Cleave’s
Biographical Cyclopædia of
Homœopathic Physicians and Surgeons
By Egbert Cleave
Presented by Sylvain Cazalet
ONANT,
JOSIAH, M. D., of Great Falls, N. H., was born in Dudley, Worcester
county, Mass., on June 2nd, 1832. His primary education he received in
his native town, but when he had reached his twelfth year, his father
removed to Worcester, where he became a pupil in the city high school.
On leaving school, his father being poor, it was necessary he should at
once do something towards his own support. He was accordingly placed in
a machine shop, and in time became a proficient machinist. Possessed of
an adventurous spirit and seeing in the West a better chance of making
money, he left home, in 1851, and was away some six or seven years,
during which time he worked at his trade and accumulated some means.
Having always cherished a taste for the medical profession, he returned
East, and, in 1859, proceeded to Boston, where he placed himself under
the tuition of Dr. Greene. After laying a foundation of sufficient
solidity, he attended e lectures in Philadelphia, and graduated as a homœopathic
physician, in 1865. He immediately returned to Boston and opened an
office on Elliot street, but he found it uphill work malting his way in
a large city. In the following year, therefore, he removed to West
Boylston, Mass., where he found many friends. Two years later his father
died of apoplexy at the age of seventy-two years, and then he began to
contemplate a further removal. After looking around for some time, he
decided upon settling in Great Falls, where he opened an office in
February, 1869, and where he now resides. He found it a strong
allopathic town, but its prejudices against homœopathy gradually melted
away before his earnestness and success, and he now possesses a
flourishing practice.Dr. Conant is a man of
far more than average perseverance. In spite of many obstacles he has
fought his way into a good position in the ranks of a learned
profession, having had at no time since a mere lad any other dependence
than his own exertions. Considering his opportunities there are few
practitioners so well read in the literature of medicine, as there
certainly is none who gives to it a more entire devotion. In the
discharge of his onerous duties he is indefatigable, never neglecting
nor slighting any case that comes under his charge. His kindly manners
and genuine sympathy render him a favorite with all his patients.Source
: Cleave’s Biographical Cyclopædia of Homœopathic Physicians and
Surgeons By Egbert Cleave