History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 10

Author: D. W. Ensign & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 541

USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 10

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" In the towns of Salem, New Lisbon, Columbiana, East Liverpool, Wellsville, and other places, a commendable de- gree of improvement in the educational interest has been made. In these places union schools are now supported, which rank among the best in the State, and in them first- class teachers are employed. Several good select schools have been kept in Salem and New Lisbon. These were the fruits of private enterprise, but in their time they per- formed good educational work."

" Many persons in this county have used teaching as a step to something that they considered higher. After a few terms of teaching they betook themselves to a business that appeared more permanent and lucrative. Two notable ex- ceptions deserve mention, besides that of Mr. Anderson. Prof. W. H. McGuffey, author of the Eclectic Readers, commenced his career as an humble rural teacher near Cal- cutta, then called Foulkestown. Next he graduated at Washington College, and subsequently was professor in Miami University and president of Cincinnati College, the University of Virginia. George J. Luckey came from Maryland, kept school near Liverpool and in the western part of the county, then in the Columbiana union school ; next he was principal of a ward school in Allegheny City ;

· Education in Ohio, p. 86.

t Taken from the printed report of Mr. G. D. Hunt upon the "Educational History of Columbiana County," read before the Columbiana Pioneer and Historical Association, Sept. 14, 1875.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO.

afterwards filled a similar position in Pittsburgh, and now he is superintendent of schools in that city. Rev. Alex. Clark's story of the 'Old Log School-House' will be read with great interest by every friend of common schools. The scene of the story is on the banks of Yellow Creek.

" The establishment of the union schools was an impor- tant era in the educational progress of the county. The same may be said of the inauguration of teachers' insti- tutes. The union schools gave system and thoroughness to teaching, and their privileges were extended to a large number of those who were in their pupilage. It was about the year 1850 that these institutions went into operation, and since that time they have been growing in favor with the public. While they have done a good work in scien- tific and literary instruction, they have developed more ra- tional views of education and of the theory and practice of teaching.

" The Society of Friends have always been especial friends of education. The schools under the direction of their ' monthly meetings' have a good record. At Salem, Middleton, and Damascus they have had excellent schools, in which a plain and unostentatious system of instruction was pursued. Their teachers were persons who liked the profession for the intrinsic worth of learning, and they were encouraged in commendable manner by their patrons. Jo- seph Shreeve, one of them, thus apostrophizes his labors for the youth :

"'Ob, be whose love can youthful throngs inflame, Who bends the tender mind and forms it well, Nor asks nor finds the meed of well-earned faine : Hle proudly knows, and he could proudly tell.'"

CHAPTER XV. AUTHORS AND PUBLICATIONS.

ABOUT the year 1829, Joshua Shinn, of New Lisbon, issued an arithmetic from the office of the Palladium. It was a small octavo volume.

Among the residents of Columbiana County, the princi- pul contributor to technical literature is William D. Hen- kle, who has achieved an enviable reputation in the State and nation as an author and editor of educational works. Some of his works were prepared and published before his removal to Salem, where he now resides.

In 1857 he issued a large " University Algebra," of five hundred and twenty-seven pages; and in 1859 an " Ele- mentary Algebra," through the publishing-house of Shel- don & Co., New York city. The latter work was written at Indianapolis, and a key to each was subsequently pub- lished. " Henkle's Test Spelling-Book" was published by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., of Cincinnati, in 1872, and a " Primary Spelling-Book," which constitutes a part of the series of " Harvey's Graded School-Readers," was issued by Mr. Henkle in the same year.

Mr. Henkle has also prepared " Pronouncing Vocabula- ries" for three of the Eclectic Series of geographies and for " Guyot's Common School Geography ;" also the " Ge-

ography of Ohio" for " Colton's Common School Geog- raphy."

As secretary of the National Educational Association, Mr. Henkle has edited the " Addresses and Journal of Pro- ceedings" of that body for the sessions held in 1875, at Minneapolis ; in 1876, at Baltimore; and in 1877, at Louis- ville-three volumes. The two periodicals, Ohio Edu- cational Monthly and National Teacher and Educational Notes und Queries, are edited and published by Mr. Henkle .*

"The Old Log School-House," an entertaining volume, more or less familiar to readers young and old, was written by Rev. Alexander Clark, a former resident of the county, t und published at Pittsburgh.

