History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794, Part 32

Author: Everhart, J. F; Graham, A. A., Columbus, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: [Columbus, O.] : F.J. Everhart & Co.
Number of Pages: 600


USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 32


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In those days the physician was known to ride twenty-five or thirty miles to visit a patient. Dr. Mathews would visit patients in his immedi- ate neighborhood, and furnish medicine, at thir- ty-seven and a half cents a visit !


In the spring of 1805, Dr. Richard Hillier ar- rived in Zanestown, and began the practice of his profession. He had been a Surgeon in the English Army. He remained here until 1809, when he removed to "Beech Bottom," fifteen miles from Mount Vernon, where he died, March 10, 1815.


In 1807, Dr. Robert Mitchell and wife arrived. He purchased a lot on the southwest corner of Fifth street and Locust alley, and built thereon a two-story log house. He was also a politician, and, as a Jeffersonian, was elected to the Town Council ; also Brigadier General of the Third Division of the Ohio State Militia, in 1822, and served several years. He died, November 13, 1848, aged 70; his wife died March 4, 1864, aged 76.


Dr. John Hamm, a native of the State of Del- aware, and educated in that State, studied with Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia, Pa., and graduated in that city. He came to Ohio in 1808, and set- tled, first, in Chillicothe, and on the 4th of July, 1809, was the orator of the day ; came to Zanes- town soon after, and subsequently married Eliza, the fourth daughter of General Van Horne. probably no man in Ohio of that day, except General Lewis Cass, had such a succession of de- sirable official positions. In 1812, he was a mem- ber of the Legislature and a Presidential elector. In 1813, he became Surgeon of the 27th United States Infantry, and succeeded General Cass as Marshall of Ohio, a responsible and dangerous position. In 1827, he was State Senator, and again in 1829. In 1830, he was appointed Charge de Affairs to the Republic of Chili, by President Jackson, and concluded the first treaty with that Government. He returned to his home and kin- dred, in Zanesville, and died May 22d, 1861, in the 85th year of his age. His widow died April 20, 1868. They had eight children, one of whom became the wife of W. A. Graham, one the wife of Peter Black, and one the wife of Al- exander Van Hamm. The daughter not men- itoned, died in girlhood ; the eldest son, Wash- ington Van Hamm, died in Chicago, Ill., in 1872.


Dr. Dudley W. Rhodes, was also President of the Bank of Zanesville ; he came to Zanesville


in the summer of 1814. He was a native of Ston- ington, Connecticut, and studied medicine in the city of Hartford. His first engagement in his profession was an Army Surgeon, which, how- ever, he soon relinquished, for private practice. He died in Zanesville, Saturday, October 16, 1840, and at a meeting of the physicians of that city and vicinity, held at the residence of Dr. Moorehead, October 19, resolutions were passed, as follows :


WHEREAS, It has pleased the Almighty to re- move from among us, and from the sphere of usefulness, our late friend and brother practition- er, Dr. D. W. Rhodes :


Resolved, That we view with deep regret this dispensation of Divine Providence ; therefore, in as much as it has borne from us one who has, for many years, stood so deservedly high in his profession, and who has been most indefatigable in his exertions to alleviate the sufferings of his fellow-men :


Resolved, That, in the death of Dr. Rhodes, this community has sustained a loss which will be most sincerely felt by those who, in the hour of their affliction, have so long relied upon his skill and judgment :


Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with his bereaved family, in their painful and melancholy loss :


Resolved, That, in testimony of our regard for the deceased, we wear crape on the left arm for thirty days :


Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented by Dr. Moorehead to the family of the deceased, and that they also be published in the papers of the town :


Resolved, That we adjourn to meet at the late residence of Dr. Rhodes, at the hour appointed for his funeral, and that we attend the same in a body. ROBERT MITCHELL, Chairman.


CHARLES C. HILDRETH, Secretary.


In 1814, Dr. J. Fowler was a practicing physi- cian in Putnam ; and in 1816, Dr. Moore was here, and gained some notoriety by introducing vaccination, which some physicians opposed.


