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CHAPTER XXVII.

FREMONT--MEDICAL.

*Sanitary History and the Medical Profession.

THOSE who have traveled over Sandusky county within the past ten or twenty years can form but an imperfect idea of this region, then known as the Black Swamp, between twenty-five and forty years ago. There can not probably

*NOTE.—We are under obligations to all the physicians who have furnished information for this chapter, but especially to Dr. John B. Rice and Dr. Thomas Stillwell, for interesting contributions, and to Dr. James W. Wilson for the special interest he has taken in having the subject fully presented

be found elsewhere a richer or more durable soil. The farms are now mostly well improved, and their owners occupy commodious dwellings, constructed not merely with reference to furnishing comfortable homes for their occupants, but with due regard to appearances. The barns and other out-buildings are large and pleasing to the eye, and afford ample room for storing and sheltering the immense crops and improved stock that now reward

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the farmer's toil and intelligent enterprise. The land is adequately drained, for the numerous creeks that help to swell the Sandusky, the Portage, and the Maumee, afford every desirable facility toward this end. Thorough ditching, and in many instances tile under-drainage, and the removal of dead timber from the small streams, have accomplished the rest.

The roads are generally well improved, many of them macadamized, and the bridges safe and of good construction.

How remarkable is the change! Formerly, where now are large farms, there were only small clearings of a few acres each, fairly covered with stumps and "girdled" or deadened trees. The small log cabin, with its chimney of sticks and clay, puncheon floors and clapboard roof, and the little log stable, were the means of protection from wind and weather erected by the hardy pioneers, generally with their own hands, assisted by willing neighbors on the day of "raising." The small produce of the soil and the stock were generally kept without shelter. The unthreshed grain, hay, and fodder were systematically stacked to favor shedding the rain. Potatoes and other vegetables were covered in "pits," in the absence of cellars. The pigs ran at large, and fattened well on hickory nuts and acorns. A little corn was fed for a brief period before butchering, to "harden the fat." The grain saved from the ravages of blackbirds and raccoons was required for bread, and for the work-horses and oxen that richly earned their share for the hard work performed among the logs and stumps. The driver was often noisy, and by no means choice in his expressions.

In those days there were few roads worthy of the name, and the best of these were mostly thickly set with stumps and dead trees, and scarcely passable for teams during the spring and fall. In the worstplaces, where they were otherwise impassable, causeways were made of logs, often of unequal size, placed side by side. This constituted the now obsolete "corduroy road," which, serving a useful purpose in its time, one can not now contemplate without a shudder, remembering the horrible jolting of the springless vehicles that passed over them, and the almost unfathomable mud-hole with which they commenced and ended. There were few bridges, and these of very primitive construction, and often unsafe. The prudent horseman often went round them, or dismounted in crossing.

The swales and small creeks were so obstructed by fallen trees, that had accumulated as driftwood, that the flow of water was greatly hindered, and when there was much rain it overflowed the adjacent land. A large part of the rain-fall disappeared by evaporation, and slow percolation through the soil. The well water, especially where the land was particularly wet, was colored and flavored by decaying vegetation.

The prevailing diseases during this period, in Sandusky county, were the same as were encountered during a similar era in all Northwestern Ohio, and in Indiana and Michigan, as well as elsewhere. They were of miasmatic origin, and most prevalent in the autumnal months. Some seasons hardly an inhabitant escaped. Occasionally the fevers were especially malignant. The remittent form of fever was generally, however, amenable to treatment, but still always regarded as a serious malady. When not of the pernicious or congestive type, the cases of intermittent fever were usually promptly relieved by remedies. This was, however, by no means so with the chronic intermittent, or ague, which was also most prevalent in the fall, and yet had a fashion of staying around during the rest of the year. Whether the

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attack occurred daily, or every second or third day, its coming on was seldom a surprise. Its pale and sallow victims were often discouraged by the recurrence of the disease upon the slightest exposure. They wearied of the doctors' monotonously bitter doses, and themselves scoured the woods plucking and digging after indigenous "sure cures." It was an open question among the people whether it were better to try any cure at all, or to bravely "wear it out."

As prevalent as miasmatic fevers were in those days, the improvement of the county gradually effected a decided change for the better, until now Sandusky county is as free from this class of disease as any part of Northwestern Ohio. It is doubtful, indeed, whether any part of Ohio is now more salubrious. Within recent years this region has enjoyed a fair degree of exemption from epidemic diseases. The year 1834 was probably the most dreadful in the history of this locality, made so by a terrible cholera scourge. In August of that year a boat load of emigrants came from Buffalo, among whom was a travelling man. The traveller, upon the arrival of the boat at our landing, came up to the Western House, then the leading hotel of Northwestern Ohio. A man named Marsh was the landlord. The emigrants encamped on the bottom near the landing. During the night after his arrival the stranger in the hotel was taken sick. He requested the presence of a Free Mason, if there were any in the village, and Harvey J. Harman was sent for. Mr. Harman attended the stranger during the night and until he died in the morning. Drs. Brainard and Rawson pronounced cholera the cause of death. The village was panic-stricken. Harman, in a couple of days, died, and then Marsh, the landlord of the Western House, and his wife. All who could get away left town, and withfew exceptions, those who could not get away closed their houses and admitted no one. The Olmsteds went into the country, leaving their store and the post office in charge of Mr. Everett. Dr. Anderson would see no one, and I)r. Brainard was himself attacked but recovered. At the beginning of the scourge death followed attack quickly. An old bachelor—Billy Stripe who lived east of the town, came in one day and was seized on the street. He found refuge on a pile of shavings in a new building being erected on the corner of Croghan and Front streets, and in a few hours was dead. The emigrants' camp down by the landing was a place of indescribable suffering. Many of them died without attendance, and the living could scarce bury the dead. Joel Everett was one day passing this encampment on his way home from Lower Sandusky. He had not gone far before the dread disease compelled him to stop. The neighbors dared not take him into their houses, but built a tent over him by the roadside and provided a bed, on which he died on the following day. He was buried near his lonely death-bed.

The scourge lasted about three weeks, and the percentage of mortality was large. During the whole time Mr. Brown, Mr. Birchard, Judge Hulburd, and Dr. Rawson made themselves eminently useful in caring for the sick and burying the dead. Homer Everett acted as general commissary, having the keys of nearly all the stores, with instructions to take out whatever was needed. Most of the merchants cleared the town. About one month elapsed before the disease was wholly eradicated.

In 1849, when cholera visited Sandusky city with such frightful mortality; there were one or two deaths among those who had taken refuge here, but it did not spread. Almost every family forsook the town.

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There were also one or two deaths in 1854, and two cases, both fatal, in t866. An epidemic of cerebro spinal meningitis, not affecting large numbers, but characteristically fatal, occured in 1847–48 in Fremont and vicinity. This disease has reappeared two or three times since, and was the cause of several deaths during the present year.

During the latter part of the winter of 1848–49 an exceedingly malignant type of erysipelas prevailed throughout the town and county. It attacked many and was very fatal. Among those who fell victims were two physicians, Drs. A. H. Brown and B. F. Williams. In 1856 dysentery prevailed and caused many deaths. Fremont has enjoyed a remarkable exemption from diphtheria, for although since about 1857–58 this dreadful malady has carried off a small number during several and even the present year, the disease never at any time prevailed extensively in the town. It has, however, been in some seasons very destructive in various neighborhoods in different parts of the county. As miasmatic fevers grew less and less prevalent, typhoid fever seemed in some sense to take their place, and appears now to be firmly implanted. This fever is fully as prevalent, if not indeed more so, in the country than in the town, and appears, in both instances, to be clearly traceable to local causes within the reach of practicable means of prevention, when intelligence respecting the causes of its development and diffusion becomes more general. The first appearance of scarlet fever is believed to have been about the year 1852, when it occurred in a malignant form, and since that year, although it has occurred on several occasions, the disease has been confined to a few families, and has not been remarkably fatal. Cases of smallpox have now and then been witnessed,but the disease has never spread among our people.

