USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > A History of the Medical Class of '77, University of Pennsylvania > Part 4
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WILLIAM HOBSON HEATH, M. D., a saintly member, who displayed rare wisdom and good sense when he left the heaths of Chili and traveled in the direction of the medical school at the University of Pennsylvania for the purpose of gaining a first-class medical training. Early education and experience -two preliminary requisites to the attainment of the highest success in the medical profession-he brought with him to the University, while his
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majestic bearing during our fallow college days, deserved no mean tribute. He began his professional walk by serving the Philadelphia Hospital as resi- dent physician, and while acting in that capacity he soon became eminently skilled in the operation of circumcision. On leaving the latter field of operations he entered the service of the University Hospital as interne. His term here having expired, he went into the marine hospital service for a period of about three years, being stationed at Buffalo, N. Y. Later, he opened an office in the latter city and soon afterwards was handsomely honored by being made professor of anatomy in a leading Buffalo medical college-a post from which he subsequently resigned. Quite recently he relinquished the tedium of the general practitioner's life and took up a specialty, which for potency of fascination is unri- valed in all the departments of medical science, to wit : venereal diseases.
WM. C. HOLLOPETER, M. D., a sterling member, brought into life in Muncy, Lycoming Co., Pa., in 1853, where he also grew up to man's estate. He was graduated from the University of Lewisburg (now Bucknitt's University), receiving the degree of A. B. For one year he was a schoolmaster, during which time he planted youthful knowledge with peculiar efficiency. At the University of Pennsyl- vania (Medical Department), he was a student for two sessions, though additionally had been booking himself for two years previously. Shortly after graduation he served at the Presbyterian Hospital of Philadelphia, as resident physician during a term
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of eighteen months ; later he located in the northern part of Philadelphia, where he has remained until the present, engaged in practicing medicine most successfully. He has had a large share of pelvic surgery, and as shown by the following record of results in a single line of operation namely, forty- two rapid dilatations of the cervix, without an un- favorable symptom, has in this department of surgery been unusually successful. To medical literature our friend has contributed two interesting articles, the one being on " Strangulated Hernia-perforation, operation," (N. Y. Med. Record, Jan., 1878), the other on Inverse Temperature in Typhoid Fever, (Phila. Med. Times, Nov., 1884). Dr. Hollopeter is a mem- ber of Philadelphia County Medical Society, and was its assistant secretary for one year. During his whole professional career, the writer has been a neighbor- ing citizen, and one on intimate terms with him, that so we can speak from definite knowledge of his qualities both of mind and heart. It is no exagger- eration to say that he enjoys the particular regard of all of the best physicians residing in his vicinity.
"Every man my neighbor," is in this case truly applicable. He is also an omnivorous reader, and is happy in possessing a retentive memory. His men- tal and moral attributes form together an exceed- ingly manly character, and a mind of considerable power. He is happily married, has had one child, which he recently lost by death, a most unfortunate occurrence.
P. FRANK HUBLER, M. D., a bright member, born December 15, 1850, at Huntingdon Mills,
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Luzerne County, Pa., and bred in the same village. He was prepared for college in the common district and certain select schools. Prior to his taking up medical studies he served an apprenticeship in flour- ing mills of his native place, and later on clerked in a drug store for two years. In 1875 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, Medical Department, meanwhile having devoted two years to readings on medical topics. After his graduation he located at Bald Mount, Lackawanna County, Pa., in which undertaking he was quite successful. At the end of seven years he left the latter place, traveling to Val- ley Centre, San Diego County, Cal., and attempted practice there, but after the lapse of only one and a half years his friends in Pennsylvania received tidings to the effect that he was on his return trip to Bald Mount, his former home, which he had so recently forsaken. Here he resumed the office of " sweet practicer," and to-day is well known, as well as highly respected, both as a physician and a citizen. He has not connected himself with any medical so- cieties, either local or general, which fact we submit regretfully, in view of the obvious practical advan- tages to be derived from uniting with associations composed of reputable physicians. Dr. Hubler de- serves the highest praise for having terminated suc- cessfully with the forceps a case of "impossible labor," to wit, occipito-posterior position, the occiput passing into the hollow of the sacrum; weight of child, nine (9) pounds. Our friend has been twice married, and at present is the happy parent of two fine children, the one a girl aged eight, the other a boy aged six years.
