USA > Ohio > History of the Upper Ohio Valley, with family history and biographical sketches, a statement of its resources, industrial growth and commercial advantages, Vol. I > Part 72
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Samuel W. McElhenny was born in Lewisburg, Greenbrier county, Va., December 25, 1815. He was the son of Rev. John McElhenny; graduated at Athens college, Ohio, in 1834; attended medical lectures at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and obtained his degree in 1838. He began practice at Covington, Allegheny county, Va., which being chiefly a country practice, the exposure and fatigue proved too great for his failing health. He removed to Canton, Miss., in 1842, hoping in that southern climate to recover his health, but being disap- pointed in this, he removed to Wheeling in the fall of 1843. Here he married the only daughter of the Hon. Z. Jacob. He continued his practice until his death, April 9, 1853, from phthisis pulmonalis, being in his thirty-eighth year. Dr. McElhenny was secretary of the Ohio County Medical Society at the time of his death. He was a man highly esteemed by all, a Christian gentleman of affable, engaging manners, and professional honor. His medical acquirements were fully up to his time; his feeble health, however, unfitted him for the exposure of active practice.
E. A. Hildreth was born in Wheeling, September 13, 1821. His father was Ezekiel Hildreth, a graduate of Harvard, and a man of rare scholarly attainments. His mother was a daughter of Jonathan Zane, one of the founders of Wheeling. Dr. Hildreth was educated at Kenyon college, Ohio, studied medicine with Dr. Townsend in 1840, graduat- ing at the Medical College of Ohio in 1844. Passing a successful competitive examination, he was after graduation appointed resident physician of the Commercial Hospital and Lunatic Asylum of Ohio, in Cincinnati, where he served one year. He soon after this opened an office in Wheeling, where he practiced medicine uninterruptedly until his death, on August 31, 1885. He was very successful, had fine business qualifications, and as a result made profitable investments and left his family in more than comfortable circumstances. Possessed of great energy, methodical habits and a well trained mind, he ac- complished a great deal of work, made many valuable contributions to medical literature, besides fulfilling faithfully all the require- ments of an exacting profession. Among his contributions may be named: "Ice in Obstetric Practice," in Western Lancet, 1850. (In this he advocated the insertion of ice into the uterus to check post par- tum hemorrhage.) "Climatology and Epidemic Diseases in West Virginia," in Transactions of American Medical Association, 1868. Two reports on the "Topography, Meteorology, Climatology and Epi- demics of Ohio County," in Transactions of State Medical Society. In same, the "Medical History and Biography of the Profession of
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Wheeling." Dr. Hildreth was a member and in 1875 president of the Medical Society of Wheeling and Ohio counties; an original member and in 1877 president of the State Medical Society; a member of the American Medical Association since 1850; and an honorary member of the California State Medical association. He was one of the board of directors that organized the West Virginia hospital for the insane in 1864; a director of the penitentiary from 1868 to 1872; for thirty years a member of the board of education of Wheeling, and several times its president. From 1873 he was secretary of the United States board of examining surgeons for pensions. In 1851, Dr. Hildreth was married to Susan L. McMechen, who is left to mourn his loss with three sons and two daughters, all of whom, by their upright character, reflect honor upon the departed father. One of these sons is Dr. E. A. Hildreth, Jr., and a resident practitioner who gives promise of being a worthy successor of his father. Dr. Hildreth was in every sense a gentleman. He was unresentful in disposition, quick to for- give and forget an injury, and seldom spoke unkindly of others. This trait recalls what the Roman, Seneca, said of his brother Gallio: " No one is so gentle to anyone as Gallio is to everyone." He was a consistent Christian, and an active member of the Episcopal church, seldom being absent from the Sabbath service, through all of his ac- tive life. May the living members of the profession which Dr. Hil- dreth honored, emulate his pure life and character, remembering that " the noblest workers of the world bequeath nothing so good and great as the image of themselves."
E. W. Bingell was born in Germany in 1818, educated at Marburg, and emigrated to America in 1845. After spending one year in Penn- sylvania, he located in Wheeling in 1846, and continuously practiced medicine until his death, August 6, 1883. He for many years enjoyed a very large practice exclusively among our German people, who re- posed unbounded confidence in his skill. He was a member of state and city medical societies, but seldom attended their meetings.
