Summit County, Ohio - Chapter 18: The Medical Profession, 1908

North Akron was founded by a doctor. The prosjjerous and bufiv Akron of today is due more to the restless energy of Eliakim Crosby, M. D., than to any other factor. Since his time, the medical profession have not been content to busy themselves with pills and fevers alone, but have been active in an extraordinary degree, in the civil, business and social life of the community. The first two large additions to the city were those planned and executed by physicians: Dr. S. H. Coburn and Dr. S. W. Bartges. Two of the important streets of the city have been named after them. -The founder of one of Akron's largest manufactories - perhaps the largest - was Dr. B. F. Goodrich, from whom the B. F. Goodrich Company takes its name. The profession has also been prominent in the City Council, the Board of Education and Public Library affairs.

There is very little on record concerning the early physicians of the county. Who was the first to regularly practice medicine in Summit County is a matter of dispute. Dr. Crosby was practicing in Middlebury in 1820 ; Dr. Joseph Cole began his practice in 1826, removing to in 1827. Other early physicians were Elijah Hanchett, Titus Chapman, Theodore Richmond, E. F. Bryan, H. A. Ackley, D. D. Evans, W. T. Huntington and Edwin Angel. Perhaps, the very oldest residents now living will recall the names of Drs. E. L. Munger, Elijah Curtis, A. Kilbourn and Wareham "W&st. Of all these early phy- >icians there is only one whose name is familiar to posterity: It is that of Dr. Eliakim Crosby. It is perpetuated in the names of Crosby School, Crosby street and the Crosby Race. He was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, March 2, 1779, studied medicine in Buffalo, N. Y. ; began his professional career in Canada, where he also married; served in the American Army in the war of 1812, as a surgeon ; and, in 1820, moved to Ohio and resumed the practice of medicine, in Middlebury, now a part of the city of Akron. In 1826 he formed the partnership of Crosby and Chittenden, contractors. From that time on his gigantic business affairs claimed his attention almost exclusively, and what practicing of medicine he did was merely incidental. His next business venture was the operation of the Cuyahoga Furnace for the reduction of the local iron ores. Then in rapid succession he took on the manufacture of agricultural implements, the operation of a sawmill, and, lastly, a grist-mill. Finally, in 1831, came his great scheme for the hydraulic canal and the founding of the village of Cascade, which are fully described in another chapter of this history. In 1836, he started the "Portage Canal and Manufacturing Company" project, a gigantic undertaking, but one which ended disastrously. He lost his entire fortune in this disaster, and evidently his fine spirit was cru.<hed by the completeness of the failure, for we hear of him no more in connection with any additional schemes. Upon the celebration of the completion of the Crosby Race, May 29, 1844, this was the one sentiment of the entire community as voiced by the chairman of the meeting, namely, "Dr. Eliakim Crosby : The noble projector and efficient executive of the great enterprise this day successfully accomplished, of introducing the waters of the Great Cuyahoga River to Akron by land. Of his noble and persevering spirit of enterprise, his fellow citizens are justly proud." The tribute was as deserved as it was fitting. Dr. Crosby's wife, whom he married in Canada in 1810, died in Akron, October 13, 1830. Seven children had been born to them. He was twice subsequently married. In 1853 he moved, with his family to Wisconsin, near the city of Green Bay, where he died September 2, 1854, in the 76th year of his life. Akron owes much to Dr. Crosby. We should pause once in each year and pay a tribute of respect to his memory. In the 30's and 40's the Crosby family was easily the foremost in the village, in every sphere of activity. The Doctor was not only foremost in the work of founding the city and establishing its business enterprises but he was active in every good work. One is compelled to admire that restless energy, that magnificent .spirit of activity, that was his first characteristic. If Akron should ever have a "Founder's Day" in its list of Anniversary Days, the largest part of the celebration will be the recalling of the works of this early physician.

Dr. Joseph Cole was born in Winfield, New York, September 17, 1795, graduated in medicine in 1825 and began the practice of his profession in Old Portage in 1826. The next year he moved to Akron where he built up a very large practice. He took a leading part in formulating local sentiment in favor of the Temperance and Anti-slavery Movements. He aided in securing the Akron School Law, and served on the Akron Board of Education in 1847. Dr. Cole died October 28, 1861, in the 67th year of his life.

