USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Medical Society of Franklin County : its history and sketches of early practitioners of the county > Part 2
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I fear that the millenium of the bible is far re-
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mote ; yet I do think that the time has come when no physician will be heard to speak derogatory of the professional attainments of his colleague. If he cannot speak of him as a "good physician," &c., in commendatory terms, he should never bestow faint praise, but maintain silence. No man ever suc- ceeded in elevating himself through discrediting his professional neighbor. If a rival's operations are good and successful pronounce them so in no un- certain way. If your attention is directed to an un- fortunate performance, how easy it is to say, such a misfortune might have attended the efforts of any brother, however skillful he has shown himself. Prof. Gross alleges "that in almost every case of malpractice there was a doctor in it." If we would know each other better and adhere more closely to the code these unkind reflections would not be cast. But time is passing, and before closing I desire to recall to memory some of the more prominent medi- cal pioneers in our county history. Among the im- mortal names of those we should delight to cherish, I fittingly first introduce that of Dr. Hugh Mercer. He was the first physician who located and prac-
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ticed his profession within the limits of this county, and subsequently became the distinguished general in the War of Independence.
Dr. Mercer was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, about 1721, and was educated as a physician ; served as as- sistant surgeon in the forces of Charles Edward, and followed that chieftain's standard to the disastrous field of Colloden, April 16th, 1746. After the defeat of the "Chevalier " he escaped by way of Inverness to America. Taking up his residence on the fron- tiers of Pennsylvania we soon find him in this, then wild and sparsely settled county, located three and one-half miles east of Mercersburg, (one-half mile from where Dr. D. K. Agnew afterwards settled for a brief time.) At this period there were very few white settlers in that locality; and it seems strange that a talented young physician should there make his abode. This was about the year 1750. Here he remained until after the defeat of Braddock, in 1755. After the frequent and bloody Indian forays, when the settlers organized to protect themselves against murderous incursions, Mercer figured as captain of one of the local companies, and was commissioned
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March 6th, 1756. His field of operations was along the mountains west of the valley, with headquarters at " McDowell's fort," now Bridgeport. His command formed part of the force of Col. Armstrong, which surprised and destroyed the Indian village at Kit- tanning in 1756. He acted as surgeon as well as commanding officer. At Kittanning he was severely wounded, his arm being fractured. He was taken to the top of a hill near by. After the defeat of the savages and the destruction of the village, and the homeward march was begun, Mercer, weak and faint from his injuries, must have fallen behind or in some way become separated from his party. He had a long, solitary and painful struggle through the wilderness, reaching Fort Lyttleton sick, weary and half famished. From his wound he slowly recovered, and in the summer of 1757 he assumed command of the garrison at Shippensburg. In December, 1757, he was commissioned major of the province and was posted west of the Susquehanna. In the follow- ing year he accompanied the expedition of Gen- eral Forbes against Fort Duquesne. It was during this expedition that he first met Washington, then
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a brigadier general of Virginia troops. Then began that intimate and enduring friendship that ever after existed between these two men. After the con- clusion of the French and Indian War, Col. Mercer retired temporarily from military life, and at the so- licitation of Washington, left his home in the wilds of Pennsylvania and took up his abode in Fred- ericksburg, Va., resuming there the practice of medi- cine. Here he remained until the beginning of the Revolution, when he was commissioned colonel of one of the Virginia regiments in the "patriot army," and afterwards, through the influence of the com- mander-in-chief, made a brigadier general. He ac- companied Washington in the memorable campaigns through New Jersey, ever retaining his confidence and friendship.
His gallantry at Trenton, and afterwards at Prince- ton, are matters of history with which you are all familiar; how, in the latter engagement, in leading the vanguard, after the wounding of his gallant grey, he, on foot, was surrounded and refused to sur- render, fighting, sword in hand, against the bayonets of the British soldiery, his fatal injuries, the solici-
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tude and grief of the commander-in-chief, who dis- patched his aid-de-eamp to remain with the wounded hero and have every care and attention bestowed upon him in his last hours.
Of his practice in this county and the extent of territory he rode over we know but little. We are told that he was a physician of superior education, mild and retiring in private life, but a man of dauntless courage.
