Birth
Merlin J. Zeh, M. D., was born in the town of Knox, Albany county, August 2, 1867. the son of the late Elias (Elijah)[1] Zeh, a prominent farmer of Knox. His mother was Annie E. Osterhout of the well known pioneer family. (daughter of John Osterhout). His siblings were:[1]
- Margaret Ida Zeh
- Martha Zeh
- Luther Zeh
- Louis Zeh
Education
Dr. Merlin Zeh received his preliminary education at the Knox Academy, after which he taught school for a short time. He next read homeopathy with Dr. Tuck, a successful practitioner of Berne, N. Y. In 1885 he studied pharmacy and eclecticism with Dr. Archie Cullen, late of West Troy, passing the State Board of Pharmacy February, 1887. In 1886 he read medicine under the supervision of Dr. Shiland of West Troy, and the late Dr. John Swinburn of Albany, and entered the Albany Medical College, where he pursued a full course, graduating March 21, 1889.
Occupation
The following month (April, 1899) Merlin Zeh began practice in West Troy, where he is held in high esteem.
Marriage & Children
Merlin J. Zeh married in 1890 Miss Charlotte B. Cullen, a sister of Dr. Archie Cullen. Their children were:
- Arthur P. Zeh
- Florence J. Zeh - Sister Lydia of the Episcopal Order of All Saints,
Death
Dr. Merlin J. Zeh, 92, of 1825 Third Ave., Watervliet, a physician for 70 years, died Saturday September 26, 1959 in Leonard hospital, Troy.
Obituary
Dr. Zeh, Knox Native, Dies In Troy Hospital
Dr. Merlin J. Zeh, 92, of 1825 Third Ave., Watervliet, a physician for 70 years, died Saturday in Leonard hospital, Troy.
Born in Knox, he received his medical degree from Union University, Albany Medical College, in 1889. He was the 305th licensed pharmacist in this state. He became a qualified medical doctor at the age of 21. The medical course was three years then but he qualified in two, because of his pharmacy training and his grades at Albany Medical College.
In 1953, Dr. Zeh was honored by Watervliet residents as one of the oldest practitioners in the United States. He Was a member of the Hudson. River Chapter, RAM, and Evening Star Lodge, F&AM, of Watervliet.
Surviving are a son, Arthur P. Zeh, and one daughter, Sister Lydia of the Episcopal Order of All Saints, who had been caring for her father for some time.
- Altamont Enterprise — October 2, 1959
Additional Media
M. J. ZEH, M. D.
Merlin J. Zeh, M. D., a physician of Watervliet, N. Y., who, though a young man, has become eminently successful in his profession. He was born in the town of Knox, Albany county, August 2, 1867. He is the son of the late Elias Zeh, a prominent farmer of Knox. His mother was Annie E. Osterhout of the well known pioneer family, named elsewhere in this work.
Dr. Zeh received his preliminary education at the Knox Academy, after which he taught school for a short time. He next read homeopathy with Dr. Tuck, a successful practioner of Berne, N. Y. In 1885 he studied pharmacy and eclecticism with Dr. Archie Cullen, late of West Troy, passing the State Board of Pharmacy February, 1887.
In 1886 he read medicine under the supervision of Dr. Shiland of West Troy, and the late Dr. John Swinburn of Albany, and entered the Albany Medical College, where he pursued a full course, graduating March 21, 1889.
The following month he began practice in West Troy, where he is held in high esteem.
In 1890 he married Miss Charlotte B. Cullen, a sister of Dr. Archie Cullen. He has one son, Arthur P., and a daughter, Florence J. Dr. Zeh is a member of the following societies : New York State Medical Association, the Medical Association of Troy and Vicinity, the Rensselaer County Medical Society, the I. O. O. F., the Wyoma Council Royal Arcanum, the Troy Yacht Club, Olympian Senate, Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order, associate member of the Walter A. Jones Post, G. A. R., and is a thirty-second degree Mason. He has held the office of city physician for the past three years.
MARRIED
ZEH—CULLEN — At West Troy, March 26, 1890, at the residence of the bride's mother, No. 1,617 Second avenue, by the Rev. A. M. Prentice, Dr. Merlin J. Zeh and Miss Birdie Cullen, all of West Troy.
- Altamont Enterprise - April 5, 1890
Veteran Watervliet Doctor To Be Honored for Service
Dr. Merlin J. Zeh, who has been answering calls of Watervliet residents 64 years, will respond to a different summons Jan. 26, when townsfolks will honor him at a testimonial dinner in Circle Inn, Latham.
Dr. Zeh, 85, is one of the oldest doctors in the country in length of service.
Still in excellent health he maintains call and office practice. Dr. Zeh has brought generations of several Watervliet families into the world and estimates he has attended the birth of more than 1,000 children.
A native of Knox, Dr. Zeh was graduated from old Knox academy, after which he taught school in that section and Schoharie. He went to Watervliet as a pharmacist, but after a short time turned to medicine. He received. a degree from Union College in 1889 and returned to Watervliet to practice. He was named city health Officer in 1897.
- Altamont Enterprise — January 16, 1953
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