In 1817, Drs. John J. Brice, Ebenezer Atwa- ter, Calvin Conant, G. B. Maxfield, and Samuel Moulton, were among the physicians. And in 1822, Dr. Isaac Spangler ( who studied with Dr. Hamm) was associated with Dr. Robert Mitch- ell. During this year, Wm. Clark, E. S. Phelps, Adam Gage, Benjamin Wait, Nathaniel Wait, Noah Harris, Robert Moore, David Pardy, Syl- vanus Seeley, Timothy Burr. Adam Gage, and Elmas Wheaton, were admitted to practice med- icine, upon examination under the State law.


The diversity of opinion on important subjects in the profession of Medicine, was such that, for the sake of harmony, and also for the purpose of having a recognized standard of authority, or. better still, a guaranty of qualification, an act was passed by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio authorizing the formation of medical societies, and empowering the incorporators to require the members of such bodies to be gradu-


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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.


ates of accredited medical schools, pursuant to which, the first medical society was organized, as hereinafter set forth :


MEDICAL SOCIETIES.


The First Society .- February 26th, 1824, the following act was passed by the Legislature of the State of Ohio: "An act to Incorporate Medical Societies for the purpose of Regulating the Practice of Physic and Surgery in this State."


To carry out the object of this act, a consider- able number of physicians from the Fifteenth Medical District, then composed of the counties of Muskingum, Morgan, Coshocton, Guernsey, Licking and Knox, assembled at the Court House, in Zanesville, May 25, 1824, (the time appointed by law, ) and organized themselves into a Medical Society. The following were the first officers : John Hamm, M. D. President ; John B. Brice, M. D., Vice President ; Thomas Flanner, M. D., Secretary ; Robert Mitchell, M. D., Treasurer.


The medical examiners elected at this meeting were Doctors Calvin Conant, Wm. S. Richards, Thomas Flanner, Wm. Clarke and Dudley W. Rhodes.


A committee was appointed to draft by-laws for the government of the society. They re- ported in accordance with instructions, and the by-laws were adopted, but a copy cannot now be found. About this time, Percival H. Pardee and Joel S. Thrall, of Putnam, presented them- selves for examination before the censors, and were duly licensed to practice physic and surgery in the State of Ohio.


The following gentlemen were appointed by the President to deliver Medical dissertations at the semi-annual meeting, to be held the first Tuesday in November, 1824, viz :


Doctors Spellman, Safford and Thompson.


It was made the duty of the President at each annual meeting to deliver an address, and to recommend a question for discussion at the semi- annual meetings.


The next regular meeting was announced to be held in Zanesville, the first Tuesday in No- vember, 1824.


The following is a list of the members at the date of organization : John Hamm, John B. Brice, Thomas Flanner, Robert Mitchell, Dudley W. Rhodes, Calvin Conant, Robert Safford. Wm. S. Richards, Elisha G. Lee, Alfred C. Thompson, Elmas Wheaton, Benjamin Webb, Wm. Clarke, Francis Fowler, Samuel Bald- ridge, Harry Fassett, Sylvester Spellman, Samuel Martin, Samuel A. Baker, John Bald- ridge, David McGary, James Kell, Isaac Spangler, Jesse Morris, David A. Bines, John B. Cooley and Nathan Webb.


This society continued to exist until Decem- ber 12, 1842, when the Muskingum County Medical Society was formed, by the physicians of the county of Muskingum, at a meeting held on that day at the Eagle Hotel, in Zanesville, at which Dr. Helmick presided, and Dr. J. G. F.


Holston was Secretary. He also offered the following resolution, which was adopted :


Resolved, That we constitute ourselves into a medical society, to be called the Muskingum County Medical Society, by signing our names to this resolution. The following gentlemen signed their names, viz :


James Helmick, Robert Mitchell, John B. Erwin, John Watkins, Jonathan Axline, John R. Wetmore, Robert Marshall, John G. F. Holston, Washington Moorehead, E. Dillon, J. H. McCall, D. G. Campbell, James Shaw, W. E. Ide and Charles C. Hildreth.