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RUSH SHIPPEN HUIDEKOPER, M. D., an eminent member, distinguished as the dean of a new and important department in the University of Penn- sylvania. But the year of greatest achievement was that in which the organization of the veterinary school was effected, and certain it is that the later successes in this field were owing largely to his own skill, as well as to the thorough manner in which he administered its affairs. He was born in Meadville, Pa., May 3, 1854, where he also devoted his boyhood to learning and various forms of healthful recreation. His chief culture was received, how- ever, in Phillips' Exeter Academy, New Hampshire. At the University of Pennsylvania he was a medi- cal student during three sessions. After obtaining the degree, Doctor of Medicine, he engaged in general family practice for four years; he then went to France, becoming a student in the Alfort Veter- inary School, from which he was in due time grad- uated. Since the time of the latter event he has practiced veterinary medicine. It will be recollected that during our college days Dr. Huidekoper manifested peculiar fondness for choice varieties of the canis familiaris, and from the dog-fancier to the horse doctor, it will be noted, is an easy and natural gradation since both deal with quadrupeds. As already intimated, he is and has been since the date of organization, dean of the Veterinary Department, and professor of internal pathology and zootechnics, University of Pennsylvania, is also major and brigade surgeon, First Brigade, N. G. P. He has been prosecuting important literary work unconnected with the practice of his profession, and chiefly as
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editor of the Journal of Comparative Medicine and Surgery. Among the societies in which he holds membership we may note Philadelphia County Medical and the College of Physicians. He has been married to the lady of his choice, but we have not heard of any practical issue.
Among other things he is noted for his vigorous health, and while lusty, his work also gives evidence of his uniting vigor of intellect with great extent and variety of knowledge. Of the impress which he has made upon the University of Pennsylvania, he may well be proud, since it is both highly creditable and enduring.
FAIRFAX IRWIN, M. D., a leading member, was first heard from in Washington, March 13, 1854, and was brought up in the same city. He received his education at Roanoke College, Virginia, passing through the freshman, sophomore and junior classes. Prior to his studying medicine, he was engaged for , a time as a newspaper reporter.
After taking his medical degree, he at once entered the Episcopal Hospital of Philadelphia as interne, at which institution during eight months or one-half of his term the writer was associated with him, and here excellent opportunity was afforded for observing the course and personal traits of the man. Though courteous, he was naturally aristocratic, was intelligent to a degree, possessing, also, indomitable energy. In medicine, Dr. Irwin's predilections were toward surgery, and his judgment and skill as an operator won for him many surgical triumphs.
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Dr. Irwin is now, and since August 23, 1878, has been in governmental service, obtaining his position by competitive examination. To his credit be it permanently recorded that in the class exam- ined, he passed first.
At present his rank is Past Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Marine Hospital Service. Among the articles he has written for publication, we may mention, Rodent Ulcer (Boston Med. and Sur. Journal) and Remittent Fever (Phila. Med. News). Early in his career Dr. Irwin felt the necessity of making an all- important civil contract, and possessing the necessary courage, married Miss Alice Paulsen, October 7, 1879, in the city of Chicago, and up to date, his children number three.
M. R. KATERMAN, M. D., a sturdy western mem- ber, born and raised at Hepler, Schuylkill County, Pa., he was trained in the Normal School of Kutztown, Pa., and the Lewisburg Seminary. He had been a reader of medical branches for one year, when he enrolled his name in the register of his Alma Mater, and here applied himself closely during three sessions. After taking his degree (June, 1877), he resided for a time at Hepler, Pa., and more recently at Ida Grove, Iowa. Here he is pursuing medical practice with almost unwonted success, conduct- ing simultaneously a drug business. He is a member of the Maple Valley Medical Association. From the name of the society to which he belongs, coupled with the fact that he lives under the shadow of a Grove, it is not surprising to hear him declare
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that his health is now, and has been, of the very best. We would remind, that
"The groves were God's first temples."
