Dr. Ralph Hills
No physician of the county, or of Delaware, was ever more highly respected for his high qualifications as a scholar, citizen and physician than Dr. Ralph Hills. His looks, demeanor, education, and his remarkable ways commanded respect and attention. This son of Dr. James H. Hills had every known advantage, and improved them to the limit of his ability. When the elder physician came to Delaware from the Darby Plains, after leaving Worthington, this son was a youth of twelve years. At the age of seventeen he began the study of medicine with his father, as well as pursuing his studies in the day schools. He continued reading and preparing for his future professional life under the guidance of his father until the latter's death ; when he was given a license to practice. The father's business came to him at once. He related how he rode over the first bridge in the county, which spanned Mum Creek on the road to Sunbury from Delaware. Dr. Hills was a great student of the nervous system, and mental diseases. After having been in the general practice a few years, his illustrious uncle, Dr. Eli Todd, who was in charge of the Hospital for the Insane at Hartford, Connecticut, sent for the nephew to take the place of first assistant on the staff. Here he remained for several years, drinking from the well of knowledge he was interested in. The instruction and knowledge gained here proved of the greatest benefit to him in after life. He returned to Delaware, and uninterruptedly followed the general practice for twenty years. In 1830 the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him for meritorious service. He became known throughout the county and central part of the State. He had a wonderful and exact knowledge of botany and chemistry, as well as of astronomy. From 1836 to 1838 he was called to lecture in Russell's Great Planetarium. This gave him prestige both at home and abroad. These side issues never detracted from his interests in his studies in medicine, in which all gave him credit for being an able thinker and a profound student. His ability was never questioned except by the mediocre. He was an able and clear writer on all subjects coming under the influence of his remarkable brain. Mis executive and financial ability were recognized by the county, church and State authorities. It was in his home that the idea originated which finally developed the Ohio Wesleyan Female College. The facts concerning the origination and final development of this idea will be found in another part of this history. In 1854 Dr. Hills established and edited the medical journal known as the "Counsellor." This was the first medical journal published in the West, and was a weekly edition. After two years of practice and editorial life, he was called to take charge of the Ohio Central Lunatic Asylum at Columbus. Ohio—the largest one in the country. He remained at the head of this institution for eight years, bringing it to a high state of usefulness and scientific attainment. His originality in treatment of the insane gave him a reputation far beyond his native county and State. He became national and international in fame. He visited Europe to study during the war, and again in 1872 for pleasure. He was called in the latter part of the sixties to plan and superintend the erection of the largest asylum in the United States, at Weston, West Virginia. After completing his labors there he returned to Delaware to rest. Did he rest? No, this great, brainy man could not be idle. He was called to the superintendency of the Girls' Industrial Home—a State institution. Here he again established many timely changes and reformations, bringing the home up to the idea it was intended to be by the law of such institutions. He died in 1879 at the age of sixty-eight, while engaged at his work. The monument of honest ability and high attainment crowns his life. Never was a word of suspicion breathed against any of his administrations of the places he was called upon to fill. He died a Christian. He died as he lived, known of all men for his noble, honest and well-spent useful life.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908