Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 43

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 43

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John H. Lewis, a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was admitted to the bar at New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1843. In 1846 he removed to Canfield, where he practiced about eight years, and then removed to Cincinnati. After practicing there a similar length of time, he settled in Greenford, Ohio, and engaged partly in other business.

Francis C. Nesbit, a native of Pennsyl- vania, was admitted to the bar of Ohio about 1860, and commenced practice at Canfield. He was justice of the peace irom 1866 to 186g. He removed West about 1870.

Harrison J. Ewing, born in Milton, Ohio, was admitted to the bar at Canfield in 1876, and shortly after removed to Cuyahoga county.

William Knight, a lawyer of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, removed to Poland, Ohio, then in Trumbull county, about 1840, and com- menced practice. He died in Poland in 1852.

Selden Haines, a graduate of Yale Col- lege, was admitted to the bar of Ohio about 1828, practiced for a few years in Poland, and then emered the gospel ministry. In 1882 he was the pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Rome, New York.

Frederick W. Beardsley was born in Can- field, Ohio, was admitted to the bar in Can- field in 1866, and shortly after renkwed West.

Emery E. Knowlton, a native of Ashta- bula county, Ohio, was educated at the West- ern Reserve Seminary, served through the Civil War, was admitted to the bar at Can- field in 186. He was clerk of the court of common pleas from 1872 until his death. which occurred January 6, 1875.

Albert A. Logan, born in Poland, Ohio, served in the Civil War, was adminted to the bar at Canfick in 1866, and not long after re- moved to Missouri.

James M. Nash, born about 1832, was at first a printer and journalist in Youngstown. He served through the Civil War, returning as colonel of his regiment-the Nineteenth Ohio -and after the war was twice elected clerk of the court of common pleas. He was admitted to the bar about 1870.

John Cracraft, born in Poland, Ohio, in 1839, read law at the Ohio State and Union Law College in Poland, was admitted to the bar at Canfield, Ohio, about 1865. He prac- ticed at Lowellville until 1861, when he en- listed in the Twenty-third regiment of Ohio Volunteers. After the war he removed to Charlestown. West Virginia, where he en- gaged in the practice of law.

We give below the names of a few others, with the date of their admission to the Mahon- ing county bar, of whom we have no further information: J. W. Stanley, 1860; W. V. S. Eaton, 1867: N. A. Gilbert, 1867; W. R. Brownlee, 1869; Augustus L. Heiliger, 1869; John B. Barnes, 1870; Hiram Macklin, 1870; Robert W. Tayler, Jr., 1877; David Burden, 1853.

The Ohio State and Union Law College, to which reference has several times been made, was established at Poland, Ohio, about 1856, by the law firm of Hayden, King & Leg- gitt. After being conducted there a few years it was removed to Cleveland, Ohio. Of the members of this firm Chester Hayden and Marens A. King came to Poland from Pough- keepsie, New York, and were both admitted to the bar of Ohio at the district court at Canfield at the April term in 1857. Mr. Hayden, who was an ellerly man, had been judge of one of the circuit courts of the state of New York. Mortimer D). Leggitt, who was born in Ithaca. New York. in 1831. removed with his parents. who were Friends, to Geauga county, Ohio, in 1847. lle was admitted to the bar in 1853. and practiced a few years in Warren, as part- ner of J. D. Cox, afterward Governor of Ohio. When the law school was removed from Po- land he renwired to Zanesville, Ohio, where he i became superintendent of public schools. Ile afterwards served through the Civil War. eu-

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tering the service as colonel of the Seventy- eighth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and being commissioned major-general Janu- ary 15, 1865. He was appointed United States

commissioner of patents in June. 1871. After hokling that office a few years he took up his residence in Cleveland, Ohio, and resumed the practice of law.

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CHAPTER XXII

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION

Eminent Physicians of the Past and of the Present.

