USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of contemporary biography of Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 62
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Josephiancoach
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cine and surgery. As carly as 1831 he translated from the Latin, and added notcs to a " Treatise on the Structure, Functions and Discases of the Human Sympathetic Nerve " by J. Frederick Lobstein. His "Treatise on Operative Surgery," which became very popular, was published in 1844. It passed to a third edition in 1852 and appeared in a revised and en- larged form. Of this work there were sold during the first nine years of its existence upwards of four thousand copies. It was also in 1844 that he re- modeled the able work originally written by Dr. Casper Wistar-to which the late Professor William E. Horner has made valuable additions-entitled " A System of Anatomy for the use of Students." Such works as "Laennec on the Great Sympathetic Nerve," "Thie Cerebro-Spinal System in Man," and "Quain's Anatomical Plates " were edited by him from time to time. He published also various mon- ographs on pathological and surgical subjects, and was an almost constant contributor to the American Journal of the Medical Sciences, the American Medical Intelligencer and the Medical Examiner. He likewise published sundry essays and introductory lectures to his class, one, in 1856, being entitled " Professional Glimpses Abroad." His literary contributions to medical knowledge made his name known abroad as well as at home, and brought him into cor- respondence with eminent practitioners both in England and America, thereby enlarging his infor- mation and affording a stimulus to further re- search and endeavor. Any reputable movement looking toward organized effort in advancing medi- cal science met with his hearty support. He was active in promoting the welfare of such organiza- tions as the American Philosophical Society, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the London Medical Society, the College of Physicians, the College of Pharmacy, the Philadelphia County Medical Socie- ty, as well as several others of which he was a mem- ber, and he took a warm interest, too, in assisting individuals who exhibited aptitude and application in seeking knowledge. He was a bold, rapid and skillful operator, and in diagnosis almost invar- iably correct. It has already been remarked in this sketch that Dr. Pancoast achieved much fame as the originator or inventor of new or im- proved methods of performing surgical opera- tions. He originated the operation for soft cataract of the eye with a fine needle bent near the point. He devised many new operations in plastic surgery, among them the formation of a nose by means of the plough and groove or plastic suture, introduced in 1841. He was the first who formed a substitute for the cyebrow, formed from a flap of the scalp; introduced the use of a catheter for empyema, the
instrument being inserted in the pleura by raising a flap of the integuments over the ribs; devised the operation of turning down flaps from the skin of the abdomen for the relief of cxstrophy of the bladder -first performed by him in 1868-also the raising of a flap over the coronoid process, and the removal of that process and part of the lower jaw to divide the nerve trunks of the fifth (5th) pair that cause pain in facial neuralgia. He discovered that in some cases of strabismus thic internal oblique muscle must be cut. He has restored the voice by dividing the muscles of the soft palate that have become con- tracted from ulceration, and he also devised an ab- dominal tourniquet which he first used in 1860, for compressing the aorta and thus preventing loss of blood in amputation at the hip joint or upper thigh. To this enumeration of his achievements might be added a much longer list. Indeed, Dr. Pancoast was chiefly noted for his many remarkable surgical operations, and his ingenuity in devising new meth- ods which in numerous cases saved life when it must incvitably have been lost by the old methods of procedure or in the absence of any operation. The good to individuals who came under his skilled hand, large as it was, represents but a small part of what was attained through the boon his inventions gave to the medical profession, and thus to the world. It is thus that the physician reaches the greatest usefulness of his noble calling. Whole generations of practitioners the world over are ben- efitted by a single one who, like Dr. Pancoast, com- bined genius, application, enthusiasm and conscien- tiousness in the study and practice of his profession. He appears to have been as admirable a man as he was a physician. In social life, Dr. Pancoast was a most agreeable companion, full of interesting rem- iniscence and entertaining and instructive exper- iences, interspersed with the pungent wit and per- tinent anecdote of the accomplished conversation- alist. Besides his exceptionally active and labor- ious professional life and labors-in the over-zealous pursuit of which he doubtless taxed his energies to such an extent as to impair his health and shorten his life,-he devoted much time to business enter- prises of varied natures. In the development of the anthracite coal properties in the Lackawanna Val- ley, he was among the first who invested capital on a large scale, being associated in this venture with the late Eli K. Price of Philadelphia, and Dr. B. H. Throop, an honored and distinguished citizen of Scranton. The Pancoast Coal Co. of Scranton, or- ganized years ago, and named in honor of Dr. Pan- coast, is one of the most prosperous of that section, and yields the estate a large and constant income. The city of his adoption, his country, the men of
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his profession, and the world at large suffered a loss when the operations of his splendidly informed mind and kindly heart were cut off by death. A long life was permitted him in which to exercise those functions with which he was so liberally en- dowed and gave of as liberally for the benefit of mankind. He nearly reached the age of four score years, dying March 7, 1882.
