USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 41
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Dr. Amos B. Faller is a son, and Dr. A. J. Scott, a son-in-law. The son is said to possess many of the peculiarities of the father, and will probably succeed to a fair share of his practicc.
DR. JOSEPH E. CLIFF,
a native of London, England, an energetic and spirited physician, well calculated to make himself known and felt in the community, settled in Loudonville in 1825. Ile studied medicine with Dr. Daniel McPhail, of Woos- ter, 1821-2 a Scotchman, and leading physician of Waynecounty, for several years, in At that period Dr. McPhail frequently visited Clearcreek, Montgomery, Vermillion, and Mohican townships, accompanied by Dr. Cliff, who sometiaies repeated the visits. He re- mained about two years at Loudonville, and returned to Wooster, and shortly afterwards departed for the gold mines in Brazil, South America. He landed in the midst of a revolution, and procceding to the mines, remained several years, and became possessed of considerable wealth. In the meantime, his wife, a daughter of Dr. McPhail, supposing him dead, married Robert W. Smith, late of Mohican township. Dr. Cliff returned from South America and found his wife in the possession of another ! Accepting the condition of things as philo- sophically as possible, he proceeded to provide liberally for his son, who afterwards read medicine, and now enjoys a wide reputation as Dr. D. B. Cliff, of Franklin, Tennessee. After this the old doctor returned to Lon- don, England, where he died some years since. This is higlily romantic, but nevertheless true. It is obtained from the lips of his venerable wife, who still survives, and is now seventy-six years of age, and resides with her son, Edward P. Smith; near Ashland.
Money was very scarce, and the surplus products of the country, in 1825, had no market. High spirited and ambitious, the doctor hoped to better his fortunes in other countries. He was wholly deprived of the means of corresponding with his family, and the sequel shows that, while he accomplished the object of his adventure, he lost an amiable and accomplished wife.
DR. JOEL LUTHER.
On a pleasant evening in the fall of isee, a young man of fair countenance, dark eyes. black hair, very erect and plainly habited, seated in a one-horse wagon, with a worden box for a trunk, drove to the front of what was then known as the "Sheets' tavern, " located on the lot now occupied by Jacob Weisenstine. in Union- town, now Ashland, and asked permission to lodge for the night. It was granted, and the young man was soon seated for supper, while his jaded horse was carefully stabled and fed by the landlord, Mr. Joseph Sheets, who was also the principal tailor and merchant of the village. The new guest appeared to be a quiet, self-possessed, in telligent young gentleman, and Mis. Sheets soon had him engaged in a lively conversation. Sapper being
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
over, the routine of finding out the birth-place, the finan- cial resources, the destination, and the personal pecu- liarities of the stranger, was gone into in a systematic manner.
During this ordeal it was learned that the stranger was a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, was born about the year 1794, had attended a neighborhood school until he was of age, and then, like a true son of New England, had come west to seek his fortune, his parents being unable to extend further aid. It further transpired that he had gone to Troy, New York, about the year 1816, where he earnestly engaged in the voca- tion of teaching school, in the meantime studying medi- cine under a leading practitioner of that place, where, at the conclusion of his studies, he had been licensed to practice, and located, for a short time, at a place called Red Post, in the vicinity of Troy; but, finally, preferred to go further west, and that, with one hundred dollars in money, and his horse and wagon, he had reached Un- iontown in the hopes of finding a new home.
Mr. and Mrs. Sheets gave it as their opinion that a physician might soon obtain a lively practice in this re- gion, as there was no doctor nearer than Mansfield (Di. Miller), which was about sixteen miles away. The young gentleman whom they addressed was Dr. Joel Luther, Berkshire, of Massachusetts.
