History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 90

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 90

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Dr. Peter Hawk practiced medicine in York about 1780, and died in 1790. Dr. Charles Ludwig and Dr. Peter Lansing were also en-

*By John Wiest, M. D.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

gaged in the practice of medicine in York at the same time.

Dr. Thomas Jameson, son of Dr. David Jameson and brother to Prof. Jameson, prac- tised medicine in York until 1838, when he died while on a visit to his brother, Dr. H. G. Jameson, in Baltimore. Dr. Thomas Jameson resided in Paradise, now Jackson Township, at a place known as Spangler's tavern on the Gettysburg turnpike, about nine miles from York, from 1832 to 1837. He had an extensive practice among the country people, and was elected coroner in 1808, and held that office until 1818. He was also elected sheriff in October, 1821, and held office until 1824, and was more exten- sively known throughout York County in his time than any physician before, or after him.

Dr. Thomas Jameson was excessively fond of sport, and was one of the greatest cock- fighters in the county.

His second wife was a widow named McClellan with two children, one named Henry M. Mcclellan, afterward the well- known Dr. Henry M. Mcclellan, who read medicine with his step-father, Dr. Thomas Jameson, and upon the death of Dr. Jame- son in 1838, he acquired the greater part of his practice, and retained it and the confi- dence of the people, until he died August 7, 1869, aged sixty years. The other physicians who practiced in York in the early part of the eighteenth century, and are now deceased, were Dr. William McIlvain, Dr. John Fisher; Dr. John F. Spangler, grandfather of Hon. John F. Spangler, was a prominent physi- cian previous to 1800. He died in 1825. Dr. John Morris, Dr. L. Martin, Dr. John Bentz, Dr. Michael Hay, Dr. T. N. Holt, Dr. Jacob Fisher, Dr. John Rouse, Dr. Luke Rouse, Dr. Theodore N. Haller, Dr. William F. Johnston, Dr. Jacob Hay, Sr., Dr. Benjamin Johnston, Dr. Alex. Small, Dr. Alexander Banitz, Dr. Andrew Patterson, Dr. Beard, Dr. John Hay, Dr. David S. Peffer. Dr. Thomas Cathcart, Dr. William Eisenhart, Dr. J. F. Holohan and Dr. E. H. Pentz, who died in 1872. Dr. Pentz was physician to the York County alms-house twenty-two years.

The physicians of the early period of the county took an active part in everything that tended to the welfare of the county, and several participated in the political affairs of the State and nation. They had the confidence of the people, and frequently were elected to important positions of trust and honor. Dr. Henry Nes, father of Dr. C. M. Nes, was elected to the Twenty-eighth Congress, and twice re-elected. He served on import.

ant committees, and was an influential mem- ber of that body. Dr. Nes was one of the attending physicians of ex-President John Quincy Adams in his last illness, and the following letter was received by Dr. Nes from the ex President's widow:

WASHINGTON, 29th, May, '48.

Dear Sir :- An offering of a small memento con- taining the hair of my late and ever venerated hus- band, as a token of gratitude to Dr. Nes, for his kind attention to the venerated deceased, during his illness, although delayed, will, I trust prove ac- ceptable as a gift from the widow of J. Q. Adams. LOUISA CATHERINE ADAMS.

Dr. Charles M. Nes was born in York, Penn., June 26, 1827. He received his early education in the public schools of the borough and the York County Academy. He studied medicine with his father Dr. Henry Nes, and attended lectures at the Columbian Medical College, Washington, D. C., during the years 1844 and 1845, and since which time has been in active practice in York. A num- ber of physicians now practicing in York and elsewhere, have been students in his office.

Dr. Nes was one of three commissioners appointed from this State, by President Grant, to the Vienna Exposition in 1873, the other two being Daniel J. Morrell and J. Dawson Coleman. He is also the inventor of the Nes Silicon Steel, for which he was granted "letters patent" for the United States, Great Britain, France and Belgium.

Dr. John Rouse practiced medicine in York up to the time of his death in 1843. His son, Dr. Luke Rouse, graduated at the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania in 1817, and prac- ticed in York until 1863, and was succeeded by his son, Dr. S. J. Rouse, who graduated at Pennsylvania Medical College in 1861, and has been in practice to the present time, and held the position of coroner eight years, physician to the county alms-house and hos- pital two years, physician to the country prison twenty-five years, and assistant sur- geon in the United States hospital at York, during the late war, for eighteen months.

