USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > A History of the Medical Class of '77, University of Pennsylvania > Part 5
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HUGH B. MEREDITH, M. D., an ardent member, born at Doylestown, Bucks County, Pa., October 29, 1853, residing here until he came under the influence of his Alma Mater. During his youth he served as first assistant to his father, who was engaged in farming. Doylestown then afforded an English and classical seminary, to which young Meredith was sent to be educated. Subsequently, after eight months of preliminary reading, he became a student in Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, where he remained for one session. In the autumn
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of 1876 he came to the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated along with one hundred and twenty hearts that beat as one. Having received his degree he returned to Doylestown, where he practiced medicine until February, 1879, when he was elected assistant resi- dent physician at the State Hospital for the Insane, Danville, Pa. Since then he has remained at the latter institution continuously, giving special atten- tion to the study of mental and nervous diseases, and although he has been during the above period a diligent student, the subject has not been worn our as yet. Dr. Meredith is a member of the Montour County Medical Society.
SAMUEL M. MILLER, A. B., M. D., a driving member, who is the eldest son born of the late E. Spencer Miller, at one time a distinguished Philadelphia lawyer, was brought forth as well as brought up in the City of Brotherly Love. His pre- paratory education was carefully completed, having been graduated at Princeton College, N. J., in 1875. After graduating in medicine, he tried general prac- tice for six months, at the end of which period he gave all of his attention to the reporting of medical lectures, chiefly clinical, both in New York and Philadelphia. Subsequently he published " Clinical Notes of Hospital Practice," a work which for the most part consists of a well-arranged compilation of the views of many prominent clinical lecturers on the treatment of disease, giving also the modes of treatment employed in various hospitals in New York and Philadelphia. This book met with an extensive
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sale, though the demand which it created was largely throughout the rural districts. Two years ago he engaged in the printing of medical works in which business he still continues. He early mustered up sufficient courage to marry, having joined in bonds of matrimony with Miss Biddle, daughter of the late Prof. Biddle, formerly professor of materia medica in the Jefferson Medical College.
JOHN S. MOREY, JR., M. D., a brave member, nativity East Vincent, Chester Co., Pa., born in 1851; was educated at Washington Hall Collegiate Institute, Trappe, Pa., and afterwards taught school. Prior to his coming to college, he had read medicine for two years, and again for one year after gradua- tion. Since the latter event he has lived at Upper Providence and Royer's Ford, Montgomery Co., Pa., respectively. Besides following the practice of his profession, he keeps a drug store. Formerly he was for three years attending physician to the Mont- gomery county almshouse ; also for one year on the staff of visiting physicians to the Hospital for the Insane at Norristown, and at present is postmaster at Royer's Ford, Montgomery Co., Pa. From personal knowledge the writer can say as he cheerfully does, of him whose friend he was at college, that Morey was a man of excellent habits, quick preception and reliable judgment. In his present high office as postmaster he is in perfect harmony with the admin- istration at Washington. But he is a " bachelor still." It is sad to note that his health since he left college has not been of the best. He is a member of
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the Montgomery County Medical Society, and was its vice-president for one year.
JOHN W. MORRISON, M. D., a worthy member, born September 30, 1850, in Granville, Monongolia Co., West Virginia, but raised in Wheeling, same State, in which latter city he was also educated. His training for the medical profession extended over a period of not less than seven years, thus for about four years previous to entering the University, he had been a student of medical text-books. While at college he was a pupil during three full courses, his first being the session of 1873-74, his second that of 1875-76. Immediately after graduation Morrison settled as a physician in Martin's Ferry, Ohio, where he has remained until the present day, giving his attention chiefly to general medical prac- tice. Although he enjoys the respect and confi- dence of the community in which he resides, owing to the fact that his health has from his youth to the present been greatly impaired, he has not been able to perform more than a very limited amount of pro- fessional service. Doubtless his classmates one and all would desire to make formal expression of their sympathy for him, and of their wis' for his speedy restoration to health. He is remembered as being an agreeable person, as one from whose heart the milk of human kindness flowed continually, and a more than ordinarily apt student.