George A. Cracraft was born in Washington county, Penn., April 23, 1815. He graduated in medicine at the Philadelphia Medical col- lege in 1848, commencing practice the same year in Triadelphia. In 1853 he was appointed postmaster of Wheeling by President Pierce, and held that office for nearly five years. He then resumed practice at Triadelphia. During the war for the Union, he was imprisoned for supposed disloyalty, afterward went south and entered the con- federate army, being surgeon of the Thirty-sixth battalion and of the Nineteenth regiment Virginia cavalry. After the war he again took up the practice at Triadelphia. He was physician to the county. infirmary for a number of years, and in 1881 and '82 was a member of Ohio county board of health. He died April 17, 1888, leaving two sons in medical practice. William A. is still practicing medicine at Elm Grove. Franklin P. Cracraft, born in Wheeling, May 20, 1853, took the degree of M. D. in 1877 at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, and practiced medicine in Triadelphia until his death, October 20, 1889. He also rendered medical service at the county infirmary.
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James Cummins was born in Washington, Penn., in 1827. He grad- uated at Washington college in 1845, commencing the study of medi- cine with his brother in 1846. One course of lectures he attended in Cincinnati, but graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1849. He at once joined his brother in partnership, this continuing until the latter's death in 1873. Early in 1877 he associated with himself Dr. R. H Bullard, a former student. He was married in 1852 to Miss Kate, a daughter of the late John L. Hobbs, Esq. She survived the union but a short time. In 1861 he married Miss Annie, daughter of the late J. H. Williams, Esq. Two children, a son and daughter, still survive. The second wife died in 1873. This sad calamity, with the loss of his brother and partner in practice the same year, was a great shock to Dr. Cummins, and he ever after seemed lost to the pleasures of the world. He often called to the writer to " come in and talk to me," and seemed grateful for companionship and sympathy. Every physician in the city loved "Jim Cummins," as he was-familiarly called, for all knew his goodness of heart, his freedom from deceit and from the jealousy so common in the world in which we move. He was, like his brother, an expert obstetrician, and no one hesitated to seek his aid, for all knew that no unfair advantage would be taken in a consultation. Dr. Cummins died of hepatic disease, August IS, 1877. He was a member of the American Medical association, of the medical society of the city of Wheeling and county of Ohio, and of the State Medical society. He was at one time also secretary of the board of health of the city.
Richard Blum was born in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, March 31, 1829. He was educated at Stutgard, and came to Amer- ica in 1847. He had been a surgeon in full rank in the Prussian army and to any one who knows the severity of the examinations necessary to attain such position, no other proof of his medical skill is required. Along with many other young men of his time, Dr. Blum was in some way connected with the abortive revolution of 1848, and came to this country as a refugee. He landed at New Orleans. Some two years later, about 1850, he drifted to Wheeling. He was very highly esteemed among the profession for his liberal culture and skill in medicine. He was a good student and was regarded as among the very foremost in professional acquirements. In 1865 he drafted and aided in the passage of the city's health ordinance, and was himself made the city's first health officer. In this position he went vigorously to work to effect sanitary reforms, showing great intelligence and fearlessness in the discharge of his duty. The council failing to ade- quately sustain him in the measures he proposed, he resigned the office. In 1871 he read a paper on Sanitary Science before the State Medical society, with which he became connected at its first regular meeting. In 1878 he left the city for the interior of the state, but re- turned in 1883 and resumed practice. His health was impaired, how- ever, and he never again did much practice. He died August 29th, 1884. Dr. Blum seemed to prefer the study to the practice of medi- cine, and therefore never burdened himself with the latter. He en-
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joyed, however, the confidence of the community, and numbered among his patrons very many of the best German families of the city.
