Seneca County, Ohio - Chapter 7: Physicians of the County, 1886

Chapter 7: Physicians of the County

SO early as 1822, while yet the county was only tenanted by a few hundred white people, the first physician arrived. The succeeding year more adventurous spirits pushed fiu-ther westward, and thencefoi-ward physicians came here to reside or visit. In 1852 the medical profession was so niuuerously and ably represented in the county, it was deemed desirable to organize a society. This was accomplished the same year, when a number of physicians assembled in the oflice of Dr. Dresbach, adopted a constitution, and elected Dr. J. A. McFarlaud president, with Dr. George Sprague secretary. There is no record extant of the proceedings of this society. Of its members, however, the newspaper press has kept a record, and from those old records much, if not all, relating to them in the following pages, has been obtained. To the comiesy of Dr. Gibbon, secretary of the present society, the writer is indebted for being enabled to give the names of the physicians of the county in oiu* own times. Dr. Stephenson, of Hm-on County, was the visiting jihysician in 1819-20. Dr. Brainard, of Sandusky, practiced medicine fa'om that point to Tymochtee, and attended the Seneca Indians previous to 1821.

Selden Graves, the first resident physician of Seneca County, settled in Eden Township, March 0, 1822. In 1831 he was elected associate judge. Ely Dresbach. born in Northumberland County. Penn., in l.S()2, settled with his parents, David and Catherine Dresbach, in Pickaway Coimty, Ohio, and came to Fort Ball February 23, 1823. having previously studied medicine at Circleville, under Dr. Luckev. For over thirty years he labored in Seneca Countv, and died at Tiffin April 14. 1853 (vide Historj' of Tiffin).

Henry Kiihn. born in Frederick County, Md. , in 1802, graduated from the medical school of the University of Maryland in 1825. In 1829 he came with his family to Tiffin, and was among the men who cleared the forest on Market Street, between Washington and Mom'oe Streets, that year. His office was on East Market Street, and in recent years stood in rear of the new jail. Miss Catherine Baltzell, of Woodsboro, Md., to whom he was married in 1826, died at Tiffin in 1 813. His second wife. Miss Maria Pennington, of Tiffin, su^^-ived her husband, who died October 16, 1878.

Robert C. J. Carey, a native of Maryland, born in November, 1800, settled at Fort Ball in 1823, and was a partner of Dr. Dresbaeh. His death took place November 9. 1836, when he was buried in the old cemetery.

James Fisher, the founder of Elizabetlitown, was born in Frederick Countv, Md., January 1, 1801, settled at Tiffin in 1832. In July, 1829, he man-ied Elizabeth M. , daughter of Dr. Thomas Boyer, and was accompanied by his father-in-law to Tiffin in 1832. Mi-s. Fisher died September 19, 1878. " Dr. Fisher was appointed postmaster at Tiffin shortly after his settlement here, many years prior to his departure for Springfield, Mo.

Thomas Boyer, of Uniontown, Md. , whose daughters were maiTied, Elizabeth to Dr. James Fisher, and Mary M. to Lloyd Morris, in July, 1829, settled at Tiffin in 1832, and died here in 1835. Mrs. Boyer died in 1847.

J. A. McFarland, the fii-st president of the old Seneca County Medical Society, settled at Tiffin in 1837; died June 1. 1883. He was delegate to the great convention of physicians, held at San Francisco, Cal., in 1871, and one of the most estimable citizens of the county.

E. J. McCollum, born in Richland County. Ohio, in June. 1825. graduated from JefFerson Medical College, Philadelphia, in March, 1853, and settled at Tiffin about same time. He was at McCutcheuville in 1849.

J. N. Heckerman, born at Chambersburg, Penn., November 22, 1825. completed his medical coiu'se at the Columbian School of Medicine, Washington, D. C, in 1846. and came to Tiffin in 1849.

H. B. Gibbon, born at Big Frame, Wayne County, Ohio, March 12, 1852, graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in June, 1877, and located at Tiffin in 1880. He practiced for a short time at Kansas and Bettsville, in this county.

