compared with the present time, were exceedingly small. But the records of the court will show that the cases that were brought into court were generally tried by the court or jury, and they will also show that the cases were, without regard to the amount involved, carefully pre- pared and thoroughly and ably tried. There were then, as now, generally three terms of court during the year, but these terms rarely lasted longer than two or three weeks at the outside, and during this time the business was generally fully disposed of. Unlike the present time, when the court convened, on the first day of the term, the lawyers of the town vacated their offices and attended the court. They were on hand and present at the trial of each case, so that practically all the members of the bar heard the testimony and arguments of counsel in each case. And dur- ing the term of court there was generally a full audience, not only the members of the bar, but bystanders and people who came in to hear. The large court room in the present old Court House, was none too large to ac- commodate the people who were almost uni-
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formly present during the entire term of court. The lawyers were given ample time for the trial of their eases. They were rarely, if ever, limited as to the time for argument as to the court or jury. It is needless to say that rare ability and the most persuasive elo- quenee was frequently displayed in the trial of cases.
All this has greatly changed in recent years, so that appeals to the passions and prejudiees of men are rarely permitted at the present time, and so valuable is the time of the court and so practical in business, that coneise, clear and business-like statements have taken the place of the oratory and elo- quent addresses of the lawvers of former years.
RUFUS P. SPAULDING, among the earlier lawyers, was conspicuous for his efforts as a member of the General Assembly in se- curing the passage of the act creating Sum- mit County. He was foremost in the effort to make Akron a county seat, Cuyahoga Falls being at the time a very strong competitor for the location. Judge Spaulding was indeed an ornament to the bar and an example to imitate. He was dignified and courteous in his deportment, a logical and forcible de- bater, and he was deeply learned in law. He was a graduate of Yale College, and in later years of life he became a judge of the Su- preme Court in the State of Ohio. He was, however, strongly inelined to a politieal life, and his interest in polities brought about his election as a member of Congress to represent the Cleveland Distriet, of which Summit County was then a part. He served in Con- gress with rare distinction during the period of the Civil War.
Another lawyer of great distinction was GENERAL LUCIUS V. BIERCE. He prac- tieed law a great many years. He eame to Akron about the year 1836 and died in 1864, and during that time he was engaged in perhaps as many suits in the courts of this county and Portage as any other lawyer of that time. He was very skillful. Among his
partners during that time was Charles G. Ladd, and subsequently Alvin C. Voris. Gen- eral Bierce was very efficient in aiding the government during the Civil War; he raised several companies of men for the military and naval service. He was elected to repre- sent Portage and Summit Counties in the Ohio Senate, and made an enviable reeord as a Senator. And in later years, towards the close of life, he was elected mayor of the city of Akron. IIe was an able and vigorous writer, and in the intervals of his large legal practice he prepared a number of lectures, which he delivered in various parts of the country. But above all General Bieree was a large practitioner, and very successful in his business.
VAN R. HUMPHREY was one of the old time judges and lawyers. He was presiding judge and held court in Ravenna, Akron be- ing then a part of that jurisdiction. He was a very portly man, affable and genial. He was skilled in the old common law practice, and when the civil code went into effeet in 1851, all those old common law forms were abolished and Judge Humphrey never could reconcile himself to the new modes of prae- tice, and constantly made war upon the new proceeding. He was a very able lawyer and continued in practice up to the date of his death, which occurred at Hudson, in Sum- mit County. He was effective, both before the court upon questions of law and in argu- ing cases to the jury.
GEORGE BLISS was a native of Vermont. Hle was educated at Granville College and came to Akron in 1832 and studied law with IIon. D. K. Carter. He practiced law in Sum- mit County, and was appointed in 1851 presi- dent judge of the Court of Common Pleas in this county, succeeding Benjamin F. Wade. Ife held this position which he filled with distinguished ability, until the taking effect of the new Constitution in 1852. He was eleeted a member of Congress, from this district in 1854, and subsequently he re- moved to Wooster, in Wayne County, where
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