Wilhite - Mary Martin Holloway (Dr)
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Saturday, Feb 13, 1892 p 1
Dr. Mary Mitchell Wilhite died Monday evening shortly before 9 o'clock at her home on West Wabash Avenue. She had been sick only since last Thursday and the immediate cause of her death was congestion of the lungs. Mary Mitchell Holloway was born 61 years ago last Wednesday in Montgomery County, her parents residing a few miles south of the city. She early in life manifested a studious character and finally resolved to make a profession of medicine. There were no lady doctors in the state at that time and when she graduated from Penn Medical College of Philadelphia in 1856 she was not only the first Indiana lady to graduate from a medical college but was the first to begin the practice of medicine in the state. 31 years ago, she married Eleazar A. Wilhite, who with four grown children, Edward, Mary, Stanton and Bertha, survive her. The life of Dr. Mary Wilhite was a most busy, useful and philanthropic one. It would be hard, indeed, to point out a person who during life relieved so much misery with no hope of reward than Dr. Wilhite. She was especially a benefactor to women and children. Thousands of her visits were to the homes of poverty where she labored unceasingly. To her may be ascribed the founding of the Orphans' Home now in so flourishing a condition. A number of years ago in her visits to the poor farm she was shocked to notice how small children were of necessity associated there with the ignorant and vicious and in the natural goodness of her heart she put on foot the movement which resulted in the establishment of the Orphans' Home. This is but one of many of the good works which originated in her mind and were produced by her tireless energy. Not only were people suffering from physical afflictions treated by her but those in mental suffering received from her solace and comfort. Only those ultimately acquainted with her can realize the magnitude of her great work. She herself was quiet, modest and unassuming in all she did. She was a consistent member of the Christian Church and through her busy life was a zealous worker in the church. Her noble deeds are her best monument and the sincere sympathy which thousands extend to her sorrowing family attest the good she has done.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 20 February 1892 p 3
At a meeting of physicians held at the courthouse on Feb. 11, a committee was appointed to express their respects upon the death of Dr. Mary H. Wilhite, and in pursuance of said instructions the following was adopted: Whereas: Dr. Mary H. Wilhite, one of the oldest practitioners of the city, has been called by the Great Physician of the universe from labor to reward, therefore be it Resolved: that we, as physicians, fully recognize the loss that the community has sustained by the closing of her busy life. We feel that her life has been a sacrifice for the good of others. That as physicians no one was ever too poor to obtain her services. That no night was too dark, no storm too hard for her not to respond to calls where humanity demanded the services of physician or friend. That to her efforts was largely due the founding of the Orphans' Home, where the innocent children could be separated from the vice and immorality so prevalent among the adult class who inhabit our charitable institutions. That to assist girls in living pure and viruous lives was the highest ambition of her life, and to her counsel many a noble woman today owes her position in community. That her life is to be commended as an example to other girls, as showing what perserverance can accomplish, for she made her way to the high position she occupied in the hearts of the community against the most bitter opposition. She was a born reformer for equal franchise and the abolition of the liquor slavery. She began her professional life when it was thought a disgrace for a woman to aspire to anything, except domestic duties, but she lived to see woman recognized in all the avenues of social and professional pursuits where man is permitted. That by her labors as physician and humanitarian she has built a monument more lasting than can be carved on marble slab, or written on parchment scroll, and hundreds of poor people, who have been the recipients of her charity, will reverence the name of Dr. Mary H. Wilhite. ... Dr. Thomas J. Griffith, Dr. J. R. Etter, Dr. T.F. Leech, Committee Feb 11, 1892. -- kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 20 February 1892 p 16
In the death of Dr. Mary Holloway Wilhite the world lost one of those strong characters who has helped to make the history of the latter part of the 19th century. Because she has lived, because of her pure unselfishness, because of her tireless zeal and indomitable energy which prompted her to overcome barriers -- which to most of us would have appeared insurmountable she has made life easier, smoother, more desirable for women. Becoming convinced while yet a young woman that it was not only possible but proper for a woman to acquire a knowledge of all the ills to which poor humanity is heir, as well as the remedies therefore, she began laying her plans to fit herself for that responsible position. A wild dream for a young girl whose sole source of revenue was the pittance paid 35 years ago to a country school teacher, and that teacher a woman. Energy, self-denial, perseverance, talen, overcame all obstacles and about 1855 (note: 1856) a small tin sign swaying to the breeze bearing this legend, "Dr. Mary Holloway," told the world that the victory had been won. Only a few years ago and yet so great was the innovation, so deep the prejudice in those who should have met her with the warmest welcome, that only the liveliest enthusiasm for her profession and an earnest conviction that she was right sustained her through those early days of bitterness. That success which succeeds was hers, and now for more than a quarter of a century she has been, one may say, constantly at her post allowing herself few vacations and those always short. In all this time no day has been too cold, too hot, too inclement, no night too dreary, too tempestous, too dark for Dr. Mary Wilhite to answer the appearl of suffering. She responded to the call of the impecunious darkey in the hollow with the same prompness and attended him with the same care as she did the aristocrat on the hill. On almost any hot summer morning, one whose business or pleasure called him abroad at the first faint approach of day might have met her as she wended her way to visit some patient, who she contended was more apt to be neglected by the tired nurses at this hour than any in the 24. The cares of a growing and grown family, the weight of years and ill health were never sufficient to dampen the ardor she felt in her profession and professional work. She was a personal friend of many of the foremost women of the day, Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Cady Stanton, Mary Livermore and other prominent women of the time more than once partook of her hospitality, w hich was of the broadest and most generous pattern and not limited to creed, sect or nationality. Farewell old friend. Bravely and well have you performed your allotted part. On earth, "thy pleasures were few and thy sorrows many." Sincerly do we believe thou "hast entered into the joys thy Lord hath prepared for thee." .. Mrs. A.H. Wilson Moore, Terre Haute. Feb 14, 1892 -- kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday, 9 February 1892
Dr. Mary Mitchell Wilhite died last evening shortly before nine o’clock at her home on West Wabash Avenue. She had been sick only since last Thursday and the immediate cause of her death was congestion of the lungs. The funeral will probably occur Thursday, but the hour cannot be determined until the arrival of her daughter, Mary, from Boston, and son, Edward, from Washington, D. C. Mary Mitchell Holloway was born 61 years ago last Wednesday in Montgomery County, her parents residing a few miles south of the city. She early in life manifested a studious character and finally resolved to make a profession of medicine. There were no lady doctors in the State at that time and when she graduated from the Penn Medical College of Philadelphia in 1856 she was not only the first Indiana lady to graduate from a medical college but was the first to begin the practice of medicine in the state. Thirty one years ago she was married to Eleazar A. Wilhite, who with four grown children, survive her. The life of Dr. Mary Wilhite was a most busy, useful and philanthropic one. It would be hard, indeed, to point out a person who during life relieved so much misery with no hope of reward than Dr. Wilhite. She was especially a benefactor to women and children. Thousands of her visits were to the homes of poverty where she labored unceasingly. To her may be ascribed the founding of the Orphans’ Home now in so flourishing a condition. A number of years ago in her visits to the poor farm, she was shocked to notice how small children were of necessity associated there with the ignorant and vicious and in the natural goodness of her heart, she put on foot the movement which resulted in the establishment of the Orphans’ Home. This is but one of many of the good works which originated in her mind and were produced by her tireless energy. Not only were people suffering from physical afflictions treated by her, but those in mental suffering received from her solace and comfort. Only those ultimately acquainted with her can realize the magnitude of her great work. She herself was quiet, modest and unassuming in all she did. She was a consistent member of the Christian Church and through her busy life; she was a zealous worker in the church. Her noble deeds are her best monument and the sincere sympathy which thousands extend to her sorrowing family attest the good she has done.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Wednesday, 10 February 1892 Edition
Mrs. Dr. Mary Wilhite, the first lady practitioner in Indiana, died Tuesday from congestion of the lungs. She was the founder of the Crawfordsville orphans’ home.
The funeral of the late Dr. Mary Wilhite will take place from the family residence tomorrow morning at ten o’clock, Rev. S. W. Brown, of the Christian Church, officiating. Interment at Oak Hill.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Thursday, 11 February 1892
The funeral of Dr. Mary Wilhite occurred this morning at 10 o’clock from the family residence, Rev. S. W. Brown officiating and delivering a touching tribute to the deceased. A large concourse of people attended and followed the remains to their last resting place at Oak Hill Cemetery.
The funeral of Mrs. Dr. Mary Wilhite today showed the estimation in which she was held by the community. It attests the fact that her death has caused a void which could have been caused by the death of no other individual. Her life was spent in acts of charity and benevolence. Her feet were as swift to visit the hovels of the poor as the mansions of the rich. When called on for professional service no sordid motive ever prompted or stayed her footsteps. To visit the sick, to console with the sorrowing, to bind up the wounds of the broken hearted, was her mission, and no one can say she was ever false to her trust. She will live long in the memory of those she served, and her monument at Oak Hill will stand forever as a monument of a brave woman’s successful fight against the prejudices by which her sex has been so long thrust into the background.