Marietta, Ohio - Educational Matters (part 2 of 2)

At the request of Professor Silliman, Dr. Hildreth undertook to explore the coal regions of the Ohio, the result of which was published in the Journal for January, 1836, under the title of ''Observations on the bituminous coal deposits in the valley of Ohio, and the accompanying rock strata, with notices of the fossil organic remains, and the relic of vegetable and animal bodies, illustrated with a geological map, by numerous drawings of plants and shells, and by views of interesting scenery." 'The Journal says editorially that this was one of the most important of Dr. Hildredth's scientific labors, and by far the most valuable contribution which up to that time had appeared on the subject discussed. It filled an entire number (one hundred and fifty-five pages), of this Journal, and was profusely illustrated by figures of fossils, sections, and original drawings, embraced in thirty-six plates on wood. Articles on the _history of the North American locust, saliferous rock formation, with a history of the manufacture, of salt from the first settlement of Ohio, Ten days in Ohio, a geological description of the country from Marietta to Chillicothe by way of Zanesville, and The Diary of a Naturalist, appeared in the same journal from 1830 to 1836.

In 1832 he wrote a history of the floods in the Ohio since the first settlement, which was published in the first volume of the transactions of the historical society of Ohio. In 1837 he was employed, in company with other geologists, to make a geological survey of the State. He delivered an address in 1839 before the medical society of Ohio, of which he was president, on the climate and diseases of southwestern Ohio, which was printed.

In 1839 Dr. Hildreth commenced the collection of a cabinet of natural history. While out on his daily professional rides he would stop to gather insects, shells, fishes, fossils, and minerals. He often employed boys in the country to do this service for him. When he returned from a drive he was in the habit of picking out the specimens he desired to keep, labelling them and placing them in cases. Duplicates were sent to eastern friends in exchange for books or specimens of that section. In the course of eight years his cabinet contained more than four thousand specimens, and his library a choice variety of works on natural history. Shortly before his death he donated his cabinet and library to Marietta college, where it is known as the Hildreth cabinet. "This donation made Dr. Hildreth one of four or five of the largest benefactors of the college."

In 1840 Dr. Hildreth turned his attention to writing a history of the first settlement of Ohio. He coilected his material with great care from manuscripts and personal interviews, and wrote a book of five hundred and, five pages, which will-always be of interest and value. He was the means of preserving a variety of important history and interesting anecdote which would otherwise have been lost to posterity. His second volume of Lives of the Early Settlers of Ohio was published in 1852. These two books have a permanent place in history. Dr. Hildreth, besides, contributed many interesting historical papers to the Pioneer, and a history of the first settlement of Belleville was published in the Hesperian. A journal of diseases each month, with a bill of mortality, was kept from 1824 till his death. A large amount of manuscript of permanent value, though never published, besides many smaller articles were among the products of his busy pen.

He looked on the bright side of things - loved beauty, although of an eminently practical turn of mind - was very fond of flowers, which he cultivated diligently. Industry and system in all that he did may be accounted among his marked points. Besides his laborious medical practice, he accomplished, very much as he himself expressed it, by "saving the odds and ends of time." Without having a brilliant mind he exemplified the fact that ''industry is talent.'' He was exact in all his dealings, an honest man, a Christian. His was a complete life - he finished his work.

Dr. Hildreth's able and productive pen gave him an extended acquaintance among the scientific men of his day. He was one of the first pioneers of science west of the Alleghany mountains and was regarded as one of the most acute observers of facts of his time. Professor Benjamin Silliman, his warm friend, has written a feeling tribute.to his memory:

In his private life he illustrated every virtue of a Christian gentleman. Bright and cheerful by nature, he loved nature with the simple enthusiasm of a child. Industrious and systematic in a high degree, no moment of life was wasted. In his family we have seena beautiful example of domestic happiness and warm-hearted hospitality. He lived with nature and nature's God - and among the patrons and coworkers in this journal, who have left its founder almost alone, no one has shed a purer and more mellow light in the horézon of his setting sun - no one has departed more loved and regretted by the senior

Dr. Hildreth died July 24, 1863, in his eightieth year. He had been in his usual good health, a well-preserved and happy old gentleman until a few weeks before his death. He sank away gradually, his mental faculties being preserved to the last. His funeral was on Sunday, July 26th, the services being in the Congregational church, of which he was a member. These last sad rites were conducted by Rev. Mr. Wickafield, of Harmar, and President Andrews, of Marietta college.

