In September, 1857 or 1858, an attempt was made to organize a County Medical Society. The meeting was called by publication, and a few physicians responded. Nothing further was done than the selection of Dr. William Morrow Beach, as President, and Dr. A. H. Underwood, as Secretary. On motion of Dr. Toland Jones, the appointment of committees was deferred until the next meeting. There was an unusual amount of sickness during the next month, and when the meeting day came around there was not a quorum for transacting business, and so this, the first attempt to establish a society in the county, became a failure.
On the 31st day of May, 1878, in accordance with a movement inaugurated by the physicians of Plain City, there was a meeting held at Jefferson, Ohio. There were present at this meeting Drs. Salathiel Ewing and M, J. Jenkins, of Plain City; Drs. J. N. Beach, H. S. Quinn and Charles Snyder, Jefferson; Dr. J. S. Howland, of New California, Union County; Dr. W. H. Jewett, of Amity; Dr. Richard Woodruff, of Alton, Franklin County; Drs. Toland Jones, H. J. Sharp and James B. Sprague, of London, and Dr. Davis, of Georgesville. Dr. Richard Woodruff, of Alton, was chosen Chairman pro tem.; Drs. Ewing, Beach and Howland were appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws, which committee reported before the close of the meeting, and their report was adopted. Dr. Salathiel Ewing was chosen President, and Dr. M. J. Jenkins, Secretary. The officers of the association were to be elected twice a year. At the meeting in December, 1878, Dr. J. N. Beach was chosen President. In June, 1870, Dr. Toland Jones, of London; in January, 1880, E. B. Pratt, of Mt. Sterling, and A. J. Strain to succeed M. J. Jenkins as Secretary. In June, 1880, Dr. William Morrow Beach, of London, was elected President; in January, 1881, H. J. Sharp, of London, was elected President; in June, 1881, Richard Woodruff, of Alton; in December, 1881, J. P. Kirkpatrick, of Midway. The meetings are usually held at London.
The present membership consists of Drs. Toland Jones, H. J. Sharp, J. B. Sprague, A. J. Strain, William Morrow Beach, J. T. Houston and C. S. Morse, of London; Drs. Salathiel Ewing, M. J. Jenkins, T. M. Mattoon, Jeremiah Converse and William I. Ballinger, Plain City; Drs. E. B. Pratt, W. H. Emery and Samuel McClintick, Mt. Sterling; Drs. John N. Beach, Charles Snyder. Jefferson; Drs. A. Ogan and J. P. Kirkpatrick, Midway; Drs. B. F. Welch and C. W. Higgins, California; Drs. Richard Woodruff and T. B. Norris, Alton; Dr. W. H. Jewett, Amity; Dr. E. G. Keifer, Somerford; Dr. John Sidner, South Solon; Dr. L. F. Scofield, Lilly Chapel; Dr. W. L. Pinkerton, Galloway; Dr. E. H. Smith, Vienna; Dr. G. W. Gardner, Harrisburg; Dr. J. S. Howland, New California, Union County. The association meets on the last Friday in each month, at 10 o'clock A. M.