| Thomas McFadden | 46th Ohio Voluntary Infantry |
| by Carla Rieman |
Thomas McFadden was born in Rushville, Ohio on November 9, 1825. He grew up in Rushville and decided to make medicine his profession while studying under Dr. Hyde in Rushville. When he returned from medical school he married Rebecca Hartley in Putnam, Ohio. The McFadden’s befriended the Hanby family. The Hanby’s moved to Westerville, Ohio for opportunities with the college. They convinced the McFadden’s to move to Westerville also, telling Thomas McFadden the town was in need of a town doctor. In 1855, Thomas, his wife and two children moved to Westerville.
McFadden soon became the town doctor and began his career with Otterbein College. He was appointed secretary of the Executive Committee and later made treasurer. He soon became a member of the faculty as a professor of natural science. With the assistance of his students, McFadden started the college’s first nursery. McFadden was also on the Cemetery Association serving as its first secretary. He assisted in laying out the grounds, planting trees, and drafting regulations for the Otterbein Cemetery. In 1858, he became the Westerville’s first town clerk.
On October 11, 1861, McFadden enlisted in the 46th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a surgeon. He was at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio until February 1862. The regiment was ordered to Paducah, Kentucky, and then moved on to Shiloh. McFadden worked in the hospital at the Battle of Shiloh. He spent one night attending to the wounded on the “Black Eagle,” a transport ship. Then he boarded the steamship “Memphis” to attend to the wounded. McFadden was distraught by the lack of medical supplies and the sight of wounded men.
McFadden did not sleep for the three days of the battle. The exhausting experience left him weak and unhealthy. He was honorably discharged in the summer of 1862. However, in 1863 McFadden reenlisted. He felt the need for surgeons and medical personnel was desperate. He was assigned to Camp Chase as Post Surgeon. He soon became the Head of the General Hospital. McFadden’s responsibilities soon caught up with him. He had to leave the army once again in the spring of 1864 for health reasons.
McFadden returned to Westerville and began his service to the community and college once again. He was unable to resume his medical practice, but filled his time with many other jobs. He was elected to the Natural Science Chair and resumed teaching classes at Otterbein. He became the first college librarian, the publisher of Otterbein’s magazine, and represented Otterbein in the Association of Ohio Colleges as treasurer. In 1875, the Board of Trustees sent McFadden to Europe to make investigations and purchases of science equipment.
McFadden’s duties and responsibilities began to catch up with him and his health began to deteriorate. In 1882, he called for his son Louis, a chemistry professor, to become his assistant. In the fall of 1883, he could no longer walk. A neighbor’s daughter was hired to take him to and from school. He soon became confined to his bed and died on November 9, 1883. Thomas McFadden was buried in Otterbein Cemetery.
Thomas McFadden’s sons both taught at Otterbein as science professors for a time. His daughter Cora became the Dean of Women for Otterbein. Otterbein College showed appreciation for the contributions of the McFadden family when the McFadden Science Hall was opened in 1920. Thomas McFadden’s sword from the war can be found outside the archives in the library.
Bibliography
Barllett, Willard W. Education for Humanity: The Story of Otterbein College. Westerville, Ohio: Otterbein College, 1934.
"Camp Chase." http://www.members.tripod.com/beag27/chase.html (accessed February 21,2001).
Garst, Henry. Otterbein University 1847-1907. Dayton, Ohio: W.R. Funk, 1907.
Hancock, Harold B. History of Otterbein College 1930-1972. Westerville, Ohio: Otterbein College, 1974.
Hurley, Daniel. Otterbein College Affirming our Past/Shaping our Future. Westerville, Ohio: Otterbein College, 1996.
Knauss, William H. The Story of Camp Chase. Columbus, Ohio: The General's Books, 1906.
McFadden, T. Gilbert. A Pioneer of Otterbein: Biography of Thomas McFadden. Otterbein College Archives.
Stevens, Larry. http://civilwarohio.com (accessed February 5, 2001).