July 24, 1879, between himself and Miss Tilla Maurer, there was formed by mutual consent a life compact "for better or worse." They have two children, who, like their progenitors, are in the full enjoyment of health.
LEWIS N. KIRK, M. D., an exemplary member, is indigenous to Lancaster County, Pa., post-office ad- dress, Pleasant Grove. His preliminary mental food was obtained at Oxford, Chester County, Pa. He was a student at our University during three sessions, and had previously been imbibing medical lore for one year. After being graduated he entered the Almshouse Hospital, Philadelphia, serving as resident physician for one year, afterwards opening an office in Philadelphia. Here he practiced for five and one- half years. Thence he removed to Wakefield, Lan- caster County, Pa., where he has established a good business, securing much surgical practice, instru- mental obstetrics, and, according to popular report, is much sought after as a consulting physician. While living in Philadelphia he was for three years first assistant physician to the Medical Dispensary, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and was for a like period visiting physician to Philadelphia Home for Infants, during which latter time he had sole charge of thirteen babes. In October, 1882, he mar- ried Miss Emily Willis, soon after which union the doctor forsook the Infant Home, presumably for the
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reason that Mrs. Kirk presented to him an infant son of far higher importance. He would not be called the " Vicar of Wakefield," but simply the " village doctor " at Wakefield P. O., for Dr. Kirk is modest, but is also well disposed and worthily esteemed.
JOHN KNOX, M. D., a sanguineous member, brought from chaos into life in Princeton, Scott Co., Iowa, September 30, 1852, and until the age of eighteen years was reared in the same town. His youth was made up largely of a series of thrilling adventures, while engaged in " breaking colts " on his father's farm. After finishing the prescribed course in the public schools at Princeton, Iowa., he was a pupil for one year in Lennox College, Hop- kinson, Delaware Co., Iowa, and later a student in Monmouth College, at Monmouth, Ill., for nearly two years, passing through the junior year, scientific course. He entered the University of Pennsylvania, in 1874, attending three full courses of medical lec- tures; but he also was constantly present during two sessions in the Auxiliary Department, besides having read in the fundamental branches for one year, prior to his coming to college. After March 12, 1877, he remained for a brief period in Philadelphia, during which he served the Philadelphia Hospital as resident physician for one term. In October, 1878, he left Philadelphia, for Princeton, Iowa, where he has since lived and has been highly successful in his efforts to build up a lucrative business, more partic- ularly in the line of surgery. Among the unique cases he has met with, we note especially, a disloca- tion of the external end of the right clavicle. Our
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distinguished friend is Mayor of Princeton, Iowa, to which office he has been elected not less than five times; is also health officer for his town and township and a member of the Scott County Medical Society. In those of us who have kept in remembrance some of his most marked individual characteristics, viz., a happy blending of self-confidence and spirit, the authentic fact that he has no difficulty in taking the lead in his own vicinity, will excite no surprise.
CHARLES K. LADD, M. D., a promising member, resides at Towanda, Pa., and, excepting his school- days, has been a habitant of this place his life long. After having read medicine for three years, he en- tered the University of Pennsylvania, where he con- tinued his studies during three sessions. Later he was a pupil in the great medical school of Vienna, Austria, for one year. In 1876, the University of Pennsylvania, conferred on him the the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The result of his examina- tion for the latter degree showed not only a higher average than that received by any of his competi- tors, but also a higher average than had, up to that period, been received by any pupil. This highly creditable record, which has been known to the writer since the year 1877, is presented without the permission of Dr. Ladd, who being very modest, has not referred to his own unparalleled achievement from that day to the present, but richly deserves our congratulations. Since he settled in Towanda, with a view to practicing physic, in which undertaking his success has been really phenomenal, he has also consecrated considerable attention to microscopy
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and botany. He holds the important post of pen- sion examiner. Though a Ladd weighing but little more than 250 pounds, he lacked nothing in man- hood in his college days. Even an insolent act on the part of a fellow-student, he would sometimes avenge by knocking out the offender, without previous warning. Whilst he was in the habit of dealing out punishment speedily, when demanded by strict jus- tice, he did not go in quest of quarrels, but on the other hand his inherent disposition was naturally full of kindness; his heart full of affectionate tenderness. Dr. Ladd's popularity was demonstrated fully on the twelfth day of March, 1877, when five thousand souls vociferously cheered his appearance upon the stage of the American Academy of Music. His physical machinery forms an engine of great power, which engine drives an instrument of force not less powerful than his body; namely, his brain.