JOHN H. MUSSER, M. D., a well-known mem- ber, was born at Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pa., January 22, 1856, was trained by private tutor and
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at the Pennsylvania State Normal School, Millers- ville, Pa. At the University of Pennsylvania his studies were pursued for three sessions. From the time of graduation to the present time his lot has been cast in Philadelphia, where he has successfully followed general medical practice to the exclusion of surgery, which he dislikes, as well as gynæc- ology, which he actually abhors. Soon after grad- uating he was appointed medical registrar of the University Hospital, Philadelphia. At present he holds such various conspicuous positions as Chief of the Medical Dispensary, University Hospital, Path- ologist to the Presbyterian Hospital, and attending physician to the Philadelphia Hospital. He belongs to the following societies: Philadelphia County Medical, Philadelphia Pathological, Philadelphia Neurological, West Philadelphia Medical, fellow of the College of Physicians, and Pennsylvania State Medical, of which latter he is also corresponding secretary. He is an active member of various com. mittees in the Pathological Society and the Phila- delphia County Medical. For several years after graduation his principal work was in the domain of pathology, while more recently his many published papers have been on subjects in the line of practical medicine. One of his greatest claims to distinction has been his recent election to the post of attending physician to the Philadelphia Hospital by the unan- imous vote of the Board of Guardians, composed of twelve men.
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Dr. Musser's many and various papers, too nu- merous to be mentioned here, have been published in rapid succession in most of our leading medicals,
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many of which articles have been doubtless read with the deepest interest by the members of this class. Those gentlemen who have not read his excellent description of a case of Rainaud's disease with remarks thereon, nor informed themselves as to the therapeutic uses of oil of eucalyptus in the treatment of malaria, per example, are verily behind the age. Though his extant productions are numerous, all of them are very carefully written, while many are really models of clear, polished composition. Per- sonally he is possessed of a well-balanced tempera- ment, of great firmness of mind, and restless, perse- vering energy ; in a word he is gritty. Judged by what he has done in the past, Dr. Musser has a future before him which may yet shed lustre not only on his class, but also the medical profession of Philadelphia. He married September 5, 1880, Miss Harper, and they have three children, while the doctor indulges the fond hope, that the same happy ratio; namely, three in seven years, may be contin- ued indefinitely.
CHARLES H. MCILVAINE, M. D., a Southern member by birth and education, came to the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania from Natchez, Miss. From the University of Pennsylvania he was twice gradu- ated, first as Doctor of Medicine, and later, as Doctor of Philosophy. At the beginning of his career he opened an office in Philadelphia, but soon after was elected resident physician in the leading hospital of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania. At the expiration of his term of service in the latter institution he began a second time, the practice of medicine in the
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City of Homes, continuing for two or three years, when, according to the most recent registry in the University, he removed to Mt. Holly, N. J. But he must have subsequently renounced the latter place since the printed circular mailed to him (in common with the rest of his class), at that post-office address was acknowledged by a Chas. H. McIlvaine- though not our Dr. Chas. H .- but an engineering machinist. The real Dr. Chas. H. McIlvaine is, however, easily revived in memory by the writer, who was on terms of personal intimacy with him, during the time devoted to hearing lectures in the Auxiliary Department. We gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity in his absence, to testify to his great warmth of heart and frank cordiality. His temper- ament was strongly bilious, his complexion being quite swarthy; and his mental elements were observed to be in keeping with the natural results of the predominating feature of his temperament. He belonged to the best physical type of his class.
WILLIAM DAVISON MCKENZIE, M. D., a famous member, who wisely came with several others from Nova Scotia to the University of Pennsylvania for the purpose of obtaining a thorough medical educa- tion. Pertaining to the first years of his professional life, the writer has not been able to gather any facts, but he is reliably informed by one of his fellow citi- zens, who is also a classmate, that Mckenzie is prac- ticing in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. He was formerly honored by the appointment of inspector of schools for his county, from which position he has recently resigned.
