Fayette County, Indiana - Chapter 14: The Medical Profession, 1885

Chapter 14: The Medical Profession

THE FIRST PHYSICIANS - DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETIES - EARLY CHARGES FOR MEDICAL SERVICES - LATER PHYSICIANS - FAYETTE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY AND THE PROFESSION.

/~\WING to a variety of causes, we have found it a ^-^ task of no small proportions to construct a history of the medical profession and society of Fayette County, Ind., particularly that part relating to its first organization and incipient progress. Chief among these causes are the absence of authoritative data, the death or removal of the pioneers of the profession, and the imperfect state of organization in the practice among the settlements. We note, however, with a degree of professional pride, the comparative progress made by the plucky and persistent little handful of " regulars " who first came to this valley, to mold themselves into a society, with the two-fold purpose of mutual improvement and of securing the "code" against imposture, the latter instinct resembling that of their fellow settlers, inasmuch as their first measure was one of prudence and mutual self-protection, in order that that which was to follow - progress and achievement - might be insured against a double peril, that of foes without and apathy within.

The First Physicians

Dr. Bradburn was a native of Lancaster County Penn., and as early as 1814 settled within the present limits of Fayette County in the vicinity of what is now known as Harrisburg. Hon. Oliver H. Smith in his "Early Indiana" refers to him as "an eminent surgeon, a man of great muscular powers, and of the most indomitable personal courage." The Doctor's experience as a practitioner in this county was marred by a fearful tragedy in which he became instrumental in the death of two young men, in the spring of 1825, an account of which is given elsewhere in this work. Shortly after the tragedy, Dr. Bradburn removed from this county to the southern part of the State, subsequently to the vicinity of Brookville, where he died in the early part of the decade between 1830 and 1840. He is said to have been a regular graduate and a man highly respected. At the time of the tragedy above referred to, he was about thirty years of age, "possessed," it is said, " of a stern countenance, an inflexible will, and great executive ability."

Dr. Thomas was a native of New York State, and was one of the colony of immigrants that settled in the vicinity of Harrisburg, this county, in 1819, and formed what was designated as the "Yankee Settlement.'' He was a regular graduate, and for years enjoyed a successful and lucrative practice at Harrisburg.

About the year 1820, Dr. Joseph Moffitt, a native of New Haven, Conn., and a well-trained student fresh from Yale College, settled in Connersville. He died in 1833.

About this time, Dr. Burr and Dr. Gayle came to Connersville and began the practice of medicine. Concerning Dr. Burr's advent into the village, Hon. Oliver H. Smith says: " One morning I was introduced by my landlord to a small, black-eyed man wearing plain clothing and speaking the plain language of 'thee and thou,' as 'Dr. Burr, from New Philadelphia, Ohio, who was about to settle in Connersville as a root Doctor.' Some days after there was nailed to the weather-boarding of the hotel an enormous swamplily root almost as large as a man, with head, eyes, ears, nose and mouth nicely carved, arms and legs with feet stuck on. And just above the sign on a board marked with chalk: 'Joseph S. Burr, Root Doctor - -No Calomel.' The Doctor was subsequently engaged in the drug business, and for a long time enjoyed a rather extensive practice. One well acquainted with him over half a century ago, says: 'He was a man of some medical knowledge which he used with moderate success in his practice, while to his patrons he utterly denounced all ' doctor laruin " and made it on the / root ' system. His chief

Dr. Gayle was a talented man but died young, his death occurring in October, 1827, at the age of thirtytwo years, on which occasion the press said of him: " As a man of talent, the Doctor was excelled by few if any in the State; as a practicing physician he was eminently successful and popular."

Dr. Philip Mason was a native of Adams, Berkshire Co., Mass., born December 10, 1793. He settled in what is now Fayette County in 1816. He served as one of the Franklin County Commissioners when Fayette County was a part of that county. In 1824 he finished his course of reading and clinical studies under Dr. Moffitt, of Connersville, and began the practice of medicine at his farm in Columbia Township, where he remained until the spring of 1827, then removed to the village of Danville (now Fayettville), and there in connection with the now venerable Dr. Jefferson Helm, of Rushville, who had been one of his pupils, settled in the practice of his profession. On the death of Dr. Gayle, in the following fall. Dr. Mason removed to Connersville. In 1829 he was elected the first Probate Judge of Fayette County, and served as such until 1834. The year following he was elected to the Legislature and was twice re-elected to that body. He served as Master of Warren Lodo-e,F. & A. M., of Connersville, for thirteen years, and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State for eight years. Dr. Mason was a brilliant and educated man, who is still quite well 'remembered in the profession as the author of an able, though somewhat lengthy "Autobiography and Family History."