Dr. John Calhoon was the first physician who set- tled in Chambersburg, coming here about the year 17 -. He came from Cumberland county. He was a man of attainments and a regularly educated phy- sician. He married a daughter of Col. Benj. Cham- bers, the founder of the town, and lived on the northeast corner of Main and King streets. He died in 1782, at the age of 42 years.
Dr. Wm. Magaw was a distinguished revolutionary soldier, whose brother, Col. Robert, was commander of the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion. Dr. Magaw en- listed in company of Captain, afterwards Colonel, James Chambers, (son of Col. Benj. Chambers,) June, 1775, marching at once to join the army in front
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of Boston. The regiment was originally in com- mand of Col. Wm. Thompson, but later was led by Colonel, afterwards General, Hand, and was known and greatly distinguished as "Hand's Rifle Battal- ion." Dr. Magaw was appointed surgeon thereof, his commission dating January 25th, 1775. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted as lieutenant and surgeon, August 20th, 1776, was transferred to the 9th Pennsylvania, and finally to the 4th Pennsylvania regiment. He served with dis- tinction until the close of the war and settled in Mercersburg. His son, Jesse Magaw, who studied medicine with him, also practiced medicine in his native town. He was married to a sister of Ex-Pres- ident Buchanan, and continued to practice until his death, in 1823.
Dr. Robert Johnston, a native of Antrim town- ship, was also a surgeon in the Revolution and a brother of Col. James and Col. Thomas Johnston, soldiers of distinction in the "patriot army ;" the latter being slain in the midnight massacre at Paoli.
Dr. Johnston was appointed surgeon of the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion (Col. William Irvin's) by
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the committee of safety, January 6th, 1776, upon the recommendation of Drs. Thomas Cadwallader, Thomas Bond, Adam Kuhn and William Shippen, Jr. He re- mained in active service in the field until 1777, when, by order of General Greene, he was detached from his regiment and sent to Charleston, S. C., to take charge of the wounded officers and soldiers then prisoners there in the hands of the British and in hospitals.
At the close of the war his migratory tastes con- tinued and he went on a voyage to China, taking out with him a cargo of ginseng, at that time worth its weight in gold in the Chinese market, and from which he realized a fortune, gaining vast stores of general information. He brought home with him, what in that day was a great curiosity, a Chinese servant. He purchased a large estate south of Green- castle and there spent his remaining years. Having no children he adopted the youngest son of his sister, afterwards known as Dr. John Boggs, of Greencastle.
Dr. Alexander Stewart, a native of Edinburg, Scotland, a highly educated and skillful physician, served in the Pennsylvania line as assistant surgeon from 1776 until 1779, and October, 1779, was pro- 5
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moted to surgeon, and in this eapacity continued to render valuable serviee until January 6th, 1783, when he resigned and settled in Chambersburg, hav- ing been induced to locate here by his friend and compatriot, the distinguished Major Allison. The more influential eitizens were among his patients, and his field extended far and wide, eitizens of Bed- ford, McConnellsburg, Big Spring and other distant localities availing themselves of his skill. Among the numerous charges on his account book this is a specimen: "John Ramsey, Tusearora Valley, Sep- tember 18th, 1783. To visit reducing fractured tibia and fibula, 1 pound, 10 shillings." He lived at eor- ner of Queen and Water streets. Died 1793.
Dr. Andrew MeDowell was reared in the vicinity of Mercersburg. Studied medicine and received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1787; locating immediately thereafter in Chambersburg, he continued in active practice until 1831, when he re- linquished the profession, removed to Mercersburg and resided with his son until death occurred, at an advanced age, in 1846. John MeDowell, son of An- drew, was a prominent practitioner in Mercersburg,
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beginning practice there in 1833, which he pursued for a long period of years. He died in 1878. Al- drew, another son, practiced medicine in Pittsburg and attained prominence in his profession.
Dr. A. Clingman was a physician here between 1788 and 1798, and stood high in public esteem.