The first physician in Youngstown of whom we have any authentic information, was Dr. Charles Dutton, who came here in 1801 with a party of emigrants from Connecticut. He was born in Wallingford, that state, in 1777, and had had a thorough medical educa- tion for those days. The party with which he came was under the direction of Turhand Kirt- land, one of the notable pioncers of Trumbull county, and with their goods, filled three four- horse covered wagons. The doctor, who was just then ready to begin practice, seems to have been of a somewhat eccentric disposition. He decided to accompany the emigrants and joined them at the last moment, jumping to the wagon with a patriotic song on his lips, possibly to disguise huis real feelings at leaving his aged mother and relatives, of whom he seemed to take little notice. On reaching the Reserve, he selected Youngstown as the most promising location in which to settle, and securing a place of residence, at once began practice. In July, 1802, he purchased for $200 a tract of 200 acres of land on West Federal street, near Spring Common, on which he at first built a log house, and afterwards a frame house, in which latter he resided for the rest of his life. He also purchased other lands near the village, and the latter years of his life were devoted chietly to farming and stock- maising. He was the second postmaster of

Youngstown, being appointed in July, 1803, and holding the office until March 9, 1818. He seems to have been well fitted by nature for life in a pioneer community-of shrewd judg- ment, prompt in action and though somewhat rough in manner, of strong social proclivities. His brother physicians regarded him as an able man in his profession, if at times some- what heroic in treatment. Yet he was gener- ally liked and respected as an active, useful, and substantial member of the community. Dr. Dutton was twice married. His first wife, Cynthia, died in 1816, leaving one child. Jane, who became the wife of Dr. Lemuel Wick. He married for his second wife, in April, 1822. Miss Cordelia Poole, of Youngstown. He died in March, 1842, his wife surviving him several years.

Dr. Henry Manning was born in Lebanon, Connectient, January 31, 1787. He came of old Massachusetts stock, and through his pa- ternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Seabury, claimed descent irom Governor Bradford of the Plymouth colony. He was brought up on his father's farm, and at inter- vals attended an academy at Colchester, Con- nectient. Beginning at the age of twenty, he stuplied medicine two years inder Dr. Hutch- inson, of Lebanon, and one year nudler Dr. White, of Cherry Valley, New York. During this period, and previously, a part of his tine

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was spent in teaching school. Having pre- pared himself for the practice of medicine, he set out on horseback for the Western Reserve, arriving at Youngstown July 13. 1801. Al- though he had not as yet received a diploma from any medical college or institution, he he- gan practice, and in spite of the small popula- tion of the place, succeeded in sustaining him- self. The war of 1812 found him plenty of occupation. After Hull's surrender of De- troit in Angust, that year. he became surgeon on the staff of Col. William Rayen, who com- manded the First regiment. Third brigade. Fourth division of Ohio militia, and with whom he went to the front. He was en- camped for a while at Cleveland, and later at Huren and Lower Sandusky, finding much sickness, and gaining the esteem and affection of the inen of his regiment by his efficient treatment and unwearying attention to their wants. In March, 18:3, he returned to Youngstown, where he found his reputation had preceded him, and henceforth he found sufficient practice to occupy his whole time. His skill became widely recognized and he re- ceived honorary diplomas from several medical colleges. In his latter years he withdrew to some extent from practice, owing to the in- firmities of age and the demands of other business interests, yet he was ever ready, when his health permitted. to minister to the sick who needed his assistance. In company with Colonel Caleb B. Wick, he conducted for abont ten years, beginning with 1815. what was probably the first regular drug store in Youngstown. He was a prominent figure in local financial circles. in 1834 being elected president of the Mahoning County Bank : and in 1862 president of the newly organized First National Bank of Youngstown. He served several terms as one of the township trustees. Political honors were thrust upon him: m 1819 he was elected representative in the state legis- lature, in 1825 he was elected state senator. and again representative in 1843. In 1835 he was elected by the legislature an associate judge of the court of common pleas for a term of seven years. Perhaps no man of his day was more closely connected with the business,

social, and moral advancement of Youngs- town, or did more to give it that impetus which has resulted in its present condition of pros- perity, and in the stability of its leading insti- tutions. Dr. Manning died January 11. 1869. at the age of eighty-two years, having suffered no serious impairment of his faculties. save that of sight, which failed about two years before his death. His demise caused universal sorrow in the community wherein he had so long made his home, and which he had done so much to benefit.

Timothy Woodbridge, M. D., was born in Youngstown, Ohio. in March, 1810, and was a son of John E. Woodbridge, who settled in Youngstown as early as 1807, and who was still living in the eighth decade of the century just closed. This hardy pioneer was a native of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and a grand- son of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, the famous theologian and carly president of Princeton College. After coming to Youngstown he purchased a tannery of Joseph Townsend, which he thereafter conducted for many years. One of his sons, John, was drowned in the Mahoning river while bathing. the subject of this sketch at the same time having a narrow escape.