WILLIAM H. PANCOAST.
DOCTOR, or, as he is commonly called, Professor William H. Pancoast, the President of the Medico- Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, is the son of the late distinguished Dr. Joseph Pancoast, and was born in the city where he at present resides, October 16, 1835; and although barely passed the meridian of life, he has reached an enviable position in his profession. He received his literary educa- tion at Haverford College, and graduated therefrom in 1853 as A.B., later, on furnishing original papers, receiving the degree of M.A. He probably inherit- ed from his father those traits of mind which led him to seek knowledge, and imbibed from him the tastes which directed his attention to medicine as his special field of study and occupation. He grad- uated from the Jefferson Medical College in 1856, and subsequently supplemented his education by three years of residence at the great medical insti- tutions of London, Paris, and Vienna, and gained much of general information by travel upon the Continent and in England. Returning well equipped so far as the best schools of the world could do that work, he quickly obtained a large practice and thus supplicd the deficiency that experience alone is capable of supplying. Like his father, he turned his attention chiefly to anatomy and surgery, and de- voted himself to them with an intelligence and a persistency of purpose that soon brought him into eminence, which in turn urged him to continual study of the current discoveries in these branches of science. His ability was generally recognized in the profession, and, in 1862, it received a flatter- ing attestation in his appointment as Demonstra- tor of Anatomy, and, subsequently, that of Adjunct Professor, in his Alma Mater. He held that position in Jefferson Medical College for twelve years, acquitting himself so creditably that when his father resigned the chair of Anatomy and Clinical Surgery, in 1874, he was chosen by the trustees to fill the vacancy, and that advanced station he occupied until the spring of 1886, prov- ing himself fully adequate to the duties of the pro-
fessorship, both in the thoroughness of his knowl- edge and his faculty for imparting it to the students who came before him-a gift which does not always accompany the possession of information. The es- teem and affection in which he was held by the pupils were expressed upon his resignation by their many kindly words individually spoken, and by a general request that he should sit for a portrait, which they afterwards presented to the trustees of the College. Professor Pancoast, during his connec- tion with Jefferson Medical College, as well as be- fore, was an exceedingly busy man. Not only were his labors at that institution quite onerous, but he held various positions of other nature,-each placing upon him a more or less heavy additional load, -and performed various duties pertaining to his profes- sion. He was Visiting Surgeon to the Philadelphia Hospital for eighteen years, the managers of which subsequently appointed him, on his resignation in 1885, Emeritus Surgeon of the institution, this being the first time that rank was established in this old and celebrated hospital. He was also Senior Sur- geon, second in command, of the Sixth and Master Street United States Military Hospital; and during the War did service at the front on several occa- sions, for which he was elected a member of the Loyal Legion. He was in the first Bull Run battle, in the Chickahominy, and in command of the fine hospi- tal steamer, the Spaulding, which, well equipped with medical assistants and stores, he took to White House landing. He was likewise in the second Bull Run bat- tlc, where he also represented the Governor of Penn- sylvania, being placed in charge of all the supplies sent by that State. He was offered the commission of Brigade Surgeon to the Union League Brigade, but was obliged to decline it, on account of his duties as Demonstrator of Anatomy and Assistant to the Chair of Anatomy, in Jefferson Medical College. Since 1859 he has been Surgeon and Consulting Surgeon of the Charity Hospital and one of its trustees. He also filled (and continues still to hold many of) the following mentioned posts: He was President of the Philadelphia County Medical So- ciety, a First Vice-President of the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, a First Vice-President of the American Medical Association, a member of the In- ternational Congress held in Philadelphia in 1876; a member of the American Association of Medical Editors, and permanent member of these, and other medical and scientific societies. In the recent effort to maintain the integrity and success of the Ninth International Medical Congress, he took a promi- nent and active part, and, during the important convention of the body held at Washington in Sep- tember, 1887, he was a member of the executive
mu Hle Pancoast, a. m . M. D . & C
