Clinton County IN Archives History - Books .....The Medical Profession 1886
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Book Title: History Of Clinton County

CHAPTER XII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

THE PIONEER PHYSICIAN AND HIS LOT.—FIRST PHYSICIANS OF FRANKFORT.—PRESENT
PRACTITIONERS.—FIRST AND PRESENT PRACTITIONERS OF OTHER PLACES IN THE
COUNTY.—CLINTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.—BIOGRAPHICAL MENTION.

    The life of a medical practitioner in a newly settled country is generally
one of toil and hardship. Compensation is usually meager, and however extensive
may be the physician's practice, much of it must be rendered gratuitously on
account of the poverty of his patients. A strong constitution and abundant
patience is requisite to success; and success frequently means on the part of
the physician the consciousness that he has performed his duty well. Many of the
early settlers would not trust entirely to their home physicians, and in
critical cases frequently sent to the older settlements east and south for a
doctor. But as the county grew in population, the number of physicians
increased, and in a few years all the settlers had reliable medical advisers
within a short distance from their homes.

    Fever and ague was the chief complaint, and by far the most frequent among
the early settlers. It was especially prevalent in the low lands along the
rivers. Aside from this ailment, from which few pioneer settlements in the West
were ever entirely free, there was little sickness. The early settlers were
generally men and women of strong constitutions and robust health. They never
called a doctor unless their symptoms were alarming, but instead relied upon the
efficacy of herb teas and other simple remedies. Had it not been for fever and
ague, doctors would have had but little to do. That disease disappeared as the
country improved, and now few parts of the country can boast of a healthier
population than Clinton County. No great epidemics have ever visited the people.
There is nothing in the condition of air or climate to cause disease; besides,
the present generation, having its parentage among the sturdy pioneers of
Eastern stock, is free from inherited taints, and blessed with good habits and
vigorons health.

    The physicians of Clinton County have generally been men of more than
average ability in their profession. Not a few have been men of culture and
extensive scholarship. The present practitioners are almost without exception
reckoned among the most honorable citizens, and in their professional character
are possessed of judgment, faithfulness, knowledge and skill, such as entitle
them to rank among the most useful members of society.

EARLY PHYSICIANS OF FRANKFORT.

    Isaac T. Wilds, originally from Ohio, was the pioneer physician of the
county. He located at Jefferson in 1828, and in 1830, as soon as the county seat
was laid out, he came to Frankfort. Here he followed his profession for a third
of a century. He then removed to Kirklin, where he practiced twenty years more,
dying in 1883.

    Dr. Linsey came to Frankfort in 1830 and died in 1832.

    David Parry, from Rockbridge County, Virginia, came in 1832 to Frankfort,
where he died in 1834.

    W. V. Snyder, a Virginian, came to Frankfort in 1832, resided and practiced
here twelve years, and died a few years ago at Rensselaer, Indiana.

    J. H. Elliott, a young physician from Hamilton, Ohio, resided in Frankfort
in 1835 and '6, afterward at Delphi, and in 1836 was appointed to a position in
the land office at Winamac, Indiana. He died at Fairfield, Indiana, some years ago.

    Irvin B. Maxwell came about the same time as Elliott, but from Bedford,
Indiana. He resided here till his death, February 15, 1883, aged seventy-eight
years. During his latter years he was retired from active life, but he practiced
continuously longer than any other resident physician of Frankfort. He was
learned and intelligent John F. Stoll was a partner of Dr. Maxwell for about two
years, in the " thirties."

    W. B. Dunn came here in 1840 from Lafayette, and retired from practice in
1885, though still a resident.

    Martin Gentry first located at Jefferson, and came to Frankfort in 1835 or
'6, remaining here till his death, just before the war.

    Z. B. Gentry, his brother, was his partner for some years. He came here
about 1840, and practiced until his death in 1880, aged sixty-one years.

    Samuel Douglas was born in Ohio, in 1826, moved to Frankfort in 1841, and
has practiced medicine erer since. He is a younger brother of Jackson Donglas,
and has resided in Clinton County continuously until the present time, except
from 1850 to 1855.

    The members of the profession practicing in Frankfort in 1886 are: J. M. C.
Adams, A. H. Coble, M. S. Canfield, D. E. Cripe, Oliver Gard, John Loftin, James
S. McMurray, R. F. Palmer, William Strange, J. V. Wise, James M. Gentry, S. B.
Sims and N. C. Davis.

