Cohen, Philip Melvin

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COHEN, PHILIP MELVIN

COHEN, PHILIP MELVIN (1808–1879), pharmacist and civic leader in Charleston, South Carolina. Cohen, born in Charleston, was the son of Philip Cohen, lieutenant in the War of 1812. During the Second Seminole War Cohen served as surgeon to a detachment of troops in Charleston Harbor (1836). In 1838 he became city apothecary. He was a member of the city board of health (1843–49), and its chairman (1850–54). Cohen was a director of the Bank of the State of South Carolina (1849–55). He was one of the citizens who served as honorary guard at the funeral of John C. Calhoun in 1850.

bibliography:

A. Elzas, Jews of South Carolina (1905), 189.

[Thomas J. Tobias]