Who was the first black physician in Athens County?
That remains a question many researchers, historians and residents are trying to determine.
On Feb. 3 The Post began its coverage for Black History Month by running a history of prominent black Athenians and outlining the rich history of the county. But one name spurred a whirlwind of debate.
Dr. Noah Elliot, who lived in Albany in 1880, has been credited by many sources as the first black physician in Athens County. But the question remains as to whether Elliot actually practiced medicine in the county, said Tonya Thompson, an Athens resident who feels her husband deserves the title.
Thompson said her husband, Harold Clay Thompson, who graduated from Ohio University with a medical degree in 1976, was the first black physician to serve the county.
Dr. Gary Cordingly, a neurologist at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, is in the process of writing a book on physicians of Southeastern Ohio. Through his research, he discovered census data giving Elliot the title of doctor.
But Thompson said this title could be misleading because the data does not distinguish between a doctorate degree and an actual medical degree.
Genealogist Ada Adams, 67, whose family grew up in Nelsonville, said she was unaware that Elliot served as a physician. Through her research she studied Athens County's black residents' death certificates. White doctors signed all the certificates all prior to Thompson's arrival.
Cordingly said whether Elliot was a medical doctor is clear through documentation: Elliot is listed in the American Medical Association's book of deceased physicians and served in the medical unit of the black troops during the civil war.
Historian Connie Perdreau said Elliot was medically connected, but questioned at what capacity.
Cordingly said 1880 census data showed Elliot living with several other people, including his wife Mary A. Elliot, none of which had jobs outside of the home. In his opinion, Cordingly said this proves Elliot worked in his trade for money and should be counted as the first black physician in Athens County.
The misunderstanding could be linked to a generational gap, Perdreau said.
"Dr. Thompson would be the first (doctor) people would know from this generation," she said.
Elliot lived in Athens County until about 1890, moved to Columbus and died in 1918, Cordingly said. He was 92 years old.
After graduating from OU, Clay Thompson opened a Nelsonville medical clinic in 1978 and later joined the staff at OU's College of Osteopathic Medicine, Thompson said. He has continued to practice and teach in Athens to this day.
Cordingly said both men will be featured in his book.
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