Dr. Charles McLean Morfit was a respected Maryland physician and Confederate naval surgeon whose professional life reflected both dedication to medicine and devotion to service. His career spanned more than five decades, from the tumultuous years of the Civil War through the era of medical progress that shaped modern American practice.
Born on September 26, 1838, in Baltimore, Maryland, Charles was the son of Henry Mason Morfit (1793–1865) and Catherine Campbell Morfit (1801–1893), both buried in Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C. His family's prominence and commitment to education and public service deeply influenced his early years and professional calling.
Morfit graduated from Loyola College of Baltimore in 1859, and two years later, in 1861, earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Maryland Medical School.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Dr. Morfit declined an appointment as Assistant Surgeon in the United States Navy and instead joined the Confederate States Navy. From 1861 to 1862, he served as Acting Surgeon at the New Orleans Naval Station and aboard the C.S.S. Ivey. In 1862, he was stationed at Jackson Station, Mississippi, and later served aboard the C.S.S. Arkansas. That same year, his appointment as Assistant Surgeon was confirmed by the Confederate States Senate, with rank dating from October 2, 1862.
His naval career continued through a succession of posts: aboard the C.S.S. Stono at Charleston, the C.S.S. Raleigh at Wilmington, the C.S.S. Albemarle, and the C.S.S. Chickamauga, as well as duty at the Richmond Naval Station. During the war, Dr. Morfit was captured and held as a prisoner of war at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C., and Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. He was paroled and exchanged on November 21, 1863, and returned to service until the war's end. On May 5, 1865, he was paroled at the U.S. Marshal's Office in Augusta, Georgia.
After the war, Dr. Morfit resumed his medical practice in Baltimore. He became Professor of Practical Medicine at Washington University in Baltimore and an active member of the Baltimore Medical Association. From 1874 to 1920, he maintained a respected practice in Baltimore, serving as a vaccine physician in 1876 and Coroner of the Eastern District of Baltimore in 1880. His long tenure reflected a lifetime commitment to healing and public health in his native city.
On June 20, 1872, Dr. Morfit married Mary Elizabeth Fisk (1850–1912) in Washington, D.C. They had one son, Clarence Mason Morfit (1875–1954), who is buried in Van Liew Cemetery, North Brunswick, New Jersey.
Obituary:
Dr. Charles McLean Morfit, one of Baltimore's long-serving physicians and a veteran of the Confederate Navy, died on February 17, 1925, at his home in Baltimore, at the age of 86 years. His death was attributed to senility. A graduate of the University of Maryland Medical School and former professor at Washington University, Dr. Morfit devoted his life to medical service, both in war and in peace.
He is survived by his son, Clarence Mason Morfit, and was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Fisk Morfit. Funeral services were held in Washington, D.C., and interment took place at Oak Hill Cemetery, where he was laid to rest beside his wife.
His long and honorable career, spanning medicine, education, and public service, stands as a testament to the steadfast character of a generation that endured both the trials of conflict and the transformations of peace.
Born on September 26, 1838, in Baltimore, Maryland, Charles was the son of Henry Mason Morfit (1793–1865) and Catherine Campbell Morfit (1801–1893), both buried in Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C. His family's prominence and commitment to education and public service deeply influenced his early years and professional calling.
Morfit graduated from Loyola College of Baltimore in 1859, and two years later, in 1861, earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Maryland Medical School.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Dr. Morfit declined an appointment as Assistant Surgeon in the United States Navy and instead joined the Confederate States Navy. From 1861 to 1862, he served as Acting Surgeon at the New Orleans Naval Station and aboard the C.S.S. Ivey. In 1862, he was stationed at Jackson Station, Mississippi, and later served aboard the C.S.S. Arkansas. That same year, his appointment as Assistant Surgeon was confirmed by the Confederate States Senate, with rank dating from October 2, 1862.
His naval career continued through a succession of posts: aboard the C.S.S. Stono at Charleston, the C.S.S. Raleigh at Wilmington, the C.S.S. Albemarle, and the C.S.S. Chickamauga, as well as duty at the Richmond Naval Station. During the war, Dr. Morfit was captured and held as a prisoner of war at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C., and Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. He was paroled and exchanged on November 21, 1863, and returned to service until the war's end. On May 5, 1865, he was paroled at the U.S. Marshal's Office in Augusta, Georgia.
After the war, Dr. Morfit resumed his medical practice in Baltimore. He became Professor of Practical Medicine at Washington University in Baltimore and an active member of the Baltimore Medical Association. From 1874 to 1920, he maintained a respected practice in Baltimore, serving as a vaccine physician in 1876 and Coroner of the Eastern District of Baltimore in 1880. His long tenure reflected a lifetime commitment to healing and public health in his native city.
On June 20, 1872, Dr. Morfit married Mary Elizabeth Fisk (1850–1912) in Washington, D.C. They had one son, Clarence Mason Morfit (1875–1954), who is buried in Van Liew Cemetery, North Brunswick, New Jersey.
Obituary:
Dr. Charles McLean Morfit, one of Baltimore's long-serving physicians and a veteran of the Confederate Navy, died on February 17, 1925, at his home in Baltimore, at the age of 86 years. His death was attributed to senility. A graduate of the University of Maryland Medical School and former professor at Washington University, Dr. Morfit devoted his life to medical service, both in war and in peace.
He is survived by his son, Clarence Mason Morfit, and was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Fisk Morfit. Funeral services were held in Washington, D.C., and interment took place at Oak Hill Cemetery, where he was laid to rest beside his wife.
His long and honorable career, spanning medicine, education, and public service, stands as a testament to the steadfast character of a generation that endured both the trials of conflict and the transformations of peace.
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