Dr. John Cotton was a physician well known and highly esteemed in his time, and is still remembered as a successful practitioner of physic and skilful surgeon. He was the son of Rev. Josiah Cotton, and was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1792. Rev. Josiah Cotton was a descendant of Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, anda praduate of Yale college. John entered Cambridge untversity at the age of fourteen and graduated in 1810 with honorable standing in his class. He received his medical degree at Cambridge in 1814, and began practicing in Andover, Massachusetts. In 1815 he married Susan Buckminster and came to Marietta, being attracted by the climate. In the latter part of the year he opened an office on the west side of the Muskingum, and soon acquired a comfortable practice, which grew with age and experience.

Dr. Cotton was an enthusiastic worker in the cause of religion. Immediately upon his arrival he set to work at organizing Sunday-schools, and in 1816 one had been opened on the west side and two on the east side. He continued an enthusiastic Sunday-school worker and teacher. He accumulated a large collection of theological books, and at the age of forty studied Hebrew that he might be able to understand more fully and explain more satisfactorily difficult passages in the Old Testament.

Dr. Cotton was ardent in his opinions. He soon became a local political leader, and in 1824 was chosen representative in the legislature. In 1825 he was chosen associate judge and filled the position till the time of his death. Fora number of years he was chairman of the Whig Central committee, and proved himself an adroit politician. He took delight in scientific studies, and often lectured in the Marietta lyceum and the young ladies' seminary. Astronomy was his favorite theme. He delivered an address in Latin on the occasion of the installation of the first president of Marietta college. He was one of the original trustees of the college and for many years president of the board. He was also trustee of the medical college of Ohio. He died unexpectedly after a brief illness of three days, April 2, 1847.

Dr. Jonas Moore was a native of New Hampshire, and was in the senior year at Dartmouth when his father died, necessitating his return home. He never returned to graduate. His whole family was soon after carried off by searlet fever, and he came to Marietta where he taught school and studied medicine with Dr. S. P. Hildreth. He next went to Louisiana where he practiced for a number of years. He afterwards became one of the leading physicians of Marietta, where he died in March, 1856. He was a trustee of the college and took deep interest in educational matters. He was of a scientific turn of mind and invented a nutmber of mechanical devices for use in surgery. He was highly respected as a man.

Dr. G. M. P. Hempstead wasa native of Connecticut, came to Ohio in 1802, and found good facilities for obtaining an education in Muskingum academy, where he was prepared for college. He was for a short time under the tutilage of Hon. Gustavus Swan, late of the supreme court, and Dr. Jonas Moore, of Marietta. He graduated from Ohio university in 1813, being the first literary graduate of that institution and consequently the first in Ohio. He received the degree of A. M. in 1822 and LL. D. in 1879. He began the study of medicine in

1813, and in 1816 went to Waterford where the spotted fever had become epidemic. He was there three or four months. He is now practicing in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Dr. Morris German was a native of Shenango county, New York. He attended lectures and received a diploma in New York city. He located in Harmar during the epidemic of 1823, and in a short time was in possession of a full practice, which was held until his death in 1835. Dr. German was a contemporary of Hildreth and Cotton, and held an honorable standing in the profession. He died at the age of thirty-nine.