The pioneers of Sandusky county who endured, with almost matchless fortitude, great privations, were, by the force of circumstances, unable to avoid those diseases which inevitably result where, in such a climate as this, the virgin soil with its rank vegetation is first exposed to the rays of the sun by work done with the axe and the plow. No human foresight or skill is able to prevent the development of the peculiar miasma or germ thus brought into activity, and which, though unperceived by the senses, is still the undoubted source of miasmatic fevers. Prolonged cultivation, however, diminishes, if it does not finally entirely remove the conditions favorable to the causation of diseases of this class. The case is far different with many of the diseases with which we are now called upon to contend, and which are produced by decaying matter supplied by living beings. In our cities, villages, and country places little attention is paid to the prevention of contamination of wells and springs supplying water used for drinking by filthy accumulations. In many situations, if not in most, the water thus used is manifestly rendered noxious by such sources of contamination, and not until the importance of this condition of affairs is fully realized in its relation to the production of disease, and intelligent and effective measures, in accordance with modern sanitary science, are faithfully carried out, can we hope to wipe out those diseases, which are now looked upon by the medical faculty as practically preventable.

DR. GOODIN was probably the first physician to locate in the village of Lower Sandusky. He came soon after the garrison was removed. His very meagre in' come was increased somewhat by teaching school. He was somewhat eccentric, and

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was particularly noticeable on account of his frontier dress, which he continued to wear for several years. He always wore a coat and pantaloons of deerskin, which looked very well in fair weather, but in rainy times his clothes stretched and drew to disagreeable shapes. He left here after about ten years.

DR. HASTINGS came to Lower Sandusky about 1816. He was a man of refined manners and general scholarship. In his profession he was successful, and had considerable practice, but it was of a laborious and unprofitable character, not differing in this respect from the practice of all the pioneer physicians. He left here in 1828.

DR. HOLLOWAY was another of the pioneer doctors, but we are unable to learn anything about him. He remained but a short time.

DR. DANIEL BRAINARD, a native of New York, began the practice of medicine in Lower Sandusky in 1819, and continued for a period of about forty years. He ranked among the first practitioners in Northwestern Ohio, and for many years his practice embraced the settlements included by a line running east of Bellevue, south as far as Fort Seneca, west to Portage River and north to the lake. Perhaps no man ever lived in the county who had a more varied experience of pioneer life. He was here when the county east and westwas a roadless expanse of dark, damp forest, cut into two parts by a tortuous stream over whose rapid current in its upper course skirting trees joined their outstretching branches, and bordering the still waters in its lower course were grassy prairies. Lower Sandusky was an expansion of this forest path, which Indian romance and military history had already celebrated. When Dr. Brainard came here, a village was already showing signs of life and growth, but all around was dark wilderness, the gloom of which was broken only by an occasional habitation. The practice of medicine was especially arduous, because it required almost constant travel. Dr. Brainard was not only sound in the science of physic, but was a descriptive writer of force and interest. He was himself the hero of an adventure worthy of being preserved. The world has little enough romance without any being lost. Prosy detail is the bane of history. Romantic episodes are necessary to destroy the drudgery of life, and make history interesting. The scene of Dr. Brainard's experience is laid between twenty and thirty miles southwest of his office at Lower Sandusky, in a dense forest. On a March morning, while a blustering snow storm was closing every path, and a cold northwester was whistling among the trees, this faithful servant of a suffering pioneer community started to see a patient thirty miles distant. The last twelve miles of the journey was through a forest which fallen snow had made pathless. The Doctor, of course, did not reach this forest till late in the day. Snow-laden saplings bent across what seemed the woodland road, and made it necessary to seek openings around. This circumstance not only retarded his progress, but bewildered him in his course. He finally lost the road altogether, and was compelled to rely upon his judgment to direct the horse the remaining miles of the journey. The weary horse and anxious rider both became impatient with their uncertain, zig-zag progress. Slowly, and with a consciousness of his rider's bewilderment, the horse stumbled through snow-heaps, seemingly multiplying every hour. At last a plain road was reached, but where it was and whither it led was more than the Doctor or the horse knew. In the hope of soon reaching a house, the horse, whose load was made doubly burdensome by discouragement, (for an animal is not

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slow to detect the thoughts of his master,) was urged on. Night drove light from the inhospitable wilderness. The fatigued horse lagged slowly through the deep snow, while hope kept up the rider's confidence, but hunger and cold sadly afflicted both. Dr. Brainard notes that melancholy began to send strange fancies across his troubled brain. Cold, hungry, lost, with a horse shaking with fatigue, what if some wild animal should attack him while in such a situation? While serving these uncomfortable anticipations, the cold, snow-burdened breeze brought the well-know howl of a distant wolf. The lash clashed oftener and louder upon the poor horse, but the faithful animal, exhausted by long travelling without food, reeled under the smarting cuts of his frightened rider. The terrible howl grew in volume, and fast came closer. No cabin light was within sight. The horse staggered in his exertions to hurry. Cold, hunger, exhaustion—fear had displaced them all when the red-tongued pack dashed into the road but a few rods behind. Now others crossed the road in front, and, circling near and nearer, their hideous howl became more terrible. The poor horse was too weak to frighten at the situation, which increased the danger. If he should fall from exhaustion, the issue was not doubtful. While Dr. Brainard was debating his ability to escape by climbing a tree, the thought occurred to him that a loud voice would frighten them. He lifted his chest to his lungs' fullest capacity, and sent a strong shout at his unwelcome companions, but his voice was like a musket amidst the roar of artillery. The howling of the circling wolves became more threatening. Desperately they snapped their jaws in the horse's face, and dreadfully their red eyes gleamed from the snow-covered surface. The Doctor seriously contemplated sacrificing his horse to the appetites of his pursuers, and indeed hints that he would have done so had not such an undertaking been too hazardous. He therefore, as the safer alternative, resolved to stick "to his wearied horse as long as it could walk, and trust to Providence for the event." The pack gathered so near that their horrid grin was discernable. They seemed to be gathering resolution to make an attack. Fearing that his fatigued horse might give way, the doctor prepared to climb. He took off his overcoat, released his feet from the stirrups, and chose his tree at every point of the slowly-traversed road. In this way a distance of at least four miles was passed over. At length a bright spot appeared in the not far distant darkness. It was the star which hope had seen during more than four hours of peril. The sight of that cabin window brought joy inexpressible. Even the way-worn horse recovered his spirits arid quickened his step. Maddened animals, fierce winds, and beating snow were all forgotten at the glimpse of a log hearth, caught through a paper window. The horse, a moment before on the point of falling, pricked up his ears and neighed aloud. The hospitable inhabitants of that lonely forest home had heard the coming of the weary traveller and his unwelcome train. They were at the door, ready to receive their guest and serve his wants. The emboldened beasts pressed near, but the heavy sound of a musket, the bark of a faithful dog, and the ' light of several torches sent them howling to the wilderness. It was now 2 o'clock in the morning. The Doctor's wants were abundantly provided for, and the horse given the best of corn. Upon inquiry, he found that he was ten miles south of the point of his destination.

Dr. Brainard had the respect and confidence of the people, whom he served for forty years. He was one of the first

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Free Masons in Lower Sandusky, and a member of Fort Stephenson lodge after the revival of Masonry. Brainard lodge was named in his honor. His funeral was conducted with Masonic honors. Dr. Brainard died in 1859, just forty years after beginning his useful career in this county.

DR. LAQUINIO RAWSON.A biography of Dr. Rawson is part of the legitimate history of Sandusky county. He came here in an early year of its settlement, and has since devoted his strong energies and very respectable talent to the service of his fellow-citizens, both as a physician and in business enterprises of a public and useful character.

