A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio
Title
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio (p. 1)
Description
[page 1]
[corresponds to front cover of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians
Of Delaware County, Ohio
M. S. CHERINGTON, M.D.
Reprinted from...
The Ohio State Medical Journal
August - September - October 1959
Stoneman Press Columbus, Ohio
[corresponds to front cover of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians
Of Delaware County, Ohio
M. S. CHERINGTON, M.D.
Reprinted from...
The Ohio State Medical Journal
August - September - October 1959
Stoneman Press Columbus, Ohio
Title
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio (p. 2)
Description
[page 2]
[corresponds to page 2 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians
Of Delaware County, Ohio
M. S. CHERINGTON, M.D.
The Author
Dr. Cherington, Delaware, is a member of
the staff of Jane M. Case Hospital.
IT is not certainly known just who may have
inhabited this area which now comprises
Delaware County, Ohio, in the period before
the Mound Builders, and they have left little to
tell us of their civilization, especially in regard to
sickness and their methods of treatment. The
Indians followed the Mound Builders and we
know that they had their Medicine Men who
practiced a sort of psycho-therapy and combined
it with use of massage, water treatment or
cures, the use of herbs, berries, roots etc., that
they, through the centuries perhaps had learned,
gave benefit in some conditions, but why they
knew not. Even the early settlers had at times
found it necessary to seek their help. The
Indians used the Mineral and the Sulphur Springs
for treatment by drinking the water and they also
used a sort of steam treatment from a pit contain-
ing hot rocks that, then, had water slowly poured
over them and covered by a teepee.
Early Concern for Doctor
The pioneer settlements of 150 to 200 years ago
were usually made by one or more families, and
in fairly well separated areas. The teacher, min-
ister, lawyer, etc., were not much needed but many
settlers were much concerned as to the availability
of a doctor.
When the Queen of Sheba, from Southern
Arabia, came to visit King Solomon, she brought
with her a physician, and the great medicinal
agent, the Balm of Gilead. The piety, wisdom,
glory and courtesy of Solomon greatly impressed
her. Upon her return to her own country she
sent, contrary to the laws of her land, the great
medicinal tree so long known to her kingdom, 800
miles away, to this admired ruler, to be planted
along the river Jordan. The tree grew, increased,
and furnished medicine to Palestine.
Jeremiah, 600 years after, and 600 years before
the Christian era, said, "Is there no Balm in
Gilead? Is there no physician there?" And so,
one of the first queries of the emigrant is, Bibli-
cally speaking, "Is there Balm in Gilead? Is there
a physician there?" Or in other words, "Is there
a doctor within reach?" Now "within reach" in
this area sometimes meant a one to even four
days' ride. As we will see later, such a one as
Dr. Lamb often rode as far north as Portland, now
Sandusky, and south to Chillicothe.
The settlers of that early day merely asked if
the person at hand was a doctor. They did not
have to worry about having to select or get the
services of one who came under a special type of
practice or "ism." It was not until about 1824
that the first system presented itself. This was
called the Thomsonian System, evolved by Samuel
Thomson (1769-1843) who advocated that "heat
was life and cold was death." He had prepared
formulas from No. 1 to No. 6 to produce these
results. Thus he steamed the patient outside and
stimulated him inside with his No. 6 formula.
Thomson's book of theories and instructions
were sold to families as well as physicians. In
a few years this system passed away but the steam-
ing and bathing had made an impression which
culminated in the erection of many large sanitar-
iums in this and all lands. It is interesting to
know also that one of the citizens of Delaware, a
Mr. Horton Howard, bought the rights to Ohio
and several Western and Southern states for the
promulgation of this system and the sale of the
books.
Advocates of the next system to appear were
the Uroscopists, in 1838, who thought the kidneys
were the source of all our our ills. This, too, soon
passed away but served a good purpose as it stimu-
lated more thought and investigation on the part
of the regular school.
Schools of Other Systems
I do not know when the Eclectic School of
thought made its appearance here but it was not
long afterwards. An Eclectic School or College was
established at Worthington, in 1830. Dr. J. J.
Steel was president and Dr. J. G. Jones was the
dean. The latter was a partner of Dr. Case, the
husband of Mrs. Jane M. Case who, through her
will, provided money for the establishment of our
Hospital. Also Dr. J. A. Little, a resident of our
county, was associated with them for a while. He
was a student and a teacher and later became a
Presented before the Delaware County Historical Society
April 27, 1959.
2
[corresponds to page 2 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians
Of Delaware County, Ohio
M. S. CHERINGTON, M.D.
The Author
Dr. Cherington, Delaware, is a member of
the staff of Jane M. Case Hospital.
IT is not certainly known just who may have
inhabited this area which now comprises
Delaware County, Ohio, in the period before
the Mound Builders, and they have left little to
tell us of their civilization, especially in regard to
sickness and their methods of treatment. The
Indians followed the Mound Builders and we
know that they had their Medicine Men who
practiced a sort of psycho-therapy and combined
it with use of massage, water treatment or
cures, the use of herbs, berries, roots etc., that
they, through the centuries perhaps had learned,
gave benefit in some conditions, but why they
knew not. Even the early settlers had at times
found it necessary to seek their help. The
Indians used the Mineral and the Sulphur Springs
for treatment by drinking the water and they also
used a sort of steam treatment from a pit contain-
ing hot rocks that, then, had water slowly poured
over them and covered by a teepee.
Early Concern for Doctor
The pioneer settlements of 150 to 200 years ago
were usually made by one or more families, and
in fairly well separated areas. The teacher, min-
ister, lawyer, etc., were not much needed but many
settlers were much concerned as to the availability
of a doctor.
When the Queen of Sheba, from Southern
Arabia, came to visit King Solomon, she brought
with her a physician, and the great medicinal
agent, the Balm of Gilead. The piety, wisdom,
glory and courtesy of Solomon greatly impressed
her. Upon her return to her own country she
sent, contrary to the laws of her land, the great
medicinal tree so long known to her kingdom, 800
miles away, to this admired ruler, to be planted
along the river Jordan. The tree grew, increased,
and furnished medicine to Palestine.
Jeremiah, 600 years after, and 600 years before
the Christian era, said, "Is there no Balm in
Gilead? Is there no physician there?" And so,
one of the first queries of the emigrant is, Bibli-
cally speaking, "Is there Balm in Gilead? Is there
a physician there?" Or in other words, "Is there
a doctor within reach?" Now "within reach" in
this area sometimes meant a one to even four
days' ride. As we will see later, such a one as
Dr. Lamb often rode as far north as Portland, now
Sandusky, and south to Chillicothe.
The settlers of that early day merely asked if
the person at hand was a doctor. They did not
have to worry about having to select or get the
services of one who came under a special type of
practice or "ism." It was not until about 1824
that the first system presented itself. This was
called the Thomsonian System, evolved by Samuel
Thomson (1769-1843) who advocated that "heat
was life and cold was death." He had prepared
formulas from No. 1 to No. 6 to produce these
results. Thus he steamed the patient outside and
stimulated him inside with his No. 6 formula.
Thomson's book of theories and instructions
were sold to families as well as physicians. In
a few years this system passed away but the steam-
ing and bathing had made an impression which
culminated in the erection of many large sanitar-
iums in this and all lands. It is interesting to
know also that one of the citizens of Delaware, a
Mr. Horton Howard, bought the rights to Ohio
and several Western and Southern states for the
promulgation of this system and the sale of the
books.