J. B. Bland, born in Muskingum County, Ohio. July 22, 1840, is a graduate of Starling (Columbus) Medical College. In 1869 he entered on the practice of medicine at Benton. Crawford County, Ohio.

Benjamin S. Stover, born at Brooklyn, Cuyahoga Co.. Ohio, June 13, 1856, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, located at Republic in 1878.

H. B. Martin, born at Chillicothe, Ohio, November 15, 1823. graduated from Charitv Hospital. Cleveland, Ohio, in 1850; came from Melmore to Tiffin about 1866-67; died March 1. 1884.

Ariel B. Hover, born in Orleans County. Vt. . February 9, 1829, entered Oberlin College in 1843, where he studied until 1849 and also read medicine in Dr. Johnson's office there. In 1850 he continued his medical studies under Prof. Ackley. of Cleveland, gi'aduated in IMarch, 1852, and the same year settled at Tiffin. His death occiu-red October 2. 1884.

JIaurice Leahy, born in Kerry County. Ireland, ilarch 14, 1853, gi'aduated from A\'ooster I^niversity, in February. 1S78. and entered on the practice of his profession at Tiffin, in July, that year; he studied under Dr. McCollum.

John D. O'Connor was born at AVoodsfield. Ohio, Sejatember 24. 1822; studied medicine under Dr. Dillon; gi'aduated from Miami Medical College in 185S; was elected senator in ISOl. reelected in 18()3; settled at Tiffin in 1866, and died while attending an adjoiu'ned session of the constitutional convention, at Cincinnati. February 21, 1874. In 1845 he was mamed to Miss Ruth C. Neff. of Clariugton. Ohio.

Park L. Myers, born at Fostoria, May 28, I860, graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati in 1879. and began the j^i'actice of medicine in Fostoria in 1880.

F. J. Schaufelberger graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in 1884, and commenced practice in Fostoria same year. From 1873 to 1882 he was engaged in the di'ug trade here.

Dr. Pennington, who died January 23, 1862, studied medicine at Tiffin, under Dr. Kuhn. He practiced some years at Delphos, Allen Co. . Ohio.

Dr, Robert R. McMeens, born in Pennsylvania. February 26, 1820, settled at Tiffin in 1841. man-ied Miss Ann C. Pettinger, in 1843; moved to Sandusky in 1846; died at Perry ville, Ky., October :!0, 1862,

Dr. ^\'. H. Heckerman. who graduated from Heidelberg College in 1878, studied medicine and practiced in this county; he died in January. 1885.

Dr. George W. Beigh. who was engaged in practice at Plymouth. Md., died April 14, 1882. and his remains were brought to Republic for interment.

Dr. A. S. U1)eiToth. of New Riegel. met his death at Stoner Wood, on the Indianapolis, Bloomingtou ic Western Railroad, February 16, 1883. On the evening of Februaiy 16 he sent a dispatch to his wife stating that he would be at Berwick on the night express, and requesting her to send his hired man to meet him. The hired man was at the depot at Berwick, and as Mr. Uberroth did not arrive he made inquiiy of the conductor, who infonned him that a man answering the description of the Doctor was put o£F the train just south of TifRn becaus(> he refiised to pay his fare, and claimed that he bought a ticket and lost it. The hired man retiu'ued to New Riegel. and Mrs. Uberroth immediately sent friends in search of her husband. They followed the railroad track fi'om Berwick toward Tiffin, and found the body at the place above stated.

Dr. Usher Parsons joined Gen. Harrison's army at Camp Seneca, and subsequently was with PeiTy on the lakes. In later years he made his home at Cincinnati.

Dr. J. F. E. Fanning, a son of one of the pioneers of the county, born in Tiffin in 1844. is president of the Medical Association of Seneca County.

Dr. E. B. Hubbard, born at Chester, Mass., December 28, 184(). came to Tiffin in January, 1874, and. with Dr. Hershiser, established the Hubbard Drug Store, southwest corner of Market and Washington Streets. He never practiced in this county.

