179 - THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
THIS neighborhood was very inadequately supplied with physicians at the beginning of the century. The pay was small, and must often be taken in trade ; the roads were terrible, and many who were really ill went without a physician because it was so difficult to call one. Only young men could stand the fatigues of practice. This county, therefore, had attained a population of at least four thousand before there were any resident physicians. In the early days of settlement near Middletown the mother of the late Aaron Potter had a child afflicted with a felon. There was no one at hand to attend to it, and the heroic lady mounted her horse, took the child in her arms, and rode the whole way to Cincinnati to have a surgical operation performed. Herbs and simples were the common method of treatment, and the experienced women acted as midwives.
A few wandering disciples of Esculapius may have been in the present townships of Liberty, Union, Lemon, and Fairfield, before 1802; but it is believed the first two who settled in the county were Dr. Squier Littell, of Trenton, and Dr. Sloan, of Fairfield. They came here about the same time, but only Dr. Littell remained for a term of years. We have no further particulars of Dr. Sloan, except that he boarded with the father of Celadon Syrnmes, and occasionally went over into Ross Township.
Dr. Littell was the son of Captain Littell, of New Jersey, a patriot distinguished for his services and sacrifices in our Revolutionary struggle, and was born in Essex County, December 1, 1776—a year memorable in the annals of mankind Having completed his early education, he entered upon the study of medicine, and, after practicing his profession awhile in his native State, emigrated to the Northwestern Territory about the beginning of the present century, and stopped in the city of Cincinnati. Here he remained for a brief period, when, following the guidance of circumstances, and failing, in common with all others, to penetrate the brilliant futurity which was reserved for a place whose claims to pre-eminence were disputed by the neigboring village of Columbia, he removed some thirty miles into the interior, and fixed his abode in Butler County, at Trenton, which was then called Bloomfield. Before leaving New Jersey, the doctor had married Mary, one of the daughters of Michael Pearce, who also came out here. Mr. Pearce was a farmer in good circumstances, and had a large family of daughters, who were much sought after, as their manners and acquirements were much more than were then usual in the backwoods. Dr. Littell practiced in Trenton from his first going_ there until a short time before his death, when weakened by age and infirmities. He devoted himself to the cultivation of his farm and the still more laborious duties of a profession, the calls of which, in the scattered population of the country, expanded occasionally to a circle of sixty miles in diameter, extending to Dayton on the one hand, and to Cincinnati on the other. As a medical practitioner he was remarkably successful, being distinguished for his sagacity and observation, qualities which enabled him, in several important instances, to anticipate the discoveries and improvements of later times, and secured for him a wide range of popularity. Notwithstanding the engrossing nature of his avocations, he was repeatedly chosen by his fellow-citizens to offices of local trust and influence. In 1813 he was appointed surgeon of the First Regiment, Third Detachment, of Ohio militia, having for his assistant Dr. Jacob Lewis, who came to Butler County very soon after he did, but had not engaged actively in practice. Colonel James Mills commanded the regiment, which rendezvoused at Dayton. They were ordered to St. Mary's, when the regiment was divided into three divisions. Soon after this, Dr. Littell resigned, and came home. His personal appearance was very striking. He was a tall man, perhaps a little over six feet, and full in figure, even in youth. As his years increased he attained a size truly colossal, with accompanying weight. To accommodate himself, he brought hither a spring-wagon, the first ever seen in this portion of the country, and used that ever after, discarding horseback riding, which was the usual method of traveling for physicians fifty years ago. Arrived at home, after a visit, he would cast himself upon the carpet, preferring this posture of perfect repose to the more dignified but less easy arm-chair. This habit became almost a necessity. His weight increased until it reached three hundred and fifty, and he became the largest man in Butler County. Dr. Littell was of a fiery disposition, and used to domineering. He had a piercing black eye, that seemed to read the very secrets of the soul, and he was possessed of great weight of character. Whatever he desired he generally accomplished. He was a virulent Jackson Democrat, never speaking in public, but using his influence in private. When fair words would not avail, he used harder ones. He was postmaster at Trenton in 1837, having been appointed by Van Buren, through the influence of John B. Weller, and against the wishes of the majority of the inhabitants of that village, who had petitioned for another person. Dr. Littell was also an associate judge of this county, being chosen in 1834, and hording for a term of seven-years. This was at about the time he had acquired his greatest obesity ; and for the other associate judge he had Dr. Daniel Millikin, whose weight could not be less than two hundred and fifty, the sheriff of the county at that
180 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
time being Sheely, who was also of herculean proportions, not inferior to Dr. Millikin. Dr. Littell remained in Trenton until the ravages of age, aggravated by corpulency, caused him to retire. He went to Winchester, Preble County, where he soon after died, at the close of 1849. He had accumulated some means, which he divided among his nephews, whom he had brought up. Of these there were three. Dr. Squier Littell, now of Philadelphia, was the second. He is a man of high attainments, and well read, and has published several medical works. Eliakim was the oldest. He first lived in Philadelphia, publishing a magazine called the Museum, which was very successful, and then going to Boston, where he began the Living Age. It is a magazine of compilation from European periodicals, and contains a vast treasury of facts and fancy. A complete set is contained in every public library. He is now dead, and his sous are carrying on the publication. John was the youngest nephew. He studied law, but never practiced much. He began publishing law-books, and in that pursuit amassed a fortune. He was at one time a candidate for Congress from Philadelphia, and came very near being elected, lacking only a few votes. He contested the election, but it was decided against him. He formerly lived in Germantown, a handsome suburb of the City of Brotherly Love, but is now dead.
Mrs. Littell, the wife of Dr. Squier Littell, the elder, survived him. She was a most excellent woman, and had great power over her husband. Even in his greatest fits of rage she was able to pacify him. The doctor brought up one of the daughters of the Rev. Stephen Gard, his brother-in-law. This was Mary, who afterwards married Ezra Potter. He also brought up another niece, Rachel Taylor, who married William Potter.
Dr. Lanier came to Hamilton about 1805, and remained a short time.
Dr. Charles Este, brother of the distinguished Judge Este, once of Hamilton, but late of Cincinnati, was in Hamilton as early as 1810 or 1811, but did not remain long. We find his name afterwards as one of the medical censors of the district. Dr. William Greenlee occupied a somewhat prominent place between the years 1814 and 1817.
Dr. Jacob Lewis never really practiced much, but was here as early-as 1803. He was born in Somerville, Somerset County, New Jersey, October 13, 1767. His father was in the Revolutionary army, and while in the service was attacked with camp fever and sent home, where he died. He left a wife and seven children. The family had a good farm, upon which they were enabled to raise every thing necessary for comfort. In 1790 Jacob went out on a visit to his sister, who was settled in the western part of Virginia. The neighborhood was exposed ; but as there had been no attacks by the Indians lately, the inhabitants began to think that they were safe. One evening in the Spring of 1791 he returned from his work, feeling sleepy, and laid down, waiting the preparation of supper. While asleep, three Indians came into the house and shot his brother-in-law dead. A young man who was sitting by the fire struck at the Indians with a drawing-knife, which fell from his hands, and he immediately bounded out of the back door, passing through the room in which Jacob was lying. The noise awoke the latter, and he, too, made his escape. As he rose he saw through the half-open door the lifeless bodies of his sister and his brother-in-law, with the hostile Indians, and he fled to alarm the neighbors. This he found, however, had been previously done by the other young man ; and as soon as a suffrcient party could be gathered, the Indians were pursued.
The next day two neighbors went to the house, and found the dead bodies of Kinan, the brother-in-law, his little daughter, and one of the children of Mrs. Ward, a neighbor. Mrs. Kinan was nowhere to be found, so they concluded that she must have been taken prisoner. Six had escaped out of the ten who were in the house at the time.
Jacob Lewis was thus left with the care of two orphan children on his hands. After considering the matter maturely, he concluded to leave the children with one of the settlers and return to New Jersey, where, he did not doubt, he could persuade one of his brothers, who had recently been married, to move out, take the farm, and take care of the boys. Nothing, however, could induce him to do so. The country was too hazardous for him. Two of the family were willing, however, each to take one of the boys, and bring them up in New Jersey. He consequently returned, worked on the place the whole Summer, and in the following Spring conveyed the boys to their uncles, who brought them up as their own.
Mr. Lewis remained in New Jersey; taking up the study of medicine with Dr. John Randolph, of Somerset County. In the fall of 1793 a letter was received from his sister, Mrs. Kinan, who, was a prisoner among the Indians. She had been enabled to send it through the hands of a Quaker gentleman, who was in attendance upon the commissioners empowered to treat for peace with the Indians. Her messenger took the yellow fever in Philadelphia, dying of it, and consequently the letter had been long delayed. She said that if her brothers would call on Mr. Albert, an Indian trader, at Detroit, they could find out where she was.
Jacob Lewis was the only unmarried one of the family, and it was resolved that he should make the attempt, his other brothers helping with their means. He set out on horseback about the 1st of November, going by way of Western New York. At Genesee he left his horse, and engaged to help a young man who was just starting for Niagara with a drove of cattle. On the way they suffered much with cold, and were obliged to camp out for two nights. Late on the third day they reached
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 181
Niagara. This was still three hundred miles from his destination, with an unsettled country to pass through.
On telling his story, he received a pass from the authorities, and an introduction to Colonel Butler, Indian agent for that section of the country. He gave him a letter to Captain Brant, the chief of the Six Nations, whose camp was about thirty miles in the direction of Detroit. He remained at the Indian camp about a week before he could get a guide. At last Captain Brant, who, in the mean time, had treated him well, procured for him two guides, who agreed to make the trip for twenty dollars. It was a weary journey, traveling through unbroken woods and swamps, in snow and sleet, with little food and little rest, camping every night with only such frail shelter as they could put up after a hard day's tramp. They reached Detroit on the third day of February, 1794. Here he dismissed his guides, and presented his pass to Colonel England, the officer in command at Detroit. These were suspicious times on the frontier, so he had to stand a close examination ; but after exhibiting his letters and telling the object of his travel, Colonel England gave him a permit to remain. The next day he fortunately found Mr. Robert Albert in town, and showed him his sister's letter. He said he knew her well, that he had goods with her tribe, and she had often worked for him when he was with them. He appeared very willing to give Lewis all the assistance in his power, but said that he would have to act very cautiously, as, should the Indians suspect that he was at all concerned in her release, that would be an end to his trade with them. He met also Israel Rulin, who knew her, and tried to make an arrangement with him to secure her freedom by purchase. Rulin made application to the old squaw who owned Mrs. Kinan ; but she could not be induced to part with her. Much disappointed at this failure, he spent some weeks at Detroit trying to devise other plans for her release. He received the sympathy and friendship of many of the best people in the place, and was advised by all to act very cautiously, as, if the Indians suspected his object, his sister would be hurried off to some of their distant camps.
Weeks passed in this way, alternating between hope and fear. All the traders he met seemed to sympathize with him ; but were unwilling to run any risk to aid him. He could not even induce them to acquaint his sister with his presence in Detroit, as it would only result in a useless attempt to escape, followed by greater hardships and her removal to a distant camp. Mr. Lewis, however, was determined to remain in the neighborhood and persevere in his plans, however long it might take. Just as he was looking around for means to get into the Indian country, a contractor came to Detroit to engage men to cut and clear timber round Fort Maumee. This gave him just the chance he wanted ; so he engaged at once as a chopper, and in a few days he was at work.
A few weeks afterward the advance of General Wayne and his army was reported at the fort, and with it came large numbers of Indians, who encamped in its neighborhood. Mr. Lewis had enlisted the sympathies of a companion of his daily work, Thomas Matthews, and they resolved to go out to the Indian encampment, though without much expectation of finding the missing one.
