Dr. Simon Steers was the first resident physician in or near London. He probably came from Jefferson County, Ohio. He lived on the John Thompson land, on the north side of the road, near where the lane comes out from Israel Dalby's house. He was a lame man, and under size. William Wingate, of Union Township, north of London, says that he had heard him called "little old Dr. Steers." He came to that farm, west of London, about 1810, and probably died in this county. Dr. Samuel Baldridge was the second physician here. He came about 1811. He was also a Presbyterian preacher. He is remembered by the old citizens with a moderate degree of respect. When he left London, about 1820, it is thought he went over about Cambridge, Ohio. Dr. Blount located here for a short time in about 1814. He was from Massachusetts, and probably from Boston, He married a Miss Donlin, who lived on the west side of Deer Creek, in Deer Creek Township, on the James Wilson farm, and nearly opposite his residence.
Dr. Aquilla Toland was born September 26, 1793, in Harford County, Md. He was a pupil of Dr. Luckey, of Baltimore, and. after one course of lectures in the University of Maryland, he came West and located for a time at Franklinton, near Columbus, and, in 1819, located in London. He graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College in the year 1837, after he had been for eighteen years a practitioner here. In 1843, he was elected by the Whig party to the State Legislature. He was tall, portly, dignified, of a somewhat haughty demeanor, but extremely gracious and courteous, and courtly to his colleagues. He never had occasion for jealousy toward them, for they were compelled to be respectful, and as for practice, he always had more than was desirable. His practice was scarcely confined to the limits of the county. The business about Midway was divided between him and Dr. Joshua Martin, of Xenia, and he was the one relied on in great emergencies for twenty miles around in all directions. He always rode on horseback, and he looked like a very Knight Errant, he sat a horse so gracefully. In the summer season he generally returned late at night, when he returned at all, and, in riding through the tall prairie grass and in unbeaten paths, he would usually return wet to the waist by the heavy dews. Dr. Aquilla Toland was the Nestor of the profession at London for forty years, both in medicine and surgery. He died at, London, of erysipelas, December 30, 1866, aged seventy-three years, leaving a large estate. He married, April 11, 1822, Miss Elizabeth Lewis, of London, Ohio, who still survives him.
Dr. — Scott was at London for several years from about 1820 While here, he married a Mrs. Gregory, from Oldtown, Ohio. Dr. — Eastman, Mrs. Aquilla Toland thinks, was here prior to her marriage, and probably as early as 1820. Dr. Seeley Waite located at London as early as 1820. Mrs. Toland and William Warner remember him as an elegant gentleman. He married Miss Clara Phifer, sister of George Phifer. His widow married Lewis Crane, and, after his death, she married William Vance, of Champaign County, Ohio, brother to ex-Gov. Vance, of Ohio. Dr. Waite died in Springfield, Ohio, in about 1822. Dr. — Gage came to London in about 1820, but lived only about three years. Dr. Robert Martin, a brother of Dr. Joshua Martin, of Xenia, located here about 1822.
Dr. — Raiff, a German, located at London in about 1823. He was an eccentric, fiery, impetuous, but educated physician. Many anecdotes characteristic of the man are still extant. Gabriel Prugh, of Somerford, Ohio, says that he rode like a whirlwind. It is said of him that one Delashmutt, down on the Glade, once sent him a formula after which he wanted him to make him some pills. The Doctor flew into a passion and said: "Cot tarn him! Vat's dat? Some bills? He no dink I un'erschtan how to make bills! I makes him bills! I show 'im!" The pills were sent, and Delashmutt lived just two hours. He had carried Schuler McDonald through the milk-sickness. When convalescent, he cautioned him repeatedly about guarding his appetite. He was sent for in great haste, and went and found his patient dead. He ascertained that death had been caused by the immoderate indulgence of the appetite on a plate of bacon and cabbage. He lost his temper again, and, going to the corpse, he caught it by the nose, and, tweaking it violently, he said: "You rat cabbitch, ha! Cot tarn you! eat cabbitch again mit bacon, will you, as much as you blease now!" and, mounting his horse, was off like a rocket.
Dr. John Warner, twin brother of William Warner, ex-Sheriff of the county, located here for a time in about 1825. He subsequently went West, and died at Pekin, Ill. Dr. Craig was also here for awhile in about 1825. Dr. Grover was also here about 1825. Dr. Joseph Anthony, brother to old Gen. Charles Anthony, of Springfield, Ohio, came to London in about 1831 or 1832. He was a lame man, but large, portly and prepossessing. He is remembered best, however, by his having a printing press, upon which he printed sacred hymns and such like literature as was in demand. Dr. — Herrirnan came here in about 1834. He married a Miss Mitten, somewhere beyond Jefferson, in the Darby country. Dr. David J. Mauls by, born in Fredericktown, Md., came in about 1835 practiced here until about 1842 or 1843, and returned to Maryland. He became quite irregular in his habits, but was a good practitioner when not in his cups. Dr. Dennis Warner was a pupil of his for awhile.