Dr. Rawson's descent is traced from the age of English chivalry, the coat of arms descending from family to family, until finally inherited by Edward Rawson, who came to America in 1636 or 1637, and was chosen to the secretaryship, of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. He several times represented his, town of Newbury in the General Court. of the colony, and was a man of note and influence in the early history of New England. Of the fifth generation from Secretary Edward Rawson, was Lemuel Rawson, father of the subject of this biography. He was born in 1767. He was occupied as a tanner at Warwick, Massachusetts, until about 1812. He then turned his attention to agriculture, residing in each of the following named places: Orange, New Salem, and Irving Grant, all in Massachusetts, until 1836, when he came to Ohio, and located at Bath, Summit .county, where he remained until September 20, 1844, when his wife died, after which he lived with his children in Northern Ohio. He died December 2, 1851, at Dr. Rawson's residence in Fremont. His wife was Sarah Barrus, whom he married at Warwick, Massachusetts, in1791. The family consisted of six sons and three daughters. Five of the sons came to Ohio; four of them were successful practitioners of medicine, and the other attained a high place in the legal profession of Northern Ohio. Secretary Rawson, oldest of the five brothers, practiced medicine in Richfield, Summit county, Ohio, forty-two years. Success followed him through his professional life.

Abel Rawson, second of the five Ohio brothers, was well-known in this county. He was one of the pioneer lawyers at Tiffin, Ohio, and his presence was familiar in every courtroom in this part of the State. He studied law in Massachusetts, and when admitted to the Bar was over four hundred dollars in debt. He came to Ohio in 1824, and taught school at Norwalk. In 1826 he opened a law office at Tiffin, and at once took high rank in his profession:

Dr. Bass Rawson first learned the trade of a hatter, but in a few years began the study of medicine in New Hampshire. In 1829 he located in Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio, where he earned a reputation as a skillful physician, and was very successful.

Dr. Alonzo Rawson, youngest of the brothers who came to Ohio, first learned the trade of printing. He established, in Tiffin, in 1834, the Independent Chronicle. After two years experience he discontinued editorial work to engage in mercantile enterprises, but finally studied medicine, and was a successful practitioner.

Few families have honored the memory of a worthy ancestor by successful and useful lives as have the members of this branch of the Rawson family. Depending wholly upon their own exertions, each has left the impress of his life and character upon the history of the com-

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munity in which he lived and labored. We have spoken of these members of the Rawson family partly to show the character of the family, and partly because they are remembered by a large number of people living within the proper scope of this history. We now turn to the subject of this biography.

LaQuino Rawson was born at Irving, Franklin county, Massachusetts, September 14, 1804. His earlier boyhood was spent on his father's farm, and in the common schools of his neighborhood. At the age of sixteen, being ambitious to acquire an education, and being wholly dependent upon himself for the means of pursuing his cherished purpose, he left home and entered the academy at New Salem, where he attended instruction for some time, except during the intervals spent at common labor and teaching school, by which means he earned money to pay his expenses at the academy. In 1824, being then nineteen years old, he came to Ohio and entered upon the study of medicine, and at the same time taught school to meet his expenses. In 1826 he was granted license to practice by the Ohio Medical Society, and entered upon the duties of his profession at Tyamochtee, Crawford county. At that time the Wyandot Indians occupied a' large reservation in the county, and he had frequent calls to attend their sick. The Indians received the intelligent services of their white physician very gratefully, and paid their bills much more promptly than the white people. The Indians generally entertained an idea that they could not enter the happy hunting ground without every obligation having been discharged, and consequently cheerfully handed over to their doctor the shining half dollars received as annuity from the Government. The Indian doctors and their herb remedies were in most cases abandoned as soon as they were given the opportunity of scientific treatment. The honesty of these weak descendants of a powerful and noble nation is illustrated by a incident in the practice of Dr. Rawson. He was asked to visit a very sick Indian at Upper Sandusky, and while there an old chief came to him and said: "Mr. Doctor, this sick Indian very poor; he no money; not pay you now; but you cure him all same and when we get our pay [annuity' I pay you." The sick Indian got well, and soon after pay day the old chief came to the Doctor's office and left the amount of the bill in shining half dollars.

The Indians were afflicted by the same diseases which prevailed among their white neighbors—fevers, ague, and other malarial complaints. The Doctor says about one-fourth of his practice at Tyamochtee was among the Indians.

In 1827 Dr. Rawson began the practice of his profession in Lower Sandusky, where his life has since been spent, except during an interval of about three years. From 1831 to 1833 he practiced in Findlay, Ohio, and during the winter of 1833–34 attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and received the M. D. degree in the spring of 1834. He afterwards attended a course at the University of Pennsylvania, and was the recipient from that institution of the ad eundem degree of M. D. After completing this thorough course of study and preparation, he again opened an office in Lower Sandusky, and was in constant practice until 1855. During this time Dr. Rawson's standing as a physician was recognized by complimentary diplomas of membership in the Cincinnati Medical Society, the Philadelphia Medical Society, and the Ohio Medical Lyceum of Cincinnati.

All through this volume are paragraphs descriptive of the county in its early history. No class of men suffered more

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than the early doctors. The statement has been made, and indeed needs little modification, that sickness was a constant unwelcome guest of every cabin. Houses were far apart and forest paths and primitive roads forbid description. The profession had in it very little to remunerate all these dismal and sometimes dangerous rides. People were all poor and some of them destitute. They were without money and without a market where agricultural products could be exchanged for money. As a consequence the physician saw little hard cash for the hard times he experienced. Dr. Rawson says:

When I located at Lower Sandusky, there were two physicians here—Dr. Hastings and Dr. Daniel Brainard. They were both Well educated and skilful in their profession, and now, when looking back to those times, when Sandusky county was a wilderness and uncultivated swamp, and many of the settlements composed of rough pioneers, I wonder why educated and accomplished men, such as the two physicians I have mentioned were, should have come to this desolate place to spend their lives. But such is the history of the human race.

This is a generous compliment to his early contemporaries. Whatever opinions we may entertain of providential dispensations, here we have a peculiarly striking picture illustrating the eternal fitness of things. The spectacle of men of intelligence and science devoting themselves, body and soul, to their lofty calling, often without hope of reward, always amidst the most discouraging surroundings, is worthy of a better pen.

We have given in the preceding sketch of Dr. Brainard, who came here in 1819, some idea of Lower Sandusky's wild surroundings. When Dr. Rawson located here, eight years later, the east part of the county had been opened and clearing fires blazed in every direction. Dr. Harkness had established himself near Bellevue, and considerable territory, formerly embraced within Dr. Brainard's circuit on the east, was cut off. The general limit of Dr. Rawson's practice was west to the Portage River, from the source of that stream to its entrance into the bay at Port Clinton; on the east Hamar's tavern (now Clyde); and on the south Fort Seneca. None of the streams within this tract, embracing a large part of the present counties of Sandusky, Ottawa, Wood, and Seneca, were bridged, except the Sandusky River, at Lower Sandusky.

The year 1834 was an epoch in the medical history of this county. The cholera scourge prevailed, and many of the frightened people of Lower Sandusky locked their doors and refused to leave their houses or to admit visitors. The village population at that time amounted to about three hundred, a large per cent. of whom were afflicted with the fatal disease, and the mortality was large. Four men,—it is a delight to record their names and preserve the memory of their disinterested charity—Dr. Rawson, Mr. Brown, Mr. Birchard, and Judge Hulburd, went from house to house of the afflicted, performing the tender offices of physician and nurse, and, when sad necessity required, attended the rites of burial. This was the first visitation of the cholera on the Sandusky. It subsequently appeared several times, but never with such fatal results.

As the country developed, Dr. Rawson's practice grew more extensive and remunerative. His practice was laborious, but a physique capable of almost any endurance was his best inheritance. The rugged labor of his early life was a fit preparation for the toils of his professional career. In his case vigor of body was happily equalled by vigor of mind. To a close and extensive knowledge of medical science he brought the aid of practical judgment.

Many were the regrets, in 1855, when he announced his intention to withdraw from professional life. His patients

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cherished toward him more than professional affection. He had been to them a prompt friend in every hour of physical distress and anxiety. Aside from his skill and sincere honesty in the treatment of diseases, Dr. Rawson had one characteristic as a practitioner worthy of imitation by members of his profession. He never failed to meet an engagement. Every summon to a bed of sickness was promptly answered by his cheerful presence, regardless of financial condition, or prospect of remuneration. He thus endeared himself to the people whom he served.