" We went out," he says, "and straggled among them in a careless manner for fear of being suspected. While thus walking about, a woman clapped her hands and cried out, Lord, have mercy on me !' I knew her at once, but turned my back toward her, and walked off, telling Matthews who she was. We dare not go to speak to her, but turned our course toward the fort, at the same time fixing in our minds the situation of her tent and the lay of the ground and timber about the camp. There was a large burr or white-oak tree lying prostrate near the camp, with a dense top. As we knew the Indians kept no sentries at night, we thought if we only could get her to come there at night we could easily carry her off; but how to make the arrangement with her to meet us was the puzzling part. We had observed that the squaw at whose tent she was had a cow ; and it was agreed that Matthews should go the next morning to the squaw with a loaf of bread, and try to exchange it for milk. I was afraid to go myself, lest I should, by my emotion, betray myself. So Matthews went ; and, fortunately, my sister was called to interpret. This gave him the opportunity he wanted, and he mingled the bread and milk talk with the plan for escape, which she agreed to. Fortunately the head engineer had command of the outposts that night, and, as he knew my story, when he learned our plans he told the guard to pass us outside of the lines, and allow us to return with any one we might bring with us.
" We went to the tree as soon as it was quite dark, and waited there till near daylight ; but my sister did not come, and we were obliged to return to the fort disappointed. The bread and milk strategy was tried by Matthews again. He found that she had been out all night also, but in another tree-top. He soon made her understand which tree was to be our meeting-place, and returned. Again our friend, the engineer, favored us. We waited at the tree but a short time, when my sister came. Our greeting was short, as the slightest noise might defeat our plans. We started at once for the fort. When we got within the lines, not deeming it safe to take her into the fort, we took her to a large brush-heap near the fort, where we had been at work that day, in the middle of which I had made a hollow large enough for a person to sit in quite comfortably. Here we left her, well supplied with water and provisions. The next day had nearly passed, when I heard that a boat called the Shawanee had been ordered down the river, and thence to Turtle Island. I immediately went to the boat, and
182 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
frankly told the captain how was circumstanced, and asked him to carry myself and sister to Turtle Island. After studying a few minutes, he said that he would if I could get my sister safely aboard; but said he, It will be almost impossible ; see yonder, there are almost a hundred Indians scattered along the bank.' I told him to leave that me. I went to the fort, got an extra
suit of clothes I had, and, taking, them to the brush pile, told my sister to put them on. When she was dressed; I took her by the arm as if she was sick, and started for the boat. One of my fellow-workmen saw us, and, not knowing what I had been doing, hallooed to me, You are afraid of Wayne, are you, and going to Detroit?' I answered that I was helping this sick man on board the Shawanee, and walked on through the crowd of Indians, and got aboard without attracting attention.
" By daylight next morning we were safely moored at Turtle Island. Here we took passage on a brig bound for Detroit ; but when we got to the head of the lake we were becalmed, and, fearing delay, at my request the captain landed us on the Canada side, and we walked up to Detroit. Here we procured rooms at a tavern ; and I was so overcome with my anxiety and excitement that I was taken sick, and was confined to my bed for a week. We had to remain some time here before we could get a chance to go to Niagara. Colonel England again befriended me. When a vessel was about starting for the mouth of the Chippewa, he procured a passage for us, and gave us a pass. We had a smooth passage down the lake, landed at the mouth of the Chippewa, and made our way down on the Canada side to Queenstown. Here we obtained new passes, and sailed for the mouth of the Genesee River. Thence we traveled on foot to where I had left my horse on my outward trip. I found the horse had been traded off; but I got another. On this my sister rode, and I walked by her side all the way to New Jersey. We reached Somerset in the month of October, lacking only a few days of a year from the time I started out, and there was great rejoicing in the whole family and neighborhood."
Mr. Lewis remained in New Jersey about a year, finishing his professional studies, when he married and moved to the western part of Pennsylvania, and established himself in practice. In the Spring of 1802 he moved to Hamilton, Ohio, where he lived quietly and prosperously.
In 1813 Dr.. Lewis was appointed surgeon's mate of the First Regiment, Third Detachment, of Ohio militia. Colonel James Mills commanded the regiment, which rendezvoused at Dayton. They were ordered to St. Mary's, where the regiment was divided into three divisions. Dr. Lewis had professional charge of the two divisions stationed at Wapakoneta and Amanda, which were on the Auglaize, almost twelve miles apart.
His superior officer, Dr. Squier Littell, soon after this resigned, and Lewis bad charge of the whole regiment. When news came that the British and Indians were collecting strongly near Fort Meigs, the First Regiment was ordered down the St. Mary's to that point ; but Lewis was left at Amanda in charge of a large number of sick and wounded at that place. Here he had comfortable quarters and good attendance. Sheriff James Smith, paymaster, was his room-mate.
At the end of the six months for which the regiment had enlisted they were mustered out, and returned to Hamilton. Lewis then made a visit to his friends in New Jersey, and on his return settled on his farm, which he had purchased in 1804.
Dr. Lewis died July 19, 1851, of apoplexy, it is supposed, having been found dead in his stable on his farm in Butler County.
The first regular physician who practiced in this town for a long time, and whose history was identified with it, was Dr. Daniel Millikin. Several of the other members of his family came here with him, or subsequently, and they and their descendants have maintained a distinguished position up to the present time.
Dr. Daniel Millikin was the first child of James and Dolly Millikin, who resided on Ten-mile Creek, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. James Millikin was born on the fifth day of January, 1752, in the county of Antrim, Ireland. His father was also named James, and was born in 1727, and his mother, formerly Martha Hemphill, was born in 1729.
The father of Dr. Millikin left Ireland, and came to Pennsylvania in 1771, when only nineteen years of age. He did what was then a very unusual thing, but what is now a common undertaking. He separated from his parents, his home, and his friends, and sought the American colonies under the ardent impulses of an adventdrous spirit, to seek a home in a new country. He was not impelled to the movement by the importunities of relatives and friends who had preceded him. His example, however, was followed by his brothers William and Robert, who both lived and died in Greene County, State of Pennsylvania. He had other brothers in Ireland ; one a "factor," and another a merchant.
As all the children of James and Dolly Millikin are deceased, it is not now possible to ascertain accurately the residence, the pursuits, or the experiences in life of the father after he landed in this country and previous to his marriage to Dolly McFarland, on the 31st of March, 1778. At the time of this union he was twenty-six years old. Mrs. Millikin was born near Dartmouth, in Bristol County, Massachusetts, on the 6th day of June, 1762, and was consequently, when married, under the age of sixteen. This marriage was the union of a young, adventurous Protestant Irishman. to a simon-pure Massachusetts Yankee girl, which resulted in a prosperous and happy married life and the rearing of a large family.
Dolly Millikin was the daughter of Daniel McFarland and Sarah Barber McFarland, who were married on
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 183
the first day of July, 1752. They had a large family. Eight of their children were born in Bristol County, Massachusetts, and two in Burlington, Burlington County, in the State of New Jersey. One of her brothers, Daniel McFarland, removed from Pennsylvania to Warren County, Ohio. Another brother, Abel McFarland, continued to reside on Ten-mile. He was an active, intelligent man, of more than usual prominence, having represented his county of Washington in the General Assembly of that State. His family was numerous. One of his sons, Major Daniel McFarland, was an efficient and accomplished officer, and was killed at the battle of Bridgewater during the war of 1812.
Another brother, William, continued to reside in Washington County, where he raised a large family. He was the father of Major Samuel McFarland, who became a prominent citizen of the county. He was conspicuous for the maintenance of his convictions, and for his fearless and uncompromising advocacy of antislavery doctrines, and was the candidate for vice-president of the United States of the Liberty party, in 1844, on the ticket with James G. Birney, the candidate for President. William McFarland had also a son named James, who was the father of Noah C. McFarland, who, for many years, was a prominent lawyer and politician in Hamilton. He was the junior member of the law firm of Scott & McFarland, and represented Butler and Warren counties in the Senate of Ohio. Subsequently he removed to Topeka, Kansas, was elected to the Senate of that State, and is now commissioner of the General Land Office of the United States at Washington City.
Dr. Joel B. McFarland was a nephew of Mrs. Dolly Millikin. He took up his residence in Hamilton in 1835. He was a popular practicing physician in this county for many years, and represented the county in the Legislature in 1841-2. He afterwards removed to Lafayette, Indiana. There, too, he practiced his profession, and represented the county of Tippecanoe in the Legislature of Indiana.
Mrs. Dolly Millikin, in view of the privations of her early life, residing, as she did, before and after her marriage, in the almost extreme Western settlements, where even limited opportunities for mental culture were not to be found, proved to be a woman of good sense and of great usefulness to the community in which she so long lived. She was highly esteemed for her intellect and her energy and exemplary life. The father and mother were industrious, frugal, and thrifty for their day and generation. They did not accumulate wealth, as others did not ; but they became comparatively easy and independent, so that they Could provide for the wants of their large family, and give them such advantages as existed for the acquisition of a very imperfect rudimentary education. Their children left the paternal roof well trained in their morals; and with characters that were unblemished, to make their own living, and to stand or fall according to their own merits. They had born to them eight sons and one daughter, all of whom attained to manhood or womanhood. They were Daniel, James, John H., Samuel, William S., Robert B., Andrew, Abel, and Mary. All of them married. All of the sons, with a single exception, have been residents of Ohio, and five of them were residents of Hamilton, and now have their final resting in Greenwood Cemetery.
Daniel Millikin, the first of the family, was born on the fourteenth day of February, 1779, on Ten-mile Creek, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The early incidents of his boyhood life are not known by any of his surviving descendants. Being the oldest child of a young married couple, who had commenced their married life with the view of acquiring and improving a home under the inevitable trials and privations incident to living on the extreme western border of the settlements, and in a neighborhood sparsely populated, it is fair to presume that his services as a boy and young man were constantly required in assisting his parents. The history of all boys on the then Western borders at that period will show that they had to perform much labor and to endure many privations.
The facilities afforded for obtaining even a very limited rudimental education were necessarily very meager. What progress he made we have no means of knowing. When, however, he had arrived to the age of eighteen, about 1797, his father and mother found themselves able to give their oldest son some respite from the labors of the farm to afford him an opportunity of acquiring a better education than he could obtain at home.
Accordingly, in fulfillment of their desires, the son was sent to Jefferson College, then located at Cannonsburg, about six miles north of the town of Washington, in his native county. He remained there over a year, devoting part of his time to the languages, in view of reading medicine. Soon after leaving college he commenced the study of that profession under the care and instruction of Dr. John Bell, a prominent physician residing in Greensboro, Greene County.
After he had completed his studies under Dr. Bell, and was authorized to commence practice, he deemed it prudent to seek a wife. While residing at Greensboro he became acquainted with the family of Colonel John Minor, living near that place, and, in fulfillment of his purpose, he subsequently, on the 31st day of December, 1801, at the residence of her father, married Joan Minor. She was horn where married, on the twenty-second day of September, 1782, being at the time of her marriage a few weeks less than nineteen years old, while he lacked a few weeks of being twenty-two.
The father of Mrs. Millikin, Colonel John Minor, was of the fifth generation from Thomas Minor, who was born in England in 1608, and who emigrated to America in 1630. John Minor, fifth son of Stephen Minor, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, on the fifth day
184 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
of January, 1747. He married Cassandra Williams in Maryland on the 20th day of February, 1771. She was born on the twenty-second day of December, 1753, and was the sister of General Otho Holland Williams, who was a distinguished officer under General Washington, in the war of the Revolution, and acquired high distinction for his gallantry in the battles of Guilford, Hobkirk's Hill, and Eutaw.
Colonel Minor was the youngest son of his family, and after the death of his father resided with his brother William, in Washington County, Maryland. His active, adventurous temper soon impelled him to go further West and engage in the stirring excitements which existed at that period of the history of Western Virginia and South-western Pennsylvania. He and his brother William found new homes on Whiteley Creek, west of the Monongahela, in what ultimately proved to be in Washington County, Pennsylvania. There he and his brother had removed previous to his marriage, and he had provided a Western domicile for himself and intended wife before that event. " He had led the way in settling west of the river, and maintained his leadership in all that concerned the development of the country and the protection of its settlers."
