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Note: OLIVER H. PRIZER, M.D., one of the oldest practicing physicians of Washington County, is a resident of Brighton. He was born in Dauphin County, Pa., on the 16th of January, 1814, and is the son of Henry J. Prizer, born in Chester County, Pa., in 1792, and Rebecca (Jackson) Prizer, born in Dauphin County, Pa., in 1797. (See sketch of John W. Prizer for the family record.) The subject of this sketch lived in Dauphin County till he was fourteen years of age and then went to Perry County, in the same State, where he was educated in the select schools. In May, 1844, he turned his face toward the setting sun and came to Iowa and located in Brighton. Previous to coming to Iowa he read medicine in the office of Dr. Steeze for a time, but not sufficient as he thought, to enable him to practice. On coming to Brighton he entered the office of Drs. Thomas and William Mayley, where he pursued his studies for some time, and in the winter of 1846-47 attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. Soon after returning from college there he commenced the practice of medicine, in which he has been actively engaged for a period of thirty-nine years, being one of the oldest practicing physicians in the county. The Doctor is a member of the Washington County Medical Society, and has been President of the same. He is also a member of the District Medical Society. On the 27th of June, 1843, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Eliza R. Griffith, a daughter of Rev. Samuel J. Griffith, of the Methodist Episcopal church. She was born in Maryland in 1817. By this union there were nine children, seven of whom are living: Alzina, the widow of Charles Evans, of this county; Samuel H., of the firm of Prizer Bros. who enlisted in the 184th Ohio Infantry, when but sixteen years of age, from Holmes County, Ohio; George W., a farmer residing in Osborne County, Kan.; Clara, wife of A. J. Morris, of Chicago, who is the general manager of the Operative Telegraph Company of Chicago; John O., a druggist residing at Alton, Osborne County, Kan.; Edith, residing at home, and Charles S., of the firm of Prizer Bros. Dr. Prizer is one of the stalwart Republicans of Washington County, and was Chairman of the first convention in which an organization was effected of those endorsing the principles of the Republican party in this county. In 1854 he was a candidate for the Lower House of the General Assembly, but was defeated by three or four votes. In 1862 and 1863 he was a member of the Board of Supervisors of the county. In 1849 he was appointed Postmaster of Brighton and served four years. Dr. Prizer has always been a friend of popular education. For many years he was one of the School Directors of Brighton, and at the time of the organization of the High School, was Chairman of the building committee. In everything pertaining to the welfare of village or county, he is always in the lead. Dr. Prizer came to Brighton two years before the admission of Iowa into the Union as a State. He has been identified with it ever since; he has worked for its interests at all times, and has no cause to look back with regret upon his past life. A poor man when landed at that place with a young bride, and only the future before him, his medical education incomplete, he has yet pressed on, faithfully discharging every duty that was before him, and is now entitled to a place among the representative citizens of the county.
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