PHYSICIANS OUTSIDE OF FRANKFORT.

    Dr. John McMahan settled in Jefferson in 1831, returning to Ohio two or
three years later. Several of the Frankfort physicians mentioned above first
practiced at Jefferson. Drs. Hill and McNntt were later practitioners.

    At Colfax the eldest member of the profession is John M. Clark, who is now
retired. Others of the past are J. R. Hawk, J. R. Thornberry and J. S. Claypool.
Joseph Parker, H. J. Coon, J. E. Milburn and son, Leander Ewing and H. W. Yale
are now resident doctors.

    M. Z. Saylor was the first healer at Kirklin. He came in 1837, and five or
six years later removed to the northern part of the State. C. S. Perkins came in
1842 and remained a number of years. He removed to Lebanon, and afterward served
in the army. T. B. Cox studied with Perkins and was then in partnership with him
for a short time. Dr. Cox did well financially, went West, returned, and is now
a wealthy citizen of Frankfort Henry T. Cotton was here some four years during
the "fifties," and removed to Zionsville. J. M. C. Adams and C. H. Smith studied
medicine with Cotton and afterward with Cox, and practiced at Kirklin five or
six years. Adams went to Frankfort and is now a partner of Cox. Smith went to
Lebanon. Isaac T. Wilds, the pioneer physician of the county, practiced at
Kirklin for twenty years preceding his death, in 1883. E. R. Stowers, who was
reared in this neighborhood, practiced medicine about twelve years and died in
1876. E. W. Bogan has been here for the past eighteen years. W. D. Fall has been
here an equal number of years. W. A. T. Holmes has been at Kirklin for about ten
years; E. E. Schwin win for eight years, and Charles H. Lovell for three years.

    James Wilson was the first physician at Rossville. Alexander Wilson and S.
B. Fisher came later. The present practitioners are S. B. Fisher, J. J. Fisher,
W. P. Youkey, J. E. Shaw and A. J. Saylor.

    Wyatt A. Gentry was the first at Forest Village. He is now retired. L. M.
Martin and W. H. Hornnaday are in active practice.

    Wilson P. Cooper and W. G. Smith are the physicians of Scircleville. A. J.
Chittick is at Hillisbnrgh. Dr. Barnes was the first physician at Michigantown;
the present doctors are Valentine Bowers, I. W. Douglas and J. M. Abston. Dr.
Clark is at Boyleston. M. L. Martin and Oliver Gard were formerly located at
Middle Fork, of which place O. A. J. Morrison is the present physician. Dr. Ross
attends the sick at Geetingsville. Drs. Koons, Yundt and S. S. Earhart are
residents of Mulberry. Drs. McCarty and Seawright live at Moran. At Pickard's
Mills Drs. Williams, W. A. T. Holmes and W. G. Smith were former physicians.
Drs. T. F. Holmes, Dallas Holmes and William Cooper are now in practice. At
Sedalia, Dr. Keeny was the first, and J. M. Sigler the present physician.

CLINTON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

    This organization, a re-organized branch of the State Medical Society, was
formed Jane 10, 1879, at the City Hall, in Frankfort, the following physicians
uniting in the movement: W. P. Dnnn, J. M. C. Adams, J. M. Gentry, R. F. Palmer,
J. S. McMurray, R. R. Town, G. W. Brown and T. B. Cox, of Frankfort; J. A.
Barnes, of Michigantown; Oliver Gard, Valentine Bowers and O. A. J. Morrison, of
Middle Fork; M. D. Cook, of Hillisbnrgh; Eran E. Schwin, E. W. Bogan and W. D.
Fall, of Kirklin; J. M. Myers and W. S. Chenoweth, of Boyleston; C. L. Thomas,
of Moran, and W. P. Youkey, of Hamilton.

    Officers were chosen as follows: President, T. B. Cox; Vice-President, J. A.
Barnes; Secretary, R. R. Town; Treasurer, J. S. McMurray; Censors, J. M. C.
Adams, Valentine Bowers and J. Parker.

    A constitution was adopted, containing these provisions, besides other
customary ones:

    "The name and title of this society shall be 'The Clinton County Medical
Society,' and it shall be auxiliary to the Indiana State Medical Society.

    "The objects of this society shall be to cultivate a fraternal feeling for
the advancement of medical knowledge, and the protection of the interests of its
members.