Timothy Woodbridge passed his youth at- tending school and assisting in his father's tannery. Shortly before arriving at his ma- jority he determined to adopt the medical pro- fession, and placed himself for that purpose under the tuition of Dr. Henry Manning. He subsequently became a student at the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, where he was graduated M. D. in 1833. He first practiced a few months in North Lima, after which he returned to Youngstown, and entered upon his long and successint professional career. In 1847-48 he spent about a year in Rio Janeiro, as family physician of Hon. David Tod, then L'uited States Minister to Brazil, returning to Youngstown with Mrs. Tod and the children. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil War he was appointed a surgeon of volunteers in the United States army, and was stationed at Johns mi's Island in Lake Erie, where he re- mamed until the close of the struggle, when he

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was honoralily discharged and resumed prac- tice in Youngstown. In 1879 he was ap- pointed by President Hayes, a surgeon in the United States army and assigned to Fort Peck, Montana, where he remained about three years. He returned to Youngstown and prac- ticed here until no longer able to do so on ac- count of the infirmities of old age. He died in the city hospital in 1803, at the age of 83 years. He married. April 3, 1844. Miss Isabella MeCurdy, daughter of Dr. Robert MeCurdy, who came to Youngstown with his family, in 1843, from Ireland. She died in 1869, and he married for a second wife. in 1871, Mrs. Sarah E. Brewer, of New Lisbon, Ohio, widow of A. L. Brewer, Esq.

Charles C. Cook, M. D., another early physician of Youngstown, was born in Wall- ingford Connecitcut, June 22, 1799. He was a nephew of Dr. Charles Dutton, whose his- tory has been already sketched. His father removing to New Haven, he began his medi- cal education in that city under the mentor- ship of Dr. Eli Ives, and subsequently attended lectures at the medical department of Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1822. Providing himself with a wife in the person of Miss Mary E. L. Salter, who was born in New Haven in February, 1800, he came to Youngstown, about 1824, and began practice here as a physician. He was success- ful in his profession, and gained a wide repu- tation throughout this part of the state as a more than usually able medical practitioner. He also occasionally performeil operations, though making but slight pretensions to sur- gical skill. His personal character was of the highest, and he was a fine musician, both vocal and instrumental. In 1857 he was appointed by the court of commum pleas one of the five trustees, He repeatedly declined political hon- ors, preferring to devote his whole time to

James F. Wilson, M. D., was born in Ber- lin township. Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1847. sim of Joseph and Mary ( Boyd ) Wilson. He attended Mt. U'nion College, read medicine midler Dr. W. K. Hughes, of Berlin Center, and was graduated from the medical depart- his profession, and to such useful work as he , ment of the Western Reserve College, at could accomplish locally for the advancement of education and the general improvement of the material and social conditions of the com- munity in which he lived. He died September 26, 1863, having survived his wife not quite a year.

C. N. Fowler, M. D., in his day one of the best known and most successful physicians and surgeons of northwestern Ohio, was a son of Dr. C. R. Fowler, of Canfield, and was born February 13, 1828. He was educated at Can- field Academy and began the study of medi- cine under his father's tuition. In 1850 he was graduated from the Western Reserve Medical College. For two years, 1849-1851. he served as clinical assistant in the hospital under Prof. Ackley. For a few years he practiced his profession at Canfield, in associa- tion with his father, but subsequently removed to Poland, where he engaged in general prac- tice, and also had charge of the anatomical department of the Law College. In August, 1862, he entered the army, being commis- sioned surgeon of the One Hundredth and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was afterwards medical inspector in the Fourtecich army corps, serving in General Baird's divis- ion. Captured at Chickamauga, he was im- prisoned for about four months in Libby Prison, by which his health became much im- paired. He was mistered ont of service in 1865. Soon after he began practice in Youngs- town, where he attained an exceptional repu- tation as an able and successful physician and surgeon, never giving up a patient until he had exhausted in his behalf the very last resmunce of medical or surgical science. Dr. Fowler died in March, 1901. the immediate cause of his demise Ixing an attack of the grip, though he had long been in failing health. In 1853 he was married to Mary Snyder, of Canfield, Ohio.

