BIO: John McClellan, 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/
_______________________________________________ 

Medical Men of Franklin County, 1750-1925 by Ambrose Watts Thrush, M.D.;
Chambersburg, Pa.; Medical Society of Franklin County, Page 210-211
_______________________________________________

JOHN McCLELLAN, M. D.
1762-1846

  John McClellan was born and reared near Greencastle, Pa., a son of John and 
Sidney (Roddy) McClellan.  At an early age he went to Philadelphia and began the 
study of medicine in the office of the celebrated Dr. Benjamin Rush.  He was 
with Dr. Rush for three years while attending lectures at the University of 
Pennsylvania and was graduated M. D. in 1788 from this institution.

  Dr. Rush gave young McClellan a very flattering testimonial of efficiency and 
he returned to Greencastle and began the practice of medicine and for fifty-
eight years followed his profession in his native town.  His last years were 
devoted mainly to consultations and the more serious surgical operations.  He 
was a bold and very dexterous operator, who performed successfully many of the 
most difficult and hazardous operations of major surgery.  The following list of 
some of Dr. McClellan's operations, given by himself, furnishes evidence of a 
wide and remarkable experience.

    "1792 --Sept. 13th.  Operated on Henry Boyle with complete success for a 
cataract of one eye.
    "1793 --May 24th.  Incised M. M. Kuhn's foot, which was horribly mangled by 
a horse tramping on her.
    "1794 --March 26th.  Trephined Robert Dick
    "1795 --April 9th.  Amputated Mrs. Lester's breast, assisted by Dr. Senseny.
    "1804 --June 7th.  Cut a cancer from Col. James Agnew's tongue.
    "1805 --May 14th.  Removed the paroted gland because of a cancerous growth 
from Elizabeth McKee, aged 50 years."  This growth was the size of a hen's egg 
and he was assisted by Dr. Boggs and Dr. Heatherington.  The patient recovered 
with paralysis on one side of the face due to the severing of the facial nerve.  
It is asserted, and has not been successfully contradicted, that this was the 
first time this operation was performed in America.
    "1808 --December 18th.  Operated on Phillip Snyder with complete success for 
scrotal hernia.
    "1812 --August 31st.  Operated on John Wise's son with complete success for 
inguinal hernia.
    "1836 --January 9th.  Operated on Michael Everly with complete success for 
scrotal hernia.

  In 1814 Dr. McClellan was surgeon to Col. John Findlay's regiment, Dr. John 
Boggs and Dr. Jesse Magaw being Assistant Surgeons in this regiment.  Dr. 
McClellan was the first President of the Medical Society in 1825 and served for 
five years following.  He was one of its most active members and was without a 
doubt one of Franklin County's greatest and most esteemed citizens.

  Dr. McClellan married Eleanor Bell McCulloh.  A son, Robert McClellan, became 
Governor of Michigan and was Secretary of the Interior in President Pierce's 
Cabinet in 1853.