Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-26

\ DR.. Robert Reyburn, soldier in the civil
war. delegate to several national repub-
lican conventions and member for four
years of the republican national commit
tee, physician to President Garfield, and
in recent years dean of Howard Uniyer-
sity Medical School. died last evening at
8 o'clock at his home, 2129 f street north
west.
DR.. Reyburn was seventy-five years of
age, and for more than twoscore years
had been a resident of Washington and
an active worker for projects that tended
to the development of the Capital city.
The funeral services, which will be pri-
vate, will be held at his late home to-
morrow morning, and will be conducted
by Rev. Roland Cotton Smith, rector Of
st. Johns Episcopal Church. Interment
will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
DR.. Reyburn's illness was of several
weeks duration. he suffering from a COM
picatiOn of heart and kidney troubles.
One son. DR.. Robert Reybtrn, jr., and
three daughters. Misses Laura and Eu-
genia Reyburn, and Mrs. II. j. Allen, sur
vive him.
Native of Scotland.
Born in GLASGOW, Scotland August ],
1893, Robert Reyburn came when very
young to this country and received his
early education in the public schools OF
Philadelphia. He chose the profession of
medicine as his life work, studied at the
Philadelphia College of Medicine and was
graduated in 1856. Following the COM
mencement exercises he at once took up
the active practice of his profession in the
Quaker city.
DR.. Reyburn in 1862 answered the cali of
President Lincoln, becoming acting assist
ant surgeon in the army May Z, 1852. His
promotion was rapid, he receiving COM
mission of assistant surgeon of volunteers
June 4, and that of surgeon June ID. At
the close of the war of the rebellion he
was mustered out as brevet lieutenant
colonel OF volunteers. He was commits
stoned assistant surgeon In the regular
army, with the rank of captain, in 1867.
Resigning a Jew months later from the
military service, he began his long resi-
dence in the District, which was ended
by his death last evening. He at once
took prominent place in medical circles
in the Capital city, and became an active
republican worker. He had been identified
with many movements for municipal de-
velOpment and for the last score OF years
an active worker for suffrage for resi-
dents of the District.
Physician to President Garfield.
When President Garfield was wounded
by an assassin's bullet in 1881, Dr.. Rey-
burn was chosen one of the six surgeons
to attend the chief executive, and he spent
many anxious hours at the bedside. He
had written many articles for medical
journals concerning the case of President
Garfield.
AS a member of Gen. Hardin's staff DR..
Reyburn was member of the death
watch at LincOlns bier for twenty-four
hours, from April 16 to April II, 1868,
and he preserved as priceless a lock of
hair of Lincoln.
DR.. Reyburn held several positions of
responsibility in local medical colleges.
He was chief medical officer of the Freed
mans bureau during the last two years
of its existence, 1871 and 1872 He was
the surgeon in charge of the Freedmens
Hospital from 1867 to 1873, and always
manifested an active interest in that in
stitution He was professor of clinical
surgery in the medical department of
Georgetown University in 1866 and 1867,
professor of surgery in the medical de-
partment of Howard University in 1868
and professor of anatomy in Georgetown
University in 1878. He was made pro-
fessor of physiology and clinical surgery
in the medical department Of Howard
University in 1880. appointed professor Of
preventive medicine and hygiene in the
same institution in 1902 and has been
dean of the medical faculty since 1902
During. the closing years Of his life he
devoted much of his time to the educa-
ton of colOred physicians and surgeons.
Prominent in Medical Circles.
DR.. Reyburn was also a member of tie
Medical Society of the District of Column
ba and of the Medical Association of the
District. a member of the Microscopical
Society of the District of Columbia, con-
sulting surgeon of Providence and Freed
mems hospitals. visiting physician of St.
Johns Orphanage. member and president
of the District board of health in 1870
trustees of Washington in 1877. 1878 and
1879. and was one of the board of coun-
cilmen of Georgetown in 1860.
The venerable physicians prominence.
however. extended beyond the confines of
the District and he held offices in several
member of the American Medical Asso-
citation, vice president from 1891 to 1892
of the National Microscopical Society,
member of the Archaeological Society
member of the Biological Society and
member of the American Society of Anat-
omists.
During his many years Of activity in
Reyburn maintained active connection
with religious affairs. He was member
of the vestry Of st. Johns Episcopal
Church and for twenty-five years served
as superintendent of its Sunday school
Deceased was also member OF the
G. A. r. and of the Loyal Legion.
Howard University Takes Action.
Services in tribute to DIR. Reyburn were
held today in Rankin Hail. Howard Uni
versity. Prof. G. W. Cook presided and
told of the physicians services to the
medical department of the university. It