CHRISTIAN LEUKER, M. D., a gallant member, was brought into life near Elizabethville, Dauphin County, Pa., March 10, 1842. Childhood was spent in his native county, up to the spring of 1854, when he went to the State of Illinois, returning, however, in the fall of 1856 to his natural home. In 1860 he left a second time his domicile, going to Ohio, and entering Mt. Union College. On June 28th, of the same year, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted with other brave men in the United States volunteer service, remaining in the army until November, 1865. In the spring of 1866 he became a student at the Millersville State Normal School, from which, in July, 1869, he was graduated. He then taught the
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Millersburg Grammar School for one session, and the Lock Haven High School for the same period. Later was principal of schools at Lock Haven and Northumberland respectively, until 1875, when he entered the University of Pennsylvania as a medical student, having previously studied with Dr. Joseph Priestly, at Northumberland, for two years. At Buckhorn, Columbia County, Pa., he resided from September, 1877, to January, 1882, and since the latter date has been practicing at Schuylkill Haven, with pronounced success. Two years ago he had hemorrhage of the lungs, but he is happily enabled to state at present that his health is better than when graduated.
Dr. Leuker is one of a Board of Visitors appointed by the Committee on Lunacy to visit insti- tutions for the insane. Formerly a member of Columbia County Medical Association, of which he was secretary and treasurer; now he is vice-presi- dent and one of the censors of Schuylkill County Medical Association, and also a member of the State Medical Society. In an average obstetrical practice during the past ten years, he has lost no mothers- perhaps an alarming state of affairs. To him was married Miss Mary Stoddart, June 5, 1879. They had issue ; two boys, one girl, while a fourth is await- . ing classification. Dr. Leuker is a man of pronounced individuality ; he is calm, both under ordinary cir- cumstances and when surrounded by enemies.
WELLINGTON Y. LEVENGOOD, M. D., a creditable member, residing at Bellwood, Pa., was born at Pine Iron Works, Berks County, Pa., April 26, 1856,
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and educated at Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown, Pa. By occupation he had been a school- master before entering upon the study of medicine. He was a regular attendant at college for two ses- sions, during which time he was absent from only two lectures ; also, had read selected branches for two years, prior to the date of his matriculation. After finishing his medical education, he was engaged in active practice for three months at Lawrenceville Chester County, Pa., and in September, 1877, he removed to his home at Bellwood. Here he has since sojourned, has built up an extensive family practice, and has also been equally successful in cre- ating a demand for safety-pins around home. The Doctor married September 26, 1878, Miss Harriet Yohn, of Pottstown, Pa., and they have three beat- tiful children. Dr. Levengood is a prominent mem- ber of the Blair County Medical Society, and an honor to his class.
ALFRED A. LONG, M. D., a proud member, who found his way to college from Honeybrook, Pa. Though disinclined, apparently from mere indiffer- ence, to furnish any data concerning his own natural history, we believe him to be a Pennsylvanian by birth, but of the influences which surrounded his early life, or of the extent and character of his training, we know absolutely nothing. From one of our own class, who is also a townsman of his, it has been learned that shortly after graduation, Dr. Long began the practice of his art at York, Pa., a city of considerable size, where he has continued his labors during the past decade.
