"Dr. Calhoun began the work of establishing the Marine Hospital at Port Townsend where he remained until 1875 when he entered private practice…

Neergaard, Christine  A.

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DR. GEORGE V. CALHOUNWhen the Civil War closed in 1865 there were numerous youngmen throughout the country who were eager to move westward.The great forests of the Pacific Northwest seemed to beckon to theyoung and vigorous. Land, lumber, the beautiful waterways andthe opening of new territory offered ample opportunity for develop-ment both of the individual and the western country.It was at this time that George V. Calhoun accepted the ap-pointment made by President Lincoln to establish the Marine Hos-pital at Port Townsend.1 This young man who had earned the de-gree of Doctor of Medicine but three years prior to his appointmenthastened to take up his new duties on the Pacific Coast. He cameby way of Nicaragua and San Francisco to make his home in theTerritory of Washington and he remained in the Puget Sound coun-try until his death in 1916.George V. Calhoun was born in Hopewell, New Brunswick,October 19, 1837. He was the son of John and Mary (Brewster)Calhoun. Though the family originated in Scotland the four broth-ers who later made their homes in America came from the North0:£ Ireland to pioneer in Pennsylvania. One of these young menthen journeyed to Maryland2 and finally removed to New Bruns-wick where the family home was established. It was here that JohnCalhoun, the father of George, was born. Mary Brewster, the moth-er, was also born in New Brunswick, though the Brewster familyhad dwelt previously in New England.In New Brunswick the Calhoun family became interested infarming. The father, John Calhoun, however, possessed a certainlove for ships and the sea. He was a shipowner and often madevoyages to distant ports. It was while sailing to Bermuda thatdeath came to him. 3 The message of John Calhoun's death was car-ried back to New Brunswick where George was receiving a ruralelementary education.The untimely death of John Calhoun in no way hindered theson's educational opportunities as George was shortly placed inHorton Academy. The rural schooling proved sufficient for themore serious work of preparing for a career in the study of med-1cme.George Calhoun remained in Horton Academy until 1857. At1 Seattle Post-I"telligencer, September 23', 1915.2 H. K. Hines, Pen Pictures of the World, 779.3 Elwood Evans, History of Oregon and Washington, II, 239.(286)Dr. George V. Calhoun 287this time he was twenty years old and ready for Medical College.Scotland was decided upon as this new home in which George wasto work for the degree in Medicine. He worked well and was grad-uated after five years from the University of Glasgow on May 1,1862. Immediately the young doctor received an appointment inScotland. This practical experience gained in the months of serv-ice made Dr. Calhoun an independent physician. It likewise gavehim the opportunity to cultivate the friendship of Miss Ellen Meinwhom he married in Nova Scotia in 1863.Within the United States, Civil War continued and Dr. Cal-houn now offered his services. He enlisted as assistant surgeon inthe Army of the Potomoc and held that title for the duration ofthe Civil War. In 1865, Dr. Calhoun began the work of establishingthe Marine Hospital4 at Port Townsend where he remained until1875 when he entered private practice.Seattle in 1866 was a thriving lumber town. From 1866 to1870 Seattle grew from the village whose small frame houses dottedthe margin of the bay to a town of 1107 people.5"This growth," Mrs. Watt states in her Story of Seattle, "wasmore than an increase in population. There was an expectancy aboutthe town as if the pioneers were standing on tiptoe peeking over theCascades in expectation of the railroad."6In 1870 the building of the Northern Pacific Railroad wasbegun and it was almost certain that Puget Sound would be theterminus. New buildings went up, strangers were seen about thestreets and newcomers arrived to make Seattle their home. Manyyoung professional men arrived who were undoubtedly as equallyinterested in "empire building" as their profession. Among them,in 1875, was Dr. George V. Calhoun, who was thirty-eight years oldand ready for private practice.Seattle's one hospital at this time was that of Dr. David Swin-son Maynard." This hospital had accommodated the sick since 1863.Dr. Maynard and his wife Catherine cared for many of those inneed, but by 1875 there was an increasing demand for the servicesof professional men.There was a steady development in the West which called