History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 25

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454

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Dr. Otis L. Gibson was a native of Croydon, New Hampshire. where he was born in 1807. He graduated from the Vermont School of Medicine in 1831 and came

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

immediately to Wellsboro and began the practice of his profession. Just before leaving New England he was married to Miss Emmeline B. Parsons, a daughter of Capt. Luke Parsons, of Woodstock, Vermont, who afterwards removed to Wellsboro and died there. Dr. Gibson was one of the men who exercised an influence for good on society in Wellsboro and vicinity. He was one of the material promoters of a higher tone of thought and action, and was rather a model man in those times. He neither drank liquor, played cards, or used profane language, and had fewer bad habits than most people of his age and station. Colonel Kimball, the hotel keeper, once remarked that he thought the Doctor would add greatly to his popularity if he would unbend a little, take a drink once in a while with the boys, and not be so "stiff and particular." Mrs. Gibson was very much like her husband-a staid, matronly and non-gossiping woman, whom everybody respected. They were both Episco- palians while in Wellsboro, having been brought up in that faith in their native State. When Dr. Gibson commenced the practice of medicine in Wellsboro he belonged to what was called "the heroic school." He gave medicine in large doses, dealt out calomel profusely, physicked, bled and puked his patients without any compunctions of conscience. That was then the popular and approved system; and although he used the heroic treatment, he was quite a successful practitioner. He was careful, prudent and watchful, had a discerning mind and an excellent judgment, and generally knew exactly the moment to commence the building up process. Dr. Gibson also added materially to the wealth of Wellsboro. He built a number of houses on Covington street, which were just right for the purposes intended- cheap residences for small families. He also built one or two other houses which were larger and better. In all praiseworthy undertakings he did his part, and was a liberal contributor to his church. Dr. Gibson had two sons and two daughters. His eldest daughter became the wife of a Congregational minister in Connecticut, and the other the wife of a business man in North Carolina. Lewis W., his eldest son, became rector of Christ Church in Dover, Delaware; Otis, the other son, studied medicine and settled in Minnesota. For nearly ten years before his death Dr. Gibson was a confirmed invalid. He died July 31, 1863, and his wife May 6, 1865.

Dr. Lewis Saynisch, a native of Switzerland, settled in Blossburg in 1831. In addition to pursuing the practice of medicine, he engaged in the mercantile and lumber business, and was one of the leading spirits in the movement that led to the development of the Blossburg coal field and the building of the Corning and Bloss- burg railroad. He was one of the organizers and an early president of the Arbon Coal Company. He died in Blossburg about 1856.

Dr. Thomas T. Huston settled at Tioga, then known as Willardsburg, in 1831. He was born in Carlisle in 1793, and was graduated from Dickinson College about 1820, among his classmates being Robert J. Walker and Gen. James Irvin. After leaving college he spent four years in the study of medicine and graduated from the Pennsylvania Medical College, Philadelphia. He then spent a short time with his parents in Williamsport, when he came to Tioga. He was attracted thither through the influence of his elder brother (then twenty-three years his senior) who afterwards became the celebrated Judge Charles Huston of the Supreme Court. Judge Huston then owned large tracks of wild land in the vicinity of Tioga. Dr. Huston, however, did not remain long here. He left in the fall of 1833 and located at Tioga

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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

Point (now Athens), because he married his wife there, and there he lived and prac- ticed medicine over thirty years, dying May 14, 1865.

Allen Furman, a pioneer settler in Gaines, practiced medicine in that township for a number of years. Elisha B. Benedict, a physician and minister, located in Elk- land in 1831 and practiced medicine there until his death in 18:2. Harmon White- head practiced medicine in Covington during 1831 and 1832 and later in Mansfield. Dr. Thaddeus Phelps practiced in Knoxville from 1832 to 1834. In 1832 Dr. Francia H. White began the practice of medicine in Roseville. He afterwards practiced at different times in Mansfield and other places, but returned again to Roseville, where he continued to practice until a few years before his death in 1885. He attained the remarkable age of 106 years.

Dr. Milton P. Orton was born in Sharon, Connecticut, in 1:95. He grad- uated from the classical and medical departments of Yale C'ollege, and in 1834 came to Tioga county, locating at Lawrenceville, where he practiced for nearly thirty years. He died in 1864, while surgeon in charge at Hatteras Inlet. Dr. Cyrus Pratt, editor of the Tioga Democrat, located in Tioga in 1835. During the three years he remained he paid more attention to his paper than to his profession. Dr. George Spratt located in Covington in 1835 and continued in practice there for a number of years.

