subject, and herein lies his secret as a successful professor of sur-
gery. His lectures were invariably lucid expositions of the sub-
ject; while with the scalpel he illustrated his disquisition. His
touch is velvet, his nerves steel ; and being gifted with a profound
memory and exquisite perception and attention to minutiae, it is no
marvel that he is a skillful and successful surgeon.
Abraham Reeves Jackson, A.M., M.D., is a native of the
State of Pennsylvania, being born in Philadelphia June 17, 1S27.
His parents, Washington and Deborah (Lee) Jackson, gave their son
a good public school and high school education, after which it was '
designed to make a civil engineer of him. He, in fact, did study
engineering for about a year, but becoming convinced that he had
not found his true vocation, commenced the studv of medicine in
the Medical Department of Pennsylvania College, graduating
therefrom iir 1S48. Soon afterward he commenced the practice of
his profession in Stroudsburg, Penn., and continued there for
twenty-two years, acting during the War as contract surgeon in the
volunteer service, and as Assistant Medical Director of the Army
of Virginia. Removing to Chicago in May, 1870, he set about the
accomplishment of an object which he had long had in view, viz.,
the establishment of a hospital for women exclusively. In Sep-
tember, 1 87 1, through his earnest labors and his high professional
standing, he secured the incorporation of " The Woman's Hospital
of the State of Illinois," and was appointed its surgeon-in-chief.
It is unnecessary, at this day, to call attention to the beneficial
results which have followed in the wake of this noble enterprise.
In 1872, he was appointed lecturer on gynecology in Rush Medical
College, and held that position until 1876, when he resigned it to
attend to the increasing demands of his large private practice.
Although Dr. Jackson has been remarkably successful within the
confines of his profession, he has obtained a high standing in
broader fields. He is a fine writer, having edited the Chicago
Medical Register for many years, and contributed all his life, more
or less, to the treasures of general literature. Through the
unrivalled humor of Mark Twain, he himself has become a world-
wide celebrity ; since it is no secret that genial I >r |ackson i< tin-
prototype of "my friend, the doctor," in " Innocents Al id."
Dr. Jackson is also associate editor of the Independent Practitioner
of New York and the Western Medical Reporter of Chicago, and
is considered one of the best authorities in all questions relating i"
medical jurisprudence. In addition lo performing all these duties
which devolve upon him, he is president of the College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons and professor of gynecology in that institution,
a position which he has held for the past four years.
Daniel Roberts Brower, one of Chicago's well-known
physicians, is a Pennsylvanian by birth, having been born, in 1839,
in Philadelphia, or rather in a suburb then known as Manayunk,
now a part of Philadelphia proper. In early youth he attended
the schools of his native city, as well as those of Norristown, Penn.,
and, in i860, at the age of twenty-one, he was graduated at the
Polytechnic College of Philadelphia. He at once went to Wash-
ington, D. C, where, until 1S64 (when he was graduated with the
degree of M.D.) he was a student in the Medical Department of
Georgetown College. He was at once appointed to the army as
Assistant Surgeon U. S. Volunteers, and served in general hos-
pital service in and about Fort Monroe and Norfolk and, after the
close of the War, also in Richmond, Va., until the summer of 1866,
when he was mustered out of the military service lie was then
engaged as the surgeon in charge of Howard's Grove Hospital,
an institution under the supervision of the Freedmen's Bureau,
where he remained until 1868. At this time he received informa-
tion that he had been elected superintendent of the Eastern
Lunatic Asylum of Virginia, at Williamsburg This he accepted,
occupying the position until the fall of 1875, when he resigned.
In the following February he came to Chicago; and here has been
his home ever since, where he is and has been engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession, making a specialty of diseases of the nenous
system. Dr Brower is professor of diseases of the nervous sys-
tem in the Woman's Medical College of Chicago, and lecturer on
the practice of medicine in the spring course of the Rush Medical
College. He is also physician to diseases of the nervous system at
St. Joseph's Hospital, and consulting physician at the Woman's
Hospital. He is a member of the Chicago Medical Society, of the
Chicago Pathological Society, of the Illinois State Medical Society,
and of the American Medical Association. For four years —
1SS1-85 — Dr. Brower was one of the editors of the Chicago
Medical Journal. He was married, May 15, 1868, to Miss Eliza
Ann Shearer, of Pennsylvania. They have two children, Eunice
Ann and Daniel Roberts, Jr.