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committee of the Congress, and President of the Section on Anatomy, and a Delegate from this Ninth International Congress to the National Medi- cal Societies of Europe, to advanee its interests. In 1884 he settled a question long mooted among med- ical men of America and Europe, by procuring, aid- ed by his colleagues, the bodies of the Siamese twins, and demonstrating beyond a doubt that the band which united them could not have been separ- ated without destroying their lives. He carried on, too, during the whole period of his professorship, a large private practice, and it is not strange that al- though a very healthful, strong man, upon resigning his chair in the Faculty of Jefferson College, he should have desired that rest and recreation which only a change of scene and complete cessation of labor can give. He consequently went abroad witlı an idea of making extended travels in Europe and the far East-a purpose which he did not succeed in carrying out. Professor Pancoast had been abroad for only a brief season when he received an urgent and flattering invitation to return home, and one which he could not well ignore even had he cared to. The trustees and faculty of the Medico- Chirurgical College were anxious to develop that institution for the purpose of affording a higher medical education, and they sought his services to that end. It was far more through his public spirit, his love of his native city and his profession that he was led to accede to their call for aid, than through any desire for personal benefit, and indeed, there appeared little or no promise of the latter. He came reluctantly, but having once espoused the cause labored for its interests most zealously. "Other talented gentlemen," says a Philadelphia newspa- per, "also allied themselves with the Medico-Chi- rurgical College, and the distinguished faculty, thus reinforced, was eminently qualified to bring about the remarkable growth and prosperity which the college has shown during the past two or three years. As a medical school this institution now rivals the best in this country. Its well-managed hospital, which does an active and extensive work in Philadelphia, affords excellent opportunities in its daily clinics, which are conducted by able pro- fessors of ripe experience. The recent union of the largest dental school in the world-the Philadelphia Dental College-with the Medico-Chirurgical College, and the further coalition with the Polytechnic Col- lege of Pennsylvania have been important epochs in the medical history of Philadelphia." It may be re- marked that in the success of these institutions, thus glowingly spoken of by the press, Professor Pancoast has had a leading influence. He is one of the trustees of the Polytechnic and an enthusiastic
worker in the united interests of all. On Professor Pancoast's identification with the Medico-Chirurgi- cal College he was elected to the chair of General Deseriptive and Surgical Anatomy and Clinical Sur- gery. In 1887 he received the highest honor in the gift of the trustees in being elected President of the college. When the International Medical Congress held its session in Washington, D. C., during Sep- tember, 1887, he had the pleasure of conferring one of the degrees of the college, that of F. M. C. C. (Fellow of the Medico-Chirurgieal College) upon eighteen eminent physicians from England, Scot- land, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Egypt and Roumania. The prosperity attending the reorgani- zation of the college has already compelled the erection of extensive new buildings which will give its faculty greater facilities of instruction than be- fore, and afford accommodations for an increased attendance of students. The college trustees eon- gratulate themselves upon having secured the ser- vices of so distinguished a physician, educator and manager as Professor Pancoast, and he in turn is proud of his connection with the growing institu- tion, which is an honor to Philadelphia, and must in the nature of things, become more and more so, year by year. Professor Pancoast is a member of several city, State and National, soeieties and of learned bodies in London and Paris. He is also President of the International Red Cross Society of Philadelphia, which, under his management and that of the Executive Committee, has performed valuable services, lending lustre to the fair fame of Philadelphia and forwarding the interests of human- ity. His contributions to medical literature consist of published addresses, papers and clinical lectures furnished to the different medical journals: the Medical and Surgical Reporter, Medical Times, Photographic Review of Medicine and Surgery, The Medical Register, etc. Three of these papers have had a wide circulation in this country and Europe viz .: on the surgical anatomy of the band connecting the Siamese twins, on the anatomy of the union of the Carolina twins, and a new method of treating fracture of the neck of the thigh bone. He is one of the proprietors and the Associate Editor of the Medical Register. He has also devised some valu- able instruments, and some new methods in surge- ry. His unthrotome, therapeutic knife, splint chair for treatment of fracture of the neck of the thigh bone, and blaek, iron dyed silk ligature are accepted and well known. Professor Pancoast has scarcely passed life's meridian, and possessing vigor of mind and body, there is promise that he may yet do much more for his profession and his gener- ation.