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HARRY A. P. NEEL, M. D., is an upright member, who was born and bred in Philadelphia. His early instruction was received in the public schools of his native city, and at Union College in the same place. His training for the medical profession cov- ered a period of five years,-three at the University of Pennsylvania, and two antecedently with his pre- ceptor. After obtaining his degree he located as an M. D. in Titusville, Mercer County, N. J., where he established a large country practice. By and by things rural proved to be uncongenial to his tastes, and realizing that he had fallen among the Philis- tines, removed at the end of seven years to Tacony. Here he has shown afresh his ability and tact in the direction of building up an extensive practice, which he has done within three years. Formerly Dr. Neel was a member of the Mercer County Medical Society, of which he was also president for one year. The chief characteristics of his disposition are amiability and nobility, having a keen contempt for everything dishonorable. He is and has been married for seven years, but his household up to date has been in- creased by the addition of a single newcomer, a fine boy.
J. WILKS O'NEILL, M. D., an inestimable · member, is descended from a family, many of whose members have reaped deserving honors in various paths of life. The Hon. Charles O'Neill, of Phila- delphia, who has been a member of the National House of Representatives for more than twenty years, is his uncle. Without stopping to genealo- gize further, there is good basis for stating that the
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Doctor's own record up to the present has not cast the slightest reproach on his distinguished lineage. Born in the city of Baltimore, he tested, before commencing his medical training, the respective advantages and disadvantages as places of abode of Baltimore, New York, New Haven and Philadel- phia. He was educated first in the public schools of New York, next in the collegiate institution of New Haven, and lastly in the University of Penn- sylvania, Department of Arts. In the Medical Department of the University he studied for three sessions under the preceptorate of the late Prof. Joseph Carson. During the past decennium he has been a resident of Philadelphia, and has followed general medical and surgical practice among the upper ten. He holds the following official positions: Surgeon to the First Regiment Infantry, N. G. P .; Surgeon to the Out-door Department Children's Hospital, and Consulting Physician to the Southern Home. In 1879 a family was constituted in the modern way, the contracting parties being Miss Florence Emily Chandler and Dr. J. W. O'Neill, and the household at present consists of the two latter; also two lovely children. The father's loveliness of character, the writer is pleased to testify, is also really indescribable.
A. EDGAR OSBORNE, M. D., a brilliant member, came into this life Feb. 23, 1856 (one day after the fair), near Chester, Pa., removing in 1861 from here to Rose Valley, near Media, Pa., and in 1880 from the latter point to Media, where he lived up to November 1st, 1886. He then traversed this habit-
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able country, going to Santa Clara, Cal., from whence he hurls to us this day the cordial greet- ing: "my heart is in the matter, and I sincerely wish you the fullest success in all your efforts to insure a reunion worthy of the occasion and the class." Our subject was first educated in various public schools, later and mainly at Pennsylvania State College, Center Co., Pa. At the Medical De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania he was a student for three sessions, having also read, though irregularly, for one year previous. Attendant at the Auxiliary Department of the University, from which he was graduated in 1879, during three and one-half courses. He now went to practice in Media, Pa., and in this attempt was quite successful, paying especial attention to mental and nervous diseases. Both before and since he obtained his professional title, he has wormed in the Natural Sciences with considerable ardor. Formerly he was for eight years professor of the Natural Sciences in Short- lidge's Media Academy. Here he organized the chair of director of Physical Culture, whose first occupant he was. Among the many positions of public trust held by him in the past, were, Director of Public Schools, Media, Pa .; in 1880 had charge of census enumeration, eleventh district, Delaware County, and compiler of the vital and special statis- tics of Census Department, U. S. Government; " official visitor" of State Board of Lunacy, Penn- sylvania, for Delaware County, same State, to all of which others might be added. He was the proud organizer and late president of Media Medical Club; was a member of the Delaware County
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Society, of the American Medical Association and many other scientific bodies. At present he is super- intendent of the California Home for the care and training of feeble-minded children, a field of labor for which he is admirably fitted by former associa- tion and prolonged training. It is a noteworthy fact that he is the only physician thus engaged on the Pacific Coast, and in charge of the only institu- tion west of the State of Nebraska, where any special care or training is given to the epileptic, the idiotic or the feeble-minded. September 7th, 1880, he married Miss Margaret N. Paxton, daughter of Col. J. C. Paxton, of Marietta, Ohio. Dr. Osborne was among the most popular students of his class, and to-day his personal qualities continue to com- mand the admiration of his professional brethren; while his noble life and many achievements have been reflecting great credit upon the Class of '77.
