Delaware County, Indiana - Chapter 22: Medical History of Delaware County, 1908

Dr. Dickinson Burt was the first physician to locate in Delaware county after its organization in 1827. The exact date, of his location in Muncietown is not known, - it was prior to 1829, lor the official records show that in addition to his medical duties, he was our second postmaster, - his commission bearing date August 29, 1S29. The postoffke was at his home on the west side of Mulberry street near Gilbert street.

The number of physicians multiplied as the population increased, so that the medical and surgical wants of the early pioneers were not neglected. These men were subjected to numerous hardships, - riding on horseback, over mud roads, or along by-paths long distances by day and by night. These rides were made in all kinds of weather, - beneath the piercing rays of a summer sun, or in frozen zero weather, or through drenching rains.

"This undecorated soldier, of a hard, unequal strife, Fought in many stubborn battles with the foes that sought his life. In the night-time or the day time, he would rally brave and well, Though the summer lark was fifing, or the frozen lances fell ; Knowing if he won the battle they would praise their Maker's name, Knowing if he lost the battle then the doctor was to blame. 'Twas the brave old virtuous doctor, 'Twas the good old faulty doctor,

The author of this paper located in Muncie, August iS, 1S65, and I esteem it an honor to have known personally a large number of the physicians who are named in this paper. The physicians whom I met at the time above indicated, were men of good attainments, and ripe experience - a majority of them were elderly men, not only those located in Muncie. but those residing at other points in the county.

All physicians a: that time were making country calls on horseback - a few only were using buggies or carts in the summer season while the roads were in better condition. I made my country calls invariably on horseback during the first three years o: my practice, and also a part of the time for several vears later. As the roads were improved, vehicles became

^,ore common, until gradually the doctor with saddle-bags, merged into the physician riding in a phaeton, and still later, as at the present day, in an automobile, - a veritable evolution as I have witnessed from equestrianism to electricity !

The physicians who practice in Delaware county today and ride along its roads and streets in buggies, can little appreciate the hardships that these Cariy practitioners endured before our gravel roads were made. Visits made on errands of mercy were often accompanied with peril, as it was no uncommon thing for the horses to mire in creeks and swamps. A thrilling experience in this line lingers in the memory of the writer. The hardships these men endured told upon their physical strength.

The various preparations of medicines have markedly improved during the past half century, or even a quarter of a century. Concentrated medicines as fluid extracts, specific tinctures, tablets, etc., enable us to carry a large list of remedies in a small space, which is a great improvement over the cumbersome saddle-bags required in former days to carry roots and leaves for the preparation of infusions and decoctions.

Many of our valuable instruments in common use at the present day v.ere but little known or unused forty years ago. About the year 1SG6, I bought a hypodermic syringe, which I believe was the first one to be used in Delaware county. I think Dr. Robert Winton owned the first fever thermometer in this county. Two were then thought to be necessary, - one for the mouth, and a curved one for the axilla. Neither of these were selfregistering, and it was necessary to read them while in situ. These useful tut crude instruments soon gave way to the neater thermometer, so accurate and essential at the present day.

After sleeping in his grave for three and a half centuries, if Martin Luther could come forth, he would find the tenets of theology the same, and the doctrine that "The just shall live by faith," proclaimed as when he fell asleep. And if Sir William Blackstone, after more than a hundred years have passed, should enter a court room of his peers today, he would find them conducting trials by jury; the standard of law unchanged, and the principles of justice that he laid down, still in vogue.

If the physicians, whom I met in Delaware county forty-two years ago were to rise from the dead and appear in our midst today, they would be startled at our speeding automobiles, but no less surprised at our new advances in medicine and surgery, as well as our strange medical terms, for, if they were to hear medical men conversing about antiseptics, Listerism, antitoxins, serums, and germs, they would not comprehend their meaning. Should they attempt a surgical operation according to the rules of their day, they would be liable to answer to the charge of malpractice.

