|
This page is a stub. You can help improve it.
The transcription could do with correction!
Deacon Isaac Douglas, D.D.S., son of nathan Douglas, was born in
Troy, Michigan, USA on 25th May 1830.
" Isaac Douglas
had in early life only the advantages of a winter school, when
he could be spared from the duties of the farm. During his 20th
summer, he studied dentistry witli his elder brother, Caleb S.
Douglas, who had an office temporarily in his father's house.
The winter previous to and summer following his majority he
continued studying with his brother at Romeo, where the latter
had settled. He remained with Caleb until his death, in June,
1852, when he continued the business in his own name.
In
the fall of 1852, finding that in order to practice his
profession thoroughly, he needed a better knowledge of medicine
than could be obtained from dental books, he began the study of
medicine with Dr. Wyker, of Romeo. In 1854, his health failed,
and he was olbliged to relinquish his profession in part, and
receive medical treatment. He continued in ill health for a year
and a half under allopathic treatment, when he changed to
homeopathic treatment, and at the end of four weeks was able to
resume professional duties. At this time he began the study of
homeopathy with Drs. Ellis and Drake, and in the winter of 1858
entered the Homeopathic Medical College, at Cleveland, 0. Here
he pursued one course of lectures, passing all the examina tions
and taking a high standing in his class.
Returning to
Romeo, where there was no settled physician, he cheerfully
responded to calls for his medical services, at the same time
pursuing his dental duties until 1865, since which time he has
given his entire attention to dentistry. Since 1865 a number of
young- men have studied with him, including his brothers Henry
F. and Elon G., both of whom are now practicing dentistry with
marked success, beside others who have become physicians,
allopathic as well as homeopathic. As an example of his skill,
it may be stated that he put in nineteen fillings in six hours,
and had the satisfaction of seeing them seventeen years
afterward all in good condition. Tlie longest time he has over
devoted to one filling was ten and a half hours, and the largest
number ever put in in one year Avas 1196. From Jan. 1, 1SG6, to
Jan. 1, 1872. ho put in 4394 fillings, only seventeen of which
had to be replaced within two years of the operation. He was one
of the organizing members of the Michigan Dental Association,
and always made it a point to be present at its meetings,
contributing greatly to their interest ])y verbal and written
discussions. He has occupied every office in the association
except those of secretary and treas- urer, both of which he has
declined. He was also one of the or- ganizing meml:)ers of the
Michigan Homeopathic Institute, and was connected with it until
its dissolution. In May, 1877, he was elected a member of its
successor, the Michigan Homeopatliic Society, As a' recognition
of his large experience, and his repu- tation as a practitioner
and contributor to dental science, tlie degree of Doctor of
Dental Surgery was conferred upon him by the Ohio College of
Dental Surgery, in March, 1871.
"Dr. Douglas became a
member of the Baptist church in Troy in Febuary, 1844, and at
tlie early age of 16 was appointed a church committee. In 1853
he changed his membership to the Baptist church in Romeo. In
1872, in consetiuenco of a change of views, he severed his
connection with the Baptist society, since which time he has
been connected with the Congregatiotial church in Romeo. , For
seven summers past he has been superintendent of a Sunday-school
in the county adjoining his own.
For the seven years
previous to his uniting witli the Congregational church, he was
one of the deacons in the Baptist church in Romeo, and for five
years the leading member, paying from one-tenth to one-eighth of
the current expenses of the church. He has been a generous
contributor to Christian societies of vari- ous denominations,
helping largely to build np the cause of religion in his
locality. In politics the doctor has always been a republican.
In a professional way he is considered very gener- ous, largely
favoring the poor when commanding his services, either making
very light charges or none at all. His habits have always been
strictly teini)erate.
In 1876 he joined the Sons of
Temperance, and in April, 1877, he became a member of the
Knights of Honor. He married, Oct. 2, 1852, Elizabeth Clark,
who, with her parents, emigrated from Bedford, England, in 1834.
They were shipwrecked off New York harbour, after being on the
ocean 21 weeks, losing everything, and barely escaping with
their lives. Dr. Douglas has had four children, three girls and
one boy " : —
i. Mary Feances*', b. June 19, 1854; num.;
teach., ('77) Romeo.
ii. Emma Redecca^ b. May 15, 1856; d. Aug.
18, 1856.
iii. \ William Wilkinson CLARK^ h. April 19, 180G.
iv.
{ Elizabeth Clark®, b. April 10. 18(iG.
|
