Dr. Eugene Pittman

In bygone days the country doctor was an integral part of the lives of residents in our rural areas. Dependable. Always there. A man who cared for them when ailing folks were in need. They trusted him to do his best for them.

 

Dr. Eugene Pittman was that kind of man. He came to us, following Dr. Foster Hall, in July of 1940…beginning his years as general practitioner here in Wellsburg.

 

He early maintained an office in the Main Street home where he and his wife Mary settled in…later moving it next door. House calls were his hallmark, and he traveled out no matter what the weather or the time of day or night to reach his patient. Quoting his son Harry, “He was a good listener to the patient’s worries and by visiting them at home easily learned of the conditions of their care. At times it was a comforting ear as a loved one was slipping away or helping a young child back to health. In his early years of practice, Dr. Pittman did baby deliveries for his patients at Arnot.”

 

In 1943 he assumed the duties of Chemung County Coroner, and became Chief of Staff at the Elmira Reformatory. He also added the role of Plant Physician at Trayer Products and the A&P.

 

In 1949, when he and his family moved to a more roomy home on Maple Avenue in Southport, his rural practice and his office remained on Main Street in Wellsburg. It finally closed in 1966 when the office building was sold to the school district.

 

However he continued his rural practice until 1973 when he joined Arnot’s Emergency Room Staff, giving up his Reformatory position and roll as Chemung County Coroner.

 

Dr. Pittman finally retired in 1979 after 39 years of practicing, a real country doctor we can be very proud to claim as ‘our very own’!

 

NOTE: A word of appreciation to Dr. Pittman’s son Harry for the help he afforded us in telling this story of his Dad’s career. And a grateful thank you to the Pittman family for giving us this fine collection.

 

Text and objects courtesy of the Ashland Historical Society