Dr. Elias W. Howard, another of the most prominent of the early physicians, was born in Andover, Vermont, April 14, 1816; studied and was graduated in medicine; and came to Akron in 1889. Here he enjoyed a large general practice for more than fifty years. Dr. Howard served many years in the 70's on the Board of Education, the City Council and the Board of Health. In 1875, he was president of the Council. He was one of the founders of the Summit County Medical Society and was a member of many other medical societies. He was married in 1840 to

Dr. Amos A\'right was the first white male child born in Tallmadge. He was born October 8, 1808. His parents were natives of Connecticut. His father was a practicing physician, and he read medicine in his father's office and also attended lectures in New Haven, Connecticut. He began hLs practice in Tallmadge in 1833 and continued his ministrations until his death, more than sixty years of active practice. He was married to Clemence C. Fenn, of Tallmadge, March 31, 1831. Nine children were born to them.

Dr. Mendal Jewett was born in Greenwich, Massachusetts, on September 4, 1815; moved to Portage County in 1836; was graduated from Western Reserve Medical College with the class of 1839, and began the practice of his profession in Mogadore in the autunni of that year. In the 50's he was elected to the State Legislature and served four years. He was a strong advocate of temperance and a bitter foe of slavery. He was much interested in education, horticulture and scientific matters, and the city owes much to his activity in worthy causes. He moved to Middlebury in 1858 and continued his practice until the time of his death. He was married to Cordelia H. Kent, on June 14, 1839.

Dr. Stephen H. Coburn, the father of Mrs. J. A. Kohler, was one of the most prominent citizens of Akron during the period 1850- 1880. He was born in Hillsdale, New York, December 29, 1809 ; studied medicine and began his practice in Massachusetts; moved to Akron in 1848 and for many years enjoyed a large practice as a homeopathic physician. He was married to Adeline Myers, May 15, 1839. Soon after coming to Akron, he became interested in several business concerns, and was very successful. He made large investment.s in real estate and platted a large tract in the southwestern part of the city, which is still known as the Coburn allotment. Coburn Street, in that portion of the city, was

Another early Akron physician who made considerable money in his real estate ventures was Dr. Sanuiel W. Bartges, who was born in Mifflinsburg, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1814. Upon completing his medical studies in 1842, he commenced practice in Akron, and soon enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. The Bartges allotment and the Bartgcri-Mallison allotment were both laid out by him' and were big successes. They now constitute a substantial portion of the city. Dr. Bartges was married to Catherine A. Citimp in 1835. He died November 24, 1882, aged 68 years, leaving a widow and three children.

The kindly face of Dr. Daniel A. Scott will be recalled by all old Akron residents. He was born in Cadiz, Ohio, May 4, 1821 ; was graduated in medicine and commenced practice in Akron in 1848. He was soon in command of a large practice, which he continued to look after until the day of his death - .January 23, 1890. During the last four years of his life he was a member of the Akron Board of Health.

Many of us in Akron have reason to be thankful for the skill and patient care uniformly exercised by Dr. Thoma.s McEbright toward hLs large circle of patients during his long professional career. He came to Akron in November, 1864, upon the mustering out of the 166th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He had served as an Army Surgeon continuously since 1861. Dr. McEbright was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1824. His parents soon moved to Ohio where he received his education in Norwalk Academy and Ohio Wesley an University. Graduated in medicine in 1851 he commenced active practice at once. In 1857 he moved to Millersburg. When the Civil War broke out. he offered his services to his country, and for three years rendered splendid service as an army surgeon. In 1864, he was appointed ealonel of the 166th Regiment. Dr. Mc- Ebright was married to Nancy Liggett, of Millersburg. on the 16th day oif June, 1853. Until the time of his death. Dr. McEbright tonk an intense interest in public affairs, especially those concerning education. Hi^ strong public spirit is shown by the fact that he served for more than fourteen years as a member of the Akron Board of Education, some of the time as its president. The next public school building should be named for him.

Another of the early doctors who was also greatly interested in Akron school affairs, and for whom the Bowen School on North Broadway was named, was Dr. William Bowen. He was born in New York July 3, 1805, and about 1825 moved to Ohio, locating in Canton. He taught school and .studied medicine there until 1832, when he commenced practice in Doylestown, Ohio. In 1836, he was graduated from the Ohio Medical College and resumed his practice, locating first in Canton and later in Massillon. In 1857 he came to Akron and soon won a large practice. In, 1830 he was married to Iluldah M, Chitteriden. Nine children were born to them, oxie of whom married Dr. A. E. Foltz, of Akron. Dr. Bowen served for maay years as a member of the Akron Board of Education, part of the time as its president. While living in Massillon he published a journal called "The Free School Clarion" in the interests of education.

