Stephen Purnell Dennis, M.D.
Below is a biography of Dr. Dennis that was written in 1879. He died in 1900 in Salisbury and is buried in Parsons Cemetery. The biography listed his partner in Salisbury as Dr. F. Marion Siemens, but a listing in the 1878 Maryland directory confirmed to me that his partner was, in fact, Dr. F. M. Slemons. Apparently he got married, as a reference to him is made in a 1954 history of the hospital and its nurses. In 1908, a Mrs. Fannie Dennis “commemorated the memory of her husband, Doctor Stephen Dennis, by providing a legacy of $1,000 to be applied toward a maternity ward planned for the hospital’s fourth floor”. Dr. Dennis was just another Eastern Shoreman who returned to his roots and made a difference for all of us.
The Biography
Stephen Purnell Dennis was born on October 13, 1827, near Pittsville, MD, in Wicomico County. His parents were John and Margaret (Fooks) Dennis. He was brought up on his father’s farm, in the labor and management of which his early life was spent. Not until he was of age did he spend an entire year in study. Then for three years he was engaged in teaching and studying preparatory to entering upon the regular study of medicine, his chosen and cherished profession. He graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1856, from the Pennsylvania Medical College. He at once commenced the practice of medicine in his native place among his early friends and companions. In 1861 he removed to the town of Salisbury. Dr. Dennis spent the winter of 1865-6 in the city of New York, in attendance upon a course of lectures at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College. Soon after his return from New York his health began to give way, and he became associated in the practice of medicine with Dr. F. Marion Slemons, of Salisbury. For four years this partnership continued with entire harmony, and in 1870, owing to the impaired health of Dr. Dennis, it was with mutual reluctance dissolved. After a protracted illness, when all hope of restoration to health had been given up, he so far recovered as to be able to spend the winter attending lectures at the University of Pennsylvania. On his return to Salisbury he was able to resume the practice of his profession. Again, with the true spirit of a seeker of knowledge, Dr, Dennis spent the time from October, 1872, until May, 1873, in New York, giving special attention to operative surgery, gynecology, physical diagnosis, and diseases of the eye and ear.
Again returning to his home in Salisbury, he has continued until the present time (1879), entirely devoted to his work. He has successfully performed several critical and delicate operations in lithotomy, in ligation of the common carotid artery, many difficult amputations, etc. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Salisbury. The only time when Dr, Dennis turned from the pursuit of his profession was in 1859, when he accepted a nomination for the Legislature of his native State from the Democratic party, of which he has always been a firm but independent adherent. He also served in the memorable session which met in Frederick City in the spring of 1861. He holds the honorary post of Surgeon to the Maryland Editorial Association, and is a Royal Arch Mason.
3 comments:
George , I've always liked your post , however , it seems as though the generation of young don't know anything about history unless it involves bringing the slaves to America.
It's a sick world out there , hope your doing fine.
Anonymous said...
George , I've always liked your post , however , it seems as though the generation of young don't know anything about history unless it involves bringing the slaves to America.
It's a sick world out there , hope your doing fine.
May 2, 2015 at 11:46 AM
That is the damned truth. I am sick of hearing about slaves and slavery. They were basically the lowest of life in America and we are now constantly putting them on a pedestal as if they built America. No, their were more important parts of our history than slaves. Every time an historical article is in the news or on the internet it glorifies the slaves. Any time you visit an historical place like Williamsburg, Richmond or Fredericksburg the highlight is slaves. Blacks are only about 13% of the population and slaves is the most important thing taught to young kids. Not enough that slaves are better to learn about it teaches that the white man has been the bad guy all these years so now we have to make up for it by making the white man look bad. Well guess what the blacks haven't been the most angelic creatures all this time. Look at Baltimore last week. THUGS!!
Dear George
I'm sure you are looking down at the crazy world now. The only history that any black will hear is about slaves , they reject all history of this country other than slavery , they are leaning towards the Islam and muslim world. So sad George , I loved our card games at lunch RIP.
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