Holding a commission as colonel from the governor of Virginia, all South-western Virginia being then regarded as within the boundaries of Virginia, he was recognized by the settlers as commander-in-chief of the militia in that region of the country.
Under the instructions of General Morgan he built stockade forts, and appointed spies and rangers, to insure, as far as possible, protection to settlers against the depredations of the Indians. The cabins of himself and his brother were fortified stockades, and were known as the Minor forts, to which settlers resorted when dangers were apprehended from the approach of the treacherous Indians.
Colonel Minor, under orders, built the flotilla of boats designed for the transportation of the regiment of enlisted soldiers under the command of Colonel George Rogers Clark, who descended the Ohio River with a view of reaching British posts on the Wabash and on the Mississippi. The boats were constructed at the mouth of Dunkard Creek, in Greene County, under the immediate supervision of Colonel Minor. Their completion was greatly retarded by the raids of Indians, which Colonel Minor had to 'repel by organized companies of flying militia, under his command.
After Indian troubles had ceased, and peace prevailed in Western Pennsylvania, and the true location of Washington County had been defined and settled, Colonel Minor was three times elected as a member of the Legislature from that county. He procured ultimately the passage of a law which authorized the organization of the county of Greene out of the territory which belonged to Washington County. Subsequently he held several offrces in the new county of Greene, and for several terms served as an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Of him a gentleman, in writing of the early history of Greene County, recently said.: " His life was one of eminent success and usefulness. He was probably the most prominent public man that Greene County has ever produced-a man of moral worth and character."
Mrs: Cassandra Minor died on the third day of March, 1799, aged forty-five years, and Colonel Minor died on the 30th day of December, 1833.
The result of the marriage of Colonel Minor with Miss Williams was the birth of twelve children—six sons and six daughters. One of the latter, Joan Minor, became the wife of Dr. Millikin, as before stated. After the death of the mother of these children, Colonel Minor married a daughter of Colonel George Wilson, by whom he had one son, L. L. Minor, an attorney-at-law, now residing in Wayneville, in the county of Greene, and one daughter, Minerva Minor. None of the children of Colonel Minor now survive, with the exception of L. L. Minor.
Immediately after his marriage Dr. Millikin commenced the practice of medicine, residing at his old home. The sparseness of the population and the general healthfulness of the neighborhood did not furnish a very encouraging prospect for a young physician. Besides the spirit of emigration was prevailing, and young men, especially those who were ambitious to improve their condition, were contemplating new homes in the farther West.
Strongly impressed with the prevailing conviction that " Westward the course of empire takes its way," Dr. Millikin determined to investigate for himself, and, by personal observation, to see whether it would be wise to follow that course. Accordingly, in 1804, he came to Ohio, and visited the valley of the Miamis. As the result of his investigations, ultimately he and his two brothers—John H. Millikin and Samuel Millikin—on the 7th day of April, 1807, took their departure from their cherished home. The separation was an occasion of deep feeling with parents and sons. They, however, had made up their minds for the undertaking, and went forward. John H. Millikin and wife intended to locate in Knox County, Ohio. Samuel assisted his brother to drive his stock as far as Zanesville, and there they separated. Samuel continued his journey on horseback to Cincinnati, where he expected to meet his brother. Dr. Millikin, with his wife and three children, embarked on a flat-bottomed family boat at Fredericktown, on the Monongahela, descending that river to Pittsburg, and thence going by the Ohio River to Cincinnati. After remaining there for a short time, he, with his family and his brother Samuel, took his departure for Hamilton, reaching it on the night of the 7th of May, 1807.
The first house he occupied was a story and a half hewed log house situated on the precise spot now occupied
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 185
by the paper-mill of Snider Sons, on lot No. 160. During the ensuing Fall and Winter he built the two-story hewed log house still standing on the north end of lot 202, on Second Street, north of Heaton Street, to which house he removed in the early part of the Summer of 1808. Afterwards he purchased lot No. 118, on the corner of High and Fourth Streets, upon which he erected the frame house now remaining, and into it he removed his family on the eighteenth day of September, 1819. He resided there for eighteen or twenty years, and afterwards he built the house on the north end of lot 155, on Third Street, where he resided until within a few years of his death.
Dr. Millikin and wife had a large family. Their children were born as follows : Stephen Millikin, on the second day of January, 1803 ; John M. Millikin, on the fourteenth day of October, 1804; Anna Manikin, on the sixth day of September, 1806 ; Thomas B. Millikin and James H. Millikin, on the eighth day of May, 1808 ; Anna Millikin, on the fifth day of Ma, ch, 1811 ; Joan Millikin, on the tenth day of May, 1813 ; Mary Millikin, on the twenty-second day of August, 1815 ; Daniel Millikin, on the seventeenth day of April, 1818; Jane Millikin, on the twenty-second day of September, 1819 ; James Millikin, on the 8th day of July, 1822; Otho W. Millikin, on the 22d day of January, 1826. The three first were born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and the others in Hamilton. Anna raid James H. both died young and previous to the birth of others of like name. Nine of the foregoing arrived ti lawful age, and were all
married as follows : Stephen, married Eleanor Ewing, April 17, 1823 ; John M. married Mary G. Hough, September 6, 1831; Thomas B. married Catherine Hough, November 10, 1831 ; Anna married Americus Symmes, February 21, 1832 ; Joan married Robert Kennedy, December 6, 1832 ; Mary married D. D. Conover, October 19, 1838 ; Daniel married Sarah J. Osborn, February 1, 1843 ; Jane married 0. P. Line, April 25, 1843 ; Otho W. married Lida Schenck, January 11, 1854. Stephen and Thomas B. lost their wives, and were subsequently again married. All raised families, and only four—John M. Millikin, Joan Kennedy, Jane Line, and 0. W. Millikin—now survive. Stephen and Thomas both removed West, and both died, leaving families.
Mrs. Joan Millikin had, for some years, been in feeble health, and died on the 28th day of September, 1830, being then only a few days past forty-eight years of age. Owing to the extremely severe hardships that Dr Millikin had been compelled to endure in the very extensive and laborious practice of his profession, in the earlier years of his residence in Butler County, his stalwart frame was for years enfeebled by disease. For some time previous to his death he occasionally suffered severely from acute attacks, while his general health was seriously impaired. He finally departed this life on the third day of November, 1849, having attained the age" of seventy years, eight months, and twenty days, and after a residence in Butler County of forty-two years and nearly six months.
The professional career, of Dr Millikin was not only protracted, but it was excessively laborious and severe. There was no mode of conveyance save riding on horseback. Doctors had to ride in the intense, hot sun, and were exposed to the cold, the rain, and wintery storms. The roads were frightfully bad for a large portion of the year. As there were but few physicians, Dr. Millikin had a wide range in his practice, not only visiting in all parts of the county, but receiving occasional calls from adjoining counties. The pressing demands that were made on physicians during the Summer and Fall months, for twenty-five or thirty years of Dr. Millikin's professional life, can not be understood by those who did not live at the time referred to Almost every household contained one or more patients needing medical treatment. Oftentimes the entire family would be prostrate with chills and fever, or with a most malignant case of bilious fever; so that there were not enough well persons in the family competent to answer the pressing calls of the sick. For continuous months the services of physicians were so much required that their average imperfect rest did not exceed four or five hours out of the twenty-four. It is marvelous that the excessive toil, great exposure, and deprivation of comfort and rest did not destroy the most robust constitution or impair the health of the most vigorous and enduring.
In the practice of his profession at the period referred to, Dr. Millikin was enabled to endure much hardship. He was of a cheerful, genial temperament, and submitted to the hardships and discomforts of his professional life with but little complaint. His services were inadequately compensated by those he served. The fees charged and collected were insdfficient for the comfortable maintenance of a family. He was unselfish and liberal in his nature, and had apprehensions lest he might demand too much for his services, or call too soon for the miserable pittance that he had charged his patients. He married a second wife, by whom he had several children, one of whom survives—Samuel Millikin.
Outside of his professional life he had the confidence of the public, and occupied several honorable positions. He was in the war of 1812, in Colonel Mills's regiment, as surgeon, and, for a period, as quartermaster. He was a trustee of Miami University for many years ; represented the county as a representatiye in the Ohio Legislature in 1816 ; was major-general of the Third Division of Ohio militia, composed of Butler and Warren Counties, and served for three terms as an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
The family of John M Millikin and wife that attained full age consisted of three sons—Minor, Joseph, and Dan—and one daughter, named Mary. The two first named were graduates of Miami University.
186 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
studied law, and attended Harvard Law School, but did not engage in practice. After his marriage and his return from a visit to Europe, he located on a farm, and gave attention to agricultural pursuits until the rebellion broke out. He enlisted in the first cavalry company organized in Ohio, and became its first lieutenant. In connection with the other officers of the company, he was compelled to furnish the horses necessary for mounting their men, as, in 1861, the government had not become aware of the necessity of providing for a cavalry corps in a well organized and efficient army. The government engaged to pay for the use of the horses, to provide grain and forage, and to pay for horses lost in actual service. This cavalry company was first engaged in actual conflict under General Rosecrans at the battle of Rich Mountain, in Western Virginia. His subsequent service in the army will be noticed elsewhere.,
Joseph Millikin, after he had graduated, engaged in the study of theology, and was a student of Princeton Theological. Seminary. Subsequently he became Professor of Greek in his Alma Mater, and, in connection with the duties pertaining to his chair, he gave instruction in the Hebrew language. In 1873, upon the organization of the Ohio-Agricultural and Mechanical College, located at Columbus, he was elected professor of the German, French, and English languages and their literatures. He continued to occupy the position of professor of these branches until June, 1881, at the end of the college year, when, from severe and protracted illness, he was constrained to resign his professorship in that institution.
Dan Millikin, the third son, turned his attention to the study of medicine, and graduated at the Miami Medical College, in the city of Cincinnati, in 1875. In, May, 1875, he opened an office in Hamilton, and proffered his professional services to the public. He is now actively engaged in the arduous labors of his profession.
The daughter married, and died on the 17th day of September, 1870, leaving one child, which survived its mother only a few days.
Samuel Millikin, fourth son of James Millikin, was born on the 28th day of February, 1787. He was, consequently, only a few weeks past the age of twenty, when he left his paternal home and the friends of his youth, and accompanied his brother Daniel to the West, and, as heretofore stated, reached Hamilton on the 7th of May, 1807. He made his home with his brother for some years, and, for the few first years of his residence in his family, devoted himself to the study of medicine. He became fully impressed with the conviction that the duties of the profession would not be congenial to his rather sensitive nature, and he declined to fully qualify himself for assuming the responsibilities of the profession.
He utilized the knowledge he had acquired, and opened the first regular drug-store that was established ' in Hamilton. He continued in that business for some years and until about the time of his marriage. On the twenty-eighth day of September, 1813, he was married to Mary Hunter, sister of Mrs. Nancy Reily and of Mrs. Joseph Hough, all daughters of Joseph Hunter, of Fairfield Township. The result of this marriage was three children—two sons and one daughter—who lived to the age of majority. Hannah Millikin, the oldest child, became the wife of William Anderson, son of Isaac Anderson and brother of Judge Fergus Anderson. She died on the twenty-fifth day of May, 1834. -His oldest son, James H. Millikin, was raised a merchant, and became the partner of his brother-in-law, William Anderson. In 1845 Mr. Anderson died, and, as a consequence, the business of the firm was discontinued. James H. Millikin continued in business or some time, and removed to Indiana, where he resided for several years. He now resides with his family it Decatur, Illinois.
