History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 40

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923

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Dr. Hill also was connected with Dr. Webb having studied under him. He,- evidently,

after beginning the practice of his profession, discontinued for a time, for we find that on July 22, 1826, he again began the practice of medicine. He remained in Circleville only a few years, going to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he kept up his chosen work until his death, many years later.

Dr. William N. Luckey was the third phy- sician in Circleville. He came here in 1819 from Pennsylvania and remained until his death, about 1847. He and Dr. Lewis Wolfley formed a parnership on July 8, 1825; and he became associated with Dr. Carlisle on Novem- ber 11, 1833. At this time his office was on Bastile avenue. He was later associated with Dr. Fitch, this partnership being dissolved May 27, 1836.

Among the older medical practitioners in Pickaway County, was Dr. Edson B. Olds, a native of Vermont. He was born in 1802 and came 16 years later to Ohio, where he began teaching, in the meanwhile studying law with his brother, Joseph Olds: An im- pediment of speech was felt to be a barrier to his ever becoming a brilliant lawyer, and he gave up this aspiration and began the study of medicine, under Dr. Luckey. He finished at a Philadelphia medical school and in 1824 began to practice in Kingston, Ross County. Four years later he came to Circleville and practiced his profession until 1837, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits. Drs. Olds and Gibson were, for a time, partners in the drug business. About August 13, 1831, they moved their business (known as the Circleville Drug Store) to a new building on the circle. In March, 1836, Dr. Edward F. Olds and James N. Fitch bought out Dr. Edson B. Olds' in- terest in this drug business, but he evidently retained a certain right there, for we find that, on April 13, 1837, Drs. Edson B. and his brother, Dr. B. S. Olds (late of Bloomfield), might be consulted by their patients at their office at the Circleville Drug Store. This part- nership evidently lasted only a few months. Dr. Olds was three times elected to Congress and to the State Legislature, several times. Dr.

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Olds went to Lancaster in 1859, where he died 20 years later.

Dr. Chester Olds, a native of Vermont and a brother of Dr. Edson B. Olds, came to Circle- ville about 1850. He practiced medicine here until his death, 10 years later.

Dr. William Blackstone, one of the first physicians in Circleville, was born in Maryland in 1795. His father's family emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, when he was a boy. While preparing for his life work he taught a country school. He was graduated from Transylvania College, at Lexington, Kentucky. In the early part of his professional career, he lived in Circleville, in the latter days of 1822 occupying the room on South Main street used by Joseph Olds as a law office. He was for a time in partnership with Dr. Luckey. Dr. Blackstone went from Circleville to London- derry ; thence to Waverly; and later to Athens, where he made a permanent location. He died there.

Dr. Thomas Blackstone, who was born in Ross County in 1842, was graduated from Ohio University at Athens in 1871. He con- menced the study of medicine in the office of his uncle, Dr. William Blackstone, and then entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, where he was graduated. After a service of four years as medical as- sistant in the Athens Hospital for the Insane, he made a trip to Europe and then located in Circleville, where he has been engaged in prac- tice for the last 27 years.

Another of our early physicians was Dr. Azariah Perkins, who, on November 25, 1824, was authorized by the 10th District Medical Society to practice in Circleville.

Dr. William Turner was one of the earliest practitioners in Pickaway County. On Novem- ber 25, 1824, he was authorized to practice in the county by the 10th District Medical Society. Dr. Turner practiced for a short time in Circleville, but the greater part of his

life was spent in Walnut township. He died about 1829.

Dr. Thomas H. Gibson was born in Pick- away County and took his instruction in medi- cine under Dr. Luckey. He commenced to practice in 1823. In 1836, being attacked with bronchitis (a disease of which little was then known) he went to the medicinal springs in Virginia, for his health. Receiving no benefit. he started home, which, however, he never reached alive, dying in Charleston, Virginia, on July 31, 1836, in the 32nd year of his age. Dr. Gibson was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he held the office of ruling elder.

Dr. D. C. Noble was a physician in Circle- ville in 1825 and Dr. J. Cook Bennett, in 1828.

Dr. J. B. Finley began to practice his pro- fession in Circleville about 1825. On August 16, 1831, we find that he opened an office in the frame building on Francis Kinnear's lot, north of the latter's store. He went from here to South Bend, Indiana, about 1833, where he was still located in 1838, his wife dying there on June 8th of that year.

