Erwin Laverne COGSHALL

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1850, Living with parents in Groveland, Oakland Co., Michigan
• Census: 1860, Living with his father in Groveland Oakland Co., Michigan
• Census: 1870, Living in Genesee, Genesee Co., Michigan
• Census: 1880, Living in Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan
• Occupation: 1880, Physician and Surgeon

Notes:

Name:
Mr. Cogshall was educated in Charleston Academy and the Flint high schools. In 1864-5 he took a course of medical lectures in the University of Michigan, and in 1866 received the degree of M.D. from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, one of the best medical schools in America. he practiced his profession for eight years in Gaines Village, coming to Flint in 1874, where he gained such a wide reputation that he was called in consultation as far as Washington, D.C.

He was for many years editor of medical and sanitary departments in some of the Flint papers, and became eminent in sanitary matters. In 1881 he prepared and read a paper on "Consumption, Is It Contagious?" before the State Public Health Association. He contended that it was, and this was a year before the germs were discovered. This paper attracted great attention and was published in the leading journals of this country and France. The Michigan State Board of Health published it in their proceedings, and have adopted his ideas, as have many other states.

In 1882 he prepared another paper on the same subject, which he read before the National Public Health Association at Indianapolis. These papers gave the doctor a national reputation. He was a member of the leading medical and public health associations of the country, and was president of the Academy of Medicine and also health officer of the City of Flint, county physician, and United States pension examiner surgeon for eight years.

The doctor was also a mason of high degree, and a member of the Odd Fellows and Maccabees. He as active in church work and to his indefatigable labors the Garland Street Methodist Church is indebted for its proud position as one of the leading churches of the city. For many years he was editor of the "Methodist", one of the best religious monthlies of the state. The doctor was an extensive traveller and wrote numerous accounts of his travels for the public press.

Bela married Martha Elizabeth PEPPER on 17 Oct 1866 in Davisburg, Michigan. Martha was born on 14 Apr 1845 in Springfield, Michigan; died on 14 Oct 1901 in Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of Robt. Pepper and Lydia Erwin
• Census: 1870, Living with husband in Genesee, Genesee Co., Michigan
• Census: 1880, Living with husband in Flint, Genesee Co., Michigan