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- DeWITT - The funeral of the late Dr. William Armstrong DeWitt, [SRGP 07808] surgeon in chief of the Blossburg hospital, who died Oct. 1st [1918] at 10 a.m. in the Blossburg hospital, following a short illness of pneumonia, a brief account of which appeared in our last issue, was held Friday at 12:30 p.m. at the late home of the deceased on North Williamson Road in Blossburg. Rev. Mr. Baldwin officiating. The remains were taken to Troy, Pa., for interment, the services being in charge of Tyagaghton Commandery, No. 28, Knights Templar of Wellsboro, of which deceased was Eminent Commander. Among the Knights Templar from Wellsboro who attended the funeral were: Hon. S.F. Channell, H.E. Raesly, W.A. VanHorn, F.F. Howd, G.J. Stewart, F.W. Siemens, D.R. Darby, F.M. Sheffer, C.W. Bodine, H.J. Landrus, E.D. Evans, Dr. J.P Longwell, F.J. Campbell, W.R. Borden, Dr. H.W. Bailey, S.Y. Doumaux, Z.H. Peters, Lloyd Smith, R.H. Bower, Geo. B. Horton, G.R. Hathers, G.M. Spalding, W.S. Woodhouse. Many Sir Knights from Coudersport and Canton were also present, as well as member of the Masonic lodges from Tioga and Mansfield. A large number of Tioga and Bradford county physicians were also present besides many people from Wellsboro aside from those already names, among them L. Harrison and family, Dr. & Mrs. F.H. Shaw, Mrs. S.Y. Doumaux, Mrs. W.Q. Benjamin, Mr. & Mrs. S.O. Putnam, N.R. White, E.P. Rees, Dr. W.L. White, Mr. & Mrs. N.B. Leslie. William Armstrong DeWitt was born in Troy, Pa., on September 29, 1886. After attending the public school of that place and graduating from High School, he entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he received his degree as Doctor of Medicine at the age of 21 years. For a year or more he was connected with the Presbyterian hospital at Philadelphia and upon leaving there plans were made to locate in Elmira as a practicing physician and surgeon, when through the death of Dr. G.D. Crandall he was called to the Cottage State Hospital at Blossburg. By a strange coincidence Dr. DeWitt's death occurred on the seventh anniversary of his arrival in Blossburg, says the Herald. Shortly afterward he was made chief medical advisor of this hospital and under his supervision the growth of the institution is well known to all in this section. Six years ago he married Mary Treat, of Wayne, Pa., and to them were born three sons, William Treat, Frederick [deceased] and Howard Treat, who, besides the doctor's parents, Mr. & Mrs. W.F. DeWitt of Troy, Pa., and a sister, Mrs. J. Maxwell Beers, of Elmira, survive. Dr. DeWitt was a member of Trojan Lodge, No. 306, F&AM of Troy, Pa.; a charter member of Zebulun Chapter, Nr. 296, R.A.M. at Blossburg; Tyagaghton Commandery, Mr. 28, Knights Templar of Wellsboro, of which he was Eminent Commander; the Consistory, A.A.S.R., of Coudersport; a trustee of the Methodist church of Blossburg; a Director of the Miner's National Bank of Blossburg and a member of the Board of Education of Blossburg borough. The Herald comments on the life of the deceased as follows: "With heads bowed in deepest sorrow over the passing of our common friend and brother, yet in humble submission to His divine will, a town and its community, a host of admiring friends and a devoted family, must say, one to another 'Thy will, not mine, be done.' On Tuesday morning, October first, in the splendor of a radiant autumn day, death came peacefully to Dr. DeWitt. Every means known to medical science was employed, every effort of human aid was undertaken, yet in spite of all, the hand that has healed and administered to hundreds through its skill and tenderness is stilled, and his career enviable now even in its beginning, is cut short 'ere he entered upon the prime of life. From every side one hears. 'He saved others, Himself He could not save.' With the passing of such a soul, snatched, as it seems before its life purpose had been accomplished, with a future brilliant in success and achievement assured, human is powerless to fathom the mystery of death; to those who mourn is left the faith and trust in Him 'who knoweth best and loveth best.' In his profession, in his everyday life, rich or poor knew no distinction; he neglected neither. His life was lived in the seven years he was connected with the Blossburg State Hospital and he gave his time, his untiring efforts, his capabilities, and lastly his life, for that institution which stands now, so wonderfully changed from that to which he came as an earthly memorial to the one so well loved by every patient and co-worker; but far better and more enduring than any earthly memorial is the memory of this young man that will live in the hearts and lives of those who have been privileged to pass his way. In spite of the professional demands upon his time, Dr. DeWitt was faithful to his church, active in civic welfare and improvements, a keen business man with strong executive ability and devoted to his home and family. Boyish almost in mien and address, yet mature in mind and skill he made for himself friends among old and young, rich and poor, fortunate and unfortunate, and knew and met them all as his friends. Not only has the medical world lost a skilled worker, an artist in technique and deftness, but humanity has lost a friend and brother, a fellow sympathizer and a noble citizen." - Wellsboro Agitator, October 9, 1918
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1886 - 1918 (31 years)
