USA > Ohio > Morgan County > History of Morgan County, Ohio, with portraits and biographical sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 35
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lle was educated in the county, taught school, and in 1882 began the study of law under Crew & Ivers. In October. 1884, he was admitted to the senior class of the Law School of the Cincinnati College, and graduating May 27, 1885, was admitted to the bar on the follow- ing day.
E. M. KENNEDY was born in Morgan County October 25, 1847. Studied law under Evans & Jones, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. In 1875 he was elected prosecuting attorney and served one term. Mr. Kennedy is a democrat and takes an active part in politics.
He is a graceful and forcible writer and a frequent contributor to the local press.
J. W. ROGERS, one of the young at- torneys of Morgan County, was born in Malta October 2, 1852. Ile was ed- ucated in the public schools, graduated from the Law Department of the Cin- cinnati College in the class of 1883-84, and was admitted to the bar of Ohio by the supreme court in May, 1884.
CURTIS V. HARRIS, the youngest mem- ber of the Morgan County bar, was born in Penn Township in 1864. Studied law with MeElhiney & Berry, and was admitted to practice February 2, 1886.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PHYSICIAN'S VOCATION-THE FIRST PHYSICIAN-DR. DAVID MCGARRY AT OLIVE BEFORE THE FORMATION OF MORGAN COUNTY-DR. ZIBA ADAMS-OTHER EARLY DOC- TORS-DR. SAMUEL A. BARKER-HIS LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES-DR. P. B. JOHNSON-HIS IN- FLUENCE AND PROMINENCE AS A POLITICIAN -- DR. CHARLES ROBERTSON -- PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION IN MCCONNELSVILLE AND MALTA-OTHER PHYSICIANS, EARLY AND LATE IN THE TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES OF THE COUNTY.
W HEREVER frail man has lived and suffered, in the earliest times as well as to-day, the vocation of the physician has ranked among the most important of human pursuits. Who is more eagerly welcomed than he. when the pale messenger casts his shadow over the household : But experience teaches, and the opinion will prevail, that
" God and the doctor we alike adore Just on the brink of danger-not before ; The danger past, both are alike requited ; God is forgotten, and the doctor slighted."
Before the formation of the county, Dr. David McGarry, an Edinburgh graduate, was located on Duck Creek, at what was afterward Olive.
DR. ZIBA ADAMS was probably the first physician within the present limits of the county. He first settled about four miles above Malta, on the river. While living there he had a severe ill- ness, and after his recovery removed to Malta. Hle practiced in that town and in McConnelsville three years or more. He was a man of good education and ability. But becoming dissatisfied with
Samuel A Barker
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
his limited field of labor, and the small income to be derived from practice in a new country, he removed to the East.
The next physician was Dr. S. A. Barker, who came to McConnelsville in 1811. Dr. Samuel Martin, from Eng- land, came to the county in 1819, and resided one year (1825) in MeConnels- ville. Dr. P. B. Johnson came to McConnelsville in 1823,and Dr. Charles Robertson in 1826. In 1827 Dr. John Cook Bennett located in McConnels- ville and remained a short time. Dr. A. E. McConnell, who was reared and educated in Washington, Pa., came in 1834. He remained but a short time, removing to the West. Dr. Clapp came about 1835, and remained about one vear. Other early physicians, who located at the county seat, each making a brief stay, where Dr. Thompson, Dr. Ball and Dr. Hull. With the excep- tions of Dr. Barker, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Robertson, McConnelsville had no physicians who remained long until 1850.
DR. SAMUEL AUGUSTUS BARKER WAS the first physician who permanently located in McConnelsville, and for many years was one of the most prom- inent citizens of the town and county, Ile was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., August 12, 1795, and was the son of Samuel A. Barker, an officer in the revolutionary war. The subject of this notice received a classical educa- tion, read medicine in Poughkeepsie, and graduated from a medical college in New York city. During the war of 1812 he served for a time as surgeon. After the close of the war he came West, first stopping at Williamsburg, opposite Marietta, where he engaged in teaching for a short time; thence he came, in 1818, to the infant town of
McConnelsville, where he continued teaching until the increase of his medi- cal practice compelled him to abandon the work. His talents attracted general attention and he soon became prominent in local politics and in county affairs. His name is stamped on nearly all the initial events in the history of McCon- nelsville. He was the first county audi- tor in 1819-21 ; the first clerk of court, 1819-24; sheriff, 1825-29, and the first postmaster. He represented the county in the legislature two terms, 1829-30. 1830-31, where he was regarded as one of the leaders of his party. In 1832 he was appointed by President Jackson register of the land office at Zanesville. In 1843 he was the democratic candidate for representative in congress, but de- feated as his party was not then on the winning side. He came to MeConnels- ville a single man and made his home with Mr. Pinkerton. In 1822 he mar- ried Eliza B. Shugert, who is still living, and is one of the few surviving early settlers of MeConnelsville. Mrs. Barker is a most estimable lady, highly re- spected by a very extensive circle of acquaintances. She was born in Wash- ington, Pa., March 20, 1805. She has a vivid recollection of a pioneer exper- ences and of her journey to the west. When a young girl she came to Marietta with her widowed mother, taking pas- sage on a flat-bottomed boat, loaded with apples and flour and bound for New Orleans. After a short stay in Marietta she went to Zanesville, thence to MeConnelsville, where she made her home with her sister, the wife of Jacob Adams.