Advocates of the next system to appear were
the Uroscopists, in 1838, who thought the kidneys
were the source of all our our ills. This, too, soon
passed away but served a good purpose as it stimu-
lated more thought and investigation on the part
of the regular school.
Schools of Other Systems
I do not know when the Eclectic School of
thought made its appearance here but it was not
long afterwards. An Eclectic School or College was
established at Worthington, in 1830. Dr. J. J.
Steel was president and Dr. J. G. Jones was the
dean. The latter was a partner of Dr. Case, the
husband of Mrs. Jane M. Case who, through her
will, provided money for the establishment of our
Hospital. Also Dr. J. A. Little, a resident of our
county, was associated with them for a while. He
was a student and a teacher and later became a
Presented before the Delaware County Historical Society
April 27, 1959.
2
Title
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio (p. 3)
Description
[page 3]
[corresponds to page 3 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
member of the regular school. This College and
system had a great influence in this area. Later
it was moved to Cincinnati and called the Eclectic
Medical College. Today there are none of such
schools left. It was an expansion of the herb sys-
tem and Indian medicine.
The Homeopathic doctrine made its appearance
in about 1850, and has had a representative in
this county ever since. Today there remains only
one such school, the Hahnemann Medical College
in Philadelphia, and it teaches all regular school
and modern doctrine in addition.
Then the many specialty groups began to ap-
pear and the masseurs and the osteopaths had be-
come established. These last and their method,
however, had been known to the Chinese, Hindus,
and Brahmans long before the Christian era. Fi-
nally, at the close of this era of change, we have
the appearance and acceptance of the lady physi-
cians, in 1840, who have played an increasingly
important part up to the present time.
It must be remembered also that the lone phy-
sician of those early days, besides doing the work
of a doctor and a surgeon, had to combine with it
that of a dentist and druggist. He also was re-
garded as the embodiment of learning generally,
and held the respect of the people in all matters.
In dealing with the History of Medicine in
Delaware County and the individual sketches of
the doctors who have served here we are greatly
indebted to one man, Dr. Silas W. Fowler, who
seemed to be of a literary nature, and what has
been written through the years has been done by
him. He was here as a young man, in 1880, and
wrote the first account on this subject for the 1880
Delaware County History. Again, when Judge
Lytle wrote the Centenary History, in 1908, he
asked him to write that part and bring it up to
date. Dr. Fowler published his own little book
two years later, 1910, on The History of Medicine
and Physicians of Delaware County, Ohio, at the
solicitation of the County Medical Society and the
Drake Memorial Association. As he stated, he
could not have done this had it not been for the
help of the older doctors in 1880, a few of whom
went back 50 years to 1830 and practiced and
mingled with those who preceeded them.
Then again, after 28 years, Dr. Fowler repeated
this same procedure. In his early days of practice
he was intimately associated with the scholarly and
renowned Dr. Ralph Hills, the son of Dr. James
H. Hills who had settled in Delaware in 1822, and
Drs. T. B. Williams, W. T. Constant, and John
A. Little, who often met in the studio of Dr. Ralph
Hills to listen to the stories of the pioneer, so
graphically related by him, as well as to hear the
history of those who came later.
Before taking up the individual physicians I
want to speak briefly of the Medical Society
History.
Medical Societies.
It has been said that "associated action con-
stitutes the mainspring--the controlling motive
power of society." Thus it was with the pioneer
practitioners of this county, who saw the extreme
need for associated action. So in 1848 they set
about to form a medical society. Those present
were Drs. Ralph Hills, Abram Blymyer, J. M.
Cherry, M. Gerhard and a few others whose names
are lost. This was to be known as the Delaware
County Medical Society. Dr. Hills was the presi-
dent and Dr. Blymyer was vice-president. At
this meeting Dr. Blymyer read a paper on "Milk
Sickness and Its Treatment." Meetings were to
be held every three months.
During the years 1848, '49, and '50 they met
fairly regularly. In 1851 new members were
added and on the 15th of June, 1852, they made a
permanent organization. Among the many articles
in their constitution was one that declared that
"no person could be admitted to membership who
was not fully orthodox in his professional beliefs
and practice." The society after a few years for
some cause went to sleep, only to be revived again
in 1868. After the Civil War new life seemed to
be given to the society and the profession.
The Ohio State Medical Society convened in
Delaware in May, 1856, while Dr. Ralph Hills
was the editor of the Medical Counsellor, the first
weekly medical journal published in the West, and
which he had established in 1854.
At the reorganization of the Delaware County
Medical Society in 1868 Dr. Blymer was elected
president, Dr. P. Willis vice-president, Dr. E. H.
Hyatt, secretary and Dr. J. M. Cherry, treasurer.
Others present were Drs. T. B. Williams, W. T.
Constant, William McIntyre, John A. Little, J. H.
White, Henry Besse, Calvin Welch, John A.
Carouthers, Joseph McCann, and A. E. West-
brook. In 1869 Dr. Blymyer was reelected presi-
dent and at the close of his term he gave a grant
banquet to his colleagues. So far as we can
learn Dr. Blymyer, in 1869, Dr. Dorrance E.
Hughes, in 1907, and Dr. A. E. Westbrook,
Ashley, were the only ones to remember the so-
ciety with such honor.
Harmony and good feeling prevailed for many
years when some disturbing element put an end
to it. Many reorganizations took place but did
not last. After some 15 years of inactivity a
new organization was effected and has continued
in good form to this present time. In 1904, all
schools of medicine of the county were invited
3
[corresponds to page 3 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
member of the regular school. This College and
system had a great influence in this area. Later
it was moved to Cincinnati and called the Eclectic
Medical College. Today there are none of such
schools left. It was an expansion of the herb sys-
tem and Indian medicine.
The Homeopathic doctrine made its appearance
in about 1850, and has had a representative in
this county ever since. Today there remains only
one such school, the Hahnemann Medical College
in Philadelphia, and it teaches all regular school
and modern doctrine in addition.
Then the many specialty groups began to ap-
pear and the masseurs and the osteopaths had be-
come established. These last and their method,
however, had been known to the Chinese, Hindus,
and Brahmans long before the Christian era. Fi-
nally, at the close of this era of change, we have
the appearance and acceptance of the lady physi-
cians, in 1840, who have played an increasingly
important part up to the present time.
It must be remembered also that the lone phy-
sician of those early days, besides doing the work
of a doctor and a surgeon, had to combine with it
that of a dentist and druggist. He also was re-
garded as the embodiment of learning generally,
and held the respect of the people in all matters.
In dealing with the History of Medicine in
Delaware County and the individual sketches of
the doctors who have served here we are greatly
indebted to one man, Dr. Silas W. Fowler, who
seemed to be of a literary nature, and what has
been written through the years has been done by
him. He was here as a young man, in 1880, and
wrote the first account on this subject for the 1880
Delaware County History. Again, when Judge
Lytle wrote the Centenary History, in 1908, he
asked him to write that part and bring it up to
date. Dr. Fowler published his own little book
two years later, 1910, on The History of Medicine
and Physicians of Delaware County, Ohio, at the
solicitation of the County Medical Society and the
Drake Memorial Association. As he stated, he
could not have done this had it not been for the
help of the older doctors in 1880, a few of whom
went back 50 years to 1830 and practiced and
mingled with those who preceeded them.
Then again, after 28 years, Dr. Fowler repeated
this same procedure. In his early days of practice
he was intimately associated with the scholarly and
renowned Dr. Ralph Hills, the son of Dr. James
H. Hills who had settled in Delaware in 1822, and
Drs. T. B. Williams, W. T. Constant, and John
A. Little, who often met in the studio of Dr. Ralph
Hills to listen to the stories of the pioneer, so
graphically related by him, as well as to hear the
history of those who came later.
