USA > West Virginia > Hampshire County > History of Hampshire County, West Virginia : from its earliest settlement to the present > Part 35
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architecture. In the ends are extensive dormitories, sit- ting room and hospitals. The boys enter the north wing and the girls the south. The blind have exclusive use of the front building while the rear is occupied by the deaf. The size of the chapel is 42x64 feet with a pitch of thirteen feet, and the general dining room is 42x59 feet with a ceil- ing ten feet high. Behind the main building and connected with it by a covered way is another brick structure, 40x80 feet. In the basement of this is the laundry and boiler room. In the upper rooms of the same building are the kitchen, storerooms and bakery. In the rear of the north wing stands another large three story brick building, 30x51 feet, in which the industrial classes are taught. Somewhat further back stands a comfortable two-story, six-roomed brick building used by the servants connected with the schools. The green campus in front is neatly mapped out by smooth walks covered with black shale that wind hither and thither among the trees and flowers and around the plots of fresh green grass. In the midst a pretty fountain jets its silver spray into the air, adding to the already beautiful spot.
The two-fold character of the school is recognized in the name by which it is now officially designated; "The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind." This title is first used in connection with the Institution, as it is still popularly called, in the biennial report for the two years closing September 30, 1896.
At the last session of the legislature a bill was introduced for the separation of the two schools. The first section of the bill read as follows:
"Be it enacted, That the West Virginia schools for the deaf and the blind, located at Romney, in the county of Hampshire, shall, after the expiration of the present term, that is to say, after the 15th day June, 1897, cease to be a school for the education of deaf and blind youth, and shall thereafter be a school for the education of deaf youth only."
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The bill then further provided for the establishment of a separate school for the blind. Professor H. H. Johnson, senior teacher in the blind department, framed the bill and labored for its passage, but it was defeated.
At the last meeting of the board, July 14, 1897, Professor James P. Rucker was elected principal vice Professor C. H. Hill. Mr. Rucker was for several years principal of the graded school at Lewisburg, Greenbrier county. While he is without special training for the work he will assume this fall, his energetic qualities and liberal education be- speak for him a successful administration.
The following tables contain a complete list of princi- pals, teachers and officers connected with the institution from its beginning to the present time, with the dates of entrance to the school:
Principals: Horace H. Hollister, 1870; Dr. S. R. Lupton, 1874; Leveus Eddy, 1875; J. C. Covell, 1875; H. B. Gilkeson, 1887; C. H. Hill, 1888; James T. Rucker, 1897.
Teachers in blind department: H. H. Johnson, 1870; Mrs. Cornelia Wilson, 1874; Miss Maggie Blue, 1875; Oliver W. Schaeffer, 1879; Mrs. S. E. Caruthers, 1880; Mrs. L. W. Campbell, 1886; Mrs. L. W. Ferguson, 1888; Miss Annie Fetzer, 1894.
Teachers in deaf department: Holdridge Chidester, 1870; Miss Rose R. Harris, 1870; Miss Lucy White, 1871; Miss L. M. Kern, 1873; R. G. Ferguson, 1874; O. D. Cooke, 1875; E. L. Chapin, 1875; Miss A. B. Covell, 1877; J. Brooks McGann, 1880; A. D. Hays, 1880; Miss M. H. Keller, 1890; John A. Boland, 1890; Miss Susie Chidester, 1894; J. W. Neel, 1894; A. J. Thompson, 1897.
Teachers in musical department: J. H. Holmes, 1872; Oliver W. Schaeffer, 1877; William Mooney, 1885; Miss N. Lucas, 1885; Richard McGee, 1888; Miss Lena Wright, 1897; Miss Leob, 1897.
Teachers in the department of visible speech and artic- ulation: Miss S. W. Allen, 1877; Miss A. M. Grimm, 1884.
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Matrons: Mrs. Lucy B. White, 1870; Miss M. McClel- land, 1873.