The following committee on a constitution for the society, was appointed: Dr's. Robert Mitchell, John Watkins and J. G. F. Holston, with instructions to report on the first Tuesday in January, 1843, "at which time the society shall hold its first regular meeting, notice of which will be given in the public prints."


The next meeting was held January 10th, 1843, at the Eagle Hotel, in Zanesville, when the following officers were elected :


President, Robert Safford, M. D. ; Vice Pres- ident, John Watkins, M. D. ; Secretary, Chas. C. Hildreth, M. D. ; Treasurer, James Helmick, M. D. ; Librarian, J. G. F. Holston, (Sr., ) M. D.


The Constitution of the "Muskingum County Medical Society."


ARTICLE Ist. This society shall be known by the name of the "Muskingum County Medical Society."


ART. 2d. The objects of this society shall be the advancement of the interests of the profes- sion ; the promotion of harmony and good feel- ing, and the elevation of the standard of medical attainment among its members.


ART. 3d. The officers of the society shall be one President, one Vice President, one Secre- tary, one Treasurer, one Librarian and five censors, all of whom shall be elected at the an- nual meeting in May, except the censors, who shall receive their appointment directly by the President.


ART. 4th. This society shall be composed of members, both senior, and junior. Senior mem- bers, being regular practitioners of medicine, who, until the next annual meeting, may be admitted to membership, by signing this constitution. After which time they must gain their admission through the board of censors. Junior members shall be students of medicine of the senior mem- bers, and shall not be allowed the privilege of voting, speaking, or holding office.


ART. 5th. The society, during its sessions, shall be governed by parliamentary usages.


ART. 6th. The society shall hold its annual meeting on the first Tuesday in May, at 10 o'clock, A- M., in Zanesville, at which time its officers shall be elected for the ensuing year ; also a semi-annual meeting in November; also monthly meetings in Zanesville, on the first Tuesday of every month, for the report of cases, the reading of essays, and the discussion of med- ical or surgical questions.


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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.


ART. 6. The President shall direct the order of exercises for the meeting next ensuing, and shall have power to select a member to read an essay upon any medical or surgical subject, that he may deem appropriate.


ART. 7. Every senior member of the society shall sign this constitution, which signature shall be considered equivalent on his part to being governed by it.


The following were the signers to this consti- tution :


R. Stafford, J. B. Erwin, Charles Dickinson, David Pierce, John M. Green, E. Dillon, James Little, Lyman Little, David Ferbrache, Robert Mitchell, Thomas J. Redgrave, Thomas J. Haz- lett, J. H. McCall, I. N. McMillen, John Wat- kins, Edward S. Bell, James Shaw, John G. F. Holston, James Helmick, Washington Moore- head, A. Z. Knight, W. E. Ide, J. S. Reasoner, Charles C. Hildreth, James Crawford, D. G. Campbell, J. R. Wetmore, W. H. Vickers, John F. Cunningham, Z. F. Young and Charles Grant.


The full set of officers, elected in 1865, were : President, Z. C. McElroy ; Vice President, A. Ball ; Treasurer, Charles C. Hildreth ; Secretary, T. A. Reamy.


For some time after its organization the so- ciety met at the residence of some one of its mem- bers ; subsequently in the City Council Cham- ber.


In 1874, the society was merged into the pres- ent Zanesville Academy of Medicine. Incorpor- ated in 1875, and reincorporated in 1878.


The charter empowers the Academy to issue certificates of qualification to practice medicine, equivalent to a diploma from a regular medical school, and to charge therefor, including the ex- amination, a fee of $25.00.


To be eligible for membership one must be a practicing physician in good standing, and sub- scribe for one share of stock, paying five dollars, and an annual assessment of one dollar.


The society has in the Treasury $1,800 and a library of 500 volumes of standard medical works.


The membership numbers one hundred. They meet in the Athenaeum building.