    "Any regular physician who is a reputable practitioner, or any graduate of
any regular medical school who sustains a good character, may, upon signing the
constitution and paying $5 into the treasury of the society, by a majority vote
of the members present at any regular meeting, become a member of this society.

     "This society adopts for the government of its members the Code of Ethics
of the American Medical Association.

    "The regular meetings of this society shall be quarterly, on the first
Monday of May, August, November and February.

    "It shall be the duty of the censors to investigate the, professional and
moral character of each applicant for membership, and report whether such
applicant is eligible to membership; also, to arrange and present an 'agendum'
to the society at each meeting for the succeeding year."

    At the quarterly meetings, besides routine business, the society listens to
discussions and reading of special papers, keeping alive a spirit of
investigation and research.

    At the August meeting, 1879, the death was announced of R. R. Town, the
secretary of the society. Drs. Strange, of Michigantown, and Smith, of
Scircleville, were admitted to membership.

    J. H. Holmes, of Manson, was admitted at the session of November, 1879. Dr.
Gard read a paper on Diphtheria, and Dr. McMurray one on Dysentery, both being
followed by discussions.

    At the February meeting, 1880, it was announced that Dr. Chenoweth had
removed from the county. The papers read were by Dr. Fall, on Puerperal Fever,
and by Dr. Thomas, on Typho-Malarial Fever.

    At the May meeting, 1880, Dr. Schwin read a paper on Scarlatina. Drs. Cox,
McMurray, Bogan and Thomas were chosen delegates to the approaching State
Convention, and these officers were elected for the society: President, J. A.
Barnes; Vice-President, Dr. Strange; Treasurer, T. B. Cox; Secretary, J. S.
McMurray; Censors, Drs. Gard, Adams and Bogan.

    At the meeting of August, 1880, Dr. Cooper, of Scircleville, was elected to
membership.

    At the November meeting. 1880, Dr. Morrison, of Middle Fork, read a paper on
Typhoid Fever, and Dr. Adams presented a paper on Puerperal Convulsions.

    Dr. Strange read a paper on Scarlet Fever, at the February meeting, 1881.
For the annual State Convention, Drs. Brown, Gard and Cooper were chosen
delegates, and for the meeting of the American Medical Society, Drs. Cox and
McMurray were chosen delegates.

    Dr. Gard read a paper on Rheumatism, and Dr. Cox one on Pneumonitis, at the
May meeting, 1881. The following officers were chosen for the ensuing year:
President, T. B. Cox; Vice-President, O. Gard; Treasurer, J. M. C. Adams;
Secretary, J. S. McMurray; Censors, Strange, Cooper and Brown.

    Dr. Cox read a paper on Intestinal Invagination, at the August meeting,
following.

    No meeting was held in November. At the February meeting, 1882, Dr. Smith
read a paper on Croup, and Dr. McMurray one on Regular Physicians and Practices.
Dr. Cox was elected a delegate to the American Medical Association's meeting, at
St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Alexander Wilson, of Rossville, and Dr. Coons, of
Colfax, were elected to membership.

    At the May meeting, 1882, Dr. Holmes presented a paper on Uterine
Displacements, and Dr. Chase one on the subject of Tubercular Cerebral
Meningitis, and the following officers were chosen: President, Dr. Adams;
Vice-President, Dr. Bogan; Secretary, Dr. McMurray; Treasurer, Dr. Gentry;
Censors, Drs. Brown, Cox and Chase.

    The programme for the August meeting, following, embraced essays on
Locomotive Ataxia, by Dr. McMurray, and Variola, by Dr. Gard.

    Drs. Fall, Schwin and McMurray were elected delegates to the State Medical
Society, in 1883, and Drs. Cox and McMurray to the American Medical Association.

    Drs. Trobaugh and Chittick were elected to membership at the May meeting,
1883. Dr. Morrison read a paper on New Remedies. For the ensuing year the
officers chosen were: President; Dr. McMurray; Vice-President, Dr. Bogan;
Secretary, Dr. Gard; Treasurer, Dr. Gentry; Censors, Drs. Fall, Adams and Brown.

    In August, 1883, Drs. Coble and Campbell were received as members. Dr.
Chittick read a paper on Cholera Infantum, and Dr. McMurray reported an
interesting special case.

    Dr. Joseph Parker and W. M. Myers, of Colfax and Kirklin, respectively, were
made members of the society, in November, 1883,	and papers were read by Dr.
Strange, on Erysipelas, and Dr. Parker, on Sponge Grafting.

