BIO: Dr. George GINGERICH, Quincy, Franklin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

Copyright 2007.  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 283
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DR. GEORGE GINGERICH

  Some of the very first settlers in Quincy Township and the adjoining parts of 
Antrim and Washington Townships were Germans who came into the Cumberland Valley 
by way of Adams County, then York County.  Among these were German Baptists or 
"Old Order of Dunkards," more lately known as "Church of the Brethren."  This 
denomination established here the first church organization in this 
neighborhood.  It was known as the "Antitum Church" and for some years held 
services in the homes and barns of its members and was little more than a 
mission post on the frontier.  This congregation was first organized about 1754.  
The first church building was erected of limestone in 1790.  It stood along the 
west branch of Antietam Creek and was known as Antietam Church, more lately as 
Price's Church.

  The original founders of this church were:  John Price, Ulrich Snowberger, 
Theodore Ingold, John Funk, William Stover and Dr. George Gingerich.  This was 
the pioneer church in this part of the county in the days of Indian forays and 
massacres.  William Stover was elected Bishop and continued in office until 1800 
when he died.

  This item of history is given here because of the association therewith of the 
name of Dr. George Gingerich.  It would be of interest to know more of this man, 
but history has not recorded the extent of his medical education or the scope of 
his work.  The date 1754 placed Dr. Gingerich as one of the first of whom we 
have any record to practice medicine in what is now Franklin County.