Bio of Lont, Dr. Ostrom Stephen (b.1821) Wabasha Co., MN ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. FileFormat by Terri--MNArchives Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge ========================================================================= This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884. Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book: http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some of the bios on her pages. Lont, Dr. Ostrom Stephen, Mazeppa, is a native of New York, born in Lebanon, Madison county, in 1821. He dwelt here with his parents till eighteen years of age, and received in the common schools the rudiments of an education. He early became imbued with the idea that the practice of medicine opened to a man wide opportunities for benevolence, and possessing a natural aptitude and love for the profession, he entered the office of Dr. V. H. Van Vleck, at Hamilton, in his native county, to perfect himself by combined study and practice for his chosen profession. Having no means he was compelled to pay his way while studying by waiting upon his preceptor, working in the harvest field, and performing any odd service that came to his hand. Though to many his lot seemed hard, the young student was happy in the consciousness of doing his best, and in the preparation for a noble profession and useful life. No doubt his happiest days were those spent in this manner. So closely did he apply himself that he was licensed to practice at the end of two years' study, with Dr. Van Vleck. His license was issued by the Botanical Medical Society of New York, and when the Physio-Medical College of Cincinnati was founded by this society he received his diploma. He had at this time been practicing medicine four years, having begun when about twenty-three years old, at West Burlington, Otsego county. Here he continued to practice till 1856, when he removed to Mazeppa. For two or three years during the war he dwelt on a farm in Chester, and with this exception his home has been in this village since his arrival here. He has a pleasant home on First street, facing the river, where himself and faithful helpmeet dwell in contentment, and the love and respect of their neighbors. Their marriage occurred on Christmas day, 1850. Mrs. Lont was christened Melissa A., and is a sister of W. D. Angell, who parentage is elsewhere shown in this work. To his worthy wife Dr. Lont owes and ascribes much of his success in life. The trials and triumphs of their journey have been equally shared, and all important moves, financial or otherwise, have been made after mutual consultation. They adopted and reared to maturity an orphan boy, Willis A., born Rogers, now Lont, who is at present employed in a mill at Prague, this state. This worthy couple is now furnishing a home to Harry E. Jamieson, who will probably remain with his foster-parents to be the stay of their old age. Dr. Lont is a man of decided character, and has made some enemies by his firm stand in defense and advocacy of principles he deems right. Nothing which does not seem to him likely to promote the welfare of his fellow-men can receive his sanction or support. Nothing could conduce more to his enjoyment than to see the rest of the world happy. He is a staunch temperance advocate, having imbibed a hatred of the course of intemperance at his mother's knee. In theology he is a modern Spiritualist, believing and teaching that all men will occupy in the next world the state for which their education and occupations in this have fitted them. In early life he denied and vehemently combated the idea that slavery was a divinely-appointed institution. He helped to organize the liberty party in New York State, and continued there to labor for freedom until the republican party succeeded it. For twenty years he has enjoyed the realization of his political hopes and desires in the triumph of the latter. He has been active in promoting the welfare of his own neighborhood, and has been many times honored by his fellow-citizens in filling positions of responsibility. From 1861 to 1864 he served as supervisor in Chester, and was instrumental in relieving that town of a draft. He has been two years chairman of the Mazeppa town board, four years village justice, and served six years in the latter capacity in Chester and Mazeppa townships. In his practice he enjoys the most amicable relations with neighboring physicians, whom he often meets in council He has been twice elected president of the Wabasha County Medical Society. While his library is not a very extensive one, it contains standard works of all schools. Anything new of undoubted authority is at once secured by him, and he is thus able to keep up with the times.