ANDREW J. PARKER, JR., A. M., M. D., a richly gifted member, born August 6, 1855, in Philadel- phia, which city has also been his life-long home. Thoroughly trained at the Central High School of Philadelphia, from which he has since received Master of Arts, he afterwards read medical works for several years. In 1874 he entered the medical course of the University, and after attendance at three full sessions was graduated, at the same time carrying off the honor of obtaining the first prize for his admirable as well as original essay on " Cere- bral Convolutions." While he has been from the date of his entree into the profession to the present been following general Practice, he has also during
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the same period been an exceedingly zealous inves- tigator in the broad domain of biology, more espe- cially in that department of biologic inquiry embrac- ing the peculiarities and mode of development of cerebral fissures and convolutions in man, and his relative, the ape. Numerous valuable publications on the latter subjects have appeared in various journals from his pen, besides he has made important contributions in the same line to the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. As an evidence of appreciation of his early endowments, the authori- ties of the University of Pennsylvania, only a few years after his graduation, made him professor of Comparative Anatomy, in the institution under their charge. Verily, the practical results of his investi- gations have been valuable, and his theoretical utter- ances always regarded as serious by the scientific world. Dr. Parker's mind is at once acute and fertile, and to keep it in a prime, healthy condition should be his utmost endeavor.
GEORGE A. PIERSOL, M. D., an industrious member, and one who has shown great facility for taking up different intellectual pursuits. He has touched no special branch of medicine, without set- ting his mark upon it. Apart from his versatility it should be pointed out that his work, more particu- larly in the province of micro-photography, bears the stamp of originality. He was born in the year 1856, in Philadelphia, where he was also reared and educated, receiving the degree of B. S. from the Polytechnic College in the same city. At college he was thoroughly prepared for the medical profession,
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having been a diligent student during three winter, as well as three spring sessions. Since graduation, in 1877, he has prosecuted his calling in Philadel- phia as a specialist in diseases of the eye and ear; he has also during the same period consecrated much time and attention to such scientific pursuits as gen- eral microscopy, human and comparative histology, and, as before intimated, micro-photography. At present he is devoting a portion of a period of two or three years to the study of comparative histology, at the University in Berlin, Germany. The most noteworthy position he now holds is that of Demon- strator of Histology in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, having formerly been assistant demonstrator of the same branch. In the following societies he has been elected to member- ship: Philadelphia County Medical, Philadelphia Pathological, Academy of Natural Sciences, and is a fellow of the College of Physicians. Some years since he formed a matrimonial alliance, and now has great reason to be proud of his two fine boys.
JOSEPH PRICE, M. D., a celebrated member, by nativity a Virginian, born in Buckingham County, same State, where he arrived with the first (male) delivery on the first day of January, 1853, A. D. The latter fact may in some slight fashion, at least, account for his well-known prepossession of mind in favor of frequent deliveries later in lite. His early training was received at Fort Edward Institute, and later, at Union College, N. Y. Before entering his Alma Mater he was engaged in that noble occupa- tion, agriculture, and also in civil engineering. His
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college life, though uneventful, was studious, and continued for three years. Once a doctor of medi- cine, he settled in Philadelphia. Here he has remained up to the present pursuing with much zeal and ability his specialty-gynæcology. It is said that he can diagnose a case of pyo-salpinx at a glance, and that the removal of the tubes and ova- ries for this affection is a favored operation with him. Dr. Price has done good work for the profession in America in endeavoring to urge on the minds of American gynecologists the doctrines and practices of the great Tait, whose ardent disciple he is. Of the following societies he is a member : Philadelphia County Medical Society and Philadelphia Obstetrical. The proceedings of the latter society for the past few years, as published in the various journals, con- tain the reports of many cases operated upon by him with striking success. To show further his active interest in this association, it may be said that within recent years he has been taking a prominent part in the discussion of all questions coming before it appertaining to gynæcian diseases. He is a bold as well as brilliant operator, and in his chosen depart- ment occupies a position of prominence to which he has rapidly risen. He is chief surgeon of the Obstetrical Department of the Philadelphia Dispen- sary, a leading charity in this city.
