Cleave’s
Biographical Cyclopædia of
Homœopathic Physicians and Surgeons
By Egbert Cleave
Presented by Sylvain Cazalet
ETTS,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, M. D., of the city of Philadelphia, Pa., was born
in Warminster township, Bucks county, Pa., December 1st, 1845. He is the
youngest of three sons, surviving children of John and Sarah C. Betts.
His ancestors on his father’s side came from England, with William Penn,
to whom they were related by ties of consanguinity ; and they,
together with his maternal ancestors, belonged to the religious Society
of Friends, of which he also is a member. When be had reached about the
twelfth year of his age, his mother died suddenly of heart disease. Her
exemplary character had endeared her to every one with whom she was
brought in contact, and her loss was deeply felt by an unusually large
circle of friends ; but to none was this loss so great as to those
who were just growing into young manhood, and were left without a loving
mother’s counsel and approving smile. But it can be truly said, that
there are few, thus bereft in early life of the guiding and restraining
hand and the moral and elevating influence of that dearest earthly
friend who, above all others, moulds the heart, shapes the character,
and gives to the mind its future cast, who escaped with so little of the
contamination of childhood’s outer world, as he who is the subject of
this sketch. But the memory of a sainted mother -whose purity, virtue
and active piety while on earth does not escape even the eye of the
child- often goes with him through each circling year, falling like
gentle dew on the heart, silent, yet efficient in its influence. Young
Frank’s surviving parent and friends were observant of his fondness for
study, and he was early sent to school, where he made rapid advancement
in his studies. His education was principally obtained at the Lellar
Academy, in Hatboro, Pa., and under the tutorship of the Rev. Samuel
Aaron, principal of the Mount Holly Institute, of New Jersey.The Rev. Mr. Aaron was
a man of unusual firmness and decision of character, a true Republican
in the fullest sense of the word, an earnest Christian, of the strictest
honesty, fearless in upholding the right, an eminent scholar and a
thorough instructor ; and under his tuition, young Betts completed
his literary course with proficiency and honor. After leaving school, he
engaged with his uncle in mercantile pursuits. But during this time, he
lost none of his interest in study, employing all his hours of leisure
in reading and storing his mind with useful knowledge. Finding that
merchandizing was not suited to his taste and inclinations, he left it
for the study of medicine ; to which profession his mind had long
been favorably disposed, and for which he had a particular fondness, and
natural adaptation. Engaged in its study, he found his mind in its right
channel, and his whole heart and energies were enlisted in the science.
In clue time he entered the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia,
and graduated from the same in 1868. Determining that his professional
education, preparatory to his entering upon his life’s work, should not
cease with the accomplishment of his collegiate course, in the following
April of the same year of his graduation, he embarked for Europe to
visit all its principal hospitals. He remained in Vienna one year, and
then made the tour of Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France and England,
making himself familiar with their different modes of practice and
treatment, after which he returned to Philadelphia and entered into
active practice. On the 14th day of November, 1871, he was married, in
Baltimore, Md., to Miss Lucy C. Corse of that city. Dr. Betts has
exhibited in his practice a thorough knowledge of his profession,
calling to himself a large and increasing patronage.Source
: Cleave’s Biographical Cyclopædia of Homœopathic Physicians and
Surgeons By Egbert Cleave