Before taking up the individual physicians I
want to speak briefly of the Medical Society
History.
Medical Societies.
It has been said that "associated action con-
stitutes the mainspring--the controlling motive
power of society." Thus it was with the pioneer
practitioners of this county, who saw the extreme
need for associated action. So in 1848 they set
about to form a medical society. Those present
were Drs. Ralph Hills, Abram Blymyer, J. M.
Cherry, M. Gerhard and a few others whose names
are lost. This was to be known as the Delaware
County Medical Society. Dr. Hills was the presi-
dent and Dr. Blymyer was vice-president. At
this meeting Dr. Blymyer read a paper on "Milk
Sickness and Its Treatment." Meetings were to
be held every three months.
During the years 1848, '49, and '50 they met
fairly regularly. In 1851 new members were
added and on the 15th of June, 1852, they made a
permanent organization. Among the many articles
in their constitution was one that declared that
"no person could be admitted to membership who
was not fully orthodox in his professional beliefs
and practice." The society after a few years for
some cause went to sleep, only to be revived again
in 1868. After the Civil War new life seemed to
be given to the society and the profession.
The Ohio State Medical Society convened in
Delaware in May, 1856, while Dr. Ralph Hills
was the editor of the Medical Counsellor, the first
weekly medical journal published in the West, and
which he had established in 1854.
At the reorganization of the Delaware County
Medical Society in 1868 Dr. Blymer was elected
president, Dr. P. Willis vice-president, Dr. E. H.
Hyatt, secretary and Dr. J. M. Cherry, treasurer.
Others present were Drs. T. B. Williams, W. T.
Constant, William McIntyre, John A. Little, J. H.
White, Henry Besse, Calvin Welch, John A.
Carouthers, Joseph McCann, and A. E. West-
brook. In 1869 Dr. Blymyer was reelected presi-
dent and at the close of his term he gave a grant
banquet to his colleagues. So far as we can
learn Dr. Blymyer, in 1869, Dr. Dorrance E.
Hughes, in 1907, and Dr. A. E. Westbrook,
Ashley, were the only ones to remember the so-
ciety with such honor.
Harmony and good feeling prevailed for many
years when some disturbing element put an end
to it. Many reorganizations took place but did
not last. After some 15 years of inactivity a
new organization was effected and has continued
in good form to this present time. In 1904, all
schools of medicine of the county were invited
3
Title
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio (p. 4)
Description
[page 4]
[corresponds to page 4 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
under the broad plan of "charity to all" to
become active members.
In the very early day of our pioneer settle-
ments the few white doctors had little more to
use in treating the diseases they were confronted
with than did the Indians, and many times the
Indians could do it better as they had had many
years of experience with them. The most seri-
ous diseases met with were: Malaria, which was
largely controlled by the drainage of the swamps
and the introduction of quinine; Remittant Fever
was at first confused with malaria, but when the
quinine failed to give relief they then resorted
to calomel with some success; Cholera was met
with several times as it swept up the river valley
and into the tributaries; Milk Sickness--This
was a new disease to the doctors and affected
cattle as well as man. It was probably due to
a poisonous weed and was transmitted to man
through milk or from unclean vessels.
In reviewing some of the physicians of the
early days, we will take the first few in the
order of their coming into the county. It is not
known who might have taken care of the small
number of people here from the time of the
Carpenter settlement until the coming of Dr.
Lamb. We do know that at Worthington Col.
Kilbourn, though not a doctor, did do much to
care for the sick of his settlement.
First Physician in County
DR. REUBEN LAMB, was the first physician in
this area. Colonel James Kilbourne first came
out to Worthington in 1802 and the next year
saw six men settled there who were members of
the Scioto Land Company. He may have been
influential in persuading Moses Byxbe to come
out and occupy his lands in what is now Delaware
County.
Dr. Lamb was born in Chenango County,
New York, in 1774. He is said to have read
medicine there before 1806 but we do not know if
he had any formal medical education; however,
he was well prepared.
In the fall of 1805 he resolved to go to
Pittsburgh and down the Ohio and Mississippi
Rivers to New Orleans. However, at Pittsburgh
or on his way down the Ohio, he fell in with
Col. Moses Byxbe who persuaded him to go
with them to Worthington on the Scioto and on
north to Berkshire on Alum Creek.
Worthington was already a well known town
and business center in this area. After a few
months residence in Berkshire, Dr. Lamb moved
to Worthington. The town had no physician and
gave more promise for the future. Soon after
locating there Dr. Lamb married Miss Mary
Sloper, May 6, 1806. She lived only a short
time and on September 13, 1807 he married her
sister, Miss Cynthia Sloper. A few years after-
ward they moved to Illinois, to the town of
Galesburg. The doctor, we presume, practiced
medicine there. After a few months his wife
died of fever and he at once returned to
Worthington.
Helped Lay Out the Town
In the spring of 1808 Dr. Lamb joined his
old friend Col. Byxbe and they laid out the
town of Delaware. There is great confusion
about his marriages to whom and the dates.
It is stated that he was married three times but
it may have been more. The 1880 history gives
it as four. His oldest son was born in 1807 and
was long a resident of Delaware.
The Lytle history states that Dr. Lamb first
married a Miss Campbell of Worthington and
that after her death he married a Miss Sloper of
Delaware in 1815. They then moved to Illinois.
The following year she died and he at once re-
turned to Delaware, and soon after married Mrs.
Platt, a sister of his last wife. Dr. Lamb was about
35 years old when he began his work in the
county and because of ill health, in 1822 he
moved to Missouri where his wife died in less
than a year and he returned to Delaware, but
did not resume an active practice as before. He
died in 1850 and we are told that he left a
widow--his fourth wife, at least.
Dr. Lamb possessed great energy and mental
force. He had the credit of being a man of
ability and a most competent practitioner and
surgeon, besides being very well liked.
His energy and ability called him to many
vocations. He assisted in organizing the county
and town and in organizing and conducting
various business enterprises. He was the first
recorder of public records, and the first physician
of the county and city, and was called upon to
serve a wide area in that capacity. Col. Byxbe
erected for him a log cabin, for a home and an
office on the corner of East William and North
Union Streets on the lot Byxbe owned and where
later stood the residence of Hon. J. C. Evans and
still later and today the Sarah Moore Home. He
lived there briefly, perhaps only a year, when he
built for himself on South Union Street and on
the banks of the Delaware Run, a palatial cabin
that stood on the ground in the rear of where
Martin Miller's residence stood in 1880.
Dr. Lamb worked hard during these first years
and was called upon to ride great distances to
attend the sick. He perhaps was subjected to
4
[corresponds to page 4 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
under the broad plan of "charity to all" to
become active members.
In the very early day of our pioneer settle-
ments the few white doctors had little more to
use in treating the diseases they were confronted
with than did the Indians, and many times the
Indians could do it better as they had had many
years of experience with them. The most seri-
ous diseases met with were: Malaria, which was
largely controlled by the drainage of the swamps
and the introduction of quinine; Remittant Fever
was at first confused with malaria, but when the
quinine failed to give relief they then resorted
to calomel with some success; Cholera was met
with several times as it swept up the river valley
and into the tributaries; Milk Sickness--This
was a new disease to the doctors and affected
cattle as well as man. It was probably due to
a poisonous weed and was transmitted to man
through milk or from unclean vessels.
