From Historical Rutland: an illustrated history of Rutland, Vermont, from the granting of the charter in 1761 to 1911 by Rev. F. E. Davison, Rutland, Vt.: P.H. Brehmer, 1911, page 36:
Rutland Physicians
The first medical society ever organized in the State held its first meeting at the Munn Hotel, afterwards the Frankin House, in Rutland, in August, 1795, with Dr. Ezekiel Porter as [37] chairman. Dr. John Sargent, of Pawlet, was the first president. The Rutland County Medical and Surgical Society was organized in February, 1877, at Castleton, with Dr. J. D. Hanrahan, of Rutland as the first president.
The first Rutland physician of whom there is authentic record was Dr. Jacob Ruback, born in Prussia between 1740 and 1750. He was a surgeon in the Prussian army. came to this country before the Revolution, for a short period was a surgeon in the British army, aftenvards went to Connecticut, marrried and removed to the New Hampshire Grants. He took part in the Battle of Bennington, came to Ruttland after the defeat of Burgoyne and remained here until 1782, living on the road leading to Clarendon. He died at Grand Isle April, 1809.
Dr. James Porter has left an enviable record for medical practice and surgery. Left an orphan at four years, he lived with his uncle Ezekiel in Rutland until seventeen years of age. After a sea voyage in which he was captured by a French privateer, released by a British vessel and subsequently returned to New York, he came back to Rutland, studied and practiced medicine with his uncle and during the epidemic of 1812-13, stood alone against its ravages in this place. He died in Rutland at seventy-four, after a long life of great usefulness.
Dr. Lorenzo Sheldon was born on a West Rutland farm, May 8, 1801. From 1820 to 1880, when he died at the age of eighty years, he was a conscientious, active and skilIed physician, though from the year 1835, when he entered into partnership with William Barnes in the marble business, he sought relief from the regular practice of his profession.
Other men who have acquired popularity and renown in the healing art. are the Porters, Ezekiel, James B., Cyrus and Hannibal, sons of Dr. James, Jonathan Shaw, James Ross, Joel Green, Horace, a brother, and J. Dunham, a son of Joel Green and Thomas Page. These were among the names conspiccous for the healing art when the country was new and it is enough to say that the medical profession in Rutland has always been conspicuous for ability and character. .