History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 146

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 146

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).

Early in 1793, Dr. Huddleson settled in Norristown, and soon acquired an extensive practice, being con- sidered a good physician and very successful in minor surgical and obstetrical operations.

His name appears in 1796 as one of the original corporators of the Norristown Library Company. Ile was married, in 1799, to Martha Gray Thomson. Shortly after his marriage he purchased a lot and erected a dwelling and office upon it, on the south side of Main Street, above Green, where they lived a number of years. Some years later he sold his prop- erty, and built or purchased another at the southwest corner of Main and Cherry Streets, where he resided till his death, March 5, 1852. As thedoctor advanced in years he songht relief from the labors of out-door practice by opening an apothecary shop, which he kept till age admonished him to retire from business.

Dr. Huddleson was a careful, successful surgeon, and so placid and kindly in disposition that he prob- ably never had an enemy in his life. Dr. Huddleson lett one son, Dr. John T. Inddleson, who, after practicing a few years in Norristown, removed to Thornbury, Delaware Co., where he has attained considerable eminence in the practice of his profes- sion.

Contemporaneous with Dr. Huddleson may be mentioned the names of two prominent physicians, -Dr. George W. Thomas and Dr. George Thomas.

Dr. George W. Thomas had quite an extensive prac- tice in 1828, and was frequently called on as con- sultant. In disposition he was unusually mild and gentle. He and Dr. Huddleson were the only prac- titioners in Norristown in 1831. These two, being ad- vanced in years, felt the need of a younger physician to relieve them of some of the hard and unprofitable work. About this time Dr. William Corson located in Norristown, and being then young, vigorous and ambitious, he became a valuable co-laborer in this work. They thus mutually served each other, and during the lives of Drs. Huddleson and Thomas there was the fullest confidence and harmony among the three physicians of the town. One of Dr. Thomas' daughters married Dr. Washington G. Nugent; the other was married to Dr. Gilbert Rodman McCoy, of

Doylestown, Pa., where he practiced many years. He died about six years ago, leaving a wife and some children. One of his daughters is married to Judge Watson, of Bucks County. Both the daughters of Dr. Thomas are living. He died of malignant erysipelas during the time when it prevailed as an epidemic, about thirty years ago.

Dr. George Thomas, of Upper Dublin township, practiced in this vicinity from 1800 to 1830. He was of Quaker origin, and though eminently successful as a practitioner, yet tradition credits him with many peculiarities. He generally walked when practicing, though good horses stood in his stable. Ile wore his hair long and a beard when beards were rarely seen. Ile died about 1840.

The beginning of the present century marks the arrival of several physicians, who became more or less prominent. Among these may be mentioned Dr. John Jones, who, in 1802, located in Horsham, about one mile from the Three Tons tavern. He continued in practice through Gwynedd, Montgomery, Horsham, Abington, Whitpain and Whitemarsh townships for forty-three years. He left a son, Joshua Y. Jones, who graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in IS30, and who assumed the practice of his father through the same region. In 1845 he was appointed by Governor Shunk, Lazaretto physician. In 1852 he was elected to the Senate l'or three years. In 1876 Congress appointed him one of the Centennial com- missioners for the State of Pennsylvania. It may be related in this connection that a daughter of Dr. Joshua Jones is the wife of Dr. F. S. Wilson, who practiced in the same locality until honored with the appointment under Governor Pattison that his father- in-law had received under Governor Shunk.

In May, 1802, Dr. Gove Mitchell began the practice of medicine in the lower part of the village of " Crooked Billet," now Hatboro'. In 1804 he bought the pro- perty of Dr. Hart, where he passed the remainder ot his life in the labors of his profession. He was an honorary member of the Montgomery County Medical Society at the time of his death.

Dr. Joseph Meredith, who studied medieine with his uncle, Dr. Hugh Meredith, a celebrated physician of the upper part of Bucks County, began the practice of medicine at or near North Wales village about 1802. His practice included the whole district of Gwynedd, Montgomery, Hatfield, Franconia, Towamencin, Wor- cester and Whitpain townships. There is no record of a practitioner of any kind in all that territory, with the exception, perhaps, of Dr. Silas Hough, who, about the same time, practiced for a few years in the upper part of Montgomery or New Britain township. He afterwards abandoned the profession and became a minister, being pastor for many years of the Mont- gomery Baptist Church.

