Fort Lowell contract citizen surgeon. Date?
Schuler, Harold H. “Fort Lowell Hospital.” Arizona Historical Society. 2000.
BURR, Rollin Thrift, Pomona, Cal., son of Dr. Timothy and Rachel Hart (Thrift) Burr, was born August 10, 1843, at Mt. Vernon, Knox county, O. His father was a native of Massachusetts. His mother was a daughter of the Rev. Mr. Thrift, who removed to Ohio from Virginia in 1809, being the first minister to settle in that part of the wilderness. Mr. Thrift was so much opposed to slavery that he freed his slaves and removed to the new country in order that his children should be brought up free from its demoralizing influences. His father also came to Ohio about the same time and engaged in the practice of medicine. During the War of 1812 he served as surgeon on the frontier, having several narrow escapes from death as he passed from camp to camp. Rollin is the youngest of eleven children, and the seventh son. In 1846 his parents removed to Burr's Ferry, La., where his youth was passed. At the breaking out of the Civil War he was attending the Jasper College intending to take a complete course. Like most boys the call to arms was too strong for him to resist. After volunteering three times he succeeded in enlisting as a private in Co. D, First Louisiana Cavalry, then on duty in Kentucky and Tennessee. He was in the column that was sent to assist John Morgan, but the aid came too late and the column had hard fighting to get back to Tennessee. He served in Southwestern Mississippi and East Louisiana during the last of the war under General Forrest. He was engaged in over eighty fights, mostly skirmishes. On one occasion he had the man on each side shot down at the same volley, he escaping unwounded. On his return home after the surrender he decided to study medicine, and at once placed himself under the supervision of his old friend, Dr. A. A. McWhortor. He attended lectures at New Orleans in the fall of 1866, the first winter at the School of Medicine, the second and third courses at the Medical Department of the University of Louisiana (now Tulane University), graduating March 18, 1869. In March, 1867, he competed successfully against sixteen students for a position as interne of the Charity Hospital, containing over six hundred beds. For two years he remained in the institution, having the advantage of the teachings of Stone, Richardson, Bemiss, Joseph Jones, Chaillé, and Hawthorn. The surgeon at the time was Smythe, who first successfully ligated the innominate artery. In July, 1869, he located near Waco, Tex., and remained until failing health forced him to seek a milder climate, he having consumption. In June, 1876, he started across the plains for Arizona, a distance of fifteen hundred miles. He made the trip alone most of the way, when the Indians were hostile. Soon after settling in Arizona he entered the medical service of the United States army as A. A. surgeon, remaining in the service over three years, serving as post surgeon at Camp John A. Rucker, and Ft. Lowell, also serving with the troops in the field against the Indians. On leaving the army he settled in Pomona, Cal., where he has since resided in active practice. In 1892 he accepted the nomination of the Peoples' party for coroner, making an excellent run. Dr. Burr is a member of the Los Angeles County Medical Society; the California State Medical Society; Association of A. A. Surgeons, United States army; P. G., and P. C. P. of I. O. O. F.; K. of L., and member of F. A. & I. U. He has been health officer of Pomona. During the yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans in 1867, although only a student, he had charge of two wards, contracted the fever, and almost lost his life. He has for some years been preparing himself for specially treating chronic diseases. Dr. Burr has been twice married : first to Miss Frances Skinner, by whom he had one child, Carrie A., now Mrs. F. Lacey of Pasadena; by his second wife, Miss Mallie V. Adams, he has had seven children, Rollin T., Willie H., Ella May, Charles W., Mary Bell, and two others, daughters, dead.
Source: Watson, Irving Allison. Physicians and Surgeons of America: (Illustrated). A Collection of Biographical Sketches of the Regular Medical Profession. Republican Press Association, 1896, page 799 [includes photo].
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Same person?
J Am Med Assoc, Jul 1898; XXXI: 41: Medical Appointments Confirmed ... Drs. M. Landry of Louisiana and R. T. Burr of California to be Assistant Surgeons of the 7th Regiment of Volunteer Infantry.
J Am Med Assoc, Sep 1904; XLIII: 906: Memorandum of changes of station and duties of medical officers, U. S. Army, week ending Sept. 17, 1904 : ... Burr, R. T., contract surgeon, granted leave of absence for three months.