Dr. Barker was a gentleman of the old school, of dignified appearance and courtly manners. He was a man of marked social qualities, a warm friend,
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO.
and very popular among both old and young. Some idea of the esteem in which he was held may be formed from the record of the various offices filled by him. In all the relations of life, whether publie or private, he was upright and honest, doing his part faith- fully and well. He was successful in his medical practice and stood high pro- fessionally. He died in MeConnelsville May 12, 1852. He was a democrat in politics and a Presbyterian in religious belief.
DR. SAMUEL MARTIN was one of the pioneer physicians of the country. com- ing as early as 1819. Ile died in Zanes- ville May 25, 1873, aged 78 years. For a short time he was associated in the practice of his profession with Dr. S. A. Barker, at McConnelsville, then, retir- ing to his farm on the river in Bloom Township, he devoted himself princi- pally to agriculture and saltmaking. Ile married Sarah, daughter of William Montgomery, an early settler. He re- moved to Zanesville about 1865. He was a highly educated gentleman, much beloved and respected by those who knew him.
DR. PERLEY BROWN JOHNSON* was among the first physicians who perma- uently located in the county, and for many years was an influential and hon- ored citizen. He was well educated, courteous and agreeable, and made friends among all classes. He was born in the block-house at Marietta, that memorable relic of pioneer days, Sep- tember 18, 1798, and died at the resi- dence of his son-in-law, the Hon. F. W. Wood, in McCounelsville, in Febru-
ary, 1870. He read medicine under Dr. John Cotton in Marietta, and be- gan practice with him in 1822. In 1823 he located in McConnelsville, where he practiced his profession and rose to great prominence as a political leader. December 6, 1825, he married Miss Mary Manchester Dodge. Of this union five children were born, four of whom survived him. A son, Perley B. Johnson. Jr., lost his life at the charge on Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863. Dr. Johnson was appointed clerk of the court of common pleas in 1825, and soon after became the acknowledged leader of the whig party in the county. He served as a member of the State legislature in 1833-34 and 1834-35, and in 1840 was one of the presidential electors who cast their votes for Presi- dent Harrison. In 1842 he was elected representative to congress over Dr. Samuel A. Barker, the democratic nominee. At the expiration of his term he was re-nominated but defeated by Isaac Parrish, also of Morgan County. In 1847 he was attacked with paralysis, which rendered the remain- ing years of his life almost a blank. He had five of these attacks, and from 1849 until the end of his life was so incapacitated, both mentally and phys- ically, as to be unable to transact any business. Until impaired by disease he was regarded as the ablest exponent of whig principles in the county. Even his political opponents were constrained to acknowledge his ability and influ- ence. He had an enviable reputation as a public speaker, and "old-line whigs" were accustumed to sound his praises, ranking him with Thomas Cor- win and other great men of a former generation. The secret of his popu- larity was his agreeable manners and
*Dr. Johnson has more namesakes in Morgan County than any other man and perhaps more than all others who ever lived here. In copying any list of names it is surprising how often the name " Perley B." occurs.
٢٠٢١٣
93, de Juson
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his frank, polite ways. His name de- serves a high place upon the roll of worthy and distinguished citizens of Morgan County.