In reviewing some of the physicians of the
early days, we will take the first few in the
order of their coming into the county. It is not
known who might have taken care of the small
number of people here from the time of the
Carpenter settlement until the coming of Dr.
Lamb. We do know that at Worthington Col.
Kilbourn, though not a doctor, did do much to
care for the sick of his settlement.
First Physician in County
DR. REUBEN LAMB, was the first physician in
this area. Colonel James Kilbourne first came
out to Worthington in 1802 and the next year
saw six men settled there who were members of
the Scioto Land Company. He may have been
influential in persuading Moses Byxbe to come
out and occupy his lands in what is now Delaware
County.
Dr. Lamb was born in Chenango County,
New York, in 1774. He is said to have read
medicine there before 1806 but we do not know if
he had any formal medical education; however,
he was well prepared.
In the fall of 1805 he resolved to go to
Pittsburgh and down the Ohio and Mississippi
Rivers to New Orleans. However, at Pittsburgh
or on his way down the Ohio, he fell in with
Col. Moses Byxbe who persuaded him to go
with them to Worthington on the Scioto and on
north to Berkshire on Alum Creek.
Worthington was already a well known town
and business center in this area. After a few
months residence in Berkshire, Dr. Lamb moved
to Worthington. The town had no physician and
gave more promise for the future. Soon after
locating there Dr. Lamb married Miss Mary
Sloper, May 6, 1806. She lived only a short
time and on September 13, 1807 he married her
sister, Miss Cynthia Sloper. A few years after-
ward they moved to Illinois, to the town of
Galesburg. The doctor, we presume, practiced
medicine there. After a few months his wife
died of fever and he at once returned to
Worthington.
Helped Lay Out the Town
In the spring of 1808 Dr. Lamb joined his
old friend Col. Byxbe and they laid out the
town of Delaware. There is great confusion
about his marriages to whom and the dates.
It is stated that he was married three times but
it may have been more. The 1880 history gives
it as four. His oldest son was born in 1807 and
was long a resident of Delaware.
The Lytle history states that Dr. Lamb first
married a Miss Campbell of Worthington and
that after her death he married a Miss Sloper of
Delaware in 1815. They then moved to Illinois.
The following year she died and he at once re-
turned to Delaware, and soon after married Mrs.
Platt, a sister of his last wife. Dr. Lamb was about
35 years old when he began his work in the
county and because of ill health, in 1822 he
moved to Missouri where his wife died in less
than a year and he returned to Delaware, but
did not resume an active practice as before. He
died in 1850 and we are told that he left a
widow--his fourth wife, at least.
Dr. Lamb possessed great energy and mental
force. He had the credit of being a man of
ability and a most competent practitioner and
surgeon, besides being very well liked.
His energy and ability called him to many
vocations. He assisted in organizing the county
and town and in organizing and conducting
various business enterprises. He was the first
recorder of public records, and the first physician
of the county and city, and was called upon to
serve a wide area in that capacity. Col. Byxbe
erected for him a log cabin, for a home and an
office on the corner of East William and North
Union Streets on the lot Byxbe owned and where
later stood the residence of Hon. J. C. Evans and
still later and today the Sarah Moore Home. He
lived there briefly, perhaps only a year, when he
built for himself on South Union Street and on
the banks of the Delaware Run, a palatial cabin
that stood on the ground in the rear of where
Martin Miller's residence stood in 1880.
Dr. Lamb worked hard during these first years
and was called upon to ride great distances to
attend the sick. He perhaps was subjected to
4
Title
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio (p. 5)
Description
[page 5]
[corresponds to page 5 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
more exposure and danger in traveling over the
tractless wilds, in the night and in all sorts of
weather, and confronted by the wild animals
and the Indians, than was anyone else there.
There were no roads, merely trails or "cutouts"
and there were no bridges to cross the streams.
Often he would be alone but at times would be
accompanied by the messenger who had come for
him.
Surgical Instruments Scarce
From physical disability he was required to quit
this very active practice and confine his work to
office practice, the preparation of medicines and
consultation. The types of diseases that he
met with in the West materially differed from
those he met with in the East, his homeland.
He was acknowledged by all to be skilled and
successful in dealing with the diseases of the
new country. He disliked surgery, but he was the
only one who had any instruments in the county
at that time. He freely loaned them to all prac-
titioners who had occasion to use them. He was
a man of few words and scorned and hated bluff
and sham and ignorance in the profession. He
was always sympathetic and affectionate, but quiet,
socially and professionally.
The old physicians were wont to tell a good
story on Dr. Lamb. In his early practice, about
1818, a Mr. Shippy was taken sick at the home
of a prominent citizen, Col. Sydney Moore. When
the crisis of the disease had come, two watchers
were engaged, but one failed to put in an ap-
pearance. The doctor made his last visit for the
night, gave careful and positive instructions to
the nurse and left. The man seated himself
comfortably before the fire to await the coming
of his associate. Weary from his day's labor, he
soon forgot his vigil and fell into a deep sleep.
Together, the nurse and the patient traveled in
the land of dreams. When the nurse awoke,
the beautiful sunshine was streaming into the
room. Frightened beyond measure and fearing
lest the patient be dead from neglect, he walked
silently to the bed. To his great amazement
and joy, the patient turned over, rubbed his eyes,
strethed his arms, and was equally surprised to
learn that it was morning. He spoke of having
had a good night's rest and of feeling much
better, and so did the nurse.
The good doctor soon arrived and going to
his patient, pronounced him out of danger, and
highly complimented the efficient nurse, remark-
ing that in the future he would know upon whom
to call to watch and nurse and give the medi-
cine to his sick. The patient lived for many
years. As stated before, Dr. Lamb died in 1850
at the age of 76, having lived here most of 43
years.
Dr. Lamb was not left alone long to endure
the arduous duties in the wilderness for in 1809
DR. NOAH SPAULDING, a graduate in medicine
and literature at old Dartmouth College, and a
native of New Hampshire, settled in Berkshire.
He remained there but a short time as he saw
that Delaware was going to be a city of more
promise and so in a year or two he moved there.
He had good knowledge and was very cultured.
He was slow in expression, but exact in his state-
ments, exceedingly amiable, social and cheerful.
He was perfectly temperate in all of his habits.
The Human Touch
Dr. Spaulding was not long in gaining a good
practice among all classes. He was noted as a
delightful story teller, and with his feet high
above his head he would entertain his listeners
with pleasing and wholesome stories. He re-
mained in Delaware until his death in 1832. Dr.
Spaulding was a member of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church and a most exemplary Christian.
He was also a fine singer, and taught classes in
singing. He left his imprint upon the commu-
nity for many years.
In 1818 he assisted in organizing the first
Sunday School in the county. His scholarly
qualifications secured his appointment as a mem-
ber of the board of county examiners for teach-
ers. He made a pleasing impression on one of
Delaware county's greatest and most noted phy-
sicians, Dr. Ralph Hills. When a mere youth
medical profession was rapid and he grew into
Hills came before the board for examination for
credentials to teach school. Suddenly Dr. Spauld-
ing turned to the young man and said "Ralph,
what is the difference between six dozen and a
half dozen dozen." The answer being promptly
given the Doctor turned to his associates and
said "You may as well write out his certificate.
He is one of Dr. James Hills' sons and we know
what he is."
There is a joke handed down about Dr. Spauld-
ing. It seems he had not the most explicit con-
fidence in his own professional judgment. One
day he met Dr. Lamb on the street and said
"Doctor, I have given my wife some blue pills,
and they have not acted as they should, see what
you think of them," showing some he had in
his hand. Dr. Lamb examined them, placed
one between his teeth and then remarked: "These
are buckshot and made of lead."