In 1835 Dr. Joseph P. Morris located in Blossburg, coming from Philadelphia, where he was born in 1809. He appears to have devoted himself to business enter- prises rather than the practice of medicine, until after his removal to Mansfield in 1842, where he remained until 1846, when he removed to Wellsboro. In 1854 he returned to Mansfield, and during the remainder of his life devoted himself to his real estate interests and to the practice of medicine. He died December 17, 1892, aged nearly eighty-four years. Dr. Levi Rose began the practice of medicine in Mainesburg in 1835, continuing a few years. From 1835 until 1837, Dr. Benjamin C. Morria practiced in Liberty. In 1836 Dr. Abel Humphrey, a native of Preston, ('henango county, New York, located in Tioga, continuing in practice for about fifty years, when ill health compelled him to retire. From 1836 to 1846 Dr. F. W. Krause practiced in Liberty, in which place, also, Dr. Jacob Raker, Jr., located in 1838 and practiced until his death in 1842. Dr. Harvey Leach began the practice of medicine in Chatham township in 1836 or 1837 and continued down to his death in 1862. His practice extended over a wide area and he was one of the noted physi- cians of the early days. In 1838 Dr. Il. G. Smythe located in Mansfield and pursued the practice of his profession there for many years. Richard I. Jones practiced in Knoxville from 1837 to 1840.

In 1840 Dr. Albert M. Loop began the practice of medicine in Nelson, where he still resides and pursues his profession. Ile is now the oldest living physician in the county, and the longest in practice. He was born in Elmira, New York, Sep- tember 12, 1816, and has been a resident physician of Nelson since 1840, excepting during two years-from 1854 to 1856-spent at Rock Island, Illinois.

Dr. Nelson Packer came to Wellsboro in 1838 and entered upon the practice of medicine and surgery. He was born December 8, 1814, at Norwich, Chenango county, New York, and was educated at Oxford Academy. After leaving school he studied medicine with Dr. Henry Mitchell, of Norwich, and was graduated from the

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

Geneva Medical College in 1838. Capt. James Packer, father of the Doctor, was an old resident of Norwich, where he had settled early in the century. His ancestors came from Connecticut, and they were relatives of the family of Hon. Asa Packer, late of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania.

When Dr. Packer came to Wellsboro, Dr. Otis L. Gibson was the leading physi- cian, but as the population of the town and country were increasing, the assistance of another practitioner was required. From the start Dr. Packer was kindly re- ceived and through the passing years built up a good practice. In 1847 he was stricken with a severe illness, which threatened to develop into pulmonary con- sumption. He became so prostrated with weakness that his friends almost despaired of his recovery. His brother came from Norwich to look after him, and, seeing his condition, decided to take him home. It was in the midst of winter and a deep snow was on the ground. A sleigh was procured, a comfortable bed made therein, and the patient placed in it. By easy stages the journey was made and on Christmas Eve they reached home, but the Doctor was very ill and weak. His illness proved severe and he did not fully recover before the following June.

With restored health Dr. Packer returned to Wellsboro in the summer of 1848 and resumed his practice. His health continued good and he rapidly built up an ex- cellent reputation for skill and success in his profession. He became known as the principal surgeon in the town and he was called to attend all critical cases in the borough and surrounding country.

Dr. Packer was an ardent Republican and always took a commendable interest in public affairs. He was intensely loyal and patriotic, and throughout the dark days of Civil strife gave an unswerving support to the government. In 1862 he en- tered the service as assistant surgeon and was stationed at Chesapeake Hospital, near Fortress Monroe. When the army lay at Harrison Landing, he was ordered there, and acted as surgeon of a New York regiment. He was soon after prostrated by malarial fever and jaundice and was obliged to retire from active duty. He reached home with difficulty, and so severe did his sickness prove that he did not fully recover for several months.

In 1864 Dr. Packer was appointed United States examining surgeon for Wells- boro, and when many years later the medical board was organized, he became its president, and filled the position with satisfaction to all and credit to himself. He was noted for sociability and geniality of temperament, and was a favorite with all who enjoyed his acquaintance. Cultured and refined, he was at home in the sick room, and his presence inspired confidence and hope. He died February 8, 1883, on the same day of the month in which he was born, in his sixty-ninth year. His loss was greatly lamented by the community, and all felt that their best friend and bene- factor had been taken from them.