The officers for 1880 were : President, L. M. Reamy ; Vice President, C. H. Evans ; Secre- tary, J. F. Kennedy ; Treasurer, D. C. Peters.


Trustees : * James Gallogly, H. Culbertson, A. Ball, J. R. Larzelere, J. S. Haldeman, J. T. Davis, and S. Allen.


The Society, among other rules, adopted "the Code of Ethics of the American Medical Asso- ciation."


The following list embraces the regular physi- cians engaged in the practice of their profession in Zanesville. The regularly graduated practic- ing physicians in Zanesville are :


ALLOPATHIC -- C. C. Hildreth, Z. C. McElroy, A. Ball, W. H. Holden, J. S. Haldeman, A. E. Bell, L. M. Reamy, C. H. Evans, J. R. Larzelere, H. S. Nyc, J. Jordan, J. G. F. Holston, W. C. Lenhart, J. T. Davis, A. C. Oatley, Seth Al-


len, T. J. Barton, J. F. Kennedy, D. C. Peters, and Mrs. A. M. Johnson.


HOMEOPATINIC .- S. F. Edgar, W. E. Atwell, George W. Mitchell.


ECLECTIC .- E. A. Farquhar and sons, and O. C. Farquhar.


CHAPTER XI.


PUTNAM.


THE TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD - PUTNAM HILL PARK-THE FIRST STORE-THE FIRST PHYSIC- IAN-THE FIRST CHILD BORN-THE POSTOF- FICE-THE M. E. CHURCH-BLACKSMITHS- DEATH'S DOINGS - TANNERIES - TAVERNS - BANK-THE NAME OF SPRINGFIELD CHANGED TO PUTNAM-PUTNAM MANUFACTURING COM- PANY-WOOLEN MILLS-POTTERIES-OIL MILL -- SOCIETIES - FOUNDRY - THE VILLAGE OF PUTNAM INCORPORATED - GLASS WORKS - BUCKET FACTORY-PUTNAM BUILDING, LOAN AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION - THE PUTNAM CLASSICAL INSTITUTE-APPLICATION OF ZANES- VILLE CITY COUNCIL TO THE COUNTY COMMIS- SIONERS FOR THE ANNEXATION OF PUTNAM TO ZANESVILLE-THE ANNEXATION OF PUTNAM TO ZANESVILLE-"CLIFFWOOD" -- THE MERCHANTS, MECHANICS AND PROFESSIONAL MEN OF SPRINGFIELD - PERSONAL REMINISCENSES - EARLY SETTLERS IN NATCHEZ-NATCHEZ.


The town of Springfield was laid out before the township in which it is situated was organ- ized. For beauty of situation it is not surpassed by any other on the Muskingum river. Nature has evidently been gracious in her adaptation for pleasant homes, and the wants of commerce are easily met, both by rail and water. The curva- ture of the river, westward and then northward, as it traverses the northern boundary of the town, renders the current on the east, where the stream courses south, very nearly a slack water, greatly facilitating boating for freight and pas- senger purposes.


The highland that originally formed the west- ern boundary of the village, and subsequently made a part of the town, known as " Putnam Hill," lends an increased charm to the view : its graceful slopes, dotted o'er with forest trees, at once beautiful and comforting in their cooling shade, suggest thoughts of paradise.


Dr. Increase Mathews and Levi Whipple laid out the town in 1802, and by their personal in- fluence began at once to draw hither whatever of industry, art, culture and music were necessary to constitute a prosperous community. The se- quel shows the wisdom of their course, and they had the gratification of living to see their expec- tations verified.


The name was suggested by the well known spring that gushes out of the highland, since known as " Putnam Hill." This headland has long been known as commanding the finest view of " the Blue Muskingum" of any point in this


Died.


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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.


region, on which account it became the resort for " whoso loveth the beautiful :"


"To him, who, in the light of Nature, holds Communion with her visible forms, she speaks A various language ; for his gayer hours She has a voice of gladness, and a smile, And eloquence of beauty ; and she glides Into his darker musings with a mild And gentle sympathy, that steals away Their sharpness, ere he is aware."


