Harrison Physicians

Eugene Beauharnias Harrison was born in Dover England, May 21, 1831, of parents, Dr. John and Sarah (Goodman) Harrison. John's father was an Episcopal minister. At the age of 12, he came to America with his parents and sister on a sailing vessel, which was a journey of six weeks at that time. They settled in New York City where his father practiced medicine and ran a drug store. When the store was destroyed by fire, they settled in a large English colony near Newark, Licking County, Ohio. Dr. John Harrison practiced his profession there until his death.

Eugene studied medicine and surgery under his father, then at Cincinnati Medical College and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. In 1857, he came to Napoleon to study and practice with Dr. David McCann, expecting to move on to Iowa where doctors were needed. However, because their practice thrived and he was interested in Dr. McCann's daughter, he remained here.

In 1859 E. B. Harrison and Mary Elizabeth McCann were married. He enlisted in 1861 in the 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as surgeon with the rank of Major. During the Civil War he participated under General Grant in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Ft. Donelson, and was discharged in 1864 in frail health from long strenuous hours.

One daughter, Nellie, was born in 1860, but died in infancy while he was in the Service. Four more children arrived: Laura Augusta, 1864-1919; Charles Meigs, 1867-1944; Frank Mathew, 1870-1934; Arthur McCann, 1874-1924.

Charles graduated from University of Michigan Medical School in 1892. He married Amelia Groll (1875-1943) in 1894 and they had two children, Eugenia, 1898, and Julian, 1902. He began practice in Chicago, specializing in eye, ear, nose, and throat, but returned to Napoleon in 1899 when his father's health failed.

Practice was difficult with operations done on kitchen tables, birth deliveries in the home, a stable of horses maintained for their 24 hour need for house calls in all kinds of weather. In the 1920's the S. M. Heller house was donated for the beginning of a hospital which has been an immeasurable help to the community.

Frank attended Harvard University and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College. He shared an office in Napoleon with brother Charles in an active practice. He was the examining physician for the D. T. & J. Railroad and County Health Doctor. In 1910 he went to England for post graduate study where he met his future wife. He returned in 1911 to marry Emily Middleton (1890-1955) in the Episcopal Church in London, England. Their two children were Rosemary (1914-1938) and Emily (1920-1968).

Arthur, the youngest son, also graduated from Jefferson Medical College

and began practicing in Bowling Green, Ohio, where he had a distinguished career both in that city and on military duty. He was a major in the 37th Division, serving on the Mexican border and in Europe in World War I.

In 1905 Arthur and Herma Jane Cuff (1880-1922) were married. Their children were Arthur M. Jr., (1908-1968) and Mary Jane (1914). The family moved with the 37th Division in this country and maintained their home during the war. Practice resumed after the war and the community was greatly saddened by the death of Mrs. Harrison in 1922 and Dr. Harrison in 1924, by a virulent blood poisoning contracted from a patient.

The first of the next generation was Dr. John Julian Harrison. He graduated from University of Michigan in 1931, interned at St. Vincent's Hospital in Toledo, and began practice with his father and Uncle in 1933. While still in medical school he married Ruby Spickelmire (1906). They have two sons, John J. Jr., (1936) and Charles M., (1941).

Julian has been active in the development of the hospital, served four times as chief of staff, on the Board of Health and various civic duties. Always interested in high school athletics, examining and caring for the players, he was honored with three others in 1974 for his efforts, by the town. The Chamber of Commerce made him "Man of the Year" in 1975. He has now deservedly limited his practice and has more time for his two favorite hobbies of golf and bridge.

Arthur M. Jr., was born in Bowling Green (1908-1968) and lived there until the untimely deaths of his parents. He lived with Dr. and Mrs. Frank Harrison in Napoleon, graduating from Napoleon High School, Ohio State, and Yale Medical College. Arthur did post graduate work in surgery in Boston and Iowa, then joined the practice of Dr. Fred Douglas in Toledo. His very successful career was cut short by a severe automobile accident in 1960. After many months in hospitals and rest homes, he retired in Napoleon and passed away in 1968.

[Photo, p. 229a] Drs. E. B. Harrison, Arthur M. Harrison, Frank M. Harrison, Charles M. Harrison; seated: Mrs. E. B. Harrison, Laura.

[Photo, p. 229b] Upper Right: Top, left to right: Dr. J. Julian, Dr. Arthur, M. Jr.; middle: Dr. Charles M., Dr. Frank M.; bottom: Dr. Eugene B., Dr. Arthur M., Sr. Right: Dr. Charles M.

[Photo, p. 229c] Dr. and Mrs. E. B. Harrison

The fifth generation physician is Dr. Charles McCann Harrison (1941) son of Dr. and Mrs. J. J. Harrison. He graduated from Napoleon Schools and the University of Michigan Medical School, interned and had a six year surgical residency at the University of Maryland. During that time he enlisted in the Air Force, received a Major's Commission and spent two years as head surgeon at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.

[Photo, p. 229d] Dr. J. Julian Harrison, standing and Dr. Charles M. Harrison, seated.

In 1967, Charles married Carolyn Waldecker of Baltimore and they have two children, Jennifer (1969) and Julie Anne (1971). Many were disappointed that Charles did not return to Napoleon, but because of his intensive surgical training and experience, he thought he could serve best in a clinic, somewhere, and chose nearby Bryan, Ohio.

Submitted by Mrs. Harold Moudy