Marion County, Ohio - Chapter 10: Medical, 1883

Chapter 10: Medical

HE first regular physician who located in Marion County was Dr. Ebenezer Ballantine, who came here from Kinderhook, N. Y., in the year 1820. The Doctor came to this country and settled at a very early day with his sons, about a mile and a half north of the present corporation of the town of Marion. As he was very old and quite worn out before he came here, he practiced but little and died in about three years after his arrival. In three weeks' time his wife also died. His children continued to live in the county, and have brought up large and influential families. The old cabin built by the Doctor still stands.

Dr. Alson Norton, in the year 1820, came from the State of Connectieut to Radnor, Delaware Co., Ohio, where he remained bnt a short time, and then located at Big Island, this county, succeeding Dr. Ballantine only a few months. His first residence was a cabin built of round logs and covered with clapboards secured by "weight-poles." His professional rides were long and laborious, as his practice extended over the whole of Marion and parts of adjoining counties. Delaware, Ohio, was the nearest point at which he could procure drugs. The Doctor resorted, of course, to the only admissable mode of travel in those days, on horseback, in which manner he meandered through the woods by way of cow paths from house to house. In sickly seasons, it often took him several days to make his rounds, remaining overnight wherever darkness overtook him. His cabin was frequently visited by the Wyandot Indians while on their hunting tours, as it was a favorite place to rest and beg "johnny-cake." In the course of time, the Doctor entered the tract of land upon which his cabin was erected and built a comfortable frame dwelling. The land is now cultivated as one of the productive farms of Big Island Township.

Dr. Norton continued the practice of his profession to the time of his death, which occurred in the year 1848. His wife was a sister of Orange Johnson, who was one of the prominent men of Central Ohio in early days.

Dr. George Miller came from the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1824 and located in Marion, Ohio. He was a well-educated physician, and was gaining a large practice when death suddenly checked his career within three years from the time he settled here.

Dr. Joseph Billings, a student of Dr. Upson, of Worthington, Ohio, came to Marion in the year 1824. Soon after his coming, he became engaged to Miss Lydia Holmes, the beautiful and accomplished daughter of District Judge William Holmes, but the early death of the Doctor, which occurred in 1825, prevented the consummution of the marriage contract.

Dr. Simeon A. Conch, a fellow-student of Dr. Billings, came shortly after the death of the latter and assumed his position in the practice of medicine. In fact, in more ways than one did Dr. Conch take the place of his predecessor, for he soon became engaged to Miss Lydia Holmes and afterward married her; but his career, like that of Drs. Miller and Billings, cee very short, for he died within two years' time after he located in the wn.

Dr. Jabez P: Manning, an Eastern man, located in Marion in 1824 or 1825; but he, too, was unable to stand the hardships of the physician's life in those days, und death soon ended his vareer.

Two other physicians, whose names we were unable to learn, also located in Marion about the same time with those above mentioned; but their fate was like the others; they were doomed to very short lives; and thus it became a very noticeable fact in the history of the early physicians of the town of Marion that the first seven who located here all died within aspace of three years; and surely the inducements for doctors to come to Marion were not great in the days of miasmatic poison.

Dr. George Halloway, the first physician who was able to stand the hardships here and live any length of time, came from the State of Massachusetts in 1825 and located in Marion. His practice soon extended for miles around, as he was quite successful. The mode of travel was still confined to the saddle, as the roads were new and rugged, often mere paths running through the forest, marked by "blazed trees" as guides to the proper course. The diseases of this country in those days were principally of a bilious character and " milk sickness" or "trimbles." In the former class of diseases, the torpid liver had to be aroused, and Dr. Halloway's favorite prescription for this purpose was calomel in heroic doses, generally forty grains, repeated in from four tu six hours. In the treatment of milk sickness, the Doctor also enjoyed a good reputation, and the typical old saddle bags were familiar to nearly every family.

Dr. Halloway was truly one of the pioneer physicians,' experiencing all the fatigues and hardships that were known only to those who were here in an early day. He continued in practice to the time of his death, which occurred at his home in Marion in the year 1867, having reached the ripe old age of fourscore and five. The Doctor was surgeon in the war of 1812 and located at Buffalo.

Dr. Basil Holmes came from Newark, Ohio, to Marion in the year 1825. He practiced his profession in this county for several years, and then moved to Delaware, Ohio, where he died. He was Postmaster at one time in Marion, and frequently carried letters in his pockets for persons living at a distance from town and distributed the mail on his professional rounds.