With passing notice of Dr. McLean, who practiced through Horsham, Upper Dublin and Whitemarsh townships at the time of the Revolution, and lost his

640

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

life while crossing the Wissahickon; Dr. Charles Moore, who practiced at an uncertain period at Mont- gomery Square; Dr. Bacheldor, who practiced at Hat- boro' on foot and in the vicinity when the patient furnished the conveyance; Dr. Amos Griffith, who, during ten or twelve years, established a practice at North Wales, which he afterwards abandoned for agriculture ; and Dr. Philip Hahn, who administered to the relief of the sick from Trappe to the northern section of the county, we pass to the consideration of men who practiced at a more recent period.

SAMUEL GARTLEY, M.D., was born in the city of Philadelphia in the year 1779. His father, John Gartley, was a classical scholar, having been a grad- uate of the University of Edinburgh. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1801. Soon after receiving his diploma he was appointed surgeon on the ship "Ganges," an East Indiaman, which at that time, in consequence of the constant war in Europe, shipped what was called "a fighting crew." | State or county, but has contributed to the medical Dr. Gartley returned from China in 1803 and located in Norristown. In 1807 he married Sarah Potts, who was the daughter of Thomas and Abigail' Potts, he holding at that time the office of register and recorder at Norristown, under the appointment of Governor McKean.

In 1809, two years after her marriage, Sarah Gart- ley, the wife of Dr. Gartley, died. Some time after- wards he married Catharine M. Potts, a sister of his first wife, and he continued to reside here, having a widely-extended practice for many miles around Nor- ristown.

Having had two years' experience on shipboard and abroad, Dr. Gartley was esteemed a very skillful physician, and was often called into consultation by other practitioners in Montgomery, Bucks and Chester Counties. He was, besides, during the war of 1812, appointed a local examiner of soldiers as to their fitness for service in the army. He died in his forty- fifth year, in 1824. Dr. Gartley was a member of the Episcopal Church, and is buried in Swedes' Ford Cemetery.

SAMUEL FREEDLEY, M.D .- Henry Freedley, the father of Dr. Freedley, who was of German extraction, resided in his native State of Pennsylvania during his lifetime. He early removed to Springtown, Mont- gomery Co., having married Catherine Isett, who was descended from Pennsylvania German stock. He subsequently purchased the farm now owned by his son Samuel, and three years later removed to Norris- town, where he remained until his death, which occurred in Pottstown in October, 1823. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Freedley are Mary (Mrs. Richard Davis), Elizabeth (Mrs. George Printz), Henry (mar- ried to Sophia Kline), Susan (Mrs. Samuel Jacoby), Jacob (married to Susan Jacoby), John, Catherine (Mrs. Matthew Neeley) and Samuel. The last-named,

and subject of this biographical sketch, was born February 2, 1799, on the farm which is his present home, and at the age of three years removed to Nor- ristown. Ile received a classical education, and in 1819 entered the office of Dr. Samuel Gartley as a student of medicine, graduating from the Medical De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania in 1821. Dr. Freedley, preferring a large city as a field of operations, at once located in Philadelphia, which has been the scene of a protracted professional career. The doctor, after a large experience, found that the many cases coming under his observation required more specific remedies than were adopted by the old school of practice, and in 1836 embraced homœop- athy, which he has since made a specialty. He has been actively engaged since that date in professional labors, and at the present time responds to all demands upon his skill as the oldest practitioner in the city. He has never joined the medical societies of the

journals and written comprehensively upon the treat- ment of diphtheria, in which he has met with signal success. Hestill enjoys a Inerative office practice, and is able to bring to his aid an experience of sixty-four years as a physician. Dr. Freedley was first married in 1856, to Mrs. Anna Elizabeth Hoeckly, daughter of Armand Davis, of Philadelphia. He was a second time married, in 1880, to Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Blodget. He has been either a Whig or Republican in his political convietions, but never active in the field of politics. He is a Lutheran in his religious belief, and a member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, on Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia. Dr. Freedley having, by purchase, about 1849, secured possession of the homestead farm in Plymouth, has made it his residence, though continuing his practice in Phila- delphia.

