Dr. Abraham Blymer
There never was a practitioner of medicine so widely known, or had such an extensive practice in Delaware County as Dr. Abraham Blymer. He was so long in the county that his name became a household word, and few knew when he settled in Delaware. He became the standard of perfection for the true physician in the minds of the many students who went out of his office, some to fill high positions in the profession in many parts of the country. For fifty years he went in and out before the people, visiting hundreds of homes throughout the county in the early days of mud and forest roads, and these marked by emblazing the trees; and no bridges to cross the swollen streams, be went to administer to the afflicted. Through the midnight darkness with his oldtime lantern and saddlebags, through the storms of winter and shades of the forest in summer, he went on his mission of mercy to the well-to-do, and to the poor and the needy. The long years of faithful labor and broken rest made little impression upon his wonderful German constitution. Up to the very hour of his final visit, he rivaled in activity many of his younger brethren, who numbered but months, while he counted years of faithful labor.
Dr. Blymer was born in Shippinsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1804. His father was a man of education and followed school teaching. Under the instructions of this talented man, the son received his education. In 1824 he began the study of medicine. In 1826, through his wife, he inherited a large amount of money. Anxious to increase his fortune, he entered into the mercantile business, which prospered and promised him great riches. Alter a few years he ventured again into the iron industry, which held out flattering promises. This new venture swept away all of his money and his bright hopes. Seventeen thousand dollars went to pay debts. He fell back upon his profession, and after two years he took a course of lectures in the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then attended the Barten Medical Institute in Philadelphia and received his diploma. Somewhat broken in spirit he moved to the then western country, locating at Mansfield, Ohio, where he opened an office and began the practice of his profession. The ten years of professional life at Mansfield, gave him great prestige. About this time the old Willoughby Medical College near Cleveland, Ohio, now tlie Starling College, conferred upon him the M. D. degree as a token of merit. In 1840 he was induced by friends to move to Gabon, Ohio, but soon discovered that this was a mistake, and after one year he located at Delaware, one of the thriving towns in Ohio. In Delaware, his great energy and acumen soon pushed him to the front place in professional work, and made him one of the first citizens of the place. Always gentle, kind and considerate, his advancement went on uninterruptedly. He held peculiar views regarding the treatment of the great scourge called milk sickness, that prevailed in early times. The patients were taken with vomiting and extreme nausea. They became prostrated and weak, unable to take or retain any food. They became reduced day after day, until they died in great mental anguish, but little real pain. The Doctor began the use of calomel or the mercurial treatment. This gave relief and saved the lives of many valuable citizens. His name was soon carried from neighborhood to neighborhood, until his fame became so great that he was called for far and near to consult with his professional brothers. He read, at one time, a highly instructive paper on Milk Sickness before the County and State Medical Societies. The discovery of the tyroccine by Vaughn, demonstrated the correct principles underlying the treatment by this able practitioner, as the antiseptic influence or mercury killed the exciting cause of this form of sickness. Dr. Blymer took an active interest in young men; and during his life educated and started over forty students in the medical profession, after furnishing them with money and equipments to begin their work. He was a leader in organizing a county medical society and, notwithstanding his busy life, found time to attend the State and County Societies, of which be was an honored member. He was thrice elected vice-president of the State Society; and several times president and vice president of the County Society. He died in 1882.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908