AREA HISTORY: History of Adams County, Chapter XXVI, Adams County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/adams/ _______________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886 _______________________________________________ Part III, History of Adams County, Pages 204-214 CHAPTER XXVI. PHYSICIANS-OF THE EARLIEST OF WHOM TRADITION IS AT FAULT-PRACTICE OF MEDICINE IN EARLY DAYS-EARLY PHYSICIANS-ADAMS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY-PRESENT LICENSED PRACTITIONERS. The gifted poet-philosopher made some desultory remarks about “ministering to a mind diseased,” and answering his own question exclaimed in disgust, “throw physic to the dogs.” That will do for a strong man in prime health, but upon the ears of the poor invalid it would fall less heeded than the idle winds. In the olden time the intensity of religious faith deemed it enough, in fact, the be all and the end all, to minister to the poor, sick souls of men, and they looked with contempt upon what they regarded as wicked attempts to doctor the body. It was but the vile vessel, doomed for a few brief days to bear in this vile and troublous world the immortal soul, to coffin and confine its impatient wings in its eager anxiety for its flight to the bosom of the blessed God and the endless and infinite joys of heaven. Of the earliest immigrants here tradition is wholly at fault as to how or who ministered to the sick and afflicted. Had we even the most shadowy traditions to seize upon, we might construct a fair and reasonable story as to the manner of those early times in this respect, and do this, too, with no great fears as to the assertions we might make being authoritatively contradicted. Alas! No physician of a century ago, or three-quarters of a century, or fifty years ago, jotted down in his journal of recollections his knowledge and the traditions that had come to him of his predecessors in his profession; who they were, how they plied their trade, and other items of interest that would now be a store- house of wonderfully interesting information to us. Confronted as we now are with this painful omission of our ancestors, the lesson loudly calls upon the young men of to-day, of every profession, every guild, trade and occupation to keep a handy diary, where details and daily facts may be transmitted to far future generations. Young man it is an easy road to immortality-to building of your own monument that will endure beyond the bronze or the hardest granite. There must have been a generation of people here who were practically without any scientific medical aids in combating the “ills that flesh is heir to” in all newly-settled countries. The work-a-day mothers, the kindly-faced old grandmothers nursed the sick and ministered to the sufferers those simple remedies that they had learned of, that were gathered from the forests, the fields and the gardens. True, their knowledge of diseases and remedies were very limited, but they ventured upon no experiments of a heroic kind, and merely tried to gently assist nature in efforts at a cure. The priestly office in those days was esteemed a source of nearly infinite wisdom, especially if the reverend could gibber words in Greek and Latin. Doubtless these learned pundits were often impressed to prescribe for the body as well as pray for the soul. Then, there were the faith doctors, and then, too, as now, were the ever-living and ubiquitous quacks - arrant humbugs - a prolific race, tenacious of life, plying their nefarious trade and peopling the silent city of the dead. We all abuse these poor despised shams and dishonest frauds - tampering for gain with that most precious boon - health and life - and yet are we not dearly all more or less guilty; that is, are we not a race, nation and people of empirics - looking only upon the one side with a dull and dim vision in all the affairs of life, and, as we are told, the yet more important, because eternal, concerns beyond the grave? What science and almost all the art of medicine and surgery we have are the discoveries and inventions of the present century. Look at the improvement in the treatment and cure of our insane, the cleaning and drainage of our cities, the healthful comforts added to our houses and homes, the understanding and proper preparation of our food, the intelligent battle we can now make against epidemics! In short, we have performed what at one time could have only been done by a miracle - prolonged the average life of a generation ten years. What else has the human race done that can be compared to this? Think of it, reader. Here is a suggestion that may lead the intelligent mind to the contemplation of the most instructive and interesting subjects it is possible to place before it. The beginning of this century