ROBERT J. DODD, M.D., late of Lower Merion town - ship, was born in Philadelphia April 5, 1809. At a very early age he commenced the study of medicine and surgery in his native city, under Dr. George McClellan (father of Major-General Mcclellan), and so rapidly did he acquire proficiency in the science that when he was but a little more than seventeen years of age he passed the requisite examination to become an assistant surgeon in the United States navy, and received the appointment, dating from May 29, 1826. His first service at sea was on board the armed schooner "Shark," on a cruise in the Caribbean Sea and along the Spanish Main in search of pirates. In March, 1831, he was graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and, after a successful ex- amination before the naval board of surgeons, was promoted to the full grade of surgeon in the United States navy, his commission dating from April 4, 1831, and being signed by President Andrew Jackson.

From that time, for more than sixteen years, he continued on active duty, the greater part of the time afloat, his last cruise being completed in July, 1847,

1 The daughter of Colonel Saninel Miles, of the Continental army.

Samuel Findley

641

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

he having then been in the navy more than twenty- one years, of which (as shown by the navy register) twelve years and nine months had been spent in sea- service. During that time he had circumnavigated the globe three or four times; had been present in China when certain ports of that country were opened and made free by the power of the British navy ; had been several times prostrated by attacks of yellow fever, and once by the peculiarly malignant disease known as African fever, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. In the Mexican war he was on duty in the Gulf Squadron, and on the occasion of liberal benefactor. General Taylor's advance into the interior, from Cor-

ment, and contributed most liberally of his means in aid of the Union cause. He gave with a free hand to the support of the families of volunteers who en- tered the military service, furnishing almost the en- tire means of subsistence to many women and children whose husbands and fathers were in the field or prisoners of war in the South. And it was not alone in the dark time of the great civil war that his charity and benevolence were exhibited ; they were his life-long characteristics, and the poor who were within his knowledge always found in him a friend and a

On the 3d of March, 1871, Dr. Dodd was promoted

R.g. Dodd.

pus Christi, he was one of a force of five hundred vol- unteers-officers and men of the naval and marine services-who held the army's rear communications and base of supplies.

Immediately after the expiration of his last cruise, in 1847, Dr. Dodd was placed in charge of the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia, where he remained on duty several years. Afterwards he became a permanent resident in Lower Merion township, living on the fine estate which he had previously purchased, and on which, in 1850, he built the commodious mansion-house which is now occupied by his son. In the war of the Rebellion, though not employed in active service, he was an ardent and steadfast supporter of the govern-

to the grade of medical director in the navy on the retired list, his commission being signed by President Grant and Secretary Robeson. He died at his home in Lower Merion township on the 4th of February, 1876, having been nearly a half-century in the active and retired naval service, and having risen through the different grades to the relative rank of commodore.

Dr. Dodd was married, in 1825, to Ann Sweeney, of Philadelphia, who died in the early part of 1827, less than two years after their marriage. In 1848 he mar- ried Hannah Matilda, daughter of Josiah Bradlee, of Boston, Mass. She had no children, and died in 1871. The only child of Dr. Dodd was by his first marriage,

642

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

-a son, Robert J. Dodd, Jr., who is now living on the | homestead, and adjacent property, amounting to homestead estate in Lower Merion, where his father about one hundred and forty-four acres, all situated spent the years of his retirement until the close of in and contiguous to, the valley of Mill Creek. his life.