Horatio Nelson Hurlbut, M.D., the oldest phvsician of
continuous practice in Chicago, was born in Batavia, Genesee Co.,
N. Y., on November 9, 1806. In February, ;StS, he left his home
and commenced the battle of life In his twentieth year, being
taken with a severe attack of cholera morbus, he was given some two
grains of tartar emetic, which induced acute inflammation of the
stomach from which he suffered many years. This circumstance
induced him to look into the mysteries of medicine. In March,
1831, he removed to Springtown, Crawford Co., Penn., where he
remained two years, after which he returned to Ashtabula County,
and bought his brother's practice. Finally he was enabled to at-
tend lectures at the Willoughby Medical College, afterward the
Starling Medical College of Columbus. In 1851, Dr. Hurlbut
came to Chicago, and opened an office with Henry W. Clark, on
Randolph Street, in what was then known as Warner's Hall. He
at once commenced a course of study in Rush Medical College and
the next year received his degree. Dr. Hurlbut joined the Masonic
fraternity in 1854, receiving his degree in Wabansia Lodge, No.
160. He is now a life-member of Home Lodge, Chicago Chapter,
Chicago Council, Apollo Commandery and of Oriental Consistory ;
he took the 32 on April 22. 1864, and the honorary 33° on June 22.
1871. Dr. Hurlbut was the first S.W. and the second W.M. of
Dearborn Lodge and the first W.M. of Home Lodge, and was also
G.H.P. for the last twenty years, his last term ending in Decem-
ber, 1884. He served for twenty years as G.FI.P. of the Council
of Princes of Jerusalem, and is an honorary member of Chevalier
Bayard Commandery. His son, Dr. V. L Hurlbut, is well known
as a phvsician of large practice and high standing ; and his daughter
is the wife of Major Edward P. Tobey. The latter took his last
course of lectures at Rush Medical College, and graduated in the
spring of 1S52, having attended two courses at Cleveland Medical
College.
John S. Clark, M.D., is one of the oldest members of the
medical fraternity in Chicago. He was born at Clarksville, a place
which derived its name from his father, Jehiel Clark, near Auburn,
in Cayuga County, N. Y., November 19, 1821. His mother was
Nancy Casey, a daughter of Hon. George Casey, of Auburn, N.
Y. At the close of his studies at the village schools he went to
Canandaigua, N. Y., where for two years he pursued a course of
studies in the academy at that place. He then attended Taylor's
preparatory school at Geneva, where he remained until he com-
5- 6
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
rnenced the study of his profession under the preceptorship of Dr.
Gardner Wells, of Waterloo, Seneca Co., X. V., where he remained
one year. He then returned to Geneva, and entered the Geneva
Medical College, in addition to which, during the intervals that
occurred between the regular college terms, he was installed in the
office of Professor Thomas Spencer, one of the faculty of the col-
lege. After a thorough course of study, he graduated from that in-
stitution in 1S43. Immediately following his graduation, he went
to Waterloo. N. V.. and there, on the 15th of February, 1S43, was
united in marriage to Miss Frances Wheeler, daughter of Rev. Eli
Wheeler, of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. In company with his
young wife, he went to Seneca Falls, N. V., and entered upon his
his maiden experience as a physician. After a residence at Seneca
Falls of thirteen years, he came to Chicago in the summer of 1S56,
and began the practice of his profession. In 1S5S, he erected a home
on Wells Street. The fire of 1S71 swept away the old homestead,
and destroyed a valuable collection of works of art, books and
music. As soon as circumstances would permit he began and com-
pleted the erection of a home at his present location, on LaSalle
Avenue, and moved there from his temporary residence in the West
Division. He is a great lover of books, and pictures ; at the pre-
sent time he has a large and valuable collection of both. February 20,
1S6S, he was married for the second time, in this city, to Miss Fanny
Campbell, daughter of the late William Campbell, barrister, of Chi-
cago He is the father of fourteen children, six of whom were by
his first wife, who died in December, 1S54. In 1S65, he received an
honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine from Rush Medical College
Dr. Clark, though in his sixty-fourth year, is in possession of mental
faculties that are still vigorous.
Samuel R. Haven, M.D , was born on January 29, 1827, in
Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N. V. His parents were Samuel and
Hepsibah M. (Denny) Haven, and removed west to JUoliet, 111., in
the fall of 1S34, the first sight of Chicago obtained by Samuel R.
being on October 4 of that year. He was matriculated at Rush
Medical College in the spring of 1847, being a pupil of J. V. Z.