The new doctor retired to bed feeling much encour- aged over the idea of having found a good location and a pleasant home. About daylight the next morning the occupants of the Sheets house were aroused by loud knocking at the front door, Mr. Sheets hastily opened it and asked what was wanting. The man, who resided some three miles in the country, inquired if there was not a doctor in town, stating that a member of his fan- ily was very sick. Mr. Sheets replied that a young doc- tor had arrived the night before, was in the house, and had about concluded to locate in the village. Dr. I.u- ther was urged to accompany the pioneer to his cabin. He was bat too happy to do so. He was soon ready, mounted his horse and threaded his way along paths through the forest to the presence of his new patient. This was the first case of the first doctor; and having been successfully treated, the new physician soon ob- tained an extensive practice. The prevailing diseases of those days were autumnal fevers, bilious, bilious remit- tent, and the process of treatment was generally such as kills the modern bullock- -- copious blood-letting. Strong men required vigorous treatment, and they got it without stint. The lancet was an indispensable instrument; and when a physician could not be had, many private persons proffered their services as plebotomists, and human blood was abstracted ficely. Times change, and men change. The sanguinary theory is now almost a dream.
The doctor erected an office a short distance above the present location of the MeNulty house, where he continued to do business until about the year 1831, when he retired from the practice, owing to failing health, and soon after opened a dry goods establishment in which he was engaged until his decease in 1834. As a physician he had an extended and successful practice, and drew
around him a large circle of friends. As a business man he was shrewd and exact and careful in all his dealings, and accumulated a fine property. He was genial and pleasant among his patients and friends, and not averse to a good practical joke.
In IS24 he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher Mykrantz, who died April 19, 18So, aged seventy-two years, two months and twelve days, born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. At his death he left one daughter who married Dr. J. F. Sampsell, and is now deceased.
DIPLOMA OF DR. JOEL LUTHER.
Be it known, that on the twenty-fifth day of September, .A. D., 1817, Joel Luther was examed by the censors of Rensselaer medical society in the various branches of medical science, and received their approba- tion. Now, know ye, therefore, that by virtue of the powers in me vested, I do hereby authorize and license the said Joel Luther to prac- tice physics and surgery, in the State of New York. In testimony whereof, I have set my hand to these presents, and caused the seal of ' -the society to be herenato affixed.
Done at Troy this twenty-fifth day of September, A. D., 1317. HEZEKIAH E. DRAY, President.
J. M. HALL, Secretary.
STEUBEN COUNTY, CLARK'S OFFICE, ? October 15, 18r3. Ess
A copy of the within diploma has been duly filed in the office of the clerk of the aforesaid county.
C. HOWELL, Clerk.
DR. JOSEPH HILDRETH.
About the year 18 ?! , a young man from "York State" arrived in Ashland, and obtained employment at the dis- tillery of Slocum and Palmer. Fle was dreadfully af- flicted with obliquity of vision, a disease known as stra- bismus. One eye seemed to be so much affected as to be useless for all purposes, and the other, so distorted as to make it very difficult for him to read. His singular appearance attracted a good deal of attention, and many unfeeling witticisms were perpetrated at his expense. The young man attended promptly to the interests of his employers; and in deportment was habitually reserved. It was noticed, however, that he possessed quite a store of information, and could converse fluently when so dis- posed. He very soon engaged the attention and sym- pathy of Dr. Joel Luther, whose esteem be finally won. The doctor discovered, on further acquaintance, that the young man possessed a most retentive memory, and had talents of an unusual order. Thus he had been richly endowed with intellect to atone for all his physical in- firmities, as in the case of Esop and thousands of others. At the request of Dr. Luther, Mr. Hildreth commenced a course of medical studies, and made rapid progress. He continued in the office, as a student, some three years. At that period the laws of Ohio required all stu- dents, at the completion of their studies, before entering upon practice, to procure a license to do so. There being no medical school, the young doctor had to thread his way along rough roads and paths to the legislature, with a view of submitting to an examination by a special committee to be appointed by that body. On his arrival, he attracted a good deal of attention. The committee
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY. OHIO.
was appointed, and the time and place for examination designated. From the singular appearance of the appli- cant, it was believed that the committee would make a sort of frolic of the affair-have a good deal of fun and let the young man depart in disgust. The chairman of the committee, being a sort of doctor, turned out to be not so learned on anatomy as Horner, Wistor or Wilson. He had proceeded but a brief time in the examination, when the young doctor picked him up on the origin, in- sertion, and location of the sartorius. The next blunder was, in assigning the position of the liver and stomach in relation to the diaphragm. The young doctor triumphed. The principles of the theory and practice of medicine were hastily disposed of, and compatibles and incompat- ibles entered upon. By way of crowding the young doctor into a tight place, the chairman wished to know the result of a mixture of alkaline salts, water, and animal oil, in given proportions. After revolving the matter a. monient, the young doctor said: "Gentlemen, I have studied with a view of practicing medicine, and not to follow the occupation of making soap." The laugh was on the wrong side again. The committee had caught a "Tartar," and was bound to bring in a favorable report, which was done; and the doctor returned fully authorized to practice his profession. He continued in practice, in Ashland. with fair success, some five or six years, and removed to Bellville, Richland county, where he resided many years. He subsequently studied law and located in Mansfield, where he deceased about two years since.
