The medical profession in Boise is ably represented by Dr. Harlan Page Ustick, a prominent homeopathic physician, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, on the 26th of November, 1848. His paternal grandfather was a Baptist minister, who, leaving his home in France, crossed the Atlantic to New York City, where he passed the residue of his days. His son, William Arnold Ustick, the father of the Doctor, was born in Orange County. New York, in the year 1800, and when seventeen years of age removed to Ohio, where he resided until he laid down the burdens of life, in his ninetieth year. He married Miss Mary Stewart, a native of Maryland, and a descendant of the royal house of Stuart, of England. Mr. Ustick resided upon a farm and was accounted one of the industrious and practical agriculturists of his community. In later years he also engaged in buying and selling wool on an extensive scale, and won success in his undertakings. For many years he was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and his life was actuated by noble principles and characterized by kindly deeds. Uncompromisingly opposed to oppression of every form, his home became a station on the famous Underground Railroad in antebellum days, and he aided many a poor Negro on his way to freedom. He died in his ninetieth year, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy-six. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom only five now survive.
Dr. Ustick, the youngest of the family, completed his literary education by his graduation in Miami University, in 1870, after which he began preparation for the medical profession as a student in Hahnemann College, in Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1883. At his old Ohio home he practiced medicine for eight years and then removed to Chicago, whence he came to the Pacific coast in 1892, spending a short time in Portland, Oregon. From that city he removed to Boise, where he opened an office and was soon in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative business. He makes a specialty of chronic diseases and the treatment of the eye and ear, and his efforts have been attended by results which indicate his superior ability in the line of his chosen calling. From the faithful performance of each day’s duty he gains inspiration and strength for the labors of the next; perusal of the leading medical journals keeps him in touch with the advancement that is continually being made in medical circles; and his capability has gained him distinction in professional circles. He has other business interests in addition to his practice, is the owner of a fine fruit farm of eighty acres, and is very active in promoting the interests of the horticulturists of the state, being, at the present writing, secretary of the Fruit Growers’ Association of the state of Idaho.
In 1892 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Ustick and Mrs. Margaret Pittenger, who by her former marriage has a son Fred; the latter graduated at the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College in March 1899. The Doctor also has two sons and a daughter by a former marriage, viz.: Roy P., Faye S. and Clyde E. The last mentioned is now taking a professional course in electricity. The Doctor and his estimable wife are leading members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is now serving as elder. In politics he is most earnest in his advocacy of the Republican Party and its principles, and socially is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and the Pioneers of the Pacific.