Alfred Hughes was born in Wheeling, September 16, 1824. His ancestors were Irish Catholics, who settled in Virginia in 1732. His father served under Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812, and afterward filled many positions of trust in Wheeling, serving for thirty years as a member of the city council, and being succeeded by his oldest son. Dr. Hughes was the seventh child. After a collegiate course he studied medicine and graduated at the Homeopathic Medical college of Philadelphia. After his marriage to Miss Adrian, he, in 1851, be- gan the practice of homeopathy in Wheeling. Two "new school" physicians had failed before him, but Dr. Hughes fought a successful battle, and won an excellent practice. It is claimed that he had un- usual success in treating cholera during the epidemic of 1854. At the outbreak of the war his sympathies were enlisted in behalf of the south. He was arrested for disloyalty in 1861, and held as a prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio, for eight months, when he was exchanged for a brother of Dr. Pancoast, of Philadelphia. He then went to Rich- mond and settled down in practice, in which he was successful. He was elected a member of the Virginia legislature, and so remained until the fall of Richmond. In December, 1865, he removed to Bal- timore, where he soon established himself in a lucrative practice. Dr. Hughes was early in the war a correspondent of the Baltimore Ex- change, and contributed occasional medical paper to the American Homoeopathic Observer. He died in Baltimore, February 25, 1880, highly respected and esteemed by a large circle of friends.
Sample Ford was born at West Alexander, Penn., in 1827. He was educated at the Academy of his native town, once a school of excel- lent reputation. He attended one term of lectures at Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, and began practice in Wheeling in 1852, but a year later removed to Pennsylvania, where he practiced until the commencement of the war, in 1861, when he entered the service as assistant surgeon. After service in the field for some time, he was transferred to hospital duty at Claryville, Md., where he continued until the war ended. In September, 1865, he resumed practice in Wheeling, and there continued most of the time as a partner with Dr. R. W. Hazlett, until unfitted for work by illness, which termin- ated fatally September 20, 1887. Dr. Ford's usefulness was much im- paired by very defective vision, but he was a careful and conscientious physician, kind and attentive to his patients, of whom he left many to mourn his loss.
Joseph Thoburn was the son of Matthew and Jane Thoburn, and was born in 1825, in county Antrim, Ireland. In the fall of the same year his father emigrated to Canada, and settled the next year on a farm in Belmont county, near St. Clairsville, Ohio. Joseph's advantages for an education were here very limited, being only such as might be acquired in the county log school-house of that neighborhood, but his desire for books and learning was early developed, and his industry
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fitted him at an early age to embark in the business of teaching school, to acquire the means of prosecuting more advanced and ex- pensive studies. After teaching for several years, he entered the office of Dr. Ephraim Gaston, of Morristown, Ohio, as a medical student, and subsequently attended medical lectures, at Starling Med- ical college, Columbus, Ohio. In 1849 he located at Brownsville, Penn., where he formed a partnership, which was dissolved by his appointment, in 1850, as an assistant to Dr. Aul, of the Ohio Lunatic asylum. Being displaced by political influence in 1853, he then moved to Wheeling, and continued his practice until May, 1861, when he was commissioned as surgeon of the First Virginia regiment, under Col. B. F. Kelley, in the three months' service. He accompanied his regiment, and was in the battle of Phillipi, attending Col. Kelley, who was wounded in that engagement. In August, 1861, under a reor- ganization of the First Virginia regiment, he was commissioned col- onel, and led his regiment in the numerous battles fought in the valley of Virginia, until he was killed in the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, being in his fortieth year. Dr. Thoburn was greatly beloved byhis brother officers and men, as a man full of kindness and benevolence, and of undoubted bravery and patriotism. As a phys- ician, he possessed very clever attainments, with a high sense of professional honor. His body was brought to this city, and followed to Mt. Wood cemetery by a public procession, composed of our city officers, council, medical faculty, military escort, and a large concourse of citizens.