Blaney, professor of chemistry in that institution. Graduating in
1S50, he was seized with the gold fever, and spent nearly two years
in Upper California, digging the precious metal and practicing his
profession. For a young man he prospered quite remarkably, and
managed to take into his coffers much of the loose money which
then flowed so freely ; viz., for a modest prescription, $15 or $20,
and for treatment of a felon, to which the miners were greatly sub-
ject, $20 or $25. Returning to Chicago about the middle of 1S53,
he formed a partnership with Dr. J. W. Freer, and remained with him
for a number of years. Dr. Haven joined the army April 21, 1861,
first reporting to Colonel R. K. Swift for duty, and going to Cairo,
where he remained six months. lie then passed a creditable ex-
amination before the medical board at Washington, and joined the
Army of the Potomac as brigade surgeon. At first he was
attached to General W. F. Smith's brigade and was afterward
ordered to General Grant at Memphis, remaining with him during
the preliminary steps attending the siege of Vicksburg. Of late
years. Dr. Haven has retired from active practice, and is now living
upon the fruits of his former work. He was married in 1S54, to
Jane Stowell, daughter of E. C. Stowell, deceased, formerly well
known among the business men and real estate dealers of Chicago.
In the early days, Mr. Stowell was manager of Frink & Walker's
express and later a lumber merchant and an extensive real estate
dealer.
Phillip H. Matthei, M.D., was born in Rodenberg, Hes-
sen Cassel, formerly Prussia, on October 20, 1833. His father,
Henry, was a man of influence, being for many years burge-
meister of that town, and his mother, Sophia Bornemann. Young
Matthei received his early education at his native town and in
Wunstorf, capital of Hanover. At the latter place, in 1853, he
graduated in pharmacy and chemistry, having passed a very credit-
able examination before the board. For several years he was en-
gaged in the drug business. He then took a regular course of
medicine at the Rush Medical College, from which he received his
degree in (86l. Dr. Matthei at once entered into regular practice,
but returned to Europe in 1871, and received a second degree from
the University of Gcettingen in 1872. During his two years
absence abroad, he studied in the hospitals of Gcettingen and of
Berlin, returning to Chicago in 1875, and since then has devoted
himself exclusively to the general practice of his profession, having
made an enviable and established reputation. Dr. Matthei is a
member of the city and State medical societies, and is widely
known in social and musical circles, having held honorable posi-
tions in the Gcrmania society, ami being closely identified with the
Concordia. He was married to Miss Johanna Matthei, of Rade-
berg, whose father held the responsible position as physician of the
district of Radeberg, on March 5, 1857. The son, Alexander, is
a practicing physician of advancing reputation. The other children
are Ida and Walter.
Calvin \I. Fitch, M.D., was born January 3, 1829, in Shel-
don, Vl., being a son of Rev. John A. Fitch, an Episcopal clergy-
man who labored at that place for many years. His mother's maiden
name was Lucia M. May. His great-grandfather was a noted
character in the Revolutionary War, being in command of the Con-
necticut Cavalry. Col. James Fitch, his great-grandfather on his
father's side, was greatly interested in the educational institutions
of his day and contributed the glass and nails that went into the
original building of Yale College. Dr. Fitch's great uncle was the
first president of Williams College, while both his father's and his
mother's sides show a long array of physicians and professional
men. He received his preliminary education in his native town,
and pursued a classical course at the Vermont State University,
Burlington, Vt., from which he received the degree of A.M. in
1852. He received his medical education in the University of New
York, from which he graduated in March, 1852, with the degree of
M.D. He practiced with an uncle, a physician in New York City,
for two years after his graduation, and spent one year (1855) abroad,
perfecting himself in practice in the hospitals of London and Paris.
On his return, in 1856, he settled in Chicago, where he has since
been engaged in the successful practice of his profession. He is a
member of the Chicago and State medical societies and also of the
American Medical Association. Dr. F'itch married, in March, i860,
Susan Ransom Fitch, they have two children, a son and a daughter.
The son, Walter M., recently graduated from Rush Medical Col-
lege, and is now associated with his father.
