Milton J. Bliem Biography

The profession of medicine affords to the student of that science a never ending source of investigation and experiment. New remedies are constantly being discovered, steady progress is being made in surgery, and new diseases are presenting themselves under varying forms of civilization. This most important science bearing upon our happiness, comfort and welfare, is making great strides toward a comprehensive grasp of the whole subject of man, in relation to health and disease—the prevention and the cure of ills that flesh is heir to. In the noble army of workers in this great field the name of Dr. Milton J. Bliem takes a prominent place, and although young in years, he has already won an enviable reputation, being now one of the leading physicians of San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Bliem was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1860, and was the only surviving son born to Rev. J. C. and Selinda C. (Swartz) Bliem, both of whom are natives of that State and of German origin. The father inherited a taste for farming, his ancestors in the main being engaged in that peaceful pursuit, but during the war he was Collector of Internal Revenue, and in 1864, became a minister of the Evangelical Association. Since that time he has been actively and constantly at work in church matters. He and wife are still living and reside on the old home place. Dr. Milton J. Bliem is the eighth generation of the Bliem family in America, his ancestors coming from Germany and settling in eastern Pennsylvania in the year 1735. He was educated at
Lafayette College, Easton, Penn., graduating in 1882, as one of the seven honor men of his class. He also won three prizes for proficiency in various branches, and left that institution hearing with him the respect and esteem of his preceptors and fellow students. From there he went to Chicago and began the study of medicine at the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, where he graduated in 1884, at the head of his class. He at once secured, by competitive examination, an appointment as Resident Surgeon in Cook County Hospital, that city, and held that position for eighteen months, after which he began practicing in that city. Later he was appointed to the Chair of Pathology in his alma mater, and soon after to the Chair of Physiology. He also served as surgeon for the County Hospital, and was building up a large practice and quite an enviable reputation when, on account of failing health of his wife, he came to San Antonio in 1889. Here he soon entered on a large practice, which has since been constantly increasing, and the best effort of his skill is being employed in alleviating the distress of humanity. In the year 1885 ho was married to Miss Emma Louise Yost, a daughter of Rev. Win Yost, of Cleveland. Ohio, but of an old Pennsylvania family. Two children have been born to this union: Marion Louise and Howard Milton. This family holds membership in the Madison Square Presbyterian Church in which the doctor is an active worker, an elder, and a member of the board of trustees. He is Treasurer of the Y. M. C. A., has been President,
and has also been President of the State Association. Aside from this he is President of the Society of Christian Endeavor, one of the charter members of the San Antonio Scientific Society, and a member of the Illinois and Texas State Homeopathic Medical Association, of which he is President, and the American Institute of Homeopathy. He often contributes to the medical literature of his school, and, although he has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce, he is mainly active in the medical and religious lines of work.