Dr. Jefferson Helm, a son of Judge Helm, is a native of Mason County, Ky., born in 1803. He studied medicine with Drs. Moffitt and Mason; was licensed to practice in 1827, and that year located at Danville (now Fayetteville), in partnership with Dr. Mason. After several years he removed to Vienna (now Glenwood), Rush County, where he remained until about 1845. Later he removed to Rushville. In 1850 he was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention, and two years later was elected to the State Senate. He still resides in Rushville, though not engaged in the practice of his profession.

District Medical Societies

period. Section 1 of Act approved by Gov. Jennings December 24, 1816, reads: " Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, that for the purpose of regulating the practice of physic and surgery in this State, each circuit as laid off for holding Circuit Courts shall compose one medical district to be known as First, Second and Third Medical Districts in the State of Indiana, according to the name of the circuit." It was further provided in this act that in each district there should be a Board of Medical Censors, who were required to admit to membership every physician or surgeon residing or wishing to practice in the district who should "on examination before them, give proof of their qualification to practice either profession, and reasonable evidence of their moral character."

An act approved January 18,1820, organized four medical districts, and gave the State Medical Society authority to establish as many additional as it might deem expedient.

The State Medical Society was first organized in 1820, and held its meetings at Corydon, then capital of the State, until 1826, when it met at Indianapolis.

Agreeably to the statute law of the State passed in 1825, and a resolution of the State Medical Society passed at their meeting subsequently, a number of the physicians of the Fifth District met in Connersville. May 7, 1827, for the purpose specified in the act and resolution referred to. James Thomas was called to the chair, and T. E. Gayle appointed Secretary pro tern. The society was formed and officers appointed as follows: James Thomas, President; William B. Laughlin, Seci'etary and Treasurer; Joseph Moffitt, H. G. Sexton and T. E. Gayle, Censors. The first applicants examined for license who were found qualified to receive the same were Philip Mason, H. W. Clark and Jefferson Helm.

Early Cha.Roe8 For Medical Services

The act of the Legislature of 1816, above referred to, provided against overcharges: "It shall not be lawful for any physician or surgeon to charge or receive more than 12J cents per mile for every mile he shall travel in going to, and returning home from, the place of residence (for the time being) of his patient, with an addition of lOO per cent for traveling in the night.

Later Physicians

Dr. Ryland T. Brown is a native of Lewis County, Ky. His father came to Rush County, Ind. , in 1821, and for several years the son acted as guide to landseekers. His knowledge of medicine and other subjects was principally acquired without the aid of a master, and but few men who have attained to equal eminence in the profession have qualified themselves for it under greater difficulties. To aid him in the study of anatomy, he is said to have constructed a skeleton out of the bones of an Indian that had been exhumed near his father's farm. He graduated from the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in the spring of 1829. In August, 1832, he located in Connersville, and for several years was a partner of Dr. Mason's. He] remained in Connersville until 1842. In 1854 Dr. R. T. Brown acted as State Geologist by the appointment of Gov. Wright, and in 1858 he was elected to the Chair of Natural Science in the N. W.

C. University at Indianapolis, and has been for several years an honored resident of that city. He is known throughout the State as the author of "Brown's Physiology," a common school textbook of recognized merit. The Doctor has attained an honorable old age without the usual signs of mental decay.

The] regular practicing physicians of Fayette County in 1832 were Drs. Joseph Moffitt, Samuel Miller, R. T. Brown, of Connersville, and Dr. Mason on his farm below Null's Mill, now Null Town. Dr.

Among the early members of the Fifth District Medical Society, were men of merit and of high professional standing, and all labored to develop the truths of medical science, and all made an impress on their generation.

