Dr. Freeman Dwight Case is the only town doctor we can prove was actually in town at the time of the disaster. He lived at 95 Center St. in Ashtabula. When he heard the fire bell ring he left for the Protection Company Fire House, which was not far from his home. He watched the men hooked up the fire steamer Neptune and leave for the fire. He followed in the blizzard conditions and made his way to the Bridge abutment and was able to look over the side at the wreckage and raging fire. According to the story, he left from there and walked to the Ashtabula passenger depot to treat some of the wounded. From there he made his way to a number of hotels and eventually ended up at the home of Henry Apthorp, were he would treat his last patient at 5:30 AM. Physically exhausted the young 30 year old physician returned home for a short nap and then resumed his duties the next day with other surgeons, which had arrived on the relief train from Union Depot in Cleveland, Ohio.
Dr. Freeman Dwight Case was born Dec. 16th, 1846. His parents were Hiram Newton Case and Mary Amidon. He married Annette J. Barnard on Nov. 18, 1868 and had two children Clarence Everett Case 1870-1958 and Mary B. Case 1875 - _____. He died at the young age of 58 on Feb. 7, 1905 in Ashtabula, Ohio from blood poisoning from an injury he received when he slipped on the icy steps in front of his home and fell into the street.
Dr. Case attend Oberlin College where he completed his literary studies and then attended Western Reserve Medical college in Cleveland, graduating in the spring of 1870.
Dr. Case was also a very respected member of the community and served on the Ashtabula City Council for several years. During his service with this body, he helped oversee the modernization of the city water works, saw the first street cars in Ashtabula put in service and saw a new city all built.
Here is his photo:
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