John Harvey Girdner MD (1856 - 1933)

Born 8 Mar 1856 in Edar Creek, Greene, TN, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Adela Overton (Pratt) Girdner — married 24 Sep 1886 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States

Descendants

Died 27 Oct 1933 at age 77 in Islip, suffolk, NY, USA

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Biography

The couple had 4 children: Penelope Morgan, John Harvey, Jr., Adela O., Mary Evelyn, and Frederick William Girdner.

("The Link Family, 1417-1951" Paxson Link, 1951pg 156): "The last child [of William and Mary Ann Link Girdner), named John Harvey Girdner, for his Grandfather Link and his young uncle, Harvey, protege of Dr. William, became one of the greatest surgeons in the history of medicine. Details about him are given in the genealogy [section of this book]. The tradition of professional accomplishment among the descendants of Mary Ann Link and Dr. William Girdner prevails through the generations. A granddaughter is an attorney with degrees of A.B.,M.A., and J.D. (Doctor of Jurisprudence). a grandson is a member of an eminent New York law firm, and a great-granddaughter has won success as a toy designer. Some of her toys are designed and accepted by child psychiatrists for their theraputic value."

("The Link Family, 1417-1951" Paxson Link, 1951, and records of Eunice Fickle LeGrand #425): "Dr. William Girdner and wife Mary Link had 7 children - One was Dr. John Harvey Girdner born in 1856, died in Oct, 1933. He was my mother's Uncle. I read about his death in the Chicago papers in 1933. He received his A.B. degree in 1876, his M.D. at the Univ. Medical College of New York University in 1879. His internship was served at Bellevue Hospital in New York during 1879 and 1880. He invented the telephonic bullet probe in 1889 as well as the phymosis forceps, two instruments of immeasurable value in surgery. He was the first surgeon to graft skin successfully from a dead body to a living one, a technique which has saved lives and improved convalescence in many cases. He became a lecturer on surgery in the New York Postgraduate Medical School and Hospital. He was a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine. He wrote "Newyorkitis" in 1901 [see below] and essays on medicine and other subjects to various publications. He is listed in 'Who's Who", volume 16 [1923]. His wife was the daughter of Brigadier General John C. Pratt. His techniques and inventions of new processes and instruments are recognized as some of the greatest contributions to the profession down to his time. My mother was very fond of this Uncle." The following, in Eunice's handwriting: "When I was a little girl I've heard my mother remark 'I'll never see that Uncle again as he has become too busy and will never have time to come to this part of the country.' " [His relationship to Eunice's mother Grace Mears was as second cousin once removed].

(Excerpt of "An Historical Sketch of the Girdner Family", James Madison Girdner, Chillicothe, MO, RFD 3, 2Feb1911): "The above photo is an 1884 picture of Dr. John Harvey Girdner who studied medicine at New York University, was the last survivor of the four doctors who attended President Garfield when he was shot. He was assistant to Dr. Frank Hamilton who founded Bellevue Hospital [New York City]. Girdner was a frequent caller at the White House in the Grover Cleveland Administration and a close friend of William Jennings Bryan. He was a prolific writer on medical and social subjects, author of a tongue-in-cheek book,'Newyorkitis', satirizing the provincialism of life in New York City. He was the son of Dr. William Girdner, a surgeon in the Union Army....."

Sources

"US Census, 1860" 18th district, Greene County, Tennessee. Page 41, lines 11-17.

"US Census, 1870" 18th district, Greene County, Tennessee. Page 11, lines 17-20.

"US Census, 1910" Borough of Manhattan, New York. Enumeration district 1307, page 1, lines 41-46.

Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, Westchester County, New York. Gravestone of John Harvey Girdner M.D. Photo taken by Linda Burton Kochanov in 2014. Find A Grave Memorial# 131092962