BIO: John OELLIG, M.D., Waynesboro, 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 163
_______________________________________________

JOHN OELLIG, M. D. 
1779-1840

  John Oellig was born December 23, 1779, in Germany and died January 15, 1840, 
in Waynesboro, aged 61 years.  His remains lie in the Salem Churchyard three 
miles southwest of Waynesboro.

  John Ollich, the original spelling, sailed from Amsterdam, Holland, in the 
ship Belvidere, John Dorson, Master, and landed in Philadelphia, August 20, 
1802.  The passage money paid was $144.05.  (Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd Series, 
Vol. X 511).

  Dr. Oellig located in Waynesboro, October 15, 1804, and was the first 
physician to locate in this neighborhood.  He held a diploma granted by an 
accredited Medical College in Germany.  Some years later his right to practice 
medicine was questioned in Washington County, Md.  A prosecution was brought, 
but before the trial Dr. Oellig went to Baltimore and after showing his foreign 
diploma and passing an examination before the faculty, he was granted a diploma 
by the University of Maryland, which he presented to the Court when the trial 
was called and the case was dismissed.

  Dr. Oellig was a man of ability and enjoyed the confidence of Dr. John 
McClelland and of the entire community.  He died very suddenly while in 
attendance upon a case of confinement at or near Rouzerville.  He was a charter 
member of the Roman Catholic Church, first organized in Waynesboro in 1819.  In 
politics he was a Democrat, but never sought offices.  His wife was Catherine 
Nicodemus of near Waynesboro.  The Nicodemus family belonged to the German 
Reformed Church and were early settlers in this neighborhood.

  Dr. John Oellig had three sons who became physicians, viz., Dr. John J. 
Oellig, Waynesboro, Francis Oellig, Upton, and Dr. Charles Oellig who resided in 
the western part of Pennsylvania.