Edmund Andrews, one of the oldest and leading surgeons of
Chicago, was born in Putney, Vt., on April 22, 1824. His father,
Rev. Elisha D. Andrews, was a clergyman of many years' standing
in the Congregational denomination. At the age of five years, his
parents removed to a locality near Rochester, N. Y., in which city
he received his academic education. They subsequently settled in
Ann Arbor, Mich., where young Andrews pursued the literary and
medical courses in the State University. He graduated in 1S49,
and in 1852 received the several degrees of A.B., A.M., and M.D.
After graduating from the medical department, he became demon-
strator of human anatomy therein, and, later, was appointed pro-
fessor of comparative anatomy. In 1856, Dr. Andrews removed
to Chicago and opened an office with Dr. Nathan S. Davis, at No.
65 Lake Street In this city he has continued in the successful prac-
tice of his profession, holding many positions of honor and trust
within the pale of his calling. One year of this period he spent in
the service of his country as surgeon of the 1st Illinois Artillery.
He has been professor of surgery in the Chicago Medical College
from its foundation to its present time, and is at present surgeon in
the Mercy Hospital and consulting surgeon of the Michael Reese
Hospital. His high standing has also been recognized by his
election to the presidency of the Chicago Medical Society, the Illi-
nois State Medical Society, and the Chicago Academy of Sciences.
As will be seen by reference to the first volume of this History, Dr.
Andrews is the authority cited on the geology of this district. Dr.
Andrews is also a member of the American Medical Association,
and has a reputation for skill in his profession which extends far
beyond the limits of this State. Two of his sons — E. Wyllys
and Frank T. — are alreadv following in the footsteps of their father.
The former is at present in Europe, perfecting himself in his studies
and practice, and the latter is actively engaged in his calling here.
Valentine A. Boyer, M.D., has been a resident of Chicago for
fifty years. He was born in Reading, Berks County, Penn., January
23, 1814, the son of John K. and Elizabeth (Aurand) Boyer. His
father was a merchant. He commenced his collegiate education
at Canville, Columbia (now Montour) County, and afterward
attended Milton College, fourteen miles from that place. Previous
to coming to Chicago, in 1833, he had attended a course of medical
lectures in the University of Pennsylvania. He arrived in this city
with his family on the 26th of May, but afterward returned to
Philadelphia, to continue his medical studies in the University of
Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1836, with his diploma
of M.D. He at once commenced practice in this city, but as his
father was a large contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal, the
doctor was induced to enter into partnership with Medore Beaubien
and Dr. Joseph Walker, who took a few sections. In 1846, when
Chicago "was made a port of entry and William B. Snowhook was
appointed collector, Dr. Boyer became the first deputy collector,
surveyor and inspector. He was also appointed by Governor Ford,
about that time, assistant surgeon of the Illinois Militia, continuing
the practice of his profession with Dr. Edmund S. Kimberly.
From 1844 to 1852 he was a justice of the peace, served for a time
as deputy U. S. Marshal, and also subsequently acted as clerk of
the probate business, under L. P. Milliard. In 1853, Dr. Boyer
was in the drug business, and continued in the business up to 1S57,
and during the latter part of the year 1S53 finished the contract on
the Illinois Central road. During the early days he invested quite
extensively in real estate, purchasing property at the corner of
Adams and Dearborn streets, upon which he erected a brick build-
ing. Dr. Boyer is a member of the Philadelphia Medical Society.
He is connected with LaFayette Chapter (R. A. M.), Chicago, and
was a member of the lodge by that name, the first organized in
MEDICAL HISTORY.
5 2 7
Chicago. He is a charter member of Germania Lodge, A. F. &
A. M., and of Robert Blum Lodge, I. O. O. F. He was married
October 30, 1847, in Milwaukee, to Mary C. Specht.
LEVI D. Boone was born December 8, 1808, near Lexington,
Ky. , and is a nephew of the noted Daniel Boone. His father received
his death wound at Horse Shoe Bend. Thus, at ten years of age, the
c^^^g.