The doctor achieved a fine reputation as a leading member of the Masonic internity. He was, perhaps, one of the brightest Masons in the State, and many years ago was appointed by the Grand lodge a member of a committee to revise the work, a duty which he dis- charged with fidelity and rare ability.
As a physician, he understood clearly the principles of his profession, and, as a lawyer, he is said to have been well versed, but, owing to his infirmities of vision, he was unable to make such a display of his talents as would win public patronage.
He was the second physician in Ashland, and a man of note. He is an illustration of what can be accom- plished by industry and untiring perseverance, notwith- standing the embarrassments of physical ir ismities.
DR. WILLIAM N. DEMING,
from Medina county, Ohio, is believed to have been the third physician of Ashland. He arrived about the win- ter of 1826. He continued in an active practice until 1837, when he located in the village of Orange, where his brother, Charles, was engaged in the mercantile bus- iness. He resided in Orange about two years, when he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, during a revival, and prepared to enter the ministry. He attended conference, and was assigned to a circuit. Upon returning home he was taken sueldenly very sick, and died, after a brief illness. The doctor is represented as having been an excellent physician, and a man of
many accomplishments. His untimely demise was much lamented.
DR. DAVIDSON
arrived about the year 1829, and continued in practice until 1833, when he removed to Canton, Illinois. He is represented as a gentleman of good social bearing and fair medical attainments. His Christian name is not remembered.
DR. WILLARD SLOCUM.
Dr. Slocum arrived in 1833 from the State of New York, and succeeded to the practice of Dr. Davidson. He was a man of strong points, and soon made an im- pression, financially and professionally. He had consid- erable reputation, and is said to have been a bold opera- tor. He closed his practice, and emigrated to Michi- gan, in the spring of 1846, where he deceased, after a residence of some two or three years. He was a relative of the late Elias Slocum.
DR. GUSTAVUS OESTERLEN.
Dr. Oesterlen was born in the kingdom of Wartem. berg, Germany, November 20, 1804. He attended :: Latin and German school until he was sixteen years of age, and then entered a gymnasium at Stuttgardt, the capital of the state, where he remained four years. and was examined in the languages and admitted into the university of Tubingen, to study the different branches of medicine, and remained there five years. In 1829 he attended the Queen Catharine hospital, at Stuttgardt; was examined in the spring of 1830, and received his diploma. In the spring of 1830 he was appointed as- sistant surgeon in the army of Wurtemberg, and re- mained in said position until the fall of 1833. In the spring of 1834 he took passage for America, and in July arrived at Mansfield, Richland county, where he re- mained until about the first of October, and then located in Asliland, where he has been in practice nearly forty- one years. In size, the doctor is below the medium, his height being about five feet seven inches, and his weight about one hundred and twenty pounds. He is quite ac- tive, and in the full possession of all his faculties. He is very courteous and kind in his bearing towards the members of his profession. In the languages he is, per- haps, the best scholar of the medical profession of this region. He has had a good German practice for many years, and has met with excellent success. As a ser- geon, he has had a good reputation, and in his prime was the best operator in the country. Of late years, from failing vision and nervousness, he has performed fewer operations The doctor is a fine specimen of the old school German gentleman; and still adheres to many of the customs of the fatherland. As a citizen. he is law abiding, quiet, and exemplary. As a business min, his integrity has never been disputed. Among
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
the members of his profession he is much respected. He was among the first to aid in the forination of a medical society in this county, that courtesy, fraternity and professional zeal might be disseminated among his brethren.