He was successively appointed to the office of county clerk from 1836 to 1851, inclusive. His laborious professional business made it necessary that the charge of the office should be confided to a deputy.

We have now briefly traced the career of Dr. Rawson as a practitioner of medicine during a period of nearly thirty years. But his career of usefulness by no means ended with his retirement from professional life. He had accumulated considerable property, and had for years been alive to every enterprise which promised to become a public benefit. In previous chapters of this volume are detailed the history of three of the most important public improvements in the history of the county; the plank-road from. Tiffin to: Fremont and Fostoria, the Cleveland, Toledo. & Norwalk Railroad, and the Fremont & Indiana Railroad. In the plank-road enterprise Dr. Rawson worked actively and vigorously, and when money was wanted his hand went deep into his treasury.'

To detail Dr. Rawson's connection with the other two enterprises would be to repeat what has already been said by one familiar with all the circumstances. Dr. Rawson and others, when the Cleveland, Toledo & Norwalk Railroad was first inaugurated, obligated themselves to Indemnify the county commissioners, who, without ample personal guarantee, refused to issue the bonds, as authorized by vote of the people of the county. When stock books were opened, Dr. Rawson was among the heaviest subscribers. For the history of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, with which the name of Dr. Rawson is so closely associated, we again refer to a preceding chapter. To the united energy of the incorporators—L. Q. Rawson, Sardis Birchard, James Justice, Charles W. Foster, and John R. Pease—the country benefited by this road is indebted. The leading spirit and advocate from the beginning was Dr. Rawson, who, at the first organization of the company in 1853, was elected president and director, and served in that capacity until 1875. For about twenty years he had the general management of all the interests of the road. His connection with the county agricultural society is duly mentioned under the proper head.

Dr. Rawson married, July 8, 1829, Sophia Beaugrand, daughter of John B. Beaugrand, who was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1768. He was married in St. Anne's church, Detroit, in 1802, to Margaret Chabert, daughter of Colonel Chabert de Joucaire, of the French army. Mr. Beaugrand was a merchant at Maumee from 1802 till 1812. He then went back to Detroit, where he remained till 1823, then came to Lower Sandusky.

Mrs. Rawson was born October 20, 1810. The family of Dr. and Mrs. Rawson consisted of seven children, four of whom survived childhood—Dr. Milton E., Joseph L., Eugene A., and Estelle S., two of whom are living, Joseph and Estelle.

We have in this sketch touched upon only the leading features of the life of a worthy man and citizen, who from early youth was busy, and who in old age has not wholly laid aside the cares of business. His life has been one of real worth, which

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we have but feebly reflected. Mrs. Rawson is a woman of quiet temperament and refined taste. She is a consistent member of her church, and possessed of the virtues which only Christian convictions can give a woman.

DR. ROBERT S. RICE was born in Ohio county, Virginia, May 28, 1805, and died in Fremont, Ohio, August 5, 1875. At the age of ten he came with his father's family to Ohio and located in Chillicothe, Ross county. From that place, in 1818, the family removed to Marion county, and in 1827 he settled in Lower Sandusky. He worked at his trade, a potter, until about the year 1847, when, having long employed his leisure hours in the study of medicine, he began the practice; and although he labored under the disadvantages of limited educational opportunities in his youth, and of not having received a regular course of medical instruction, his career as a physician was quite successful. He numbered as his patrons many among the most respectable families in his town and county.

Dr. Rice was a man of sound judgment, quick wit, fond of a joke, and seldom equaled as a mimic and story teller. He was a keen observer, and found amusement and instruction in his daily intercourse with men by perceiving many things that commonly pass unnoticed. His sympathies were constantly extended to all manner of suffering and oppressed people. He denounced human slavery, and from an early period acted politically with the opponents of the hated institution. During a period also when the most brutal corporal punishment was the fashion and practice in families and schools, his voice and example were given in favor of the humane treatment of children. He was of a deeply religious turn of mind. In early years, when preachers were few in this new country, he often exhorted andpreached. He was colonel of the first regiment of cavalry militia organized in the county, and also general of the first brigade. He assisted in running the line between Ohio and Michigan, the dispute in regard to which led to the bloodless "Michigan war." He also served one term as mayor of Lower Sandusky, and several terms as justice of the peace. He was married to Miss Eliza Ann Caldwell, in Marion, Ohio, December 30, 1824. They had seven sons and two daughters. The first two were boys, and died in infancy. William A. was born in Fremont, July 31, 1829; John B., June 23, 1832; Sarah Jane, February 20, 1835; Robert H., December 20, 1837; Albert H., September 23, 1840; Charles F., July 23, 1843; Emeline E., January 14, 1847. Sarah Jane died June 20, 1841; Emeline died September 19, 1859.

The name of Mrs. Eliza Ann Rice deserves more than bare mention in connection with the record of the family whose chief ornament she was, and to whose intelligence, affection, and example they owe whatever of good they have, or shall accomplish in the world. This amiable and Christian lady, and loving and devoted wife and mother, was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, March 19, 1807. She died on January 17, 1873, in her sixty-sixth year. She belonged to the older class of the community, and occupied a high place in the affection of a large circle of friends. She was a devoted mother, and in return was loved and revered by her family. The following is an extract from a notice in the Fremont Journal of January 24, 1873—one week after her death. It is from the pen of 1)r. Thomas Stilwell:

It was not for her to shine in the fashionable assembly, or the more ostentatious circles of social life, but wherever the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit" was the passport to recognition, she was eminently entitled to receive it. But it was within the sacred precincts of home, the true woman's grandest

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field of display, that she exhibited the virtues that win the heart and add a charm to the sacred name of mother.

From early life a member of the church, the Protestant Methodist, her heart was ever in unison with the teachings of the Divine Master, and she died prepared, by a life of faith, "to pass through the valley of the shadow of death, and to fear no evil." Wise in counsel, devoted in her love for her children, her sons, who rank as prominent and respected professional business men of our city, honor themselves by the recognition they give that sainted mother's teachings, for much of what they have attained in the walks of life.

Her father, William Caldwell, was the third of the ten children of Robert Caldwell and Mary Stephenson, and was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of June, 1779. His parents emigrated to Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1782. William Caldwell was married to Miss Polly Park, August 2, 1804. in Kentucky. She was born in the State of Virginia, in a block-house to which her mother had fled for refuge from an Indian massacre which threatened the settlement where she lived. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell settled near Chillicothe soon after their marriage, but afterwards removed to Marion, and finally made their home in Lower Sandusky. The former died June 29, 1835, the latter in 1861. He was a gunsmith by trade; served in the War of 1812, under General Hull, at whose surrender he was made a prisoner of war. They also had two sons: Robert A., who died in California, and Judge William Caldwell, of Elmore.

PETER BEAUGRAND, a son of John B. Beaugrand, came to Lower Sandusky with his father's family in 1823. He was born in Detroit, in August, 1814. In March, 1833, he began the study of medicine at Findlay, Ohio, in the office of B. and L. Q. Rawson, and when Dr. L. Q. Rawson removed to Lower Sandusky, Mr. Beaugrand came with him. In the winter of 1835–36 he attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, and afterwards, in 1845, graduated at Ohio Medical college, Cincinnati. Dr. Beaugrand began practicing in Lower Sandusky in 1834. Between 1837 and 1840 he was a partner of Dr. Rawson. At the dissolution of the partnership he went to Michigan and practiced at Monroe City three years. He returned to Fremont in 1843, and has since been in practice here except while serving as surgeon of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

DRS. BROWN and ANDERSON are two physicians of the earlier period. Both were at different times partners of Dr. Rawson. Dr. Anderson was a partner of Dr. Rawson during the cholera scourge of 1834, but gave no assistance to the suffering. Dr. Brown was a merchant at that time, and made himself conspicuously useful. He afterwards practiced medicine with a fair degree of success, but was all the time more or less interested in mercantile pursuits. He died during the epidemic of 1848–49.