Dr. Robert .J. Dodd, Jr., son of Dr. Robert J. and Ann Dodd, was born in Philadelphia; studied medi- cine in that city with Dr. John McClellan (son of Dr. George and; brother of the general), and was grad- uated at Jefferson Medical College in 1848. In the same year he was married to Mary Markley Ghriskey, a descendant of Jacob Markley, one of the early (1722) settlers of Montgomery County. Dr. Dodd commenced practice in western Virginia, where he

JACOB KNIPE, M.D .- Dr. Knipe is of German ex- traction, his father, David Knipe, having been a resi- dent of Gwynedd township, where he was actively engaged in farming. He married Mary Raker, whose children were John, David, Hannah (Mrs. William Burney), Conrad, Catherine (Mrs. John B. Johnson), Daniel, Eliza (Mrs. Chester Clark), Jacob and Wil- liam. Jacob Knipe was born on the 12th of Septem- ber, 1804, in Gwynedd township, and spent his youth at the homestead, having been left fatherless when

Jacoba Vrije

remained but a short time, then removed to Kentucky, but two years of age. His education was received at and practiced there more than nine years. In 1858 the common schools near his home and in Philadel- phia, after which he entered the office of his brother- in-law, Dr. Chester Clark, of Schultzville, Berks Co., with a view to the study of medicine, and subsequently became a student in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1828. Ile was for a brief period settled at Siegers- ville, Lehigh Co., and later at Schultzville, from which point, after a residence of two years, he re- moved to Swamp, New Hanover township, and estab- lished a successful practice, which was continued uninterruptedly for forty years. This long term of professional labor, much of it covering an extended he removed thence to Rock Island County, 111., where he practiced until 1861, when he returned to his native city, but did not locate in practice there. From Phila- delphia he removed to the State of Delaware, where he practiced twelve years. In 1876, after the death of his father (of whose will he had been appointed sole executor), it became necessary for him to remove to the homestead in Lower Merion, in order to give his personal attention to the settlement of the estate. He still continues to reside there, intending to remain until he is able, in pursuance of the terms of the will, to dispose of the real estate, which embraces the

643

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

field and requiring long rides, induced Dr. Knipe, in 1867, to seek a period of rest, and retiring from the active work of the profession, his practice was trans- ferred to his younger son. The doctor was married,. on the 30th of October, 1828, to Miss Rachel, daughter of David Evans, of Hatfield township, Montgomery Co. Their children are David E., deceased ; Mary A .; Francis M., who graduated from the Jefferson Medical College and is practicing in Frederick township, Montgomery Co .; Sallie J., deceased (Mrs. A. K. Whitner) ; Jacob O., a practicing physician in Norris- town ; Hannah E., deceased ; Septimus A., a graduate

30th of October, 1878, the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, on which occasion many relatives and friends from adjacent portions of the county and State assembled to offer their congratulations. The death of Dr. Jacob Knipe occurred in August, 1883, in his seventy-ninth year.

IIIRAM CORSON, M.D.,' the fifth son of Joseph and Hannah Corson, was born in Plymouth township, Montgomery Co., October 8, 1804. His mother's death, at the age of forty, left him, a small boy, to the care of a father immersed in business, bnt mainly to two elder sisters, Mary and Sarah, the former of whom

Hur ams forson

of Jefferson Medical College, who is engaged in prac- tice at Swamp; Rachel A .; and Conrad MI., deceased. Dr. Knipe was in politics always a Democrat, but rarely participated actively in matters of a political character. His son, Dr. Francis M., represented his district for four years in the State Legislature. The subject of this sketch was actively identified with public enterprises in the township and county, and until his resignation of the office was president of the Lim- erick and Colebrookdale Turnpike Company. He was identified by membership with the Lutheran Church at Swamp. Dr. and Mrs. Knipe celebrated on the

afterwards married Thomas Adamson, and the latter Thomas Read. Having a much older brother (Alan) who soon after engaged in teaching, these younger ones had the best opportunity, short of a collegiate course, of receiving a good academic education. Dr. Corson is one, however, whom phrenologists charac- terize as a natural scholar,-a person measurably inde- pendent of schools. Such men do not so much reason after the manner of mathematicians as grasp by per- ceptive analysis or intuition whatever comes within