For a period of nearly thirty years the doctor has been an active member of the Masonic order, and has been almost continuously the treasurer of the lodge. This speaks well for his fidelity and masonic bearing among his associates. Among the members of the lodge, as among the medical fraternity, he has been noted.for his genial and unselfish disposition. He has always a kind word for the encouragement of the younger members of his profession. He is now the . Nestor of his profession in this county. Learned, cour- teous, and proud of his profession, he hails every ad- vancement in medical science as the harbinger of good to the race.
DR. BELA B. CLARK
was born in New Milford, Connecticut, October 1, 1796. He studied medicine in the same place, and attended lectures under Drs. Hosac, Francis and Mott, in New York city in 1817. He came to Medina, Ohio, in ISIS, and was married to Sophia P. Searls, October 28, 1820. Hle practiced medicine in Medina county twenty-four years, and removed to the city of Columbus in 1842, where he practiced three years. During his residence in that city he became acquainted with several gentlemen from Ashland, who were laboring for the passage of an . act for the erection of the new county of Ashland, and became identified with the measure. Upon the passage of that act, he removed to Ashland and entered upon his profession. He continued to practice medicine about fourteen years. When the enterprise of con- structing the Atlantic & Great Western railway origin- ated, Dr. Clark entered heartily into the project, and aided until it was nearly graded. He was among the first directors. Soon after his arrival in Ashland he was appointed one of the associate judges of the court of common pleas, and served until the adoption of the constitution of 1851. During his medical practice he received a diploma from the fellows of the Connecticut medical society in 1817 ; also one from the nineteenth medical district of Ohio, at Cleveland, May 25, 1824; and a license from the court of the third judicial circuit of Ohio, November 30, 1818, and another from the medical society of the eighth medical district of Ohio, November 5, 1818; and in 1841, Willoughby Medical college conferred an honorary degree of medicine, with diploma, upon him.
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The doctor died from apoplexy, August 26, 1859, aged about sixty-three years. He had been an oc. tive member and ruling elder in the Presbyterian church for a number of years. He was an accomplished physician, a zealous advocate of education, and t'ways active for the public weal. His family consists of his wife, who still survives; Dr. W. R. Clark, of Des Moines, Iowa, a successful physician: Elizabeth, wife of
Dr. P. H. Clark, of Ashland, and Charles F. M., of Iowa.
DR. P. H. CLARK,
born in Wakeman, Huron county, Ohio, August 3, 1819; studied medicine and attended one course of lectures at Willoughby in 1839- 40, and practiced in Allen county. Indiana, and in Wisconsin, for some time ; removed to Ashland in 1850; was assistant surgeon in the late war in 1862-3 in the field hospitals He attended a second course of lectures at the university of Buffalo, New York, in 1861-2, and graduated. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical society, and has been pension surgeon since December, 1862. He is now in practice.
DR. W. R. S. CLARK,
born November 26, 1821, in Medina, Ohio; attended school at Kenyon college : studied medicine with his father ; attended lectures at Willoughby and Cleveland, where he graduated. He practiced in Lorain county and Ashland ; removed to Bucyrus and practiced until the war, and was appointed surgeon, and subsequently removed to Des Moines, lowa.
DR. HARRISON ARMSTRONG
was born near Wellsville, Columbiana county, Ohio, November 25, 1809. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, his grandfather having emigrated from the north of Ire- land, and served as a soldier in the American Revolution. He removed with his father's family to Canaan township, Wayne county in the year 1815. Here he attended the common schools of the neighborhood, and grew to man- hood. He studied medicine under the instruction of the late Dr. L. F. Day, of Wooster, in 1$28, and at. tended lectures in Cincinnati, at the Ohio Medical college, in the years 1830-t, and graduated. He prac- ticed medicine in 183t in company with Dr. Irvine, of Millersburgh, Holmes county, and in the spring of 1832 located in the village of Hayesville, in .Ashland county, being the first regular physician who resided in that place. He soon won public confidence, and for a period of twenty years had a large and lucrative practice in Vermillion, Mohican, Green, and Mifflin townships. In 1853 he retired from practice, and devoted his time partly to the mercantile business, but chiefly to agricul. ture.
He owned a valuable farm in the vicinity of Hayes- ville, to which he removed, and brought to a high state of culture. He too !. great pride in the pursuits of agneulture, and was surrounded by all the comforts of a scientife farmer Hle married in Hayesville, in 1837; Miss Vangnet Cov daughter of the late Kes. John Con, of Mansfield, one of the pioneers of Vermilion town- ship. His family consisted of nine children sis sons and three daughters 'Two of his sons are dead.