The first practical steps toward organizing a medical society in Delaware county were taken on April 18, 1S65, when some of the physicians of the county met in Walling's Hall (west side of public square), in the city of Muncic, to take preliminary steps for the formation of a permanent society. At that meeting, Dr. S. V. Jump occupied the chair, and Dr. X. W. Black was chosen secretary. A committee was then appointed, composed of Drs. Morgan, Winton, and Craig, on permanent organization. The adjournment was until Monday, the first day of May, following, when the meeting convened in Dr. Winton's office, - 112 West Adams street. The physicians present were Drs. Armitage, Elack, Craig, Hoover, Lewellen, Morgan, Skiff, Wheeler, Willard, Winton, W. H. Williams, and J. A. Williams. At this meeting the committee on permanent organization made a report and the plan of organization was read by sections, discussed, and adopted. The committee was continued, and empowered to revise the constitution and by-laws, and have the same published. Under this organization the following named officers were chosen: President, Dr. S. V. Jump, Vice President, Dr. W. J. Morgan; Secretary, Dr. N. W. Elack; Treasurer, Dr. William Craig; Censors, Drs. Robert Winton, W. C. Willard, and J. H. Powers.

At a meeting held June 5, 1S65, Drs. L. J. Eonnels, J. C. Helm, S. E. Mitchell, and H. C. Winans were admitted to membership. At a meeting held July 3, 1865, Dr. Henry Kirby was admitted, and at a meeting held in September, 1S65, Drs. W. J. Andrews and G. W. H. Kemper were admitted to membership.

The Delaware County Medical Society has been reorganized several times since its first organization in order to conform to the requirements of the State Medical Association, but the Society has never failed to exist, and the present one is virtually a continuation of the original Society. So far as the author can ascertain, Dr. W. J. Andrews, of Newark, X. J., and Dr. G. W. H. Kemper, of Muncic, are the only persons living who became members in 1S65.

The record of the physicians of Delaware county has been a creditable one ; few moral delinquencies have existed. They have been industrious as shown by the numerous contributions to medical literature contributed by our citizen physicians. Our death rate has not been excessive; our health officers have been competent, and our surgeons have successfully performed nearly all the operations known to surgery.

After considerable research and correspondence, I am able to give a few personal facts of some of the early physicians. My limited space re- jrCS that I must be brief. All that T shall mention in this list have --^..[-c on that unreturning visit which allows of no excuse, and admits of no ilelay," save one, - Dr. Harvey Mitchell, who remains with us as "The Last Leaf."

Dr. Dickinson Burt (1829) was the first physician to locate in Mun- Cl:.>v. n or Delaware county. I have no information concerning his intiii-;.i;ial history or the exact date of location. Dr. Burt was the second postr;,;er at Muncietown and filled that office from August 29, 1S29, to May 6, :?55- *n 's supposed that he left soon after the expiration of the term of his office. Nothing farther is known of his history.

Dr. Levi Minshall (1S29) was the second physician to locate in Mundciown. He was born in Virginia, March 4, 1S04. Lie was licensed to practice at Dayton, Ohio, in 1829, and came to Muncietown in the same --car and at once began the practice of medicine. An old citizen who remembers Dr. Minshall's first appearance in Muncietown, says that he c^-.r.c here from Dayton, Ohio, riding a very large iron gray horse, and wore a suit of broadcloth, a circumstance that created almost a sensation -::.ong the primitive people living here at that time, as homespun jeans was ;::e regulation apparel, and broadcloth was reserved for the rich and nobility. He was a man of scholarly attainments and soon gained a prominent rAtce in the community as a physician and a citizen. One of the interesting incidents of his early practice in the country when visiting the sick, was that he would ride up and down White river in the water to avoid bears and wolves that roamed about in their native freedom in the woods in the territory which now comprises Delaware county. He died at Muncietown, .March 6, 1S36, aged 32 years. His remains repose in Beech Grove cemetery.

Dr. Ezra Stiles Trask came to Muncietown at an early period in its history. He removed from here to Marion in the year 1833. Dr. William Fiynn, of Marion, under date of January 19, 1907, writes me as follows: "Dr. Ezra Stiles Trask was the third physician to locate in Grant county. lie came to Marion in 1833, anc' hved here about six years. He did not practice medicine as a regular employment. His principal occupations ".ere the buying, gathering, preparing and selling ginseng, horse trading, and sports of various kinds. The doctor was a man of many accomplishments, - being a graduate of Dartmouth College,* and a favorite professional pupil of Professor Mussey, of that school, and of Cincinnati. He

* Possibly this is an error. Mr. Ernest M. Hopkins, Secretary of Dartmouth .' '"'-' writes me February S, 1'JOT, as follow?: "He was not a graduate of the College, or any of the Associated Schools. We have no early records about men ">vlin were students here but who did not graduate. I am, therefore, unable to say whether or not Dr. Trask ever attended the College." - K.