The third doctor to locate in the county was
DR. N. HAWLEY. He came to the well adver-
5
[corresponds to page 5 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
more exposure and danger in traveling over the
tractless wilds, in the night and in all sorts of
weather, and confronted by the wild animals
and the Indians, than was anyone else there.
There were no roads, merely trails or "cutouts"
and there were no bridges to cross the streams.
Often he would be alone but at times would be
accompanied by the messenger who had come for
him.
Surgical Instruments Scarce
From physical disability he was required to quit
this very active practice and confine his work to
office practice, the preparation of medicines and
consultation. The types of diseases that he
met with in the West materially differed from
those he met with in the East, his homeland.
He was acknowledged by all to be skilled and
successful in dealing with the diseases of the
new country. He disliked surgery, but he was the
only one who had any instruments in the county
at that time. He freely loaned them to all prac-
titioners who had occasion to use them. He was
a man of few words and scorned and hated bluff
and sham and ignorance in the profession. He
was always sympathetic and affectionate, but quiet,
socially and professionally.
The old physicians were wont to tell a good
story on Dr. Lamb. In his early practice, about
1818, a Mr. Shippy was taken sick at the home
of a prominent citizen, Col. Sydney Moore. When
the crisis of the disease had come, two watchers
were engaged, but one failed to put in an ap-
pearance. The doctor made his last visit for the
night, gave careful and positive instructions to
the nurse and left. The man seated himself
comfortably before the fire to await the coming
of his associate. Weary from his day's labor, he
soon forgot his vigil and fell into a deep sleep.
Together, the nurse and the patient traveled in
the land of dreams. When the nurse awoke,
the beautiful sunshine was streaming into the
room. Frightened beyond measure and fearing
lest the patient be dead from neglect, he walked
silently to the bed. To his great amazement
and joy, the patient turned over, rubbed his eyes,
strethed his arms, and was equally surprised to
learn that it was morning. He spoke of having
had a good night's rest and of feeling much
better, and so did the nurse.
The good doctor soon arrived and going to
his patient, pronounced him out of danger, and
highly complimented the efficient nurse, remark-
ing that in the future he would know upon whom
to call to watch and nurse and give the medi-
cine to his sick. The patient lived for many
years. As stated before, Dr. Lamb died in 1850
at the age of 76, having lived here most of 43
years.
Dr. Lamb was not left alone long to endure
the arduous duties in the wilderness for in 1809
DR. NOAH SPAULDING, a graduate in medicine
and literature at old Dartmouth College, and a
native of New Hampshire, settled in Berkshire.
He remained there but a short time as he saw
that Delaware was going to be a city of more
promise and so in a year or two he moved there.
He had good knowledge and was very cultured.
He was slow in expression, but exact in his state-
ments, exceedingly amiable, social and cheerful.
He was perfectly temperate in all of his habits.
The Human Touch
Dr. Spaulding was not long in gaining a good
practice among all classes. He was noted as a
delightful story teller, and with his feet high
above his head he would entertain his listeners
with pleasing and wholesome stories. He re-
mained in Delaware until his death in 1832. Dr.
Spaulding was a member of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church and a most exemplary Christian.
He was also a fine singer, and taught classes in
singing. He left his imprint upon the commu-
nity for many years.
In 1818 he assisted in organizing the first
Sunday School in the county. His scholarly
qualifications secured his appointment as a mem-
ber of the board of county examiners for teach-
ers. He made a pleasing impression on one of
Delaware county's greatest and most noted phy-
sicians, Dr. Ralph Hills. When a mere youth
medical profession was rapid and he grew into
Hills came before the board for examination for
credentials to teach school. Suddenly Dr. Spauld-
ing turned to the young man and said "Ralph,
what is the difference between six dozen and a
half dozen dozen." The answer being promptly
given the Doctor turned to his associates and
said "You may as well write out his certificate.
He is one of Dr. James Hills' sons and we know
what he is."
There is a joke handed down about Dr. Spauld-
ing. It seems he had not the most explicit con-
fidence in his own professional judgment. One
day he met Dr. Lamb on the street and said
"Doctor, I have given my wife some blue pills,
and they have not acted as they should, see what
you think of them," showing some he had in
his hand. Dr. Lamb examined them, placed
one between his teeth and then remarked: "These
are buckshot and made of lead."
The third doctor to locate in the county was
DR. N. HAWLEY. He came to the well adver-
5
Title
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio (p. 6)
Description
[page 6]
[corresponds to page 6 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
tised field of attraction, Berkshire, in 1810 or
1812, from what place is not known, and about
whom traditional history fails to tell anything.
His remarkable energy, shrewdness and great
skill gave him his share of the work in the new
land. He also was armed with pleasing anec-
dotes and attractice stories which entertained his
numerous friends. He died in 1822. He was
advanced in years when he came to Berkshire
and was known as "Old Dr. Hawley" from the
beginning.
Misfortune Takes Its Toll
DR. SILAS MCCLARY, the fourth doctor to settle
in the county, in 1813 came to Berkshire, where
all seemed to settle first. After 20 years of labor
there he moved to Delaware and in a short time
went to Radnor, where he died. He, we think,
was the first doctor to settle in Radnor. In his
earlier days he was quite successful in business
but in later life misfortune came upon him and
he was left destitute and uncared for when he
died. Some traits of his character always pre-
vented him from becoming a favorite or friend
of members of the profession and his services
were seldom sought after by them.
DR. SAMUEL MOULTON, was the fifth physi-
cian to take up his work here and he came di-
rectly to Delaware, thus slighting Old Berk-
shire, in 1819. He came from Rutland, Vermont,
where he graduated in medicine. His rise in the
great favor and into an extensive practice. Dr.
Moulton was well read, skillful, and made few
mistakes. Dr. Lamb esteemed him highly for
his learning and gentlemanly qualities and often
sought his council. The "White Plague" or
tuberculosis cut his brilliant career short and he
died in 1821, or '22, at the age of 29 years. For
many years his name was kept green among the
people in this locality by Dr. Lamb and others
prescribing and using "Dr. Moulton's Cathartic
Pills."
DR. ELEAZER COPELAND, the sixth to locate in
the county, came during the same year as Dr. Moul-
ton--1819. Also from Vermont, he located in
Zoar, now called Galena, and to our knowledge,
was the first doctor there. He was a shoemaker
by trade and studied general subjects and medicine
while plying his trade. All will admit he was a
self-made man.
While working at the bench he committed to
memory Murray's English Grammar in two weeks'
time. Other texts followed in rapid succession
and then he prepared himself for schoolteaching.
While teaching school he studied Greek and
Latin, which he mastered without an instructor,
and soon became a perfect translator of both
languages. He took up the study of medicine
in the same manner and became a careful, skill-
ful and excellent physician.
District Censor
Dr. Copeland was highly esteemed by all of
his professional brethren. He held the position
of censor of the Sixth and afterwards of the
Eleventh Medical District of Ohio, composed of
the counties of Franklin, Marion, Crawford and
Delaware. He was accidentally drowned in Big
Walnut Creek, near Galena, in 1834. As a wise
counsellor, a superior physician, a mature scholar
and a useful citizen, his loss was deeply felt in
all circles.
DR. ROYAL N. POWERS, the seventh doctor to
come to the county, located in Delaware in 1820.
It is not known where he came from or where
he went from here. His conduct was not ap-
preciated in the community and he was compelled
to leave unceremoniously, on a rail, carried by
several citizens, and others who accompanied him
a short distance from the town, as a lasting re-
membrance of their good will.