In Hanover we find Dr. John Baker en- 'gaged in his profession before and during the Revolutionary war. Dr. Peter Miller, a native of Germany, a graduate of the medi- cal department of the University of France, and an eminent classical scholar, commenced the practice of medicine in Hanover in 1803, and was for many years the leading physician of the town. Contemporaneous with him was Dr. Wampler, born November 7, 1781, graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, and recognized as the most skillful physician of Hanover. He died February 5, 1836. Dr. Culbertson, who was educated in Ireland,

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MEDICAL HISTORY.

died a few years ago at the advanced age of ninety-three. He was for a long time the leading physician in the town and surround- ing county. His son was also a physician, and practiced medicine in Hanover. Drs. Eckert, George W. Hinkle and Smith prac- ticed at Hanover at a later period; they were all successful in their profession, and were well and extensively known in the country districts around the town. Dr. George W. Hinkle died in 1868, aged sixty-four years. He was a son of Judge Hinkle.

Dr. J. P. Smith was born in Conewago Township, Adams County, graduated at St. Mary's College at Emmittsburg, and medical department of University of Pennsylvania; located at Hanover, and practiced his pro- fession there until his death several years ago. He was president of the Hanover National Bank, and a director of the Hano- ver & York Railroad. Dr. Smith was an ac- tive politician and an influential citizen of the town of Hanover, and enjoyed the con- fidence of a large circle of friends. The physicians practicing at Hanover now are Dr. H. C. Alleman, ex-president of the York County Medical Society, and an active phy- sician and surgeon for many years; Dr. A. J. Snively, who has been practicing at Hanover for about eighteen years, and has quite an extensive practice; Dr. A. F. Koch, former- ly from York, and Dr. J. H Bittenger, Dr. A. C. Wentz, Dr. G. P. Weaver and Dr. Buchen, all men of ability in their profes- sion and of good standing in the community. Among the early physicians in the county outside the towns of York and Hanover we have Dr. Montgomery, of Peach Bottom, three-fourths of a century ago. He was a noted physician of the vicinity of Slate Ridge and Peach Bottom, and afterward became a celebrated physician of Baltimore. Dr. Bryan, of Peach Bottom, was a pupil of Dr. McClellan, of Philadelphia, father of Gen. George B. McClellan; Dr. Bryan had an entensive practice in Peach Bottom, Fawn and Chanceford Townships; Dr. Thomas McDonald was a prominent physician of Fawn Township fifty years ago; Dr. DeLas- sel, a highly educated and skillful physician, practiced at Day's Landing about 1800. He moved to York and thence to Dover. His peculiarities prevented him from getting a large practice. Dr. Armstrong Dill, son of Col. Mather Dill, was a prominent physician of Dillsburgh vicinity immediately after the Revolution.

Dr. Webster Lewis, who died at Lewisberry in 1830, and his son, Dr. Robert Nebinger Lewis, for many years followed the medical

profession at Lewisberry and Dover. Dr. Webster Lewis cultivated the opium that he used in his practice.

Dr. Roland Nebinger was an eminent schol- ar and physician at Lewisberry a half century ago. His son, Dr. Nebinger, is now a noted politician and physician in Philadelphia. Dr. Kennedy practiced medicine among the Quakers of Newberry and Fairview Town ships before 1760.

Dr. Shearer, and his son, James Shearer, both deceased over half a century, attended the sick at Dillsburgh and vicinity, and had a large practice. They were both inembers of the State Medical Association.

Dr. Connor practiced at Manchester bor- ough in the early period of that place, and Dr. Charles Bishop at a later period.

Dr. Andrew R. Prowell, a graduate of Jef- ferson Medical College and Bellevue College, N. Y., had a large practice at Manchester. He died in 1870.

Dr. C. S. Picking had a large practice in Paradise Township from 1850 to 1877, when he died.

Dr. William Albaugh for many years fol- lowed his profession in Codorus Township. He died in 1884. At Jefferson, Dr. Ham- baugh practiced medicine from about 1800. He was succeeded by his son, who afterward moved to Adams County. Dr. F. E. Mels- heimer, at Davidsburgh, who died in 1872, at the advanced age of ninety-two years, for many years attended to the practice of med- icine in the vicinity of Davidsburgh, until he was succeeded by his son, Dr. E. W. Mels- heimer, who continues the practice to this writing. Dr. F. E. Melsheimer was born in 1780; was the son of a clergyman. He early became noted throughout the United States and Europe as the most eminent entomolo- gist of his time. He was a member and a contributor of the Academy of Natural Sci- ences of Philadelphia; a contributor of the Smithsonian Institute at Washington, and contributed specimens of insects to various scientific schools in New England. He was also an excellent Latin scholar, as well as a botanist of some note. In visiting his pa- tients he carried along his little net, and fre- quently he would tie his horse, take to the fields and catch insects, and forget all about his patients. He lived and died a short dis- tance from Davidsburgh on a small farm, in a neat but small and unassuming weather- boarded house.