Physicians: Dr. S. R. Lupton, 1870; Dr. John M. Snyder, 1873; Dr. R. W. Dailey, 1874; Dr. S. R. Lupton, 1876; Dr. R. W. Dailey, 1878.
Watchman: Henry White, 1870.
Governesses: Miss M. Blue, 1873; Mrs. S. E. Caruthers, 1874; Mrs. L. W. Campbell, 1884; Mrs. S. E. Burke.
Foremen of shoe shop: Henry Friddle, 1872; John S. Seeders, 1874.
Foremen of broom shop: J. H. Holmes, 1872; Herbert Estes, 1874; H. C. Jackson, 1878; R. H. Cookus, 1880.
Foremen of tailor shop: A. J. Kreamer, 1873; George Smith, 1876; William W. Smith, 1884; William G. Smith, 1888; Louis Meier, 1890.
Foremen of cabinet shop: H. C. Jackson, 1873; A. D. Hays, 1875; William Bierkamp, 1830; W. C. Bierkamp, 1886.
Foremen of printing office: A. D. Hays, 1875; M. Reh- lian, 1888.
Members of board of regents: First board, 1870: Hon. Wm. G. Brown, president; Rev. D. W. Fisher, General D. N. Couch, Rev. T. H. Trainer, Rev. R. N. Pool, Col. G. K. Leonard, Hon. Henry Brannon, J. D. Baines, Esq., Major J. H. Bristoe, Prof. H. H. Johnson, Capt. A. W. Mann, Capt. Robert White, secretary. Second board, 1871-73: Hon. Wm. G. Brown, president; Rev. D. W. Fisher, chair- man executive committee; J. D. Baines, Esq., George W. Washington, Esq., J. C. Palmer, Col. Charles T. Beale, Geo. G. Orr, Esq., Col. Robert White, secretary. Third board, 1874-76: Thomas Maslin, president; Dr. George Baird, J. W. Mason, R. B. Kidd, Geo. G. Orr, G. W. Craig, W. S. Laidley, Isaac T. Brady. Col. Robert White, secretary. Fourth board, 1876-1880: M. F. Hullihen, M. D., president; J. W. Mason, W. S. Laidiey, S. R. Lupton, M. D., G. W. Craig, John T. Pierce, Alex. Campbell, S. L.
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Flournoy, Henry B. Gilkeson, secretary. Fifth board, 1880-84: J. R. S. Hardesty, M. D., president; Col. Geo. W. Thompson, N. D. Baker, M. D., John T. Pierce, Charles L. Payton, G. W. Craig. John N. Holt, H. B. Gilkeson, sec- retary. Sixth board, 1884-88: John T. Pierce, president; A. L. Pugh, Charles L. Peyton, George Baird, M. D., V. S. Armstrong, William T. Smoot, J. Holt, W. H. McClung, M. D,, John R. Donehoo, H. B. Gilkeson, secretary. Seventh board, 1888-1890: John T. Pierce, president; W. H. McClung, George Baird, M. D., J. E. Peck, W. P. Vicars, John R. Donehoo, A. L. Pugh, C. F. Poland, secre- tary. Eighth board, 1892-1894: John T. Pierce, president; WV. S. Wiley, J. E. Peck, D. C. Casto, W. H. McClung, M. D., A. L. Pugh, J. R. Donehoo, J. J. Cornwell, secretary. Ninth board, 1894-1896: W. H. McClung, president; W. S. Wiley, J. E. Peck, D. C. Casto, George H. Johnson, Jesse Fisher, C. W. Brockunier, J. J. Cornwell, secretary. Tenth board, 1897: F. M. Reynolds, president; Dr. W. C. Jamison, Dr. G. A. Aschman, Dr. H. G. Stalnaker, J. W. Shick, C. C. Watts, Benjamin Bassell, Jr., D. A. Petti- grew, S. S. Buzzard, M. S. Cornwell, secretary.