DR. B. F. WILLIAMS was born in Pomfret, Chautauqua county, New York, June 27, 1811, and came to Lower Sandusky in October, 1822. He attended school at the academy in Sangersfield, New York, after which he returned to Fremont in 1829. About two years later he began the study of medicine with Dr. Anderson, with whom he remained three years. He then went to Cincinnati, where he became a student of Dr. Drake, and attended lectures. He graduated in 1835 or 1836. During his stay in Cincinnati he became acquainted with and married Miss Sarah Addison, a descendant of the English

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author, Joseph Addison. He then returned to Lower Sandusky and began the practice of medicine, in which he continued until the time of his death, which occurred February 9, 1849. Dr. Williams' untimely death terminated what would have been an honorable and successful career. His mental powers were good, and he applied himself closely to study. He was exceedingly fond of scientific pursuits, and possessed excellent literary taste. His manners were cultivated and agreeable, and his character pure and above reproach.

His widow, a son and a daughter reside in Brooklyn, New York, and another son in Minnesota.

DR. LOUIS GESSNER was born April 6, 1804, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. His father died in 1809, leaving a widow and four children. Although in moderate circumstances, she succeeded, through true motherly sacrifice and devotion, in securing for them a good education. Louis left home at the age of fifteen, and travelled on foot to the Danube, and thence went to Vienna, where he had relatives, who kindly rendered him assistance in the completion of his education. After finishing his course of study in medicine, he left Vienna, travelling on foot to Switzerland. Arriving at the Canton of Berne in 1828, he commenced the practice of medicine, and in the same year was married to Miss Elizabeth F. Schwartz, daughter of a prominent physician of Thun. In 1833, with his family, he emigrated to America, and located first near Tonawanda, but soon afterwards in Buffalo, New York. In 1837 he removed to Williamsville, Erie county. Leaving his family in that place, he returned to Switzerland, and coming back in 1838, decided to move West. He accordingly settled in Lower Sandusky in that year. He soon enjoyed a good practice, largely, but by no means exclusively, among the early German settlers in Sandusky county. As a physician, Dr. Gessner won the confidence of the public, and his standing among his brethren of the medical profession was always high. He purchased a house and lot of Thomas L. Hawkins in 1841, and his present residence in the country in 1848.

The offspring consisted of eleven children, three of whom-Karl, Louis, and Louise—were born in Thun, Switzerland. Karl, the eldest, died during the voyage to America, and was buried at sea. Frederick and Emily were born in Buffalo, and Matilda, Caroline, Gustavus A., Randolph, and two others who died in early infancy, in Fremont.

Mrs. Elizabeth Frederika Gessner was, on the maternal side, of Italian descent. Her mother's father was a physician of the name of Rubini. Her great-grandfather, of the same name, was the author of a treatise on materia medica, written in 1688, a copy of which is still preserved. Mrs. Gessner died in 1864. She was a lady of excellent education and great refinement of feeling, tender and sympathetic. Amidst the constant and exacting duties of wife and mother, from which she never shrank, and which she never slighted, her moments of leisure were given to books and music, her passion for which ended only with her life. She delighted most of all in the songs and traditions of the land of her birth, and dwelt on them and kindred topics with a pathos often tinged with melancholy, that impressed those with whom her memory is sacred forever that her lot should have been so cast that the land of her birth had been also the land of her life and death, surrounded only by familiar scenes, and gentle and loving friends.

DR. JAMES W. WILSON was born in New Berlin, Union county, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1816.

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His grandfather, James Wilson, emigrated from Connecticut to Eastern Pennsylvania about 1791. His father, Samuel Wilson, the only son of James Wilson, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1793 He married Miss Sarah Mauck, a native of Pennsylvania, at New Berlin, and resided there, a much esteemed and successful merchant, until his death, November 3, 1855. His wife, the mother of Dr. Wilson, died May 31, 1872, aged eighty-four years.

Dr. Wilson studied medicine with Dr. Joseph R. Lotz in New Berlin, and afterwards attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in March, 1837. He commenced the practice of medicine in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in November of the same year. He emigrated to Ohio in June, 1839, in company with Dr. Thomas Stilwell, and settled in Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), July 24, 1829, where they opened an office, and continued to practice as partners most of the time until 1862.

During the years that Dr. Wilson was engaged in the practice of his profession, he ranked among the most successful physicians in this section of the State. He was distinguished for promptitude, and faithful punctuality in fulfilling engagements. The urbanity of his manners made him ever welcome to the bedside of the sufferer. His intelligence and manly deportment won the confidence of the public. His acknowledged' skill, and the painstaking care with which he investigated the cases submitted to his judgment, commanded the respect and regard of his fellow-practitioners. It is probable that no physician outside the large cities of Ohio has ever enjoyed a larger practice, or performed more arduous labor in meeting its requirements.

In consequence of extraordinary exposure, while attending to this large practice, Dr. Wilson was attacked, January 9, 1858, with a severe pneumonia, from the effects of which he has never completely recovered; nor has he since devoted himself to the practice of medicine. He has, however, retained a lively interest in whatever pertains to the profession of his choice. He is president of the Sandusky County Medical Society, and a member of the Ohio State Medical Society. During the war of the Rebellion he was appointed by Governor Tod (August, 1862), surgeon for Sandusky county, to examine applicants for exemption from draft.

On the 25th of May, 1841, he was married to Miss Nancy E. Justice, daughter of Judge James Justice, of Lower Sandusky. They have four children—two sons and two daughters. Charles G., the eldest son, a graduate of Kenyon College and Harvard Law School, now of the law firm of Pratt & Wilson, of Toledo, married Nellie, daughter of J. E. Amsden, of Fremont. The younger son, James W., is collection clerk in the First National Bank. The eldest daughter is the wife of Dr. John B. Rice, of this city. Mary, the younger daughter, is married to Charles F. Rice, of New York City.

In 1857 Dr. Wilson became a partner in the banking house of Birchard, Miller & Co. In September, 1863, the bank was merged into the First National Bank of Fremont, with Dr. Wilson as vice-president. January 27, 1874, after the death of Mr. Birchard, Dr. Wilson was elected president, which position he now holds.

To the various enterprises tending to promote the business interests and growth of Fremont, the doctor has been a liberal contributor.

Dr. Wilson is a man of conservative views, but still not wanting in the liberality which accords to others the same

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rights and privileges he desires for himself. He is a man of firm religious convictions, and has always been consistent with his professions. For thirty years he has been a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and a regular attendant upon its services. Dr. Wilson holds the church to be the mainspring of law and order in society, and contributes liberally for the support of its charities.

THOMAS STILWELL, M. D., was born in Buffalo Valley, Union county, Pennsylvania, five or six miles west of Lewisburg, in January, 1815. His father, Joseph Stilwell, for more than half a century an honored citizen of that county, died in 1851, aged seventy - four years. His mother, Anna Stilwell, died eleven years later aged eighty-four years.

While a child his parents removed to New Berlin, the county seat of Union county, where he continued to reside, with the exception of such time as he was absent at school, until he left to make the West his future home.

After a full academic course at Milton, Pennsylvania, under the tuition of Rev. David Kirkpatrick, a distinguished teacher in that section of the State, and a brief course of selected studies at Lafayette college, Easton, Pennsylvania, he entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. Joseph R. Lotz, at New Berlin, and graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in March, 1839, and located the same year at Fremont.

He was married to Miss Jerusha A. Boughton, of Canfield, Mahoning (then Trumbull) county, in 1842. Their children, five in number, are: Charles B., who resides at Watertown, New York; Thomas J., at St. Louis, Missouri; Charlotte E., married to John T. Lanman, at New London, Connecticut; Mary, married to W. T. Jordan, Louisville, Kentucky; and Anna M., at home with her parents.

At the close of forty-one years of professional life he still continues in the practice of medicine.