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EDWIN H. FITLER.
HON. EDWIN HENRY FITLER, Mayor of Phil- adelphia, was born in that city, December 2, 1825. The family has been domiciled in the Keystone State for several generations. In the city of Phila- delphia the Fitlers have always been successful tradesmen and business men, of high respectability and considerable prominence. The father of Mr. Fitler was a prosperous leather merchant, who, fol- lowing the custom of the early days of the Republic, united with his business the trade of tanning. His shop and store were at the corner of Second and Otter streets, and the house of which they formed a part, and which was the family residence, and has long been known as the Fitler mansion, is still a landmark in that section of Philadelphia. Young Fitler's parents were in easy circumstances, and fully appreciating the importance of learning, gave their son excellent educational advantages. After completing an academic course of study, young Fitler entered the office of Charles E. Lex, a prominent law- yer of Philadelphia, and for a period of four years devoted himself with more or less assiduity to mas- tering the intricacies of Coke and Blackstone, study- ing conveyancing the while under his elder brother Alfred, an expert in that department. Notwith- standing that his progress was considerable, and that the way was open to him to enter the legal pro- fession, he found as he grew older that. his natural tastes were for mechanical pursuits, and with rare good sense he concluded to abandon law for a more congenial occupation. Circumstances led him to enter the employment of George J. Weaver, a man- ufacturer of cordage, at Germantown avenue and Tenth street, and within two years he had risen to the position of master workman, and at the age of twenty-three became the partner of his employer, the firm thus created taking the style of George J. Weaver & Co. While engaged in mastering his trade Mr. Fitler's mechanical genius was busily at work with the happiest results, in improving upon the old time methods then in vogue, and in devising appli- ances to lessen labor and increase production. When he became the partner of Mr. Weaver he dis- tinguished himself by his activity and progressive spirit. Through his vigorous initiative labor-saving machinery was added to the plant of the factory, and as fast as new devices or appliances were in- vented they were adopted and put into instant use. The result was a large increase and improvement in production, and a considerable reduction in price. The business of the house was greatly extended and its reputation permanently established. In 1859 Mr. Fitler bought out his partner and reorganized the
business under the firm name of Edwin Fitler & Co. As occasion required additions were made to the factory, but at length the business attained such proportions that it became necessary to seek more commodious quarters, which were found at Brides- burg, to which place, in 1880, the works were re- moved. By steady strides the house of Edwin H. Fitler & Co. has advanced to the head of its line in the United States. Its plant now occupies fifteen acres of ground. The machinery employed is of the most modern and substantial type. The product of the works exceeds in quantity and value that of the firm's most powerful rivals. A number of the valuable methods and mechanical improvements in use are of Mr. Fitler's own invention; and it is a fact deserving of record that none of these have ever been patented, all being given freely to the public. Mr. Fitler's relations to his large force of employes have been marked by kindness and cordiality. A number of those now in his employ have been with him a quarter of a century-several even longer. So just have been his dealings with all under him that few have ever complained. Strikes are unknown among his men. The esteem in which he is held by those to whom he pays wages is shared by those with whom he has general business dealings; and by none is he more highly respected than by his col- leagues in the cordage business, who have recently testified their admiration for his sterling qualities as a manufacturer and man of business, by electing him President of the American Cordage Manufac- turers' Association. The house of Edwin Fitler & Co., is composed of Mr. Fitler and his two sons, Mr. Edwin H. Fitler, Jr., and Mr. William W. Fitler. It is well and favorably known in all parts of the world, and in standing and wealth has no superior in the cordage trade. The demands of his business upon his time, though great, have never prevented Mr. Fitler giving the fullest attention to his duties as a citizen. These latter he has discharged with more than ordinary zeal and efficiency. He was one of the earliest members of the Union League, which was conspicuous in aiding the National Government in the War for the suppression of the Rebellion. His personal efforts and influence during the great struggle were of high value to the Federal authori- ties, and were gratefully appreciated. No request made to him for money or services was ever dishon- ored. He was active in the work of raising troops, encouraging his men to enter the Union service and liberally assisting those who donned the blue. The large number of enlistments among his men proved a serious detriment to the conduct of his business, but he cheerfully bore the annoyance as well as the heavy pecuniary losses resulting, and never for a
yours Truly
