Dr. Cohen was the Glover family doctor back in the 1930's and 40's. In fact, it was he who delivered me, my "little brother: Donny, and maybe my older brothers. In those days, I assume due to our lack of finances, I was born in the second floor of our 119 Hartley Avenue home. We didn't have money for the hospital. My Aunt Ethel served as Mom Glover's midwife. I later learned that there were many depression children born in their family home. Doctor Cohen was among the last of the family doctors who made house calls. It was he who doctored my older brothers and sisters during the Scarlet Fever epidemic back in the 1930's. His two daughters, Eleanor and Barbara were straight A students all through their Kuser Grammar School and Hamilton High years. They were modest, soft-spoken, delightfully charming girls.
Speaking of being born at home in Mom's bedroom, It was also the custom at the time to use the home as a viewing for a family member who passed away. I can still see the casket sitting against the wall in the dining room. Only the older visitors among us will recall those years of destitution.
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Ralph Lucarella said... - HI TOM...YOU NEEDN'T BE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING BORN AT HOME. IN THE EARLY DAYS, ESPECIALLY IN CHAMBERSBURG, MOST BABIES WERE BORN AND DELIVERED BY MID-WIVES. MY BROTHER "CHUCK" WAS THE ONLY ONE BORN IN A HOSPITAL IN OUR FAMILY. MAYBE THAT'S WHY HE TURNED OUT TO BE A DOCTOR HIMSELF. ALSO, WHEN MY DAD PASSED AWAY, WE HAD THE FUNERAL AT HOME. I RECALL THE PROBLEM WE HAD IN GETTING THE CASKET OUT THE DOOR. THOSE THINGS WERE AMONG THE HARDSHIPS WE ALL ENDURED IN DAYS GONE BY. REGARDS.