forcooperation among pioneres. Doctors became politicians, politicianswere leaders-all working together to turn a wilderness into a civ-ilized territory and at last a state.4 Seattle Post-Inte/ligencer, Edmond S. Meany, Nov. 23, 1915.5 Roberta Frye Watt, Sto,-y of Seattle, 349.6 Ibid.7 Virginia Mason Hospital Qua,-terly, December, 1933, p. 23.8 Journal of Proceedings of the Council of the Territory of Washington at theLegislative Assembly, 1871.9 Ibid., 25.10 Ibid., 51, 173.n Ibid., 57.12 Ibid., 220.13 Clinton A. Snowden, History of Washington, V, 227-228.In the later Territorial Days, that period in the life of Dr. Cal-houn from 1875 his first arrival in Seattle, until 1889 when Wash-ington Territory became a proud State, he held many positionsworthy of note.During the years of 1870 and 1871 he was a member of theTerritorial Legislature representing the counties of Clallam andJefferson.s It was in 1871 that a bill was introduced by him provid-ing for the appointment of a resident physician to be placed in chargeof the insane asylum and the bill prescribed the duties. 9 He wasalso a member of the committee that worked for the advancementof education. The result was the passing of a bill which establishedthe common school system of the Territory of Washington.ioNew problems arose with the Territory's increased populationand in 1871 Dr. Calhoun introduced another bill which later passed"for the preservation of game birds."ll.While representing his counties in the Council he served on thecommittee of Federal Relations-"re1ative to the free navigationand improvement of Skagit River in Washington Territory."Dr. Calhoun's interests in 1870 and 1871 were quite diversifiedas he was further instrumental in the passing of a bill defining thejurisdiction and practice in probate courts of the Territory and an-other relating to, "the justice of the peace and their jurisdiction,"and, "an act for the protection of sheep in Island County."12These legisiative acts are an indication'of the many interestsof the Doctor-namely, medicine, land problems, politics and edu-cation. Of the four he took the most lively interest in politics andan adventurous interest in land and a serious interest in educationaladvancement. Politics and political workings were his hobbies.Every Republican convention of the times found Dr. Calhoun inthe foreground either by word or message during the active yearsof his life.13 This interest in politics in no way lessened Dr. Cal-hOLm's appreciation for education. He was himself a well educatedman both by schooling and constant reading. To quote the wordsof his son, Dr. Grant Calhoun, of Seattle-"My father was an insatiable reader; he read everything he288 Christine R. NeergaardDr. George V. Calhoun 289could lay his hands on from medical books to fiction. He especiallyenjoyed writings on things political and read all the time."In 1875, the year of Dr. Calhoun's removal to Seattle, he ac-cepted the appointment made by Governor Ferry to become Presi-dent of the Board of Regents of the Territorial University and heldthat appointment until 1880. His co-workers were A. H. Steele,Daniel Bagley, Allen Weir and Charles H. Larrabee.14The Regents' report shows a determined effort on the part ofthe members to make the Territorial University one of high stand-ing; making it possible for the student to attend, raising the schol-astic standing and emphasizing cultural moral training."In accordance with the strict requirements of the Territoriallaw"-the regents' report read-"more than thirty pupils had beenappointed to free scholarships by February ninth, 1878, and on theninth of March following thirty of those appointed were in at-tendance."15It was the aim of the Board of Regents to educate young Wash-ingtonians at home. Thus the Regents asked the Legislature for themeans of transportation for those who could not cover the dis-tance.and thus the report read,'l6-"Obviate the necessity of spendinglarge sums to go abroad to get what we can as well give them hereand for less price."There was an educational ideal at work in the minds of thoseRegents of which Dr. Calhoun was one; it was to the effect thatboys and girls of little means were often more worthy. The Regentsreport on this subject read:"Your board would respectfully suggest inasmuch as the spiritof the law looks rather to the selection of pupils whose pecuniarymeans will not permit them obtaining an education rather than thechildren of parents who are able, that it be desirable to so amend thelaw as to provide transportation for such pupils to and from theUniversity."Moral training was also a definite part of the Board of Regents'educational program and this dealt with the schooling of girls asbeginning within the home. In 1879, the President's home at theTerritorial University became the home for student girls-"wherethey have not only the comforts of a cultivated home, but thatmoral and aesthetic training so valuable in fitting them for the battle14 Report of Regents of the Territorial University of Washington. 