On the 15th of January, 1849, Dr. Packer married Miss Mary McDougall, of Lawrenceville, Tioga county. Her ancestors were residents of New York City, and her parents were early settlers at Lawrenceville. The union was blessed with two sons. The eldest, James M., was born November 6, 1849, and died January 1, 1869. The second, Hon. Horace B. Packer, resides with his widowed mother in Wellsboro. He is a prominent lawyer and politician, and his sketch will be found in the chapter devoted to the "Bench and Bar."

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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

Dr. Packer was progressive as a physician and surgeon. It was principally through his efforts that the Tioga County Medical Society was organized, in 1860, and he served as one of its presidents. When the war broke out the organization was not kept up. On the restoration of peace, however, he was mainly instrumental in having it revived, and was active in promoting its interests until the close of his life.

Dr. David S. Roblyer practiced medicine in Roseville from 1841 to 1844 and then removed to Mainesburg, where he remained until 1850. Dr. Ralph I. Shepherd practiced at Daggett's Mills from 1841 to 1843; Dr. Orson Gregory at Roseville during 1843 and 1844, and Dr. D. N. Hunt at Roseville from 1845 to 1850. Dr. William B. Rich was a practicing physician in Knoxville from 1843 to 1813. In 1843 Dr. Robert H. Archer located in Wellsboro and practiced there until 1847. He afterwards practiced for several years in Morris township. In 1845 Dr. Daniel McNaughton located in Westfield and continued to practice medicine there until his death in 1883. He was appointed postmaster of Westfield in 1861, which position he filled until the fall of 1871, when he was elected associate judge and resigned as postmaster. Dr. Frederick Reinwald practiced medicine in Liberty from 1815 to 1847, when he was killed by a panther, and Dr. L. K. Garfield from 1817 to 1856. Dr. Joel Rose was a practicing physician in Roseville from 1846 to 1863. Dr. Il. H. Borden came from Steuben county, New York, in 1842 and located in Tioga. After studying with Dr. Abel Humphrey he began practice in 1847, continuing until his death in 1894.

Dr. Charles V. Elliott, a native of Sheshequin, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, began the practice of medicine in Mansfield in 1817. In 1856 he removed to Hudson, Wisconsin, and remained until 1859, when he returned to Mansfield, resumed prac- tice and also opened a drug store, which he carried on in connection therewith until 1891, sinee which time he has been living retired. In 1847 Dr. Nathaniel Smith, who is still in active practice, located in Millerton. He is a native of Halifax, Wind- ham county, Vermont, where he was born January 13, 1823.

Dr. Charles K. Thompson was born in Charleston township April 22, 1821, and died in Wellsboro September 11, 1888. He studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Otis I .. Gibson and graduated from the Geneva Medical College in 1846. In 1847 he married Miss Sarah Gibson and settled down to practice his profession. On the breaking out of the Civil War, Dr. Thompson entered the army as a surgeon and saw much service. When peace was restored he was retained in the service and sta- tioned for some time, in connection with the Freedmen's Bureau, at Edisto, South Carolina. On leaving the United States service he returned to Wellsboro, and, ex- cepting one year spent at Fall Brook, as resident physician for the Fall Brook Coal Company, he resided forty years in Wellsboro. In the fall of 1882 he was appointed one of the three physicians composing the board of pension examiners, which office he still held at the time of his death. He left one son, Charles O. Thompson, of Rochester, New York, and a daughter, Mrs. Emma Sauter, of Williamsport.

Dr. Henry Kilbourn was born in Shrewsbury. Vermont, in 1802, and graduated from the Vermont Academy of Medicine, February 10, 1828. In 1840 he came to Tioga county and located in Covington, and for over forty-five years practiced in that place and Blossburg, residing at different times in each place. He attained a wide reputation not only as a skillful and successful physician, but as an eccentric

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

character and an inimitable story teller. Dr. Coburn located in Gaines in 1848 and practiced there several years.

Dr. William T. Humphrey was born in Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York, December 22, 1824. In the spring of 1848 he graduated from the Albany Medical College. From June, 1848, to January, 1849, he practiced in Addison, New York, and then removed to Elkland, Pennsylvania. Here he practiced until 1857, when he removed to Osceola, where he still resides and pursues his profession. Dr. Ira B. Foote, the pioneer homeopathic physician of the county, practiced in Wells- boro from 1849 to 1851. In 1850 Dr. W. W. Wright began the practice of medicine in Elkland, where he still resides and pursues his profession. He was born in Cairo, Green county, New York, March 31, 1830, and came with his parents to Tioga county in 1844, settling in Farmington. In 1848 he began reading medicine with Dr. Nelson Packer, of Wellsboro; attended lectures at Geneva Medical College, Geneva, New York, and graduated in the class of 1849-50. He has the reputation of being a successful physician and a skillful surgeon. John C. Bastian located in Liberty in 1850 and practiced there until 1852.

