From: Taylor, William A. Centennial History of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co, 1909.
George Madison Clouse, M. D.
Dr. George Madison Clouse was born January 4, 1862, near Salem, Meigs county, Ohio. He is the son of
Jesse and Alice Clouse, both of whose families were among the pioneers of this state; the father being of
Holland Dutch descent. The mother, whose maiden name was Rathburn, was a descendant from an old
English family which came to America in colonial days and which had much to do in forming the early
history of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and later shared in the struggle for independence.
Dr. Clouse was a pupil in the public schools in southern Ohio, where he mastered the common branches
of learning, supplementing them later by an academic course at the Atwood Institute. He then joined his
uncle, who was a prominent merchant, being two years in his employ, after which he went to Chicago,
where he was also connected with mercantile interestes for some time. It was not long, however, before
Mr. Clouse began to look toward the practice of medicine for his life work. This was quite natural as his
ancestors for generations back had given to the world many doctors. In 1884 he began preparing for
medical college, studying far into the night after his day's work in the store. It was only after many
obstacles that he finally came to Columbus and entered the Columbus Medical College, from which he
graduated in 1890. At once he began the practice of medicine and surgery in this city, where he has
resided continuously since. His ability in the healing art is indicated by his successful practice and by
the respect with which the medical fraternity regards him. When active at all, he is found among the
leaders in medical enterprise and good citizenship.
Dr. Clouse was one of the founders of the Ohio Medical Univesity of this city and was its first professor
of diseases of children. To this department of the medical science he has given much study and energy,
organizing the state into the "Ohio State Pediatric Society" -- a medical society devoted to the study
of the diseases of children. He was among the first in Ohio to use diphtheria antitoxine, sending to
Germany for it before it was obtainable in this country.
The transportation of the sick in the same rough wagon which hauled criminals to the city prison, as
was formerly the custom in Columbus, was far from being satisfactory. Dr. Clouse agitated through
the city newspapers the need of installing ambulances, and it was not long until the city was equipped
with that service. It was he who in a medical essay made a plea for a public or official fumigator which
is now a permanent adjunct to the board of health. In these and other acts, the public and the
profession are indebted to Dr. Clouse for his labors along the ilne of medical progress and in the effort
to check the ravages of disease.
He is a member in good standing of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society,
the Columbus Academy of Medicine, and the General Practitioners Medical Society, of which he was a
founder and its first president. He is medical examiner of several life insurance companies.
While busily engaged in the duties pertaining to his profession, he has also found time and opportunity
for cooperation with many movements for the general public good. His is firmly opposed to anything like
misrule in public affairs and is a strong advocate for civic virtue and honor, standing at one time as the
candidate of the Good Citizens League for councilman of the fourth ward. He endorses judicious
improvement, believing that Columbus should be second to no city in the nature of its public interests
and advancement.
Dr. Clouse was the originator and first president of the Home Building & Loan Asociation (sic), and
organizer of the East Side Board of Trade. His labors have been tangible factors in the upbuilding and
growth of the east side, which was only sparsely settled when he became a resident of that part of the
city twenty-five years ago. He has seen his section become a populous and desirable residence district
and has watched and aided the development of Mt. Vernon avenue from a mud road and one-horse street
car line to one of the best business centers east of High street.
In 1882 he was married to Miss Alice Atkinson, the daughter of Squire W. R. Atkinson, a well known
pioneer of Gallia county, Ohio, of Scotch and English descent. To this union were born a son, Kenneth A.,
now a medical student and a graduate of the Ohio State University; and a daughter, Georgia, a student
of East high school.
In his Masonic relations, Dr. Clouse is a member of Magnolia, Knights Templar, Scottish Rite, thirty-
second degree and the Shrine. Progress and patriotism may well be termed the keynote of his character,
for these qualifications have been manifested by him throughout his walks of life.