Dr. Simon Bricker, one of the pioneer physicians of the western part of Seneca County, and an old resident of Fostoria, died in 1850. His was the fii'st biu'ial in the Fostoria City Cemetery.

Dr. Isaac Young, a resident of this county for a number of years, was sent to the Seneca County Infirmary in August, l885. He was at one time quite a prominent citizen. He was freight and express agent on the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad at Benvick in the "sixties," and was also a very successful physician. He moved fi'om Bei-wick to Melmore, and thence to Fostoria. His appetite for strong drink was his worst enemy, and it seemed impossible for him to overcome the habit, ^^'hile at Fostoria he, for a long period, abstained from di-ink. and did a good business at his profession.

Dr. Asa Brayton, born in AVyandot County in 1831, studied under Dr. Metz, of Fostoria, in 1 849, and entered on practice at McCutcheonville.

Dr. J. R. Buckingham is an old resident physician, having practiced at Attica for years prior to 1804, when he moved to Bloomville, retui'ning in 1872.

Dr. H. G. Blaine, a member of the faculty of the Toledo Medical College; a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, and of the Board of Censors of the Indiana Medical College, was a member of the Northwestern Ohio Eclectic Medical Association, and came to Attica in 1801.

physician at Republic. Drs. H. K. Spooner, J. A. Magiiire, J. Eoop and Dr Storor have bocu for years identitiod with the profession in this division of the county.

Henry Kegg Hershiser. born in Bedford County, Penn. , in 1831, graduated from Columbus jNIedical College. Was in professional capacity dui'ing the war. and subsequently engaged in the di-ug business for nine years, then resumed practice of medicine.

Charles Sandmeister, bom in Germany in 1831, came to Thompson Township in 1858. where he commenced the practice of his profession. He graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, in 1804.

Dr. Stephen Fowler, the pioneer physician of the territory, now known as Wyandot County, also practiced throughout Seneca County. He came to the Sandusky Plains in 1827. and died at Upper Sandusky December 26, 1847.

Dr. Spicer was a pioneer physician as well as a pioneer preacher. His medical and religious methods were particularly peculiar, and sometimes led to trouble in the locality in which he resided.

Dr. George Rubard is a native of Thompson Township, born in 1847; graduated from Cincinnati Eclectic College in 1871, and commenced practice at Flat Kock.

Drs. D. Peters and G. H. Scoles, Springville (in 1847); George Spragiie and Hon. J.A. Norton, Tiffin;S. T. Finch and Thomas Cochran, Green SjsringiAlouzo Lockwood, Simon Bricker and George Patterson. Eome: A. Metz. R. C. Caples and Marcus Dana, Risdon; Robert P. Frazer, Eeed: Bellville and Peter J. Smyth, Bloom; F. M. Bell, Fort Seneca; Daniel M. Bate, Melmore: I. Breidinger, W. G. and G. P. "Williard, Tiffin; Pierce, William L. Hamilton, F. S. Kendall, J. S. Sparks and John Ball, Republic; Joseph Myers and Hemy L. Hairis, Thompson; William Crawford, Tiffin: Charles Beilhartz, denti.st (1842), J. R. Huss and Wells. Tiffin; Barber and J. C. Myers, Venice (the former gone to Iowa; the latter died Jauuarv 18. 1884); F. H. Lang, Tiffin; A. M. Magers, Alvada; H. C. Wells and Leon"McCollum, Tiffin; J. W. Hoy, Bloomville; M. Nighswander and Chancellor Martin, Fort Seneca; F. M. White, New Riegel: H. Ladd. J. W. Holmes and Steele, Melmore; A. M. Martin, Bloomville; Marshall Brothers, C. R. Walker, Skeggs, L. H. Sprague, I. W. Moliere. F. W. Entrikin, A. R. McKellar, David P. Campbell, L. E. Robinson, J. L. Brown, and Thomas Cochran, Green Spring; W. P. Buckingham, Bettsville; C. L. Jones, A. Force, C. A. Force, Attica: D. E. Bowman, Kansas; AVatson, I. H. Norris, Myers, W. M. Cake, John Bricker and P. E. Ballon. Fostoria; Charles T. Benner, Homer J. Bricker. S. A\'. Bricker. A. M. Campbell, Levi Corfman, Fred Scheil and Henrv C. Wells, T. J. West and T. E. Wells. Tiffin; C. A. Henn', L. G. Williams. Fostoria; A. D. Orwig, Reed: M. H. Mills, D. J. Deck.'Venice; R. M. Sproul. Adams; W. H. Focht, Big Spring; T. J. Foster, Bloom; O. B. Whittecar. C. M. Comer, Hopewell.