These tables are prepared from the annual and biennial reports of the institution. The year given as the first appearance of a teacher, or officer, is the first for which he is catalogued.
"In a pamphlet history of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind, Professor Hill says: "The schools have thus far been most liberally supported by the state.
The appropriation for some years has been twenty-five thousand dollars per annum, for current expenses besides one thousand dollars annually to cover the cost of trans- portation of indigent pupils. In addition to this the law provides that clothing shall be supplied all needy children, ' to an amount not exceeding forty dollars a year and charged to the counties from which they come. With competent and skilled teachers, comfortable buildings, a
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healthful climate, good medical attendance and the gener- ous support of the state the future of the school is bright with promise, if only the large number within the borders of the commonwealth, who have not availed themselves of its benefits, can be brought under it ameliorating influ- ence." 33
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LEVOX AND TILDEN FOUNDA .... --
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1. REV. PETER MILLER.
3. DR. J. M. MILLER.
2. CLYDE P. MILLER.
4. MRS. ALBERTA C. MILLER.
CHAPTER XLI.
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS.
BY HU MAXWELL.
A history of Hampshire county would be lacking in an important point without a record of a worthy and intelli- gent class of citizens whose work is quiet and unobtrusive, but who are indispensable-the physicians. It is to be re- gretted that the data from which to compile a history of the doctors of the county is so incomplete. It is impossi- ble to do the subject justice, because information concern- ing many successful and learned men of the medical pro- fession is fragmentary or wholly wanting. A record, often the name only, of twenty-nine physicians of Hampshire is all that can be obtained. There can be no doubt that one- half the doctors have been forgotten, This seems a cruel and undeserved fate; but it is a fact. Who can doubt that Hampshire in the one hundred and forty years of its exist- ence has had at least one hundred practicing physicians? Yet, not one-third of them are now known by name. This is largely due to the fact that no medical society or associ- ation has ever been organized in the county. Had such society been in existence during the century or more last passed, a record of its proceedings would contain a history of Hampshire's medical men, and this chapter could be made far more complete than it is. In most counties such associations have been in existence many years, and every member is given a place upon its records. Following will be found sketches of a number of physicians.
B. F. BERKELEY, M. D., was born in August, 1824, and attended the Louisville (Kentucky) medical institute in
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years of age removed with his parents to Bunker Hill, Berkeley county, West Virginia, where he spent the early years of his life on his father's farm. He entered the Balti- more medical college and graduated in the spring of 1894. In the fall of that year he commenced practicing his pro- fession at Springfield, Hampshire county. In December of that year he was married to Miss Ella M. Pine of Darke- ville, Berkeley county.
REUBEN SAMUEL DAVIS, M. D., son of Reuben Davis, was born November 6, 1834, on New creek, then in Hampshire county, now Mineral. His grandfather, of Welch ancestry, was born April 1761. He married Rebecca Dent, the daughter of Thomas Dent, who resided near Charlotte Hali, St. Mary's county, Maryland. The Dents came from Gainsborough, York county, England. Joseph Davis resid- ed in Fauquier county, Virginia, from 1790 to 1799, and then removed to New creek, Hampshire county, and built a dwelling house within one rod of the county line, at which place he resided till his death, which occurred September 16, 1831. Thomas Dean, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1757, and married Jane Gilmore. The ancestry of both came from Dublin, Ireland. He lived on New creek until his death, March 27, 1809. Reuben Davis was born September 30, 1792, in Fauquier county, Vir- ginia, and came to Hampshire with his father in 1799. His great uncle, Colonel George Dent, stood godfather at his baptism, and gave him a set of silver sleeve buttoms with his initials, "R. D.," engraved on each, which are now in possession of Dr. Davis, who retains them as a souvenir of the past century. Colonel Dent married Eleanor Dean, daughter of Thomas Dean, April 1, 1813. In the war of 1812 he served as ensign in Captain Cockerell's company at Norfolk, Virginia. He served many years as a magis- trate by appointment, and was next to the last one to hold the office of sheriff of Hampshire county, on the priority of his commission, previous to the adoption of the consti-
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tution of 1850. He resided at Piedmont from 1860 to his death, November 17, 1868. Dr. Davis enlisted in Captain George F. Sheetz's company at Romney, June 6, 1861. The company was mustered into service about July 20, 1861, as company F, seventh regiment of Virginia cavalry, Colonel Turner Ashby's regiment, and become a part of Ashby's brigade, and was commanded by General Rosser at the close of the war, and was included in General Lee's surren- der at Appomattox. Dr. Davis commenced the study of medicine in May, 1856, under Dr. W. H. Dew of West Mil- ford, Harrison county, West Virginia, and continued the study until he volunteered in the confederate army, in June, 1861. He resumed his study in 1865, and commenced practice in 1868. His residence is at Kirby, Hampshire county.