acquired, early in life, a fondness for alcoholic beverages, and his death can be traced to his pronounced habits of dissipation. He was something of a politician, having served a term in the State Senate. He died in 1S39, - leaving a most amiable wife and two very promising sons. The doctor was buried here, but no stone remains to point out his last resting place." Dr. Samuel P. Anthony (1792-1876) was born at Lynchburg, Virginia, December 2, 1792. He pursued the study of medicine at Cincinnati, and then located in Clinton county, Ohio, where for three years he engaged in the practice of medicine. Then he removed to Cedarville, in the same state, where he practiced three more years. He located in Muncietown in 1S31. He practiced here for twenty-five years, retiring about fifteen years before his death, which occurred in 1S76. Dr. Anthony was very successful in his financial career, and accumulated quite a fortune. He reached a more advanced age than any of his colleagues, - dying at the age of 84. His last illness was short, - lasting only a few hours, - death being due, probably, to a cerebral hemorrhage.

locate in Muncietown. He was born in Ireland, and was educated, it is said, at the Dublin University. "When he was studying medicine he shaved oft the hair of one-half of his head, and lived in a cave not far from his father's home in Ireland, and his food was carried to him by his sister. He did this so he could not go any place, but just give all his time to study." Alas, for this early genius! He is said to have had a fair practice until he became very intemperate, and while he maintained an office on the north side of the public square, his headquarters were at Gilbert's distillery. He died in Muncie, May 12, 1S47. (Diary of David Gharky). A friend tells me that he was buried in the old cemetery, and his bones are still lying under some one of the fine homes near the Friends' new church. Dr. William C. Willard (1S10-1S69) was born at Charlestown, New- Hampshire, May 10, 1810. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Dartmouth College in 1S27, and afterwards pursued his medical studies at that institution. He was eminently the scholar of the early physicians of Delaware county. He located in Muncietown in 1S36, and continued to reside there until the date of his death, November 6, 1S69. Dr. Willard was quite a sufferer from rheumatism, especially during the later years of

Dr. George W. Garst (1S09-1S74) was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, February 12, 1809. It is probable that he was not a graduate in medicine. He practiced medicine in Lynchburg, Virginia, and later in Wabash, Indiana, and removed from the latter piace to Muncietown about 1S37 or' 1838. He died suddenly, probably of cerebral hemorrhage, at his home in Muncie, February 22, 1874,

P.-. Jeremiah Dynes (1815-1871) was born near Lebanon, Ohio, April :i. ;Si;. He came to Smithficld, in this county, in the summer of 1840, ' ltc he located and practiced medicine for thirty-one years. A short :.;- c before his death, which occurred November 14, 1S71, he removed to ]: iianapolis.

LJr. Daniel H. Andrews (1S11-1S56) was born in Washington county, ,W.v York, in June, 181 1. He studied medicine in Cincinnati, under Dr. K. D. Miisscy, and graduated at one of the colleges in that city. He located -a Florida, where he practiced medicine until 1S42, when he removed to \':i;icictown. lie remained here, and practiced his profession, - ranking ':.-h as a surgeon, - until his death, which occurred March 12, 1S56.

Dr. Stephen Hathaway (1S19-1891) was born near Columbus, Ohio, Ai-.gust 1, 1S19. He was a graduate of one of the medical colleges of Columbus. He located at Granville in 1S44, where he began the practice of In 1S49 he went to California, where he remained but a short lime, and returned home, locating in Muncietown in 1850, where he re- :unied his practice. Dr. Hathaway was a lover of nature, and gave much attention to horticulture, having retired from practice about 1870. He died April 20, 1S91.

Dr. Robert Winton (1S20-1SS5) was born in Rossville, Ohio, November 20, 1S20. He graduated at the Rush Medical College. He located ;n Wheeling in 1S46, and removed to Muncie in 1S56, where he continued :o reside and practice medicine until his death, which occurred July 30, :\S = . Dr. Winton enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his neighbors, and his friends were numbered by the thousands. He was an ardent lover of nature, and was quick to discover the beautiful wherever it existed. He lived and died a consistent Christian.

