Among the best read and most skilful physicians and surgeons in Lindsay is Elbridge Albert Herriman, son of Luther Herriman, also a physician, who is still living, and a resident of Port Hope. At the time of Elbridge’s birth, August 27, 1834, the family were residing at Haldimand, County of Northumberland, Ont. His mother, before her marriage, was Abigail Dean. He received his literary education at Toronto, his medical, in the medical department of Victoria College, Toronto, being graduated M. D., in 1860. After practicing two years in Durham county, the civil war being in progress on the American side, he crossed the line and entered the United States service as acting assistant surgeon, being some time surgeon in charge of the 18th New York Volunteers, operating in Virginia, and was at length appointed surgeon of the regiment, but his health failing, he was obliged to decline the position.
When Dr. Herriman found it necessary to decline the position of surgeon, the line officers addressed to him the following testimonial letter, dated at Portsmouth, Va., November 7, 1863 “Dr. E. A. Herriman, Assistant-Surgeon U. S. Army.
“Dear Sir, The undersigned line officers. of the 118th regiment New York Volunteers deeply regretting the necessity which removes you for the present from our circle, desire to convey to you some expression of our high esteem for your professional and social character, and also on behalf of the men in our respective commands, to tender to you the sincere thanks for the uniform kindness and fidelity with which your professional services have been rendered in the season of general and almost unprecedented sickness with which the regiment has been afflicted during the few months of your connection with it. It has been to you a season of severe mental and physical labor, and an occasion to test severely your moral character as well as professional skill; and we bear cheerful testimony to the elevation of the one and the success of the other. And be assured, Sir, that you bear with you the warm regards of the entire regiment, and our most earnest desire for your future prosperity and happiness. And should a kind Providence so order events as to render consistent your return to and permanent connection with this regiment, you will ‘meet with a most hearty welcome from us all.”
The above was signed by every Captain and First and Second Lieutenants of the Company, and subsequently endorsed by the Major and Chaplain.
He was also on the Board of Medical Examiners.
Returning to Ontario, Dr. Herriman located, the same spring, at Lindsay, which has since been the radiating point. He has at times done a great deal of service in the line of consultation, not unfrequently going from forty to fifty, sometimes sixty or seventy, miles from home. He has had a liberal share of surgery, but in a country like that in which he is located, no branch of the healing art can be made a specialty; hence his practice is general, and at the same time liberal and lucrative.
In 1876, Dr. Herriman went to New York city, and spent some time at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and in several hospitals there, paying particular attention to surgery and the diseases of women. He is now reaping the benefits of that walk among the hospitals, in the in creased confidence of the people in his skill and in his enlarged practice. He is a man of great urbanity, very cordial, and his presence alone, on some occasions, is as good, perhaps, as any other medicine.
Dr. Herriman is a Reformer in politics, a man of decided views, but lets nothing interfere with his professional duties. While in Durham county, he was appointed coroner of the United counties of Durham and Northumberland, but in Lindsay, we cannot learn that he has held an office of any kind. The demands of his profession are evidently all the tax on his time that he desires.
His religious connection is with the Canadian Methodist Church, and his “walk and conversation” indicate the christian gentleman.
Dr. Herriman has been married since February 27, 1856, his wife being Miss Annie Maria Stickle, of Orono. They have four children, Stella May, Albert Rollen, Lizzie Maud, and Wilfred Devere, all pursuing their studies at home, Lindsay having first class schools.