Dr. John McClellan was a native of Antrim town- ship. He studied with Dr. Benjamin Rush, who gave him a most complimentary certificate in recog- nition of his attainments and skill. Settling in Greencastle in spring of 1788, he unremittingly pur- sued the practice of medicine for a period of fifty- eight years, with the exception of the period of his service as surgeon in the Franklin county regiment in the war of 1812. He was thoroughly acquainted with the science of medicine in its widest range, and a most successful and judicious physician, ranking with the most skillful and dexterous surgeons of his time, performing many difficult tasks. His opera- tion for the removal of the parotid gland, was per- formed in 1803, and is the first case on record. Hazardous as the operation was regarded, it was suc- cessful. He died June, 1846. Age 84 years.
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Dr. Andrew Baum, a German, and a graduate of one of the celebrated German Universities, an ac- complished physician and a fine scholar, located here in 1790, living opposite Falling Spring church. He remained but a few years.
Dr. Abraham Senseney, a native of Lancaster county, and first of the family of physicians of the name who did honor to the profession through more than a century of our local history, studied medi- cine in York, Pa., locating here in 1781, at the age of twenty years. He was the second physician to locate permanently in this town. He maintained a large practice for a period of 63 years, and for two years of the time was the only physician in the town. He died in 1844, at the age of 83 years. Jeremiah Senseney, son of Abraham, began his career in 1809, and speedily acquired a fine reputation, and sur- passed his cotemporaries in popular favor. In the war of 1812 he was appointed surgeon, but resigned on account of ill health. He, however, afterwards re-enlisted in Captain Findlay's company, marching to Baltimore in 1814. At the close of the war he
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resumed his practice and continued at work until the tinie of his death, in 1863, aged 75 years.
Abraham H. Senseney, son of Jeremiah, was a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, of Philadel- phia, in 1835; commenced practice here in the same year, inheriting an extensive business, which, by his splendid abilities, prompt and industrious habits, he largely increased; indecd, it is doubted whether any local physician here had so large and varied an experience. Without intermission he continued in the work until the period of his death, in 1879, for 45 years, constantly adding to the renown of his name as a great physician and skilled surgeon.
Dr. A. H. Senseney had three sons in the medical profession. William D., who died before commencing practice; of Dr. Benjamin Rush and Edgar N., you are all familiar with their history, as it is but a few years since they passed away, early in their carcer.
Dr. William B. Scott, a native of Adams county, located here in 1793, being a physician of fine med- ical attainments and social qualities. He was highly esteemed and popular and had a large practice. He removed about 1805.
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John Sloan, a native of Tyrone, Ireland, born 1760, a licentiate of Dublin College of Surgery, pur- sued his profession for ten years prior to leaving Europe. He acted a prominent part in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, was arrested, tried for treason, convicted and sentenced to death; but through the intervention of influential friends, the death sentence was commuted to one of one thousand lashes and banishment, previous sentence to be enforced in case of return. But half of this brutal sentence was carried out, the surgeons declaring if further prose- cuted his life would be taken. He was accordingly released, and, when sufficiently recovered, sailed for America, practicing in Philadelphia until 1803, when he removed to Chambersburg. He continued his labors for many years, and died in 1831.
Dr. Thomas Walmsley, after completing his med- ical studies, in 1803, settled here, but did not remain long. As a physician he held high rank, showing much enthusiasm in scientific investigation. He removed to Hagerstown, Md. (See Appendix, Rush letter, September 28th, 1803.)
Dr. Samuel D. Culbertson was one of the most
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successful and distinguished medical practitioners of the Cumberland Valley. Educated at Jefferson Col- lege, Cannonsburg, Pa., after office study with Dr. Walmsley and attending one course of lectures, he settled in Chambersburg in 1807. In the war of 1812 he was a volunteer, was lieutenant in Captain Snider's company, and upon the formation of the brigade was appointed its surgeon, in which capacity he continued until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he returned home. However, when war's alarm was again sounded, and the news of the British invasion and threatened attack on Bal- timore reached here, Dr. C. immediately raised a volunteer company and marched at the head of it, without delay, to the beleaguered city. When the enemy retired he again returned home with his company and resumed his labors in the profession. About 1832 or 1833 the partnership with Drs. Lane and Bain was formed, but in 1836 he retired from active practice, Drs. Lane and Bain becoming his successors ; but his counsel was frequently sought and obtained in difficult and obscure cases by his medical brethren. Dr. C. did a very extensive busi-
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ness and was considered the foremost practitioner of his day. He was a writer of force and ability. He performed many surgical operations, among them lithotomy, and one of the largest calculi exhibited in the museum of Jefferson Medical College was re- moved by him.