1 For a sketch of the Corson family, see " Plymouth Township."

644

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the purview of their minds. This is, perhaps, the happiest of all faculties for the physician to possess, inasmuch as he must often act on the spur of the moment, with little time for reflection. With the quick critical gifts described it was natural that Hiram Corson's attention should have been drawn to medicine as a profession. Accordingly, when twenty-two years of age, he entered the office of Dr. Richard D. Corson, of New Hope, Bucks Co., in 1826, and in March, 1828, graduated at the University of Pennsylvania. Soon after he erected a residence near Plymouth Friends' Meeting, where he has since resided, and for more than half a century enjoyed an exceptionally large practice. The life of Dr. Corson has been so busy, and his contributions to medical science and social prog- ress so varied, that it is difficult to characterize his career. No sooner had he begun his professional routine than he perceived the terrible devastation produced by alcoholic liquors, so universally used as a beverage, and so greatly aggravated by the then com- mon prescription of them by physicians in their practice. With the decision of a quick mind and the cool intrepidity of a hero, he threw himself against the whole system. He soon discovered also in his own experience that in most cases patients recover more rapidly without their use, and he thenceforth almost banished them from his materia medica. Not only did he boldly take this ground in the face of the pecuniary gains to the fraternity by their use, but entered into the moral discussion which arose a few years later, and ou all proper occasions made vehement speeches against the practice of drinking those liquors. He was among the first to detect and denounce the insidious nature and dangerous use of root-beer and other weak fermented drinks to reformed inebriates during the Washingtonian movement. He was not only the champion of temperance at home, but frequently introduced the subject at the meetings of the State and national medical societies. It is proper to add, however, that without changing his views on this question, he has given the work into younger hands. Dr. Corson's observation soon con- vinced him that the custom, then widely prevalent, of employing hot drinks alone in eruptive diseases, and denying patients the cooling draughts of water, so much craved, was not justified by experience. Ac- cordingly, he conformed his practice to these views, and, without pretending to found a new school, has, nevertheless, effected a widely-extended reform in such cases, his brethren generally yielding to the correct- ness of his observations and theory. In the mean time there have been few, if any, additions to medical sci- ence or discussions growing out of its theory in which he has not participated.

There are no medical men in the country better known by their occasional writings than Dr. Corson, all his papers being characterized by keen, intuitive perception of truth. Close observation and common- sense, enlightened by professional experience added

to science, have been his striking characteristics in all his labors. He was active in the organization of the Montgomery County Medical Society, and has read before it a number of valuable papers. He, with his brother William, was active in forming the State Medical Society, of which he was president in 1852. But zeal in the pursuit of his profession, together with an extensive practice and the care of a large family, did not so far absorb his mind as to prevent his also having great interest in State and national affairs. Though not an active politician, he has been all his life a Whig and Republican, taking especial interest in the cause of the down-trodden slave. As in the case of temperance, he was outspoken from the first against the iniquity and unwise policy of maintaining the slave-holding system. In matters of humanity, public charities or social abuses his keen, critical and trenchant pen is frequently employed, nearly always enlightening the public mind upon some matter un- observed by others. Dr. Corson, notwithstanding his radical views on most reform subjects, has been fre- quently honored by medical societies and the profes- sion at large. He was among the first physicians to open the profession to the female sex, putting forward his niece, Miss Anderson, and giving her the benefit of his name and reputation to secure an education. He has been for many years a member of the American Medical Association. A list of the various societies and associations of which he has been elected associate member, together with the titles of some of his many valuable papers read and published, will be found elsewhere in this volume. He is the author of various papers on scarlet fever and diphtheria, and the origin- ator of the ice-treatment, which has proved so efficient in those diseases, and which is now in general use throughout the United States. His writings, though numerous and even voluminous, have often been ac- complished in hours snatched from rest, in order that his brethren might have the benefit of his large expe- rience. Some years ago Governor Hartranft, knowing Dr. Corson's familiarity with the advanced knowledge of the profession in the treatment of lunatics, appointed him a trustee of the State Hospital for the Insane, at Harrisburg. The State Board of Charities also ap- pointed him one of the visitors to the Montgomery County prison and almshouse. Without any official connection with the Eastern Asylum for the Insane, recently built, he was, nevertheless, influential, by his writings and oral advice, in securing the wise arrange- ments for the humane safe-keeping of its inmates. Dr. Corson has kept abreast with the most enlightened views prevailing in England and on the Continent, and for a long time has deprecated the prison feature in treating the insane. Some years ago he uncovered to the public eye the gross neglect of the demented poor in our almshouses, securing thereby a reform of the same.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 146

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534