But his fame continues to grow brighter, hav- ing been quite recently elected chief surgeon of the Preston Retreat, Philadelphia, succeeding his dear friend Prof. Goodell. IIe has the right to say : " I awoke one morning and found myself famous." Personally, he gives evidence of much native grace
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and dignity, though complaisant. withal. As an author his language is at once elegant and correct.
LOUIS W. REED, M. D., a strong member from one of the original colonies, was born at Woods- town, N. J., May 10, 1851, and excepting the period of time corresponding to the two sessions of his col- lege life, has been a resident of the place of his na- tivity until the present. Thus, immediately after graduating he returned to Woodstown, entering upon general family practice with what he modestly terms fairly good success. He had been reading medicine for one year when he matriculated. He is secretary of the Salem County Medical Society, also physician and surgeon at Salem County aims- house. Like his classmate, Morey, he has ampu- tated many a pauper's limbs, from what motive, can be readily conjectured. Dr. Reed, it should be pointed out, does not belong to the species, phrag- mites communis or common reed, but to good stock ; and it is painful to be obliged to record the fact that he is unmarried at thirty-five (35) years.
CLARENCE H. RISK, M. D., a successful member who was naturally of Philadelphia, though his family sometime during the past decade, removed to the city of Baltimore, where they still reside. Dr. Risk, in the spring of '77, settled as a physician in West Philadelphia. After a short stay here he removed to Orange, N. J., where he has been highly success- ful as general practitioner. We regret exceedingly our inability to give a proper sketch of this worthy fellow-graduate.
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A. SYDNEY ROBERTS, M. D., asuperb member, a native of Philadelphia, born in 1855, with a silver spoon in his mouth. He was well educated in our public schools, and under the tuition of Henry S. Ward, and Prof. Thomas Chase, of Haverford Col- lege. With Dr. W. W. Keen, of Philadelphia, he had read medicine for six months when he entered college, where he heard and digested all of the lec- tures during three courses. For the session of 1876- '77, he was president of the University Medical Society (now Stille Medical Society),-a body com- posed of a limited membership from among a better class of students, in their Senior year. Since the date of his graduation he has resided in New York for a brief period, and in Philadelphia during the remain- der of his professional career. For three years he was engaged in general practice, after which he took up the practice of orthopedic surgery, exten- sively. To medical literature Dr. Roberts has con- tributed many articles of signal value, most of which treat of subjects embraced in the domain of his spe- cialty. In a pamphlet recently published by the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania may be found a full list of his valuable papers. Soon after graduation he was for one term resident physician in Philadelphia Hospi- tals, and in 1880 was resident surgeon in New York Orthopedic Hospital. For three years he was attending surgeon to the out-patient department of the Episcopal Hospital. He was visiting surgeon to Philadelphia Hospital from 1881 to 1887, having quite recently resigned. At present he is instructor in orthopedic surgery in the University of Pennsyl- vania, and attending orthopedic surgeon to the out-
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patient service of the University Hospital. He is a fellow of the College of Physicians, a member of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, of the Philadelphia Pathological Society, and a much- valued member of the leading social circle of Phila- delphia. While serving as surgeon to the Philadel- phia Hospital he performed successfully numerous major operations upon the much-to-be-pitied inmates of this institution. He married Miss Caroline Thompson, daughter of Dr. William Thompson, the noted oculist, October 22, 1882; since then they have had born unto them three children,- not a bad showing. Dr. Roberts is the happy possessor of a vital temperament and of mental qual- ities that are so felicitously blended as to produce not only a most lovable character but also a healthy, vigorous spirit. He is without defects.
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