son was not only obliged to earn his own living, but to assist in sup-
porting his widowed mother. In spite of that force of circumstances,
which would have discouraged most young men, he determined to
be a physician, and his resolve was accompanied with such persist-
ent efforts, that, when twenty-one years of age, he graduated from
Transylvania University, with the degree of M.D. In 1S29, he
left Kentucky, and removed to Edwardsville, 111., where he en-
tered the office of Dr. Benjamin F. Edwards, remaining with him
for about one year, after which, at Hillsboro', he entered upon the
practice of his profession. He had but fairly established himself,
when the Black Hawk war broke out, and Dr. Boone was the first
man in this county to enlist, serving as captain of a cavalry com-
pany, and also as regimental surgeon, during the entire war. In
March, 1833, Dr. Boone married Louisa M. Smith, daughter of
Judge Theophilus W. Smith, who held a position upon the bench
of the State Supreme Court. They had eleven children, six of
whom are now living : Daniel L. and Samuel S. Boone; Clara B. ,
now the wife William Hansborough; Louisa M., now Mrs. Claude
J. Adams; Lucy A., who married the lamented George B. Carpen-
ter; and Mrs. Jabez II. C. Gross, formerly Mary J. Boone. Dr.
Boone continued to practice his profession for many years, but,
like many energetic and public-spirited citizens of Chicago, became
interested in the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which Judge Breese
and Judge Smith (Dr. Boone's father-in-law), did so much to make
a public improvement as opposed to a mere private enterprise.
Dr. Boone's immediate interests consisted in the assumption of a
contract for the construction of a section of the canal, Henry G.
Hubbard, Dr. John T. Temple, John M. Van Osdel, and others be-
ing associated with him. The canal lands taken up by the doctor
became afterward very valuable, and formed the basis of the prop-
erty, which, through his exertions and those of his sons, came to
the family. In the spring of 1S55, Dr. Boone was elected mayor
of the city by the American party, relinquishing his share of a
large and lucrative practice to his partner. Dr. B. McVickar. One
of his first acts, after inauguration, was the appointment of his
Democratic opponent, Isaac L. Milliken, to the office of chief of
police, demonstrating how well these two, opposed politically, fra-
ternized socially. Before his selection by the Know-Nothing
party, Dr. Boone had always been an old-line Whig. It is quite
generally remembered, that during the year 1S62, although a loyal
citizen of the most unequivocal type, he was arrested and incarcer-
ated in Camp Douglas for assisting a prisoner of war to escape, by
furnishing him with money with which to bribe the sentinel. Not
only was it proved that the money had been sent to the rebel by
his mother in the South, to relieve his wants, as was often done,
but that, although a member of the distributing committee, the
doctor was absent in Boston at the time the money was paid to the
Southern gentleman. Four years after Dr. Boone's arrest, Coionel
Joseph H. Tucker, commanding Camp Douglas in 1S62, stated
that nothing was developed which in any way could implicate the
doctor, and that he never doubted his true and sincere loyalty to
the country throughout the entire period of its greatest crisis. An
incident, illustrating his confidence in the enduring qualities "i the
country and the perpetuity of the Union, was his sale, to Potter Pal-
mer, of the ground where the store of Gossage & Co. now stands,
on State Street, near Washington. Bonds of the Government had
been issued, and there seemed to be a question at that time, even
among the most loyal, as to what finality the War would bring
forth. Silas B.Cobb was approached, in the interest of the doctor,
to purchase the corner lot, as there was a good prospect of the lat-
ter delivering the whole, if he acquired Cobb's interest. But Mr.
Cobb's interest in the country's stability and the city's future was
as great as Dr. Boone's, so the former refused to sell, but offered
to buy, thus giving him what Mr. Palmer sought to acquire by
purchase of Dr. Boone. Mr. Palmer had a barrel of bonds,
which he did not consider of great value, and finally purchased
Dr. Boone's interest for $100,000, the sale netting the latter
$97,500. This transaction inaugurated a series of purchases on
the part of Potter Palmer, which has so signally improved State
Street, and transferred the retail trade from Lake Street to that
thoroughfare. During his lifetime, Dr. Boone was connected
with several important financial institutions, being secretary of
the Chicago Marine and Fire Insurance Company in 1837, presi-
dent of the Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank, in 1S52, and
trustee of the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company of Maine,
from 1857 to 1877. With whatever enterprise he was connected,
he enjoyed the confidence of his fellows. But although a success-
ful business man, he did not attain his position as a result of
parsimony. He was generous, not only to his friends, but sus-
tained the causes of education and religion with a broad-minded
spirit. It is not generally known that his donation to these and
charitable objects amounted to about 8200,000. To the society of
which he was a member, and now known as the Immanuel Bap-
tist Church, he gave $100,000 alone. From its inception, he was
also identified with the University of Chicago, donating liberal sums
for its encouragement and support. Dr. Boone's death occurred