Person:John Harmon (93)

Biography

"John B. Harmon,...was born in Rupert, Vermont, October 19, 1780, and was named after John Brown, a friend of his father in the Vermont Assembly. John Harmon's early experience fitted him for the part he was to play in life. He helped his father conduct a large farm in Vermont, and early became inured to exposure, often going through the winter storms on foot, with his dog and gun, from the home farm in the valley to one several miles up the mountains. He had a fair knowledge of the English branches, and of Latin, and, in 1796, when sixteen years of age, commenced the study of medicine under the tuition of Dr. Jonathan Blackmer, a relative by marriage, who resided in Dorset, Vermont. In 1800, on the removal of his parents to Ohio, John Harmon accompanied them, being then prepared to practice so far as the wants of the family and the few scattered settlers should require. From 1800 to 1806, he aided his father in the salt works, which were carried on extensively, furnishing that necessary commodity to distant settlers as well as to those in the vicinity. He enjoyed the common sport of the day, deer and bear hunting, and was considered an expert shot. One winter he had some twenty deer strung up on a hill a mile west of the springs, the law of hunters in that day rendering property more safe than bolts and bars can now make our hams and bacon. In lieu of lard, the fat of the bear was used in cooking, and the Doctor often said that with a shortcake in his bosom, made with bear's oil, he could travel farther on a hunt or ride, than with any other food.

In 1803, Dr. Harmon bought of his father 250 acres of the Salt Spring tract [in Weathersfield Twp.] for $2,500 in currency, which was resold in 1806. He afterward became the owner of 280 acres in Warren township, and carried on farming quite extensively, devoting special care to raising thoroughbred horses, choice cattle and Merino sheep, and investing largely in mules.

In 1804, Dr. Enoch Leavitt settled in Leavittsburg, and Dr. Harmon resorted to him at intervals for medical instruction. In 1806, Dr. Harmon accompanied his father to Vermont, and resumed, in Dorset, his medical studies, under Dr. Blackmer. In 1808, the Doctor returned to Ohio and settled in Warren, where his practice rapidly increased, and notwithstanding his low fees he easily met his large expenses. After his father's death, he being the oldest son, naturally assumed the guidance of the family.

During his early practice in Warren, he boarded at the tavern on Market street, called at one time the Pavilion, and later the Van Gorder House, which was kept by Colonel William W. Cotgreave. That gentleman August 10 1813, commissioned Dr. Harmon surgeon of the Second regiment, Fifth brigade, Fourth division of the militia of the State of Ohio, which was repeated, on February 5, 1817, by Stephen Oviatt, with the rank of Colonel, and by Governor Worthington, on July 17, 1818, with the rank of Captain. Dr. Harmon was present at the attack on Fort Mackinac, in 1813. When our forces first reached the fort, the Doctor urged an immediate attack, but the General delayed some three days, during which the enemy reinforced the fort, and when the attack was made it was repulsed with great loss.

Near the close of the war, Dr. Harmon resumed practice in Warren, and from this time on his rides extended greatly, reaching to Cleveland, Painesville, Ashtabula on the lake, and a long distance in all directions, as indeed, they had previously, but now more frequently. He was ever at the call of the sick, whether pay was to be had or not. He sometimes swam his horse across the Mahoning, swollen with ice, to meet a professional engagement. During a large part of his life, regular sleep was unknown to him, and he had been known to have gone two weeks without undressing at home, because of daily calls. He learned to sleep on his horse or in his sulky, and when he lay down instantly fell asleep. He would awaken at a call, put up medicine in his bed, give directions and be asleep before the waiter was out of the room.

In 1816, he bought the frame (which had been erected the year previous) on lot 40 in Warren, and in 1817 he finished the story- and-a-half dwelling where he afterward resided. His sisters, Mrs. Clara Leavitt and Mrs. Dunscomb, kept house for him several years, and afterward, the wife of Captain Thompson took charge of his domestic affairs, until the Doctor's marriage. In 1830, Dr. Harmon was prostrated by a severe run of fever, which nearly proved fatal. In 1833, he was pulled from his saddle by a colt he was leading, and his horse ran, dragging him by the heel until the breaking of the girth released him. His back was so hurt that he could not sit down or get up for a long time without help. Years afterward, in attempting to do so, he would suddenly fall helpless. But he kept at his work. In February, 1838, his horse ran away and broke the Doctor's ribs and one of his legs, and he lay in the snow for some time until found by John McConnell, whose son William the Doctor was visiting. The Doctor was helped into his sleigh and went on and prescribed for his patient, and was brought home before his own injuries were cared for.

About 1840, a tumor formed on his left side, beneath the deep pectoral muscle. It was opened by Dr. Delamater, and again by Dr. Bronson and a seton inserted. The inflammation was severe, and was nearly fatal. In the summer of 1845, he was again severely sick, and again in 1854 he had a congestive chill, in which for four hours he seemed to be past recovery. All of these attacks were results of excessive work and special injuries, which his iron constitution enabled him to survive. In 1852, he returned East with his wife, and visited his early home and also hers, passing six weeks of May and June in that pleasant manner. He found the remains of his father's old copper mill still at Rupert, and several boys, like himself, grown to be seventy and eighty years of age.

In 1854, he forswore practice, saying that "an old man without eyes, ears, teeth or fingers, had no business to be dabbling in medicine." This was not true of him, but it indicated his belief that a man should quit before becoming incompetent. His counsel, however, continued to be sought, and he was ever of aid to his son [Dr. Julian Harmon], the subject of this sketch, who was taking his place in active work. The last years of his life were spent in quiet ease. Young in face, hair but slightly gray, and scarcely thinned, erect and straight as an arrow, he took his daily walks with a light step, read the news of the day and the last medical journal, and mingled with his friends, cheerful and thoughtful himself, and greatly revered by all. He was taken with an acute pleuropneumonia in January, and died February 7, 1858."

Continued on his wife, Sarah Dana Harmon's page

1.   Biographical history of northeastern Ohio, embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning: containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with a biography of each, together with portraits and biographies of Joshua R. Giddings, Benjamin F. Wade, and a large number of the early settlers and representative families of to-day. (Chicago [Illinois]: Lewis Publishing, 1893)
   pp. 423 - 426.

   See "Biography"