History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 106

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

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FRANCIS L. NICHOLS was born July 11, 1805, in the Town of Norway, Herkimer County, New York. His father was a farmer, and his opportunities for obtaining an educa- tion were meagre, consisting of an annual term of three months in an ordinary country School. His father had a large tract of wild land in Jefferson County, same State, and from 1819 to 1824 was engaged in clearing and improving the same, with no School of any sort accessible

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

for two years, when a little log School-house was provided, without chimney, and with but three small windows of four lights each. Anxious for better educational facilities, the son proposed that his father allow him to return to Fairfield, Herkimer County, that he might attend an Academy there and thus qualify himself to teach. The parent not ap- proving such plan, the son continued work on the farm ; but having obtained from a friend, a grammar, he carried the same with him, studying it as he had opportunity at work in the field and elsewhere. When 21 years of age, he resolved to leave the farm; but fortu- uately for him, about that time his father ex- changed his farm for one in Fairfield. Herki- mer County, near to which was an Academy, which the son attended for one term and until qualified to teach a common country School, which he did for four terms. Without means requisite for pursuing his plan of studies, he turned his attention to the pursuit of business, and soon entered a store, acting as clerk at $5.00 per month for one year, when he engaged at another place at $300 per year, with Hon. Alex. H. Buell, remaining there three years, and then without capital began business on his own account, in his native Town. In 1830 he mar- ried Miss Jeannette Bushnell and continued in trade until August 19, 1835. Then leaving that country, he came to the West, with $70 in cash, and without known destination. He left Herkimer by an Erie Canal Line-boat, being one week in reaching Buffalo, whence he pro- ceeded by Steamboat to Sandusky, and by stage aud on foot to Mansfield, Mt. Vernon and Newark ; thence by Canal to Cleveland, and by Steamboat to Detroit. Starting from there for Chicago by open mail stage, he proceeded as far as Michigan City, when for financial reasons, he deemed it better to return East. Taking a Steamboat at Detroit for Toledo and Cleveland, he proceeded to the latter place, not daring even to land at Toledo, from fear of the " Maumee," as the prevalent malarial dis- eases there were then called. He engaged as clerk in the Bank of Cleveland, and continued there until January, 1836, when he accepted a proposition to come to Manhattan, a new Town then just projected at the mouth of the Maumee River, to assume charge of a store to be estab- lished by the Manhattan Company. The Cashier of the Cleveland Bank, Alex. Seymour, remonstrated against such movement, predict- ing that if undertaken he would not live six months. January 19, 1836, he took stage for Manhattan. The Manhattan Company soon discontinued the store. Mr. Nichols then took the small stock left and continued business until 1837, when came the financial crash so memorable of those days, which made a sus- pension of his business necessary. At that time the Township of Port Lawrence com- prised what afterwards were Port Lawrence,

Manhattan, Washington, Oregon and part of Adams. Mr. Nichols was one of the Trustces of Port Lawrence. Afterwards when Manhattan Township was organized, he became a Trustee of the same. In 1841, he was, against his will, elected by the State Legislature an Associate Judge of Lucas County, rice John Berdan, de- ceased. At the outset the Court was con- fronted with a bitter County-seat controversy between Toledo and Maumee, and the Judges not agreeing as to which of these places was the legal seat of justice, no Court was held in the County for two or three years, resulting in serious damage to individual and publie interests. Finally, Judge E. D. Potter, Presi- dent Judge of the Circuit, and Judge Nichols, determined to hold a term of Court at Toledo, without the presence of the two Associate Judges favoring the elaim of Maumee. Sheriff E. S. Frost, of Maumee, refusing to attend such session, the Court appointed Daniel Segur as Sheriff pro tem. The Court was held at the Northeast corner (up stairs) of Summit and Cherry Streets. The action of the Court was limited pretty much to probate business, granting of licenses for ferries, tavern keepers, &c. James Myers was appointed Clerk of the Court, and held the office until April, 1844, when Judge Nichols succeeded him, resigning the Judgeship, and removing to Maumee, then the County seat, where he purchased the resi- dence vacated by M. R. Waite, now Chief Jus- tice of the United States, on his removal to Toledo. Upon the expiration of his term as Clerk, Judge Nichols removed to Toledo, and built the residence since occupied by him at the corner of Galena Street and Summit Ave- nue. The County-seat was again located at Toledo, upon the vote of the people in 1852, and Judge Nichols was elected County Clerk under the new Constitution in 1854, serving for three years. John Fitch was first ehosen Judge of the Common Pleas Court at the same election. Elijah Dodd was then the Sheriff. At the expiration of his term as Clerk, Judge Nichols retired to his little farm then just out- side the City limits, to spend the remainder of his days in the quiet of retirement. At the expiration of his last term as Clerk, Judge Nichols embarked in the Stove and Hardware trade, with Mr. J. N. Stevens, but soon disposed of his interest to Mr. Mavor Brigham, now one of the veterans of Toledo. In 1831, Judge Nichols united with the Protestant Episcopal Church, which connection has continued since that time. For many years a prominent mem- ber of Trinity, he was one of the principal organizers of Grace Church, Stickney Avenue, Toledo, contributing liberally toward placing the new organization on a good footing. On the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, though then by several years exempt from military service, he enlisted as a private Soldier in Company C, Captain Richard Waite, One