ROBERT NEWMAN, M. D. A sketch of the life of Dr. Newman will be found in this book in the chapter on the literary workers of Hampshire, and in the present chapter only such mention of him as refers especially to his labors as a physician will be given. He occupied a place of honor and confidence in Hampshire county, as well as in the ad- jacent portions of Maryland, which would be a credit to any professional man. He was an original investigator. His ideas did not follow beaten tracks, but struck boldly into unexplored regions. As elsewhere remarked, if he could have had the advantage of a university education, by which he would have been enabled to concentrate his tal- ents upon unexplored fields rather than waste them in going over ground already traveled by others, he would probably have acquired a national reputation. But the time and place in which his lot was cast were not suited to acquiring knowledge from books. He fought on the fron- tiers, explored wildernesses beyond the Mississippi, en- countered dangers, surmounted obstacles, triumphed over difficulties, and in spite of them all accomplished much as an investigator in the profession of medicine. His book
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on the treatment of dropsy, which he published while at Old Town in Maryland, embodied his own original ideas and investigations on the subject. He could claim what- ever of merit there was in it; for it was his work, his idea, his experience. It would not be difficult for a well-read physician to compile a book on nearly any branch of his profession, by appropriating the ideas and investigations of others. But Dr. Newman did not do this. He acted upon the injunction :
"Think for thyself. One good idea, But known to be thine own, Is better than a thousand gleaned From fields by others sown."
Dr. Newman was never a man of vigorous health. He always believed himself predisposed to consumption; but, as often happens, the man with questionable health out- lives those who seem to be physically perfect. Dr. New- man had reached the age of fifty when he made Romney his home, removing to that place from Old Town, in 1820. His acquaintance with the people of the South branch dated several years earlier; for he had often been called, professionally, to attend the sick, even as far south as Moorefield. When he took up his residence in Romney he at once entered upon a large practice, and was particularly successful in treating cases in which the seat of the trouble was in the lungs. He was a resident of Romney until his death, which occurred in 1843, in his seventy-seventli year.
Dr. Newman's ideas regarding religion have already been mentioned; but he had a peculiarity which was all the more noticeable because of his scepticism, and which led some to doubt his sincerity in his claims of being un- orthodox. Although he might have considered scepticism good enough during life, he evidently believed religion was better when the hour of death came. Whenever he real- zed that a patient of his could not recover, and that death
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was near, he would request Rev. Dr. Foote to pay the pa- tient a ministerial visit. He and Dr. Foote were lifelong friends, and so uniform was his custom of sending the reverend gentleman to administer to the spiritual wants of those about to die, that the neighbors learned to under- stand what it meant when Dr. Foote would call upon one of Dr. Newman's patients. It meant that the sick person had been given up to die:
Although half a century has passed since Dr. Newman ceased his labors among the people of Hampshire, yet the influence of his life and work has enlarged and increased to this day.