John Millikin, the younger son of the family of Samuel Millikin, now resides in the First Ward of Hamilton. His mother having cited on the twelfth day of July, 1828, when he was only a few years of age, he continued to reside with his father in Ohio and in Indiana, and subsequently removed from Vermilion County, Indiana, to Hamilton, where h , has been engaged for many years as an agent of the finial of Long, Alstatter & Co.
Samuel Millen was for a short time a partner of Mr. Hough in merchandising, in Hamilton; and afterwards he was engaged in the same business in Middletown, but unfortunately connected pork-packing with the business of merchandising, and found himself financially the worse of tile speculation. He closed his business in Middletown, and returned with his family to Hamilton. In the Fall of 1821 he was elected sheiiff of the county. He was re-elected in 1823, and served out his two full terms with great acceptance to the public. As an officer, as a man, he was everywhere highly esteemed by those who transacted business of any kind with him.
His wife having died, as stated, on the 12th of July, 1828, he devoted himself for some time in supervising and closing up the business affairs of Mr. Hough, who had become engaged in business in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Subsequently he again became engaged in merchandising, for a short period, in Hamilton, but finally, in 1836, determined upon removing to Indiana, and engaged in the business of farming. His son John remained with him for most of the time during his stay in Indiana. Ultimately father and son deemed it advisable to return to Hamilton, especially as the father was infirm in health and the son had a large family, consisting of wife, sons, and daughters. Having disposed of his property to his sons, he closed up all his business affairs, he and his son and family, in 1864, left their home in Indiana, and returned to Hamilton, where he had so long resided, and where his sou and wife were both born.
He died on the seventh day of October, 1870, at the ripe age of eighty-three years, seven months and nine
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 187
days. It will provoke no invidious remark from a survivor who knew Samuel Millikin in his lifetime, and was familiar with his characteristics, to say that few men ever lived in Butler County who were more highly esteemed than he was for his integrity, his conscientiousness, his kindness and good deeds. He always had many enduring friends, and died leaving behind him no enemies.
Dr. Robert B. Millikin, the sixth son of James and Dolly Millikin, was born on the ninth day of December, 1793. At the time of the exodus of his three brothers from their home, in 1807, he was only in his fourteenth year. He remained with his parents until the Spring of 1813, when the spirit of emigration got the mastery, and constrained him to follow the examples of his brothers. Upon his arrival in Hamilton, he, too, became a member of the family Of his brother, where he continued to reside until the time of his marriage. .
Soon after his arrival in Hamilton he gave his attention to the study of such branches of an education as were preparatory to the study of medicine. The facilties for acquiring a good education had been by means excellent. He availed himself of such as existed for more than a year, and then commenced the study of medicine. The Spring of 1817 was full of interesting events to Robert B. Millikin. He had been licensed to practice his profession, he had taken unto himself a wife, had commenced housekeeping, and opened an office where he proposed to answer professional calls.
Dr. R. B. Millikin was married on the sixteenth day of December, 1816, to Sarah Gray, who was connected with many of the pioneer families of that day. They had three children, who arrived at full age, and all of whom still survive. Samuel Millikin resided for many years after he became of age in Hamilton. Many years ago he removed to the State of Missouri, where he now resides, and is engaged in farming operations. Thomas Millikin, his second son of full age, was born on the 28th of September, 1819. He married Mary Vanhook, daughter of William B. Vanhook, who was a pioneer resident of Hamilton for quite half a century. Elizabeth Millikin married William A. Elliott, son of the Rev. Arthur W. Elliott, who died in 1881.
After Dr. Robert B. Millikin commenced the practice of medicine, he devoted himself to his practice with great assiduity, and to the management of his business affairs he gave the most careful attention. The result of many years practice, and the giving of strict attention to all his interests, was the acquisition of property, and the enjoyment of a comparatively independent position. Even while engaged in the active duties of his profession, he gave attention to other business matters, and discharged official duties. He conducted the business of a drug-store in Rossville, now constituting the First Ward in Hamilton. He was postmaster of Rossville for many years, previous to the attachment of that place to Hamilton. Subsequently, after he gave less attention to his professional duties, he engaged in the business of merchandising. During the earlier and more active period of his life, he discharged the duties of several honorable positions. He was for years brigadier-general of the militia ; a trustee of Miami University ; one of the commissioners for the selection of canal lands donated to the State, and a member of the Legislature of Ohio. After the defalcation of a treasurer of the county, he was appointed to fill the vacancy in that office, because of his recognized integrity and his strict and careful vigilance in the management of such an official trust.
His wife died early in the thirties, and Dr. Millikin subsequently married Mrs. Ann Eliza Yeaman, who still survives. Dr. Millikin died on the twenty-eighth day of June, 1860, having attained to the age of sixty-six years, six months, and nineteen days. Thomas Millikin, his son, is a lawyer, and the leader of the bar in this county.
James B. Millikin, another son, after preparatory studies, engaged in the study of law. He was duly admitted to the practice of that profession, and for more than thirty years has been a member of the Butler County bar.
Andrew Millikin was the fourth one of the sons of James and Dolly Millikin, who came to Butler County from Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was born on the 4th of April, 1796, and removed to Hamilton in 1820 or 1821. He was a clothier by trade ; but after his removal here, and his marriage, he engaged in several pursuits, and subsequently purchased a farm on Pleasant Run, near Symmes's Corner.
He was married in 1822 to Adaline Hunter, daughter of Joseph Hunter, and sister to the wife of his brother Samuel, to Mrs. Hough and Mrs. Reily. He died in 1833 on his farm, being the first victim residing in the county, of the terrible epidemic, Asiatic cholera. He left a widow and three children. He was a man of vigorous constitution, of activity and industry, and notorious for his cordial, friendly intercourse with all who knew him.
Abel Millikin was the youngest son of the family. He continued to reside on the original homestead farm, on Ten-mile, for many years. Finally he removed to Hamilton, and resided here for some years. He was the father of the first wife of Noah C. McFarland, and father also of Dr. Samuel Millikin, who, for many years, was a reputable practitioner of medicine in Hamilton. He was the partner of Dr. Morris, then a practicing physician. Dr. Samuel Millikin died at the residence of his brother-in-law, N. C. McFarland, and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, where the remains of his father and his sister were deposited.
Dr. Slayback practiced in Hamilton for several years, about 1818, after which he removed to Cincinnati. He was a very respectable physician.
Dr. John Weily was here as early as 1819, probably.
188 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
He died in 1823, on Third Street, much respected. Dr. Henry Baker and Dr. Samuel' Woods were here as partners in 1823, dissolving partnership in July, 1824. Dr. Baker continued the practice, preaching also, a part of the time, in the Methodist Church.
Dr. John C. Dunlevy came to Hamilton from Lebanon about the year 1822 or 1823. He was a very thoroughly educated physician, perhaps the first of that kind in the county, and occupied a high place in the profession. In 1834 he returned to Lebanon. An advertisement of his in the Volunteer, in 1823, reads as follows:
REMOVAL.
DR. JOHN C. DUNLEVY
Has recently opened a general assortment of fresh medicines in the house adjoining Mr. Falconer's tavern, in Rossville, which he will retail at Cincinnati prices.
He will continue to attend to the different branches of his profession on either side of the river. He may be found at his shop, or at his lodgings at Col. Hall's, when not engaged in professional business.
N. B. He designs shortly to make arrangements to receive wheat, pork, and almost any article suitable for the Orleans trade, for professional services.
Dr. L. W. Smith was in Hamilton as a practitioner in the year 1824. He was a genial gentleman, but did not remain beyond that year. Dr. Jeremiah Woolsey immigrated from. New Jersey about 1823, and was a ,censor of the District Medical Society in 1824. He resided on the west side of the river..
Dr. Alexander Ramsey and Dr. Gunn were here at the same time, in 1819 or 1820. The latter was a superior man, and a graduate of the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons. ,His abilities and attainments were, however, drowned in the ocean of intemperance, as were those of
Dr. Alexander Proudfit.
Dr. Loammi Rigdon was born in Pennsylvania, September 30, 1791, and graduated in medicine at Transylvania Medical College, Lexington, Kentucky, in 1823. He practiced for eleven years in Wilmington, Ohio, and removed to Lebanon in 1824. In March, 1826, he came to Hamilton, and entered into partnership with Dr. John C. Dunlevy. Early in 1834 Dr. Dunlevy removed to Lebanon, and in October of that year Dr. Rigdon took into partnership, for a term of three years,
Dr. Cyrus Falconer. October 9, 1815, he was married to Rebecca Dunlevy, the oldest daughter of Judge Francis Dunlevy. He died on the 10th of May, 1865. In all the active years of his professional life be had a large medical practice. He was for many years a respected member of the Baptist Church, and died full of honors as of years.
The State was, in the early part of the century, divided by law into medical districts, and in 1824 this county and Preble formed the second. They met at Oxford on the 25th of May, and appointed the following officers : Daniel Millikin, president ; George R. Brown, vice-president ; James R. Hughes, treasurer ; Peter Van Derveer, secretary ; John C. Dunlevy, Peter Van Derveer, Jesse Paramour, James R. Hughes, Jeremiah Woolsey, censors. Members: John Woods, Eliphalet Stephens, Joshua Stephens, James M. Cory, Jas. H. Buell, Otho Evans, Samuel Woods, Wm. Bunnel, Dan Egbert, Robert B. Millikin, E. C. Myers, John Richey, Alexander Proudfit, David Baker, and Daniel D. Hall
A code of by-laws was adopted, which required that the society should meet twice a year at Hamilton, when the board of censors would attend to the examination of candidates for license to practice physic and surgery. The censors were likewise authorized to hold meetings for the examination of candidates during the recess of the society.
By one of the by-laws members of the society were forbidden, after the next semi-annual meeting, to consult with, or meet on professional business, any person who was not a member of this or some other regularly organized medical society.
At address or dissertation on some medical or scientific sdbject was required to be delivered at each regular meet ng of the society, by some member appointed at the precoding meeting, and John C. Dunlevy, M. D., was appointed to deliver the address at the next semi-annual meeting, on the last Tuesday in November.
Persons hereafter admitted as members were required to pay two dollars into the hands of the treasurer, on their admission, and the annual assessment of each member was made fifty cents.
By a by-law of the society, every member who was called to a patient who had, during his present illness, been attended by another, was required to ascertain whether the other physician understood that the patient was no longer under his care, and unless he had been dismissed, or had voluntarily relinquished the patient, the second physician was not to take charge of the patient or give his advice without a regular consultation, except in case of emergency.
At the same time and place the board of censors met, and examined and furnished with certificates, agreeably to law, Henry Baker and Daniel D. Hall, who were licensed to practice physic and surgery as soon as the society should obtain a suitable seal.
By a resolution of the society, a general statement of its proceedings at this meeting, signed by the secretary, was ordered to be published in one or more of the newspapers at Hamilton and Eaton.