LUCAS BENCH AND BAR.

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Hundred and Thirtieth Ohio Regiment, organ- ized primarily for the defense of Ohio from Rebel raids, but serving chiefly on Johnson's Island and on the James River and Appomat- tox, Virginia, under General Grant. At the latter place the command remained until the expiration of its term of enlistment, in Septem- ber, 1864, when it returned home and was mustered ont Politically, Judge Nichols was originally a Democrat, and acted with that party until the lines between Freedom and Slavery were so squarely drawn in the attempt to force Slavery into Kansas and Nebraska, and into all domain of the Government, in 1854. He was Chairman of the first County meeting

held for organization against the Slave power which led to the Republican party, with which he has since been an earnest and active mem- ber. Beginning with Andrew Jackson in 1828, be has voted at every Presidential election since that time. For several years past. his attention has been largely directed to the management of his real estate. Never blessed with children of their own, Judge and Mrs. Nichols had the care of a nephew of Mrs. Nich- ols, Geo. F. Colby, from infancy, whom they educated and prepared for the practice of law ; but his eyesight failing, he was compelled to relinquish the profession.

PART VII. HYGIENIC.

CHAPTER I.

* THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

T `HIE history of the Medical Profession of Lucas County is coeval with its settle- ment. Among the hardy pioneers who came from cultivated homes to win fame and fortune in the wilderness, were men who had reputa- tion for peculiar knowledge of disease. It cannot be truthfully said, that all those who called themselves Physicians, were skilled in the arts of Medicine and Surgery; but the knowledge possessed was so heroically and persistently made use of, that untold benefit followed in the path trod by the pioneer Doctor.

It was not always choice that led to the selection of a locality in which to establish professional reputation. The lives of many of the cultivated Physicians of those early days reveal the fact that chance, not choice, fre- quently led to the opening of the office, or rather to the anchoring of the saddle-bags. When a successful practitioner, grown gray in the service, was asked how he came to select as his home, a neighboring Town, which to-day is beautiful and lovely, among the fairest of the plain, he said : " Dr. W- and myself came to this place a half century ago-not because we had ever heard of the place, but because, in trying to get to a chosen field, we 'got stuck in the mud' here. To go back was mnd; to go forward, was more mud; and so we planted ourselves bere to grow up with the country, and benefit those who might desire our professional assistance."

The trials and tribulations of the early-day Doctors cannot be thoroughly appreciated by those of to-day. Settled in a supposed business center, with no incentive to work, except the desire to assist suffering humanity, the disappointments and hardships encountered seem almost incredible. With no road but the bridle-path through an almost impassable wilderness-with rivers to ford or swim-pro- visions to carry-storms to encounter and dis- tances to be overcome-the pioneer Physician was a hero, and should be honored as such. To hear from lips still living of the experiences of the frontier life of that early day, and to converse with those who have seen everything that makes a country desirable, brought from the wilds of the wilderness into culti- vated beauty, is a joy that is fast passing away, as one by one their eyes are closed in the eternal sleep. Medical men are still living with us, who have seen all these changes and experienced all these discomforts, and as the [541]

individual histories of these men are perused, a clearer and more complete understanding will be gained of the experiences of those who have suffered, that we may enjoy to the full.

