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Archiver > NJHUNTER > 2004-03 > 1080354936


From: Lisa <>
Subject: [NJHUNTER] Newspaper Clippings
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2004 21:35:59 -0500


PLEASE NOTE - The following newspaper clippings are from a collection found
after my great Aunt passed away. She unfortunately made no note of what paper
they came from or the date. I felt they may still provide important clues for
somebody and other listers agreed so I have been posting them regardless.




Dr. F.A. APGAR Dies At Home In Oldwick

Was Oldest Hunterdon County Physician

1940 [penciled in at the top of the article]

Dr. Francis Asbury APGAR, 89, died Monday morning in his home in Oldwick. The doctor had been confined to his home during the past few months, after years of untiring service to his fellow men.

Dr. APGAR was born July 23, 1851, on the homestead farm of his father and mother, the late Casper P. and Rachel Philhower APGAR. His education was acquired in the old stone Philhower Schoolhouse, located on one of his grandmother's farms. In 1872, he entered Bellevue Hospital and was graduated from the Medical College March 1, 1876, with the degree of M.D.

On April 1, 1876, he bought the good will, chattels and bad debts of Dr. William F. PHINNEY, who intended retiring after many years of hard work as a physician in the village of New Germantown, now Oldwick.

Dr. APGAR's first patient was Jonathan POTTER who had three teeth extracted on April 7, 1876. The history of Dr. APGAR's practice is most fascinating. He was a man who had no time for trifles, yet he had a mighty keen sense of humor, with which he frequently interspersed his visits to the sick. In 62 years of active practice he brought into the world more than 800 babies. There were no trained nurses in the country in those days, his aids in childbirth were usually women of the neighborhood.

Among the many treasures accumulated throughout his years, his most treasured was a beautifully engraved scroll contained in a gold frame presented to him by the Hunterdon County Component Medical Society in recognition of his long service.

He was a member of the Oldwick Methodist Church for many years, a trustee at the time of his death and a former president of the Official Board.

Dr. APGAR has one daughter, Miss Ida Mabel APGAR, one brother, Howard APGAR, of High Bridge, and one sister, Mrs. Charles HOFFMAN.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon at 1:30 in the Oldwick Methodist Church. Rev. Norman C. YETMAN, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be made in the Hackettstown Cemetery.



Note: The Herald Tribune states his death as being on December 30.

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