Dr. Stilwell's place in the profession has always been with those in front. For the past two years he has been vice-president of the Sandusky County Medical Society, and for many years a member of the State Medical Society. He was among the first appointed pension examining surgeons (February, 1863), which position he held until he resigned in 1879. To his letter of resignation the Commissioner of Pensions replied in very complimentary terms, expressing regret for its having been tendered. He has recently been elected one of the censors of the medical department of the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, having held the same position in Charity Hospital Medical College, afterwards known as the Medical Department of Wooster University. Dr. Stilwell has been a member of the Presbyterian church during the whole of his mature life, and has for many years been an elder.

Dr. Stilwell, at our request, has furnished the following account of some of the experiences of himself and Dr. Wilson connected with their practice:

Drs. Wilson and Stilwell—who grew up together in close companionship in their Pennsylvania town, and were fellow-students in Dr. Lotz's office, graduating at the same college—formed the purpose, while yet office students, to emigrate to the West together. Accordingly, on_. the 13th of June, 1839, in a two-horse covered carriage, purposely constructed with ample room for themselves and baggage, which included a small stock of books and instruments, they left their home for a Western prospecting tour, with the design, if no location to their liking offered sooner, to go on to Illinois, at that day the " Far \Vest." Travelling leisurely, they stopped long enough at each important town on

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the way to ascertain what inducement it could offer two adventurous young men who were in the pursuit of bread and fame. Calling on their professional brethren, both as a matter of courtesy and interest, the pleasure of their journey was much increased thereby. In this way they reached Lower Sandusky (Fremont). Spending a few days visiting friends—who a few years before, on coming West, settled in the neighborhood of Lower Sandusky —they continued on to Perrysburg and Maumee. Here they saw what had often been the exciting theme of their childhood — a tribe of Indians the Ottawas, who were encamped on the flats opposite Maumee, preparatory to their being removed to their new hunting-grounds west of the Mississippi, assigned them by the Government.

Finding the roads impassable for their carriage the travellers returned to Lower Sandusky, and turned south. At Tiffin they met with Dr. Dresbach—of lasting reputation in that locality for his genial manner, and his ability as a physician and surgeon. Advised by him, they decided to remain at Lower Sandusky, to which they returned, and "put up" at Corbin's, the Kessler House of today, it being the 24th of July. A week subsequently occurred the 2d of August, whereon the citizens of Sandusky and neighboring counties celebrated the anniversary of Croghan's victory by barbecuing an ox on the commons—now the courthouse park, Eleutheros Cook, of Sandusky City, delivering an oration from the porch of the low frame dwelling-house erected a few years before by Jacques Hulburd, standing in the middle of Fort Stephenson, and which, three or four years ago, was removed from the gounds when they became the property of the city and Birchard library by purchase.

The breastworks of the fort were, at that day, still conspicuous, a few of the decayed palisades yet to be seen.

Within a few days after their arrival both were taken sick with fever. Occupying beds at the hotel in the same out-of-the-way room, they were left pretty much to themselves, to acquire experience as patient, nurse, and doctor, all at the same time and at their leisure. A new settler had a good deal to learn about sickness, and but few lacked opportunities for acquiring knowledge by personal ex perience.

A notable fact connected with the history of the hotel that season is remembered by living participants, namely: That at one time, for a few days, not a woman remained in the house, filled as it was with guests and boarders, of whom many were sick, except the landlord's wife, and she, too, down with the fever. The women help had all gone home sick. It was very hard to obtain others. A colored man—a steamboat cook—with man help for general housework, supplied their place.

The sickness that season being very general all over the town and country, before either had so far recovered as to be able to do more than leave their room they were importuned to visit the sick and were compelled to comply long before they were fit for the service.

They secured for an office a little one-story frame structure, which stood where Buckland's block now stands, at the corner of Front and State streets. It was an unpretentious building, belonging to Captain Morris Tyler. Their neighbors on the south were Morris & John Tyler, merchants, whose store occupied one-half of a low two-story frame house of very moderate dimensions, but for size and appearance one of the noted mercantile establishments of the town. To the north they were in close proximity to General R. P. Buckland's law office, of

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about the same size as their own, and in no way superior to theirs, excepting it was a shade whiter from having probably had two coats of paint, while theirs had but one, and that one almost washed off by the northeasters which swept its front, unobstructed by three-story blocks on the opposite side of the street.

And just here a digression may be pardonable to relate how nearly this office, with that of General Buckland, came to be put out of sight, or left standing only in ruins—a testimonial of the patriotism that periodically continued to display itself upon these historic grounds. A cannon fired at the intersection of State and Front streets, on the occasion of a jollification in 1842 over the election of Wilson Shannon as Governor of Ohio, burst, sending its buttend through the north side of General Buckland's office, and but for its wise discrimination in the interest of humanity, it would have gone through the north side of the doctors' office as well.

The "doctor's ride" in that day meant twelve or fifteen miles in all directions, and on horseback, mostly through woods on new cut-out roads, often paths for some part of the way. He found his patients in the scattered cabins in which the farmers of Sandusky county then lived.

During the continuance of their part I nership, and until Doctor Wilson's health became impaired by a severe attack of sickness by exposure, as noted in his personal biography on a preceding page, they so arranged their business that their attendance upon patients was by alternate visits, making thus an equal division of the labor. He who went on the eastern round today would go on the western tomorrow.

The "sickly season"—meaning from about the middle of July to the middle of October—was a phrase very familiar in those times, happily not applicable to thisday, for the State may be challenged to name, within its bounds, a county healthier now than this same Sandusky. The change has been wrought partly by clearing up the land, but mostly by constructing ditches to carry of the water that overspread the surface.

During the sickly season the pressure on their time was such as to enable them to make the round only once in two days. Oftentimes each passed over the other's route before they met in their office—not seeing each other for days—the necessary communications being made on a large slate kept in the office for that purpose.

The story of the daily ride, extending far into the night, oftentimes with fog above and mud below, the weariness of body and limb, the loss of sleep, the burden of thought—all this now sounds like exaggeration, but to them who underwent it all it is a well remembered and now wondered at reality. Their contemporary physicians were equally hard pressed.

In the season of which this is written, in the cabins visited, which meant sometimes every cabin on the road travelled, it was very exceptional to find but one of a family sick. To find two, three and four was commonly the case. Not infre quently the whole family were patients, and this with no outside help, sometimes not procurable even in times of dire necessity.

While extreme cases could not be given fairly, as the general experience, yet this class, after all, constituted a large proportion of the whole. An enumeration would include cases of scanty house-room, of lack of supplies; of distance from neighbors; of remoteness from physicians; of absence of help; of the number down in a family; of neglected ones; of work undone; of fields, such as they were, unprepared for seed. These, in their varied

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forms, composed a large list. In making their rounds one day, he whose circuit included a cabin to be visited, which had recently been erected in a small clearing—a half acre or so—in a dense woods south of where Hessville now stands, and reached by passing through David Beery's lane and then along a path, which led to the opening, found upon entering the man of the house lying upon a bed in one corner of the room in a burning fever; the woman in another part of the room sitting upon the edge of an extemporized bed, with a face flushed with fever, and wild with excitement, leaning over a cradle in which lay their little child in spasms, it too having the fever. Quickly enquiring of the woman for the water-bucket, he was told it was empty, that their well had just been dug, and was unwalled and uncovered; the only way they had to get water was to climb down a ladder that stood in the well and dip it up, which neither had been able to do that day, and no one coming to the house, they had had no water. Procuring water from the well, he remained until the child was relieved of the spasms, when, having dispensed the medicines necessary, he departed, telling them to expect some one in soon, as the result of his effort to send somebody, if possible, from the first house he reached on his way.

The fevers of the country had peculiarities which for years have ceased to be observed, and which were conditions exciting anxiety in the mind of the doctor as well in the friends of the sick.

Intermittent fever, one of the forms very common, was sometimes with chills, sometimes without, as now, and was manageable enough unless, as not unfrequently was the case, it assumed a malignant type, known in the books as congestive chill, or pernicious intermittent. With the best that could be done,they were often fatal; many times for want of care at the critical period.