Thomas G. Watkins practiced medicine in Cham- bersburg from 1814 to 1816, when he returned to his native state, Virginia. He was spoken of as a gentleman of culture and a skillful physician and surgeon, but was unpopular and did not attain to a large practice, on account of his fees, which were considered exhorbitant.
Dr. Alex. T. Dean was a native of Huntingdon county. He located here after the close of the war of 1815, having been a member of the Mercersburg company. In 1824 he formed a partnership with Dr. N. B. Lane, which continued about two years, and was dissolved by his removal to Harrisburg in 1828. He was a man of literary taste, a gifted speaker and well versed in medical literature. On account of his infirm physical condition, he was un- fitted for the arduous duties of the profession. He
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OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.
removed to Harrisburg in 1828, practicing there until his death, in 1834, a victim of cholera.
Dr. Peter Fahnestock practiced medicine in Cham- bersburg from 1828 to 1837, removing to Pittsburg, and thence farther west. He is long since dead.
Dr. George B. McKnight, a native of Chambers- burg, son of Rev. John McKnight, pastor of Rocky Spring church, was a soldier in the war of 1814. Enlisted in Dr. Culbertson's company, and afterwards received appointment as surgeon in regular army, serving until 1824, when he resigned, and practiced his profession in Chambersburg until 1829, when he entered the navy as surgeon.
Dr. Nicholas B. Lane, a native of Franklin county, born 1802, after receiving a good education, began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. S. D. Cul- bertson, graduating from the University of Pennsyl- vania in 1822. His thesis was "An account of an epidemic which prevailed in Franklin county in 1821," which was complimented by the faculty, who caused it to be printed in the "American Medical Recorder," of Philadelphia. He began the practice of medicine in Chambersburg, and in 1824 formed 6
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a partnership with Dr. A. T. Dean, who soon after removed to Harrisburg. Dr. L. then entered into the firm of Culbertson, Lane & Bain. This asso- ciation was short lived, Dr. Bain returning to Bal- timore and Dr. Culbertson retiring from practice. Dr. Lane was in continuous practice here, with the exception of a short period, until the time of his death. He was a great student, a fine physician and a versatile writer. He was honored and respected by all who came in contact with him. He died in 1853, at the age of 51 years. Two sons of Dr. N. B. Lane entered the medical profession, William C. and Samuel G. Both were physicians of marked ability, close students and ready and forcible writers. The former was local historian of the county and prac- ticed in Mercersburg, after having previously pur- sued his profession at other points in the county.
Samuel G. began his career here in 1850, the date of his graduation from the University of Pennsyl- vania. With the exception of a short period spent at Bucyrus, Ohio, and continued service in the field during the late war, his life work was performed in Chambersburg, and you all know how efficient and
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worthy a brother he was. I need not dwell upon his merits, as you are familiar with them.
As it is the object of this paper to revive recol- lections of the physicians of the early years of the county, for the most part forgotten, I will be excused from more than briefly mentioning the names of those with whose career you are familiar.
Dr. Peter W. Little settled in Mercersburg about 1820, where he practiced his profession for many years. He was a skillful physician and a man of fine attainments. He was succeeded by his two sons, Drs. Parker and Rush, neither of whom remained there long.
Dr. E. G. McGovern was a native of Mercersburg, and after graduating located there about 1823 or 1824. After the lapse of some years he removed to Mechan- icsburg, Pa., thence he changed his residence to Cham- bersburg, several years prior to his death. He was a good physician and a man of fine social qualities.
Dr. James P. Scott practiced medicine in Mercers- burg about 1823-'24, and continued in the harness probably thirty years.
A Dr. Long settled in Mercersburg about 1815, continuing in active practice there nearly 25 years.
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Dr. Alex. Speer located in Mercersburg in 1828, where he continued in practice until 1841. He was regarded as an able physician and was afterwards ap- pointed to office by his relative, President Buchanan.
Dr. John Linn began practice in Mercersburg in 1841, remaining there six years, removing to Phila- delphia, where he recently died.
