Page:A cyclopedia of American medical biography vol. 1.djvu/466

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GLONINGER


GODDING


pedagogue, one McMullen, "brisk wielder of the birch and rule," afterwards being sent to a school in Harrisburg and thence to Baltimore, where he completed his education. In 1815 he began studying medicine under a Dr. King, early in 1816 going to Philadelphia and becom- ing a private pupil of Prof. Dorsey, then in the height of his fame, at the same time attending lectures at the University of Pennsylvania and Blockley Hospital. On the death of Dr. Dorsey in 1818, he went to New York and studied under Prof. Hosack, attending lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons whence he graduated April, 1819. Then he is heard of as being in New York pursuing his studies in the hospitals, returning to Lebanon, in 1S20 and there beginning to practise.

He soon took and maintained for thirty years a leading position as physician and surgeon. As a surgeon he was eminent n diseases of the eye, particularly successful in cataract. Gloninger was an omnivor- ous reader, especially of medical works, and had a remarkable retentive mem- ory, also he was a frequent contributor to medical literature, many of his articles showing him not only a careful observer, but a close student keeping pace with the progress of medical science. In 1S23 he was elected member of the Pittsburg Medical Society and in 1S26 fellow of the University of New York. Jefferson Med- ical College conferring on him her honor- ary M. D. In 1S3S he was elected hon- orary member of the New York State Medical Society, and in 1841 the Univer- sity of Maryland gave him the honorary M. D., the University of Pennsylvania doing the same in 1848. In his inter- course with his professional brethren Dr. Gloninger maintained the most cor- dial relations. Possessed of abundant means and high social and professional standing, he was particularly kind to some of the older members of the pro- fession, and in several instances through his personal influence secured for them the honorary M. D., which degree they had failed to procure earlier.


In personal appearance he was tall, with a slight stoop and a large strong face with a pleasant expression. His dress was the professional black swallow-tailed coat, black or figured satin vest, dark trousers, low shoes, white stockings and he always wore a black silk hat.

Five children were born to him, two of whom were eminent in their profession — Dr. Cyrus Dorsey, who practised in Lebanon, and Dr. D. Stanley, of Phila- delphia.

Dr. Gloninger died March 10, 1874. J. H. R.

From an accounnt read before the Lebanon County Historical Society, October 19, 1900 by J. H. Redsecker.

Godding, William Whitney (1S31-1S99).

William Whitney Godding was born May 5, 1831 at Winchendon, Massa- chusetts, the son of Dr. Alvah and Mary Whitney Godding his mother's people coming over from Whitney-on-the-Wye in 1635 to Watertown, Massachuset's.

In 1850 he entered the freshmen class at Dartmouth College, graduating A. B. there and reading medicine with his father. His first course of lectures was at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City; the next at the Medical Col- lege, Castleton, Vermont, where he took his M. D.

He then practised with his father at Winchendon for eighteen months, until appointed assistant physician, State Hos- pital for the Insane, Concord, New Hamp- shire, and to the close of his career de- voted all his time and energies, with the exception of a single year, to his great life work. He married, December 14, 1860, Ellen Rowena Murdock, daughter of Elisha Murdock, of Winchendon. In 1S62 he resigned to enter private practice at Fitchburg, Massachusetts, but in Sep- tember, 1863, entered St. Elizabeth Hos- pital for the Insane, Washington, as second assistant physician, where he proved himself a man of great energy and industry, remaining very closely at the hospital and seldom leaving it to find recreation outside, except in long country