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DAVID N. LOOSE, M. D., an intelligent member from Iowa, was born and bred in Myerstown, Lebanon County, Pa. Preparatory to the study of medicine he was instructed at Palatinate College, Myerstown, at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., and was graduated from the latter in 1874. In 1880 he received the degree Master of Arts from the same institution. At the University of Pennsylvania he took a systematic course of three sessions. In the autumn of 1877, he began practice at Quincy, Michigan, but almost immedi- ately removed to Zwingle, Iowa, and in 1882 from the latter place to Maquoketa, Ia., where he has since abided. At the latter place he engaged simultane- ously in general practice and the drug business. This venture has proven to be quite lucrative. Dr. Loose is and has been a prominent office-bearer, thus he formerly was Coroner of Jackson County, Ia. (from 1882 to 1886); has been president of Jackson County Medical Society, now is commissioner of insane, and secretary of the Board of United States Examining Surgeons for Pension. He is alsoa mem- ber of the Iowa State Medical Society. Among the stirring adventures of this fellow, while living at the West, we have to record the amputation by him of a leg, whether human or of some other species is not quite clear. He has been married since October, 1883, but is without family.
SAMUEL H. LINN, D. D. S., M. D., largely an exotic member, was, however, natively a Philadel- phian. About the year 1867 he took from the Pennsylvania Dental College of Philadelphia, the
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degree D. D. S., after which he went to St. Peters- burg, and there practiced dentistry for a livelihood. He returned in time to receive his medical diploma with a very noted class from the grand old Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. Of his movements or doings since 1877 we have no reliable data, except the as- surance that he is at present living somewhere in these United States.
CHARLES A. V. LUTZ, M. D., is a nautical mem- ber, whose ability and enterprise have won for him considerable distinction. Philadelphia was the city of his birth and preparatory education. After he was graduated in 1877, he attended on some post- graduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania. He then served as a ship surgeon on the American Line of trans-Atlantic steamers, for several years. He accommodated a Pittsburg hospital by rendering his services for one year, at the end of which term he again served on the American Steamship Line. During the last three years he has resided on the island St. George, Pacific Ocean, having been em- ployed by the Alaska Seal Co. as surgeon to their sealing crews, a profitable and not less responsible position.
A trip of no trifling import, was recently made to Philadelphia to seek a companion whose refining influence in that far-distant region would be felt by the natives ; while her presence would afford him cheer and modern home comforts.
WILLIAM G. MARSH, M. D., an agreeable mem- ber, has, during the last decade, lived constantly within
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the grasp of his greatest enemy, arthritis, notwith- standing. He was born in Turbut Township, North- umberland County, Pa., April 29, 1852. During early life, he like Cincinnatus was a tiller of the soil, until called to larger fields of action. His mental culture was gotten mainly in the Millersville State Normal School. For a time he was engaged in teaching. Prior to his attendance at lectures, which he did for three sessions, he had read medical works for eighteen months. On taking leave or French leave of his Alma Mater he proceeded to Watsontown, Pa., there entering upon general practice with good issue. Unlike the majority of his class, he has not become discontented with his first choice of loca- tion, for he is still patching up the citizens of Wat- sontown and its environs.
May 12, 1880, Miss Emma Clapp was married to him. Their issue consists in two children, one only living. As a student Dr. Marsh was thought- ful, earnest and diligent, as well as good and kind at heart, and the fact that he has been in poor health, is regrettable in the extreme. A single further remark is suggested by an innocent habit, namely, his hat was sometimes worn after the fashion of the statesmen, on the back of his head, although unlike in the case of his friend Evarts, there were no bangs to exhibit.
THOMAS T. MARTIN, M. D., an estimable mem- ber, is a native of Allentown, Pa., born September 10, 1851. His mental pabulum was obtained from the Allentown High School and Lehigh University, Bethlehem. Though an attendant at lectures for
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two years only, he had read medicine for two years previously. Except while absent for the purpose of pursuing his medical education, the place of his nativity, where he is following general practice successfully, has been his lifelong habitat. He has formed the innocent habit of amputating limbs, of performing herniotomy for strangulated hernia, and so on. Dr. Martin is a prominent mem- ber of the Lehigh County Medical Society, and is Coroner of the latter county. He comes of a lead- ing medical family, his father having been a promi- nent practitioner, while a brother has attained to eminence, both in medicine and politics, as well as several cousins, who are practicing physic, are among his fellow-townsmen. In truth he is a man of a family ; also a family man, his household consisting of a wife and two children. While of retiring man- ners, those students who formed his acquaintance soon had a true regard for him, and found him freely communicative and altogether entertaining. Than he none could have been more trim.
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