found Dr. John Agnew a practicing physician in Gettysburg. The Agnews were a very prominent family long prior to the Revolution, and in that war the different members made the name historic. Dr. Agnew would have made his name illustrious in any age or among any people. An industrious and patient investigator, with a strong, active brain and a stout heart, he walked life’s path single-handed, and boldly pursued new avenues of knowledge and thought out many of the intricate problems of life. The people of his time, of course, could have but small appreciation of his worth to them and mankind. In the very early part of this century he wrote and published a most valuable paper on vaccination, the first thing of the kind ever published in this country. We are informed that the State Medical Society, at one of its meeting a few years ago, learned something of this historical incident of Dr. Agnew’s article, and eventually sent one of its members to Gettysburg in the hope of finding the publication, but failed to secure it. The writer of these lines found it in the early files of Harper’s paper, the Centinel, now in the Star and Sentinel office. The commencement of the nineteenth century found here, practicing his profession, Dr. William H. Crawford, a man of great and varied abilities. His active and brilliant intellect made him, at an early period of his life, preeminent among men, and he wrought out by the sheer force of his own genius a national and lasting fame. A born leader of men, and whether in the science and practice of medicine, a law-maker in the hall of Congress, on the stump or in the forum as a statesman or orator, or wielding his pointed and trenchant pen, he found few equals in his day among the world’s greatest men, and no superiors. A tolerably complete account of Dr. Crawford may be found in another part of this work. Dr. John Runkle was a native of Maryland, born in 1786, a son of Rev. John William Runkle, of the Palatinate, Germany, who lived to the age of eighty-four years and died in 1832. Dr. John Runkle studied theology for a time, but nature’s impulses turned his attention to the study of medicine. He was great enough in his profession to impress his life upon his age, and there has been handed down to the present generation even the glowing accounts of his great worth as a physician, as a fellow-citizen, as a guide, counselor and friend to his neighbors and widely extended list of patients. In the biographical portion of this work will be found an extended sketch of Dr. Runkle. Dr. John B. Arnold was born in Connecticut in 1775, and died in 1822. He was in early life a graduate of medicine, and came to Adams County before the end of the last century. (See his biographical sketch.) Dr. James Hamilton was among the early educated and able physicians in this county. He was a Southern man by birth; had received a good education both in the literary and medical schools. A man of dignified and gentlemanly deportment, of a high sense of honor, he was greatly respected and beloved by all our people. He lived in this county nearly fifty years. He came here with ample means, and invested largely in land in the Piney Mountain region, and instead of this making him money it impoverished him, and in his old days, when too feeble longer to practice his profession he died in the extremes of poverty about the year 1825. Dr. John Knox was many years a leading man in the county in his profession. His son, Rev. John Knox, became the eminent divine of New York. Dr. Knox was one of nature’s men of strong and positive convictions, who was naturally a powerful leader in his profession or in his church as well as in social life. His eminent talents as a physician, his great worth as a citizen, are now a pleasant theme for contemplation by the few aged and venerable men among us, the oldest of whom are carried back to the times of their early boyhood days, when they come to tell you of Dr. Knox. Dr. James H. Miller was one of Dr. Crawford’s earliest medical students in his office, and was a most worthy successor to his eminent tutor as well as to the practice of the eminent men we have named above. For many years he was the Nestor of physicians in all this part of Pennsylvania. When his advice or counsel in the most complicated and difficult cases was obtained, all were satisfied that all was done that could be accomplished, and the ablest of his contemporaries could seek no higher authority than Dr. Miller. He married a Miss Spear, of Franklin County, and removed to Baltimore, in 1825, where he at once became the leading physician. He died in the early “fifties,” leaving no descendants. When Dr. Miller removed to Baltimore his extensive practice was divided mostly between Dr. David Horner and Dr. Charles Berluchy. Dr. John