Dr. Felix Regnier, the second son of Dr. J. B. Regnier, was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1801. When he was two years old his parents moved to Marietta, Ohio, where he received a liberal education and began the study of medicine under Dr. S. P. Hildreth. He received a diploma from the medical society of Ohio 1824, and that year began the practice of his profession at Gallipolis, Ohio. In 1831 he removed to Jacksonville, Illinois, where he remained two years and then came to Marietta. He had an office in Harmar and was regularly engaged in practice here until April, 1866. During the succeeding eleven years he travelled, in the hope of improving his wife's health. After her death in 1877 he removed to Carthage, Illinois, where he lives with his son, Austin B.

Dr. Hugh Trevor, a descendent of Sir Hugh Trevor, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1806. He graduated at Trinity college, Dublin, and at the College of Surgeons, Dublin. He afterwards spent nine years in the hospitals of Paris. He came to Marietta in 1834, and began the practice of medicine. His medical knowl- - edge was of a high order, and he had the confidence of a large class of people. While in Marietta he married Maria Holden, a daughter of Joseph Holden. In 1858 he removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, and in 1881 located in Quincy, Illinois, where he died in April, 1881.

Dr. Shubel Fuller was born in Canada in 1806. In _ 1818 his parents came to Marietta, and after passing through the schools of that period, began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John Cotton. He attended lectures at the Ohio Medical college, Cincinnati, and opened an office in Marietta in 1835. Dr. Fuller was a successful physician, and conducted a large practice until the sickness which terminated in his death in February 17, 1857. Dr. Fuller was a descendant of the Plymouth Rock family of that name.

Dr. G. J. Stevens, an old practitioner, was located in Harmar for thirteen years. He was a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, where he was born in 1805. He attended lectures at Fairfield Medical college, and received a diploma in 1827. He practiced in New York, and in Portage and Summit counties, Ohio. He died at his home in Harmar in April, 1881.

Dr. Wilson Stanley was born and spent his early life in North Carolina, and graduated from the Homceopathic Hospital college, of Cleveland, Ohio. He practiced medicine for about ten years in Marietta, and moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1866, Where he died within a year.

Present Physicians

Dr. Seth Hart began the practice of medicine in Harmar in 1827, and has been in active practice since that time, except during two brief periods. A full biography will be found in this volume.

Dr. George O. Hildreth, son of Dr. Samuel Prescott Hildreth, graduated at Ohio university in 1829, at the age of seventeen. He entered upon a course of medical study under the direction of his father, and attended lectures at Transylvania university, Kentucky, where he graduated in 1835. He was regularly associated with his father in practice until the death of the latter in 1863. Since then he has been alone, occupying the same house and office on Putnam street. His practice has continued over a period of forty-five years, with but a single intermission, during a period of four years - 1849-53 - which were spent in California. Dr. Hildreth has been pension examiner since 1863, and is highly esteemed as a physician and a man.

Benjamin Franklin Hart, M. D., was born in Watertown, Washington county, Ohio, January 3, 1823. He was a student of the Ohio Medical college, and received his degree from that institution in the spring of 1844. Subsequently, in 1864 he graduated from Bellevue college, New York. After completing his course at Cincinnati, he began practice in Marietta, and with the exception of a brief intermission, has continued until the present.

Dr. Hart took an active part in the War of the rebellion, visiting Pittsburgh Landing, Shiloh, and later, Gettysburgh, Frederick city, Washington and Baltimore, to look after the needs of the Ohio soldiers. He was one of the surgeons who engaged in the pursuit of John Morgan in his raid through Ohio. This work was performed gratuitously, and to the satisfaction of the sanitary commission. In 1864 he was appointed by Governor Brough military surgeon with the rank of major.

Dr. Hart is a member of the Ohio State Medical society, and of the American Medical association, and is one of the censors of the Columbus Medical college. He was a delegate to the International Medical congress at Philadelphia in 1876.