1879, 8.15 Report of Regents of the Territorial University of Washington. 1879, 8.16 Ibid., 7.17 Ibid., 8.290 Christine R. Neergaardof life." This was to be a part of University training,'7 as statedin Territorial days.In private life, Dr. Calhoun was less dictatorial, for in moldingthe characters of his children he let each one in turn select the pro-fession he or she desired to follow. Of the four sons of Dr. GeorgeCalhoun, two of them chose medicine. His influence upon his sonswhile quiet must have been sincere and firm.To quote Dr. Grant Cahoun-"My father did not believe insuggesting our careers, it was left to us to do as we pleased. Ichose medicine because I liked it."The sons of Dr. George Calhoun liked medicine because of anexceedingly good influence of the father, an influence noticeablewhile he was in private practice in Seattle.From 1875 until 1879 Dr. Calhoun helped to fill the vacancymade so apparent by the death of Dr. David Maynard. The needfor medical aid widened as time advanced from saw mill injuriesand an occasional birth to the administering of systematic care tothe sick as Seattle grew from town to city. Numbers of people com-plicated society while poverty and misfortune were more familiarabout the small city. There were charity cases now-men andwomen who must be cared for. In 1878 a hospital was opened by the"Sisters of Charity" in answer to this need. The small sign abovethe door read, "Providence Hospital."18 Here provision was madeby contract for the care of all charity cases and the first contractwas awarded to Dr. Calhoun. The notice read as follows:"-the proposal of G. V. Calhoun, M. D., being in conformitywith said printed notice, and being the lowest legitimate proposal,it is further ordered by the Board that said G. V. Calhoun, M. D.,be and is hereby awarded the contract to supply medical and surgicalattendance and medicines for the county poor for one year from the13th day of February, 1879, for the sum of one hundred and ninety-fom dollars as per his proposals on his entering into a written con-tract with the board."19Upon the broad roads of Seattle in the late seventies one mightgaze in retrospect and see there Dr. George V. Calhoun driving hisgood horse Charlie. The Doctor would be making his daily callsand attending to the business of the day such as the problems of san-itation and health supervision. It was in 1877 that Seattle's first18 Clarence B. Bagley, Histo,'Y of Seattle, I, 323.19 Medical Works King County, Beginnings, Progress and Achievement, 33.Dr. George V. Calhoun 291health officer was elected and the city's health department well es-tablished.After four years of private practice in and about Seatte, Dr.Calhoun became interested in land near La Conner, Washington.Here he continued the practice of medicine but delved into politicsand as a result became mayor of La Conner for one year. The com-munity's welfare as well as its citizens' health claimed the Doctors'attention primarily, though he liked to take part in the affairs ofstate.When Washington Territory became a State, a medical examin-ing board was created. Among its members was the name of Dr.George V. Calhoun. This was in 1890 and he served as a memberof that Board in 1890 and 1891.20 The following year Dr. Calhounwas made President of the Board though he resigned on August27, 1892.21Laws provided under the State Constitution regulating thepractice of medicine and surgery within the State were broughtabout through the combined efforts of the first board members andofficers. The Medical Examining Board met and organized on June17, 1890-its first duty was to list the names of all physicians andsurgeons registered in the State of Washington prior to the passageof that act22 and to work for the regulation of educational stand-ards. The report read:"-Each member has a proper sense of his responsibility andthe purpose of the board is to make this law the means of raisingthe standard of medical education in this state to the level requiredby the best medical colleges."23The first examination was given in Walla 'Walla, Washington,and of the ten candidates who presented themselves for examinationnine were given certificates to practice medicine. Candidates notable to make the "sixty-five percent