    At the February meeting, 1884, Dr. Adams furnished a paper on Gerebro Spinal
Meningitis, Dr. Holmes one on Diphtheria, and Dr. Gard one on Fractures. Drs.
Cox and McMurray were elected delegates to the American Medical Society, and
Drs. Parker, Holmes and Gard to the State Medical Society.

    At the May meeting, following, Dr. Brown read a paper on Typhoid Fever. G.
W. Brown was chosen President; W. D. Fall, Vice-President; Oliver Gard,
Secretary; Treasurer, J. M. 0. Adams; Censors, Drs. Cox, Strange and Parker.

    At the August meeting, Dr. Coble offered a paper on Neuralgia, and Dr. Cox a
special one on Obstetrics.

    In May, 1885, W. P. Yoakey and A. J. Chittick became members. Charles
Chittick, J. S. McMurray, S. O. Knapp and O. Gard were named as delegates to the
next meeting of the State Medical Society, and these officers were chosen for
the county society for the year ensuing: President, O. Gard; Vice-President, W.
T. Coon; Secretary, J. S. McMurray; Treasurer, J. M. 0. Adams; Censors, Drs.
Knapp, Charles Chittick and Brown. President Brown read an essay, entitled "Does
It Pay?"

    No papers were read at the August meeting, but the time of the society was
well spent in informal discussion of a variety of subjects. The same was the
case at the February meeting, 1886.

    In May, 1886, Dr. Chittick, of Burlington, presented a paper which was read
and discussed with interest, and several topics were informally brought up.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

    JOHN M. CLARK, M. D., a retired physician and surgeon, living at Colfax,
Indiana, has been a resident of Clinton County since October, 1836, when he
settled on a tract of land in Perry Township, where in 1835 and 1836 he entered
600 acres of land, a part of which is now the site of Colfax. He lived on this
land four years and then went to Jefferson, where he lived, engaged in the
practice of his profession, until 1873, when he returned to Colfax, where he has
since made his home, building his residence that summer. Dr. Clark is a native
of South Coventry, Connecticut, born January 7, 1809, a son of Milton and Anna
C. (Dimmock) Clark, natives also of South Coventry, his father born June 23,
1780, and his mother August 18,1787. His mother died December 28, 1849, and his
father June 29, 1853, on the same farm where they commenced housekeeping. His
paternal grandparents, John and Maria (Hammond) Clark, were natives of
Connecticut, and made their native State their abiding place while life lasted,
dying on the farm where they commenced their married life. The grandfather was a
soldier in the war of the Revolution. His maternal grandparents were natives of
Massachusetts, their ancestors coming to America in an early day. When our
subject was sixteen years of age he went to Wilmington, Delaware, where he
attended a boarding school about two years, aod then went to Frederick County,
Virginia, and taught a private school two years. In 1829 he returned to
Connecticut and began the study of medicine with an uncle, Dr. Dimmock, but
after studying two years gave it np and for three or four years was engaged in
business. He then again took np the study of medicine under Dr. Wm. White, and
finally graduated from the Indiana College of Medicine, after he had practiced
ten years in Jefferson. He continued his practice over thirty years and became
well and favorably known in the connty. Upon leaving Jefferson he retired from
practice and thus his entire professional life was spent there. Dr. Clark was
married January 22, 1833, to Sarah Vance Gilkeson, who was born in Frederick
County, Virginia, July 17, 1815, a daughter of John and Lucy (Davis) Gilkeson.
To them were born ten children—Lucy A., born June 19, 1834, is the widow of John
R. Hubbard; John G., born February 21, 1836; an infant that died unnamed; James
C, born September 17, 1840; Julia M., born February 13,1843, died May 26,1865;
Eliza M., born April 27, 1845, is the wife of David Allen; Sarah E., born
November 18, 1847, died November 25, 1864; Robert A., born July 16, 1850; Emma
D., born August 18, 1852, is the wife of S. O. Bayless; William D., born August
21, 1854. Mrs. Clark died May 24, 1882. Dr. Clark is in politics a Republican.
He has been a member of the Presbyterian church since a young man.

