In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1909) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909), Centennial portrait and biographical record of the city of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with the biographi (1897)
OHN C. REEVE, M. D., one of the oldest and most prominent physicians and surgeons of Dayton, Ohio, was born in England, June 5, 1826. When six years of age he came with his father’s family to America, their residence being taken up in Cleveland, Ohio. At the age of twelve years young Reeve was thrown upon his own resources by the death of his mother, and by financial reverses to the family. Up to this time he had enjoyed good school privileges in the common schools of Cleveland. Following the death of his mother he apprenticed himself to become a printer, and spent several years in the office of the Cleveland Advertiser and Herald. While thus employed he fitted himself for teaching school, which occupation he followed for a time as the means of improvement and education. He read medicine with Dr. John Delamater, professor of obstetrics in the medical department of Western Reserve college, Cleveland, from which institution he graduated. In 1849 Dr. Reeve began the practice of medicine in Dodge county, Wis. Some years later he visited Europe for the purpose of further study of his profession, and after passing the winter in London and a summer at the university of Gottingen, Germany, he returned to this country, and in the fall of 1854 located in Dayton, where he has since practiced. Dr. Reeve is a member of the
Montgomery Medical society, of which he has several times been president. He is also a member of the Ohio State Medical society, the American Medical association and the American Gynaecological society, of which he was one of the founders. He has made numerous reports of important professional cases, and has been a frequent contributor to the leading medical journals of the country. On August 10, 1849, Dr. Reeve was married to Emma J. Barlow, of Cleveland, Ohio. To this union two sons and two daughters have been born, namely: Charlotte E., now the wife of Frank Conover, attorney, of Dayton; John C., Jr., practicing physician and surgeon, of Dayton; Mary S., now the wife of Robert E. Dexter, architect, of Dayton; and Sidney A., professor of mechanical engineering in Worcester Polytechnic school, Worcester, Mass.
As printed in Centennial portrait and biographical record of the city of Dayton and of Montgomery County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with the biographi (1897). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JOHN C. REEVE, M. D.
When the history of Dayton and her public men shall have been written its pages will bear no more illustrious name nor record a more distinguished career than that of Dr. John C. Reeve. If ‘‘biography is the home aspect of history,” as Wilmott has expressed it, it is certainly within the province of true history to commemorate and perpetuate the lives of those men whose careers have been of signal usefulness and honor to the state, and in this connection it is not only compatible but imperative that mention be made of Dr. Reeve who for many years has figured as one of the most distinguished physicians of Dayton, where he is now living at the age of eighty-three years.
He was born in England, June 5, 1826, and in 1832 was brought by his parents to the new world, the family home being established in Cleveland. When twelve years of age he entered upon an apprenticeship at the printer’s trade and for several years worked on the Cleveland Advertiser and Herald. During this period he devoted all his time not occupied by office duties to study that he might expand his mental horizon and lay a foundation for usefulness in broad, general information. Subsequently he turned his attention to the profession of teaching and afterward took up the study of medicine under Dr. John Delamanter, pro-
DR. J. C. REEVE fessor of obstetrics in the medical department of the Western Reserve College of Cleveland. He began practice in 1849 'n Dodge county, Wisconsin. Later he spent one year in Europe, in London and Germany, where he pursued his studies under the direction of some of the most renowned physicians and surgeons of the old world.
It was in the year 1854 that Dr. Reeve came to Dayton and now for more than a half century he has practiced continuously in this city. In 1861 he was elected professor of materia medical and therapeutics in the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati. He would have removed to that city had not the breaking out of the war changed all plans. This connection lasted therefore but one year, and he returned to Dayton, where he has since resided. He has always been recognized as one of the leading surgeons of the country. Even medical practice has not made such rapid advancement as has surgical work, for investigation and research have brought to light knowledge that enables a surgeon to perform work that is nothing short of marvelous. In fact many operations that are performed seem almost miraculous to the laity. With all the work of progress Dr. Reeve had been in touch and has not only been a followed but has at times been a leader in professional service and original work in this line. He performed the operation of tracheotomy on a little girl, remarkable as being the largest foreign body ever removed. The operation is fully described in Gross’ Surgery. He displayed remarkable skill and precision in all of his surgical work. He was an early operator in abdominal surgery, having performed ovariotomy as early as 1872. His skill as a surgeon was widely recognized by the profession as well as by the general public. He has also occupied a foremost place in the ranks of the physicians and surgeons, not only of Dayton but of Ohio as well. He has been honored with the presidency of the Montgomery County Medical Society and of the Ohio State Medical Society. He also holds membership in the Ohio State Medical Society, and the American Genealogical Society, of which he was one of the founders. He was made an honorary fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. He was in former years, a frequent contributor to medical journals and his writings attracted much attention at home and were noticed abroad. When the Sisters of St. Francis came to Dayton in 1876, and established a little hospital with twelve beds, on Franklin street, Dr. Reeve was called upon to form a medical and surgical staff. This he did and for thirty-four years was president of the staff. He was adviser to the Sisters and aided to the best of his ability, in the growth of that noble institution to its present magnificent proportions.
On the loth of August, 1849, Dr. Reeve was married to Miss Emma G. Barlow, of Cleveland, and unto them have been born four children: Charlotte E., now Mrs. Frank Conover; John C., Jr., a surgeon; Mary S., now Mrs. R. E. Dexter; and Sidney A., a mechanical engineer.
In social circles Dr. Reeve has been as prominent and honored as he is in his professional connections. Throughout his entire life he has been actuated by high ideals and his work in the world has made his career one of signal usefulness. He is honored as the oldest active representative of the medical fraternity in Dayton, but more for what he has accomplished for the benefit of his fellowmen. He has been actuated in all of his work by a broad humanitarian spirit as well as a love of scientific research and the assistance which he has rendered in times of need to those unable to reward him in any substantial way classes him with the benevolent men of the city.
As printed in History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Frank Conover (b. 1853)
The printed record stops around 1909. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.