The following has been submitted by the Logan County History Center:
By: Mary E. Mortimer
Dr. Charles L. Barrett dedicated fifty years to practicing medicine in Bellefontaine. He was born in Lakeview in 1909 to Dr. Van F. Barrett and Sarah Jacobs Barrett. His father, Van, and uncle, Samuel S. Barrett, grew up in Scioto County and both earned their medical degrees from Western Reserve Medical University in June 1895. After completing their studies, the two brothers established a joint medical practice in Nevada, Ohio. A short time later, Dr. Van Barrett moved to Lakeview, where he served as a physician for sixty years, while Dr. Samuel S. Barrett remained in Nevada, practicing for forty-five years.
Before he began his medical career, Dr. Van Barrett taught school for a period of time. Following his teaching experience, he pursued further education and successfully graduated from Rio Grande College in 1888. Dr. Van F. Barrett was honored in 1951 for his long-standing dedication to the medical profession. He received a sixty-year certificate from the American Medical Association, marking his extensive service. During his career, he estimated that he had delivered over 2,000 babies.
Dr. Van Barrett also made headlines on occasion. In 1925, it was reported he had remodeled and wired his N. Main Street home in Lakeview with electricity. “The light fixtures and interior decorations have made it one of the most modern and prettiest homes on N. Main St.” He also made the news in 1928 when he purchased a new Oakland automobile.
Charles Barrett attended high school in both Lakeview and Bellefontaine. He graduated from Wittenberg University in 1930, then pursued medical studies at Western Reserve University, earning his medical degree in 1933. He later completed advanced training in abdominal and orthopedic surgery.
In June 1930, Dr. Charles Barrett married Evelyn Snapp. Together, they raised four children, two daughters and two sons. Both sons followed in their father’s footsteps and became doctors. Evelyn, in addition to her role as an elementary teacher, also worked as a lab technician. The Barretts were passionate about gardening. In July 1937, they reported that their country home gardens featured 121 different varieties of flowers and approximately 2,000 gladiolus bulbs.
Dr. Barrett had a strong commitment to his community through his active participation in various civic organizations and local groups. He was a dedicated member of the Lutheran Church, the Kiwanis Club, the Elks Lodge, and the Indian Lake Chapter 554 of the Order of Eastern Star.
His involvement in Masonic Lodge affairs was significant; he became a Master Mason in 1940, was knighted into the Bellefontaine Commandery, and achieved the 32nd degree Mason status in 1944. That same year, he joined the Shriners, eventually serving as president of the Logan County Shrine Club and helping to establish the Antioch Funsters. In 1966, he became the first Logan County resident to be elevated to Illustrious Potentate of the Antioch Temple in Dayton.
One of Dr. Barrett’s passions was reading and collecting science fiction. He played a key role in organizing the Mid-Western Science Fiction Association and developed one of the world’s largest science fiction libraries, amassing about 10,000 volumes since he began collecting at age fourteen. In 1952, he hosted a science fiction collectors conference at Russells Point, attracting over one hundred participants.
Besides his medical work, Dr. Barrett was also renowned for his practical jokes. One memorable prank involved persuading friends to arrange old furniture in the backyard of a vacationing family, creating “rooms” and placing an “Apartment for Rent” sign in their front yard.
Sometimes, the joker became the victim, Dr. Barrett and his friend, Dr. Douglas Beach, enjoyed pranking each other. On one occasion, Dr. Beach hid a dead mouse in Dr. Barrett’s new car, leading to a persistent odor that forced Dr. Barrett to return the car to the dealership.
Dr. Barrett was deeply involved in the community as well as his profession, serving as president and secretary of the Logan County Medical Society. His professional memberships included the Ohio State Medical Association, Central Ohio Radiological Society, International Academy of Proctology, American Society of Abdominal Surgeons, and American Fracture Association. In 1984, he received a “Certificate of Distinction” from the Ohio State Medical Association, honoring his dedication to his patients, contributions to public health, and commitment to the principles of medicine for over fifty years. Dr. Charles Barrett passed away in February 1987.
The History Center has Dr. Charles L. Barrett’s X-ray machine and table, and other items from his medical office on exhibit in the Doctor’s Room of the Logan County Museum.
Visit the Logan County History Center to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History. The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.
