Today in Wheeling History: December 26--Dr. Jacob Schwinn, a renowned surgeon and humanitarian who made significant contributions to the medical community in Wheeling, passed away (1941).
Dr. Jacob Schwinn was born on December 10, 1854, in Switzerland. He was the youngest of ten children and grew up on a family farm near Schaffhausen. His mother encouraged him to pursue a career in medicine, leading him to study at several prestigious universities, including Heidelberg, Zurich, Würzburg, Berlin, and Bern. Schwinn earned his medical degree at the University of Bern, where he studied under the famed surgeon Dr. Kocher.
In 1884, Schwinn moved to the United States and initially practiced in Chicago and Des Moines. He eventually settled in Wheeling, West Virginia, at the invitation of his friend and former roommate, Dr. Gregory Ackermann. Schwinn quickly established himself as a skilled surgeon and a compassionate physician. He was known for his charity work, particularly with the Wheeling Rotary Club, where he provided medical services to crippled children.
Dr. Schwinn was a prominent figure at Ohio Valley General Hospital and Wheeling Hospital, where he served on the surgical staff and headed the research department. In 1938, at the age of 83, he made headlines by supervising his own operation for a strangulated hernia under local anesthesia. Schwinn passed away on December 26, 1941, after suffering a stroke on Christmas Eve. He left behind a legacy of medical excellence and humanitarian service.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/ykQOG), Wheeling Hall of Fame (https://shorturl.at/ONbac), Dr. Jacob Schwinn Remembered (https://shorturl.at/JHqGm)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
Dr. Jacob Schwinn was born on December 10, 1854, in Switzerland. He was the youngest of ten children and grew up on a family farm near Schaffhausen. His mother encouraged him to pursue a career in medicine, leading him to study at several prestigious universities, including Heidelberg, Zurich, Würzburg, Berlin, and Bern. Schwinn earned his medical degree at the University of Bern, where he studied under the famed surgeon Dr. Kocher.
In 1884, Schwinn moved to the United States and initially practiced in Chicago and Des Moines. He eventually settled in Wheeling, West Virginia, at the invitation of his friend and former roommate, Dr. Gregory Ackermann. Schwinn quickly established himself as a skilled surgeon and a compassionate physician. He was known for his charity work, particularly with the Wheeling Rotary Club, where he provided medical services to crippled children.
Dr. Schwinn was a prominent figure at Ohio Valley General Hospital and Wheeling Hospital, where he served on the surgical staff and headed the research department. In 1938, at the age of 83, he made headlines by supervising his own operation for a strangulated hernia under local anesthesia. Schwinn passed away on December 26, 1941, after suffering a stroke on Christmas Eve. He left behind a legacy of medical excellence and humanitarian service.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/ykQOG), Wheeling Hall of Fame (https://shorturl.at/ONbac), Dr. Jacob Schwinn Remembered (https://shorturl.at/JHqGm)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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