Dr. William H. Reid came from one of the Eastern States and located in Marion in the year 1830. He soon acquired a large practico, as he was a shrewd physician. When he had been here two years, he met with an accident, suffering a fracture of the femur. His brother, who was a few years his junior and also a physician, came to take care of the Doctor and his patients. After William H. regained his strength, the two brothers practiced together until the death of William, which occurred in about a year. After this event, Dr. Ezra Reid moved to Indianapolis, where in time he gained a very enviable reputation. The brothers were both accomplished physicians, being well educated and members of an influential family. d :

Dr J. Livingston located in Marion in 1832. He practiced with very good success here for a number of years, and then moved to Missouri, where he went into a general business, trading, raising stock, ete.; in this way he amassed quite a fortune. His wife's maiden name was Lydia

Dr. W. C. Johnson was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 21, 1808. At his native place he resided until after his graduation in medicine and two years' practice in his profession. He came to Marion in 1836, and formed a partnership with Dr. Livingston. From this time on until the time of his death, which occurred Juiy 24, 1864, he continued the practice of medicine in Marion and adjoining counties. The Doctor attended medical lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Penn. His widow, Mrs. Johnson, is still living and resides on North Main street, Marion, Ohio.

H. A. True, A. M., M. D., was born at Union, Me., August 10, 1812. He graduated at Bowdoin College, Me., in 1832, and at Bowdoin Medical College in the following year. He afterward attended medical lectures at Boston Medical College, and in 1834 was appointed Assistant Physician at the Summerville Insane Asylum. In 1835, he attended medical lectures at Pittsfield, Mass., and in the same year he went to New York City and located, where he engaged in the practice of medicine and drug business for four years. In 1839, Dr. True came to Marion and practiced his profession for a period of ten years; after this he engaged in the dry goods trade up to the year 1856, and then he went to banking, and continued in the latter business to the time of his death, which occurred December 12; 18776. Dr. True was a man of unusual ability and strength of character. . He was a great reader and a close observer. His influence for good was very marked both in the community and in the church. His study of theology had been such that in the latter days he frequently occupied ihe pulpit in the church of his chosen denomination, the Presbytersan.

Dr. W. W. Briggs was born and raised near Essex, Union Co., Ohio. When he arrived at the years of maturity, he began his medieal studies with a Dr. Pickett, of Delaware. He attended his first course of lectures at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and the second at the Ohio Medieal College, Cincinnati, where he received his medical degree. He first located at Prospect, this county, and in 1854 he removed to Marion, where he continued the practice of his profession very successfully until the year 1862, at which time he was appointed Surgeon of the Forty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in the service of his country at Marietta, Ga., a brave soldier and a good physician. His first wife was a Miss Rachel Landon, and his second Miss Phoebe W. Davids, sister to Esquire John E. Davids, of Marion. Dr.:Briggs remains were brought home, and now rest in the Marion Cemetery.

Of the physicians now living who have practiced medicine in this couniy for thirty years, are Drs. T. B. Fisher, B. W. Davis and R. L. Sweeney, of Marion; Dr. R. C. Bowdish, of Big Island; Dr. Joshua Copeland, of La Rue, and Dr. J. W. Devore, of Claridon.

The first county medical society organized in Marion County was on March 6, 1850. The meeting was held at the American House and was composed of a majority of the regular physicians of the county. Dr. H. A. True was made Chairman of the meeting and Dr. W. R. Applebaugh, Secretary. On motion of Dr. J. C. Norton, committee was appointed to draft a plan of organization, constitution and by-laws. The committee consisted of Drs. Norton, of Marion; Rogers, of Scott Town; and Wilkins, of La Rue. A committee, consisting of Drs. Norton, Gabriel and Burkholder, was appointed to prepare a code of ethics, and still another committee, composed of Drs. Kendler, Johnson and Bodamann, was delegated to arrange a fee bill. The first officers elected were: President, Dr. Samuel Grafton; Vice President, ` Dr. J. C. Norton; Secretary, Dr. W. R. Applebaugh; Treasurer, Dr. H. A. True; Standing Committee, Drs. Ferris, Briggs and Norton. Officers to be elected annually.

The New Organization

On motion, a committee, consisting of Drs. Sweeney, Davis and Gailey, was appointed to draw up a fee bill and report the same at next meeting of the society. This bill at a subsequent meeting was agreed upon and adopted, which has ever since been the guide and standard of fees by the regular physicians of the county. In a short time, a suitable code of ethics was drawn vp by a committee consisting of Drs. T. B. Fisher, A. B. Mc- Murray and R. C. Bowdish, and adopted by the society, which has had its influence in keeping harmony and friendship among the members of the profession. From its organization to the present time, the society has done good work. Its meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, in the City Hall, and the papers that are read and the discussions of important subjects that are participated in by the members all have an educating and an elevating influence on the minds of those who are striving to: ascertain all possible truths that pertain to the cause, nature and cure of the many diseases with which humanity is afflicted.

The society elects its officers annually. The present incumbents are: President, Dr. O. W. Weeks; Vice President, Dr. W. C. Denman; Secretary, Dr. F. W. Thomas; Treasurer, Dr. R. L. Sweeney; Standing Committee, Drs. B. W. Davis, R. L. Sweeney and W. C. Denman.