Dr Samuel Bahl Light

8 July 1886: Last evening, just as the sun receded behind the crimson horizon, leaving golden streaks in its pathway as a parting adieu to day, the Messenger of Death entered the home and took from our midst the mortal life of one of our most prominent and cultured citizens and foremost physicians in the person of dr. Samuel B. Light, residing corner of Seventh and Lehman Streets. The deceased was a son of the late Samuel Light, who but a few weeks ago preceded the son to that "undiscovered country," where it is said the troubled spirit is at rest. Dr. Light early in life manifested a disposition for learning, and attended Kluge's Academy, and subsequently, in 1856, entered the junior class of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, and two years thereafter, graduated from the institution with the highest honors. Returning home, he was elected by the Lebanon School Board, Principal of the Male High School, which position he filled with honor for two terms, 1859-60, at the same time pursuing the study of medicine, having as his preceptor, Dr. Cyrus D. Gloninger, who frequently remarked that he was the brightest student he ever had. In time, he attended medical lectures, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, passing a most brilliant examination. The nation having use for men of his ability, he obeyed the call of the country, and soon found himself in the army as assistant surgeon of the 96th Pa. Vols. Subsequently, he filled a similar position in the 48th Pa. His time of service having expired, he hung out his shingle to practice medicine in the old Ridenauer property, opposite the Court House, but which a few years ago he sold to Dr. Geo. Ross & Co., and built for himself a palatial residence at the corner of Seventh and Lehman Streets, where he started a drug store, and in connection continued to practice medicine. He was an ardent Republican from conviction, and frequently represented his party in county and state conventions. He stood in the front rank of Physicians, and his opinion as a medical expert was frequently called into requisition in court trials, where his knowledge of therapeutics was authority and fully recognized. In time he soon built up a large practice, but out of the goodness of his heart he failed to charge like so many of our modern Esculapioses. He was a "gentleman to the manor born," of strong convictions, erudite, and a most devoted admirer of Shakespeare, possessing such a remarkable mind that he was enabled to recite whole plays from his favorite poet. On general literature, he was just as fully conversant and was frequently likened unto a walking encyclopedia. But it was not alone in medicine and literature that he excelled, but his life was characterized deeply by beautiful acts of generosity in every phase of society. Incapable of a mean act, strong in his ties of friendship, charitable to a fault, his broad social ethics won for him fast and true friends, who readily recognized the individuality of the man. He touched no truism without vitalizing it and imparting to it unseen beauty, power, freshness and elevation. Although gone from among us, he had left his impress behind which shall linger until we, too, go tottering down to the grave, where this clay body enters into the elements from which it sprung. The Doctor for some time past was broken down physically, and on Friday he had a paralytic stroke, at Sunny Side. He was taken home, medical aid summoned, but he gradually commenced to sink, fell into a comatose stage, and at 7:50 last evening he passed peacefully away in the 48th year of his age. [Lebanon Daily News]

• Residence: 1850 - Lebanon county, part of, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States
• Residence: 1860 - Lebanon Borough, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States
• Residence: 1880 - Lebanon, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Sep 9 2020, 15:44:23 UTC

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• Residence: 1850 - Lebanon county, part of, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States
• Residence: 1860 - Lebanon Borough, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States
• Residence: 1880 - Lebanon, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Sep 9 2020, 15:43:44 UTC