Besides the story which gives the book its title, the volume contains many " fugitive sketches," written at dif- ferent periods, from which, though all are of interest, the following is chosen for its local historic value :

" Passing up the fertile valley of the (Yellow) Creek three or four miles, the traveler is in the midst of one of the richest coal-regions west of the Alleghanies. The high bills and deep ravines, on every hand, are wildly romantic. In winter, when the clustered hemlocks along the shores, and the scattered and desolate pines farther up the slopes, are foliaged in evergreen, and when the hilltops are crested with snow, the effect produced by the contrast is enchanting. Or in suminer, when the forest-trees are decorated with leaves and the woodlands are musical with birds, when the meadows and fields down in the winding valleys are luxuriant in their growths of grass and corn, the beholder may well take delight in rambling along the shores of Yellow Creek.

" While others may talk in raptures of the majestic Hudson, sing the praises of the ' Blue Juniata,' wander in silent admiration along the tuneful Tennessee, or weave fanciful stories of fairies and angel- loiterers in a thousand 'Sleepy Hollows' elsewhere in our broad do- main, we remember our dear old Yellow Creek as the place of our earliest hopes and our purest joys. Near its rippling waters stands the Old Log School-House, a few of whose experiences we have a :- tempted to relate in the first pages of this little volume; and were we so disposed, we could tell many a strange tale of wondrous deeds oft- times rebearsed at the humble fireside, years and years ago, by the story-tellers, who would linger beneath the cabin-roof of our early home on Yellow Creek bills. One, somewhat dim on memory's tablet, we shall attempt to narrate.

" A long time ago, before any of the pioneers had permanently settled in the valley of Yellow Creek, it was common for Virginians to make excursions over these bills, bringing their horses with them from the settlements, and hobbling them in the wild meadows to graze while they wandered off in search of game, in which the woods abounded. In such exploits it was usual to sleep on the grass with the far-off sky as the only shelter, and the distant howling of the wolves the only lulluby.

" About this time salt springs were discovered on the creek, und

. See " The Press," in history of Perry township, in this volume. t Since the preparation of this chapter, notice has been widely published of the death of Dr. Clark, which occurred at Atlanta, Ga., in the first days of July, 1879. He was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, March 10, 1834, was trained in the Presbyterian faith, but afterwards united with the Methodist denomination. He served five years as teacher of a public school, and meantime founded Clark's School Visitor, a publication which was changed to the Schoolday Visitor, and finally was merged into the St. Nicholas, haring attained a circu- lation of more than 30,000.

Dr. Clark entered the ministry in 1862, and served four years, from 1866, as pastor of the First Church, Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh. In 1870 he became editor of the Recorder ; in 1875 received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Delaware College, Ohio. In failing health, he went South, where, notwithstanding the tenderest care, he died, at the executive mansion, where he had been during his last illness the guest of Governor Colquitt.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO.

rude furnaces were built for 'boiling salt.' The persons who first engaged in this business were a during, reckless class of men, not particularly regardful of their appearance or habits. Commonly, two or three would join fortunes, erort a rough cabin, and build a furnace near a saline spring, there to spend weeks and months boiling salt in the wildernces.

"One of thene establishments was owned and operated by a rough, mischievous fellow by the name of Miller, who was always ready for a joke, no matter how severe, or at whose expense. While Miller and bis two associates in the enterprise were seated around the great roar- ing furnace one morning, a stranger, lean and lank, having every symptom of a genuine Vermonter, approached on horseback, and asked permission to leave his pack-saddle and other traveling appen- dages in their care, while he should spend the day in hunting. The favor being cheerfully granted, he dismounted, left his saddle, and wandered off in quest of deer.

" As soon as the new-comer was fairly out of sight, Miller, who looked upon him as an intruder, determined to annoy him ; and as a convenient method of testing the calibre of the stranger be threw his pack-saddle into the furnace, where it was soon reduced to ashes .. Towards evening the hunter returned, and on very deliberately making inquiry for his saddle was told the less he said about that the better, otherwise he might share the same fate. The remark was accom- panied by a significant look towards the fire, which instantly suggested to the indignant stranger the whereabouts of his saddle. However, he said nothing, and was soon on his homeward way.

