Dr. Joseph H. Van Deman
Dr. Joseph H, Van Deman was born in Delaware, Ohio, in 1829. He is a good example of a self-made man, of an ambitious young American, who without inherited wealth, overcame obstacles, conquered difficulties and achieved success. He was a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1849, M. A. in 1852, and the same year graduated in the Cleveland Medical College. He at once opened an office in Delaware, where he remained until 1857, when he was elected clerk of the Ohio Senate, and served at two sessions. At the close of his term of office he returned to Delaware and to his practice until 1861. Prior to that time, for a short time, he practiced his profession at Millville, Delaware County, Ohio, and at Waldo, Marion County, Ohio. When the Civil War broke out he espoused the cause of the Union, and raised Company K, in the famous Sixty-sixth O. V. I. He participated in the battles of Winchester, Port Republic, and Cedar Mountain, Virginia. In the last mentioned battle he was wounded and captured while leading a reconnoisance at night. He was taken to Libby prison, kept there five months and was exchanged January, 1863, and rejoined his command near Washington, D. C. He resigned in January, 1863, and was appointed assistant surgeon of the Tenth O. V. I. in May; joined his regiment at once and participated in the battles around Chattanooga, Tennessee. He remained with that regiment one year, when he was promoted to chief surgeon, with seven assistants of the United States Military Railroad Division of Mississippi, and remained in that capacity with headquarters at Chattanooga until the close of the war. After that he was surgeon in charge of the Refugee and Freedman's Department at Chattanooga, and for seventeen years after, was examining pension surgeon. He was also post surgeon of that post until it was closed. During his residence in Chattanooga of over thirty years, he passed through three epidemics of smallpox, two of cholera, and one of yellow fever, remaining at his post during the continuance of each. He was elected president of the Tennessee Medical Society in 1873, and presided over that body for two years. For over twenty-five years he was a member of the American Medical Association, and was for three years a member of the judicial council of that body. He was a member of the Public Health Association since 1874. He frequently contributed to medical literature, notably two articles—one on the cholera of 1873, and one on the yellow fever epidemic of 1878—published in the reports and papers of the latter association. He retired from active practice in 1883, except as surgeon, which he continued until 1890, when he retired absolutely from the practice of both medicine and surgery. He was a 33rd degree Mason, a Knight of Pythias, a member of the G. A. R., and of the Ohio Commandery of the Loyal Legion. His first vote was for the Whig ticket, but when that party died, he went to the Democrats, and always remained a Democrat. He was married to Miss Rebecca Norris, daughter of Judge William G. Norris, in 1855 at Delaware. His father was Rev. Henry Van Deman, for over forty years pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Delaware. Dr. Van Deman enjoyed a respected and honored position in the city of his residence. He died in 1902, and was buried in the National Cemetery at Chattanooga with Masonic rites and honors.
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