As might be expected, this charming spot al- lured those who were inclined to love each other, by the mystic power of " sparkling water," and " fairy moonlight," and so the spring was christened, as it were, " Lover's Fountain," and those who loved in former days hold pleasant memories thereof. Which, moreover, are to be perpetuated, and the scenes of "auld lang syne" made possible in the enjoyment of "Putnam Hill Park."


July 27, 1801, Rufus Putnam, Levi Whipple and Dr. Increase Mathews, assigned, appropri- ated and made over to the town of Springfield, (now the Ninth ward of Zanesville) "for the purpose of erecting such public buildings there- on as may be wanted for the use of the town, or any religious society established in it, or for the county or State, the eleven and one-half acres, now known as . Putnam Hill Park '; which tract, or so much of it as shall not be occupied by public buildings of the description aforesaid, shall remain a perpetual commonage." [See Book " A," page 8, Muskingum County Records ].


The park has recently been substantially and . neatly fenced,and ornamented with young trees. And with the addition of suitable seats, flower beds and fountains, will become, if possible, a still more popular resort. "Tis a beautiful site.


THE FIRST STORE in the village was opened on the site now known as No. 99, Muskingum avenue, by Dr. Increase Mathews, in 1803. He kept a general stock of merchandise. including drugs and medicines. This store was originally started on the northwest corner of Main and Third streets, by Dr. Mathews and his brother John, in 1801.


THE FIRST PHYSICIAN .- Dr. Increase Ma- thews, who, as we have seen, was one of the original proprietors of Springfield, was the first physician. And, as such, his duties were often very arduous, he having to go many miles to visit patients. It was reasonable, therefore, for him to invite another to share the burden; ac- cordingly, when Dr. Jesse Chandler came, in 1804, he soon acquired a very extensive practice, which he continued to enjoy up to the time of his death, which occurred suddenly in the winter of 1814-15. At this time, eleven other prominent citizens are said to have died, all suddenly, and near the same time, of what was called "the cold plague." Terror spread over the commu- nity on account of the great mortality, and the probable spread of the disease.


Other physicians followed, locating in Spring- field or vicinity, and, as nearly as can now be ascertained, in the following order. They were : Drs. Smith, Reed, Conant, Robert Safford, Dil- lon, Brown, E. 'A. Farquhar, J. B. Erwin, J. R. Larzelere and O. C. Farquhar. Others have been accounted for in the "Medical Record," of Zanesville.


THE FIRST CHILD BORN in Springfield town- ship is supposed to have been Warner Whipple, in 1803.


THE POSTOFFICE .- Prior to 1803, the inhab- itants of the village of Springfield, and the region south and west, obtained their mail matter at the office in Zanestown. The Post-Master General, however, was induced to grant an increase in mail facilities, and established a postoffice in the village of Springfield, in the early part of this year, and appointed Dr. Increase Matthews as Post-Master. This, doubtless, was a compliment and satisfaction, and aided their reputation, inso- much that it is said the population was increased soon after by other than natural causes.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The first circuit that included this place embraced Frank- lin, Mansfield, Lancaster, the Hog-Run settle- ment (in Licking county ) and the Walmsly neigh- borhood, in Coshocton county, and was organ- ized in 1803, by Rev. Asa Shinn. It belonged to the Pittsburgh District of the Baltimore Con- ference, and was denominated "the Hockhock- ing circuit."


The society was organized in Springfield, in 1806, by Rev. John Meeks. The first members were: John Goshen and family, Samuel Chap- man and family, William H. Moore and family, Jesse Smith, J. Mervin, Merriam Putnam, Win- throp Robinson and Benjamin Robinson. They constituted the first class, of which John Goshen and M. Putnam were the leaders.