Dr. Joab Hunt, of New Jersey, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, arrived here in 1831, and for two years was a partner of Dr. R. B. Millikin, of Rossville. He then removed to Mississippi. Dr. Richmond Brownell, who had studied medicine with Dr. R. B. Millikin, partly at the same time as Dr. Cyrus Falconer, had briefly practiced as the partner of his preceptor, and removed to Paducah, Kentucky, just before the advent of Dr. Hunt.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 189
Dr. Jacob Hittell, born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in 1797, moved to Butler County in 1839, and after spending three years in Trenton and Rossville, bought a home directly in front of the court-house on High Street, devoting himself to the practice of his profession. He was of German descent, his grandfather having come from Europe in the early part of the eighteenth century. When he was a boy the common speech in Lehigh was German, and he knew no English when he started out, at fourteen, to earn his living. At sixteen he was a clerk in a grocery-store, saving every cent not necessary for food, clothing, lodging, and education. He had every thing to learn, and he had already determined that he would be a physician. After eight years of unaided effort, he obtained his diploma, with the signatures of Rush, Physick, Wistar, and the other great professors of the leading medical college of the United States at that time. He then had eight more years of struggle before he had a comfortable position pecuniarily. His settlement in Hamilton proved fortunate for him. He was industrious, ecoromical, and sharp-witted. He bought lots, which rapidly rose in value. There were many Germans and Pennsylvania Germans in the county, who gave him most of 'heir medical practice, and his income from that source arose in some years, it was said, to $5,000-a large amount forty years ago. Nearly every Fall he took journey through Northern Ohio and Indiana, to buy wild land, which was then rising rapidly in value. These purchases turned out well in nearly every instance; and as early as 1840 Dr. Hittell was considered one of the richest men of Butler County. He was a very close man in money matters ; but in at least one respect no man in Hamilton was more generous--that was, in educating his children, or whom he had five. One of these graduated at a young ladies' seminary in Philadelphia, one in Holyoke, one in Oxford, and one in Yale ; and the other would not graduate anywhere, because he disliked books. About 1865, when nearly seventy years of age, Dr. Hittell abandoned his practice, and moved back to his old home in Pennsylvania, where he died in 1878. He laid off an addition to Hamilton in the southern part of the town, near the eastern bank of the river. He was a good surgeon, and a jovial associate among those whose company he enjoyed.
John S. Hittell, his eldest son, was seven years old when his father arrived in Hamilton. After graduating at Oxford, he read law for a time with the late John Woods, William Beckett being in the office with him. Dyspepsia interrupted his studies, and he never completed them. He went to California in 1849, and, after trying his hand at various occupations, including mining, became one of the editorial writers of the Alta California newspaper, a position which he held, though not continuously, for more than twenty-four years. He was known as a hard worker and careful student, and was soon recognized as an authority in matters relating to the industries and resources of the State. In 1862 he published a book called " The Resources of California," and the seventh edition of it appeared in 1879. " A History of San Francisco," from his pen, was issued in 1878. He has written several other books, numbering at least half a dozen, and has contributed much to cyclopedias and magazines. His range of knowledge is wide, including familiarity with the literature and tongues of Germany, France, Spain, and. Italy. He is a bachelor.
Theodore H. Hittell, his brother, born in 1830, studied law in Cincinnati, and moved to San Francisco in 1855, where he was for a time a journalist, and is now an attorney. He has been engaged in some very heavy law-suits, including the Lick will case and the San Pablo partition suit, in which, rumor says, his fees have amounted to little fortunes. He has been a member of the State Senate, and has compiled several law-books, which are standard authorities ; and perhaps no name appears more frequently than his in the reports of the State Supreme Court. He is married, and has three children.
The youngest living child of Jacob Hittell; Mary, is wife of John W. Killinger, who has represented the Lebanon District, Pennsylvania, for four terms in Congress. Her eldest sister lives in single blessedness.
Dr. William Kelley, who had studied with Dr. R. B. Millikin, practiced several years, probably from 1834 to 1836, and then removed to Mississippi.
On Monday, January 2, 1837, a large portion of the physicians of Butler County met at Blair's Hotel, at the request of Dr. Falconer and one or two other physicians, and organized a county medical association. They adopted the American code of ethics, and agreed upon a fee-bill, the first ever thought of here. Previous to this the ordinary price for a visit was twenty-five cents, and mileage in country practice twenty-five cents a mile ; obstetrical fee from two to three dollars; night practice at the same prices. By this new agreement prices were raised to a dollar for a visit. We give one of the resolutions :
" Resolved (unanimously), That the grade of professional fees this day adopted shall be the standard by which our charges in future shall be regulated, and that our honor as gentlemen and physicians is hereby pledged that we will adhere to it in all cases, except when charity or some motive equally honorable may induce us to depart from it : Provided, That where, from ungentlemanly neighboring physicians or other extreme cases, a physician is certain that his practice will be seriously and permanently injured by an adherence to this code, then he shall be held absolved from the obligation hereby imposed."
It will be seen that this is a most lame and impotent conclusion. It was impossible at that time to maintain barriers so strong.
This period, from 1830 to 1850, is to be distinguished as one of medical ferment. Our fathers practiced their
190 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
art by the best lights then attainable; but it was impossible for them to gain as thorough a knowledge of the human frame and its diseases and remedies as is now practicable. A reaction sprang up in the earlier part of this period against the excessive use of purgatives, bloodletting, and calomel, and soon attained a stronghold among the people. It soon crystallized into a theory that " heat is life, and cold is death," and that whatever tends to weaken the system or reduce the temperature is positively hurtful. This was known as the Thompsonian or botanic school, and in derision its professors were called by their opponents " steam-doctors." They carried about with them, at all times, apparatus to conduct steam from a fire to the patient. Rooms were closed, and the sick thoroughly heated. The apostle of this theory in this neighborhood was then the Rev. Wilson Thompson, pastor of the Baptist Church, who practiced as a botanic or steam physician.
He was really an eloquent man, and he thundered from his pulpit, week after week, denunciations of the " calomel murderers," and even calling them by name. The adherents of the new views rapidly increased in numbers, but an unlucky epidemic destroyed their faith. The cholera was raging one year, after they had acquired this foothold, and in Columbus, where it was particularly 'bad, the deaths were very numerous. The followers of Dr. Samuel Thompson were very unsuccessful. Those that they treated died as fast, if not faster, than those who were treated by the allopaths; and they never recovered from the blow.
Dr. Loammi Rigdon, after the death of Dr. Daniel Millikin, was the senior physician in Hamilton in active practice. He was born in Pennsylvania September 30, 1791, and graduated in medicine at Transylvania Medical College, at Lexington, Kentucky, in 1823. He practiced for eleven months in Wilmington, Ohio, removed to Lebanon in 1824, and in March, 1826, came to Hamilton, and entered into partnership with Dr. John C. Dunlevy. Early in 1834 Dr. Dunlevy removed to Lebanon, and in October of that year Dr. Rigdon took into partnership Dr. Cyrus Falconer for a term of three years. On the 9th of October, 1815, he was married to Rebecca Dunlevy, the oldest daughter of Judge Francis Dunlevy. Dr. Rigdon was for a long time president of the County Medical Society, and died on the 10th of July, 1865. In all the active years of his professional life he had a large medical practice. He was for many years a member of the Baptist Church, and died full of honors as of years.
Butler County has contributed a large number of settlers to California. Among those who studied medicine here before going thither was Alexander B. Nixon, M. D., of. Sacramento, who was born March 1, 1820, in this county, his family being of English, Irish, and Welsh descent. He was educated in the common schools and the Miami University. He was a student of Dr. C. Falconer, of Hamilton, and graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, in 1846, and began the practice of his profession in Hamilton, and continued there until the Spring of 1849, when he emigrated to California, and finally settled in Sacramento, the capital of the State, where he has since been continuously engaged in the general practice of his calling. He has filled the office of president of the State Medical Society, and also the office of secretary ; has been president of the Sacramento County Society, acting as its secretary for a period of three years in succession ; and is now president of the City Board of Health. He also holds the office of commissioner of lunacy, a position which he has occupied during the last twenty-four years, and is the author of a pamphlet upon the subject of insanity, and of late years has written a number of papers upon medical subjects for the medical journals. He is now, and has been during the last twelve years, surgeon-in-chief of the Central Pacific Railroad Hospital. In 1856 he took an active part in the orgarization of the Republican party, and in 1861 was elected State senator on that ticket. During the late civil war he held the office of surgeon of the Board of Enrollment for the Middle District of California. He was married in Hamilton, in 1845, to Margaret Bigham, oldest daughter of the late George R. Bigham. About two years ago, his wife died, leaving him with a family of one daughter wad three sons. He is very much attached to his adopted State, but says the next best place is Butler County, Ohio.
Dr. Loyal Fairman was a physician in Trenton about 1828, remaining there some seven or eight years. He married Mary Todd, of Newport.
Dr. Isaac N. Gard, a son of the Rev. Stephen Gard, the earliest resident preacher in this county, was born in Trenton in 1811, attended the Miami University at Oxford, and graduated at the Ohio Medical University in March, 1831, beginning practice in Jacksonburg the same year, where he continued until 1834. He then went to Greenville, Darke County, where he .has remained ever since, with some brief interruptions, now having been a practitioner over fifty years. In 1841 and 1842 he represented the counties of Darke, Mercer, Shelby, and Miami in the lower house of the Legislature. In 1858 and 1859 he represented the counties of Darke, Miami, and Shelby in the State Senate. He served one year as president of the Greenville and Miami Railroad during its construction, and sixteen years as trustee of the Southern Lunatic Asylum at Dayton.
Dr. Luther Jewett was a native of New England, and came to Trenton in 1834, when he was about twenty-seven years of age. On his first arrival he went into partnership with Dr. Littell; but after awhile he engaged in business on his own account. Trenton and its neighborhood was then almost wholly German, as the Mennonites and other persons from the father-land were on all sides of it, and the Americans were, therefore, driven more closely together than they were elsewhere.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 191
Dr. Jewett formed the life of this society. He was eminently successful as a physician ; but he also displayed great ability in the management of his pecuniary affairs, a point in which the medical ,profession are often remiss. Where other ,physicians lost from one-third to one-half of their accounts, he only lost a trifling percentage. He had a genius for dunning, and did not, remarkable as it may seem, drive away his patients by it. He remained in that town until about 1840, when he removed to Lafayette, Indiana, a place then on the outskirts of civilization. Dr. Jewett succeeded in that city as well as he hat in Trenton, and soon had much money to his credit, His fame was coextensive with that part of the State. After becoming thoroughly settled he went back to Vermont, married a wife, and brought her on. But the variation in the climate and the way of living soon developed a hidden disease, and she died after only six weeks of married life. Dr. Jewett remained in the town till his death, which was about 1865 or 1870, leaving a urge property, valued at over $100,000, behind him. He, was a man of many peculiar ideas. Among others which might be specified, he was an Abolitionist. He denied the right of one man to hold another in bondage, under any circumstances, and he enforced his view with earnestness and ability. It needed some nerve to be an Abolitionist in 1836 or 1840, much more than it did twenty years after. He was an excellent story-teller, and did not grieve when he himself was made the point of some witty story. He was the brother of Dr. Jewett, of Dayton, the president of the board of directors of the insane asylum in that place. In personal appearance he was tall and striking.
About the year 1808, Dr. Little, a very aged gentleman, and his son, who was also a physician, came from Connecticut to the neighborhood of Venice. The elder Little enjoyed a very enviable reputation as a surgeon in the East ; but, owing to the infirmities of age, did only an offrce practice after coming to Ohio. The son, though considered a good physician, did not possess the skill and learning of the father. The elder Little died soon after locating in Ohio, and the son married a Miss Coan, whose brother still survives her, near Venice. After a few years he removed to near Miamitown, where he purchased a farm, and combined the practice of his profession with agriculture. The Littles prepared a salve which, it is said, possessed wonderful healing properties.
Dr. Benjamin T. Clarke, whose numerous progeny survive him, came to the neighborhood of Venice, from New York, in 1814. In 1816 the doctor laid out the western division of the village of Venice, calling it, at that time, Venus. He is described as a tall, spare-built man, well-informed on general topics. The doctor continued to practice until his death, which occurred in 1826.
Contemporary with Dr. Clarke was Dr. John Wood, a large, well-proportioned man. He, with his relatives, the Butterfields, emigrated from New York in 1816. The doctor was very popular, and for a number of years did most of the practice. In 1828 he, with his family, removed to Illinois, where we lose his history. The doctor was a firm believer in the effrcacy of large doses of calomel and the lancet. It is said that he abstracted blood with a lavish hand, and made it his practice to bleed his acute cases daily.