DR. CHARLES ROBERTSON lived and practiced huis profession in McConnels- ville nearly sixty years. During this long period he stood among the foremost men in his profession, and as a citizen his character for integrity, faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to right caused him to be widely known and re- spected. On his father's side Dr. Rob- ertson was descended from Scottish ancestry ; his grandfather, John Rob- ertson, a native of Edinburgh, died in this country in 1870. His mother, whose maiden name was Stanley, was the daughter of Zachariah Stanley, a Virginian and a Quaker. The subject of this notice was born eight miles from Leesburg, in Loudon County, Virginia, on the 13th of July, 1799. Shortly after his birth his parents moved to a farm uear Wythe Court House, Va. There, in the backwoods, in a log cabin, the family lived in true pioneer style. In 1805 the family returned to the farm in Loudon County on which Dr. Robertson was born. After a year or two on this place they removed to the town of Leesburg, where our subject, then seven or eight years old, first went to school. When about ten years of age he went to work in the printing office at Leesburg, where he remained about a year. Often during this time he was obliged to work at the case all night in order that the paper might be issued on time. About the time he en- tered the printing office, or shortly be- fore, his father engaged in the mercan- tile business, starting a small store which his wife attended to, but the venture was a failure, and he was 18
obliged to sell his house and lot to pay his debts. Soon after this misfortune the family were visited by John Stanley. brother of Mrs. Robertson, who then lived in Belmont County, Ohio. He advised them to move west, and Mr. Robertson finally decided to do so. Accordingly, with only sufficient money to defray their necessary expenses to St. Clairsville, Belmont County. the whole family started. Their convey- ance, hired for the occassion, was a common road wagon, drawn by four horses, and carrying Mr. and Mrs. Rob- ertson, their daughters, Maria and Susan, and their sons, Charles, John and Stanley. On their way they received news of the battle of Tippecanoe, fought by Harrison with the Indians, Novem- ber 7, 1811, and many well-meaning but ignorant people, believing that they were going into the Indian country, urged them back.
Although so young when he left his native state Dr. Robertson never for- got the scenes of his childhood. He witnessed the workings of that pecu- liar institution, slavery, and the im- pression left upon his mind was such as caused him in after years warmly to espouse the cause of freedom for the colored race. After reaching St. Clairs- ville the family took up their abode for the winter. Charles, exploring the town in boyish fashion, soon after his arrival found his way into the office of the Belmont Repository, where he was soon after set to work as a printer. But the work did not last long and the wages were very low. Some years later his mother died. Her death was a heavy blow to the boy. She was a noble woman ; he loved her well and remembered her with true filial affee- tion. Toward the close of the war of
274
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO.
1812-15 Clarles' father enlisted in a St. Clairsville company, in which he served several months. After his return Charles became junior apprentice in the office of the Repository. He remained in the office until nearly twenty years of age, being regularly indentured and leading the life of an apprentice. During the time he obtained a few months' school- ing-all that he ever had. During the winter months, in the long evenings and in the spare time, the apprentice made good use of the limited library of the editor and of such other reading matter as came within his reach. When he had but nine months more to serve before attaining his majority, at his own request and by consent of his em- ployer, young Robertson was allowed to leave the printing office (forfeiting, of course, the customary snit of clothes, at a time, too, when his own wardrobe was exceedingly scant) to take a clerk- ship or serve as deputy postmaster. This place he held about a year, and at the end of that time, through the in- fluence of several prominent citizens, among them Mr. Ellis, the retiring post- master, IIon. James Caldwell, an ex- member of congress, and Hon. Benjamin Ruggles, then United States senator. he received the appointment of post- master at St. Clairsville. This event, according to the Doctor's own testi- mony, was the turning-point of his life. He was postmaster, but the in- come from the office was small ; he had plenty of spare time, and therefore cast abont for something to add to his business. About this time Dr. W. Wood, a Baltimore graduate, came to the town and suggested to Robertson that he should study medicine. After due re- flection the young man concluded to do so, and in the summer after he was of
age commenced reading under Dr. Wood's tuition. He studied diligently for three years, then decided to begin practice. Choosing Barnesville, Bel- mont County, as his location, with his wife, whom he had recently married, he removed thither in the fall of 1823. He was not yet a legally qualified M. D., but on attending a meeting and passing an examination before the cen- sors of the Fifteenth District Medical Society (July 1, 1824) he was admitted to membership in the society and thus became a licensed physician. He con- tinued in Barnesville until December, 1824, having a small and unprofitable practice. Ile. then removed to Woods- field. Monroe County. There for six months he practiced in partnership with Dr. Mott, who had been a short time established there and was carrying on the mercantile business in addition to his practice. Dr. Robertson then took up his practice alone. But he was not entirely satisfied with his location and was readily induced to change it for McConnelsville.