    ALBERT H. COBLE, M. D., physician and druggist at Frankfort, was born at
Delphi, Carroll County, Indiana, May 4, 1855. He is the youngest of five sons of
Valentine and Elizabeth (Sandham) Coble. His father was a native of North
Carolina and was of German lineage. His mother was born in England. They settled
in Carroll County in 1846. Dr. Coble was brought up on a farm in the place of
his birth and obtained a fair elementary education in the common schools, which
he added to and supplemented by attendance at an academy.

    He commenced reading medicine in 1877 and prosecuted his studies in that
direction under the preceptorship of W. N. Gates, M. D., at Frankfort. He
remained under his instructions two years, after which he attended a course of
lectures at Rush College at Chicago. He was graduated from that institution
February 22, 1882. After obtaining the credentials of a doctor of medicine, he
opened his office at Frankfort and began his practice. In May, 1886, he engaged
in the drug business in connection with the duties of his profession.

    Dr. Coble is a Republican. In the spring of 1886 he was elected treasurer of
Frankfort (current year). He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and
belongs to Dakota Tribe, No. 42, I. O. R. M. at Frankfort.

    His marriage took place August 10,1881, when Miss Emily J. Barnett became
his wife. She is the daughter of Thomas W. and Mary (Troutman) Barnett, and was
a resident of Kewanna, Fulton County, Indiana. A son has been born of her
marriage with Dr. Coble whose name is Paul. She is a member of the Christian
church.

    WILLIAM E. COOPER, M. D., was born in Clinton County, Indiana, in Sugar
Creek Township, October 17, 1853, a son of John and Jane (King) Cooper. He was
reared and received his education in his native township and subsequently
attended the normal school at Valparaiso a year. When seventeen years of age he
began teaching school, and taught winters from that time until twenty-five years
of age, assisting his father on the farm during the summer. In the meantime he
began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. J. J. Baker, and then
attended the Physio-Medical College, at Indianapolis, two years, graduating in
the spring of 1880. He located at Pickard's Mills and has built up a good
practice, having won the confidence and esteem of his patrons. Dr. Cooper was
married September 26, 1875, to Miss Anna B. Melson, daughter of Benjamin A. and
Mary Melson, and a native of Indiana, born March 27,1856. Her father is a
clergyman in the Baptist church and is now living in Tipton County. Her mother
died in 1877. Dr. and Mrs. Cooper have had one child—Lizzie, born January 24,
1886, and died June 12, 1886. In politics the Doctor is a Republican. He and his
wife are members of the Baptist church.

    WILSON T. COOPER, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Johnson Township,
is a native of Indiana, born in Rush County, April 20, 1844, a son of Stanley
and Lucinda (Ward) Cooper, who were among the pioneers of Rush County. The
father was a physician, but devoted part of his time to farming in connection
with his professional duties. He was senator from Bush County for four years.
His death occurred September 16, 1883, his wife having died February 13, 1875.
Our subject was reared on a farm and received his early education in the common
schools. He remained with his parents till 1863 when he enlisted December 5 in
Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-third Indiana Infantry, and with his regiment
went to the front, joining Sherman's army, and being with him on the famous
Atlanta campaign. He participated in the battles of Buzzard's Boost, Tunnel
Hill, Kenesaw Mountain and Nashville, after which he went with his regiment to
North Carolina, where their last battle was fought at Kingston. He was mustered
out at Lexington, North Carolina, in August, 1865. After returning from the war
he read medicine with his brother, W. B. Cooper, for three years, during which
time he supported himself by teaching school. He attended lectures at the
College of Physicians and Surgeons at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from that
institution in 1871, since which he has practiced his profession in and about
Scircleville with a remarkable degree of success. The Doctor was married
November 30,1876, to Miss Alice Guffin, a daughter of Andrew and Clara (Brooks)
Guffin, of Rush County, Indiana. Six children have been born to this union, of
whom the eldest, James C., is deceased. Those living are—Pearl, Lucy, Stanley,
Calvin and Andrew. In politics Dr. Cooper is a Republican, and was nominated by
his party for the office of county auditor, June 19, 1886.