Drs. William B. Laughlin, H. G. Sexton and John Arnold played an important part in the history of Rush County. The first- mentioned, we believe, was the first physician to locate in that county. He did much of the early surveying, laid out the county seat and suggested the name Rushville in honor of his noble preceptor, Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia. He was a classical scholar, and in 1828 established a classical school in that village.

In Fayette County can be recalled the names of Drs. P. Mason, S. Miller, R. T. Brown, D. D. Hall, J. Thomas, T. E. Gayle, J. Moffitt and J. Helm; in Union County, Drs. Everetts, Rose, Casterline and Cox; in Franklin County, Drs. Berry and Heymond.

After the Fifth District Medical Society had outlived its usefulness, there was organized a society under a special charter from the Legislature, possessing power to examine and license candidates for the practice of medicine within the limits of the organization. It was styled the Indiana Medical Institute, and embraced the counties included in the Fifth District Medical Society. This, however had but a brief existence.

The physicians of Fayette County as given in a published statement in 1846 were: Drs. PhiKp Mason, Samuel Miller, D. D. Hall, John Arnold, E. A. Bacon, and S. W. Hughes, of Connersville; Greenbury Steele, Columbia Township; Alfred Ruby, Alquina; George Winchel, Columbia; U. B. Tingley, Harrisburg; Amos Chapman, Waterloo; Presley Libray, West Union (now Everton), and Ed Daniels, Fayetteville.

Dr. George K. Chitwood was born in Gallia County, Ohio, May 10, 1805, and was licensed to practice medicine and surgery in 1830. He located as a physician in Franklin County, Ind., in 1831, and in 1835-36 he attended a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical College. He continued the practice in Franklin County until December, 1837, when he changed his location to Liberty, Union County. In 1846 he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio. In December, 1849, he moved to Connersville, Ind., where he soon enjoyed a lucrative practice, and where he has remained ever since. In October, 1859, Dr. Chitwood was elected by the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery to the chair of General Pathology and Physical Diagnosis, which position he filled for the session of 1859-60. He was then transferred to the chair of Obstetrics and the Diseases of Women and Children, where he remained for six consecutive sessions, at which time he resigned in consequence of domestic aiBictions. In 1868 he was tendered the same position, but declined it. He is now quite advanced in years, but enjoys an unusual immunity from the effects of age.

Dr. John Arnold has for many years been located at Rusbville, where he has an extensive practice. He is a gentleman of considerable literary attainments, having written several highly interesting reminiscences of pioneer life in Rush County.

On the 24th of May, 1856, the physicians of Fayette County met and effected an organization, calling it the Whitewater Yalley Mfdical Society. In the temporary organization Dr. G. R. Chitwood presided and Dr. Samuel W. Vance acted as Secretary. Permanent organization was forthwith effected by the election of the following officers: Dr. Amos Chapman, of Alquina, President; W. W. Taylor, of Vienna (now Glen wood), Vice-President; S. W. Vance, Connersville, Recording Secretary; L. D. Sheets, Liberty, Corresponding Secretary; D. D. Hall, Connersville, Treasurer; Daniel Frembly, of Brownsville, George R. Chitwood and O. S. Ramsey, Censors. The following were charter members of this society: Drs. Samuel Miller, D. D. Hall, A. Chapman, P. S. Silvey (Everton), W. J. Pepper, D. Frembly, W. W. Taylor, S. W. Vance, H. W. Hazzard (Bentonville),

At the next yearly meeting, April 13, 1857, the record shows the following election of officers: D. D. Hall, President; P. S. Silvey, Vice-President; W. W. Taylor, Recording Secretary; G. R. Chitwood, Corresponding Secretary; H. W. Hazzard, Treasurer, and Drs. Vance, Gregg and Pepper, Censors.

On April 22, 1858, this society was dissolved by mutual consent of its officers and members, and on the 1st of May following, the physicians met at the court house and founded the Fayette County Medical Society with the following officers: U. B. Tingley, President; P. S. Silvey, Vice-President; S.W.Vance, Corresponding and Recording Secretary, and Drs. Gregg, Pepper and Chapman, Censors. The society retained its working organization until the breakingout of the Civil war, in 1861, when its deliberations were quietly discontinued in the general suspense that followed the first clash of arms.