Paxton was one of the early physicians who at one time became very prominent in the county. His family lived in Millerstown where he was reared. Upon completing his education he located in Gettysburg, gaining an extended and, for that day, lucrative practice, and there he died. Dr. David Horner was born in Gettysburg, Penn., in 1797, and was a son of Robert and grandson of David Horner, who immigrated to this country prior to 1760. He read medicine under Dr. James H. Miller, and received his degree of M.D. from the Washington Medical College at Baltimore, Md. He died in 1858. (See his biography.) Dr. Charles Berluchy was an uncle of Drs. Charles and Robert Horner, of Gettysburg. Dr. David Horner and Dr. Berluchy married sisters, Misses Allen, of Savannah, Ga. Dr. Berluchy was a native of Milan, Italy. In his native country he left the University of Milan and joined Napoleon’s forces, and after the fall of Napoleon he came to America. He was wounded in the face in one of the many battles, and a great scar was the potent mark of his exposure to the enemy on the battle field. He came to Gettysburg about 1816, and located here in the practice of his profession. Under all disadvantages he gained an extensive practice, and became a prominent and influential citizen in his adopted country; was for some time postmaster in Gettysburg. He left here about 1855, and located in Pottsville, where he died about 1864. He left a widow and two sons. His son Samuel Lilly Berluchy, became a very learned physician, but died young. The family have all died since the death of the father and husband. Dr. Samuel Meisenhelder was born in York County, Penn., in 1818, and graduated in Jefferson Medical College in 1851, came to East Berlin in 1851, and died there in 1884. (See biography.) Dr. John Parshall was here in the early part of the century. He came from Perry County, Penn., lived here and practiced successfully until about the year 1833, then removed to Tennessee, none of his family remaining here. He was the organizer and leader of the small colony that removed to Tennessee. He was, it is said, a student of Dr. Miller. Dr. Samuel E. Hall was also one of Dr. Miller’s students, and had succeeded in building up a good practice in Berlin, and, about 1837, removed to Gettysburg, where he had a large practice, and afterward went West. He is remembered as a good physician, but impulsive and sometimes warm in discussions. Dr. David Gilbert established himself as a physician in Gettysburg about 1830. He has very successful and was noted as a surgeon. It is said, in fact, that the only men to this time that could cut off a limb had been Drs. Crawford and Miller until Dr. Gilbert came. He practiced here about fifteen years and removed to Philadelphia, and became still more celebrated as a surgeon; was at one time a professor in the medical college there. He died in Philadelphia, leaving a family. His son, Kent Gilbert, was also a physician and was elected coroner of Philadelphia. J. W. Hendrix, born in York County in May, 1823; graduate of the University of Maryland, March, 1849; resided at New Oxford. He died May 26, 1885, deeply lamented by a wide circle of sincere friends. [See biography elsewhere.] Joseph A. Shorb was for thirty-five years a prominent physician and leading citizen in the county. He died in 1855, deeply lamented by a wide circle of friends and relatives - a good man, a wise physician and beloved friend. He was the father of thirteen children, two of whom are living. [See biography elsewhere.] ADAMS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. This society was formed in Gettysburg June 14, 1873, by Drs. R. B. Elderdice, Robert Horner, W. J. McClure, J. L. Baehr, A. Holtz, C. Thompson and J. W. C. O’Neal. A. Holtz, chairman; E. B. Elderdice, secretary; J. L. Baehr, treasurer. There were then about thirty-five practicing physicians in the county. At the regular meeting in June, 1873, the attendants were Drs. H. S. Huber, J. P. Brenneman, W. C. Stem, E. W. Mumma, Charles Horner, R. N. Meisenhelder, F. C. Wolf, A. B. Dill. Permanent officers elected: Robert Horner, president; H. S. Huber and A. Holtz, vice-presidents; E. B. Elderdice, recording secretary; William J. McClure, corresponding secretary; J. W. C. O’Neal, treasurer. June 8, 1881, the Legislature passed an act requiring the prothonotary of each county to provide a book in which shall be kept a registry of each practicing physician in medical surgery in the county; the record keeping an account of the deaths or removals from the county of physicians. The act goes on to specify the qualifications in point of medical education each practitioner shall have before he can practice. Any one, however, in the continuous practice sine 1871 can continue practice without the qualifications