For some years before name was given to Toledo, settlements had been made at various points on the River, both above and below our present City. Manmee, above, had attracted attention, and with the tide of immigration tending toward that point, we find that phy- sicians were necessary, and the demand being supplied, our history of the medical profession will, therefore, begin with the men who were first to make their homes in that locality. It must not be supposed that the practices of these pioneers were limited to the immediate neigh- borhoods of their offices. So few and scattered were the homes of the frontier settlers, that

the demands for medical assistance often came from 30 or more miles distant. It was no un- common thing for a call to come from Defiance or other places equally remote to the first set- thers at Maumee. At this time there was, perhaps, no more unhealthy place upon the whole continent than at this point of Wood and Lucas Counties. The River, from its headwaters at Fort Wayne, ran slowly through the marshes of the Black Swamp. The land being flat and covered with forests, with no drainage, was a hot-bed of miasm, and was as uninviting as possible to the frontiersman. As land was redeemed from its primitive condi- tion, after the plow-furrow followed the malaria, until whole communities were prostrated with the dread fever and ague. Medicine and med- ical men were in great demand, and so those first to locate had all that they could do to answer the calls of the suffering. Most of these men have passed away, there remaining but three to tell the tales of primitive times, Drs. Clark and Chase, of Toledo, and Dr. Pray, of Waterville. From the lips of these much of the following history has been obtained.

The first physician that settled in this region was a Dr. Barton. Nothing can be said of him, except that he located about the Rapids of the Maumee in the early part of the century, he taking the place of the Missionaries who had some skill in the healing art, being accustomed to aid both Indians and whites when called upon. Dr. Barton was still at Maumee when Dr. Conant came to that place in 1816.

Dr. Horatio Conant was born in Manstield, Connecticut, on the 25th of November, 1785.

* By William C. Chapman, M. D., Toledo.

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

He received the degree of A. B. in 1810, at Middlebury College, and in 1813 the degree of A. M. He was engaged two and a half years as tutor in the College. Ile studied anatomy at Malone, New York, with Dr. Waterhouse. In 1815 he visited Detroit and spent the Win- ter with his brother, a merchant. In 1816, with Almon Gibbs, he opened a stock of goods on the North side of the River, opposite Fort Meigs. Continuing mercantile business about one year, he commeneed the practice of medi- cine, and, although at different periods he held official positions, such as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Postmaster. Collector of C'us- toms, Justice of the Peace for nearly half a century, and the office of County Clerk after the organization of Lucas County, he made his profession his chief business. His professional visits extended up the Maumee River to De- fiance; embraced all the country below ; North to the Raisin River, and East and South to the Portage River and Blanchard's Fork ; and on one occasion as far as Fort Wayne. In making a horseback trip to Defiance onee during the Spring, he was obliged to swim eight streams. At Defiance he left his horse and purchased a canoe, in which he floated to his home. In December, 1817, Dr. Conant married Mrs. Eliza Forsyth, widow of Captain Forsyth. In 1828 Mrs. Conant died, and in 1832 he again married, his second wife being Mrs. Eunice Upton, who died June 8, 1877. Dr. Conant died December 10, 1879, aged 94 years. As indicated by the above statement (furnished by his step-daugh- ter. Mrs. S. M. Young, of Toledo), he was an active. earnest worker in his profession. That he stood high in the community is made appar- ent by his continuance in offices of public trust for many years. As with many men of sterling worth, his unassuming manner and pleasing address always gained for him the respect and confidence of all who knew him.

Dr. Walter Colton, father of the late Carlos Colton, of Toledo, was born in New England in 1773. where having spent 50 years of his life, he concluded to move Westward, and selected Manmee as the place for a home. To this place he came in 1823, when there was nothing there but a very few houses. He re- mained in Maumee until 1827, when he removed to Monroe, Michigan, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred Sep- tember 26, 1834, of cholera. Dr. Colton was esteemed as a Physician. He was strong in bis convictions, and when satisfied that his treat- ment was correct, no one could change him. His views of the treatment of cholera were peculiar, viz .: that by partaking inwardly of cold water only, and injecting the veins with a large quantity of common salt in warm water, he could best combat the disease. This belief was so strong that he insisted upon it in treat- ment of himself. Dr. Colton was grandfather of A. W. Colton, now living in Toledo.

