FRANCIS WILBER FIRMIN, M. D.

The gentleman above named, whose career it is the intention here to briefly outline, is at present the oldest practicing physician in point of years at Findlay. With the exception of the absence made necessary by his service as a soldier during the great Civil war, Dr. Firmin has been a constant resident of the city for the last forty years, and during that time has been conspicuous both in its social and business life, aside from his labors in the line of his profession. His connection with the various medical societies and fraternal organizations, including those devoted exclusively to the veterans of the Civil war, has brought him in contact with many persons in all the walks of life and few men are better known throughout his section of the state. The Firmin family boasts of a lineage both ancient and honorable, and traces its genealogy back to the distant period nearly a thousand years ago when William the Conqueror crossed the English channel and overthrew the liberties of the native people by the defeat of Harold, the last of the Saxon kings. With this conquering host, whose advent was destined to change the whole course of history, came Sir Solomon de Firmin, founder of the family of that name subsequently well known both in England and America. John Firmin, one of his descendants, was a member of that famous band which left England in the early part of the seventeenth century to escape religious persecution and founded the Puritan commonwealth in the western world. He was born at Ipswich, England, and had reached early manhood before making his adventurous voyage in 1630 to the shores of Massachusetts, in which colony he settled and became the progenitor of the American branch of the name. In after years descendants of this original emigrant found their way to various states of the Union, among them being the father of Dr. Firmin, who came to Ohio in the second quarter of the nineteenth century, and located in Summit county. In Richfield, one of the towns of that county, his son, Francis Wilber Firmin, was born July 15, 1842, and when only two years old was taken by bis parents to Springfield, Massachusetts. After a residence there of about one year, the family removed to South Hadley Falls, Massachusett, where they remained until 1850, and then went to South Wilbraham, in the same state. At that place Francis Firmin spent his boyhood, receiving his preliminary education in the common schools, came to Findlay May 9, 1862, and in the fall of the same year entered Oberlin College, where he continued his studies until the following July. At that period college circles, as well as every other branch of society, were profoundly stirred by the events then in progress and young Firmin shared fully the prevailing enthusiasm for the Union cause.

Determined to join the hosts battling for the country, he went to Cleveland and enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged on the 10th of March, 1864.

Returning to Findlay immediately thereafter, he took up the study of medicine in the office of his uncle, Dr. Lorenzo Firmin, with whom he remained until his entrance into the Western Reserve College at Cleveland, in the medical department of which institution he received his degree February 18, 1867. As soon as he obtained his diploma, Dr. Firmin opened an office at Findlay, and his continuance from that time on has made him the dean of his profession by reason of being the city's oldest physician in years of practice. As a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Northwestern Ohio Medical Society, and the Medical Society of Hancock county, Dr. Firmin is well known in his profession, not only over northern Ohio, but in other parts of the country. His activities, however, have not been confined exclusively to his own especial calling, but he has devoted a considerable time to public duties, serving four years as member of the city council, and seven years on the board of education. Dr. Firmin has been especially active and conspicuous in Masonry, with which ancient and honorable order he has been connected for more than thirty years.

In 1868 he was made a Master Mason in Findlay Lodge No. 227; in 1871 he became a member of Findlay Chapter, No. 58; and in 1880 he was initiated as a Knight Templar in Shawnee Commandery No. 9. In 1890 he was created a Scottish Rite Mason at Cleveland and in 1897 became a member of the Mystic Shrine at Dayton, Ohio. For several years he has served as worshipful master of Findlay Lodge, No. 227, and was eminent commander of Findlay Commandery, No. 49, at the time of its organization, serving as such until December, 1891. Dr. Firmin is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1872 he was appointed examining surgeon for pensions for Hancock county and with the exception of eight years, during the administrations of Grover Cleveland, has served continuously in that office, being at present president of the board.
In politics, Dr. Firmin is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has several times been elected as one of its representatives in the common council of Findlay.
May 6, 1869, Dr. Firmin was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. D., daughter of Rev. John A. Meeks, and as the result of this union there are four living children: Scott, Dr. John M., Frank Bope and Carl Giles. It is but proper to add that during his long, active and useful career at Findlay Dr. Firmin has made many friends and enjoys, as well as deserves, their esteem and confidence.