C. W. Eddy, M. D., is a resident of Marietta, having been born in this county. After receiving a liberal education at Beverly academy, he studied medicine in the office of Dr. C. S. Parker, and at Miami Medical college where he received his degree in 1877. He practiced first in Guernsey county. In April, 1879, he was appointed assistant physician for the Athens asylum, and was reorganized out in May, 1880, together with the whole staff. He has since been at Marietta.

Dr. Josiah Dexter Cotton, son of Dr. John Cotton, was born in Marietta May fo, 1822. He received his preliminary education at Marietta college, where he graduated in 1842. He began the study of medicine in his father's office, and in 1845 entered the medical college at Louisville, and was granted the degree of M. D. in 1847. He had previously been in practice in Lawrence county, about one year. In 1847 Dr. John Cotton died.

and Josiah D. succeeded to his business. He has been in constant practice in Marietta since, except.three years, during the war, when he acted as surgeon for the Ninetysecond Ohio, and brigade surgeon.

Dr. Simon D. Hart, at present superintendent and physician of the Washington County Children's home, engaged in the general practice of his profession from 1844 to 1869. He attended school at Marietta, and received his degree from Ohio Medical college, Cincinnati, in the spring of 1844, and opened an office in Coollville, Athens county, where he remained one year. During the next two years he practiced in Barlow, and in 1847 removed to Marietta. He received a fair share of public patronage until April, 1869, when his present position was tendered him. Dr. Hart married July, 1845, Lydia M. Lawrence, who has been matron of the home since its regular establishment.

Dr. Samuel Hart was born in Watertown township in 1830. He completed his studies at Marietta academy in 1849, and received a Gegree from the medical college of Ohio in 1852. He began practice in Marietta in 1853, and has continued till the present time, except during a period of four years of active surgical practice in the army in charge of a hospital, and two years spent in Bellevue hospital, New York. He also practiced in Massachusetts.

Dr. Z. D. Walter succeeded to the practice of Dr. W. Stanley in 1866. He was born of Quaker parentage, and spent his early life in Chester county, Pennsylvania He received his education and afterward taught for two years at Westtown boarding school, a Quaker institution, and attended medical lectures at the Homceopathic Medical college of Pennsylvania, where he received his degree in 1866, since which time he has been in the practice at Marietta.

Dr. W. D. Putnam, of Harmar, studied medicine under Dr. Johnson Elliott, professor of surgery, of the university of Georgetown, Georgetown, D. C., and graduated from that institution in March, 1868. About a year afterward he came west and located at Lowell, this county. In November, 1872, he removed to Harmar, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession.

Dr. Putnam is the great-grandson of General Rufus Putnam, and grandson of Edwir Putnam. His father was Franklin Putnam. He was born October 28, 1842, and was married February 5, 1867, to Emma J. Blane, of Hagarstown, Maryland. She died March 1, 1879.

Dr. J. B. Mellor, of Harmar, read with Dr. W. D. Putnam, and graduated at Miami college, Cincinnati, in the spring of 1878. Since then he has been in practice in sfarmar.

Doctor James McClure has been practising in Mari. etta since 1871. He is a wative of Salem, Meigs county, Ohio, and read medicine at Harrisonville, in the same county, under Dr. S. Day. He attended lectures at Starling Medical college in 1860 and 1861, and practised at Albany, Athens county, until the fall of 1863, when he entered the second course and graduated in 1864. He became surgeon for the Twenty-third Ohio volunteer

Dr. H. N. Curtis is a native of this county. He graduated at the New York Homeopathic Medical college in 1881, and began the practice of medicine in the Mrs. Curtis has the honor of being She graduated at

Medical Societies

The first medical society in the state was organized through the influence of Doctor S. P. Hildreth. It was Be fore the war the first county society was organized, but was broken up after a few years by the opening of the Rebellion. 'The Washington County Medical Society" was organized in July, 1873. The following physicians have served as presidents: J. D. Cotton, William Beebe, J. G. Stevens, G. O. Hildreth, B. F. Culver, and Weak» Beebe: