J. Adams Allen, M.D., LL.D.
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Dr. Allen, the President of Rush
Medical College, died at his residence in this city on Friday, August
15th. He was born in Middlebury, Vt., January 16th, 1825. By descent Dr.
Allen was connected with the celebrated Adams family, whence he derived
his Christian name. His father was for many years among the most widely
known and distinguished professional men of New England, both as a
physician and a surgeon.
The son was, in accordance with the
system prevailing during the early decades of the present century,
prepared for admission to college at a very early age. He was only nine
yeas old when he was initiated in the classical course. As a result, the
boy's health failed, and he was placed by his father on a farm, where he
was required to work during six months of the year, attending the
academy during the winter season.
At the age of sixteen Mr. Adams
entered college. He graduated in 1845 as A.B., and in December, 1846, as
M.D. Dr. Allen immediately came West, and in January, -1847, was married
to Miss Mary Marsh, of Kalamazoo, Mich. From that period up to his
recent illness Dr. Allen was engaged in his professional duties, with
scant and rare vacations.
During the second year of his
practice Dr. Allen was honored by being elected professor of materia
medica, therapeutics and medical jurisprudence at the Indiana Medical
College, at La Porte, then a flourishing institution. While still
holding this position he was elected professor of physiology and
pathology in the medical department of the Michigan University, flling
this position for four sessions. When this famous school was reorganized
in 1854, Dr. Allen, at the request of the board of regents, drafted the
general plan of the literary department. Soon after this he returned to
Kalamazoo, and engaged again in active practice until September, 1859..
During this period he was largely engaged in literary pursuits and was
appointed lecturer on physiology and chemistry at Kalamazoo College.
After declining many offers from
medical colleges, Dr. Allen was induced by the late Professor Brainard
to accept the position at Rush Medical College, which he held up to his
death. The doctor was a permanent member of the American Medical
Association, and in January, 1859, was elected President of the State
Medical Society of Michigan.