Dr. Osear White was born November 18, 1809, at Ackworth, New Hampshire, a small Village where School privileges were limited. His father, Samuel White, was of the old Puritan stoek ; his mother was a granddaugh- ter of Israel Putnam. Oscar was the eldest of a large family of boys, and was early in life trained to hard work. llis father was con - sidered well-to do, owning his farm of 50 acres upon which was situated a large tannery, which he managed with the help of his boys. There was plenty of everything but money. Oscar, fully understanding the difficulties in the way, decided when quite young, to get an education, and if possible study medicine. He struggled along, working days and studying nights, until he reached his 14th birthday. At this time his uncle, Dr. Charles White, in- vited him to live with him, promising to aid him in every possible way. Dr. Charles having no children, his offer was thank- fully accepted, and the next three years were passed by Oscar in study and in help- ing his unele about the office and honse. He next entered Dartmouth College, taking first the academic and then the medical course. In 1829, at the age of 20 he was graduated, taking the degree of Doctor of Medicine. A few months thereafter Dr. White started out to find a home in the far West, Ohio being at that time considered the very outpost of civilization. After a limited survey he de- termined to locate in Detroit, and was looking up suitable quarters, when he received a call from Dr. Conant, who had located some time before in Maumee, who came to urge him to settle with him, as he considered it a much better opening for a young Physician. Before com- ing to Michigan, Dr. White had visited Maumee and decided against it, thinking the work only sufficient for one. Having so decided, he at first refused Dr. Conant, but after a time was over persuaded, and the two returned together to Maumee City, when a partnership was entered into which extended over a period of many years, and a friendship was formed which was only terminated by death. The practice thus begun extended in a few years to large proportions, so that Dr. White was called from Defiance, from Tecumseh, Michigan, and as far in other directions. With no roads save bridle-paths, he was often compelled to ride horseback days at a stretch in order to reach bis patients; fording streams; wet often for hours, and chilled with the fierce winds, often in winter having his clothing frozen upon his person, there being no houses to stop at; riding night and day, summer and winter, keeping a relay of horses where most needed. This he did for many years, and until the laborions and exhausting effects of his efforts made him pre- maturely aged and infirm, and necessitated the abandonment of his much loved profession. In 1834 Dr. White married Miss Anna Maria

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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

Jackson, daughter of James Jackson, first Agent for the Ottawa Indians, who were then living in this section. Mr. Jackson was ap- pointed by President Jackson, a first cousin of his. The same year the small-pox broke out among the Indians, and made fearful inroads, many dying of the scourge, Fearing the dis case would spread to other tribes, the Govern- ment ordered the Ottawas vaccinated. and Dr. White was appointed to do the work. The Indians were terror-stricken at this order, thinking it a new method for exterminating them, and at first refused to submit ; but after a time they were persuaded and were all vac- cinated, and soon the dread disease disap- peared. When performing this work, Dr. White came near losing his life. Not under- standing the Indian language, an interpreter was furnished him, and an old Indian who had some influence with the Chiefs was chosen for this purpose. Through some misunderstand- ing about the place of meeting, Dr. White reached the Indian Camp first, and thinking the matter had been fully explained, he opened his saddle-bags, took out his case of instru- ments, and prepared to commence operations. Secing only dark and scowling faces about him, he wondered, but being of a fearless nature, was not frightened. He caught a little boy standing watching him, and proceeded to vaccinate bim. The child screamed and in a moment the whole camp was aroused. All the Indians, male and female, rushed to rescue the papoose. and but for the timely arrival of the interpreter, Dr. White would not have var- cinated another papoose. In 1858, Dr. White removed to Toledo, where he lived until called away from earthly scenes in 1883, being at the time of his death 74 years of age, over 50 years of his life having been spent in the Maumee Valley. Within that time he had seen all there had been of its growth and development. At the time of his coming, there was only one log- house on the present site of Toledo. Maumee was the metropolis of the sparsely settled dis- triet. For the last years of Dr. White's life he was invalided through an attack of paralysis, occasioned by his hard and laborious work during the earlier part of his life. He gave to the Toledo Medical Association his large and valuable library, which he had accumulated during his practice. A kindly, helpful, gentle spirit passed away when he sank to rest, and the world is better for the memory and exam- ple he has left.

Dr. J. V. D. Sutphen was born July 24, 1802, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He at- tended School in New Brunswick, afterwards studied medicine with Dr. Vandenburg of Som- erset County ; took a course of lectures in New York, and afterwards at Castleton, Ver- mont, where he was graduated in 1824. He came to Toledo in 1825. Subsequently he bought an interest in 77 acres of land, elsewhere

referred to as purchased of him by J. W. Scott. Upon this land he erected his dwelling and commenced the practice of his profession. This dwelling was a small log house and stood where the late Mrs. Holmes's residence now is, on Madison Street, corner of Fifteenth. In the year 1827, Dr. Sutphen married Mrs. Mary Rose, a step-sister of Mrs. Sanford L. Collins, and to them were born five children-two sons and three daughters-all living. In 1832 he sold 70 acres of his tract of land to Mr. Scott for $12 per acre, reserving the Westerly portion, now known as the Fitch property, for his homestead, erecting thereon a commodious frame house, in which he lived for several years. On the breaking out of the Toledo War he espoused the cause of Michigan, believ- ing she was right in her claim. When the ques- tion was finally decided, he was so deeply cha- grined that he determined to remove to his he- loved Michigan,and selling his house in the year 1836, he removed to Berrien, St. Joseph County, and after devoting himself to his professional duties for several years, he moved to Clay County, Indiana, where he died in 1856. Dr. Sutphen was an educated physician ; was grad- uated in Eastern Schools, and came to the West, hoping to build up a successful practice. This he did, having during his residence in Toledo gained an enviable reputation. Ilis friendships were strong and lasting, and his disposition one of gentleness and benevolence. A friend, who knew him intimately, says, " Speak of him as a more than ordinary man, both as a physician and a gentleman." It was unfortunate that being of strong prejudice, he should allow his feelings to overcome his judgment. Against all advice, he left Ohio where he had estab- lished a reputation for ability, and located far away from friends and acquaintances. If he had remained in Toledo, his life would have been one of great usefulness, and he would, be- yond doubt, have reached a high position in his professional career. Mrs. Calvin Bronson, of Toledo, a sister of Dr. Sutphen, has assisted in the relation of many of the above given facts.

Dr. John Fassett was born in Bennington, Vermont, December 17, 1769. His ancestors were all of the hardy stock which made New England so famous for strength of her sons. His father was a Revolutionary Soldier. In early life the Doctor removed to Cambridge, Vermont, and when old enough was sent to Amherst, New Hampshire, to study medicine with Dr. Peabody, who gave him thorough in- struction, thus fitting him for his after profes- sional life. He began his practice in Cam- bridge, his home, but desiring to extend his field of usefulness, determined to move West. Selecting Vistula as his future home, where he arrived on October 12, 1832, he immediate- ly entered 80 acres of land, at what is now the foot of Locust Street. As there was no tavern

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

in that section of country, he began the erec- tion of a hotel building, locating it at about the spot where William Wilmington's residence now stands (385 Summit Street). He named it the " Mansion House." It yet stands, and is one of the oldest in Toledo, having been moved to Locust Street, just North of the corner of Summit. Having completed the hotel, he im- mediately constructed his own residence of logs on the present site of Westminster Church, Southeast corner of Superior and Loeust Streets. There being then no other Physician in the neighborhood, and much sickness prevailing, Dr. Fassett was overworked to such extent that he was compelled to remove from the West side of the River, and crossed to the East side, and established himself at the point where the Cherry Street bridge now terminates. He named his home Utah Post Office, as all mail for the surrounding country was left there for distribution. Afterwards the name was changed to Yondota, and again to East Toledo. Al- though desirous of giving up his profession and devoting himself to agriculture, Dr. Fassett was never permitted to do so, as his reputation was of the best as a skillful physician. During the cholera epidemic his treatment was very snecessful. He died in May, 1853, aged 84 years.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 106

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408