History: Frank K Travers, Matawan Physician (1840 - 1873)

Dr. Francis K. "Frank" Travers (June 1840 - July 1873) was a medical doctor in Matawan from late 1869 to early 1873. He died quite young. Below are some resources on his life.

The 1850 Federal Census for Maryland showed Frank Travers, age 9, in the Dorcester County household of Samuel Travers, age 63, farmer, $8,000 in property, and Mary Travers, age 36. He was the sibling of William (16), Catherine (6), Ann (5), and Samuel (2). All were born in Maryland.

The 1860 Federal Census for Maryland showed Francis Travers, age 21, physician with $200 in personal property, living in the Dorcester County household of S Columbus Tall, age 28, born in Maryland, gentleman with $1,000 in real property. Tall seemed to be widowed with several young children and perhaps his mother and mother-in-law in the household. Also in the household was a Louisa Harris, age 20.

A 1862 US IRS Tax Assessment list showed F K Travers, physician, of Taylors Island, Maryland taxed $10 for a Class B license.

The Civil War Draft Registration as of 1 July 1863 showed Dr Francis K Travers, age 23, doctor, living at Taylors Island, Maryland. A number of men with the surname Travers appeared on the same page of the registration.

The 1868 Baltimore City Directory showed Frank Travers living at 162 South Charles St. 

The 1870 Federal Census for New Jersey showed Frank K Travers, age 30, born in Maryland, living in Matawan. He owned $4,000 in real property and $2,000 in personal property. He was enumerated as part of the household of Thomas R Ryer, age 60, born in New York, farmer with $30,000 in real property and $10,000 in personal property. He was likely a tenant.

The 26 Jul 1873 edition of The Matawan Journal (pg 2 col 6) contained this plea to Dr Travers' patients to pay their overdue bills because he had been housebound for many months and unable to conduct his routine collection of payments.

To My Friends of Matawan and Vicinity: Having been confined to the house for five months, and making in that time but few collections, I am greatly in need of money. I therefore hope my patients will respond cheerfully to this call, and come forward promptly and settle their bills. Thereby oblige,
Yours Truly,
F K Travers

The 2 Aug 1873 edition of The Matawan Journal held Dr Travers' obituary:

"Frank K Travers, MD, was born in Dorchester County, Md about eight miles from Cambridge, the county seat, in June 1840. At the early age of ten years he manifested a fondness for medicine, and even then said he intended to be a doctor when he got to be a man. This desire increased with age, and after completing his educational course he commenced the study of the medical profession, and graduated from the Maryland University, at Baltimore, in the term of 1860, having been only twenty years of age. After receiving his diploma he practiced for a while at Baltimore, and then removed to Seaford, Delaware, where he remained until invited to become the partner of the late Dr Dayton in the winter of 1869 and '70. In this partnership he continued until the death of Dr Dayton, in July, 1870, when he took control of the entire practice. As a physician and surgeon, he gave evidence of ability and a love for his profession, and was recognized by official appointment by the Monmouth Co Medical Society, of which he was a member.

 He was connected with the Orders of Odd Fellows and Free Masons at Seaford, Del and continued in active relationship with Aberdeen Lodge F & A M at this place.
 Up to last fall he was in possession of as apparently good health as men generally enjoy, but the labors  of his profession told upon his constitution and developed a rapid hereditary consumption. For more than six months he has been unable to attend to any business, and on Friday evening, July 25th, as the sun was setting in the western sky, his sun sank beneath the horizon of human hope,  but only we dread to ----- forth in the realms where there is no night.

The funeral took place in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon July 29th at 4 o'clock, and notwithstanding the severe storm there was a large attendance of firm and sympathizing friends. At the conclusion of the service the body was left in the church until Monday morning, when it was taken to Old Bridge and thence conveyed to Glassboro in Gloucester County, where it was interred in the Episcopal burial ground."

The History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, by Franklin Ellis (1885: Philadelphia (R T Peck & Co), pg 345, contains the following biography of Dr. Travers, a text which I'm afraid would violate copyright law if it were to be published today:

"Frank K Travers, MD, was born in Dorchester County, Md about eight miles from Cambridge, the county seat, in June 1840. At an early age he manifested a fondness for the science of medicine, and after completing his educational course he commenced the study of it, and graduated at the Maryland University, Baltimore, in the session of 1860. After receiving his diploma he practiced for a time in Baltimore, then removed to Seaford, Del, where he remained until invited to become a partner with Dr A B Dayton, of Matawan, NJ, in the winter of 1869-70. In this partnership he continued until the death of Dr Dayton, in July, 1870, after which he remained in charge of the practice. Up to the fall of 1872 he was in possession of apparently good health; but his labors weighed upon his constitution, and developed a rapid hereditary consumption. For more than six months he was unable to attend to business, and he died on the 24th of July, 1873.

As a physician and surgeon, Dr Travers gave evidence of ability and love for the profession. In his personal relations he was friendly and courteous, just and upright in his dealings, and a firm advocate of professional etiquette. He was held in high esteem by his professional brethren, and by a large circle of sympathizing friends and patrons."

Ellis, pp 321-2, showed Dr Travers to be a member and officer of the Medical Society of Monmouth (1871-2).

Dr Travers is buried in the St Thomas Episcopal Church Burial Ground in Glassboro, NJ. A photo of his gravestone is captured at Find-a-Grave under the name Dr E K Travers.