"In a few days he returned once more, seeming in a fine humor, and brought = new pack-saddle, which he left in Miller's care, as before, charging him emphatically not to burn that one, or else there would be a noise about it. Of course the warning not to touch the saddle was more than Miller was willing to bear, and he resolved to repeat the experiment as soon as the stranger should start on his day's hunt. No sooner had he turned bis back upon the furnace than Miller called after him, ' Look a-here, mister! I'll show you who's a- goin' to do the orderin' round here,' and into the fire went the saddle with a will! But in a moment the huge kettles, the walls of the fur- nace, and everything thereunto pertaining, were scattered in one uni- versal wreck, the hot fluid sprinkling freely over the unsuspecting heads of the salt-boilers, and the clouds of hissing steam completely blinding them for awhile, thus affording the revengeful stranger opportunity to make good his escape, which he did without the for- mality of bidding bis victims 'good-bye!' The truth flashed upon Miller's mind about as soon as the hot ashes flashed in his face : the pade of the new pack-saddle had been stuffed with gunpowder."

In a short poem in the same volume, entitled " My Early Home," are found the following charming verses :

"In fanoy I wander, this sweet summer morning, Away to the wheat-feld just over the hill ;

'Tis harvest-time now, and the reapers are coming To gather the waiting grain, goldened and still.

" Many harvests have passed, many summers have ended, Since bere I oft toiled, with glad reapers, before, And felt the great bounty of Heaven extended, Giving joy to the worker, and bread to the poor.

" Long ago, I remember, when, thirsty and tiring, The harvestors came to the old maple shade,

How they quaffed the pure water, so cool and inspiring, That gushod from the fountain that Nature had made.

" And I think of the orchard, and the apples that yellowed, Half hidden by leaves in the ' big early tree.'

Ah, the apples, how luscious when, ripened and mellowed, They dropped in the clover for sisters and me."

Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, who was a native of Clark County, Ohio, and taught for a number of years prior to 1866 in the high school at Salem, and who is now profes- sor of physics in the Imperial University at Tokio, Japan, has written many articles of general interest, which have

appeared in the Educational Monthly. He continues to contribute to that periodical.

Joseph Shreeve, a schoolmaster of the carly days of Salem, was the author of several poems, two of which were rendered at the close of the schools at that place in each of the years 1831 and 1832, and published for the pupils of the poet-teacher, in pamphlet form, by John Watt, in 1832. A number of verses from these poems have been quoted in connection with the history of the Sulem schools, as published in this volume .* He prepared also for the Ohio Repository, published at Canton, Ohio, several admirable New Year's addresses in poetic form, which contained many good political hits suited to the times. These, it is said, were chiefly composed while on his long " rides" as a medical practitioner at Mount Union.

In 1878, " Modern Pedagogy," a poem of eight hundred lines, by George D. Hunt, of Salem, was issued in pamphlet form from the press of W. H. Henkle.

Mrs. Rachel M. Watson, M.D., a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Salem in 1850. She attended medical lectures at Philadelphia, and became a physician of the school founded by Samuel Thompson, M.D., known as the Thompsonian school. She was the author of a work enti- tled "The Family Physician," of which one thousand copies were issued in 1868 from the press of J. K. Ruken- brod, of Salem. The work is "dedicated to the memory of Aaron Comfort, of Philadelphia, grandson of the late John Woolman." As the title-page claims, the book con- tains " simple remedies, easily obtained, for the cure of disease in all its forms." In the language of the author, the object of the work "is to diffuse information in regard to attendance upon the sick ; how to cook for them, and to prepare drinks, poultices, etc., and how to guard against infection from contagious diseases. It gives the symptoms of fevers, with the best and simplest remedies for their cure. It also treats_of the various discases of children, of' cholera in all its forms, with infallible remedies if timely and perseveringly applied."

The author, now in middle life, evidently seems actuated by motives of love for her kind, more than by hope of pecuniary reward, in what she has written and accomplished in the line of her profession. As she further says in her little work, " It was presented to my mind several years since to publish a work for the benefit of my fellow- creatures, especially those of my own sex, giving my expe- rience in the treatment of disease, and observations on its nature."

The work contains, among other recipes, several for the treatment and cure of hydrophobia, one of which, known as the "Goodman Remedy," was the occasion of a long commendatory letter from Miss Swisshelm to a Cincinnati paper, in which she desired its reproduction and preserva- tion.

Charles Williams, of Winona, published a book of travel after a visit to the continent of Europe. The volume was issued several years since.

. Vide history of Perry township.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO.