Dr. John S. King practiced in Mercersburg from 1850 to 1869. Robert S. Brownson from 1850 to 1888. Eliab Negley from 1850 to 1879.
Recollections of the last three gentlemen are still fresh to most of us as able practitioners and schol- arly gentlemen.
Dr. Jos. Langston, an Englishman, a licentiate of College of Apothecaries, of London, located in Cham- bersburg in 1830, directing his attention to the prac- tice of surgery, and was spoken of as a skillful ope- rator. He returned to England in 1833.
Dr. Alexander Shields practiced here from 1833 to 1835, removing to Springfield, Illinois.
Dr. William Elder practiced medicine in Cham- bersburg from 1834 until some time in 1836, remov- ing to the western part of the State. He was a man
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of fine literary tastes and a close student. He after- wards became a lecturer on temperance and slavery. Being an able, eloquent and effective speaker, he attained considerable note.
Dr. William A. Finley practiced in Shippensburg more than thirty years, having a large business and fine reputation. He removed here in 1836, when his career was lamentably cut short by accidental death. He was held in high esteem by his professional brethren and was most popular with the masses. He was a cultivated and scholarly gentleman, of general as well as medical acquirements.
Dr. John Lambert came to Chambersburg in 1837, from Waynesboro, where he had been engaged in practice, though he had previously located in Mary- land. He was a capable, energetic physician, and soon acquired a large practice. He was a man of pleasing manner and fine address, and became quite popular. He continued in practice many years, but finally relinquished to engage in other pursuits. He died in 1872.
Dr. Henry Madeira was located at Loudon in 1820, and a member of first Medical Society. Dr. Joseph
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McClintock located there in 1840, and practiced until death, in 1887.
Dr. L. Byrne was at St. Thomas in 1822, and after- wards member of first Society.
Dr. John M. VanTries began practice in 1840. His labors were extensive and extended over a large scope. In 1862 he suffered severely from rheumatism, affecting his heart, compelling him to do less duty. He was a good physician, having a large experience, and was deservedly popular. He always held his practice against the many rivals locating at different times in his town. He died in 1884.
Dr. William H. Boyle was a student of Dr. Finley in 1836, and after the lamented death of his precep- tor, entered the office of Dr. N. B. Lane, under whose directions he pursued his studies. He began the practice of medicine here in 1841. In recognition of his acquirements and professional character, the Pennsylvania Medical College conferred on him the honorary degree of M. D. He was a good physi- cian; his business, for the most part, was confined to those in the humbler walks of life, and his work of charity and benevolence continued through nearly
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half a century. He was a kind and generous friend. He had not the advantage of an early education, and was in every sense a self-made man. He was a remarkably versatile writer, for a time editor of the "Valley Sentinel," which was subsequently merged into the "Valley Spirit." He was endowed with poetic gifts, and well informed on the early history and traditions of the neighborhood. He died, much lamented, in 1877.
Dr. Charles T. Maclay began practice in Green- village in 1840. He was a native of this county. Being the only physician in his locality he did a large business. He was deservedly popular and a leader of men. He probably knew more of the early history of the county and its legends than any of his cotemporaries. Being endowed with fine conver- sational powers, he was a most entertaining com- panion. He died recently at an old age.
Dr. John Curtis Richards was born in Baltimore, Md., and received a classical education at Yale Col- lege, becoming a student of Prof. Samuel Baker, of the Medical University of Maryland, graduating at that institution in 1834. For a time he practiced
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successfully in his native city, being for a period dispensary physician. City practice being distasteful to him he removed to Chambersburg in 1837. His professional skill, together with unusual personal graces, quickly secured for him an extensive and lucrative practice in the best families of the town and country. In consultations he was in especial demand over a large scope of country. He was a careful, conscientious practitioner and a skillful sur- geon, and always ready and able to meet any emer- gency, performing nearly all of the capital operations. In diagnosis he was as careful and thorough as he was prompt in his treatment. His intercourse with other physicians was always in harmony with the most rigid code of professional ethics .. During the early part of the war he had charge of a hospital here, and subsequently was appointed by the Gov- ernor to a position on the staff of the Surgeon-Gen- eral of the State.
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