CLOUD, J. A. – Biographies – History of Homeopathy

LOUD, J. A., M. D., of Chicago, Ills., was born in Chester county, Pa., October 22d, 1842. His parents
were farmers and members of the Society of Friends, and with them he lived until his fifteenth year, attending the common schools of the country, and
making rapid progress in his studies. At this time he was transferred to the West Chester Academy, where he commenced studies preparatory to a seafaring
life, for which his enterprising disposition and ardent temperament well fitted him. On account of the opposition of his parents he abandoned those
studies and went to Philadelphia, where he engaged as a clerk in a dry goods house ; but standing behind a counter or poring over a ledger ill
suited the boy who would -ride the mountain wave.” He next tried the drug business, but with the same result.

     At the age of seventeen he was appointed a hospital steward in the United States Regular Army. When the
rebellion raised its horrid front he was promoted to a medical cadetship, and before graduating at the University of Pennsylvania, was commissioned
Assistant Surgeon United States Army. After graduating, and just previous to the close of the war, he was brevetted Surgeon and placed in charge of the
Sixth Army Corps Hospital. In this position he became convinced of the superiority of homœopathy over all other systems ; resigned his commission
and attended a course of lectures at the Homœopathic College in Philadelphia. Believing in the dictum, “Go West,” he made a “bee
line” for Cincinnati, where he found the patrons of homœopathy establishing a dispensary and hospital, the charge of which he accepted and
remained in until June, 1870. He then obtained the special agency for the leading life insurance company of the West, which he still holds with honor to
himself and profit to the company.

     Being a member of the Operating Corps of the Army of the Potomac during a greater portion of the war,
his knowledge of surgery is very extended and

thoroughly practical. We learn that he contemplates returning to practice, making surgery and the diseases of women and children a
specialty.

Source : Cleave’s Biographical Cyclopædia of Homœopathic Physicians and Surgeons By
Egbert Cleave