Dr. Blackleach, a native of Warren County, succeeded Dr. Wood in 1828. He practiced his profession in Venice many years. In 1839 he was succeeded by Dr. Prather. During his residence several itinerants paid Venice short visits ; but their names and histories can not be obtained. The doctor was tall, spare-built, stoop-shouldered, and hid very sunken eyes. He was very quiet, but was remarkable for a vein of dry humor. He held almost undisputed sway for many years, removing to Lebanon, Ohio, in 1839, where he continued to live until his death. His daughter still survives him there.
Dr. Prather succeeded Dr. Blackleach in 1839. A short time before leaving his home in Virginia he married a Miss Birckhead. The doctor's sojourn was characterized by turbulence—doctors' wars without number; sometimes maintaining his practice against three competitors. He retired from the contest in 1853, selling his practice to Dr. R. P. Lamb. The doctor removed to the Wabash country of Indiana. He was a medium- sized man, very sociable and well-informed, and a successful practitioner. During his practice quinine, it is said, was first introduced into practice in Venice.
Contemporary with Dr. Prather was Dr. Birckhead, who read medicine with his brother-in-law, Prather, and graduated with honors in the same class with Professor John Davis, of Cincinnati The competition between Davis and Birckhead for the honors of the class wasl very close. After graduating he practiced in competition with his preceptor for about one year, when, losing his wife (formerly Miss Euphemia Dick, of the village), he removed west to Missouri, whence he returned a few years later, broken in health. He never succeeded in establishing a large practice, though he remained a number of years.
In 1841, Dr. Bamford, a successful physician and a good citizen, but a man of feeble health, located for a short time.
Drs. Cogley and Haines, of whom very favorable mention is made, were both located in Venice for a short time. The latter, Dr. Haines, is now at Seven-Mile.
Dr. Scott located in Venice in 1847, and married Miss Margaret Dick, who, with her, son, still survives him in Venice. In 1851 Dr. Scott removed to Paddy's Run, where he soon established a good practice. A few years later he retired, and removed to his farm near Venice. He was arranging to enter the service as a surgeon in the late war, when he died of typhoid fever.
Dr. R P Lamb married Mary Hedges, in Illinois, in 1853. They visited her relatives living in Butler and
192 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Hamilton counties during their wedding-trip. The doctor became infatuated with the charms and beauties of the Miami Valley, and decided to locate in Venice. An offer to sell property and practice, made him by Dr. Prather, was promptly accepted. His social and sympathetic nature soon gave him popularity and patronage. He remained in Venice until his death, which occurred in 1867, in the forty-seventh year of his age.
Dr. Waterhouse located in Venice in 1854, and established a fair practice. In about, two years after coming to Venice he turned his attention to the study of theology, and some ime later entered the Cincinnati Conference as a Methodist minister. He at present resides in
Delaware, Ohio.
Dr. Stevens, brother of the present editor of the Obstetric Gazette, Cincinnati, and son of the pioneer Dr. Stevens, of Warren County, came to Venice from Lebanon in 1858, and remained until the late war began, when he entered tre service as a surgeon. Later we hear of him at Princeton, and at present he is at Westchester, at which place his professional attainments insure him success.
Dr. Phelps, a gentleman of considerable culture, who was educated in his native section of country, the South, and who practiced his profession in Louisiana for some years, came to Venice in 1864. But a love for drink blasted a career which would undoubtedly otherwise have been brilliant. He died rather suddenly, it is supposed, from an internal injury received a short time prior to his death, which occurred in 1866, at the age of thirty-nine years.
Dr. Morris came to Venice, fresh from the scenes of surgical practice in the army, and soon acquired a large practice. The doctor had an itching for surgical cases, which led him to the performance of hazardous and unnecessary operations, in some instances. He performed the operation of lithotomy successfully several times. In general practice he met with ordinary success. He had a large practice, and prospered well in a financial way. He sold his practice to
Dr. Joseph Iutzi in 1871. His leaving Venice was the beginning of a succession of misfortunes, which followed one close on the heels of another. We hear of him last as a vender of Morris's Elixir of Wild Cherry.
Contemporary with Dr. Morris was Dr. Moor, who made but a brief sojourn, removing to Groesbeck, Hamilton County, a dozen years ago. Although not very successful in competing with his bombastic opponent, his name and character are remembered to-day in Venice with high respect.
Dr. Joseph Iutzi, a native of this county, and the successor of Dr. Morris, practiced in Venice from 1871 to 1878. Dr. Iutzi possessed very fair professional attainments, and met with good success in his practice. He moved to Richmond, Indiana, and soon established a good practice, and is fast advancing to the front rank among the physicians of that city.
Contemporary with Dr. Iutzi was Dr. S. R. Hamer, who also located in 1871. The doctor had an extensive expemience in the army, and practiced several years in the neighboring village, Paddy's Run. The doctor was a very companionable person, and his jovial manner and social disposition soon won him a large circle of friends and a lucrative practice, which he enjoyed until the close of his career as a physician.
In the Spring of 1880 he engaged in the business of dealing in and selling real estate on commission, in Denver, Colorado, where he has prospered very well
The physicians at present—Dr. C. C. Hoover and Dr. M. O. Butterfield—are both young men, and both graduates of the Ohio Medical College.
Polly Bell, Katy Parker, and Betsey Pottinger were the first midwives in Jacksonburg. Betsey Pottinger came to Ohio in 1802 or 1803, from Nicholas County, Kentucky. Dr Ellis was the first physician. He left the place in 1820, and located in Indiana, and afterwards was elected auditor of the State.
Dr. Otho Evans, now a resident of Franklin, Warren County, and who has been so since 1827, located at Jacksonburg, April 21, 1821, and remained there six years. At that time Middletown had two physicians, and Hamilton three or four, Trenton one, one at Oxford, one at Camden, two at Eaton, one at Germantown, and two at Franklin. During the six years that Dr. Evans was here, the Miami and Erie Canal was commenced, and Ohio inaugurated the free-school system. The roads were in a terrible condition. There was not a bridge over four feet wide in the township, nor a buggy in the State. About that time the Dearborn wagons, with wooden springs, were introduced. The following gentlemen were students of Dr. Evans : Lewis Evans, Johnson I. Phares, John C. Fall, John P. Haggott, and Pliny M. Crume.
Dr. Lewis Evans located' at Middletown, and then removed to Wayne County, Indiana. He crossed the plains to California in 1849 or 1850, and died four or five years ago.
John I. Phares located at Paris, Illinois, but removed to Fort ,Madison, Iowa, dying, after a day or two of sickness, on October 22, 1842.
Pliny M. Crume was born in Wayne Township, in 1803, about one mile east of Seven-Mile. He married and located at Astoria, Madison Township, whence he removed to Eaton, Ohio, where he died in 1869. Dr. Crume was professor of obstetrics in the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery for several years.
John P. Haggott, who was located at West Chester from 1828 to 1830, formed a partnership with his preceptor at Franklin, and was there twelve years. He then removed to Sidney, Ohio, and edited a newspaper until the war broke out in 1861. On the 3d of October of that year he was appointed surgeon of the Fifty-seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. At Pittsburg Land-
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 193
ing, immediately after the battle of Shiloh, he was attacked with camp diarrhoea, and was removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he died, April 30, 1862.
John C. Fall located at Lewisburg, Preble County, having a lucrative practice for twenty-five years. He became a convert to " small pills," making a failure of it, and dying, in 1876, at Xenia, Ohio, a broken-hearted man. From the day he embraced the new faith disaster followed him. •
William Miller came here in 1834 or 1835, and left, in 1855, for Minnesota. He was a paralytic for years, and died in 1876. Dr. Miller advocated the theory that the blood of a black cat would cure shingles.
Dr. Lurton Dunham was here in 1837, but removed to Camden, where he accumulated wealth, and died about ten years ago, from an overdose of chloroform.
Dr. Smiley was here in 1845 or 1846, and bought a farm in section 20, Wayne Township, on " Wayne's trace." He combined both professions, and afterwards removed to Piqua, where he is still engaged in the practice of his profession.
Dr. Nathan Stubbs was a student of Dr. Miller, and located in Minnesota, where he died in 1865.
Dr. Ayres located on Gregory's Creek, where he died only a- short time since. He was a member of the Medical Society.
John S. Gowen was in Jacksonburg a short time, but died in Hamilton a year or two ago.
Drs. Hancock and Pinkerton were also in Jacksonburg.
In 1848 Dr. Lawder went to that village from Germantown, dying of cholera in 1849. In that year Jacksonburg and neighborhood was terribly scourged by cholera, there being nearly thirty deaths ; thirteen deaths were in one house. Almost every case was fatal.
Dr. Hibbard died at Seven-Mile of cholera. He was to have been married to Miss Mary, daughter of Colonel W. W. Phares, the week following his death.
Dr. Jones died in 1849 of cholera.
John H. Baker, and Messrs. Grant and Pressley, undergraduates, volunteered their services during the cholera scourge. Dr. Baker located at Waterproof, Louisiana, before the rebellion. Dr. Grant located south of Lebanon, on the farm of his wife, and afterwards removed West. Dr. Pressley, while here, was the guest of the Rev. John H. Thomas. Miss Lydia, his daughter, was a beautifdl and accomplished young lady, and it was a case of love at first sight. Dr. Pressley was an ardent lover, and the tender passion was reciprocated. Dr. Pressley returned to Cincinnati, where he died of cholera in a few days.
Among the Patterson papers bills were found receipted as follows :
1831. Drs. Dunlevy and Rigdon, 6 visits, 8 miles, - $9 00
John H. Thomas, shroud, - 3 62
Henry Andrews, coffin (walnut), - 8 00
Total amount of funeral expenses, - $20 62
The coffin was hauled to the grave in a two-horse wagon, the funeral services being held a week or two afterwards. The first hearse was brought to Jacksonburg about 1845.
In 1850 Dr. John Corson opened an office here, remaining until 1863, when he removed to Middletown.
April, 1862, W. A. McCully formed a partnership with Dr. Corson, and remained until the August following, when he was appointed surgeon of one of the colored regiments, remaining until he was mustered out of service, at the close of the rebellion. He located at Trenton, but remained only a short time.
April 1, 1863, Dr. J. B. Owsley succeeded Dr. John Corson.
The earliest physician of Middletown was Dr. Carlton Waldo. He came to that town shortly after the war of 1812, and remained there until the period of his death, which happened on July 31, 1831, then being fifty-one years of age. He was a native of New Hampshire. He was remarkable for calmness and serenity of mind, and died highly respected.
Dr. Andrew Campbell was born at Franklin, Ohio, on the twenty-second day of June, 1807. His parents were pioneers of Revolutionary stock, mainly of Scotch ancestry, and educated beyond the usual attainments of their day. His father died in 1846 ; but his mother, at the advanced age of ninety-six years, is living on the farm to which she emigrated in the last century. Andrew's youth was spent at Franklin, accessible to but limited advantages for mental culture. He made the best possible use of them, however, acquiring the higher branches of English study and a solid groundwork of classics upon which to build his future professional training. He was an eager student, and his well-thumbed " Virgil Delphini" and other text-books are yet preserved and treasured by his descendants. His mind developed rapidly, and his desire for learning increased with his store of general knowledge ; so that, in mature years, he was widely known for varied and extended information, especially upon sciences kindred to his profession.
At twenty-one he entered the office of Dr. Otho Evans, Sr., of Franklin, and attended the usual course of study at the Medical College of Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1830. His intention in choosing this profession was to become a naval surgeon, and his early studies, as well as his subsequent practice, were such as to perfect him in surgery, to which he was exceedingly devoted. He abandoned his early design, however, at his mother's request, and, in the Spring of 1831, opened an office at Middletown. There he soon entered upon a large practice, which he retained until his removal to Hamilton in the Fall of 1848.
During these years of active and laborious practice at Middletown, his reputation as a successful physician was wide-spread, and many students sought his offrce.
194 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Among those who profited by his teaching, and became a credit to their preceptor, were Dr. Samuel Hyndman, Sr., now deceased, Dr. W. W. Caldwell, and Dr. John Corson.