grade" required by this exam-ining board, were failed. Within the year, however, the number ofgraduate medical students aspiring to be licensed physicians in theState of Washington increased to forty-nine. 24 Of these candidatesnine were denied the privilege of practicing medicine.The Board of which Dr. Calhoun was President included in itsreport-"The intention is to make the examinations as practicable20 First Annual Report, State Medical Examining Board of Washington, 1892.21 Second Annual Report, op. cit., 1893, Preface.22 First Annual Report, op. 6t., 1892, 6.23 Ibid., 6.24 Ibid., 6.25 Ibid.26 Seattle Post-Iatelligeacer, November 23', 1915, "Living Pioneers," Edmond S.Meany.27 Ibid.as possible and the questions are so framed. The sole object isto give the applicant an opportunity to prove that he possessessufficient knowledge of medicine and surgery to be a safe prac-titioner."25During the early years of Washington's statehood, Dr. Calhounbecame engaged in public activities. Prior to his resignation fromthe State Medical Examining Board in 1892, he was appointed pres-ident of the State Board of Trade which he held from 1891 until1893.In 1892 the State of Washington was entitled to the first pres-idential vote. This rare privilege was given to Dr. Calhoun as mes-senger of the electors who cast the vote in favor of Benjamin Har-rison.26At this time the Doctor gave a great portion of his time to theinterest of public affairs. Not only was he active in politics, he wasat once exceedingly proud of the State of Washington and her de-velopment. The following year, 1893, he became the State's Execu-tive Commissioner for the World's Columbian Exposition. At thesame time Dr. Calhoun became intensely interested in State politics.The election of Governor Ferry was due in part to his efforts as heengrossed his thoughts in the State's affairs and lacked but two voteshimself necessary to be elected Lieutenant Governor. In 1892, how-ever, he failed27 to obtain the nomination for Governor.Politics, both within the State and those affecting the FederalGovernment were of vital importance to Dr. George Calhoun. Dr.Grant Calhoun spoke of his father in this regard-"My father loved politics and read everything about elections.He also had very definite opinions as to the evils of party nomina-tions by direct primaries."Whie living in La Conner, Dr. Calhoun continued his generalmedical practice. Going about the country in making his calls henow had time to enjoy his favored sport-that of riding. The Doc-tor was known to ride anything in the way of a horse. He oncesaid to a neighbor who had taken advantage of this fact:"I don't mind riding your horses for you, but I object to break-ing them all in."Recognized as a man of great educational ability, Dr. Calhountook part in many phases of his State's development. During these292 Christine R. NeergaardCHRISTINE A. N EERGAARD28 Cornelius H. Hanford, Seattle and Environs, III, 612-614.29 Seattle Daily Times, May 11, 1898.years little mention was made of Mrs. Calhoun though she was thefirst woman to be called to jury service in Seattle and a chartermember of the First Presbyterian Church.28 Mrs. Calhoun's lifework plainly lay along ways other than political unless one calledthe government of a smaller world and of little people politics. Thiswas Mrs. Calhoun's world because she was the mother of nine chil-dren. There were in the family four sons, Grant and Arthur P.,both of whom became physicians, Scott and William as well as fivegirls, Nellie, Maggie, Laura, Annie and the late Alice Calhoun.In May of 1898, Ellen Mein Calhoun died.29The latter yea,s of Dr. George Calhoun's life were spent inCoupeville, Whidby Island, where near a large glacial boulder locallyknown as "Rock of Ages" his cottage stood. This elderly gentlemanwhose white beard reached his chest could be seen there at one time,a man in his late seventies. Perhaps he would have been readinghistory, a story or something to do with politics of the day.At the age of seventy-eight years Dr. Calhoun died in Septem-ber, 1916.The little town of Seattle on Puget Sound the home of hischildren now had reached maturity. Where once frame houses andtree-tops were seen about the Bay, now stood tall buildings reachinghigher toward the sky.From 1837 until 1916, during the years of this man's life, theState of Washington was made and in the making Dr. George V.Calhoun served.293Dr. George V. Calhoun

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Dr. George V. Calhoun

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Dr. George V. Calhoun

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