DR. ALPHEUS BIGELOW, the eighth doctor,
settled in Zoar, now Galena, in 1820--perhaps
a year after Dr. Copeland. He was a brother of
the celebrated evangelist, the Reverend Russell
Bigelow, of the Methodist Church. The doctor,
like his brother, was a self-educated man. Both
men possessed great energy of character, as well
as strong intellect. He possessed a mind of his
own and excellent judgment. Dr. Bigelow was
not a regular graduate, like many others in the
county, and he seldom evinced any disposition
to cultivate an intimacy with any school of medi-
cine, but he was a very skillful physician. He
died in 1850 and had been in practice in one
place, longer than any other physician at that
time in the county.
James Harvey Hills
DR. JAMES HARVEY HILLS, probably the ninth
physician to come to Delaware, was raised at
Farmington, Connecticut, and educated at Yale
College. He gained his early medical knowledge
in the office of his brother-in-law, Dr. Eli Todd,
out East, who was one of the most highly edu-
cated men in the profession of his time. After
practicing at his home place Dr. Hills determined
to go west and so set out for Ohio. He is
known to have settled first at Ravenna, Ohio,
but in due time located at Worthington, in 1808.
Here he soon grew in much favor and was called
for, far and near, to attend the afflicted. He
made frequent trips to Berkshire and Delaware
6
[corresponds to page 6 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
tised field of attraction, Berkshire, in 1810 or
1812, from what place is not known, and about
whom traditional history fails to tell anything.
His remarkable energy, shrewdness and great
skill gave him his share of the work in the new
land. He also was armed with pleasing anec-
dotes and attractice stories which entertained his
numerous friends. He died in 1822. He was
advanced in years when he came to Berkshire
and was known as "Old Dr. Hawley" from the
beginning.
Misfortune Takes Its Toll
DR. SILAS MCCLARY, the fourth doctor to settle
in the county, in 1813 came to Berkshire, where
all seemed to settle first. After 20 years of labor
there he moved to Delaware and in a short time
went to Radnor, where he died. He, we think,
was the first doctor to settle in Radnor. In his
earlier days he was quite successful in business
but in later life misfortune came upon him and
he was left destitute and uncared for when he
died. Some traits of his character always pre-
vented him from becoming a favorite or friend
of members of the profession and his services
were seldom sought after by them.
DR. SAMUEL MOULTON, was the fifth physi-
cian to take up his work here and he came di-
rectly to Delaware, thus slighting Old Berk-
shire, in 1819. He came from Rutland, Vermont,
where he graduated in medicine. His rise in the
great favor and into an extensive practice. Dr.
Moulton was well read, skillful, and made few
mistakes. Dr. Lamb esteemed him highly for
his learning and gentlemanly qualities and often
sought his council. The "White Plague" or
tuberculosis cut his brilliant career short and he
died in 1821, or '22, at the age of 29 years. For
many years his name was kept green among the
people in this locality by Dr. Lamb and others
prescribing and using "Dr. Moulton's Cathartic
Pills."
DR. ELEAZER COPELAND, the sixth to locate in
the county, came during the same year as Dr. Moul-
ton--1819. Also from Vermont, he located in
Zoar, now called Galena, and to our knowledge,
was the first doctor there. He was a shoemaker
by trade and studied general subjects and medicine
while plying his trade. All will admit he was a
self-made man.
While working at the bench he committed to
memory Murray's English Grammar in two weeks'
time. Other texts followed in rapid succession
and then he prepared himself for schoolteaching.
While teaching school he studied Greek and
Latin, which he mastered without an instructor,
and soon became a perfect translator of both
languages. He took up the study of medicine
in the same manner and became a careful, skill-
ful and excellent physician.
District Censor
Dr. Copeland was highly esteemed by all of
his professional brethren. He held the position
of censor of the Sixth and afterwards of the
Eleventh Medical District of Ohio, composed of
the counties of Franklin, Marion, Crawford and
Delaware. He was accidentally drowned in Big
Walnut Creek, near Galena, in 1834. As a wise
counsellor, a superior physician, a mature scholar
and a useful citizen, his loss was deeply felt in
all circles.
DR. ROYAL N. POWERS, the seventh doctor to
come to the county, located in Delaware in 1820.
It is not known where he came from or where
he went from here. His conduct was not ap-
preciated in the community and he was compelled
to leave unceremoniously, on a rail, carried by
several citizens, and others who accompanied him
a short distance from the town, as a lasting re-
membrance of their good will.
DR. ALPHEUS BIGELOW, the eighth doctor,
settled in Zoar, now Galena, in 1820--perhaps
a year after Dr. Copeland. He was a brother of
the celebrated evangelist, the Reverend Russell
Bigelow, of the Methodist Church. The doctor,
like his brother, was a self-educated man. Both
men possessed great energy of character, as well
as strong intellect. He possessed a mind of his
own and excellent judgment. Dr. Bigelow was
not a regular graduate, like many others in the
county, and he seldom evinced any disposition
to cultivate an intimacy with any school of medi-
cine, but he was a very skillful physician. He
died in 1850 and had been in practice in one
place, longer than any other physician at that
time in the county.
James Harvey Hills
DR. JAMES HARVEY HILLS, probably the ninth
physician to come to Delaware, was raised at
Farmington, Connecticut, and educated at Yale
College. He gained his early medical knowledge
in the office of his brother-in-law, Dr. Eli Todd,
out East, who was one of the most highly edu-
cated men in the profession of his time. After
practicing at his home place Dr. Hills determined
to go west and so set out for Ohio. He is
known to have settled first at Ravenna, Ohio,
but in due time located at Worthington, in 1808.
Here he soon grew in much favor and was called
for, far and near, to attend the afflicted. He
made frequent trips to Berkshire and Delaware
6
Title
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio (p. 7)
Description
[page 7]
[corresponds to page 7 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
and was for a time the only doctor in the area
besides Dr. Lamb.
At this point, I want to speak a bit of side-
light history. Soon after locating in Worthing-
ton Dr. Hills became affiliated with the New
England Lodge, F. & A. M. He took the Fellow
Craft degree on April 24, 1809, while Col. James
Kilbourne was Worshipful Master and Ezra Gris-
wold was Secretary; Samuel Sloper, the father-in-
law of Dr. Lamb, was Tyler and William Little
was a member. I mention this for in a few
years he located in Delaware and found them all
to then be residents there. Dr. Hills was raised
to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, May
10, 1810. He served in different chairs and soon
he joined the Horab Chapter of Royal Select Masters.
Hardships of Military Campaign
While living in Worthington Dr. Hills was
found ready for duty when the War of 1812 be-
gan and he was made Surgeon of the Sixth Regi-
ment of regulars, and marched with General
Harrison through the forests of central Ohio to
Fort Defiance on the Maumee River near Toledo.
While there he became seriously ill and a scout
was sent back to tell his wife of his illness. She
at once had her faithful riding mare saddled
and prepared for the long and dangerous journey
of 130 miles, through the forests and swollen
streams amidst dangers and death from the red
men and English scouts, to her sick and possibly
dying husband. Finally, safely reaching the camp
she ministered to him and others there until Dr.
Hills had recovered and they could return to
Worthington and to their family.
In 1818 they left there and moved to Darby
Plains, in Logan County, and lived at West Liberty
for four years, when they came to Delaware, in
1822. Here they found a town of about 40
houses and 250 people enjoying life. Among them
were the Kilbournes, Littles, Byxbes, Walkers,
Lambs, Hayes, and Sydney Moore with all of
whom he had fraternized at Worthington. Dur-
ing this year the Reverend Joseph Hughes died
from the plague. Through the years many of
the town's finest men were taken by this same
plague, or Milk Sickness, among them being Mr.