required by law. Present licensed practitioners in the county are as follows: George B. Aiken, a native of Baltimore, who received the degree of M.D. at the University of Maryland, March 10, 1836, settled in McSherrystown, where he has been continuously in the practice. James B. Combs, nativity, Huntington County, Penn.; residence Round Hill, Huntington Township; took his degree at the Medical College of Ohio, March 1, 1851, and also graduated in the Medical and Surgical University of Philadelphia, February 23, 1872, and for some years practiced medicine in Baltimore. E. W. Cashman, a native of Bendersville, Adams County, now residing in York Springs; graduated in the University of Pennsylvania, May 1, 1886. Daniel L. Baker, resides in East Berlin. Aaron L. Bishop, native of Littlestown, where he has continued to reside all his life. A graduate of the University of New York, March 1, 1847. John C. Bush, born in Baltimore; graduated in University of Maryland in March, 1854; resides in Mountjoy Township, where he has had a continuous residence. Abraham Piere Beam, of Franklin County; a graduate of Jefferson Medical College March, 1876; residence, Fairfield. Jesse P. Brennaman, native of York County; graduate of University of New York. He located in Arendtsville and finally in Gettysburg. John G. Brown, born in Adams County; residence, Hampton, in this county. He graduated in the University of Maryland March 1, 1878. David A Diller, native of York County. He took his degree in the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania April 21, 1864. He resided in York County until 1859, and since then has resided in York Springs, this county. Howard L. Diehl, a native of Littlestown; residence, Gettysburg; graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, of Philadelphia, March 1, 1876. John Russell Dickson, born in Adams County; residence, Straban Township; received the degree of M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania, March 15, 1880. [See biography.] A. B. Dill graduated in Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1865. His family were early settlers in this country. His residence is York Springs. [See biography elsewhere.] Jeremiah Diore, born in the Mauritius; residence, Biglerville; graduate of Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, March 29, 1884. A. M. Evers, a native of Rockingham County, Va.; lived in Frederick, Md., and removed to New Oxford, in this county. Robert Breckinridge Elderdice, born in Cecil County, Md.; was a graduate of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, June 25, 1858. Samuel Enterline, born in Dauphin County, Penn.; graduated in Eclectic Medical College, of Philadelphia, February, 1867; first located in York County, then came to present residence in Huntington Township. John C. Felty, born in Adams County; graduated in University of Pennsylvania, March 13, 1873, and in 1870 and 1873 received from Pennsylvania College the degrees of A.B. and A.M.; residence, Gettysburg. He has so improved the opportunities of his school days as to readily take a prominent place in the ranks of his profession. [See his biography in the biographical part of this work.] Edwin Knox Foreman, born in Frederick County, Md.; graduated at the University of Maryland, March 1, 1862; practiced medicine in Mechanicstown and Elkton, Md., and then located in Littlestown. He is an eminent and learned physician. [See elsewhere his biographical sketch.] Charles Edward Goldsborough, a native of Frederick County, Md.; attended lectures in 1855-56 in University of Maryland; was then examined and placed in service of United States Army in 1861, and became acting assistant surgeon in 1862, and served two years; altogether was four years in the United States service, then practiced his profession one year in Hampton, when he permanently located in Hunterstown. He is a prominent and influential man in his profession. [See biographical sketch elsewhere.] Charles Peter Gettier, a native of Maryland; graduated from New York Homoeopathic Institution March 1, 1867, and located in Littlestown, where he has been very successful in his professional practice. [See biography.] John E. Gilbert, a native of Gettysburg; graduated at the University of Pennsylvania March 1, 1877, and located in his native town; died in April, 1882, in Gettysburg. Wilson F. Hollinger, a native of Adams County; graduated at the University of Pennsylvania March, 1874, and located in Abbottstown. Alex. W. Howard, born in Adams County; graduate of the University of Maryland, March, 1870; residence, Bendersville. He is already one of the county’s prominent physicians. [See biography elsewhere.] Charles Horner, born in Gettysburg, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, March, 1846; received