JOSEPH M. MILLER, M. D., of Romney, is of German ex- traction, both on the side of his mother and father; but the families were in America, probably before the Revo- lutionary war; at least at a very early date. His father, Rev. Peter Miller, descended from an old established fam- ily of Rockingham county, Virginia. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Joseph Miller, was born in Rockingham county, and there is no written record of the family further back. Rev. Peter Miller was born in 1828, and was married to Miss Margaret Lutz, of Rockingham county, whose father, George Lutz, was a native of Penn- sylvania. Dr. J. M. Miller was born in 1853, in the old home county, Rockingham. When he was five years old his father's ministerial labors called him to Wardensville, in Hardy county, and he there resided many years in the work of the church.
The early life of Dr. Miller was spent at Wardensville where he attended such schools as the district afforded, and during vacations did farm work. The vacation took up the greater part of the year, and as a consequence, he had more opportunity to become acquainted with ' plows, pitchforks, horses and cattle, than with books. Neverthe- less, he had ambitions which looked forward to better things. The drudgery of farm life gives little time for
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books, and he embraced the first opportunity of taking up something else. He clerked in the store of M. Coffman at Woodstock, Virginia, during portions of 1873 and 1874. But having made up his mind to pursue one of the learned professions, and having chosen medicine, he looked about for means of acquiring an education fitting him for his work. He entered thegraded schoolat Woodstock, and made excellent progress under the instruction of Professor Lindsay. An opportunity presenting itself, he entered the office of Dr. W. H. Triplett, at Woodstock. Dr. Triplett was a successful physician, and had a large prac- tice. The three years which Dr. Miller spent in the office were of the greatest value to him in fitting him for his future work. So well was he instructed, not only in theory of medicine, but in its practice also, that he opened an office of his own and carried on a successful practice for two years without having attended any medical college. But not being satisfied with anything less than thorough in- struction and training in his chosen profession, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, and. graduated in the spring of 1877.
Soon after this he located at Rio, on North river, in Hampshire county, and was soon in the enjoyment of a remunerative practice. He remained at that place till 1389 when he removed to Romney and has since lived there. On January 3, 1873, Dr. Miller was married to Miss Alberta C. Coffman, of Hampshire county, daughter of John C. Coffman who was born in Shenandoah county, 1805, and who was married to Miss Mary Thompson, of Hampshire county. Two sons were born to Dr. and Mrs. Miller, John Luther, 1880, who died at the age of five months, and Clyde Peter, born in 1882. Mrs. Miller died October 19, 1895.
SAMUEL R. LUPTON, M. D., was born near Winchester, Virginia, March 21, 1827. His ancestors were Quakers and belonged to that group of persecuted persons who
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were imprisoned in Winchester during the Revolutionary war. Many of these were carried thither from Philadel- phia, and the accusation against them was that they were friendly with the British and were furnishing information to the enemy. It is certain that this charge, if made against the Quakers as a body, was not well founded, although individual cases no doubt occurred in which per- sons of that denomination were friendly with the British. The persecution of the Quakers formed one of the unpleas- ant pages in the history of America during the revolution. Yet, in time of war, and particularly when the enemy was ravaging the land, as was the case when the British . occupied Philadelphia, the most careful and just people may do that which at other times they would strongly condemn. Many of the Quakers who were imprisoned at Winchester were no doubt earnest sympathizers with the American cause. From that stock Dr. Lupton descended. Nothing eventful has been recorded of his early life, and while still a very young man he entered the Winchester medical college, and he graduated in June, 1848.