The York County alms house and hospital is attended by a physician who is ap- pointed by the director of the poor. He generally makes one visit a day. The writer

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

has not been able to obtain the records previ- ous to 1845. The appointments from that time have been as follows: Dr. T. N. Haller, 1845-46-47; Drs. Haller and Pentz, 1848; Dr. H. M. McClellan, 1849; Dr. E. H. Pentz, 1850-51; Drs. Pentz and C. M. Nes, 1852- 53; Drs. C. M. Nes and S. J. Rouse, 1854; Dr. E. H. Pentz, 1855 to 1872; Dr. M. J. Mckinnon, 1873 to 1876; Drs. Mckinnon and Brickly, 1877-78; Drs. John Ahl and J. T. Perkins, 1880; Dr. John Ahl, 1881-82; Drs. John Ahl and Z. C. Meyers, 1883; Drs. Meyers and Brickly, 1884. Dr. Z. C. Meyers is the attending physician at the present time (1885).

A large part of the treatment of the sick, especially in the country districts, was in the hands of self made physicians, or irregular One of the most fatal scourges and a dis- ease that carried off more of the early citizens of York County than all other diseases together was small-pox. Previous to 1830 it was almost as rare to meet with an adult, in the county, who had not at some time or other had small-pox, as it is now to meet one who has not had measles or whooping-cough. practitioners-most noted among them was the Eisenhart family, living a few miles west of York. Previous to 1800 Mr. Eisenhart attended to wounds, sores, etc., prescribed charms and salves, and had quite a reputa- tion over a large part of York County. He was succeeded by his sons, Adam Eisenhart, who died in 1874, and Dr. Jacob Eisenhart, Scarlatina and dysentery were frequently epidemic in the county previous to 1850, and often carried off the children of entire fam- ilies. who died in 1878. The latter had acquired a large practice in his line, and was well and favorably known through the county. Dr. Georges, an irregular practitioner, lived In 1859 diphtheria first made its appearance in Yocumtown; he led the followers of the ! in the county and from that time to the pres- Millerite doctrine in 1843, which predicted ent it has made its appearance at irregular intervals in various parts of the county, until at present there is not a village or hamlet in the county that has not been visited by this disease so fatal among children. the end of the world that year. Dr. Dady, in the early part of the century, created quite an excitement for a while by curing diseases by charms and incantations, and fleeced his unfortunate victims of large sums of money. A great part of the time of physicians, up to 1840, was taken up in venesection or bleed- ing; every person taken sick had to be bled several times, and nearly the entire adult population had to be bled every change of the seasons. Many of these self-made healers were women; some of them had large and extensive prac- tices, especially as midwives; among these we might mention Mrs. Gladfelter, of West Manchester Township. She died in 1860, after practicing midwifery for about forty years. She visited her patients horseback, on a fleet-footed animal, and never refused a call day or night.

When a person was taken sick one of these healers was sent for and some domestic remedy or often some magic wae used, the patient was bled and purged, and if no improvement followed a physician was sent for who exam- ined the patient, diagnosed the case, and then required some one of the family or neighbor- hood to call at his office for medicine .. After the first visit some one of the family would report the patient's condition to the doctor every few days, and unless something extraor- dinary happened, no more visits were made by the medical attendant to that patient, con- sequently one physician could attend to a

great many families living over a large scope of country. The doctors all traveled on horseback, mounted on fleet-footed horses, and such a thing as a physician traveling in a buggy or wheeled vehicle was unknown.

At this time the principal diseases were malarial intermittent and remittent fever, or ague and fever as it was termed, and was prevalent all over the county until about 1840. From about that time until the present, this dis- ease has existed mostly along the Susquehanna River, Conewago Creek, and a few other places. The treatment in the early period of the county for this disease, then sometimes called the "shakes," was Peruvian bark in the form of powder, and was known by the people as "barricks."

The first medical society organized in the county met at Hanover, in March, 1868. The members were Drs. Smith, Plowman, Koch, Alleman, Wiest, Jones and Culbertson. Its object was to advance the medial profession. The society met every week during the spring and summer, and during the winter ceased to exist. In 1870, a number of physicians met at East Prospect, among them Drs. Porter, Bigler, Rewalt, Weist, Bryan and others, for the purpose of forming a county medical society. Constitution and by-laws were adopted and several meetings were held at Brogueville, Prospect, Shrewsbury, Wrights- ville and York.