the degrees of A.M. and M.D. in Pennsylvania College in 1843 and 1846. Robert Horner, born in Gettysburg; received the degree of M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in March, 1849, and the degree of A.M. in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, in June, 1875. Ephraim Howard, a native of Adams County; residence, Straban Township. Jonathan Howard, a native of Littlestown, received no regular degrees; practiced medicine in Mountpleasant Township, and resides in Littlestown. Andrew Howard, of Mountpleasant Township, received no degrees. Charles W. Johnston, born in Bedford County; received his M.D. in March, 1875, at Jefferson Medical College; resides in Abbottstown. John Shorb Kinzer, born in Littlestown; graduated in the University of Maryland March 3, 1881; resides in Germany Township; was conferred the degrees of A.B. and A.M. at St. Mary’s College in 1878 and 1880. Thomas Kenedy, a native of Adams County, graduated at Keokuk, Iowa, Medical College February, 1874; resides in Bermudian. Virgil H. B. Lilly, a native of Adams County; graduate of University of Maryland in March, 1869; resides in McSherrystown; a scientific man in his profession, a ripe scholar and valuable citizen. [See biography in another column.] Hiram W. LeFevre, born in Adams County; graduate of the University of Maryland, 1872; resides in Littlestown. Israel P. Lecrone, born in York County; received his degree of M.D. at Jefferson Medical College in March, 1871; resides in Arendtsville; of a large family, there being eleven children, of whom five are now living. [See extended biography elsewhere.] Richard McSherry, born in Martinsburg, Va.; graduated at the University of Maryland in March, 1880; residence, Germany Township; commenced the practice of his profession in Pittsburgh. Robert N. Meisenhelder, a native of York County; graduate of Jefferson Medical College, March, 1871; resides in East Berlin. [See family biographical sketch in another part of this work.] E. W. Mumma, nativity, Waverly, Md.; received the degree of M.D. at the University of Maryland, March 10, 1851; residence, Bendersville. The Mumma family name is among the earliest of the historical names of the early fathers of this portion of the State; a name prominently connected with nearly every historical event in this part of the country from the middle of the eighteenth century to the present time. [See Dr. Mumma’s biographical sketch elsewhere.] John H. Marsden, born in Adams County; took his degree of M.D. in March, 1848, at Jefferson Medical College; resides near York Springs. Emanuel Melhorn, born in Adams County; graduate of Pennsylvania University in 1857; resides in New Chester. Isaac W. Pearson, a native of Adams County, born June 6, 1824; commenced the study of medicine in 1848 and practice in 1850 in York Springs. His ancestors came with William Penn. [See biography on another page.] Alfred Myers, born in Baltimore; a graduate of Jefferson Medical College in March, 1875; residence, Hampton. D. H. Melhorn, born in Adams County; a graduate of Jefferson Medical College in March, 1882; residence, New Chester. Agideous Noel, a native of Adams County; graduate of the University of Maryland in March, 1862; residence, Bonneauville. [See biography.] John W. C. O’Neal, born in Virginia; was educated in the grammar schools and in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg; received his degree of M.D. at the University of Maryland in March, 1844; practiced medicine in Hanover from 1844 to 1849, then practiced in Baltimore from 1849 to 1863, and in Hanover for a time, when he removed to Gettysburg, his present home, where he is still in the practice of his chosen profession. By right of priority, at least, he stands at the head of the long column of men eminent in the profession in this county. (See another page for an extended sketch of Dr. O’Neal.) Walter H. O’Neal, born in Baltimore, educated in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg; attended medical department University of Maryland; graduated in 1871; appointed medical attendant for the county in 1872; served six years and resigned, and located in Luzerne County, and practiced there five years and returned to Gettysburg, his present residence, and took charge of his father’s extensive practice. Jacob R. Plank, born in Cumberland County; graduated from Washington Medical College in July, 1873; residence, York Springs. R. Milton Plank, a native of Cumberland County, graduated in March, 1880, at College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore; residence, York Springs. George L. Rice, born in Baltimore; a graduate of Washington University, Baltimore; in February, 1872; residence, McSherrystown; a man learned in his profession, and much esteemed in private