Dr. Byron S. Chase was born in Vermont, January 9, 1834. About 1856 he came to Akron and studied medicine with Dr. E. W. Howard. He finished his medical education at Michigan University and began his active practice in Akron. Upon the advent of the Civil War, he was appointed surgeon of the 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully throughout the whole war period. In 1865 he resumed his practice in Akron. In 1863 he was married to Henrietta Sabin. Four children were born to them, the eldest of whom is Dr. William S. Chase, a successful practicing physician of Akron at the present time. Dr. Chase, the elder, died February 23. 1878. at the early age of forty-four years. Dr. Elizur Hitchcock was born in Tallmadge; Ohio, August 15, 1832 ; graduated at Yale in 1854 ; received his medical education at the University of Michigan and the West- erii Reserve Medical School; practiced two years, and then entered the Union Army as surgeon of the Seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In 1870 he came to Akron and practiced successfully until his death a few years ago. In November, 1861, he was married to Hattie Reed, who died in 1834. He afterward married Lucrctia Kellogg, who bore him two children, Hal. K. Hitchcock, an electrical engineer of Pittsburg, and Lucius W. Hitchcock, the artist, now living near New York City.

Dr. William C. Jacobs probably enjoyed the confidence of a larger circle of patients and friends than any other phj^sician who ever practiced in Summit County. Hi.s death a year or two ago was lamented throughout the county. He was an earnest, honest, straight-forward and plain-spoken man whom everyone who knew hini loved for his fine qualities. He was born in Lima, Ohio, February 26, 1840 ; was educated for the Navy, but resigned from the Academy at Annapolis to study medicine. In Annapolis he was a schoolmate of Admirals Schley and Sampson. He was graduated from Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, with the class of 1862. He immediately joined the Union Army as a surgeon and served until the close of the war. He was connected with the Fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and the Eighty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He came to Akron in October, 1865, and commenced to practice medicine and surgery. He was one of the chief workers in founding the Akron City Hospital, and at the time of his death was Chief of the General Staff of that institution. Dr. Jacobs was twice married, his first wife being Ilulda M. Hill, to whom one child was born, Dr. Harold Hill Jacobs, at present a successful and respected surgeon of Akron and the head of the City Hospital.

Dr. James H. Peterson came to Akron in 1854 and was one of the earliest practitioners of dentistry in Summit County. He was born in New Bnmswick in 1830 and passed his early years in BufiFalo, New York. In November, 1855, he married Caroline Van

Evra, of Akron. The eldest of their three children is the wife of Senator Charles Dick. Up to the time of his death. Dr. Peterson gave much attention to public affairs and rendered valuable service in behalf of the general welfare.

Dr. Mason Chapman, who came to Akron in 1865, was another successful dentist who took a deep interest in municipal affairs, serving in the 70's as a member of the Akron City Council.

Dr. John W. Lyder, now rounding out a successful career as dentist, came to Akron in April, 1870. He has been very much interested in Horticultural and Agricultural development, and has been of much service to those interests during his residence in Summit County. Other physicians who came to Akron just after the close of the Civil War and to whom this community is much indebted both for the unselfish and faithful practice of their profession, and their untiring zeal in jiublic affairs, are Dr. Warren J. Underwood, the father of the present Dr. Edward S. Underwood; Dr. A. C. Belden, who met an untimelv death by accident, December 11, 1890; Dr. Abner E. Foltz, the father of the present Dr. Esgar B. Foltz; Dr. 0. D. Childs, who is still continuing his successful practice; and Dr. Leonidas S. Ebright, Akron's efficient postmaster, who has been continued in that post since the first term of President McKinley. The five last mentioned were veterans of the -Civil War, and the first four served long appointments as army surgeons in various Ohio regiments. This chapter should not close without reference to the services of Doctors John Weimer, George P. Ashmun. 0. E. Brownell, George G. Baker, .Mexander Fisher, Henry M. Fisher and Rollin B. Carter. The following is a complete list of the Physicians and Surgeons practicing their professions in Akron and vicinity in the year 1907 :