Dr. Dennis Warner, son of William and Susan (Matthews) Warner, born in Union Township, Madison Co., Ohio. May 19, 1818. Commenced the study of medicine in 1838, under Dr. David J. Maulsby, and afterward with Dr. Aquilla Toland. Commenced the practice of medicine, but graduated M. D. at Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 2, 1847. He was married, November 10, 1847, to Miss Mary Chenoweth, daughter of John F. and Margaret (Ferguson) Chenoweth, born in Madison County, Ohio. October 10, 1829. Dr. James M. P. Baskerville, of Range Township, studied medicine, but did not practice to any extent. He was scholarly, and devoted to the dead languages and the exact sciences. Read medicine with Dr. A. Toland, of London, Ohio. Dr. Alfred Jones practiced here at one time. Dr. Enoch Thomas, an eclectic, was a man of more than ordinary ability. About 1842, was in Cleveland, Ohio, the last I knew of him. Dr. Lewis was here about 1842. Dr. Jehial Gregory came in about 1840 (vide Midway).
Dr. William A. Strain, son of John C. and Margaret Strain, born in 1813, in Greenfield, Ohio, studied medicine with Dr. McGarry, of Greenfield Ohio. Located at Mt. Sterling, Madison Co., Ohio, about 1837. Came to London about 1840, where he remained until 1865, when he moved to Greenfield, Highland Co., Ohio, the place of his birth. He graduated at Starling Medical College in the class of 1852. He married, shortly after commencing practice, Miss Mary G. McMillen, daughter of William McMillen, of Greenfield, Ohio. Dr. — Thomas was here as a partner of Dr. William A. Strain in about 1859. He moved to California, this county, in about 1860, and died there in 1861. He was a partner, while there, of Dr. O. G. Field. He married. in about 1860, a daughter of Sylvanus Bates, of this place. Dr. David E. McMillen, vide Mt. Sterling. Dr. James Allen married, first, Betsey Russel; second, Martha Reyburn; was more identified outside of the county, but was a highly respected gentleman and a good physician—much above the average. Read medicine with Dr. A. Toland. Moved to Darbyville, and returned to London in 1859.
Dr. Toland Jones, born in Union Township, this county, January 10, 1820, son of Thomas Jones, studied medicine with Dr. Aquilla Toland, of London. Ohio, and, after one course of lectures at Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, commenced practice of medicine in London. The title of M. D. was conferred upon him by the Cleveland Medical College about 1858. He has been in practice at London for thirty-six years. He married. March 19, 1846, Miss Frances A. Toland, of London, Ohio, oldest daughter of Dr. Aquilla and Elizabeth (Lewis) Toland. He was Colonel of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Regiment during the war. Dr. Nelson Strong Darling, vide Midway. Dr. A. J. Miles was a practicing physician before entering the army in 1862, as a private in the Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry from Darke County, Ohio; was the Hospital Steward of the Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was discharged for disability, and came to London and commenced practice in 1864; went to Cincinnati, Ohio. He married, and has been a college professor there for several years. Dr. D. W. Williams, born in Granville, Ohio. July 15, 1836, educated at Dennison University, Granville. Ohio, studied medicine with Dr. D. H Beckwith, Zanesville, Ohio. Graduated at Cleveland Homoeopathic College in 1865, and came to London in the spring of that year. He was married to Miss Adelia Chrisman, youngest daughter of Jacob Chrisman, in the fall of 1866. Dr. William Morrow Beach lives two miles north of London; moved to the farm in 1865, after the war, since which time London has been his post office. Dr. John H. Holton practiced first at Mt. Sterling, Ohio. Came to London in 1866. He was eminent in the profession. Could not obtain a sketch of his life. He died of pneumonia in about 1874. His death was caused by exposure and overwork. His widow resides in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. D. B. Wren came from Mechanicsburg in 1864; did not remain long.
Dr. A. H. Underwood was born April 21, 1836, in Brimfield, Portage Co., Ohio. Commenced the study of medicine with Dr. A. S. Weatherby, of Cardington, Morrow Co., Ohio, in 1862. Graduated at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in 1865. Commenced practice the same spring, in South Charleston, Clark Co., Ohio, and, in February, 1866, came to London, where he still resides. Dr. C. G. Slagle located in London shortly after the war. Whilst here, he married Miss Emma Sprung, daughter of the long-time and veteran editor of the London Chronicle. He moved to Greenfield, Ohio, in about 1868. He is now in Minnesota, and is an associate editor of the Northwest Medical Journal. Dr. James T. Houston was born in 1816, on a farm four miles east of Springfield, Ohio. Commenced the study of medicine in 1833, with his brother, Dr. Bobert Houston, and Dr. Bradbery, of South Charleston, Ohio. At the session of 1837-38, attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Medical College, known as "Drake's School." The faculty consisted of seven Professors—Drake, Gross, Parker, Harrison, McDowell, Rievs and Rodgers. Among his classmates were Carey A. Trimble, John Dawson, Samuel Mitchell Smith, Davis, Kincaid, and Brown. He commenced practice with his brother, Robert Houston, of South Charleston, in 1838. In 1840, he removed to Jeffersonville, Fayette Co., Ohio, where he practiced for fifteen years, and then removed to Jamestown, Greene Co., Ohio, where he practiced fifteen years, making thirty-one years of continuous professional labor, nearly twenty of which was over mud roads and on horseback. He graduated at Starling Medical College in 1857, and came to London in 1869. In 1838, he was commissioned by Gov. Vance, of Ohio, as Brigade Surgeon of Militia of Clark County, Ohio. He was married, in 1844, to a daughter of Capt. William Palmer, of Fayette County, Ohio.
Dr. James B. Sprague was born in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio. He was educated in part at an academy of which Chandler Robins was Superintendent. Was a pupil of Dr. Robert Rogers, of Springfield, Ohio. Graduated at Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, March, 1851. Has practiced at Vienna Cross-Roads and Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio, and came to London January 9, 1871. He was in the army three years as the Assistant Surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry Begiment. He was married, November 8, 1843, to Miss Sarah Chamberlin, youngest daughter of Isaac Chamberlin.
Dr. Henry J. Sharp was born March 2, 1845, in Gallia County, Ohio. Educated at Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. Was a pupil of Prof. John W. Hamilton, of Columbus, Ohio. Graduated at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1871, and came to London in October of same year. He was married, April, 1872. to Miss Catherine E. Dooris, of Zanesville, Ohio. Dr. Booney was in partnership with Dr. J. B. Sprague in Vienna, and was with him here, also, for about a year. Was an M. D., and also an A. M. Was very bright. He is at present in the West, I think at Springfield, Ill. Dr. D. A. Morse, a "vade mecum" in medicine, now at Oxford, Ohio, superintending Lunatic Asylum. Has been a Professor in different medical colleges. His specialty is nervous diseases. He is author of several works on medicine, some of which have been reprinted in Germany.
Dr. A. J. Strain was born in Greenfield. Highland Co., Ohio, January 3, 1845. Was a pupil of William A. Strain, his uncle. Graduated at Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, March, 1873. Came to London in 1876. He was married, January 7, 1880, to Mary, daughter of Washington Wilson, Springfield, Ohio. Dr. Clifton S. Morse, son of Nathan and Amelia (Calliver) Morse, was born at Amity, Madison Co., Ohio, July 28, 1857. He graduated at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, 1879; located in London the same spring, and moved to Creston, Iowa, in 1882 He married Miss Emma McDonald, daughter of J. B. McDonald, of Union Township. Dr. Addison Piatt King was born in Marion County, Ohio, in 1847. Graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, in 1878. He was married, in July, 1881, to Miss Mary Smith, of Mansfield, Ohio, daughter of E. W. Smith, a clergyman. Both were drowned by the overturning of a skiff in a storm, on Lake Chautauqua, New York, the summer following their marriage. The news produced a most profound sensation in London, where he had been residing for about two years. He was not a practitioner, but was a member of the drug firm of Robinson & King. He joined the Ohio State Medical Society at the session of 1881, in June, at Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Melville M. Moffitt was born in Orville, Wayne Co., Ohio, November 15, 1857; educated at Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio; studied medicine with Drs. Bayer & Kirkland, Massillon, Ohio, and afterward with Prof. A. O. Blair. Graduated at Homoeopathic Hospital College, Cleveland, Ohio, March 8, 1882. While in college, was Physician in charge of News-boys' and Boot-blacks' Home, and also an Acting Assistant Physician in the county jail of Cuyahoga County for one year. Holds at present, at this point, the Surgery of the I. B. & W. R. R. He married, February 17, 1881, Miss Flora N. Henderson, daughter of H. T. and M. A. Henderson, of Westerville, Ohio. Dr. A. J. Kepler was born in Dayton, Ohio, July 22, 1852. Read medicine with Dr. G. W. Dickey, of Eaton, Ohio. Graduated at Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 6, 1882. Practiced with Dr. Dickey, his preceptor, at Eaton, Ohio, until in October, 1882, and then moved to London, Ohio. He married, March 3, 1873, Rosannah Dafler, of Dayton, Ohio.