CHAPTER XVI. PHYSICIANS .*

MANY are the physicians who, following one or another of the different schools of medicine, have served the people of the county of Columbiana in years gone by. Some of these began their labors while both State and county were in the infancy of civil being, when the way to sick and sorrowing households was not, as now, strewn with roses, bordered with thrifty hedges, cheered by the nodding plumes of the harvest, and made fragrant with the odor of new-mown hay.

It is the purpose of this chapter to preserve a brief record of the medical practitioners of the county, so far as is prac- ticable. t

BUTLER.

Dumascus .- Dr. William Pettit practiced medicine at Damascus from 1824 to 1835, when he removed to Pitts- burgh, Pa.

Dr. Vale practiced from 1832 to 1844, when he removed to the West.

Dr. Solomon Shreeve was in practice from 1835 to 1849. He died at Damascus.

Dr. S. Sharpless practiced six years, beginning in 1836. Dr. Edward Williams continued in practice from 1847 to 1862, when he .retired from the profession and went to Texas, where he became a school-teacher.

Dr. John P. Grewel practiced at Damascus from 1848 to 1862, and then removed to Iowa, where he follows his profession.

Dr. J. Bricker, an eclectic physician, practiced medi- cine for three years,-1866 to 1869,-when he removed to the West.

Winona .- Dr. Kite was in advanced life when he settled in Winona, -in 1866,-where he died, after a practice of eleven years, in 1877.

The following are at present in practice in the township : at Damascus, Dr. S. F. Ballinger, since 1865 ; Dr. J. Far- quhar, since 1870. At Winona : Dr. A. L. Cope, a graduate of Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery.

CENTRE.

Dr. Horace Potter first visited New Lisbon in 1805, but did not permanently locate for the practice of his profession until two years later. He had a large practice, his ride covering a district extending from twenty to forty miles in all directions. He continued in the faithful and untiring service of his patients for thirty-four years or more and until his death, in 1841.

Dr. John Thompson was perhaps the first permanently- settled physician in New Lisbon. He also came to that place in 1807, and served in a large field of professional duty as the contemporary of Dr. Potter and Dr. Springer. He served five consecutive terms-twelve years-in Con- gress as the representative of Columbiana County, -1825 to 1837. His death occurred in 1852,

* Materials for this chapter supplied by Dr. I. C. Hole, of Salem. t See also histories of Centre, Elk Run, Fairfield, Mi Idleton, Unity, Beaver, and Springfield, in this volume.

Dr. Joseph Springer began the practice of medicine at New Lisbon in 1807, and discharged his professional duties with ability .. He died in 1843.

Dr. John D. Gloss, who had been a surgeon in the Prussian army, began practice in New Lisbon in 1810, and eventually removed to Stark County.

Dr. George McCook began professional duty as a physi- cian at New Lisbon in 1817. His practice became exten- sive, and his ability led to his appointment to a Chair in the Baltimore, Md., Medical College,-that of Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine. For his intelligent discharge of the duties of that position he was presented by one of the graduating classes with a golden lancet. About the year 1843 he removed to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he continued practice until his death, in or near the year 1850.

Dr. Nicholas Ong began the practice of medicine at New Lisbon in 1820, and remained until his death,-a period of about ten years. He was in practice with Dr. Potter.

Dr. Marvin began practice with Dr. Potter in 1826; but it has not been ascertained how long he continued in New Lisbon.

Dr. John McCook, brother of Dr. George McCook, began practice in New Lisbon between the years 1827 and 1835, and continued until 1843, or thercabouts, when he removed to Steubenville.

Dr. George Stoughton, a relative of the McCooks, was in practice ut New Lisbon, where he died about the year 1835.

Dr. George S. Vallandigham began practice as a physi- cian about the year 1836. After a few years he studied for and entered the ministry. He died at New Lisbon in or near the year 1873.

Dr. Leonard Hanna practiced medicine at New Lisbon for nearly or quite fifteen years, beginning in 1836. He removed to Cleveland, where he remained until his death.

Dr. J. Green also settled in practice at New Lisbon about 1836, and continued, it is believed, about ten years.

Dr. B. W. Snodgrass was a physician at New Lisbon prior to 1840, but appears to have practiced but a short time.

Dr. Hiram T. Cleaver began practice at the same place about 1840, and continued about five years. He was a student of Dr. Hanna.

Dr. W. J. Parker practiced in New Lisbon for four or five years, beginning in 1849.

Dr. George McCook, Jr., began practice at New Lisbon in 1851, and continued until 1860.

Others, who subsequently practiced in New Lisbon, but have died or removed, are the following : Doctors J. A. Pritchard, - Seymour, - Bierdman, - Abbott, Spear, and Charles L. Faucett.

'Those now in practice at New Lisbon, with the date when cach began so far as known, are as follows : Doctors Daniel Springer, 1840; A. Graham, 1843; William Moore, who practiced at Elkton fifteen or twenty years ; Frank P. Moore, 1860; Hugh Gilmor, 1862; David Marquis; J. P. Tritt, 1874; - Stewart, 1874; Thomas B. Mar- quis; William A. Rankin. Dr. George W. Chandler has for a number of years been practicing in the western part of the township.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO.

FAIRFIELD.

East Fuirfield .- Dr. Sylvanus Fisher began the prac- tice of medicine in East Fairfield in 1826, and pursued it about seventeen years. He taught the healing art to a large number of young men, who came as students to his office. About the year 1845 he removed to Iowa, where he diod. He was a man of strong sympathies, and gained an extensive practice without reaping corresponding wealth. The poor and the rich alike received his prompt professional aid.

Dr. Charles Kay established himself as a physician in East Fairfield in 1834, and was then a young man. He usually rode horseback, and acquired a large practice. After several years he removed to Alliance, Stark Co., leaving behind him a good name.

Dr. Ethan Allen Hole began the practice of his pro- fession in East Fairfield in 1846, where he continued until his removal to Canfield, Ohio, in 1853. He died at that place in 1879, after an active practice of nearly thirty- three years.

Dr. C. P. O'Hanlon, a physician of good repute, began practice in 1861 at East Fairfield, where he died in 1876.

The following are at present practicing in the township : At Columbiana, Dr. George S. Metzger, who was born in York Co., Pa., in 1815, graduated at the Jefferson Medicul College, Philadelphia, and began the exercise of his pro- fession in Columbiana in 1836. He married Margery Nichols of that place in the following year. As a physician and surgeon he has been active, with but little intermission, for nearly forty-four years, and formerly extended his rides into Western Pennsylvania. He has one son and two daughters, all married.

Dr. Daniel Deemer settled as a physician in Columbiana some time between the years 1846 and 1850. He is a liberal or " new school " physician, and one of the first of that school who practiced in the county. He served in the position of county treasurer in 1864-65.

Dr. John Metzger, born in York Co., Pa., graduated at the Baltimore Medical College, Md., aud began his profes- sional career at Columbiana iu 1853.

Dr. Abraham S. Sampsell began practice in Columbiana in 1868.

Dr. A. L. King, a graduate of Cincinnati Medical Col- lege, engaged in the practice of his profession at Colum- biana in 1873.

Dr. Enos Greenmayer began practice at Columbiana in 1874.

Dr. J. B. Thompson, homeopathist, began his profes- sional duties in Columbiana in 1875.

The following are practicing in East Fairfield :

Dr. William B. Granger, who began practice in 1875, and Dr. Frank Scott, in 1877.

HANOVER.

Dr. James Robertson, son of Rev. James Robertson, was born near the estate of the duke of Argyle, Scotland, in the year 1800. He studied medicine with Dr. McCan, and began his professional life in Hanover in 1823. Four years later he married Anna Eliza Scott, of New Lisbon, by whom he had three sons and four daughters, all living.

One son, Dr. S. S. Robertson, follows the profession of his father, and is practicing in Hanover. One daughter married Dr. J. M. Kulin, now (1879) practicing in the town of Salem. Dr. Robertson was a firm adherent to the principles of anti-slavery and temperance, and never had occasion to prescribe for himself other remedies than light domestic teas, in mild potations. His practice in Hanover covered a period of forty-seven years, and was characterized by a kindly regard for those to whom sickness was a double bur- den,-the poor. He died in 1868.

Dr. George Frease began the practice of medicine in Hanover in 1833. He secured a large practice, and be- came a representative in Congress in 1845. Three years later he removed to Cincinnati, where he remained until his death.

Dr. James Graham opened an office in Hanover in 1842, and remained there in active practice until 1855, when he removed to Cincinnati.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 10

Author: D. W. Ensign & Co. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 541

Author: D. W. Ensign & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 541