BIOGRAPHIES

† Source:
History of Henry & Fulton Counties
edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich - Syracuse NY
Publ. D. Mason & Co.
1888.
Transcribed by Sharon Wick

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S. B. Finney, M. D.

DR. S. B. FINNEY.  It may be seen a somewhat remarkable assertion to say, that any physician possesses the power of analyzing disease by intuition, yet such cases are not wholly unknown, although they may be infrequent.  However this may be, it is a well-known fact that Dr. Finney possesses a rare gift in diagnosing and successfully treating physical disease, whether or not he has had an opportunity of a personal interview with the subject for treatment; and the throngs that constantly visit his laboratory, and the still greater amount of communications by letter, that call for his professional skill, attest the wonderful success of his method of treatment.  And it is not alone the rich people of this world that receive substantial cures at his hands, but the poor, as well; for it is a fact, that Dr. Finney dispenses and distributes among all classes, many thousands of dollars worth of his medicines, each year.  At home and abroad, among all nations, are his wonderful healing remedies sent, carrying joy and comfort into tens of thousands of homes, and bringing to this kind benefactor the gratitude of as many hearts.  But it will be asked: Who is this man; and whence comes he?  S. B. Finney was born in Holmes county, O., in the year 1834, and passed the years of boyhood and youth on his father's farm, in that county, and in attending the common district schools of the neighborhood.  From early youth he had a natural love for botanical studies, and applied himself diligently therein until he attained a thorough knowledge of this science, as well as a complete understanding of the healing and curative properties of the plant creation.  But for a time he gave up this pleasant pursuit in response to his country's call for help.  Young Finney enlisted as a private in Company K, of the 152d Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he went to the front in August, 1862, and thenceforth shared the vicissitudes, privations, hardships and successes of the army, until at the battle of Chariton Bridge, where he fell.  He was honorably discharged from the service in September, 1864, and returned home to family and friends.      Early in the month of April, 1865, our subject came to Fulton county, and took up his abode in the then unsettled and uncultivated region of Dover township, that has ever been known to the people as the "Oak Openings."  Here, assisted by his devoted wife, he built a log cabin, and at once commenced the cultivation of the naturally fertile soil, and was compelled to live frugally, as he had but little means.  Here he had an opportunity of again pursuing his favorite study of botanical specimens, with which the region was abundantly supplied, until, at last, having watched carefully their effects and results, and combined those elements that proved productive of the greatest good, this soldier physician announced to the world his healing remedies, that have, from that day, ,been of inestimable value to mankind; a panacea for the many ills that flesh is heir to, and he has used them with such skill and judgment that his crowded rooms are no longer wondered at by the good people of the vicinity.  It is now more than twenty years since Dr. Finney became a resident of Fulton county, and during that time he has achieved unbounded success; and who is there to say that he has not deserved success?  His home, laboratory and offices are at Winameg, a small hamlet about three miles north from the old county seat, Ottokee, and about ten miles from Wauseon. † Source: History of Henry & Fulton Counties edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich - Syracuse NY - Publ. D. Mason & Co. 1888 - Page 618

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