But more marked was the condition which attended the latter stage of bilious remittent fever, the other form of miasmatic fever generally prevalent in the latter part summer and in the autumn months. Whether it run a short or long course, whether of a high or low grade, it usually terminated with a sweat and extreme exhaustion. A "sinking spell," as it was commonly called, was frequently its dreaded sequence, and the danger to life at the time imminent. A failure on the part of the attendents then to keep up the circulation by rubbing the surface, by applying warmth to the extremities, by spreading plenty of cover over the bed, and by administering stimulants freely, with liberal doses of quinine—was sure to seal the fate of the patient.

Many died in this way. A representative case occurred in a small frame house of two rooms, which stood on what was then open common, but now the corner of Croghan and Wood streets, occupied by a man and his family of the name of Tyler, strangers—no relatives of the Tyler family resident here. He was a stonemason, and came to work on the courthouse, the building of which had just been commenced. He and his wife were taken sick with the fever. No one could be found to take the constant charge of them. The neighbors, sparsely settled then in that part of the town, as they could be spared from home, went in, one now and another then, and did what they could, but withal the case was far from what their condition required. The fever of the husband yielded first—instructions having been left as to what was to be done when the crisis came, which during the day gave signs of its near approach. The doctors both having reached their office on their return from the country at the same time

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—about 12 o'clock at night—upon being informed that a messenger had just been down for them from the Tylers, went to the house to find the patient cold and pulseless—no appliances, no stimulants having been used as directed—and he died. They had the wife removed to a neighbor's house. When the crisis came to her—the breaking up of the fever in the manner described,—she had the necessary care, and lived.

And here it should be remarked that whatever allusions may have been made in this or any other sketch of years ago, to hardship suffered for want of help in times of sickness it was never refused, when it could be given. To the extent of their ability to give it, no neighbor ever withheld it. The brotherly spirit displayed at such times made itself proverbial, and could the deeds to which it prompted be written, they would form a grand chapter in the history of Sandusky county.

DR. JOHN B. RICE was born in Lower Sandusky, June 23, 1832. He enjoyed such educational advantages as the village afforded during his boyhood. He entered the office of the Sandusky County Democrat, and worked at the printing trade three years, after which he spent two years at school. He studied medicine, graduating at Ann Arbor in the spring of 1857, and soon after associated himself with his father, Dr. Robert S. Rice, and made a beginning in practice. In 1859 he further prosecuted his medical studies at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and Bellevue Hospital, New York. On returning home he resumed practice. On the breaking out of the rebellion he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with his regiment, under the gallant Colonel Lytle, in Virginia. November 25, 1861, he was promoted to surgeon, and assigned to the Seventy-second Ohio, and served withthis regiment over three years in the important campaigns in which it took part. During the war Dr. Rice was on different occasions assigned to duty as surgeon-in-chief—of Lauman's and Tuttle's divisions of the Fifteenth Army Corps, and of the District of Memphis, when commanded by General Buckland.

Dr. Rice was married, December 12, 186r, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Dr. J. W. Willson, of Fremont. They have two children—Lizzie, born September 18, 1865, and Willie, born July 2, 1875.

Since the close of the war Dr. Rice has been associated with his brother, Dr. Robert H. Rice. He has had a large surgical practice, and there are few capital operations in surgery that he has not performed many times. His consultation practice extends to adjoining counties. He is a member of the Sandusky County and Ohio State medical societies. For several years he delivered courses of lectures in the Charity Hospital Medical College, and medical department of the University of Wooster, at Cleveland. His topics were military surgery, obstetrics, etc.

In July, 1880, Dr. Rice received, without solicitation, the nomination for Congress, by the Republican party of the Tenth District. The most gratifying incident attending his election the following October, was the circumstance that he received a majority of votes in Sandusky county, although the opposite political party is largely in the ascendency: He had, however, never engaged actively in politics, and does not expect to be again a candidate.

DR. LOUIS S. J. GESSNER was born September 25, 1830, in Thun, Switzerland, and emigrated to America with his parents during childhood. He studied medicine with his father, and returning to Europe graduated in Heidelberg, in 1858. He

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has practiced in Fremont since 1858. He served as assistant surgeon of the Thirty-seventh regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in Virginia, and as a contract surgeon at Brown hospital, Louisville, Kentucky, and hospital number two, Nashville, Tennessee.

DR. J. W. FAILING is a native of Wayne county, New York, and was born in 1833. He was educated in the common schools of New York, and at an early age was employed in a drug store where he became proficient in pharmacy. After six years experience handling and compounding drugs, Mr. Failing began the study of medicine in Norwalk, Ohio. He graduated at the Cleveland Homeopathic college and came to Fremont to practice in 1854, being then but twenty-two years old.

Dr. Failing was for many years well received and had the foundation of a successful professional career. A great many people felt self interested regret when he became practically disabled for active practice.

JOHN M. COREY was born at Austintown, Trumbull county, Ohio, January 21, 1837. He was reared on a farm and attended the district school. He completed his preliminary course at Western Reserve seminary, at West Farmington, Trumbull county, passing through the junior year. He began to read medicine in Warren, in 1854, in the office of Daniel B. Woods. He attended medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he received the degree of M. D. in the spring of 1859. He entered the office of H. A. Ackey, in Warren, but remained there only three months. He came to Fremont in December, 1859, and began the practice of his profession here. When the Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized, in August, 1861, Dr. Corey enlisted as hospital steward. In April, 1862, after passing an examination before a board of surgeons, he was assigned to the position of acting assistant surgeon in the United States army. After serving in several hospitals in the South, he returned to Fremont, in September, 1864. In the winter of 1864–65 he attended lectures at the Charity Hospital Medical College, at Cleveland. At the end of the course he was awarded the Salisbury prize (a gold medal), for the best examination and observations in physiology. He was also awarded, by G. C. Weber, as a prize for the best Latin prescription, Piper's Illustrated Treatise on Surgery. After completing this course he again entered the army service, being made assistant surgeon at Camp Chase, and afterwards at Cincinnati, and was finally appointed major-surgeon of volunteers, with headquarters at Sandusky.

Dr, Corey was mustered out of the army service in September, 1865, and at once returned to Fremont. He was in uninterrupted practice from this time until 1873, when he attended a course of lectures at Bellevue Medical College, New York, receiving from that institution, in 1874, the ad eundem degree of M. D. Since that time he has been in regular practice in Fremont. Dr. Corey's practice is of a general character, but his liking is for surgery, which he has made a special study.

DR. ROBERT H. RICE was born in Lower Sandusky, December 20, 1837. In his boyhood he was for several years employed as a clerk in the store of O. L. Nims. He afterwards attended school at Oberlin college about two years, then began the study of medicine with his father and brother John; attended medical lectures at the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, and graduated from that institution in March, 1863. He then returned to Fremont and began the practice of medicine with his father, Dr.

460 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

Robert S. Rice, Dr. John being at that time in the army.

May 14, 1865, he married Miss Cynthia J. Fry, a daughter of Henry Fry, of Ballville township. They have three children: Henry C., born July 11, 1867; Anna, born November 30, 1869; and Ada, born May 6, 1874.

Dr. Rice soon acquired a very extensive practice, which (associated with his brother, Dr. John B. Rice,) he has ever since prosecuted with untiring zeal,and in which he has been eminently successful.

In 1872–73 Dr. Rice spent a year in Europe, during which time he travelled extensively over the continent and Great Britain and Ireland, devoting some time in the medical schools of Paris and Berlin to the study of his profession. His knowledge of the German and French languages, which he acquired by his own efforts, and for which he has a great fond_ ness, enabled him to derive unusual pleasure and advantage from his travels abroad.

The Doctor has many excellent qualities of head and heart, which peculiarly fit him for the practice of his profession, being of a kind, sympathetic and generous nature, agreeable and affable in his man_ ners, bestowing on all alike the same respectful consideration, he has won a high place in the esteem of those with whom his professional relations have brought him in contact. He aided in the organization of the Sandusky County Medical society, was chosen its secretary, and still holds that office.