Dr. Jerome B. Knapp located in Knoxville in 1851 and practiced there until 1854. Dr. William F. Weseman began practice in Liberty in 1851 and continued up to a recent date, when he retired. In 1852 Dr. William M. Barden, the first homeopathic physician in the Tioga valley, settled in Mansfield, where he built up a large and lucrative practice. He died September 30, 1884. Dr. J. H. Shearer, a native of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and a veteran of the Mexican War, gradu- ated from what is now Hahnemann College, Philadelphia, in the spring of 1852, and practiced in Wellsboro until 1855, when he removed to Springfield, Illinois. In 1859 he returned to Wellsboro, where he has since practiced his profession. Dr. Henry C. Bosworth, a native of Vernon, New York, where he was born March 8, 1811, graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1837, and practiced at Smithfield, Brad- ford county, until 1850, when he removed to Deerfield, Tioga county, and engaged in farming and merchandising, as well as the practice of medicine, until his death at Osceola, December 5, 1870. Dr. Ira W. Bellows practiced medicine in Knoxville from 1854 to 1870, since which time he has resided on his farm in Deerfield township.

Dr. Wellington W. Webb, a native of Chenango county, New York, received his medical education in Geneva Medical College, Buffalo Medical College and Cas- tleton Medical College. In 1854 he began the practice of medicine in Liberty and continued until 1857, when he removed to Wellsboro and there practiced until his death in 1889. Dr. William W. Day located in Osceola in 1855 and continued in practic there until 1867. Charles Voorhees began practice at Daggett's Mills in 1855 and continued until his death a few years ago. In 1856 Dr. E. S. Robbins located in Covington, where for the past thirty years he has practiced his profession. Luther W. Johnson, who was born in Wellsboro, May 4, 1833, graduated from the State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1856, and in 1857 began the practice of his profession in Liberty, continuing there until 1883, when he removed to Blossburg. Here he practiced with marked success until his death June 29, 1896.

Dr. George D. Maine, a son of the pioneer, John Maine, was born in Maines- burg, Sullivan township, July 24, 1826. He graduated from the medical depart- ment of the University of Buffalo in 1856, and one year later located in Mainesburg,

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where he has since resided and practiced his profession, with the exception of the time he was in the army. Dr. L. M. Johnson, a native of Steuben county, New York, located in Wellsboro about 1858 and practiced his profession with skill and success up to a few years ago, when he retired to his farm. He has lately resumed practice, and is now a resident of Wellsboro. Henry Kilbourn, Jr., a son of Dr. Henry Kil- bourn, of Covington, practiced in that borough from 1859 until his death in 1888.

Dr. James Masten began the practice of medicine in 1849. Dr. Masten was born in Penn Yan, New York, May 26, 1827. He read medicine with Drs. A. F. & W. Oliver, of that place, and attended lectures at the Buffalo Medical College. From 1849 to 1860 he practiced at White's Corners, Potter county, Pennsylvania, since which time he has resided and practiced in Westfield. He has not only achieved success in his profession, but is recognized as a prominent and progressive citizen.

Dr. Lewis Darling, Jr., was born in Lawrenceville, October 19, 1840, studied medicine under his father and attended the Medical College of Washington, D. C., for one year. He then entered the medical department of the service as an army surgeon, remaining until the close of the war, after which he became a student in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he graduated in 1866. After practicing in Cincinnati, Ohio, a few months, he returned to Lawrence- ville, where he is still in active practice. From 1861 to 1880 Dr. J. E. Cleveland practiced medicine in Ogdensburg. In 1862 Dr. John M. Barden, a son of Dr. William M. Barden, the pioneer homeopathic physician, began practice in Roseville, continuing until 1881, when he removed to Mansfield, where he practiced until 1895, when he again took up his residence at Roseville. He still attends to his patients in Mansfield and vicinity.