life. [See biography elsewhere.] Charles H. Rupp, a native of York County, commenced practice in 1863 and has been in continuous practice to date. B. K. Rether, born in Adams County, graduated in 1884 from Jefferson College; residence, Biglerville. J. L. Sheetz, born in Berks County, received his degree of M.D. in March, 1879, at the University of Pennsylvania; resides in New Oxford. Joseph W. Smith, a native of York County, graduated from Bellevue Medical College, New York, in March, 1870; residence, New Oxford. Charles E. Smith, born in York County, graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, March 9, 1873; residence, Center Mills. R. S. Seiss, born in Frederick County, Md., graduate of University of Maryland, March, 1852; residence, Littlestown. As a physician, a man highly prized by his brethren, and in social and business life esteemed greatly by a wide circle of friends. [See extended biography elsewhere.] Joshua S. Kemp, born in Baltimore, took his degree of M.D. at University of Maryland in March, 1858; residence, Littlestown. [See sketch in another column.] Edmund F. Shorb, a native of Adams County; graduate of University of Maryland, March, 1846; residence, Littlestown. The son of Dr. Joseph A. Shorb, and is worthily carrying on the work where his eminent father left off. [See biography.] Abraham S. Scott, a native of Adams County; residence, Fairfield. William O. Smith, born in Franklin County; graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, March, 1878; residence, Cashtown. George W. Smith, nativity Adams County; attended two courses of lectures at Jefferson Medical College; received permission to commence the practice in 1860, and has been in the practice continually since; residence, Flora Dale. J. B. Scott, born in Gettysburg; received his degree of M.D. at the medical department University of Pennsylvania, 1881, and the degree of A.B. from Pennsylvania College in 1877; residence, Gettysburg. Abraham O. Scott, an eminent physician, a descendant of one of the earliest families, was born in 1825; graduated from Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, in 1850, and from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, in 1853. [See full biography elsewhere.] Otho W. Thomas, born in Adams County; graduated at the University of Pennsylvania March 12, 1874; residence, Arendtsville. His parents were also natives of Adams County, a prominent and influential family. [See biography.] William C. Sandrock, born in Baltimore, graduated from Maryland College in Pharmacy in 1875; received his degree of M.D. at the University of Maryland in March, 1878; studied medicine in Baltimore. He took first prize in his class in 1875; residence, New Oxford. [See biography elsewhere.] James Warren, born in Lancaster County, received degrees at Jefferson Medical College; been in the practice fifty years; at an early age became eminent in his profession; resides near Gettysburg. [See complete biography elsewhere.] J. C. Warren, born in York County; received his degree in Louisville, Ky., in 1873; began practice in Lancaster, Penn., then in three years came to Gettysburg for a short time; thence moved to Stryanstown, York County, where he practiced eight years; then, in 1883, came to his present location in Butler Township. [See biography.] Sylvester B. Weaver, born in Carroll County, Md., graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, March, 1872; residence, Littlestown. Frederick C. Wolf, born in Adams County, graduated at F. and M. College, Lancaster, in 1864; read medicine in the office of Dr. Peffer, Abbottstown; attended lectures at the University of Maryland; graduated in 1866; residence, Abbottstown. James D. Weddelle, born in Washington County, Md.; received degree of M.D. in February, 1872, in Washington Medical University, Maryland; residence, Bigler. William C. Stem, native of Adams County; passed the Philadelphia Medical Institute in 1850; attended, about one year, clinical lectures in the Pennsylvania Hospital and also lectures at the Willis Hospital; residence, Cashtown. [See biography elsewhere.] Charles W. Weaver, born in Glenville, Penn., graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, April, 1884; residence, Glenville. James G. Watson, born in Franklin County; graduated in 1876; residence, Bonneauville; already a prominent and influential member of his profession. [See biography elsewhere.] T. T. Tate, born in Gettysburg; graduated from Pennsylvania Medical College in 1855; went to Iowa and practiced a few years, then resided in the vicinity of Springfield, Ohio, three years, and returned to Gettysburg; was surgeon of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry during the late war, and since has been a resident and practitioner in his native town.