San Francisco County

Biographies


 

MILBURN HILL LOGAN

 

Milburn Hill Logan, Ph. G., M. D.—Although still but a young man, Dr. Logan has by his energy and ability already risen to a very high rank in that most laborious and taxing profession, the medical.  He has had a busy life and a successful one, and the only wonder to the writer is, how he has managed to accomplish all he has during his years.

 

Dr. Logan was born in the little village of Richview, Washington county, Illinois, August 5, 1855, and is the son of J. I. and Unity J. (Livesay) Logan.  His father is now living at St. Helena, Napa county, in this State, where he is carrying on an extensive furniture business.  On another page will be found a full description of his most interesting life.  The family removed to Centralia, Illinois, where his father entered the business in which he is at present engaged.  Here young Logan attended common schools until he was nine years of age, when he came with his parents across the plains to California, spending six months on the journey and visiting Salt Lake City and all points of interest, finally reaching this State in August, 1864.  After remaining a short time at Santa Clara, the family removed to Oakland and there Milburn attended school for two terms.  Here his father met with severe financial reverses, being robbed of nearly all he possessed, and after remaining a year they went to Napa county, locating at St. Helena, and taking a small farm on the outskirts of the town, known later as Logan’s Addition to St. Helena.  Here Milburn attended grammar and private schools until 1871, spending his vacations and times of leisure in working for his father and brother at carpentry, building, etc.  In 1873 and 1874 he took private instructions from Dr. C. W. Hughes, now deceased, in physics, hygiene and physiology, and from J. P. Dinsmore, M. D., now also deceased, in the principles and practice of homeopathy.  In 1875 he entered the University of California, College of Chemistry, class of 1879.  After two years’ attendance there, during a vacation, he temporarily lost his eye-sight by the premature explosion of a large can of blasting powder.  This necessitated his ceasing study for nearly two years, and largely determined his future course.  After so long an absence from his class, and also wishing to begin life in earnest and be independent, he abandoned the idea of completing at that time his course at the University, and entered the California Medical College at Oakland, his university career giving an advantage of six months’ time.  In 1881 he graduated with the highest honors at the head of large class, there meeting the estimable lady who afterward became his wife.  After a few weeks’ rest at home, he began practice in San Francisco, re-entered the university and took the gold medal at graduation in the department of pharmacy, thus completing his university course.  Shortly afterward he was elected Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Toxicology in the Medical College.  Two years later, in 1883, on the resignation of Professor S. P. Mead, A. B., he was promoted to the chair of Chemistry and Toxicology, which he still holds.

 

Dr. Logan has practiced continuously in the city since July, 1881, when he first opened his office, building up rapidly a very large and lucrative practice, which necessitates the employment of several assistants.  It should be stated that Dr. Logan is an eclectic physician conscientiously selecting or choosing from any or all schools the methods and treatment best adapted to particular cases.  He has had great success in his practice, a result of his assiduous care and careful study of each case, not less than to skill and experience.  Dr. Logan is well read, being a graduate of the Chautauqua Scientific and Literary Circle, in addition to his scientific and professional courses.  Notwithstanding his multifarious professional engagements he has yet found time to write two works, standards in their line, the one a system of urinology, and the other a system of organic chemistry, suited to the practical uses of the student.  He has been a very prominent member of the Knights of Pythias since the early part of 1878, having since then assisted in organizing many lodges, and been a member of the I. O. O. F., of the F. & A. M., a thirty-second-degree member of the Scottish Rite, and ninety-fifth-degree member of the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry, and of the A. O. U. W., of the K. & L. of H., and of the K. of H.

 

Dr. Logan has always had a fondness for study, paying great attention especially to numismatics, having formed a large and valuable collection of coins, among them a coin or medal of the time of Moses, a most antique specimen.  Archaeology is another of his favorite pursuits, coupled with kindred branches, and in mineralogy, conchology, etc, he has been an ardent collector.  He has also a fine collection of petrifactions.  He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and the British Isles, spending considerable time in study and observation, visiting the famous hospitals and seats of learning, especially at Edinburgh, London, Berlin, Vienna, Paris, Italy, as well as other parts.

 

Dr. Logan was married May 30, 1883, to Miss Leta A., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Rosekrans, who are of old Knickerbocker stock.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. N. L. Rowell, at the Rosekrans residence in San Francisco, in the presence of a large number of the friends of both parties.  They have now one son, Milburn Homer, four years and a half old.  Dr. Logan’s office is centrally located at 101 Grant avenue, corner of Geary.  His residence is at 627 Webster street, near Hayes.

 

We have entered somewhat more fully into his biography than is customary for the reason that the history of Dr. Logan is of great value, especially to the young, as showing what may be accomplished, even at an early age, by energy and application, when combined with natural talent.

 

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker 

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, pages 89-90, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.


© 2005 Donna L. Becker.




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