He began the practice of his profession in Pennsylvania, and remained eight years in that state. He then returned to Virginia and commenced practice in Romney. This was in 1856, and he brought with him a recommendation from Dr. H. H. McGuire of Winchester. He was soon in possession of a large practice and retained it till the end of his life, a period of more than twenty years. From the founding of the institution for the deaf and blind in Rom- ney until his death, Dr. Lupton was its physician, with the exception of a brief interval. He was a regent of the insti- tution, and for a brief period was its principal. In the lat- ter part of his life he suffered from heart trouble, and knew that his end was not far off; yet, while in the grasp of death, he never neglected a patient, never let others suf- fer when he could help them; he would cheerfully answer calls day and night, in rain or sunshine, forgetful of his
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own suffering while trying to relieve the suffering of oth- ers; and at last he fell dead while in the act of reaching to a shelf for a bottle of medicine for a patient who had called at his office. Dr. Lupton was buried in Indian Mound cemetery, but his grave is unmarked, and the stranger who seeks it is liable to search in vain. Yet he was one who was not dependent upon sculptured marble as a guar- dian of his fame. He had built a more enduring monu- ment. He had secured the respect, the confidence and the love of the people among whom he labored. Man's most everlasting monuments are not erected in the cities of the dead, but in the hearts of the living.
J. M. SNYDER, M. D., was born at Clear Spring, Missouri, May 23, 1818, and was a son of Jacob and Margaret Snyder, of German origin. He was married September 22, 1841, to Miss Savinia Rizer, a native of Maryland. Their chil- dren were Anna M., Kate L., Robert D., Bettie S. and John. Mrs. Snyder having died, Dr. Snyder, on Septem- ber 2, 1873, was married to Miss Virginia Boyd Kidd, daughter of James and Hester Kidd, in the Presbyterian church at Romney, by Rev. George W. Finley. The death of Dr. Snyder occurred October 19, 1877. He began the study of medicine when he was twenty-one years of age, and graduated from the university of Maryland. He then entered the office of the distinguished Dr. Samuel Smith, at Cumberland, Maryland, and read an extensive course of medicine. From the office of Dr. Smith he went to Rom- ney and practiced medicine with Dr. McClintock, whom he subsequently bought out, practice, house and all. Dr. Snyder enjoyed the reputation of being an excellent surgeon.
EDWARD K. WILSON, M. D., son of James M. and Annie E. Wilson, nee Robinson, was born at Darkeville, Berkeley county, West Virginia. He belongs to a very old family in Virginia. His paternal grandfather, Samuel K. Wilson, was born May 19, 1783, in Virginia, and was the eldest son
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of William Wilson. Samuel Wilson was a merchant at Gerardsville, and his son, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a farmer and afterwards a druggist. He is now a resident of Mineral county. Dr. Wilson was edu- cated at North Mountain institute, in Berkeley county, taking the degree of A. M. in 1873 .. He then studied med- icine under Dr. Samuel D. Marshall of Philadelphia, and afterwards graduated at Jefferson medical college, that city, 1877. He spent six years in Moorefield in the prac- tice of his profession, then went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he lived several years, returning thence to Romney, where he has since been engaged in practice.
A complete list of the physicians who have made their homes in Hampshire county from the earliest times till the present cannot now be made out. The few names herein given have been gathered from various sources. The old court records contain the names of a few, but give no in- formation concerning their births, deaths or family his- tory. As far back as 1788 Dr. Unger was spoken of as "a reputable surgeon," in connection with a salaried position as surgeon of the Hampshire militia. Dr. Dyer was one of the carly physicians. Dr. McDonald and Dr. Temple spent many years in the county, and both were reputed to be excellent doctors; but like many others, few facts con- cerning them can now be ascertained. Dr. Washington Williams lived in Romney in 1831. He was a brother of Dr. M. Williams of Moorefield. Dr. McClintock was one of the leading physicians of the county prior to 1842, He left Hampshire that year. Dr. Pratt was here about the same time. Dr. Kendall is well remembered by many people of the county. He died a few years ago at Pleas ant Dale, but had not been in active practice for several years prior to his death. Dr. Townsend Clayton died at Spring- field about thirty years ago. Dr. John W. Moore was also a resident of Springfield, as was Dr. Reuben Moore. Dr. Lemuel Moore practiced at Frankfort, now in Mineral
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