Early Utah Physicians presented by Genealogy Trails

Welcome to Utah Genealogy Trails

Early Utah Physicians

.

The records regarding the physicians of Utah during the first years following its settlement are so obscure that it is impossible to give a satisfactory history of the medical profession during that period. One of the first physicians was Dr. John M. Bernhisel, a native of Cumberland County, Penn., where he was born on June 23, 1799. He received liberal education, studied medicine and began practice in New York. In the early summer of 1851 he arrived in Salt Lake City and on August 4th of that year was elected delegate to Congress, the first man to be so honored by the people of Utah Territory. His election to this office prevented him from engaging in active practice. After holding the office of delegate for four successive terms, he engaged in other lines of business until his death on September 28, 1881.

Other early physicians were Washington F. Anderson, J. M. Hamilton, E. P. Volum, Allen Fowler and J. M. Williamson, though the writer was unable to learn much concerning them, further than that they were measurably successful in their profession. It is said that Doctor Anderson performed the first operation in abdominal surgery ever performed in Utah.

At a little later date Joseph M. and F. D. Benedict, brothers, were among the prominent physicians of Salt Lake City, where they practiced in partnership. Joseph M. Benedict was the first surgeon of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company (then known as the Rio Grande Western); was one of the organizers of the Salt Lake County Medical Society and assisted in founding the Holy Cross Hospital. His son, Chauncey M. Benedict, is still practicing medicine in Salt Lake City.

Dr. Walter R. Pike, the first medical superintendent of the Territorial Insane Asylum (now the State Mental Hospital), at Provo, was another physician who occupied a high place in the profession for a number of years. As superintendent of the insane asylum he placed that institution on a firm basis in caring for unfortunates who had lost their reason. He was one of the charter members of the Utah State Medical Society and at last accounts was still living at St. George, the county seat of Washington County.

[Source: Utah since statehood: historical and biographical, Volume 1; Edited by Noble Warrum; Publ. 1919; Transcribed and submitted by Andrea Stawski Pack.]

©2012 Genealogy Trails

Early Utah Physicians
.
The records regarding the physicians of Utah during the first years following its settlement are so obscure that it is impossible to give a satisfactory history of the medical profession during that period. One of the first physicians was Dr. John M. Bernhisel, a native of Cumberland County, Penn., where he was born on June 23, 1799. He received liberal education, studied medicine and began practice in New York. In the early summer of 1851 he arrived in Salt Lake City and on August 4th of that year was elected delegate to Congress, the first man to be so honored by the people of Utah Territory. His election to this office prevented him from engaging in active practice. After holding the office of delegate for four successive terms, he engaged in other lines of business until his death on September 28, 1881. Other early physicians were Washington F. Anderson, J. M. Hamilton, E. P. Volum, Allen Fowler and J. M. Williamson, though the writer was unable to learn much concerning them, further than that they were measurably successful in their profession. It is said that Doctor Anderson performed the first operation in abdominal surgery ever performed in Utah. At a little later date Joseph M. and F. D. Benedict, brothers, were among the prominent physicians of Salt Lake City, where they practiced in partnership. Joseph M. Benedict was the first surgeon of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company (then known as the Rio Grande Western); was one of the organizers of the Salt Lake County Medical Society and assisted in founding the Holy Cross Hospital. His son, Chauncey M. Benedict, is still practicing medicine in Salt Lake City. Dr. Walter R. Pike, the first medical superintendent of the Territorial Insane Asylum (now the State Mental Hospital), at Provo, was another physician who occupied a high place in the profession for a number of years. As superintendent of the insane asylum he placed that institution on a firm basis in caring for unfortunates who had lost their reason. He was one of the charter members of the Utah State Medical Society and at last accounts was still living at St. George, the county seat of Washington County. [Source: Utah since statehood: historical and biographical, Volume 1; Edited by Noble Warrum; Publ. 1919; Transcribed and submitted by Andrea Stawski Pack.]



©2012 Genealogy Trails