    DANIEL EDWARD CRIPE, M. D., who established his business as a medical
practitioner at Frankfort in May, 1875, was born near Burlington, Howard County,
Indiana, May 5,1850. His parents, Isaac and Sarah (Daniels) Cripe, were both
natives of the State of Ohio, and the former was of Irish origin. The mother was
a descendant of German ancestors. They removed to Indiana when their son was
nine years old, locating at Pyrmont, Carroll County, where he received the chief
portion of his early education. He formed a determination while still a lad to
fit himself for the profession to which he has devoted his life, and at fourteen
years of age became a student of medicine under Drs. Crider & Hall, at Pyrmont.
He opened an office in his own behalf in that place in 1873 and afterward took
the benefit of a course of lectures at the Eclectic College of Ohio at
Cincinnati, under the celebrated Dr. Scudder. At the date already named he came
to Clinton County, locating at Lexington. In 1883 he removed to Frankfort He is
a Democrat in his views on popular political issues.

    Dr. Gripe was married at Battle Ground, Tippecanoe County, April 7, 1872, to
Miss Sadie £. Mitchell, daughter of Joseph and Melinda Mitchell of the place
named. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to Lodge No.
550, at Hillisburg, in which he has passed all the chairs except that of master.

    NEWTON C. DAVIS, M.D., homeopathic physician at Frankfort, was born in Knox
County, Tennessee, on the 20th day of October, 1856, the only son and third and
youngest child of William B. and Elizabeth Caroline (Hefflin) Davis. The former
was a native of Tennessee and of Welch ancestry, and during the Mexican war
enlisted as a private soldier, was wounded, and later was commissioned and
served as a staff officer until the close of the war. The latter was a daughter
of Andrew and Martha Hefflin. Her father was a wealthy planter in North Carolina
previous to the late civil war, from the effects of which he lost most of his
property. He was of German descent and his forefathers settled in Carolina in an
early date. When our subject was two years and seven months of age his mother
died and a short time subsequent, when the question of secession was strongly
agitated, Mr. Davis, being an ardent abolitionist, sought a home in a free State
and removed with his infant son and two young daughters to Astoria, Illinois. In
1866 our subject with a friend removed to Topeka, Kansas, where he had the
advantages of obtaining his early education in the excellent graded school of
that place until 1872 when he returned to Astoria, Illinois, and entered the
high school and graduated in the class of 1873, after which he followed various
occupations until 1878 when he began the study of medicine under the
preceptorship of Dr. J. A. McGill, of South Bend, Indiana, under whose direction
he studied until September, 1881, when he attended lectures at the Homeopathic
Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he graduated, receiving the
degree of doctor of medicine on March 19, 1884. The following May he located in
Frankfort, where he has built up a successful and lucrative practice. Dr. Davis
was united in marriage on the 30th day of June, 1886, to Miss Emma L. McCurdy, a
daughter of Hugh and Martha (Wolker) McCurdy. The former was a native of Ireland
and came to America with his father's family when a child and settled in Marion
County, Indiana, among the pioneers of that county, where he followed farming
successfully until his death, leaving his children all a competency. The latter
was of American nationality. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The Doctor is a member of Shield Lodge, No. 71, Knights of Pythias.
Politically, although of Southern birth, he is a zealous adherent to the
Republican element in politics. Dr. Davis is purely a self-made man. From the
age of (10) ten he has maintained himself and wrought out, unaided, the
ground-work of his present position. He is a man of decided character and
possesses the energy and perseverance which are the characteristics of a
self-made man, and by his own industry and exertions has mastered his profession
and stands among the leading physicians of his school in the State.

    ISAAC W. DOUGLAS, M. D., was born in this county May 21, 1840. He is the
oldest son of Benjamin F. Douglas, of whom mention is made in another chapter of
this work. His early educational advantages were good, and he began the study of
medicine in 1858, under Dr. W. J. Byers, of Frankfort, with whom he remained two
years. He graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College in 1862, after which he
settled in Michigan Township, where he has had a successful practice for over
twenty years. He kept a drug store for a time, but in 1881 he turned his whole
attention to his profession. September 11, 1877, Dr. Douglas was married to Miss
Lillian Knight, daughter of James and Anna JR. Knight, of Covington, Indiana,
and they have two children—Ithamer Knight and George Eliot. The Doctor is a
member of the A. F. & A. M. and the Indiana Order of Red Men.