Joseph Mason and David AVatson, of Crane; Xoah Wilson, of Ridge; David Adams, of Richland: William Cope, of Jackson; Westbrook (183")), Hall, Chisney and Ferris, of Marseilles: Clark and Foster, of Crawford; Bingham. Free, Letsou, Ranger, G. W. Sampson (1828) and Dunn, of Tymochtee; A. A\'. Munson, of Antrim; J. H. Dnimm. of Pitt, and Stephen Fowler (1827) and J. B. McGill. of the same township : McConnell. of Upper Sandusky. Dr. Fowler was well known to the tirst settlers of Seneca, while Dr. Sampson settled in this county before taking up his residence south of the coiinty line. Dr. E. J. Mc- Collum settled at McCutcheonville in 1849, and practiced there for two years.

Medical Associations

Fostoria Medical Society. - The Fostoria Medical Society was organized April 18, 1876, with J. W. Bricker. F. J. Bricker (removed)," R. W. Hale, R. C. Caples, G. L. Hoege, W. M. Cake (in Michigan). A. S. Williams, C. A. Henry, L. Williams, A. J. Longfellow, G. N. Lewis (Michigan). A. G. Owen. E. D. Powers (druggist, removed), and A. E. Watson. Shortly after the organization of the County Medical Society, the senior membei's of the profession at Fostoria joined the new association.

J. B. Bland, of Benton: Henderson, of Green Spring, and Patterson, of McCutcheonville. were admitted to membership October 23, 1S78. Dr. Benner was a member prior to this date. Febniaiy 26, 1879. F. W. Schwan. of Benton; Wert, of Mexico; Ray R. Mitchell, Bellevue; Hoy, of Bloom\'ille; B. S. Stover. of Republic; W. R. Martin, of Melmore. and Chancellor Martin, of Fort Seneca, were received as members. June 25. 1879, G. W. Sampson, of Mc- CutcheonvUle, L. G. Williams. R. W. Hale. A. S. AVilliams. R. C. Caples. A. J. Longfellow, W. M. Cake. John Bricker and C. A. Henry, of the Fostoria Medical Association, were admitted to membership ; Dr. Martin, of Bloomxalle, was admitted Januaiy 28, 1880. and L. E. Robinson April 28. that year. Di-s. Wenner, Foucht. Keller, McKellar. J. P. Kinnaman, J. S. Yingling and W. H. Hershiser have been admitted since 18SU.

May 28, 1879, Drs. "VVilliiird, Bland and Fanning were elected delefjates to the Ohio State Medical Society, to be held June 3, 1879, with C. Martin, Spooner and Hovey, alternates.

Nortli irestern Ohio Eclectic Medical As.sociation. - This is not a local association, but owing to its social connection with Tiffin, where many of its meetings have been held, it claims a brief notice. The last meeting of the association was held at Tiffin, October 10, 1884, when Dr. Breidinger, the president, delivered an address entitled ' " Medical Tiiith. ' ' Dr. DeCrow, of Gallon, read an essay on "Laceration of the Perinseum," and Dr. Sandmeister.of Belleviie, on ' ' Pathology and Treatment of Typhoid. " ' The officers elected were Dr. H. DeCrow, of Gallon, president; J. A. Grove, of Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, vice-president; H. Thomas, of Ada, Ohio, second vice-president; W. X. Mundy, of Forest, Ohio, secretary; J. M. Crismore, of Helena, Ohio, corresponding secretary; Charles Sandmeister, of BeUevue, Ohio, treasurer.