Cleveland. in 1872. After practicing his pra- fession for a year in Wayne county, Ohno, he settled in Youngstown, where he renuured until some nine or ten years ago, when he be- came a resident of the state of Georgia. He was a member of the American Medical Van-

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ciation, was secretary for some years of the Mahoning Medical Society, and was twice elected county coroner-in 1879 and 1881. He was married in 1880 to Miss Mary A. MeGaw of Youngstown.

John S. Cunningham, M. D., was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 4. 1833, eldest son of Judge Joseph and Jeanette Cunningham. He was erlucated in the dis- trict schools and at the Poland (Ohio) Acade- my, and taught school for two years. At the age of nineteen he entered Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he spent some three years. Ile prepared for a medical career, under the tuition of Hon. J. W. Wal- lace. M. D., at New Castle, Pennsylvania, subsequently attended lectures at Cleveland Medical College, and in 1860 was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College at Phila- delphia. After practicing medicine at Plain Grove, Pennsylvania, for about two years, he settled in Youngstown, of which place he be- came a prominent citizen, besides ranking ligli as one of the most able members of the medical fraternity here. He was frequently elected to public office. He was county coroner one term, a member of the Board of Health six years, and for a number of years served on the Youngstown Board of Education, a part of the time being president of the board. He was married at Plain Grove, in June, 1861, to Miss Sadie R. Campbell, by whom he had four children.

F. V. Floor, M. D., was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. May 11. 1836, son of Jacch and Agnes Floor. His youth was spent in Berlin, Mahoning County, Ohio, to which place his parents had removed in the spring of 1838. Ile was educated in the district schools and at Poland Academy, which latter institu- tion he attended for about three years. After spending some time in teaching. he com- menced at the age of twenty years to read medicine with Dr. W. H. Brown of Lords- town, Trumbull county. Wher one term in Michigan University at Ann Arbor. he en- tered the University of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated about 1866. He set- tled in Youngstown in 1872. and within a few

years had built up a good practice. He re- ceived his medical degree 'fro mthe Cleveland College, where in 1876 he attended a course of lectures.

Isaialı Brothers. M. D., was born in Law- rence county, Pennsylvania, January 15. 1831. His literary education was obtained chiefly at Poland Academy. which he attended for sev- eral terms. He began the study of medicine, in 1850. under the tuition of Dr. E. F. Davis of Hillsville. Pennsylvania, and continued with him until the winter of 1852-53, when he went to Cincinnati to take his first course of lectures. Soon afterwards he began prac- tice in Lancaster. where he remained for sev- eral years. le then took another course of lectures, and in 1857 commenced practice in Hillsville, in which place he remained for fif- teen years, coming in 1872 to Youngstown, where the rest of his life was passed. He was married in 1853 to Miss Rhoda Patterson, a native of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania.

Joseph Wilson, M. D., was born in Youngstown township. Mahoning county, Ohio. September 14. 1836, son of William J. and Mary ( Kincaid) Wilson. His paternal great-grandparents emigrated to America from the north of Ireland. Their son. Jo- scph. Dr. Wilson's grandfather, who was born on ship board during their passage across the Atlantic, settled with his family on land about two and a half miles west of Youngstown, as early as 1799, and there cleared a farm. Ile was a prominent member of the pioneer com- mumity, was famed as a mighty lumter. and was a member of the jury in the McMahan murder case, at the first court held in Trumbull county. William J. Wilson, the doctor's fa- ther, was born in Pennsylvania in 1799. and died on the homestead near Youngstown in 1870. His wife Mary, who was the daughter of Robert Kincaid of Youngstown township. survived him many years. They were the parents of seven chiklren.

Joseph Wilson, the immediate subject of this notice, resided on the home farm until he was about ninteen years of age, attending school, as he was afforded opportunity. in Youngstown and Girard. He then found em-

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ployment as a drug clerk, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of materia medica that was useful to him in his professional career. Beginning in 1858 he read medicine for three years with Dr. Isaac Barclay, and during this period he also attended lectures at the Cleve- land Medical College, where he was graduated in 1862. He first practiced three years in North Jackson, Mahoning county, removing in 1865 to Girard, where he remained four- teen years. In 1879 he came to Youngstown and was a prominent member of the medical fraternity here until his retirement about three years ago. In 1862 Dr. Wilson married Miss Emily P. Shepherd, a native of Milton, Ma- honing county, Ohio. Of this union there were two children-Blanche M. and William G.

John MacCurdy, M. D., was born in County Donegal, Ireland, January 21, 1835, and with his parents emigrated to America in 1843. They came directly to Youngstown, Ohio, set- tling three miles above the city. The father, Robert MacCurdy, was a physician-a gradu- ate of Edinburgh University. After removing to the Mahoning Valley he purchased 500 acres of land and engaged in stock-raising in which business he was quite successful. He raised a family of nine children. His death occurred in 1867.

John MacCurdy, son of the above named, fitted himself for the practice of his profes- sion at Cleveland and Philadelphia, being graduated in the former city in 1857, and in the latter in 1858. He began practice under Professor Ackley, at the Marine Hospital, Cleveland, coming to Youngstown, where he has since resided, in 1858. Early in 1861 he entered the army, was passed before the med- ical board of examiners, at Columbus, and was ordered to the Twenty-third Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, as assistant surgeon, serving in West Virginia. After he had held this posi- tion for about a year, General J. D. Cox de- tached him as medical inspector of his dis- trict-of West Virginia-in which capacity he served until assigned to the duty of surgeon of the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which occurred on the field of Antietam, im- mediately after the battle. Captured at Chick-

amauga, he remained a prisoner for about four months, most of the time in Libby prison. On being exchanged he joined his regiment, and as its surgeon served in the Atlanta campaign. While thus engaged he was requested by Gen- eral Cox to submit to an examination before the United States examining board for en- trance into the United States Volunteer Corps which he passed, and receiving his commis- sion, was ordered on the staff of General Pal- mer, as assistant medical director of the Four- teenth Army Corps. He was again captured, this time before Atlanta, and was a prisoner some six weeks, going the rounds of the rebel prisons. After his exchange he was assigned on the staff of General Thomas, as medical in- spector, which position he filled until the dis- persion of General Hood's force, when he re- signed and came home, the war being virtually

ended. After the war he was appointed United States examiner for pensions, at Youngstown, and filled that position for about twenty-five years. He was married, in 1866, to Miss Mary L. McEwen and has a family of five children. He is still in active practice at Youngstown.

William L. Buechner was born in the Grand Duchy of Hesse, Germany. December 3, 1830. He completed his literary education at the University of Giessen, where, after a five years' course of study, he was graduated in 1853. His ancestors in direct line, for sev- eral generations, had been physicians, as also were four of his uncles, one of whom served under the first Napoleon in the disastrous Rus -. sian campaign, and perished in the retreat from Moscow. Dr. Buechner came to America in the fall of 1853 and began the practice of his profession in Pittsburg. In the spring of the following year he removed to Youngs- town, of which place he subsequently remained a resident until his death, which took place in September, 1904. He was a skillful physician and surgeon, and a citizen whose loss was deeply felt by the community in which he had cast his lot.

He was a member of the State and County Medical Societies, and was local surgeon of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Rail-

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road. He served one or more terins as eoun- cilman, was for a number of years a member of the Board of Education, and of the Board of Health, and also served as health officer. Hle was a Free Mason of high rank in the order. Hle married in March. 1858, Elvira Heiner, a native of Pennsylvania, whose father, John Heiner, was the first mayor of Youngstown.

William H. Buechner, M. D .. was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in May, 1864, son of Dr. William L. and Elvira (Heiner ) Buechner. mentioned in the preceding sketch. Ile was educated in the schools of his native city, in- cluding the Rayen High School. His pre- liminary medical studies were pursued under his father's direction, and he was graduated from the medical department of the Western Reserve University in 1885. He then took a post-graduate course at the University of Pennsylvania. Afterwards, to acquire a still more perfect knowledge of his profession, he spent four years in Europe, during three of which he was assistant to the famous surgeon, Prof. Von Volkman, of Halle, Germany, and had exceptional opportunities for gaining sur- gical knowledge and experience at the uni- versity hospital in that city. In 1800 he re- turned to Youngstown, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he has taken a high rank. llc is a member of the County and State Medical So- cieties, and also of the American Medical As- sociation. He is a prominent Free Mason, and a member of the Elks.

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 43

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 993