My Genealogy Hound

ABRAM STOUT, M. D., is the oldest and leading physician of Bethlehem and stands in the front rank of his profession in Northampton County. He was a surgeon during the late war, and is one of the prominent members of the Loyal Legion. The Doctor was born in Williams Township, within eight miles of Bethlehem, August 22, 1831, and is the son of Hon. Isaac Stout, who was also a native of this county. His grandfather, whose given name was Isaac, was an agriculturist until shortly before his death, which occurred at the age of four-score years. The paternal great-grandfather, Jacob Stout, came from Germany, and settled in Williams Township in the early days of its history.

The family originated in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and have always been noted for the possession of sterling and worthy characteristics. Our subject’s father owned a farm and sawmill and was an enterprising and thrifty agriculturist. During the War of 1812 he enlisted in the service, rising to the rank of Major. His death occurred in 1857, when he had attained the allotted three-score years and ten. In 1836 he was a member of the Legislature, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. He served as Justice of the Peace and was Postmaster at Stouts, which was named in his honor. He followed sawmilling successfully and acquired considerable property for those days. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Clemens, was born in Doylestown, Bucks County, her father being a large farmer. Her family was of English or Scotch descent, and adhered to the Mennonite faith. The mother died in 1890, in her eighty-eighth year. Our subject’s father was a Lutheran in religious belief.

The Doctor is one of eight children, only four of whom are living. His brother, Hon. Lewis H., was an attorney in Bethlehem, and represented his constituents in the State Legislature of 1868. The sisters were Mrs. Frederick Christman, of Bethlehem; Mrs. Elizabeth Steckel, a resident of the same place; and Catherine, Mrs. Samuel J. Shinier, of Milton, Pa. The early years of the Doctor were passed at Stouts, and he attended Vande Vers School, at Easton, in 1850, after which he entered Pennsylvania College and pursued a regular course of study for eighteen months. His first medical reading was under the inspection of his uncle. Dr. A. Stout, and subsequently, in 1852, he entered the department of medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1855, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

On beginning his active career, Dr. Stout remained at the home of his uncle, engaging in practice with him until 1857, when the latter gave up his business, and our subject took his place. In September, 1862, the Doctor was commissioned by Governor Curtin First Assistant Surgeon of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, with the rank of First Lieutenant. Leaving Bethlehem, he joined the Army of the Potomac, taking part in the campaigns which included the important battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. When the term of his enlistment expired, in July, 1863, he was mustered out with his regiment, and though offered a position as surgeon of a cavalry regiment, he refused on account of his family and business affairs. Returning to Bethlehem he has since, without intermission, engaged in constant practice. Under Cleveland’s first administration he was Pension Examiner, and is now serving in the same capacity. On the staff of St. Luke’s Hospital he is one of the consulting surgeons, and holds membership with the County Medical Association, of which he has been President. He has been President of the Railroad Surgeons of the Lehigh Valley, since the organization of the Lehigh Medical Association has been Treasurer of the same, and also belongs to the State and National Medical Associations. Fraternally he is much interested in secret societies — is a Royal Arch Mason, belongs to the Commandery of the Knight Templars, and also holds membership with the Loyal Legion.

In Bethlehem, in 1857, occurred the marriage of Dr. Stout and Miss Mary L. Cartright, who was born in Mauch Chunk, and whose death occurred in 1887. Her father, Ira Cartright, was formerly well known as a coal operator and prominent citizen of Mauch Chunk. To the Doctor and his wife three children were born. Ira C. is connected with the zinc works in Joplin, Mo.; George Clymer, who is a graduate of the Naval Academy of Annapolis, and also of the University of Pennsylvania, is assistant histologist in the University of Pennsylvania; Charles Edward, also a graduate of that celebrated university, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, is a practicing physician of South Bethlehem.