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moment relaxed his efforts to swell the ranks of the volunteers. A complete company was enlisted and organized at his works, and it is a matter of history that no better equipped body of men left the State for the field. To this matter he gave his personal attention. As a patriotic, prominent and active member of the Union League he became widely known in the Republican party, the principles of which he advocated with eloquence and zeal. He was frequently consulted by the party chiefs and in a quiet way wielded a decidedly powerful influence upon public affairs, more especially in the matter of selecting candidates for office. On the rare occa- sions when his advice was neglected the party lead- ers were not slow to perceive that it was at a severe loss to their cause. In the work of projecting and organizing the Centennial Exhibition at Philadel- phia, in 1876, Mr. Fitler took a leading part. He served on the Board of Finance of the Exhibition and labored unceasingly to make it a credit and an advantage to his native city; and, with the other public-spirited citizens who co-operated in the work, earned the well-deserved thanks of the whole public. Mr. Fitler is one of those representative men who, while conscious of their weight in public affairs, rarely consider the overtures made to them by their fellow-citizens to hold public office. While steadily adhering to the principles and fortunes of the Re- publican party he freely admits the honesty of those opposed to him politically, and is noted for his lib- erality and tolerance in this respect. His elevation to the Chief Magistracy of the second city in the Union came about entirely apart from his own efforts, and was the result not of any ambitious de- signs on his own part, but solely of the public sense of his fitness for this responsible position. The cir- cumstances leading to it may properly find mention here. It is generally believed that the passage by the State Legislature, on June 1, 1885, of an "Act to provide for the better government of cities of the first class in this Commonwealth," was the most im- portant in the history of Philadelphia since the so- called "Consolidation Act." The new charter to which it gave birth effected a complete revolution in the city's affairs, and invested the Mayor with prerogatives and responsibilities not attaching to the chief-magistracy of any other American municipal- ity, and of far greater importance than had ever be- fore been conferred upon any incumbent of the office. The great object in view was to conserve the public interests, and as much publicity as possible was given the matter in the press of the city. It is altogether probable that no public measure was ever more fully discussed by the people of Philadelphia, pending its passage. Private citizens and politicians
were both agreed that the incoming executive would have a heavy task laid upon him, and that a man of the very highest character joined to a large business experience and a determined will, would have to be chosen to bear the burden of the office. In the councils of the Republican party Mr. Fitler had long been looked upon as the very man to be safely entrusted with these responsibilities, and this opinion was widely shared by those not in the party fold. When the Republicans made the nomination the whole matter had been carefully thought out by the leaders, who knew the fitness of their candidate as well as his great personal popularity. Several "Independent " movements recognized Mr. Fitler's ability and heartily endorsed the Republican nomin- ation. The workingmen of the city were likewise enthusiastic supporters of Mr. Fitler, whose person- al probity as a business man and fair dealings with his employes had long commended him to them. Strenuous efforts were made to alienate the sup- port of these latter, but they proved total fail- ures. The enthusiasm in favor of Mr. Fitler was entirely too great and too general to be overcome or even stemmed by the opposition ; and in February, 1887, when the election was held, Mr. Fitler re- ceived a majority of nearly thirty thousand votes over his Democratic opponent, being the largest ever given to any candidate for the Mayoralty of Philadelphia. Since he has assumed the duties of his office, Mayor Fitler has proven that the public confidence in him has not been misplaced. His con- duct has been so thoroughly above criticism as to win unqualified approval from even the most cap- tious of his political opponents. He has shown himself superior to the wiles and influence of the politicians, and has managed public affairs with a regard solely to the public weal and in accordance with his official oath. Conscious that his example and success will be of the utmost value to those who will come after him in the chief magistracy, he has labored with unflagging zeal to carry on faithfully and complete satisfactorily the great work which the new charter was framed to aid and accomplish ; and the vast powers placed in his hands have been judicially and unselfishly used, and in such a manner as to win general approbation. To this work Mr. Fitler seems to have consecrated his best and most intelligert efforts. That the public are not insensi- ble to these efforts is shown by the fact that at the Republican National Convention held at Chicago in 1888, Mr. Fitler received the vote not only of the en- tire Philadelphia delegation, but also of several del- egates from other parts of Pennsylvania, as well as from other States, as their choice for President of the United States. This distinguished honor, even
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