Several of the doctors who in 1881 founded the Omaha Medical College, the predecessor institution to UNMC, were veterans of the Civil War.
Among them was Robert Ramsay Livingston, M.D., who helped organize the OMC and served as the President of the Faculty (dean), as well as lecturer on the principles and practice of surgery.
 |
Robert Ramsay Livingston, M.D. |
In 1859, he came to Plattsmouth in then Nebraska Territory (statehood would not come until 1867) to practice medicine.
In April 1861, he received news of the attack on Fort Sumter and issued a call for volunteers for the union army. He organized an infantry company, which became Company A, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, the first soldiers from Nebraska to serve. Dr. Livingston was promoted to Colonel and served most of the war at this rank.
After the war, Dr. Livingston returned to practice medicine in Plattsmouth and helped organize the Cass County and Nebraska State Medical Societies as well as the OMC.
Dr. Livingston died in 1888 in Plattsmouth after he contracted cholera while on a hygienic inspection of the town.
I really enjoy these historical insights. Too often, we go about our daily lives without a thought as to how our current cities and occupations were shaped by what transpired before our time. Thanks John
Dr. Livingston seems to have shared some of the same physical characteristics as his Father, blue eyes, high forehead and ironically died of the same thing that claimed his Fathers life in 1827.
I've recently discovered that Robert Ramsay Livingston is my 2nd great grandfather. I am really enjoying finding all these histories about him and his era.