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HISTORY. OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
DR. DAVID ARMSTRONG
graduated in Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, in 1850, and was a physician of much promise. He de- ceased in 1852, much lamented by his friends and the profession. The late Doctor Armstrong was a large, finely developed gentleman, ruddy, and of imposing appearance. He possessed inany of the characteristics of his ancestry, both in sense, wit and humor, and enjoyed a little fun and a hearty laugh. As a physician and business man he stood deservedly high among his fellows, and was noted for frankness and directness in all his dealings with men. In politics, he was an old line Whig, and more recently a member of the Republican party.
For one or two years prior to his last illness he had been in feeble health. His last sickness was the result of heart disease. For three or four months prior to his decease, he was constantly distressed by the growing malady, all of which he bore with exemplary fortitude and patience. His sufferings were brought to a close on the morning of December 14, 1876, and his remains were deposited in the cemetery at Hayesville.
The usual resolutions of the Ashland county Histo- rical and Pioneer society, of which he was a member, were adopted, concerning his decease.
DR. JACOB W. KINNAMAN
was born in Ellsworth, Trumbull county, Ohio, October 18, 1815. He spent his youth in that locality, and com- mienced the study of medicine when eighteen years of age, and attended lectures at Jefferson Medical college, in Philadelphia, in the winter of 1833. He commenced practice in Ellsworth, and remained there some years. In 1836 he married Miss Harriet Carson, a cousin of the celebrated Kit Carson, the explorer. In 1847 he graduated in Cleveland Medical college, and removed with his family to Ashland. He opened an office, and continued to practice until 1849, when he caught the gold fever, and went to California, his family remaining in Ashland. He returned in iS51, and again engaged in the practice of medicine .. In 1851 he again went to California, intending to remain several years, leaving his practice in the hands of his brother, Dr. Lawrence Kin- naman; but, a little more than a year after his arrival in California, learning the dangerous illness of his brother, he returned to attend him, but arrived a short time after bis decease. He again engaged in practice, and contin- ted until his last illness. In 1871, leaving his practice in the care of his son, Dr. R. C. Kinnaman, he went to California to recruit his failing health, and remained one summer, failing to receive any direct relief. He returned, and remained feeble, until July 18, 1874, when he de- ceased, at the residence of his son-in law. Mr. Herry Carter, at Lancaster, Ohio. His remains were brought back and interred in the cemetery of Ashland.
Dr. Kinnaman was reticent, but frank and honorable la his profession. He was a member of the Ohio Stare Medical society, and also a member of the Academy of
Natural Sciences, at Cleveland. He was an attentive student, and possessed an extensive knowledge of medi- cine. He left a large family.
DR. ISAAC L. CRANE
·was born in Akron, Ohio, May 7, 1825. His parents having died when he was quite young, he was compelled to depend upon his own industry and energy for success. He learned the trade of a tailor, and, by economy and close application, earned sufficient to warrant an attempt to study medicine. He became a student of Dr. L. Firestone about the year 1850, and graduated in the Western Reserve college, in the session of 1853-54. He soon after located in Asbland, and drew around him many warm and devoted friends. He was a careful practitioner, and unremitting in his attentions to his pa- tients, and evinced e good deal of skill as a physician. In 1861 he was commissioned in the three months' service as surgeon in the Twenty-third regiment Ohio militia. After the expiration of his service he was again commis- sioned, for three years, in the Sixty-third regiment Chic volunteer infantry, October 17, 1861, and served until January, 1864. Daring his service he acted for some time as medical director in the army of the Tennessee. He acquitted himself with honor to the profession and his friends.
Full of zeal for the dignity and honor of the medical profession, few of his age have done more to dignify it. He became president of the county medical society upon its organization, in 1864, and was a member of the Ohio State Medical association.
During his arduous services in the war, he greatly im- paired his constitution, and gradually became more feeble, until his lungs became involved, and drained his vitality. He died June 12, 1867, of pulnionary con- sumption. The County Medical society and the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member, paid him their last honors in accompanying him to bis final resting place in the cemetery at Ashland. His wife resides in Iowa.
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