Eliza Hughes, a sister of the late Dr. Alfred Hughes, was born in Wheeling, and received a thorough English and collegiate education. Her desire for the study of medicine was first awakened by the read- ing of the medical works in her brother's library. Although always most eager and earnest in the perusal of such matters, it was long be- fore she entertained the idea of entering upon a regular course of professional study; and even after having formed the resolution it was with no definite intention of practicing. When the thought was first suggested to her mind, she did not give it expression. Knowing the prejudice widely entertained against women adopting such an oc- cupation in life, she shrank from the remarks the decision would give rise to; but her purpose once acknowledged, her determination did not falter, notwithstanding the pressure of opposition. Having re- solved to adopt the medical profession, she commenced the study of medicine in 1855. Attended a course of lectures at the Homeopathic Medical college of Cleveland, Ohio, and later a second course at the Pennsylvania Medical college (Homœopathic) at Philadelphia, where she graduated in 1860, after which she returned to Wheeling and es- tablished herself as a medical practitioner. She was the first female graduate of any medical school, and the pioneer of her sex in the practice of medicine in the state of Virginia. Although devoted to her profession, in which an extended practice gave many duties, she nevertheless contributed much literary matter to the press, being
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known both as an authoress and poetess. She died in Wheeling, W. Va., in May, 1882, aged sixty-five years.
R. F. Turner, born in 1836, in Fredericksburg, Va., was educated at Bethany college, W. Va., from which he graduated in 1856. He studied medicine at Homœopathic college, Cleveland, Ohio, graduat- ing in 1860. He began practice in Wheeling in 1861. There existed at this time, a great prejudice against homœopathy, and being almost an entire stranger here, the prospect was not very bright, but in seven years' time, he had a practice equal to any in the city. He established homœopathy more firmly in the confidence of the people of Wheeling than it had ever been before. Dr. Turner was thoroughly informed in the principles of medicine, and especially in chemistry was much superior to many of his fellow practitioners. He was quiet in man- ner, gentlemanly in his intercourse, and exceedingly kind to his pa- tients, by whom he was much loved. He died April 8, 1881, leaving a widow, a daughter of Dr. W. J. Bates, and three children.
Benjamin Valentine was born in the city of Metz, France, in 1808; educated at Mainz, Germany, and at the university of Leipsig. Em- igrated to New York in 1833, remaining about one year. He then removed to Matagorda, Tex., where he practiced three years, after which he located at Newport, Ohio, practicing there thirty years. In 1864 he came to Wheeling, practicing until his death in 1869.
Benjamin W. Allen was born in Preston county, Va., in 1824. After several years of preparatory study in the academy at Morgantown, he entered Washington college, Penn., from which he graduated in 1844. He then took a four years' course of study in the medical department of the university of Virginia, graduating in 1848. This was followed by a course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia. In 1852 he married Miss McCoy, of Warrenton, Va., and the same year was appointed demonstrator of anatomy at the Uni- versity of Virginia, which position he filled with ability until the opening of the civil war, when he entered the confederate army as a surgeon, and rendered valuable service. In 1862 he lost his wife, a lady of great culture. After the war he located in Wheeling, where, in 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Jeffers, a sister of Judge George Jeffers. Here he practiced medicine with a fair degree of success, his ability as a surgeon being especially recognized. In 1882, he was called to fill the chair of anatomy, physiology and hygiene in the state univer- sity, at Morgantown. For this position he was peculiarly well fitted by habits of thought and early studies and experience. His knowl- edge was accurate and comprehensive, his experience ripe, his skill well-proved. He was an expert microscopist, and his knowledge of anatomy was doubtless superior to that of any physician in the state. He found in the study of medicine even more than in its practice, his highest enjoyment. Dr. Allen was a victim of chronic rheumatism, contracted in the army, and from this he was an almost constant suf- ferer. He was a member, and in 1883, president of the State Medical society; also, at one time, a member of the Wheeling and Ohio
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County Medical society. To the Transactions of the former he con- tributed a paper on the "Microscope in Medical Practice," and another on " Ovariotomy," detailing a successful case in his own prac- tice. Dr. Allen died in Morgantown in 1887.