In March, 1835, he married Laura P. Reynolds, daughter of John P. Reynolds, Sr., an early merchant of Middletown, and by her had two children—Laura S., who died in 1865, and James E., now residing at Hamilton.
Dr. Campbell's removal to Hamilton was prompted by the hope of a less toilsome practice, which his failing health demanded ; but the unprecedented labor of the "cholera Summer "-1849—and the spread of small-pox in the following Winter, drew too heavily upon him. An attack of whooping-cough, succeeded by a long siege of laryngitis and bronchitis, marked the end of his career, and, on the fifth day of September, 1851, at the old homestead near Franklin, he breathed his last.
His character was that of a high-minded, generous man, affectionate in his family, and pre-eminently honorable in all the affairs of life. As a physician he was in high repute for thorough but speedy diagnosis, prompt and skillful surgery, and advanced methods of treatment. In appearance he was prepossessing, having a rather spare and very erect figure, a quick but dignified movement, clear blue eyes, thick, dark hair, and an expressive face, always smoothly shaven, and slightly bronzed by exposure.
The following extracts, taken from the letters of two prominent friends of Dr. Campbell, speak for themselves. One says : " He had a look and bearing which never failed to impress even the most superficial observer with the fact that he was a man of no ordinary cast. Courage, justice, and generosity were his prominent traits. So strongly did they mark him that he could not do a mean or selfish act." The other says : " I have had the good fortune to know some of the most eminent physicians of the day-have been present when they prescribed ; but I have yet to meet one who so thoroughly examined all the symptoms, habits of life, temperament, etc., of his patients, or whom I deemed his superior in the profession. He was one of the best, most generous, and self-sacrificing men I ever knew."
One of the earlier physicians of Butler County was Dr. Peter Van Derveer, of Middletown. He was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, on the 12th of March, 1798. His father was Colonel Henry Van Derveer, a substantial farmer, who at one time held a colonel's commission among the volunteers called upon by the government to put down the whisky rebellion in Pennsylvania. The family came to New York from Holland about the year 1645, and during the Revolutionary war were active partisans on the side of liberty.
The subject of this sketch received a collegiate education, and commenced the study of medicine and surgery in 1817. We find among his papers a certificate showing his attendance at the New York Hospital, and signed by David Hosack, Wright Post, Valentine Mott, and other physicians famous in the history of medicine in this Country. His diploma was issued to him by the Medical Society of the State of New Jersey, and is dated July 9, 1818, and signed by John Vancleve, president.
Shortly after graduating, he determined to make the West his home, and, with his horse, saddle, and pill-bags, started for Ohio. Early in the year 1819 he came- to Middletown, and, after a short delay, passed on to the village of Salsbury, Indiana. Here, however, he remained but a few months, when he returned to Middletown, where he permanently located. The practice of his profession required that he should spend a great part of his time in the saddle. Patients were scattered, the roads and bridle-paths sometimes scarcely marked by a blazing. There were none of the luxurious modes, now so common, for traveling. The physician of that day, in this Western world, had to depend upon his horse to take him to the cabins where duty called ; and it was only a strong, healthy body and a heroic spirit that could endure the hardships incident to exposure to storms at all hours of. the day and night. His practice was along both banks of the Great Miami, and required that he should frequently cross its waters. When the stream was swollen, it was a somewhat dangerous task, as there were no bridges, and but a single ferry. The writer of this has heard Dr. Van Derveer describe his many escapes from a watery grave, when compelled to swim his horse through its rushing waters to reach patients whose condition required immediate relief. In the year 1822 he was married to Miss Mary Ann Dickey, who lived only about two years after her marriage, leaving a son, Ferdinand. His second wife was Miss Mary Ann Hubble, whom he married in 1826, and with whom he lived until 1849, when she died, leaving several sons and daughters. He had been early in life an attendant upon the Dutch Reformed Church of New Jersey, but never united with any denomination until about the year 1837, when he joined the Presbyterian Church, and remained a consistent member until his death. For a long time he was an elder in the Church at Middletown.
Although belonging to the allopathic school of medicine, he always met the practitioners of other schools with courtesy, and treated all with consideration, especially in the later years of his life, when he never refused to consult with physicians of other creeds.
At the time he settled in Ohio, there were but few graduates of the medical colleges to be found in the woods, and the fact that he carried a diploma, and had been an attendant upon the hospital lectures in New York, gave him a high place in the estimation of the public.
In a newspaper notice of his death we find the following : " If he differed in sentiment concerning a point of pathology, diagnosis, or practice, he expressed himself row
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 195
with the modesty of a gentleman; and the kindly feelings of a professional brother. In his intercourse with his patients his conduct was regulated by the nicest sense of honor ; his moral character was cast in the finest and purest mold ; his conduct in all phases of life was squared by the strictest rules of honesty and by the nicest regard for the feelings of others."
The exposures and hardships attendant upon the earlier years of his practice told on his once vigorous constitution, and he became feeble, and suffered from ill-health in the latter part of his life. He died on the 17th of January, 1861, at his home in Middletown.
Dr. Joshua Stevens practiced for a long time in Monroe. He was born in the State of Maine, March 21, 1794, and was graduated in 1819, in the College of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1820 came to this State, and settled in the village of Monroe, where he remained until 1847, when he removed to Lebanon, Warren County. During his residence in Ohio he was in the active practice of his profession until about seven years before his death, which happened on the 2d of May, 1871, when he met with an accident which incapacitated him from professional duties, 'and after that time was an invalid. He had a partner for some time in Dr. Blackleach, and left three sons—Edwin Bruce, Algernon Sidney, and Hudson Blackleach. The two former became physicians.
Ex-representative and treasurer Dr. E. H. Gaston died at his home near Reily, in September, 1877, of heart disease. He was sixty-five years of age, and was born in New Jersey, coming to Butler County in 1833. In 1859 he was elected' treasurer of Butler County. In 1864 he was elected to the Legislature of Ohio, an office he filled for two terms with honor. He was a Free Mason, and was buried according to the rites of that order. He left a wife and several children.
Among the settlers who established themselves in the vicinity of Darrtown early in the century was a Mr. Cooper, who migrated from South Carolina because he hated slavery, though otherwise he liked that State exceedingly, and always considered his residence in Ohio as a serious sacrifice to the cause of freedom. One of his sons, born in Butler County, named Elias, became an able surgeon, and moved to San Francisco, where he occupied a prominent place in the medical profession, finally dying there about 1867.
A daughter of the pioneer Cooper, married to a Mr. Lane, gave birth, about 1833, near Darrtown, to a. son, who received the baptismal name of Levi Cooper. Under the influence of his uncle Elias he studied medicine, and after completing his education in Europe, became a surgeon in the United States navy. This position gave him much leisure, which was probably his predominant motive in obtaining the appointment, and he devoted himself most industriously to his books, making himself thoroughly familiar with the minutia of anatomy, physi ology, and surgery, besides reading the Greek and Latin classics, and making himself familiar with the literature of France, Germany, and Spain, and accustoming himself to speak the tongues of those nations fluently. About 1860 he left the navy to become the partner of his uncle Elias, and when the health of the latter began to fail, Dr. L. C. Lane assumed his place as professor of surgery in what was then the only medical college on the Pacific coast, speedily developing rare excellence as a teacher. His lectures were fluent, conversational in tone, clear in idea, full of original methods of illustrating his subjects, humorous, pointed, and sometimes eloquent. In his surgical practice he was not less successful than in his lectures. The more the profession and the community learned of him, the more they liked him ; and his reputation grew rapidly, until now he is the first surgeon on the Pacific Slope, and the country physicians, from Alaska to Sonora, send their most difficult cases to him. Scarcely a day passes without a number of serious operations. With a very extensive experience in public hospitals (he has been visiting surgeon of several), as well as in his very large private practice, he has an excellent opportunity to learn nearly every thing that can be learned by the constant use of the knife for many years. He, however, does not trust to his, observation alone, but every day studies some book on surgery or anatomy— English, German, French, or Italian—so as to keep all the details fresh in his mind and ready for instantaneous use. He is extremely cool in the midst of the greatest responsibility, and full of the most careful consideration for the physical and mental sufferings of his patients. His manner is genial, commanding the highest confidence of all who come into his charge. He has the name of being extremely kind to the indigent, not only attending them without pay, but .often providing for their wants until they are able to work. He is a successful author, and is a man of much influence. He had a narrow escape with his life while attacked by pneumonia, in February, 1881, and it was said, by well-informed persons, that there was no man in San Francisco whose death would cause deeper or more wide-spread sorrow.
Dr. John McMechan died at Darrtown, Butler County, Ohio, on Sunday, March 21, 1880, of consumption, aged sixty-nine years and eight months, having almost reached his " three-score years and ten." He was born in Ireland in the year 1810, and came to America with his parents when he was but six months old. Being a very delicate child, and sick when he sailed from the Emerald Isle, his parents expected to bury him in the sea ; and, in order to keep him as long as possible from being swallowed by the monsters of the " briny deep," they took the precaution of bringing a coffin and shroud along with them, to be prepared for the trial. But he landed safely with his father, mother, brother, and sisters—Mrs. Margaret Gilmore, of the " Beech," and Mrs. Dr. Winton, of Wabash, Indiana. His father, David
196 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
McMechan, settled in Seven-Mile, Butler County, in 1810, and lived there the rest of his life.
At that early day there were no schools convenient where he could have his children educated, and as John was the one he had chosen, of his three sons, to educate for some of the learned professions, he sent him to Hamilton when he was quite young, to go to school, and board with his aunt, Mrs. Margery McMechan, who was a sister of his mother. His aunt had a son named John, and two Johns in one family made it a little awkward ; btft as one of the Johns was very tall, and the other rather short, they were familiarly called "Big John" and "Little John." Dr. McMechan was very nearly related to the late Mrs. C. K. Smith, and to Mrs. Jesse Corwin, of Hamilton, their fathers being brothers, and their mothers sisters. His father sent him from the Hamilton school to Oxford,.to the Miami University, where he was graduated in the second class. One of his class-mates was General Robert C. Schenck, and one of his room-mates was Caleb B. Smith, once Secretary of the Interior. He then went back to Hamilton, studying medicine with Drs. Dunlevy and Rigdon, and began the practice of his profession in 1835. He graduated at the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, in 1851, and married Miss Sarah Bacon, the mother of Dr. J. C. McMechan, of Cincinnati, who was his only child. His mother died when he was but an infant. His father married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Leopold, who survives him. Dr. John McMechan was a kind and genial gentleman, always in a good humor, and making sunshine wherever he went. He was an excellent physician, and had a large practice all over Butler County, and, until the last few years of his life, when his health and energy had failed, was kept very busy. He was a physician for the poor as well as for the rich.
Oxford did not become settled as early as most of the other townships. It was a grant from the general government, and its first inhabitants were squatters, who moved there before they could get a legal title to their lands. They were of the very poorest class, and by no means intellectual or industrious. Neither were they exempt from the common vices, such as drunkenness and horse and hog stealing. The opening of the Miami University began to have its effect, and gradually the first class of settlers began to migrate westward, and a somewhat better class to take their place. The early physicians of the township certainly had a hard tine to keep body and soul together. Just who they were can not now be told. The first of whom we can gain any positive information was Dr. James R. Hughs, whose father, the Rev. Mr. Hughs, was pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and conducted the grammar-school that preceded the university. Dr. Hughs died on the 8th of August, 1839, and a funeral sermon, which was afterwards published, was preached on the occasion by the Rev. Dr. Bishop. He had been a resident there for more than twenty years, and was for a long time the sole physician of the place. He took a deep interest in the neighborhood, and in every thing that could promote its interests. He was twice married, by the first union having three children. Residents of Oxford can still recollect him, with his old appearance„ curved spine, and great hump back. He was the first preceptor of Dr. R. C. Huston.
