A. Clair Siddall Papers, 1918-1988
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Administrative/Biographical History
Alcines Clair Siddall was born in Bascom, Ohio, on June 4, 1897. Siddall received his A.B. from Otterbein College, Ohio in 1919, and his M.D. from Western Reserve University Medical School, Ohio in 1922. After serving as a medical missionary in China for nine years (1923-1932), Siddall moved to Oberlin, Ohio to practice medicine. A specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. A. Clair Siddall was in private practice until 1962, when he and six other doctors founded the Oberlin Clinic. Upon his retirement from the Clinic in 1972, the Siddall Educational Fund was established in conjuction with the Allen Memorial Hospital. The fund supported Siddall’s concern for continuing education opportunities in the health care disciplines.
Siddall is locally known for his many publications, his research on the history of medical practices in Oberlin, and his leadership in a Lorain County Program for the early detection of cancer in women. Siddall was also active in the development of the Allen Memorial Hospital expansion program (Oberlin, Ohio), and he frequently served as a faculty member at the Case Western Reserve Medical School, Ohio (1927 and 1973). As a result of his many activities and contributions to his community, Oberlin College presented Siddall with the Distinguished Community Award in 1973. He also received the Senior Citizen Award from the Oberlin Health Commission in 1964. In 1988, the Allen Memorial Hospital named its birthing center in his memory.
Siddall had two wives; Annett Brane (d. 1932), and Estelle Warner (Mus. B. 1936). From these two unions, Siddall had five children; A. Clair Jr. (A.B. 1949), John B. (A.B. 1950), Lawrence B. (A.B. 1952), James, and Jane. A. Clair Siddall died on December 11, 1980, in Oberlin, Ohio.
Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
This collection is arranged in four series: 1. Biographical File; 2. Writings; 3. Research Files; and 4. Photographs.
Consisting primarily of writings and research files, A. Claire Siddall’s papers document his scholarship and contributions to the field of medicine. Of primary interest are his writings on the early history of medical practice in the city of Oberlin, Ohio. Equally valuable are his many articles on women’s health issues. The balance of this collection is made up of collected photographs of Oberlin physicians and hospitals, and biographical material on Siddall. These records do not provide any insight into Siddall’s personal or academic life. Very little documentation exists for his years as a missionary in China (1923-1932), and no documentation exists for his foundation of the Oberlin Clinic in 1962.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series 1. Biographical File, 1922-1988
Contained here are awards presented to A. Clair Siddall during his career. Included is a Man of the Year Award from the City of Oberlin (1964), a Distinguished Community Service Award from Oberlin College (1972), and an Honorary D.Sci. Award from Otterbein College (1969). This series also contains several Siddall family histories. Series is arranged chronologically. Plaques and certificates relating to Siddall's medical career were received in accession 2002/56 and are filed separately.
Series 2. Writings, 1928-1980
Consisting of Siddall’s published writings, several works are devoted to the history of medical practices in Oberlin. Other papers address gynecological topics, focusing on issues faced by pregnant women. Specific titles include “A Suggested Test for Pregnancy” (1928), “Vitamin b Deficiency as an Etiologic Factor in Pregnancy Toxemias” (1940), and “History of Homeopathic Medicine at Oberlin, Ohio 1933-1933” (1978). This series is arranged by topic; history of medicine at Oberlin, and general medicine, and chronologically thereunder.
Series 3. Research Files, 1975-1979, n.d.
Files include research notes regarding the early medical practices and physicians of Oberlin. Materials kept in support for for such articles as “Birth Control at Oberlin--Sexual Mores in Oberlin 1833-1975”, and “Isaac Jennings--Advocate of Medical Reform--1840” are found here. Other topics covered in this series are Sarah Furnas Wells acupuncture and placebos.
Series 4. Photographs, n.d.
Series contains photographs of a variety of Oberlin health care providers. Included are A. Claire Siddall, James Dascomb, Edna Schnick, and Linda Richards. Photographs of Oberlin’s first hospital (1907, 21. S. Cedar Street), and James Dascomb’s residence (227 S. Professor), are also found here. Arrangement is first by individuals, and then by structure. Filed separately are two group photographs, dating from Siddall's college days (c. 1918) and a photograph of Siddall with his brother-in-law Jack Warner (Oberlin College director of health services, c. 1960s); these photographs were received in accession 2002/56