    WILLIAM PHILANDER DUNN, M. D., is the oldest practicing physician in
Frankfort. He was born in Hanover, Indiana, December 16, 1816, and was educated
in his native city, attending the Hanover College. In his younger days he gave
his attention to civil engineering and was employed in the internal improvements
of his State. When twenty-three years of age he began the study of medicine, and
in 1839 and 1840 took a full course of lectures at the Louisville, Kentucky,
Medical College. During 1840 he practiced in Floyd County, Indiana, and in 1841
went to Lafayette, where he remained until the spring of 1844, when he located
in Frankfort, at that time being the youngest physician in Clinton County. In
July, 1885, he retired after having enjoyed for over forty years a large and
successful practice. Politically he was originally a Whig, but became a
Republican on the organization of that party, and during the Rebellion acted as
Surgeon of the Fortieth Indiana Infantry a year. In 1867 he received the
appointment of examiner for pensions under President Johnson, which position he
has held since. He was married December 28, 1842, at Crawfordsville, Indiana, to
Miss Maria C. Jones. Two of their children are living. Robert is a mercantile
clerk at Frankfort. Mrs. Lizzie Tinsley resides at Crawfordsville. Two of their
children died in infancy; another, Alfred D., died at Frankfort, February 8,
1883. Dr. Dunn is of Scotch-Irish extraction, his father, William Dunn,
representing that class of people. The latter was born in Kentucky and was a
farmer by vocation. He was a prominent politican and removed from the
"Blue-Grass" State in 1809, in which year he located in Indiana. He came to the
Hoosier State while it was jet in its Territorial days and was a member of the
Legislature while it was still unorganized as a State. He served therein two
years and in the Legislative Assembly after Indiana was admitted to the Union
for a period of six years. From 1822 to 1829 he was registrar in the land-office
at Terre Haute and Crawfordsville. During the disturbances prior to and
consequent upon the Black Hawk war, he was in command of a company of Bangers,
which was stationed at Fort Harrison. He succeeded General Taylor in the command
at the fort. His death took place at Hanover, Indiana, in 1847, when he was
seventy-three years of age. He married Miriam Wilson, also born in Kentucky and
of Scotch ancestry. She died at the age of thirty-seven years, in 1827, at
Crawfordsville.

    DR. LEANDER EWING, Colfax, was born in Rossville, Indiana, April 1, 1840, a
son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Ferguson) Ewing. He was given a good education,
completing it at College Hill, Madison, Indiana, having also attended one year
at Franklin College, in Johnson County. He then read medicine with Dr. J. M.
Justice, of Logansport, three years, and then attended lectures at Bush Medical
College, Chicago, Illinois. He first located at Mexico, Miami County, Indiana,
and two years later went to Marion County, Illinois, where he lived four years.
In 1869 he went to Coming, Clay County, Arkansas, remaining there until 1879
when he returned to his native county and settled in Colfax, gave up the
practice of medicine entirely and went into the retail drug trade. He has been
twice married. First, March 22, 1870, to Ann Letitia Bellomy, who was born in
Todd County, Kentucky, April 2, 1847, and died in Arkansas, October 19, 1873.
They had no children. December 6, 1881, Dr. Ewing married Mrs. Rachel M.
Hamilton, a native of Clinton County, Indiana, born October 4,1848, daughter of
Valentine and Sarah (Plotner) Poffinbarger, and widow of Francis L. Hamilton, to
whom she was married January 16,1867. He was born March 4, 1842, and died March
15,1848. Mrs. Ewing is a member of the United Brethren church. In politics he is
a Republican.

    JOHN JEROME FISHER, M. D., of the medical firm of S. B. and J. J. Fisher, of
Kossville, is a native of Tippecanoe County, Ohio, born near Dayton, April
12,1853, the oldest son of Samuel B. and Margaret (Cope) Fisher. John J. was
reared in Clinton County, Indiana. He was educated at the Rossville High School
and at the De Pauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana, and at the age of twenty
years commenced studying medicine under his father with whom he studied for
three years. He graduated with the degree of M. D. from the Eclectic Medical
College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1876. He subsequently attended Bellevue Hospital
Medical College, for two terms, graduating from that institution in 1886. He
then returned to Rossville, and has since followed his chosen profession, being
associated with his father, who is one of the leading physicians of the place.
The Doctor is a young man of much ability, and bids fair to rank among the
highest physicians in the county. He was united in marriage September 15, 1880,
at Rossville, to Alice G. Masters, a daughter of John Q. and Rebecca (Jones)
Masters, who reside near Connersville, Indiana. They have two children—Mary
Helen and Carrie May. Doctor and Mrs. Fisher are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Kossville. He is a member of Rossville Lodge, No. 183, I. O.
O. F., of which he is past grand, and also belongs to Carroll Encampment, No.
22. He is also a Knight of Pythias, belonging to Lodge No. 71, of Frankfort. In
politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.