Hayes, the father of United States President
Rutherford B. Hayes; J. B. Andrews, the father
of Hon. Charles Sweetzer; and in 1830 Dr. James
H. Hills.
Dr. Hills had married Miss Beulah Andrews,
back East and was the father of a large family.
There were three sons named Ralph, two having
died in infancy, and the third who followed in
the footsteps of his father and attained great
prominence. The other sons were Reuben E.,
Chauncey Harvey, Darwin T., and James H. The
daughters were Eleanora, Mary Jane, Rachel, and
Mary. All of the children left their imprint for
much good on the community in which they lived.
DR. GEORGE M. SMITH, of New Hampshire,
came to Delaware in 1826 and formed a partner-
ship with Dr. James Hills. He was a thorough
anatomist. He was compelled to leave his native
State for exhuming a human body for the purpose
of study. After several years in Delaware his
abode was discovered by the authorities in the
East. He then went to Mississippi where he
married a woman of wealth. In a few years he
returned north on a visit and died of cholera.
Dr. Smith is particularly remembered because he
was the first one to introduce quinine in the
county for the treatment of chills and fever, and
malaria. This was in 1826.
DR. W. W. MILLER, given to us by Virginia
in 1827, first practiced in famed Worthington
briefly, and then came to Delaware. While he
was well trained, he did not seem to do well
here and moved shortly to Columbus and after
that to Missouri. He was a brother-in-law of
United States President, John Tyler.
Ralph Hills
DR. RALPH HILLS began practice in Delaware
in 1830. He was the son of Dr. James H. Hills,
of whom we have spoken and who began his
work in Worthington in 1808, coming to Dela-
ware in 1822. Dr. Ralph Hills was born in
Worthington in 1810 and was 12 years old when
he came to Delaware, with his parents. In the
first years of his life he was given the most
careful training, under the best teachers of his
time.
At the age of 17 Ralph took up the study of
medicine under his father. He went to Cincinnati
in 1828 to attend medical lectures. He showed
great aptness and did thorough work in all
branches, but he devoted himself especially to
the study of the nervous system. In 1830, be-
fore his graduation, he was compelled to return
home on account of the death of his father. The
faculty of the college granted him an honorary
degree to practice medicine.
National Fame
The reputation of Dr. Ralph Hills as a suc-
cessful physician and surgeon became known far
and near. He was a great student in many
branches of knowledge and he was employed
to deliver a series of lectures on astronomy, and
traveled with the Russell's Great Planitarium for
two years. He was a great thinker on many sci-
7
[corresponds to page 7 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
and was for a time the only doctor in the area
besides Dr. Lamb.
At this point, I want to speak a bit of side-
light history. Soon after locating in Worthing-
ton Dr. Hills became affiliated with the New
England Lodge, F. & A. M. He took the Fellow
Craft degree on April 24, 1809, while Col. James
Kilbourne was Worshipful Master and Ezra Gris-
wold was Secretary; Samuel Sloper, the father-in-
law of Dr. Lamb, was Tyler and William Little
was a member. I mention this for in a few
years he located in Delaware and found them all
to then be residents there. Dr. Hills was raised
to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, May
10, 1810. He served in different chairs and soon
he joined the Horab Chapter of Royal Select Masters.
Hardships of Military Campaign
While living in Worthington Dr. Hills was
found ready for duty when the War of 1812 be-
gan and he was made Surgeon of the Sixth Regi-
ment of regulars, and marched with General
Harrison through the forests of central Ohio to
Fort Defiance on the Maumee River near Toledo.
While there he became seriously ill and a scout
was sent back to tell his wife of his illness. She
at once had her faithful riding mare saddled
and prepared for the long and dangerous journey
of 130 miles, through the forests and swollen
streams amidst dangers and death from the red
men and English scouts, to her sick and possibly
dying husband. Finally, safely reaching the camp
she ministered to him and others there until Dr.
Hills had recovered and they could return to
Worthington and to their family.
In 1818 they left there and moved to Darby
Plains, in Logan County, and lived at West Liberty
for four years, when they came to Delaware, in
1822. Here they found a town of about 40
houses and 250 people enjoying life. Among them
were the Kilbournes, Littles, Byxbes, Walkers,
Lambs, Hayes, and Sydney Moore with all of
whom he had fraternized at Worthington. Dur-
ing this year the Reverend Joseph Hughes died
from the plague. Through the years many of
the town's finest men were taken by this same
plague, or Milk Sickness, among them being Mr.
Hayes, the father of United States President
Rutherford B. Hayes; J. B. Andrews, the father
of Hon. Charles Sweetzer; and in 1830 Dr. James
H. Hills.
Dr. Hills had married Miss Beulah Andrews,
back East and was the father of a large family.
There were three sons named Ralph, two having
died in infancy, and the third who followed in
the footsteps of his father and attained great
prominence. The other sons were Reuben E.,
Chauncey Harvey, Darwin T., and James H. The
daughters were Eleanora, Mary Jane, Rachel, and
Mary. All of the children left their imprint for
much good on the community in which they lived.
DR. GEORGE M. SMITH, of New Hampshire,
came to Delaware in 1826 and formed a partner-
ship with Dr. James Hills. He was a thorough
anatomist. He was compelled to leave his native
State for exhuming a human body for the purpose
of study. After several years in Delaware his
abode was discovered by the authorities in the
East. He then went to Mississippi where he
married a woman of wealth. In a few years he
returned north on a visit and died of cholera.
Dr. Smith is particularly remembered because he
was the first one to introduce quinine in the
county for the treatment of chills and fever, and
malaria. This was in 1826.
DR. W. W. MILLER, given to us by Virginia
in 1827, first practiced in famed Worthington
briefly, and then came to Delaware. While he
was well trained, he did not seem to do well
here and moved shortly to Columbus and after
that to Missouri. He was a brother-in-law of
United States President, John Tyler.
Ralph Hills
DR. RALPH HILLS began practice in Delaware
in 1830. He was the son of Dr. James H. Hills,
of whom we have spoken and who began his
work in Worthington in 1808, coming to Dela-
ware in 1822. Dr. Ralph Hills was born in
Worthington in 1810 and was 12 years old when
he came to Delaware, with his parents. In the
first years of his life he was given the most
careful training, under the best teachers of his
time.
At the age of 17 Ralph took up the study of
medicine under his father. He went to Cincinnati
in 1828 to attend medical lectures. He showed
great aptness and did thorough work in all
branches, but he devoted himself especially to
the study of the nervous system. In 1830, be-
fore his graduation, he was compelled to return
home on account of the death of his father. The
faculty of the college granted him an honorary
degree to practice medicine.
National Fame
The reputation of Dr. Ralph Hills as a suc-
cessful physician and surgeon became known far
and near. He was a great student in many
branches of knowledge and he was employed
to deliver a series of lectures on astronomy, and
traveled with the Russell's Great Planitarium for
two years. He was a great thinker on many sci-
7
Title
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio (p. 8)
Description
[page 8]
[corresponds to page 8 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
entific subjects, other than those pertaining to
medicine. As a writer, none questioned his ability.
His judgment and calculations upon matters of
business were almost unerring.
After a few years of hard practice, at the
earnest request of his uncle, Dr. Eli Todd, who
had charge of a large hospital for the insane at
Hartford, Conn., Dr. Hills went there to assist
in the work and to study nervous disorders.
