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- Dr. W. H. OVIATT passed away
last Friday evening at 8 o'clock. He had been
- suffering for some time from catarrh
of the stomach, but it was not until two weeks before his death
that he took to his bed. Early last week he showed evidence
of improvement which somewhat encouraged his family, but on Thursday
evening he again became worse and failed until death came to
his relief.
- William Henry OVIATT was born
in Smethport, Pa., Dec. 8, 1839, and at that place
- his early life was passed. After
receiving his education at the academy there, he was apprenticed
as a printer in Ironton, Ohio, and worked on various papers in
that state. In the winter of 1862 he returned to Smethport,
and took the foremanship of his uncle's paper, the McKean County
Democrat, the first newspaper established in that county. While
visiting in Alleghany county New York, he became acquainted with
Miss Theresa F. COLLINS to whom he was married on June
5, 1862, at Alfred, N.Y. They took up their residence at Smethport,
and two years later came to Milton, Wis. Here Mr. OVIATT
began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Daniel BABCOCK,
followed by a course of lectures at Rush Medical college. Desiring
to have his family near him, however, he transferred his studies
to the Buffalo (N.Y.) Medical college, his wife's relatives residing
near that place. He was graduated from that institution in
1869, and again returning to the west, located at Utica, Dane
county, where the doctor built up a lucrative practice. In
1876 the family moved to Clintonville, in this state. This
was comparatively a new country and offered a wider field for
the doctor, and it was not long before he had gained a practice
that extended over a wide territory. He retained this until
he left Clintonville to come to Milton in the Winter of 1892.
In the following spring he and his family located at Milton
Junction where they have since resided, the doctor continuing
his practice and for a time conducting a drugstore.
- Six children were born to Dr. and Mrs.
OVIATT, three of whom died in infancy.
- Those who survive are Mrs. W. D. THOMAS
of Milton, Wis., Mrs. Frank B. GESSLER of Bangor, Wis.,
and W. C. OVIATT of Milton Junction, Wis.
- Dr. OVIATT was a member of the
S.D.B. church which he joined while residing at
- Utica. He joined the order of F.
and A. M. in 1866, in which he maintained a deep interest.
He organized the Eastern Star Chapters in Clintonville and at
Milton Junction.
- As a physician he ranked high. His
first duty always was to his patients and his
- faithfulness to them, even when he
himself was sick, has been a matter of remark. No one can measure
the suffering he has relieved, the kindness he has done ill humanity;
and while his death has occasioned a severe loss to the community,
it is consoling to know that he is now in the enjoyment of that
sweet peace and rest for which his busy life gave little opportunity.
- The funeral was held at his late residence
on Monday at 2 o'clock. Rev. G. W.
- Burdick preached the sermon. The
funeral was in charge of the Masonic lodge, assisted by the Eastern
Star Chapter. The floral offerings were numerous and most beautiful.
The remains were interred in the Milton Junction cemetery beside
those of his three children. [Thursday edition, p. 4]
-
- Courtesy of Jon Saunders
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