Jarvis, D. C.

DeForest Clinton Jarvis was born on March 15, 1881, in Plattsburgh, New York. Although born out of state, he claimed to be a fifth generation Vermonter through his mother, Abbie Gena Vincent. After receiving his M.D. from the University of Vermont Medical College in 1904, he specialized in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) in his Barre, Vermont practice. In 1908, he married Pearl Maeferd Macomber, born in Iowa but with Vermont roots. Their only child, Sylvia Abbie Jarvis, was born on June 29, 1914. An interest in folk medicine and health led Dr. Jarvis to author two books on the subject, which won him both national acclaim and the scorn of his medical colleagues. Jarvis was best known for his belief in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, honey and water as an effective tonic to maintain health and fight disease.

Dr. Jarvis enjoyed playing the cello. His love of music prompted him to establish the Barre (Vermont) Junior Symphony Orchestra, which he directed for 22 years, from the 1930s to the 1950s. It is said that his dedication prompted him to buy instruments for children who had none. He also taught the youngsters how to play them. The youth orchestra performed ambitious bi-weekly Sunday music hours at Barre's Municipal Auditorium, often with guest soloists. Many members eventually went on to have careers in music. The letters illustrate the close ties between orchestra members and their devoted director. By the time he died in Barre on August 18, 1966, at the age of 85, the energetic Dr. Jarvis was a much-loved and respected figure in the Barre community, esteemed for his valuable contributions to its citizens.

Iside Brusetti, born in Barre on July 31, 1914, was the recipient of the newsletters in the collection and a classmate of Dr. Jarvis' daughter, Sylvia (Spaulding High School, Class of 1932). She was a member of the Barre Junior Symphony Orchestra.

DeForest Clinton Jarvis was born on March 15, 1881, in Plattsburgh, New York. Although born out of state, he claimed to be a fifth generation Vermonter through his mother, Abbie Gena Vincent. After receiving his M.D. from the University of Vermont Medical College in 1904, he specialized in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) in his Barre, Vermont practice. In 1908, he married Pearl Maeferd Macomber, born in Iowa but with Vermont roots. Their only child, Sylvia Abbie Jarvis, was born around 1914 in Barre. In his practice, Dr. Jarvis treated a rural population, many of whom relied on folk remedies. Jarvis set about learning these remedies and evaluating them. Once convinced of their effectiveness, he shared information about them with his medical colleagues through newsletters. In 1958, Holt and Company published Jarvis' book, Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor's Guide to Good Health, with a 1960 sequel on folk remedies and arthritis. Millions of copies were sold nationwide. Jarvis was known best for his belief in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, honey and water as an effective tonic to maintain health and fight disease. The medical community was not cordial to his views and often refuted them in publication. Despite the fame resulting from book sales, Jarvis continued serving his medical patients in Barre and promoted his remedies whenever possible. By the time he died in Barre on August 18, 1966, at the age of 85, Dr. Jarvis was a well-known, respected and beloved figure in the Barre community.

The letters in this collection were sent to Fred Healy. Healy was superintendent and consultant for Jones Brothers Granite Company in Barre, Vermont. He was a crusader for dust control in the granite industry. Dr. Jarvis is credited with being one of the first to recognize the threat of granite dust to workers' health and wrote articles about the health dangers. He was made an honorary member of the Granite Cutters' International Association for this work. Perhaps this common interest brought the two together. Healy's son states that his father and Dr. Jarvis would get together and have long talks, presumably followed up by Jarvis' letters on folk remedies and health.