Dr. J. B. Jones was graduated, in 1837. from the Philadelphia Medical College and first practiced in Muskingum County. He came to Circleville in 1839, where he was engaged in a flourishing practice until his death, which occurred in 1846.

Dr. Wayne Griswold was born at Buckland. Massachusetts, where he received his prelimin- ary education. He was a graduate of the Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Massa- chusetts, in the class of 1834, after which event he began to practice in Whitingham, Vermont. where he remained five years. Upon removing to Circleville, he bought a house (in which he established an office) on the site of the present Court House. He built up a large practice, in which he continued until 1872, in which year he retired, Drs. Wilder and Bowers assuming his practice (the former having for a number

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of years been associated with Dr. Griswold). He was in the drug business at the Pickaway Drug Store, from 1849 to 1865, being a part- ner of W. W. Ballard. He was at different times a member of the Board of Education and the State Board of Public Works. Dr. Griswold died in October, 1873. His funeral was conducted from his home. He was buried in Forest Cemetery.

Dr. Gardner A. Wilder, a nephew of Dr. Wayne Griswold, was born at Buckland, Massa- chusetts, March 23, 1837. In 1856 he came to Ohio, becoming a salesman in the drug store of Griswold & Ballard, and spending his spare time in reading medicine with Dr. Gris- wold. He entered the Berkshire Medical Col- lege in 1863, and upon his graduation, in 1864, returned to Circleville, where, the following year, he entered into partnership with Dr. Griswold. This partnership continued until the retirement of the elder physician in 1872. Dr. E. D. Bowers at that time became asso- ciated with Dr. Wilder, the partnership ending at the death of Dr. Bowers. Dr. Wilder was on February 14, 1861, married to Martha Wilkes, of Circleville. In August, 1885, he was appointed postmaster at Circleville, which office he filled for four years, in a very ac- ceptable manner. Dr. Wilder served for 23 years on the Board of Education and for 12 years was its president. From 1893 to 1897 he was examining surgeon for pensions. His death occurred on January 30, 1898. His funeral services were held at his late home, with burial at Forest Cemetery.

Dr. E. D. Bowers was a native of Mus- kingum County, being born in March, 1834. He began to study medicine with Dr. H. Cul- bertson, of Zanesville, and then went to Phila- delphia, where after three years of study he was graduated in 1861, from Jefferson Medi- cal College. In 1862 he was commissioned assistant-surgeon, 93rd Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and surgeon, in March, 1865, being mus- tered out of service, in October, 1865. Dur- ing the next year he served as assistant surgeon at the Columbus Asylum for the Insane. He

came to Circleville in the spring of 1867 and entered into partnership, in 1872, with Dr. G. A. Wilder, who was associated with Dr. Griswold, the latter now retiring, turning over his practice to the younger men. Dr. Bowers was, on June 4, 1867, married to Jennie Gris- wold, a daughter of Dr. Griswold. He died on January 22, 1896.

Dr. J. F. Evans, who for 20 years previous had been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion, was established in Circleville as a phy- sician in 1840. "Being acquainted with the German language," he naively asserted, "he hoped to merit a share of public patronage."

Dr. Louis Bierce came to Circleville from Athens, somewhere about 1840. He died in only two years.

Dr. H. C. Johns was a student under Dr. J. B. Jones, with whom he was associated in practice, in the '40's. In 1849 he removed to Decatur, Illinois.

Dr. Asad W. Thompson came to Ohio from Massachusetts, having been born in Heath, December 16, 1814. His early educa- tion was acquired in the common schools, with two terms in a high school. When quite young he taught in the district schools in the winter, working on his father's farm in the summer. In February, 1838, he went to Whitingham, Vermont, to become a student of Dr. Wayne Griswold, and in the autumn of the same year attended lectures in the Berkshire Medical Col- lege, the alma mater of so many Pickaway County physicians. After this, he continued his studies under Dr. S. W. Williams, eminent in his profession, not only in his town, Deer- field, but in the entire State of Massachusetts. In October, 1839, Dr. Thompson came to South Bloomfield to complete his studies with his brother, Dr. J. C. Thompson, and during the next two winters attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, from which, in 1841, he received his degree. He located in Kingston, practicing there for 18 years, coming in 1859 to Circleville. From 1863

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to 1866, Drs. Thompson and D. N. Kinsman were in partnership; at its termination Dr. Thompson was associated, professionally, for six years, with Dr. S. D. Turney; and from 1877 to 1880 with Dr. George T. Row. While at college, one of Dr. Thompson's particularly strong points was chemistry; this proficiency stood him in good stead in his professional career, he being the first physician in the Scioto Valley to administer chloroform as an anesthetic. Also, before the anesthetic prop- erties of ether had become generally known, he had discovered its properties and applied it in his practice.