While having at Barnesville, Dr. Rob- ertson had visited the county seat of Morgan County and had conversed with Dr. Barker, who gave such a gloomy account of the place and busi- ness that it seemed unwise for a young physician to think of locating here. But in January, 1826, Dr. Robertson received a letter from Dr. Barker, invit- ing limm to come to McConnelsville and offering him a partnership if he wished. This offer was at once accepted. Dr. Robertson came to McConnelsville and found that the two physicians then here -
Dr. Barker and Dr. Johnson-were both serving in public offices, the former as sheriff and the latter as clerk of court. He formed a partnership with Dr. Bar-
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
ker for two years. February 20th he brought his family to their new home. Soon his skill and competency as a phy- sician became known and he had all the practice he could attend to. In 1827 Wilkin & Christy started the Morgan Sentinel-a name which Dr. Robertson suggested-and the Doctor in his spare moments was wont to resume the oc- cupation of his boyhood in their office, both to oblige his neighbors and to amuse himself. For many long years. "in summer's heat and winter's snow," Dr. Robertson rode weary miles over the hills and rough roads of Morgan County, leading the arduous life of a country physician, his best efforts some- times received most ungratefully, and on the whole poorly paid, even in thanks. In 1840 the Morgan County Medical Society was organized. He served as its first president and was one of its leading members until his death. In the same year he first attended a meeting of the Ohio Medical Asso- ciation, and in 1846 assisted in organiz- ing the Ohio State Medical Society at Columbus. In 1856 he was a delegate from the society to the American Med- ical Association. In 1849-50 he at- tended a course of lectures at the Jef- ferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and received a diploma from that insti- tution. This he had long desired. " Whether or not it was appreciated by the community I could not say, but it was to me a source of satisfaction," says he in the MSS. from which we have already qnoted. In 1862 he was appointed enrolling surgeon of the first military district of Ohio, which position he held until the close of the war. In 1876 Dr. Robertson began writing the history of Morgan County, first simply for a pubhe address, but
afterward with a view toward publish- ing it. That work will in after years be regarded as his greatest service to the people among whom he lived so long and labored so faithfully, and will remain a perpetual monument to his memory. Dr. Robertson was twice married. His first wife was Miss Eve- line S. Foulke. She died and in 1862 he married Miss Dessie Brown, of Pitts- burgh, Pa. By the first marriage there were four children, only one of whom (Mrs. Samuel Sprague) is living ; by the last, one daughter, Dessie B.
DR. JOHN EWING is among the oldest physicians of McConnelsville and among the leading representatives of the pro- fession in the county. He was born in Harford County, Md., in 1825, the son of William and Elizabeth (Russel) Ewing. Ile was brought up on a farm and received an academical education. In 1852 he commenced the study of medicine under Drs. Thomas Treadwell and T. M. Elliott, both eminent physi- cians of Havre de Grace, Md. In 1857 he graduated from the University of Maryland, and in the same year began the practice of his profession in McCon- nelsville, in partnership with Dr. Amos Ewing. Ile has resided here ever since and has enjoyed an extensive and lucra- tive practice. He is a member of the Morgan County Medical Society. For several years he has carried on the drug business in addition to his profes- sional work, and is now senior member of the firm of Ewing & Bingham.
TAYLOR J. BINGHAM, M. D., was born in Penn Townslup. Morgan County, November 19, 1849. He was reared on a farm and received an academical education. Hle read medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. I. S. Ilolcomb. of Pemsville. For a number of years
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO.
he tanght school, at the same time por- suing his medical studies, and in this way obtained money to enable him to pursue his medical education. He graduated from the Columbus Medical College in January, 1880, and estab- lished himself at Malta. Ilis practice became so large that he was unable to attend to its demands, and in 1884 he removed to McConnelsville, where he has since been engaged in the drug business in partnership with Dr. Ewing. Dr. Bingham was married in 1873 to Mary Parsons, of Union Township, whose grandfather, George Parsons, was one of the pioneers of the county. He is a member of the Morgan County Medical Society, of which he is acting president ; also, vice-president of the District Medical Society, composed of the physicians of Morgan, Muskingum, Guernsey, Perry, Licking and Belmont Counties. In May, 1886, the Doctor was appointed a member of the board of pension examiners for Morgan Coun- ty. He is a contributor to the follow- ing medical periodicals: New York Medical Recorder, Therapeutical Gazette and the Medical Age.
JOSHUA H. BROWN, M. D., is the oldest resident physician of MeConnelsville. IIe was born of Quaker parentage, in Belmont, Ohio, October 6, 1883. His parents were Joseph and Lydia (Hoge) Brown, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia. The subject of this notice, after receiv- ing a common school education, read medicine under the tuition of Dr. Na- than Johnson, of Belmont, and in 1848 graduated from the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio. In 1850 he came to McConnelsville, where he has since resided. He is a successful phy- sician and a worthy citizen. Dr. Brown
was married in 1838 to Elizabeth A. Grove, of Belmont, Ohio, and is the father of three children -- William A., Joseph E. and Engene .J. William A. and Joseph E. are physicians and Eugene J. a lawyer. Dr. W. A. Brown was a surgeon in the army in the late war. Dr. Joseph E. Brown studied medicine with his father and is associ- ated with him in practice. He is a graduate of the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati.