Soon after the society was organized, a frame church was built on the lot donated by Levi Whipple, for church purposes, and on which the society built a brick church in 1830, which was taken down about 1868, to make room for the present commodious church, on the east side of Moxahala avenue. This church is further de- scribed in the chapter on churches, as the Moxa- hala Avenue M. E. Church. X


BLACKSMITHS .- This class of industry had hitherto been conducted in Zanestown. About the year 1803, Peter Miser came to the village of Springfield and opened shop, and between that date and 1805 he was followed by Philip Munch and John Balthis. Where these two sons of Vul- can had their shops, cannot now be determined.


DEATH'S DOINGS .- The first death in Spring- field was the wife of Dr. Increase Mathews. The second was Grace Crooks, daughter of Andrew Crooks. They occurred in 1804.


FIRST ORCHARDS .- John Matthews, Abraham Leaven and Levi Whipple planted orchards about the same time, 1804, and John Springer and Adam France, in 1806.


--


Onfile


PUTNAM FEMALE SEMINARY.


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HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.


TANNERIES .- The first tannery in Springfield was erected by I. Newell, in the year 1805. Sub- sequent tanners were : Horace Nye, Levi Chap- man, -- Tanner, Peleg Mason, Jacob Reese, William Reese and A. M. Ewing.


TANNERY BY HORACE NYE .- A letter from his father, Ichabod Nye, dated "Marietta, 5th Octo- ber, 1821," informs him as follows : "And have agreed with Amercy Keys, a young man, who came from the State of Maine this summer, for three months, to currey and work in the tanyard, as you may want, for the sum of fourteen dollars per month, boarding and washing.


"I do not expect that he will turn off the work so fast as some currers that practice that buisness alltogather, but I have examined him relative to the mode & manner of his practice in that buis- ness, & like his ideas verry well. I think he will do the work better for countrey use than the Southern or Philadel'a currers. They, maney of them, shave their Leather too thin, more especially the shoulder & the back parts.


"He will undoubtedly show you all that he can in the business, & I have given him my ideas & mode of work generally, which he will be better able to tell you than I could communicate by writ- ing, in making blacking. I have given him my mode, which I think he will be able to do, & which is quite essential in the business. Black- ing that will rub off of leather is a great damage to the credit of it. The composition is Lampblack & Oil, with a little soap (say aboute } poin) to two Gallons of the Blacking (when all the mate- rials are added togeather) Surred well togeather to this the strong decoxtion of Sewmach (if you have it), mixed with the coperas, Yellow Oake Bark or Logwood, this stured all together, and the latter putt in lastt, to the Oil & Lampblack. This Liquid blacking will be proportuned as you find it best sutes when you spread it on the leath- er, probebley about as much as of the Oil part.


"In setting the edges on your knives it will be best to rub them with a short bevel & turne the edges well over, or turned in rather more than what Carrell used to work them, especially when you first begin to practice and in whitening they must be more so, than in shaving weat leather, and then turne the wire edge a little out, in this way you will shave smoother & safer from jump- ing or bounding of the knife, &c., &c.


"In haste, I remain your father, "ICHABOD NYE."


Horace Nye had his tannery on the side hill, just west of the Round House, i.e., about the southwest end of Adams street, and obtained water from a spring at that place, which afforded an ample supply for his vats, some twelve or fif- teen in number.


Chapman's tannery, in "Chap's Run :" Levi Chapman had a tannery about where the bridge abutments were built, and near this he had his "bark house," in about 1820.


THE FIRST TAVERN IN THE VILLAGE OF SPRINGFIELD .- "Burnham's Hotel," or tavern, was the first public house in the town of Spring-


field. The building was of three stories, one of stone and two of brick, which accounts for the discrepancy in the accounts of it, some calling it "a two-story brick," and others "a three-story building." It was built in 1806, by John Leav- ens and Benjamin S. Gilmore, and was some- times called "Leavens' Tavern," although he never occupied it. It stood on the southwest cor- ner of Muskingum and Putnam avenues, as now designated. This was the first "brick tavern" in this section of country, and was called "the best hotel west of the Alleghany Mountains ;" and it is said that great effort was made to make it such. Mr. Burnham kept this house until 1811, when he removed to Gen. Van Horne's tavern, on the southwest corner of Second and Main streets, in Zanestown.




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