Dr. Morgan 1 .. Bacon was born in Charleston township June 19, 1837. Ile graduated from Union Academy, at Academy Corners, in 1857, and after teaching a short time began the study of medicine under Dr. Nelson Packer, of Wellsboro, continuing until 1861, when he entered the service as a hospital steward. In 1863 he began the practice of medicine in Mansfield, remaining there five years. From 1868 to 1870 he practiced in Blossburg and from 1820 to 1872 in Morris Run. In the latter year he removed to Wellsboro, where for twenty-five years he has continued in the netive duties of his profession. Ile is known as an educated, skillful and sue- cessful physician. Dr. William Blackwell, a grandson of the pioneer, Enoch Black- well, has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Blackwells since 1865. Dr. Nelson Ingram, a native of Ulster county, New York, graduated from Bellevue Hos- pitnl Medical College, New York, March 1, 1865. He practiced medicine and ear- ried on a drug store in Blossburg for a number of years. John S. Fitch practiced at Stony Fork from 1865 to 1870. Dr. Adelbert J. Heggio practiced in Osceola from 1866 to his death in 1886.

Dr. Robert B. Smith, a native of Marathon, Cortland county, New York, where he was born August 23. 1810. read medicine under Dr. Il. S. French, of Li-le. New York, and graduated from Long Island t'ollege Hospital in 1866, in which year he removed to Tioga, where he has since practiced with marked success. He was for three years president of the Tioga County Board of Pension Examiners, and is one of the best known physicians in the county. Dr. Daniel Bacon, a native of Delmar township. a son of Oliver Bacon and a grandson of the pioneer. Daniel Harvey Bacon,

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1860 and practiced medicine in Wells- boro until his death in December, 1888. Dr. H. A. Phillips located in Knoxville in 1867 and practiced until his death in 1877. Dr. O. P. Barden, homeopathist, a son of Dr. William M. Barden, practiced in Mansfield and Tioga from 1868 to 1892, in which year he died in Tioga. Dr. Alston J. Cole located in Mansfield in 1868 and practiced there nearly twenty years. Dr. William Caldwell, a native of Ireland, graduated from the University of Dublin in 1848. About 1867 he located in 'Morris Run, as the physician of the Morris Run Coal Company, and practiced there until 1891. Dr. H. Boyer located in Gaines in 1869 and practiced for several years. Dr. John Caldwell located in Arnot in 1870 and practiced there a few years. In November, 1870, Dr. D. C. Waters also located in Arnot, where he is still a resident physician, his practice being confined almost exclusively to miners and other em- ployes of the Blossburg Coal Company and their families.

Although the foregoing is not a complete list of all the physicians who practiced in the county form 1798, the year in which Dr. William Willard settled at Tioga, until 1870, it includes those most prominently identified with the profession. Many early physicians made but a transient stay, and it has been impossible to secure definite data concerning them. Others after practicing a number of years left the county, while still others drifted into farming or into business and gave up practicing entirely. Since 1870 the records show that nearly 150 physicians have been licensed in the county, many of whom made but a brief stay, while others taking the places of deceased or retired physicians have built up for themselves a practice based on acknowledged skill, personal popularity and a close attention to their professional duties. A brief mention of a few of the more prominent of these is appropriate here. A further reference to them will be found in the township and borough chapters.

Dr. Orson C. Cole, now retired, began practice in Union twnship in 1870. Dr. Frank Smith, a son of Dr. Nathaniel Smith, studied under his father in Millerton, where he has practiced since 1871. Mrs. Julia A. Furman, wife of Aaron K. Fur- man, has practiced medicine in Gaines township since 1871. Dr. G. D. Crandall located in Blossburg in 1872, where he is still in the active practice of his profession. In 1874 G. A. Smith located in Liberty where he has continued to practice until the present time. He is a native of Northumberland county and graduated from Jeffer- son Medical College March 17, 1873. Dr. F. D. Ritter, a native of Herkimer county, New York, graduated from the University of Buffalo, February 16, 1861. He prac- ticed in Gaines from 1872 until his death, March 12, 1897. Dr. A. L. Bottum was born in Nelson township, April 19, 1847, and received his academical education at Union and Woodhull Academies. He read medicine under Dr. William T. Hum- phrey, of Osceola; took a course of lectures at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and graduated from the Detroit Medical College, Detroit Michigan, in 1875, in the spring of which year he located in Westfield, where he has built up a large practice. Dr. Benjamin Moody, of Mansfield, a native of Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, studied medicine with Dr. T. F. Madill, of Wysox, Bradford county; graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1868, and Jefferson Medical College in 1869. He practiced with his preceptor in Wysox and in Wyalusing until 1875, when he removed to Roseville, remaining until 1877, in which year he located in Mansfield. Dr. Charles A. Reese is a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he was

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 25

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1454

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454