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Marquette’s first family of physicians

Dr. Mary Louise Boyce Markham

MARQUETTE – Mary Louise Boyce was born July 9, 1859 in Auburn, New York, the eldest daughter of Dr. C. William Boyce and Mary Louise Osborne. Mary Louise belonged to a family of physicians; in addition to being a physician in her own right, her father, two brothers, husband, son and son-in-law were all physicians as well.

Mary Louise attended public school in Auburn, New York, graduating from Auburn Academic High School in 1879 with Academic and Classic Honors. Her high school graduating class consisted of 14 women and four men and at that time was the largest class that ever graduated. At her graduation she gave the President’s Address. After high school she attended the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated on 23 February 1882 with a Medical Degree in Homeopathy. When Mary Louise graduated from medical school she was one of only eight women to receive their medical degree.

Mary Louise Boyce and Russell Case Markham were married at her parents’ home in Auburn on 20 June 1883. Russell Case Markham was born 01 January 1851 in Fulton, New York, the son of George Brown Markham and Betsey Greene. He also attended the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 1881 with a degree in Homeopathic Medicine.

Shortly after graduation from medical school he moved to Marquette and opened his first office in December 1881 located in the Cozzens Hotel (formerly the Coles House). He was the physician in charge at the Marquette Sanatorium and also served one term as the Health Officer of Marquette. Dr. Markham was a member of the Michigan Homeopathic Medical Society and a member of the Marquette Masonic Lodge.

In the fall of 1891, Dr. Russell Markham of Marquette, Dr. Morley of Grace Hospital in Detroit and Dr. Ide of Oxford purchased fifteen acres of land at the west end of Jackson Street in south Marquette for use as a hay fever sanatorium.

Dr. Harold Boyce Markham

The site is 200 feet above the lake with magnificent views. The 400-room sanatorium opened in June 1892 and was named the Lake Superior Hotel Sanatorium Association boasting soaring towers, a spacious porch, luscious grounds and the latest electrical, medical and plumbing innovations. From the very beginning the Lake Superior Hotel Sanatorium would bedevil the doctors, as not enough wealthy or sickly visitors came. In 1894 the sanatorium closed and reopened the following year as the Hotel Superior.

Russell and Mary Louise relocated their practice, called the Marquette Sanatorium, to their home on the northwest corner of Ridge and High streets where they raised their two children; Harold Boyce and Florence. Dr. Mary Louise Markham worked side by side with her husband at the Marquette Sanatorium. She was also a member of many organizations and served as President of the Federation of Women’s Clubs and a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as her great-grandfather William Boyce served as a Captain in an expedition to Rhode Island in 1778.

Mary Louise died Dec. 4, 1905 in Marquette from complications from pneumonia and typhoid fever. Russell died Jan. 25, 1925 from angina pectoris. They are buried next to each other in Park Cemetery.

Mary Louise’s younger brother, Carroll Osborne Boyce was born July 20, 1864 in Auburn, New York; he attended public school and graduated from Auburn High School in 1883 with a focus on a classical education. His graduating class consisted of 13 men and 19 women. He attended the University of Michigan graduating with a Doctor of Medicine degree on June 25, 1889. After graduation he moved back to New York and was employed as a physician with his father.

In 1894, Dr. Carroll Osborne Boyce started his practice as an Allopath in the Savings Bank Building, located on the southeast corner of Front and Washington streets in Marquette. He resided in the same building. Sadly, Dr. Boyce died on April 24, 1908 in Newberry at the age of 44 from general paresis. His remains were brought back to Marquette, where he is buried in the family plot.

Mary Louise and Russell’s son Harold Boyce Markham was born Jan. 25, 1885 in Marquette and attended public schools here. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1912, receiving a degree in Homeopathic Medicine. In December of 1917 he entered the United States Army as a First Lieutenant, departing Hoboken, New Jersey, on Sept. 15, 1918 aboard the ship “Finland.”

Once in the European Theatre he served with the now 87th Base Hospital, Medical Corps. Major Markham departed France on Oct. 15, 1919 aboard the ship “Princess Matoika” bound for Hoboken, New Jersey and was discharged from active duty on Oct. 27, 1919.

He married Isabel Smith Pemberthy on Aug. 12, 1924 in Marquette. Harold was a physician and surgeon with the United States Public Health Service at the United States Marine Hospital, which was located in the family home at 313 High St. replacing the Sanatorium. Harold’s father Russell and brother-in-law Wilbur also worked there. He was a physician at the United States Public Health Service until his death on Sept. 22, 1937 dying from complications of pneumonia and a concussion of the brain due to a fall. He is buried in Park Cemetery in Marquette.

Mary Louise and Russell’s daughter Florence Markham was born Jan. 22, 1891 in Marquette. She attended public schools in Marquette, graduated from Northern State Normal College in 1909 and received a Degree in Education from the University of Michigan the following year. While living in Marquette she was employed as an instructor at the training school. She married Wilbur Lincoln Casler, yet another doctor, on July 16, 1914. Florence died on Aug. 31, 1980 in Marquette and is buried at Park Cemetery next to her husband.

Wilbur Lincoln Casler was born April 6, 1887 in Marquette, the son of David Casler and Carrie Lincoln. In 1922, he graduated from Chicago University with a degree in Homeopathic Medicine. He served an internship at the Metropolitan Hospital in New York City and in 1923 Dr. Casler joined his father-in-law and brother-in-law in their medical practice. He was a practicing physician in Marquette, Michigan for many years. For 25 years he worked at the health center at Northern Michigan University. He was the past president of the Marquette-Alger Medical Society, a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the odd fellows. He died in Marquette on July 22, 1974.

To learn more about Marquette’s doctors and the evolution in the region’s medicine from the time of patent medicines, home visits and the growing understanding of germs, to the St. Luke’s School of Nursing and beyond, visit the Marquette Regional History Center’s new exhibit, The Changing Face of Medicine: A History of UP Healthcare, opening on Saturday.

Hear first-hand accounts from the people who have cared for this community’s health. Learn about the battles against epidemics, tuberculosis, polio, and an early case of kidney disease in which the community rallied to provide the financial support for the necessary yet expensive dialysis.

The exhibit runs from Sept. 15 to Dec. 31 and is included with regular museum admission.

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