Through the exertions of Dr. John F. Holohan, now deceased, a number of phy- sicians met in the office of Dr. Kerr, in York,

L.G. Gable

Gable M. S.

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MEDICAL HISTORY.

May 11, 1873, and there and then organized the present York County Medical Society. Dr. James W. Kerr was elected the first pres- ident and Dr. John F. Holohan the first secretary. In a few months the members of the old York County Medical Society were merged in the new society. The meetings have been held in York monthly ever since with but few exceptions. The meetings have been well attended and the membership gradually increased so that at present forty- eight members, including all the prominent physicians of the county, have signed their names to the constitution and by-laws. Through it the physicians of the county are acting in harmony.

The following is a list of physicians, mem- bers of the York County Medical Society, July, 1885: Drs. F. X. Weile, J. S. Miller, John Wiest, E. L. Melsheimer, W. I. Ickes, A. C. Wentz, E. T. Rohrbaugh, G. E. Holtz- apple, E. F. Wagner, J. A. Melsheimer, H. B. King, Martin Hoke, G. W. Bahn, C. F. Overmiller, A. P. T. Grove, C. G. Hilder- brand, W. W. Bailey, Wilson A. Long, Z. C. Myers, W. J. McCurdy, J. B. Kain, G. A. Rebman, J. T. Perkins, G. P. Weaver, W. C. Stick, W. J. McClure, J. R. Spangler, G. P. Yost, J. A. Armstrong, A. R. Blair, Levi Frey, J. A. Gladfelter, J. M. Hyson, J. W. Hickman, W. S. Roland, L. M. Lochman. B. F. Spangler, H. C. Alleman, W. H. Wag- ner, J. Deisinger, I. C. Gable, D. K. Got- walt, W. F. Bacon, J. W. Kerr, A. J. Snively, M. J. McKennon, J. H. Bittinger, and S. J. Rouse. They often make their influ- ence felt, and frequently accomplish changes for the benefit of the people of the county.

Ever since the organization of this so- ciety delegates have represented it in the meetings of the State and national medical societies. The first delegates representing the York County Medical Society in the State association were Drs. Holohan, Bailey and Wiltbank at Carlisle, June 11, 1873. At a regular meeting of the York County Medical Society, held at York, February 1, 1879, Dr. Roland submitted the following, prefaced by a few general remarks:

" A hospital in York for the reception and care of the sick and injured:

INTRODUCTION.

"A gentleman of York Borough, well known to all our citizens as a true philanthropist, had suggested the necessity of a hospital in the borough of York for the alleviation of the sufferinge of the needy and those who may require medical attendance with home comforts; and for the purpose he had very

kindly volunteered to donate a plat of ground eligibly located about 200 feet front by 230 feet deep, and he further says that he be- lieves the York County Medical Society should take the initiatory steps toward the accomplishment of so praiseworthy and noble a purpose. Among the many and various means used to enlarge the circle of human happiness perhaps there are none rank higher than those which have been directed to the discovery and application of means cal- culated to ameliorate human suffering. In a man deserving of fame no investment is surer than the hospital. Lands and houses last scarce three generations; funeral monu- ments endure not the temper of the elements, the fury of war, nor the greed of men. But the hospital, giving life and health, goes on forever; therefore

Resolved, " Approving of the object as one eminently calculated to awaken compassion and invigorate exertions for the alleviation of the suffering: We, the members of the York County Medical Society, do recommend the establishment of such an institution to be known as the ---- hospital for the recep- tion and care of the sick and injured.

Resolved, "That this society will at all times furnish a competent medical staff, who will give gratuitously their service for the benefit of said hospital, provided all the medical and surgical cases admitted into said hospital shall be under the immediate control and direction of this society.

Resolved, "That a committee of five be ap- pointed to call on Mr. - , the gentleman referred to in this paper, to consult with him on the subject, and report the result of that conference to this society."

The resolutions were adopted and the com- mittee appointed.

Monday, December 8, 1879, a meeting of citizens favorable to the establishment of a hospital and dispensary was held in Tem- perance Hall.

Hon. Thomas E. Cochrane was called to the chair, and Jere Carl, Esq., was elected as secretary. The subject was discussed by Dr. Roland, Dr. Kerr, Capt. Frank Geise, Dr. John Wiest, Hon. Thomas E. Cochrane, James Latimer, Esq., Jere Carl, Esq., and William Smith.

