Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/363

 COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES h art, Esq., and w as admitted to practice. A short lime a lte r his admission he removed to B u ffalo, where he still resides. L. K. M o i 'REr read law with G rier and van Fossen and w as admitted to practice In 1874. M r. Mourer practiced for a number o f years in Danville, during which time he served one term as district attorney. He afterw ards re ­ m oved from the State. G e o r c e W. v a n F o s s e n was a Methodist preacher, serving T rinity M. E. Church in 18 7 2. In the year 1873 he left the church and commenced reading law with I. X. C rier, with

3*21

whom, after his admission to the bar, he formed a partnership under the name o f Grier and van Fossen. This partnership was shortly after dissolved and M r. van Fossen practiced a few years alone. H e then left town, removing to one of the Western States. On the roll o f aiiom cys arc O scar F. Moore, John D. Colt and H. A. Chihls, o f whose work we have no record except that the Litter, H. A. Chihls. w as prothonotary of the county, beginning in 1854. and after some years re­ moved to Lock Haven.

CHAPTER VII P H Y S IC IA N S T h e history of the medical profession of Montour county is, like that of the profession generally, a history o f heroism and self-sacriHce; the history 01 men who, with few excep­ tions, have brought cheer and sunshine, along with healing and strength, into the home life and the home development of the county. T he doctor of the earlier days fought dis­ ease single-handed and alone, as it were, so far as human help was concerned. Few were hts books and few er still the specific remedies, ready at hand, for the most malignant-cases. Experience was the only teacher he had lo rely upon. To-day certain well known reme­ dies. the result o f research and experience of the past, are provided for diseases whose presence formerly knit the brow and bkinchcd the check of the faithful family physician. T h ese are the days o f wondrous healing and m ighty surgery. The doctor of the old school looked into his books and consulted his chart and surmised what w as the condition o f his patient. H is more fortunate brother of the present age, with electric light, looks into the patient and knows his condition— benefactors both, and both deserx-c the benediction of the race. Montour county has had a long list o f phy­ sicians. a number o f whom have attained a high mark in the profession. D r. W i l l i a m H. M a g i l l located in Dan­ ville about i8 t8 and for over sixty years was the leading physician in the county. He was a graduate of the U niversity o f Baltimore and <lied Dec. 19, 1889, at the age o f ninety-three years. Tlicre were doubtless physicians in this SI

neighborhood prior to that, but the history of the medical profession does not reveal who they were and when they came. Among the other older physicians were Dr. Forrest, the grandfather o f M rs. Valentine B est; Dr. B ar­ rett and Dr. Daniels, who were here prior lo 18 30; Dr. David Pctrikin, who. in addition to Ihe practice o f his profession, did much lo advance the interests of the town in a merc-antile and manufacturing xvay. H e was elected Member o f Congress for two terms, from 1837 to 1841. Among tho.se who read and studied with him were his son. William. Herman Gearhart and Alexander C. I>onaldson. Dr. Bonham Gearhart settled first in Washingtonville, but came to Danville in 1842 and was a leading physician for a number of years. About the same time Dr. McDowell came to Danville. W c find atso, ahout the same period. Dr. John M u rray; and Isaac Hughes, who lived on West Mahoning street in the house now occupied by Dr. E. A. Curry. Dr. Snitzler is also mentioned. D r. C iwXRE n c e H. F r i c k practiced for many years in Danville, interrupted onij' by his scrx'icc in the Mexican war, which is alluded to in another chapter. Then came D r. J a m e s D. S t r a w b r i d g f ., a native o f Montour county, a graduate o f Princeton College in the class o f i8.m- DfStrawbridge was one of the most eminent sur­ geons and physicians that ever practiced in the county; in fact his practice extended far beyond the boundaries of the county, and he was called into consultation in many critical cases. H e practiced continuously in Danville from 1847 to i860, then fo r some years was