The History of Genesee, MI, Chapter X, Doctors

DOCTORS.

The medical profession in Flint was represented by several physician of considerable eminence. Dr. Robert D. Lamond, a graduate of the medical school at Castleton, Vermont, and also of the Fairfield Medical College, in Herkimer county, New York, came to Flint about 1838 from Pontiac, where he had commenced practice soon after 1830. He represented Genesee county in the Legislature in 1844, and continued to reside in Flint until his death in 1871. Before 1840 Dr. Elijah Drake settled in Flint, practicing here until his death in 1875. In 1840 came Dr. George W. Fish. Dr. Fish removed to Jackson in 1848, holding subsequently many high positions of trust which kept him from Flint, to which he did not return until late in life. Dr. Daniel Clarke, a graduate of Harvard, removed from Grand Blanc to Flint in 1844,. Where he continued to practice for the greater portion of his life. In 1845 Dr. De Laskie Miller came to Flint from Lapeer, but after seven years removed to Chicago and was subsequently appointed professor of obstetrics in Rush Medical college. In 1848, Dr. John Willet, a graduate of Geneva (New York) Medical College, began his practice in Flint, where he continued until appointed as surgeon in the army in 1862. On his return he entered the drug business, and later was elected to the state Legislature.

In the winter of 1841-42 there was organized at Flint the Genesee County Medical Society, the first organization of the kind in the county. Of this society the following mention was made in an address by Dr. G. W. Fish in 1876:

"About thirty-five years ago, four physician met in an office in the little village of Flint, and, after much deliberation and consultation, organized the first medical society every found in this part of the state. They were all young men, but recently from the schools, natives of the state of New York, and had all a common alma mater--the old Fairfield Medical College, in Herkimer county, New York. Of those who that day attached their signatures tot he constitution and by-laws of the first Genesee County Medical Society, one, Dr. John A. Hoyes, had been dead almost a score of years; another, Dr. Robert D. Lamond, died some five years since; the third, Dr. John W. King, lies in his coffin and will soon be borne by us to his last resting-place, and the fourth is he who now address you."

In a letter written by Doctor Fish he speaks of this old society as follows: "We sent to Detroit and to Pontiac for copies of the constitution and by-laws of their respective medical societies, and framed one suited to our wishes. My impression is that Doctor Hoyes was the fist president and Dr. Lamond, secretary. I also think that the first annual meeting was held at Flint, the following June, at which meeting Doctors Steere and Gallup, of Fentonville, and Doctor Baldwin, of Atlas, became members, and perhaps Doctor Miller, of Flushing, may have joined at that time, or soon after. I may be mistaken one year in the date of the organization, but I think I am right. The society remained in active operation for many years, until I went south. I believe all the regular bred physicians who came into the county became members of the society, besides some from Lapeer, Shiawassee and Saginaw counties."