Dr. Roland then read the resolutions read at the medical society on February 1, and stated that the person referred to in the resolution was Mr. Samuel Small, Sr., of York. He further stated that this benevolent gentleman had purchased the Busser (formerly the Webel) property on College Avenue, on which was erected a large and conveniently arranged

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

three story brick building, conveniently ar- ranged, of dimensions of over fifty feet square, and standing on a plot of ground about 250 feet square, having a garden, fruit and shade trees, and other buildings thereon. Mr. Latimer offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, "That a committee of five be ap- pointed to prepare a charter of incorporation and the certificates of incorporation, and the certificates of incorporation required by the act of assembly of 1874, regulating corpo- rations. Said committee to report to a sub- sequent meeting to be held here."

The chair appointed on that committee James W. Latimer, Esq., Drs. Roland, Wiest, Cathcart, and Mr. Smith. The committee in due time obtained a charter under the name of the York Hospital and Dispensary Asso- ciation, and adopted a constitution, by-laws and rules and regulations. In February, 1880, an election for nine directors for the hospital and dispensary was held in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion.

The following gentlemen were elected: Samuel Small, Sr., Dr. W. S. Roland, Frank Geise, Jere Carl, E. G. Smyser, David E. Small, Drs. E. W. Meisenhelder, John Wiest and Thomas L. Cathcart.

On June 3, 1880, the medical society held its first meeting in the new rooms at the York hospital, at which place they have met to the present time.

The hospital was attended gratuitously by the members of the medical society until May, 1885. Several important surgical oper- ations were performed, and a large number of out-door patients prescribed for gratu- itously by members of the York County Medi- cal Society.

In 1881 the society passed a resolution re- quiring all students of medicine to pass a literary examination before they could enter the office of any member of the society to begin the study of medicine. This rule has been strictly adhered to by the members of the society, but am sorry I can not say the same of the medical colleges.

From 1767 to 1806 all the medical students from York County received their medical edu- cation at the University of Pennsylvania. From that time to the present, part received their education at the Baltimore schools. From 1846 to 1860 the greater part of the students from the county attended lectures at the medical department of the Pennsylvania College at Philadelphia. Since 1860 the Jef- ferson Medical College at Philadelphia has had the largest patronage from the county, with

the University of Pennsylvania next, followed by the University of Maryland and other schools of Baltimore and New York City.

On the 27th of June, 1862, a United States hospital was established at York by Dr. C. W. Jones, of Delaware. The hospital was located on the commons in buildings erected early in January for the accommodation of the Sixth New York Cavalry. Dr. Jones was succeeded by Dr. Henry Palmer, in the fall of 1862; Dr. Palmer was succeeded by Dr. S. J. W. Mintzer of Philadelphia, Sep- tember 7, 1864; Dr. A. R. Blair of York served as acting assistant surgeon United States Army executive officer during the existence of the hospital, which closed its usefulness in the fall of 1865. The assistant surgeons on duty at the hospital at some time or other were as follows: Drs. Henry F. Bowen, Henry L. Smyser, George Byers, E. F. Spaulding, Samuel J. Rouse, J. Spencer Stokes, John H. Furhman, Henry L. Rowland, James Bardwell, C. E. Woodward, W. L. Robinson, James McGuigen, James O. Neil, James W. Kerr, Daniel F. Batdorf, Samuel J. Wilt- bank, James M. Shearer, Jacob Hay, H. C. De Grau, Peter C. Snyder, George R. Hursh and J. C. Painter.

The mortality, when compared with the large number of patients admitted, was re- markably light in the York hospital, which speaks well for those who had charge of the hospital, as it did also for the heathly loca- tion.

Over fourteen thousand wounded and sick soldiers were admitted to this hospital during the war; of these only about two hun- dred died; over half were returned to the army restored.

The York physicians connected with the hospital were Drs. Blair, Kerr, Jacob Hay, Smyser, Rouse, Wiltbank, McGuigen; from York County, Drs. Bardwell, Shearer and Hursh.

On September 1, 1883, through the efforts of Dr. J. Wiest, a dispensary for the treat- ment of eye, ear and throat was organized for the gratuitous treatment of diseases af- fecting these organs; a suitable room was rented and supplied with proper instruments for the treatment of disorders of the eve, ear and throat. Since its organization over 300 persons from various parts of the county have applied for relief, and a number of op- erations performed, among them one for the removal of a growth requiring the extirpa- tion of the parotid gland; several opera- tions for cataract, a number for the relief of strabismus, a few for obstruction of the lach- rymal duct, and a number of minor opera-

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 90

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104