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.