The next in order, as remembered, was Dr. James M. Corey, who was married three times, and graduated three sons at the Miami University, and two at the Ohio Medical College. Both of these latter are prominent men in their profession at San Jose, California. Dr. Corey was genial and rubicund in countenance and gentlemanly in deportment.
Then came, for a short time, Dr. Pliny M. Crume, Dr. Joel Fithian, and Dr. Edward Shiel, now mayor of the city of Portland, Oregon.
This brings up the list to the year 1840. From that time, and up to 1850, there was the accession
of Dr. Thomas Boude, Dr. Waters, Dr. Joseph Waterman, and Messrs. A. McAlister, Benjamin F. Corey, A. MacDill, James Garver, Alexander Porter, C. G. Goodrich, J. H. Morrison, and R. L. Rhea, the latter being now the professor in the Rush College, at Chicago, Illinois
From 1850 to 1860 there appeared Dr. R. C. Huston, Dr. Henry Saunders, Dr. H. Bodman, Dr. E. L. Hill, Dr. A. Barnett, Dr. R. Brooks, and Dr. John Parks. In the decade from 1860 to 1870 Messrs. Hugh Gilchrist, Judah Hinkley, Dan Trimbley, John Garver, George Munns, and Pinkerton and Smith. This closes the list of members of the regular profession in the village of Oxford up to 1870, since which time may be added Dr. James M. Saunders, Dr. J. B. Porter, and Dr. H. Hinkley.
Outside of the village of Oxford there have, for a long time been physicians settled at College Corner About the year 1836 Dr. W. H. Scobey, now of Hamilton, was located there, although a rod or two out of the limits of Butler County. Dr. Brice Purcill was once a Thompsonian, but, after a time, discarded that theory, and used mercury freely, and was no novice in the use of the lancet. In 1841 Dr. Huston first went to the Corner, and in 1842 took in as a partner R. D. Herron, who, at the end of a year, removed to Millville, afterwards going to Montgomery County. After Dr. Herron came Dr. J. B. Kerr and Dr. Campbell, and, in 1851, Dr. A. D. Hawley, to whom Dr. Huston sold his property, leaving him an unincumbered 'field. But he soon had company. Dr. Purcill, who, a few years before, had removed to Terre Haute, Indiana, returned to College Corner. Then came, one after the other, two of the Chitwoods, John and George. Soon followed Dr. Henry Garver, and, lately, Dr. Z. Hastings.
Of the gentlemen whose names are recorded in the two places of Oxford and College Corner, the following
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - 197
are dead : James R. Hughs, James M. Corey, A. McAlister, Pliny M. Crume, G. C. Goodrich, Brice Purcill, Hugh Gilchrist, Judah Hinkley, Dr. Smith, H. Bodman, D. Trimbley, Joseph Waterman, Henry Saunders, and Joseph Kerr. Drs. Waterman and Waters were both clergymen, in addition.
Among those of later date who practiced in Hamilton, we find the advertisements, in 1848, of Dr. Andrew Campbell, of Middletown, whose office here was in Campbell's building, south-west corner, and residence Hamilton Hotel ; DI. J. M. Williamson, in Basin Street, in 1846; Francisco Ciolina, M: D., " formerly private physician to. Prince Louis Napoleon," in the residence of Mr. S. Snively, in Rossville, in 1847 ; S. Braden, in Rossville, in 1846, over Mr. J. Curtis's store ; Dr. McFarland, one door west of Millikin & Bebb's law office, in 1839 ; Dr. Riddell, in Rossville, in 1838 ; Dr. H. Symmes, over Dr. Latta's drug-store, in Rossville, in 1837; Rigdon & Going, in 1852; and Dr. Eli Vance, at the head of the basin, at his drug-store, in 1847.
BUTLER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The first medical society of Butler County was organized January 1, 1836, Dr. Daniel Millikin being president and Dr. J. Fithian vice-president. Dr. G. W. Riddell Was secretary.
After a long interval, in which no meetings Were held, the physicians of Hamilton and Rossville met in the office of Dr. Falconer on the 26th of December, 1848, for the purpose of reorganizing. The constitution and by-laws were adopted and signed by Drs. D. Mullikin, L. Rigdon, J. Hittell, C. Falconer, W. H. Scobey, William Huber, J. M. Williamson, S. Braden, L. J. Smith, and S. Millikin. The society was entitled the Hamilton Medical Society, and the following were made the officers: President, L. Rigdon ; vice-president, J. Hittell ; secretary, S. Braden ; treasurer, W. H. Scobey ; librarian, L. J. Smith ; censors, C. Falconer, A. Campbell, and William Huber.
At the next meeting, February 17, 1849, the names of Drs. A. Campbell, William Miller, George Graham, George Wyman, and C. W. Prather were added, and Dr. Van Derveer was elected an honorary member. At this meeting the code of ethics of the National Medical Association was adopted as the code of the society, together with a fee-bill reported by Drs. Falconer and S. Millikin. The president read an inaugural address on the " Races of Men and their Geographical Distribution."
On the 3d of October, 1849, it was agreed to make the meetings quarterly instead of monthly. At the yearly meeting, held in January, 1850, David Christy, of Oxford, was elected an honorary member, and the old officers were re-elected, with the exception that G. Wyman took the place of J. Hittell as vice-president ; William Huber as secretary, instead of S. Braden ; and J. M. Williamson, J. G. Marshall, and S, Millikin as censors, instead of C. Falconer, A. Campbell, and William Huber.
On the 3d of April Drs. Falconer and Millikin were appointed delegates to the National Medical Association.
January 1, 1851, Dr. Rigdon was re-elected president, and Dr. Scobey was elected vice-president. Dr. Falconer was made treasurer. In September of that year Drs. Huber, Wyman, and Millikin were appointed a committee to draft a petition to the Legislature, praying for the erection of two additional lunatic asylums, one to be located on the lake shore and the other at Hamilton, and at a subsequent meeting Dr. Falconer was added. Drs. Scobey, Huber, and Rigdon were appointed a committee to prepare a report on the influence of the dams in the Big Miami River on the health of the two towns. This was afterwards read.
At the meeting in July, 1853, resolutions were adopted by the society, looking for their security against persons who never paid. Members were requested to prepare lists of those who would not pay, and a list of incorrigible cases was to be left with the secretary. Transient people were to pay cash.
At this meeting a constitution was adopted, and ordered to be printed. It is there declared to be the Butler County Medical Society, instead of an assemblage of the phycians of Hamilton and Rossville.
At the meeting in January, 1857, the following changes in the fee-bills were adopted : Fifty cents per mile in all cases where twenty-five cents had previously been charged ; one dollar per hour for detention in the day-time, in lieu of fifty cents, and making the addition of fifty per cent to the ordinary day charges for night- work imperative, instead of optional. The fee-bill, as amended, was for the first visit, with advice, $1.25 ; subsequent visits, $1; additional visits on the same day, fifty cents ; medicines being included in these charges when only small amopts were given,
No meeting appears to have been held between January, 1861, and April, 1863.
In 1865 the society suffered a serious loss in the death of Dr. Loammi Rigdon, its president. Appropriate resolutions were passed, deploring the calamity, and reciting his virtues. At the next meeting Dr. J. A. Coons was elected president. In 1867 Dr. Falconer was chosen to that office.
The society during these years seems to have done its duty in investigations of the county buildings, and in advice to the City Council of Hamilton respecting cholera, the yellow fever, malarious diseases, etc. One report was taken in high dudgeon by the directors of the infirmary.
In July, 1867, the society received an invitation from the Union Medical Society, inviting the Butler County Medical Society to meet with the societies of Preble County, Ohio, and Fayette and Union counties, Indiana, at Oxford, in October. This was accepted ; and Drs.
198 - HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
McNeeley, Scobey, and Dudley were appointed to make all necessary arrangements. This meeting was held, and similar ones have continued down to the present time, with great advantage to the members.
Dr. Coons, at the next meeting, introduced resolutions in which were set forth the gross incivility with which this society had been treated by the Ohio Medical Society, in defiance of its own rules and of all courtesy, and declaring that the Butler County Society was, therefore, obliged to withdraw, which were adopted. The State society afterwSrds reversed its plan of action, and the society again joined.
A called meeting in December, 1871, passed resolutions in honor of Dr. John W. Gale, who had died. In 1876 the meetings were changed from quarterly to monthly.
The following is a list at the presidents from the beginning :
1848. Loammi Rigdon.
1866. Israel A. Coons
1867. Cyrus Falconer.
1869. W. W. Caldwell.
1870. John Corson.
1871. W. H. Scobey
1872. A. Hancock.
1873. H. Beauchamp.
1874. William Huber.
1876. F. W. Major.
1877. Cyrus Falconer.
1878. H. Saunders.
1879. James Macready.
1880. R. C. Huston.
1881. Dan Millikin.
1882. T. A. Dickey.
MEMBERS OF BUTLER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
1848. Loammi Rigdon, died May, 1865.
1848. Daniel Millikin, died November, 1849.
1848. Cyrus Falconer.
1848. William Huber.
1849. William Miller, removed.
1849. George Wyman, removed.
1849. Thomas Graham, expelled.
1849. Andrew Campbell, dead.
1849. S. Braden, expelled.
1849. L. J. Smith, removed.
1849. C. W. Prather, removed.
1849. J. M. Williamson, removed.
1849. S. Millikin, removed.
1849. William H. Scobey.
1849. J. G. Marshall, dead.
1850. W. T. Going, removed.
1850. A. H. Landis, removed.
1851. A. B. Nixon, removed.
1851. Joseph Richardson, removed.
1853. A. Hancock.
1853. John Corson.
1853. C. G. Goodrich, removed.
1853. S. Hanbury Smith.
1853. I. C. Woolley, removed.
1853. Joseph Braden, removed.
1854. A. A. Barnett, removed.
1854. R. L. Rhea, removed.
1854. F. D. Morri, died September 23, 1864.
1854. A. B. Luse, removed.
1855. H. Beauchamp, dead.
1857. R. B. Millikin, honorary member, dead.
1857. J. E. Patterson, removed.
1857. Mason Haines.
1857. J. T. Ellsworth, removed.
1858. W. W. Caldwell.
1858. R. P. Lamb, dead.
1864. J. S. McNeeley.
1864. George W. Garver, removed.
1864. Israel A. Coons, removed.
1864. John F. Brown, expelled.
1864. J. B. Owsley.
1865. F. W. Major, removed.
1865. John W. Gale, dead.
1865. Max Scheller, removed.
1865. B. K. Morris, expelled.
1865. Chris. Forster, expelled.
1866. J. B. McDill, removed.
1866. A. B. Luse, Jr., removed.
1866. B. W. Dudley, Jr., removed.
1866. J. Macready.
1866. W. E. Scobey, removed.
1867. S. E. Hyndman, removed.
1867. F. E. Morris, removed.
1868. H. A. Bodman, removed.
1868. R. C. Huston.
1868. H. D. Hinckley, removed.
1869. Edward L. Hill
1869. Henry Saunders, dead.
1869. J. C. Patchell, removed.
1869. S. S. Beeler.
1869. Alfred Ayres, dead.
1870. George F. Thomin, removed.
1871. Anton Schreibenzuber, removed.
1874. Jeremiah M. Hunt, removed.
1875. Dan Millikin.
1876. Lee Corbin, removed.
1876. G. F. Cook.
1876. H. B. Stevens, removed.
1877. T. A. Dickey.
1877. A. Myers.
1877. Joseph Iutzi, removed.
1878. J. V. Fitzpatrick.
1878. John Cass.
1878. Charles C. Hoover.
1878. R. E. Pryor.
1879. George Silver.
1879. George B. Evans, removed.
1879. George C. Skinner.
1880. C. A. L. Reed.
1880. J. J. Strecker.
1880. John G. Reed, removed.
1881. A. N. Ellis.
1881. C. H. Von Klein.
1882. R. C. S. Reed.