1879 An address to the District Medical Society of Burlington, New Jersey, with the "Address of Welcome," delivered [in 1879] by Dr. R.H. Page [perhaps this Richard H Page], of Columbus, stated: "The law regulating the practice of 'physic and surgery' in New Jersey at the commencement of this century required that a license should be obtained from the State Medical Society, whether the applicants had diplomas from medical schools or not, and imposed a penalty of twenty-five dollars for every prescription given by a non-licentiate; and unless such license was properly recorded, either in the office of the county clerk or of the chief justice of the State, no fees could be legally demanded for professional services. "The year previous to the organization of the society (1828) an incident occurred which demonstrated the efficiency of this law, and led to the union of the few physicians then in the county for their own protection. The scene was laid in the little town of Columbus, at that time known as Black Horse. The parties immediately concerned were Dr. Asahel Page and Prince Murat, a relative (nephew) "of Joseph Bonaparte, then residing as ex-king of Spain at his beautiful seat in Bordentown. The prince and the doctor were both fond of horses, and each kept several trained for the course. They were to have a race through the street of Columbus, which had been well advertised. The prize was to be one of the racers. The prince and the doctor appeared in due time, and the race was accomplished in the presence of a goodly crowd. The prince came off the winner, and demanded his prize. The doctor said there had been foul play and refused to surrender his steed. The prince was angry, and declared in a menacing manner that he would not pay the doctor's bill for professional services. Suit was brought by the doctor to recover the amount of his bill. The Hon. Garrett D. Wall, late of this city, was one of the counselors. The case was tried, and the doctor non-suited, the evidence in the trial showing that, though he had passed an examination and had received a license, he had neglected to comply with the provision of the law which required the filing of his certificate in the office of the Chief Justice of the State. Hence the loss of his case. [1] [2]
"Dr. Richard H. Page, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Page, was born Sept. 28, 1828, at Cross-Roads, Burlington Co., N. J. Was educated at Pennington Seminary, Pennington, N. J., and studied medicine under Dr. A. E. Budd, of Mount Holly, and Dr. Samuel G. Morton, of Philadelphia; graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1850, subject of thesis "Menstruation." A few months after graduation he located at Columbus, this county, where he has since resided following the practice of his profession. On the 6th of March, 1856, he married Elizabeth F., only daughter of Moses Wills, of Columbus. They have had four children,—one son and three daughters. In 1851 he became a member of the Burlington County Medical Society, and served as delegate to the State Medical Society and the North American Medical Association. He has during his career performed the usual operations incident to a country practice, one of them amputation, and several of them operations for strangulated hernia." [3]
"Richard H Page, M.D., who died at his home in Columbus, Burlington County, N.J., in 1890, was for thirty years a successful medical practitioner, and was actively interested in various local business enterprises. He represented the third generation of the family in the medical profession, both his father and grandfather having been well-known physicians in their day. The Page family is one that has figured prominently in the business and industrial development of this locality for many years. Dr. Page was born in Evesham township, Burlington County, in 1829. He was a son of Thomas Page, M. D., and grandson of William Page, M.D., both of whom were graduates of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. William Page was a native of this part of Burlington County; and, after preparing himself for his professional work, he practised in the township of Evesham until his death, which occurred at an advanced age. His son, Thomas Page, was born in Evesham. After finishing his collegiate course, he removed to Tuckerton, N.J., where he practised with success and was a highly respected citizen. He died at the age of seventy-eight. In early manhood he was prominent in public affairs, and ably represented his town in the legislature.
Richard H. Page commenced the study of medicine with Samuel G. Morton, M.D., of Philadelphia, and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He settled in Columbus, where he acquired a large and profitable practice; and he was well and favorably known throughout this section of the county. He took a deep interest in improving the business facilities of the town, being instrumental in securing the construction of the railroad, to which he rendered financial support ; and he also served for some time as secretary and treasurer of the company. He was likewise associated with John Bishop in the coal and lumber trade; and, aside from his unusual professional activity, he was a conspicuous figure in business circles. As a member of the Burlington County Medical Society he wrote valued and interesting articles to be read at their meetings, and he frequently spoke upon various subjects relative to science and professional advancement. In his religious views he was an Episcopalian, and he was earnestly interested in church work.
In 1856 Dr. Page wedded Elizabeth French Wills, the only daughter of Judge Moses and Rebecca R. (Black) Wills, and a native of the village of Columbus. Mrs. Page's grandfather, Moses Wills, first, was a native and lifelong resident of Rancocas, where he cultivated a good farm. He married Elizabeth French, of Moorestown, N.J., who was the mother of six children by a former husband. The only child of her second union to reach maturity was Moses, Mrs. Page's father.
Moses Wills, the younger, went to Philadelphia when a young man, and for a time was employed as a clerk. Settling in Columbus, he engaged in mercantile business in company with George Black ; but, after carrying on a thriving trade for some years, he sold his interest in the business, and was appointed Judge of the Court of Appeals and Pardons. He finally retired from active life, and died at the age of eighty-one years. Judge Wills was the organizer of the Mount Holly Bank, and was its President up to the time of his death, when he was succeeded in that office by his son Augustus. He married Rebecca R. Black, daughter of William Black, a prominent farmer of Columbus, who died here at the age of eighty years. Mr. Black was the father of seven children. Judge and Mrs. Moses Wills became the parents of seven children, five of whom grew to maturity, and of these three are now living, namely: Edward; George; and Elizabeth French, who is Mrs. Page. Edward Wills is now President of the Mount Holly Bank, he having succeeded his brother Augustus, who died while occupying that position. Mrs. Page's parents were originally members of the Friends' Society, but later attended the Orthodox church. Her mother lived to reach the age of eighty-seven years.
Mrs. Page was the youngest-born of the parental family. She was carefully educated, her course of study being completed at the Lawrenceville Seminary. Her married life of about thirty-four years was one of extreme happiness, and in her widowhood she enjoys the most sincere respect and esteem of her many friends and acquaintances. She has been bereft of one of her four children — namely, a daughter, Rebecca, who died at the age of twenty-three. She now has three children, one son and two daughters, as follows: Richard H., Anna, and Elizabeth B. Richard H. Page, who is a graduate of Princeton College, conducts farming upon quite an extensive scale. He is also Deputy Internal Revenue Collector for Burlington and Mercer Counties, with headquarters in Trenton. Mrs. Page's eldest daughter was educated at Pottstown, Pa. ; and her youngest daughter has been a pupil at St. Mary's Hall in Burlington. The family attend the Episcopal church, and the daughters are teachers in the Sunday school and members of the Ladies' Guild." [4]
[1] Major E. M. Woodward and John Hageman, History of Burlington and Mercer Counties, New Jersey (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1883), 74, [HathiTrust].
[2] Charles Ellis, Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the District Medical Society for the County of Burlington, June 17, 1879 (1879), 6, [GoogleBooks].
[3] Major E. M. Woodward and John Hageman, History of Burlington and Mercer Counties, New Jersey (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1883), 83, [HathiTrust].
[4] Biographical review Volume XIX, containing life sketches of leading citizens of Burlington and Camden counties, New Jersey (Boston 1897), 12, [InternetArchive].