Page:A cyclopedia of American medical biography vol. 2.djvu/48

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JACKSON

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Jackson, Abraham Reeves (1S27-1892).

Abraham Reeves Jackson, one of the oilier members and ex-presidents of the American Gynecological Society, died November 12, 1892, of a stroke of paralysis, due to cerebral hemorrhage. His appearance and work showed him as in the fulness of his powers. But the finger of Providence had touched him two years before, and although the touch was a light one, he knew its meaning. Yet he strode on cheerfully, and said nothing of it, except to a friend. The fatal touch came while still on duty.

He was born June 17, 1827, in Phila- delphia. His early education was ob- tained in the public and high schools. After graduating at the Central High School of Philadelphia, in 1846, he be- gan the study of marine engineering, but soon decided that medicine would offer a more congenial career. His admiration in early boyhood for the character and personality of his family physician had much to do with his partiality for the profession. He grad- uated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1848, and forthwith began his life's work at Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Here he practised for twenty years, with the exception of two spent in the service of his countrj- — 1862 to 1864 — as assistant medical director of the Army of Virginia. In 1870 he moved from Stroudsburg to Chicago, and immediateh' assumed the position in the profession for which his natural endowments and careful preparation had fitted him. In 1871 the character of the man was displayed in the success- ful establishment of the Woman's Hospital of lUinois, of which he was the first surgeon-in-chief. After this he limited his practice entirely to gyne-

cologj-, with constantly increasing in- fluence and renown. His last year was the most successful and remuner- ative of his life.

In 1872 he was elected lecturer on gynecology at Rush Medical College, and held the position until 1877, when he resigned. In 1882 he established and incorporated, with the aid of two colleagues, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, and was its jjresident and professor of gynecology until removed by death.

He was a charter member of the Chicago Gynecological Society, and its president in 1883. From 1889 until his death he occupied the position of president of the Association of Acting Assistant Surgeons of the United States Army; honorary member of the De- troit Gynecological Society, and cor- responding member of the Boston Gynecological Society.

His writings were numerous, and always conservative in tone and original in thought. They carried his name wherever medicine is read, and were honored with the stamp of authority, both abroad and at home.

It is pleasant to remember that, in addition to his labors and honors and responsibilities, his life contained much that was enjoyable. He was the com- panion of Mark Twain in the famous trip made by the "Innocents Abroad," and was the original of the very orig- inal doctor, whose jokes are the best in the book. He was funny, but never vulgar; witty, but never sarcastic and personal.

He married in 1850 Harriet Hollins- head, of Stroudsburg, by whom he had two daughters. He was left a widow- er by her death in 1865, and in 1871 married Julia Newell, of Janesville, Wisconsin, who survived him. With