For some years past Dr. Rice has taken considerable interest in agricultural pursuits, having a large farm near Fremont which he has greatly improved. Few things at present afford him more pleasure than regarding his growing stock and waving fields.

SARDIS B. TAYLOR, M. D., born in Fremont, March 19, 1843, was educated in our public schools with the exception of nine months at Hudson, Ohio, Western Reserve College. He commenced the practice of medicine in 1864, at Fremont, Ohio. He served as volunteer assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth regiment Ohio National Guards, at Washington, District of Columbia, summer of 1865. Graduated at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, February 22, 1875. He is the oldest son of Austin B. Taylor, and is now in active practice. His standing as a physician has always been creditable.

DR. GEORGE E. SMITH, born June 27, 1832, at Lyme, Huron county, Ohio, prepared for college at Lyme and Milan, and graduated from Western Reserve College in 1855. He taught school in Tennessee from 1855 to 1857 and as principal of Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary from 1857 to 186o. Received the degree of A. M. from Western Reserve College in 1858. Attended medical lectures at Cleveland Medical College in the winter of 1858-59, and at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the winter of 1859-60. Taught as principal of a boys' grammar school, at Circleville, Ohio, from September, 1860, until the spring of 1862. Attended a course of lectures at Ohio Medical College in the spring of 1862, and graduated with the degree of M. D., at the close of the session.

He was married to Sarah Brinkerhoff in September, 1862, and commenced the practice of medicine at Willoughby, Lake county, Ohio, in the fall of the same year. He was appointed assistant-surgeon of the Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, December 23, 1862, and joined the regiment January 14, 1863, at Arkansas Post, Arkansas. Resigned on account of sickness, June 4, 1863. Went to Hillsdale, Michigan, July, 1863; was

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surgeon of the post and to examine recruits, from January, 1864, until April of the same year. Left' Hillsdale in the spring of 1875, and came to Fremont, Ohio, where, he has been engaged ,in the practice of medicine since that time.

DAVID H. BINKERHOFF, M. D., was born December 5, 1823, in the township of Owasea, Cayuga county, New York. In the year 1837 his father, Henry R. Binkerhoff, removed to New Haven, Huron county, Ohio, and the son attended school at Aurora academy, New York, and at Auburn academy, in the same State, during the years 1839, 1840, and 1841. He commenced the reading of medicine with Drs. Benschoter and Bevier, at Plymouth, Ohio, in the year 1843. During the years 1844, 1845, and 1846 he continued the reading of medicine in the office of Dr. Thomas Johnson, at New Haven. He attended the medical department of the Willoughby University of Lake Erie, at Willoughby, Ohio, during the session of 1846-47, and again attended medical lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, at Cincinnati, graduating therefrom at the session of 1856-57. He entered the service of the United States in the year 1862 as assistant surgeon, and was promoted to surgeon-major in 1864. He served on the staff of General Schofield from the time of the capture of Atlanta, Georgia, until the close of the Rebellion. He was mustered out with his regiment, the One Hundred and Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1865, at Raleigh, North Carolina. He has been engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery since the year 1847, and for the past twelve years at Fremont, Ohio. He has a large practice.

DR. JOHN W. GROAT studied medicine in the office of Dr. Sampsell, of Elyria, and graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College; he afterwards attended lectures at Cleveland Medical College. He began practice at Port Clinton, from which place he removed to Fremont in 1866. In 1877 he went to Illinois, and is now practicing in Aurora. Dr. Groat was possessed of remarkable mechanical abilities. The attention he bestowed upon mechanical science somewhat impaired his usefulness as a practitioner. He is, however, a man of good mind and training.

DR. H. F. BAKER, present editor and proprietor of the Bellevue Local News, practiced in this city from 1865 until 1868. He had previously been located in Fulton county, and removed from here to Bellevue.

DR. GEORGE LEE practiced in Fremont about three years, removing to Washington, District of Columbia, in 1880, where he is now in practice. He is a graduate of Western Reserve College, and of Lane Theological Seminary. He edited a paper for some time in Minneapolis, and then studied medicine and graduated at Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College in 1877. His first location was in Fremont.

DR. J. D. BEMIS is a native of Lorain county, Ohio. At an early age he was received into the office and family of his uncle, Dr. L. D. Griswold, of Elyria. While attending the public schools of the city, he devoted considerable time in his uncle's medical library. After about three years spent in this way, Dr. Griswold was appointed superintendent of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, at Xenia. Mr. Bemus continued his residence in the family, and completed the full course of instruction of the schools of the Home. The study of medicine, as when at Elyria, consumed the odd hours of his time. In 1871 Mr. Bemus was appointed bill-room messenger for the Ohio Senate by Lieutenant-Governor J. C. Lee, and served in that capacity two years. During the State Constitutional

462 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

convention of 1873–74 he served as first assistant sergeant-at-arms, having been appointed to that position by M. R. Waite, president of the convention, now chief justice of the United States. During the school year 1874–75 Mr. Bemus attended Baldwin University. In January, 1876, he resumed the study of medicine in the office of E. C. Perry, of Elyria. His winters were spent in attendance upon lectures' and summers in the office at Elyria, unti February, 1879, when he graduated at Cincinnati. He opened an office in Fremont in June, 1879, and now has a full and successful practice.

DR. W. CALDWELL, son of Judge William Caldwell, of Ottawa county, a short sketch of whom will be found elsewhere, attended the public schools of his neighborhood and Oberlin College. During the winter of 1860–61 he attended medical lectures at Ann Arbor, and in 1861 enlisted as hospital steward in the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to assistant surgeon in April, 1863, and mustered out of service January 4, 1865. After the war he located in Michigan for the practice of his profession. He graduated from Cleveland Medical College in the class of 1869. During the winter of 1879–8o he took a special course in New York. In June, 188o, he located at Fremont, where he has since been meeting with flattering success.

DR. C. B. WHITE received his preliminary education in West Virginia, in which State he also studied medicine. He attended lectures at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and was graduated from that institution in 1878. He had previously practiced several years in West Virginia and Ohio. He began practice in West Virginia in 1871. Dr. White located in Fremont in 1879.

DR. A. J. HAMMER was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1853. Hegraduated at Pulte Medical College, of Cincinnati, in the class of 188o, and commenced practice at Fremont in September following.

DR. S. P. ECKI was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1854. After attending the common schools of his neighborhood he pursued a course in Northwestern college, Illinois. He studied medicine in Mansfield under J. C. Anderson, and attended lectures at the New York Homeopathic Medical college, from which institution he graduated in 1881. He selected Fremont as the field of his practice, and opened an office there in June.

SANDUSKY COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

As an auxiliary to the State Medical society, the Sandusky County Medical society was organized November 6, 1879, with the following members: James W. Wilson, Thomas Stilwell, Robert H. Rice, Lewis S. T. Gessner, Sardis B. Taylor, John B. Rice, John M. Corey, George E. Smith, M. Stamm, Gustavus A. Gessner.

James W. Wilson was chosen president; Thomas Stilwell, vice-president; Robert H. Rice, secretary; L. S. T. Gessner, treasurer; and Sardis B. Taylor, librarian. The officers have been annually re-elected, and have served without change to the present time.

Members have been added since the time of organization as follows: Cyrus E. Harnden, Clyde; John C. Tomson, Rollersville; R. S. Hittell, Gibsonburg; D. G. Hart, Gibsonburg; W. T. Gillette, Millersville; William C. Caldwell; Fremont; A. D. Shipley, Helena; R. S. Shipley, Lindsey; LaQ. Rawson, Fremont; George Lanterman, Bellevue, and U. B. Irwin, Gibsonburg. The membership of this society embraces physicians only of the regular school of practice. Meetings are held once a month, or oftener, at which there is a free interchange of experiences and opinions.

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The society is accumulating a fine library, and already has a valuable collection of books and periodicals, which are procured by annual subscriptions of the members and by donations, Space in Birchard library has been allotted to the society where this collection is kept for the convenience of its members.