BIO: John BOGGS, M.D., Greencastle, Franklin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/franklin/
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Medical Men of Franklin County, 1750-1925 by Ambrose Watts Thrush, M.D.;
Chambersburg, Pa.; Medical Society of Franklin County, Page 212-213
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JOHN BOGGS, M. D.
1787-1849

  John Boggs was born in Greencastle and was the youngest of six children.  He 
was a son of John and Elizabeth (Johnston) Boggs.  The mother was a daughter of 
James and Elizabeth (Brown Findlay) Johnston and a sister of Dr. Robert 
Johnston.

  Dr. Boggs lost his father at an early age and was adopted by his uncle, Dr. 
Robert Johnston, who gave him a classical education.  After leaving college he 
studied medicine with Dr. John McClellan in Greencastle and attended lectures at 
the University of Pennsylvania.  Before completing his course, he was called 
home by the serious illness and sudden death of his uncle, Dr. Johnston, in 
1808.  The will previously made by his uncle, leaving him his heir, could not be 
found, and the young man became dependant upon his own resources.  He began the 
practice of medicine in Huntingdon County where he remained for a time, when the 
declining health of his mother decided him to come to Greencastle and become a 
partner with his preceptor, Dr. McClellan.  He first went to Baltimore and 
passed the examination before the faculty of the University of Maryland and was 
granted the degree M. D. about 1812 by this institution.

  Dr. Boggs then became a volunteer in the War of 1812-14 and later was made 
Assistant Surgeon of the regiment, Dr. McClellan being the Surgeon.  After the 
war he resumed the practice of medicine in Greencastle and so continued until 
his death in 1847. (sic)

  Dr. Boggs was a member of the Medical Society in 1825 and was an Elder in the 
Presbyterian Church in Greencastle from 1825 to the time of his death.

  He married in 1819, Isabelle Craig Allison, a daughter of William Allison and 
a granddaughter of William Allison who first laid out the town of Greencastle.

  On a monument in the burial ground of the "Old Red Church" there is this 
inscription:

    "John Boggs, M. D. born August 18, 1787.  Died July 12, 1849.  An eminent
    physician, a faithful elder, and affectionate husband, father and friend,
    a useful citizen, a humble Christian:  his life was piety, his death was 
    peaceful."

  Some years ago his remains and the monument marking his grave were removed and 
placed in the cemetery west of Greencastle.