    SAMUEL BELT FISHES, M. D., a successful practitioner of Rossville, was born
near Dayton, in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1825, a son of John and Catherine
(Charles) Fisher, the father a native of Virginia, of German and Scotch
ancestry, and the mother born in Pennsylvania, of French and German origin, her
father coming to America with the French army in 1877, he being First Lieutenant
under General La Fayette. The parents were married in Highland County, Ohio, in
1821, and to them were born four children—John C., of Carroll County, Indiana;
Samuel B., our subject; Andrew R. and Barbara, deceased wife of Dr. G. W.
Crowfoot, of Rossville. The father died in Carroll County, in 1841, aged
forty-one years. In politics he was a Democrat. His widow survived till 1874,
dying at Rossville, aged seventy-four years. She was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church of late years, but in early life belonged to the United
Brethren denomination. Samuel B., our subject, was reared to agricultural
pursuits, his father being a farmer by occupation, and in his youth he attended
the district schools, although his education was obtained principally by private
study. He came with his parents to Indiana when thirteen years of age, they
locating in Carroll County. He was left fatherless at the age of fifteen years
when he assisted his brother in the maintenance of his widowed mother till her
death. He followed farming till twenty-six years old when he began the study of
medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. G. W. Crowfoot at Rossville, with whom
he studied four years. He began practicing medicine with his preceptor in 1857,
and has been in constant practice at Rossville. Doctor Fisher was married in
May, 1850, to Miss Margaret Cope, of Tippecanoe County, Indiana. They have six
children—Jennette C.; John J., a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute of
Cincinnati, Ohio, and of Bellevue Medical Hospital College of New York City, now
practicing with his father; Fremont, a farmer of Rossville; William H., of
Washington Territory; Loyal B., postmaster of Rossville, and Alonzo, telegraph
operator at Rossville. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, of which he is trustee. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd
Fellows orders, belonging to the lodges of Rossville, and is past grand in the
latter order.

    OLIVER GARD, M. D., is the third son and fourth child of Jesse and Amanda
(McHenry) Gard, who were natives of Ohio, and of Scotch descent The father came
to Indiana when a boy, and settled in Switzerland County, where he remained till
1849, when he moved to Clinton County, and settled in Warren Township, where he
passed the remainder of his days. He died in December, 1881. The mother came to
Indiana with her parents when a child, and also settled in Switzerland County,
where she was married. She is still living at the advanced age of seventy-two
years, and retains all her faculties to a remarkable degree. Our subject was
born January 12, 1842, in Switzerland County, Indiana, and came to Clinton
County when seven years of age. He was reared on a farm, receiving his primary
education in the common school, after which he attended the academy at New
London for a year. At the breaking out of the late civil war, although he had
only reached the age of nineteen years, he enlisted September 10, 1861, in the
Third Indiana Cavalry as a private, and in the following December was promoted
to Hospital Steward, in which capacity he served until April, 1864, when he was
honorably discharged on account of disability. On returning to his home he
engaged in the mercantile business with his brother, Perry W., at Middle Fork,
in which he continued till 1866, at which time he began the study of medicine
with Dr. M. L. Martin. He attended lectures at Rush Medical College, of Chicago,
Illinois, where he graduated February 3, 1869, with high honors. He located at
Middle Fork, where he was actively, engaged in the practice of his chosen
profession for thirteen years, and in this time made many warm friends. In
March, 1882, he moved to Frankfort, where he has since built up a lucrative
practice. Politically he is a staunch Republican, and was nominated by his party
to represent them in the State Legislature in 1884, and at the following
election ran far ahead of his ticket. Again, in 1886, he was nomiuated for the
office of county clerk as a reward for his strong advocacy of his party
principles. He was married May 1, 1864, to Miss Martha, daughter of Ezra and
Susan Bunnell, of Howard County. To this union were born three daughters, Minnie
M., Jessie L. and Nina P. Dr. Gard was called upon to mourn the death of his
wife, March 4, 1871. He was again married May 14, 1873, to Miss India J.,
daughter of John and Nancy J. Merrick, residents of this county. This union has
been blessed with six children, two dying in infancy, Grace and Rush, also
deceased. Those living are Nellie and Russell. Dr. and Mrs. Gard are active and
consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also superintendent
of the Sabbath-school, which is the largest in the State. