George O. Maskey

GEORGE O. MASKEY, M. D.

Notwithstanding the long strides that have been made in the practice of the healing art within the past half century, the discovery of medical properties in hundreds of vegetable and mineral substances that not many years ago were not included in materia medical as remedies are barely mentioned in the pharmacopeia, or laid dormant as far as the dispensatory is concerned: notwithstanding the charlatanry practiced by adventurers in the legitimate practice of the art and the quacks that claimed particular and special gifts in the treatment of human ills; and notwithstanding the fact that legislatures have found it necessary to regulate the general practice by the expulsion of diplomaless pretenders and the registration of legitimate and truly scientific physicians there are some of the latter who have risen to eminence within the field of their actual labors, and among these is the subject of this sketch, whose career has been that of a true and conscientious worker in the sphere to which he has devoted his life and energy, and who possesses a profound knowledge of medicine and surgery.

George O. Mas key, M. D.. of the firm of Sampson & Maskey, of Upper Sandusky, Wvandot county. Ohio, was born in Nevada, this county, February 7. 1856. and is a son of Benjamin and Adaline (Zook) Maskey, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, the former being born in Cumberland county, Penn., and the latter in Wayne county, Ohio.

Benjamin Maskey when a small boy was brought west by his parents, who located in Crawford county. Ohio, where Benjamin grew to manhood on a farm. At the proper age he began an apprenticeship at carpentering, which trade he learned thoroughly and gained quite a reputation as a rural architect. In 1870 he came to L'pper Sandusky and for ten or twelve years was foreman for a large railroad carpenter shop here. Later he took a position as engineer of a stationary engine for the Pennsylvania Railway Company and so faithfully did he perform his duties that he held this position until his death, which occurred July 24. 1897. in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he was a life-long Democrat, and socially always maintained an exalted position in the esteem of his many friends. His wife, who was a highly respected lady and a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in Upper Sandusky on the 12th day of July, 1884.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

The mother of Dr. Maskey before her marriage was Miss Adeline Zook, a native of Wavne county, Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel and Nancy Zook. She bore her husband three children: William F., who died at the age of twenty-one: Jacob A., who died when ten years of age, and Dr. George O.. the subject of this review, the eldest member of the family.

The Doctor’s boyhood days were passed in Nevada, where he attended the public schools until about fourteen years old. when he came to Upper Sandusky with his parents. Here he attended the schools until about eighteen years of age. when he was graduated, and thence went to the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he pursued his literary studies for three years, and then returned to Upper Sandusky and was here appi inter principal of the high school, which position he held for two years. While engaged in teaching Dr. Maskev began reading medicine with Dr. R. A. Henderson, and after due preparation under that capable physician entered the medical department of the Western Reserve University, from which, at the end of two years, he was graduated in the spring of 1882. He then returned to Upper Sandusky and formed a partnership with his former preceptor. Dr. Henderson, which connection was prosperouslv continued for five years, when Dr. Henderson retired. Dr. Maskey then joined Dr. Sampson, over thirteen years ago, and this firm is now the acknowledged head of the medical profession in Upper Sandusky.

Dr. Maskey was married on October 27.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

In politics Dr. Maskey is a stanch Democrat and is extremely popular with Ins party. Four years he served aa member of the school board; was six years city treasurer, and was for five years coroner of the county, having been elected for two terms to the latter office and having served one term under appointment. At present he is health officer of the city. Fraternallv the Doctor is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religion he is a Methodist. He is a trustee in his church and was a member of the building ck mittee appointed to erect the church edifice now in use and which cost eighteen thousand dollars.

fine Doctor still owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres that cost about ten thousand dollars and adjoins the corporate boundary line of the city and several pieces of nicely located residence property within the city limits. Fie has taken much interest in local and public affairs and has been a lil>eral contributor to every enterprise that reasonably gave promise of being a benefit to the public weal. HI is social standing, with that of his wife, is with the most refined people of Up[>er Sandusky, and professionally he is an acknowledged leader, being as highly respected by the brother professionals as he is by the general public.

As printed in Biographical memoirs of Wyandot County, Ohio : to which is appended a comprehensive compendium of national biography ... embellished with portraits of many national characters and well known residents (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.