This study and knowledge under Dr. Tood, laid
the foundation for his great work and usefulness
in after years.
It was in Dr. Hills' parlor and through his
influence, that the idea originated and developed
into the Ohio Wesleyan Female College. Through
him and his intimate friends the Ohio Wesleyan
Univerity's future greatness was assured. In
1854 he established and edited the first weekly
medical journal, published in the West.
Headed Columbus Asylum
After two years of editorial work and pub-
lishing he was called to the superintendency of
the Central Ohio Lunatic Asylum at Columbus,
Ohio. For more than eight years he labored in
the new field, going to Europe to study all of
the new advancements in the great field of
nervous diseases. His work of advancement for
the unfortunate made his name nationally promin-
ent. He was called in 1862 to plan, superintend,
and build the largest state asylum in the United
States at Weston, West Virginia. In 1871 he
completed the task and established a new era
in this branch of medical science, which will
last for ages.
Dr. Hills then returned to his home in Dela-
ware and retired from active life. Possessing an
active brain and a strong physique for a man of
his age and labors, it was not intended that
he should be idle. He then designed, pattented
and built several fireproof houses which added
to his fame. He also organized, among the
physicians, a class to study and investigate medi-
cal and other scientific subjects.
It was said by Dr. Clouston, of England, that
"Dr. Hills was a third of a century in advance
of his time in the treatment and care of the
insane. He has unlocked the strong, iron-barred
doors and has cut the shackles from the ankles
and wrists of the unfortunate insane and has
turned them loose to enjoy the playgrounds and
the beautiful sunshine, and has given them other
equally beneficial entertainment."
Ohio state authorities soon sought out Dela-
ware's great thinker and tendered him the posi-
tion of head of the Girls' Industrial Home in
this County. Again he went to work to benefit
humanity. In the very midst of his active work
he was summoned by the great Master, whom he
had always served in a conscientious manner, to
His realm. Stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage,
in a few days it was all over and his work was
done, October 1879. In a short time his widow
followed, leaving a daughter.
Others That Followed
The foregoing is as much as we can cover now,
bringing us up to about 1850, but following are
the names of other physicians that through the
years have been here some time, were popular and
well regarded by the physicians and the citizens:
Dr. M. Gerhard came here in 1840, married the
granddaughter of Dr. Reuben Lamb, and died in
1868; Musician--played many instruments. He
owned the first piano ever in Delaware and it
was frequently borrowed by Ohio Wesleyan Uni-
versity for commencement exercises. He was the
first in the county to use chloroform as a general
anesthetic for surgery and the first to use antisep-
tics in open wounds.
Dr. Abram Blymer came in 1841 and died in
1882. He was one of our best physicians and
a great and respected leader in the community.
Dr. T. B. Williams came in 1849; Was in
the Civil War as a Surgeon; Served long on the
School Board and was in the Ohio Legislature.
Died in 1879.
Included, also, were Dr. John Little; Dr.
Joseph H. Van Deman; Dr. Joseph McCann;
Dr. E. H. Hyatt; Dr. W. T. Constant; Dr. A.
E. Westbrook, Ashley; Dr. B. W. Hedges, and
Dr. W. N. Vogt.
8
[corresponds to page 8 of A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio]
entific subjects, other than those pertaining to
medicine. As a writer, none questioned his ability.
His judgment and calculations upon matters of
business were almost unerring.
After a few years of hard practice, at the
earnest request of his uncle, Dr. Eli Todd, who
had charge of a large hospital for the insane at
Hartford, Conn., Dr. Hills went there to assist
in the work and to study nervous disorders.
This study and knowledge under Dr. Tood, laid
the foundation for his great work and usefulness
in after years.
It was in Dr. Hills' parlor and through his
influence, that the idea originated and developed
into the Ohio Wesleyan Female College. Through
him and his intimate friends the Ohio Wesleyan
Univerity's future greatness was assured. In
1854 he established and edited the first weekly
medical journal, published in the West.
Headed Columbus Asylum
After two years of editorial work and pub-
lishing he was called to the superintendency of
the Central Ohio Lunatic Asylum at Columbus,
Ohio. For more than eight years he labored in
the new field, going to Europe to study all of
the new advancements in the great field of
nervous diseases. His work of advancement for
the unfortunate made his name nationally promin-
ent. He was called in 1862 to plan, superintend,
and build the largest state asylum in the United
States at Weston, West Virginia. In 1871 he
completed the task and established a new era
in this branch of medical science, which will
last for ages.
Dr. Hills then returned to his home in Dela-
ware and retired from active life. Possessing an
active brain and a strong physique for a man of
his age and labors, it was not intended that
he should be idle. He then designed, pattented
and built several fireproof houses which added
to his fame. He also organized, among the
physicians, a class to study and investigate medi-
cal and other scientific subjects.
It was said by Dr. Clouston, of England, that
"Dr. Hills was a third of a century in advance
of his time in the treatment and care of the
insane. He has unlocked the strong, iron-barred
doors and has cut the shackles from the ankles
and wrists of the unfortunate insane and has
turned them loose to enjoy the playgrounds and
the beautiful sunshine, and has given them other
equally beneficial entertainment."
Ohio state authorities soon sought out Dela-
ware's great thinker and tendered him the posi-
tion of head of the Girls' Industrial Home in
this County. Again he went to work to benefit
humanity. In the very midst of his active work
he was summoned by the great Master, whom he
had always served in a conscientious manner, to
His realm. Stricken with a cerebral hemorrhage,
in a few days it was all over and his work was
done, October 1879. In a short time his widow
followed, leaving a daughter.
Others That Followed
The foregoing is as much as we can cover now,
bringing us up to about 1850, but following are
the names of other physicians that through the
years have been here some time, were popular and
well regarded by the physicians and the citizens:
Dr. M. Gerhard came here in 1840, married the
granddaughter of Dr. Reuben Lamb, and died in
1868; Musician--played many instruments. He
owned the first piano ever in Delaware and it
was frequently borrowed by Ohio Wesleyan Uni-
versity for commencement exercises. He was the
first in the county to use chloroform as a general
anesthetic for surgery and the first to use antisep-
tics in open wounds.
Dr. Abram Blymer came in 1841 and died in
1882. He was one of our best physicians and
a great and respected leader in the community.
Dr. T. B. Williams came in 1849; Was in
the Civil War as a Surgeon; Served long on the
School Board and was in the Ohio Legislature.
Died in 1879.
Included, also, were Dr. John Little; Dr.
Joseph H. Van Deman; Dr. Joseph McCann;
Dr. E. H. Hyatt; Dr. W. T. Constant; Dr. A.
E. Westbrook, Ashley; Dr. B. W. Hedges, and
Dr. W. N. Vogt.
8
Dublin Core
Title
A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio
Subject
Delaware County--Ohio--History
Physicians--Ohio--Delaware County--History
Physicians--Ohio--Delaware County--History
Description
This re-printed article from the The Ohio State Medical Journal, August-September- October, 1959, covers the history of physicians in Delaware County beginning in the early 1800s.
Creator
Author Doctor M. S. Cherington
Source
The Ohio State Medical Journal, August-September- October, 1959.
Publisher
Columbus, Ohio: Stoneman Press
Date
1959
Rights
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Format
Article
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
22221045
Collection
Citation
Author Doctor M. S. Cherington, “A Short History of Medicine and the Physicians Of Delaware County, Ohio,” Delaware County Memory, accessed December 25, 2024, http://66.213.124.233/items/show/211.