Henry J. Wiesel was born in Baltimore, Md., in April, 1840. His academical education was received at the Allegheny County academy, and later the school of the Redemptorists, Cumberland, Md. In early life he evinced a remarkable talent for music, and from 1856 until 1861, he was a teacher of music, most of the time in St Mary's college, Cincinnati. He studied medicine with Drs. Healy and Smith of Cumberland, graduating at Bellevue Hospital Medical college, New York, in March, 1865. He was immediately appointed contract sur- geon in the United States hospital at Clareysville, Md., where he re- mained until the war closed. He soon after located in Wheeling and continued in active practice until his death from rheumatic pericarditis, November 4, 1873. During Dr. Wiesel's residence in Wheeling, he es- tablished himself firmly in practice, and also in the hearts of his colleagues and friends. He was modest and unostentatious in de- meanor, ever willing to yield to the judgment of more experienced men, upright in his professional intercourse, and gentle in manner to all with whom he came in contact. He was a member and once a vice president of the State Medical society, to the Transactions of which he made three contributions: "New Surgical Appliances," " A New Stethoscope," and "Report of Cases of Trichinosis." He was also a member and secretary of the Medical society of Wheeling and Ohio county, and for one year city health officer. While faithfully performing the duties of his profession, the love for music that was developed early in life, led him to devote much attention to this art. He was organist at St. James' Cathedral and di- rector of a musical organization composed of the best musical talent of the city, afterward called the Wiesel Musical institute. Had he lived, it was his intention to abandon medical practice and open a music store in St. Louis, which would have afforded him opportunity for the fur- ther development of the musical talent which he possessed. Dr. Wie- sel, although not many years among us, established here a reputation the recollection of which is delightful to dwell upon.
David Baguley was born of English parents, in 1822, in Wheeling. His opportunities to secure a liberal education were poor, but we find him at the age of sixteen a country school teacher. He later studied medicine with Drs. Yates and McCoy, and afterward with Dr. Cra- craft at Triadelphia. In 1851 he graduated at the Philadelphia Col- lege of Medicine, and located in New Cumberland, but after three years removed to Wellsville, Ohio, where he did a large practice. Early in the war, he entered the Union army as surgeon of the First West Virginia infantry, and remained in the service for four years, being in turn promoted to brigade surgeon, sugeon-in-chief of the first division of the army of West Virginia, and medical director of the Ninth army corps. Dr. Baguley established in the army a repu- tion as a daring and skillful operator, and was a great favorite with the
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soldiers. The writer, as examiner of pensions, still often hears the old soldiers speak in warmest terms of praise of their former surgeon. Failing health compelled Dr. Baguley's resignation, and he returned to Wellsville and rested for two years. In 1868 he located in Wheel- ing at the solicitation of his soldier friends, and soon built up a large practice, which continued until stricken down by diabetus millitus, which terminated his life in 1877. Dr. Baguley early in his profes- sional career formed the habit of recording his important cases. This practice, notwithstanding his lack of early culture, made him a care- ful, painstaking and observing practitioner. He was highly esteemed by bis patrons, and many still love to speak his praises. He was a member of both the state and local societies, and contributed several papers to the former's Transactions.
D. J. McGinnis came from Fairmont to Wheeling and entered upon the practice of medicine in 1868. He was also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and occasionally filled the pulpits of the city churches on Sabbath. He was a warm hearted gentleman, with a fair knowledge of medicine, and gave promise of doing a good prac- tice, but his health early gave way, and he died of consumption De- cember 22, 1870.
Joseph S. Elder, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1843, came to Wheeling as a drug clerk, and while so employed, studied medicine, graduating from Miami Medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1871. He practiced here two years, when impaired health necessitated a change of climate. He went to Mason, Tex., and there died in Jan- uary, 1875.
M. F. Hullihen, son of Dr. S. P. Hullihen, was born in Wheeling, December 28, 1835. He attended the old Lancasterian academy in this city, and in 1855, completed the curriculum in Georgetown (D. C.) college. He then studied dentistry, and in 1859, went to Europe, where he spent eighteen months, chiefly in Munich. On his return, he continued to practice dentistry, at odd times, giving some attention to the study of medicine. In 1870, he received the degree of M. D., from Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, and joined the Medical society of Wheeling, and the State society. Of the latter, he was for several years secretary. For a short time he was assistant physician in the State Asylum for the Insane. Dr. Hullihen will be longer remembered for his social qualities than as a physician. Al- though gifted with a fine mind, his studies were more in the line of general literature than in that pertaining to his profession. His gen- ial and sociable nature, and his powers as a conversationalist, made him a charming companion, and gathered around him a circle of warm friends, who sincerely mourned his very sudden death, that oc- curred May 11, 1884.
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