In August, 1844, Dr. Thompson was mar- ried to Diantha M. Entrekin, who died 14 years later. He was married again, in May, 1860, to Harriet B. Lyon, of Oxford, Ohio, who still lives in Circleville. Dr. Thompson (lied on September 15; 1895.

Dr. Thompson B. Wright was born at Circleville, in August, 1864. He was grad- uated from Kenyon College in 1883. Three years later he was graduated from the Colum- bus Medical College. After practicing a few months at South Bloomfield, he came to Circle- ville and entered into partnership with his great-uncle, the late Dr. Asad W. Thompson, which association continued until 1894, since which year he has practiced alone. During the Spanish-American War, he spent nine months in the service, as a surgeon of the Fourth Regiment, Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volun- teers.

Dr. Kingsley Ray, one of the earlier Pick- away County physicians, was a native of the State of New York, being born in Monroe County on October 20, 1797. He inherited his predilection for medicine from his father, who was a physician of ability. Dr. Ray was a graduate from the medical department of Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, in the class of 1821. Until 1823, he practiced in his own county and then came to Ohio, locating in Franklin County, where he remained for 15 years, going from there to Delaware and eight years later, to Circleville. Dr. Ray was among the first practitioners in Ohio to use

quinine, receiving. for experimental purposes, one-eighth part of the first ounce of quinine which was ever brought to Columbus.

On March 12, 1826, Dr. Ray was married to Mary Mason Lathrop, a young lady resi- dent in his native State. Dr. Ray retired from active practice about the time the war closed. He died in 1887, his funeral services being held at St. Philip's Protestant Episcopal Church, of which for years he had been a communicant.

Dr. Taylor died from cholera, in Circle- ville, in 1850, having been established in this town for only two years, having bought the practice of Dr. Marcus Brown, on the latter's retirement.

Dr. Marcus Brown, a man long identified with all the best interests of Circleville, was a native of Connecticut, being born at Cole- brook, on July 5, 1797. In 1816 his father, with his son, emigrated to Ohio, the mother having died 15 years before. A farm was bought in Medina County, upon which the father continued for almost 30 years, moving then. to Circleville to live with his son, who for a number of years had been located at this place.

Dr. Brown had gone, after remaining three years on the home farm, to Somerset, where he taught school for a year; after which he went to Ross County, where he also taught for two years. It was while he was teaching in Salem, that his .marriage to Miss Sarah Close occurred. Coming to Circleville then, he established a private school, one of the first in this place, which he continued to hold for four years. In the meanwhile, he studied in ·his leisure time, taking Latin with Joseph Olds and medicine with Dr. Webb. He began the practice of his profession at Williamsport, Pickaway County. After five years practice, he interrupted his work to attend lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati. Re- ceiving a diploma, he resumed practice in Will- iamsport, coming back six years later to Cir- cleville, where he carried on his profession until 1850, when he retired. Only a few months later, the Asiatic cholera broke out and raged

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for some time, during the prevalence of which Dr. Brown again took up his work, for the sake of humanity. It was owing to a great sorrow and disappointment in his life that his retirement was due. His only child, an un- usually bright boy, had been educated to fol- low the father's profession. He was graduated at Miami University and later at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and in 1847 en- tered practice with his father with every prom- ise of success. One year later he died, and the heart-broken father relinquished the profession which has been to him a successful career, but which now would be but a constant reminder of his blighted hopes.

The banking business engaged Dr. Brown's attention, after he retired from practice. The Pickaway County Savings Institute-the fore- runner of the First National Bank of Circle- ville-was the organization with which he was connected, and of which he became president, holding this office till his death. About 1850, also, he purchased a farm, which he gave up, however, in four years, and became a silent partner of George H. Fickardt, in the drug business, continuing in this connection until 1877.

Dr. Brown was a man of culture, and was interested in those things which make for ad- vancement. He was for a number of years. on the board of directors of the Public Library of Circleville. A more extended notice of him, in this capacity, will be found in the article on the library. He took two trips abroad, the second embracing an itinerary of Europe, Asia and Northern Africa.

Dr. Brown died January 6, 1882. His ob- sequies were held at his late residence on Mound street. He was a member of the Central Pres- byterian Church.

Dr. Charles H. Hawkes was a native of Massachusetts, being born at Charlemont. His education was received in Middlebury, Ver- mont, and at the Berkshire Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1845. He began to practice at Tarlton, Pick- away County, in 1847, and the next year came to Circleville and became a partner of Dr. Marcus Brown. This association continued

only a year, after which he practiced alone until 1873, when his brain became affected by a disease which caused his death, in 1878. He was placed successively in asylums at Dayton, Athens and Columbus, at which latter place he died. One of the most costly and beautiful monuments in Forest Cemetery marks his rest- ing-place. Dr. Hawkes was married in 1867 to Alice Piper. Their home was one of the landmarks of the old circle, a charmingly situ- ated brick house, standing diagonally to Frank- lin street, the tearing down of which in 1905 removed almost the last remnant of that pe- culiar conformation, to which the town owes its name.

Dr. Nelson E. Jones was born in Ross County, Ohio, September 20, 1821. His pre- liminary education was received at Chillicothe and Augusta, Kentucky. He was graduated from the Cleveland Medical College in 1846 and on June 9th of the same year was married to Virginia Sinith. Dr. Jones practiced his profession in Cleveland for two years and then went to the West, being for a time located in Dubuque, Iowa. He came back to Ohio about 1852, setting up an office at Circleville. Dr. Jones served from May 4, 1864. to the end of the war, as surgeon of the Board of Enroll- ment, 12th District of Ohio; for 31 years he was examining surgeon for pensions. In 1878 Dr. Jones took into partnership his son, Dr. Howard Jones, this business association terminating only on the retirement of the father, who, some three or four years before his death, on account of growing deafness, gave up active practice.

Beside being a good physician, Dr. Jones was a writer of ability. He contributed articles on local history to newspapers and wrote some entertaining studies of dogs (oi which animals he was very fond) for his grandsons. This latter is still in manuscript. His "Squirrel Hunters of Ohio," a most in- teresting record of pioneer life, was published by the Robert Clarke Company, in 1898. Dr. Jones died on . December 15, 1901.

Dr. Howard Jones, son of Dr. Nelson E. Jones, was born at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853.

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and was graduated from Hobart College, Geneva, New York, in 1875. The following year he was graduated in medicine from the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, and then took a post-graduate course at the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons. He then located at Circleville and entered into practice, at the same time becoming a member of the faculty of the Columbus Medical College, where he filled the chair of ophthalmology for two years and that of physiology for four years. For a considerable period he was associated with his father in practice. Since his father's retirement, he has practiced alone.

About 1855 Dr. William L. Peck came to Circleville, where he established a partner- ship with Dr. Chester Olds, which continued until 1861, he withdrawing to serve in the war, first as assistant surgeon and later as surgeon of an Ohio regiment. At the close of the war, he returned home and was almost immediately appointed as superintendent of the Columbus Asylum for the Insane. After this institution was burned, Dr. Peck had charge of its rebuilding; but before the buildings were quite ready for occupancy, he was super- seded. He then went to Cincinnati, and es- tablished the College Hill Sanitarium. After remaining in charge of this work for a time, he removed to Indianapolis, to engage in the practice of his profession. It was at this place that he met his death. While engaged in some feature of his work, he accidentally stepped back into a tank of boiling water .. Although severely scalded, his death, due to this cause, did not occur for about a year. His body was brought back to Circleville for burial as was that of his wife, who died in the winter of 1905-06. The citizens of Circleville have a constant reminder of Dr. Peck in the block which bears his name.

Dr. Baldridge, who practiced the eclectic system of medicine was located in Circleville in the '60's. He was a stanch Presbyterian and the older members of that church remem- ber a beautiful prayer which he was wont to give, and which impressed visitors most favor-

ably, but with which the more constant at- tendants became so familiar as to be almost able to recite it themselves.