DR. JOHN ALEXANDER is one of the old and prominent physicians of the county. He has practiced his profes- sion and carried on the drug business in McConnelsville since 1854. He was born near St. Clairsville, Belmont Connty, Ohio, March 9, 1819 ; educated at Franklin College, Ohio, and Wash- ington College, Pa .; read medicine under Dr. John Alexander, of St. Clairsville ; began practice in Behnont County, re- moving thence to Morgan County in 1847, and to McConnelsville in 1854.
W. R. KELLY, M. D., is a son of Jo- seph and Electa B. Kelly. He was born in McConnelsville, December 10, 1837, and educated in the common schools and at Ohio State University. He studied medicine under the late Dr. Robertson, of McConnelsville, and at- tended Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in March, 1863. Prior to his graduation he served from May, 1861, to October, 1862, as assistant contract surgeon in hospital service at Philadelphia, Wash- ington and Frederick City. Since 1863 he has practiced his profession princi- pally in his native place. Dr. Kelly was married in 1863 to Sarah A. John- son, of Morgan County, and is the father of three children.
DR. HIRAM L. TRUE is the only phy-
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
sician of the eclectic school in the county. He received an academical education and studied medicine under Thomas W. Sparrow, M. D., of Athens. and graduated from the Eclectic Medi- cal College of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1870.
DR. MICAH ADAMS proffered his skill in the healing art to the dwellers in Malta in 1822 or '23, and attained popularity sufficient to be elected treas- urer of Norgan Township. But in a brief time after being reelected busi- ness called him abroad, and so urgent was the call that it was attended to between two days, or at early dawn on Sunday, the township funds probably being sufficient to enable him and fam- ily to reach an unknown locality.
In 1827, in a lengthy announcement of superior professional attainments, Doctor John Cook Bennett informed the public (in the first number of the Morgan Sentinel) that he had "it in contemplation to practice Physic and Surgery, with all its collateral branches, in McConnelsville and vicinity." The advertisement was accompanied with a certificate from a prominent M. D. of his good character, and " that the relig- ious impressions he had received will add a virtne to every act of his life." In addition to the eminent professional acquirements he claimed his " religious hupressions" gave him the right to an- other title, and he wrote " Rev. Doctor John Cook Bennett," and occasionally. when not otherwise engaged, gave prac- tical exhibitions of his theological elo- quence. But a Malta critic whispers, you have the Rev. Doctor in the wrong pew. Not so; he only gave MeConnelsville the benefit of his varied talent for five or six months, when he domiciled his family in the Redman House, and after a time took passage for Nauvoo, bearing
the title of Major-General of the Mor- mon legion. The resident physicians, after the exit of Adams and Bennett, are given in the list of members of the Morgan County Medical Society. In the order of residence was Dr. Grim- mell, Dr. Shock, Dr. Dover, Dr. John Ewing, Dr. Woods, Dr. Rusk and Dr. Bingham. Dr. Rusk still resides in the village .*
DR. DANIEL RUSK was born in Clayton Township, Perry County, Ohio, Jan- uary 23, 1819, and came to Morgan County about 1828. Both his paternal and his maternal grandfathers were sol- diers in the Revolutionary War, serv- ing from its outbreak till the declara- tion of peace. They were among the early settlers of Perry County ; they were poor, but with fixed religious principles, and energy sufficient to find a way or make one. Daniel Rusk. the father of the subject of this sketch, was married to Jane Falkner, who sur- vived her husband nearly a third of a century. They reared a family of nine children-John, Annie. James, Reuel. Daniel, Elizabeth, Jane, Allen and Jeremiah. John, Revel and James have been dead many years. Allen is a farmer in Wisconsin ; he has been hon- ored by his fellow-citizens with two terms in the legislature and other re- sponsible positions. Jeremiah is sery- ing his second term as governor of Wisconsin. Dr. Rusk was reared on a farm. From the thne he was nine years old till he was thirteen he attended school three months each winter. The vear he was nineteen a " High School" was opened at Deavertown, and this he attended. No further opportunities offered for secular education. It had been, however, his good fortune to have *Written by Prof. J. M. Rusk, Malta :
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