In the meantime Dr. W. W. Taylor, who had located in Connersville some years before, died in 1859. He was widely known for his skill as a practitioner, eminent as a scholar, beloved as a neighbor and honored as a citizen.

Dr. V. H. Gregg entered the army as Surgeon in the First Brigade, First Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and served in the Department of the Cumberland, under Gen. Sherman, till the close of the war.

Dr. Joshua Chitwood graduated in medicine in 1858, and entered the army as Surgeon in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry, Department of the Cumberland.

Dr. George W. Garver located in Connersville in 1865, having served in the United States Navy as Assistant Surgeon on the Western Flotilla, Department of the Mississippi.

During the four years of national strife, no attempt was made to reorganize the Fayette County Medical Society, but after the establishment of peace, when the interrupted trades and professions began to wheel into the line of reconstruction and progress we find this organization keeping pace with the rest, and this time re-enforced by several recruits.

D. Hall, W. J. Pepper, S. W. Vance, G. R. Chitwood, Josh Chitwood, V. H. Gregg, U. B. Tingley, G. W. Garver, A. Koogler, J. G. Larimore, W. H. Smith and R. W. Sipe. The latter three represented respectively Waterloo, Fairview and Fayetteville. The new members were Drs. J. A. Smith, Lyons; J.

Since the organization of 1866 the following physicians have become members of the society: Drs. J. A. Zeigler, Brownsville; John E. Chitwood, Connersville; S. N. Hamilton, Everton; B. F. Day, Waterloo, all in the year 1877; and L. Alexander, now of Pendleton, in 1878.

Meanwhile, the members of these local or county, societies being under the dispensation of 1866, were precluded from attending the State Medical Society, except as they were sent to that body as delegates from their respective counties. In 1878 the State Society decreed that all members in good standing in all subordinate societies be thenceforth entitled to delegate rights. This decree made all the county societies auxiliary to the State society. These " delegate rights," however, were not absolute, though they were not limited save in matters pertaining to legislation, this right vesting in appointees designated by the respective county societies. The Fayette County Medical Society did not immediately accept the provisions of this new dispensation, but in 1879 fell into line with the rest, and applied for admission into the State organization. Under this code all the ctjunty societies were required to draft new constitutions and by-laws, or so remodel their old ones as to make them

Pursuant to reorganization the Fayette County Medical Society elected the following oflScers: S. W. Vance, President; W. J. Pepper, Vice-President; Joshua Chitwood, Secretary; V. H. Gregg, Treasurer, all located in Connersville. For Censors, S. N. Hamilton, Everton; George R. Chitwood, Connersville, and G. A. Sigler, Brownsville, Union County. This left a rather meager constituency as to members, only three, namely. J. E. Chitwood, B. F. Day, J. A. Smith. Subsequently, the following members have been added: Charles Wyman, Lyon's Station, in 1880; C. H. Von Klein, L. D. Dillman and D. M. La Moree, Connersville, in 1882; Garrett Pigman, O. P. Phares and F. A. Chitwood, Connersville, in 1884 Dr. Sigler removed from Brownsville to Liberty, UnionCounty, in 1883. Dr. Hamilton located in Connersville in 1882, entering into partnership with Dr. Gregg. Dr. Von Klein removed to Hamilton, Ohio, in 1882, and thence to Dayton, where he still resides. The latter was Surgeon in the Rasso -Turkish war, after which he came to this country, locating first in Batesville, Ind., then in Brookville, then in Connersville, where he remained but a few months. He is a man of considei-able learning and wide experience, being the author of several medical works, and the possessor of a library consisting of 6,000 volumes, printed in French, German, Russian and English, all of which languages he speaks with fluency.

The following is the present membership of the society: Drs. G. R. Chitwood, Joshua Chitwood, John E. Chitwood, F. A Chitwood, V. H. Gregg, S. N. Hamilton, W. J. Pepper, R. W. Sipe, L. D. Dillman, Charles Wyman, Garrett Pigman and O. P. Phares. Dr. S. W. Vance withdrew from the society in 1882.

The following physicians of Connersville are not members of the society: Drs. Elias Webster, homoeopathic, located in Fayette County in 1864; A. D. Terrell, eclectic, in 1863; D. W. Butler, in 1876, the present Health Officer, and John Wall, in 1879.