Dr. Longshore was also an eclectic phy- sician, who, after a short practice in Circle- ville, died about 1854 or 1855.

Dr. Jeptha Davis was another of the eclectic school who practiced in Circleville. He was located here from about 1858 to 1872, when, suffering from asthma, he moved to Kansas. He obtained relief for a time, but after a while, the complaint again attacking him, he went to another locality, and it is not known here if he is still living.

Dr. C. C. Sharp came from Galveston, Texas, to Circleville, about 1857. He was lo- cated here for 12 years, going then to Colum- bus. As Dr. Sharp's early life had been spent in a Southern environment, his sympathies, in regard to the questions which brought on the Civil War, were decidedly antagonistic to the feeling of the North. His settlement in a Northern locality at that time was unfortunate, as his practice no doubt suffered merely from: political reasons, and without regard to his ability and skill as a physician. After remain- ing in Columbus for a while, Dr. Sharp re- moved to Kentucky, where he practiced for a time, first at Lexington and then at Louisville. He afterward went to Chicago.

Dr. D. N. Kinsman is a native of Heatlı, Massachusetts. Upon first coming to Circle- ville, he followed the profession of teaching. in the meantime reading medicine under Dr. Peck. He was graduated from the Ohio Medi- cal College, Cincinnati, in 1863, after which he was associated with Dr. A. W. Thompson. This partnership lasted until 1866, when he left Circleville and located in Lancaster; after practicing there for five or six years, he became connected with the Starling Medical College, Columbus. After several years in this capac- ity, he entered upon private practice in Colum -. bus, where he still remains. The past sum -.. mer, Dr. Kinsman went to the East, to take a special course in nervous diseases.

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Dr. Alva P. Courtright was a native of Pickaway County. His early medical educa- tion was acquired in Circleville, where he studied with Drs. Turney and Thompson, in 1864. He was a graduate of the Miami Medi- cal College, Cincinnati, in the class of 1867. He was the successful contestant in an ex- amination for the position of interne of what is now the Cincinnati Hospital. After holding this position one year. he was appointed as- sistant physician at the Longview Asylum for the Insane, where he remained for almost four years. when he became associated with his father-in-law. Dr. John L. Vattier, in private practice in Cincinnati. About 1873, he located in Circleville and in January, 1877. entered into a partnership with Dr. Turney, which lasted until the death of the latter. only one year later. After this, he was for one or two years associated with Dr. John Lilly, and then practiced alone. In the early part of June. 1897. Dr. Courtright. while driving through the country on professional business, was thrown from his buggy, caused by his horse backing off a bridge. He received fatal in- juries, and after lingering for about two weeks died June 31, 1897.

Dr. Dudley V. Courtright is a native of Cir- cleville, born here on July 4. 1875. He spent one year at Miami University and in March, 1897, was graduated from Starling Medical College, Columbus. The following three years he was an interne at the Mount Carmel Hospi- tal. and then came to Circleville, where he has continued to practice medicine ever since.

Dr. Loring Courtright followed in the foot- steps of his father and brother in the choice of a profession. Dr. Courtright was born in Circleville, on April 2, 1878. He received his degree of A. B. from Ohio State Uni- versity, graduating in the class of 1901. He then took a course at Starling Medical College for two years. after which he became house physician at Mount Carmel Hospital, Colum- bus. He held this position for one year, going then to Dayton, where he has since been sta- tioned as physician in the Dayton Hospital for the Insane.

Dr. A. H. Blake practiced in Circleville in the '60's, going from here to Garnett. Kan- sas. His wife was a Miss Thompson, of Deer Creek township, Pickaway County.

Dr. I .. C. Vernon was a native of Mus- kingum County, being born near Zanesville on March 9, 1830. He read medicine with Dr. Sharp in Circleville, in 1857, and was grad- uated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, in 1864, having previously prac- ticed for a short time at Washington Court House. After graduation, he located in Zanes- ville, coming back in 1873 to Circleville, where he enjoyed a large practice. While pursuing his professional duties, in the winter of 1882, Dr. Vernon contracted diphtheria. from which he died on January 20th.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 40

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 923

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923