Dr. Samuel V. Jump (1822-1SS7) was born June 27, 1S22, in Kent county, Delaware. He was a graduate of the Ohio Medical College, and located at New Burlington, in the spring of 1S48. He remained here in active practice until the time of his death, August 13, 1SS7. His work was

Dr. George \V. Godwin (1799-1S65) was born in Baltimore, Maryland, December 1, 1799. He was educated in Baltimore, and graduated from one of its medical colleges. After practicing three or four years at some place in the east, he removed to Chesterfield about 1S34. Fifteen years later, he changed his residence to Dalcville, where he remained three months, and then located in Yorktown in the year 1S50. He practiced medicine in Yorktown from 1S50, to 1S62, when he returned to Chesterfield, where he continued to practice until "his death, which occurred April 20, 1S65.

Dr. James II. Powers (1S19-1SS2) was born in southern Indiana in 1S19. but spent most of his early life in Greene county, Ohio. He graduated from the Starling Medical College in 1S50, and located the same year at Albany. Here he continued to reside and practice medicine until the date of his death, which occurred March 9, 1S82.

Dr. Harvey Mitchell (1S25 ) was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1S25. He graduated at Columbus, Ohio, in 1850, and the same year located in Granville. He removed to Muncie in 1864, where he continued in active practice until 1S90, since which date he has led a retired life, - living in affluence at the present time.

Dr. Samuel E. Mitchell (1S20-1871) was born in Miami county, Ohio, February 1, 1S20. He practiced medicine in Virginia from 1S45 until 1851, when he removed to Delaware county and located at Bethel, Harrison township. He arrived at his new home in May, 185 1, where he began and continued an arduous practice until removed by death, January 26. 1S71.

Dr. Benjamin F. Hittlc (1S0S-1SS2) was born in the year iSoS. He came from Greensburg, Indiana, to Yorktown in 1S52, where he practiced medicine until the year of his death, which occurred July 26, 1S82.

Dr. George W. Slack (1825-18S6) was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1S25. He came with his father to Delaware county in 1S37. He graduated in 1854, at the Rush Medical College, and began, the same year, the practice of medicine at Yorktown, where he remained until his death, January 14, 1S86. Dr. Slack took a lively interest in agriculture and horticulture. He was a Christian gentleman of the highest type.

Dr. William Craig (181S-1903) was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1S1S. When but two years of age his parents removed to Clark county, Ohio. In 1S37 he came to Muncietown. where he taught school, and studied medicine. He graduated from the Starling Medical College in 1S49. Hc practiced for a short time at Wapakoneta, Ohio, and then removed to Winchester, Indiana, where he became a druggist. He came back to Muncie about 1S55, practiced for a time, and then went into the (^115 trade, at which he continued until 1S70, when he removed to California, where he remained until his death at Redlands, July 25, 1903.

Dr. Clark Skiff (i8j6-iSS8) was horn in Clinton county, Ohio, January iu, 1S26. lie located in Sclma in the year 1S55, where he conducted an active practice until his death, which occurred October 12, 1888. Dr. Skiff was a modest unassuming; physician, as well as the type of a Christian gentleman.

Dr. John Home ( 1S14-1SS3) was born in Scotland, February 14, 1S14. He graduated in medicine at Cincinnati in 1840. He located in Yorktown about the year 1S55, and remained there until his death, October 16, 1S83.

Dr. James McCulloeh (1S13-1S77) was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1S13. He graduated at tiie University of Pennsylvania, in 1S47. For a time he practiced medicine in Lancaster, Ohio, and removed to Muncie in 1S56. Dr. McCulloeh was a modest, studious, and ethical physician. Fie was an upright Christian gentleman in the full sense of that term. lie died at Muncie May 3, 1S77.

Dr. Flenry C. Winans (1829-1S84) was born in Greene county, Ohio, December 31, 1S29. He was a graduate of the Starling Medical College. lie first practiced medicine at Xenia, Illinois. Here he was residing when the civil war began, and he entered the service as Surgeon of the 25th Illinois Volunteer Regiment. He was compelled to resign on account of physical disabilities, and came to Muncie in 1S62, where he remained until his death, October 17, 1S84. The last few years of Dr. Winans' life he suffered intensely from rheumatism and its results.

If space would permit, I would gladly extend this roll of honor, but I must desist. I will add a list of deceased physicians in chronological order as to dates of death :

Note. - I -wish to thank physicians, friends, and the laity, who havo so kindly and patiently assisted me in the preparation of the above list of names. - Editor.