Mr. Fiver, Dr. J. G. Ulmer, O.G. Huggins, 1929
description: Dr. John Gordon Ulmer, Sr. (1899-1974) was born in Brunson. He was a son of Captain Henry Martin Ulmer and Janie Free Ulmer. He was married to Ruth Harmon. Dr. Ulmer graduated as valedictorian of his high school and graduated from The College of Charleston with honors in mathematics and science. He completed his medical studies at the Medical College of South Carolina and served an internship at Roper Hospital in Charleston. He moved to Hemingway in 1923 and began his practice July 12, 1923. Dr. Ulmer completed 50 years of practice prior to his illness. During the 50 years, he delivered about 6,000 babies and was known as the "baby doctor". During one month he delivered 28 babies. In his family practice he came into contact with almost every family in the tri-county area he served. When he came to Hemingway in 1923 it had a population of 200 and no doctor.Dr. Hemingway had died earlier from injuries in an explosion of his sterilizing machine. Dr. Ulmer opened his practice in the drug store in Hemingway, but had very little office practice. He mostly made house calls on the dire roads of Williamsburg, Georgetown and Florence Counties. During the depression he delivered babies in homes lit by firelight or candlelight. He was often paid with produce or ham instead of money. Dr. Ulmer was honored by the residents of Williamsburg, Georgetown and Florence counties on October 15, 1972 when Dr. John Gordon Ulmer day was held in Hemingway. One of his many honors that day was the establishment of the John Gordon Ulmer Scholarship at the Medical College of South Carolina of Charleston. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hemingway. Dr. Ulmer was a charter member of Hemingway Civitan Club. In 1967 he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen's Award by the Hemingway Jaycees. He was a member of the Indiantown Masonic Lodge of Hemingway and the Hemingway American Legion Post. Dr. Ulmer was a member of the American Medical Association, The S.C. Medical Association and the W…
date: August 15, 1929
contributor: Nancy Huggins Staton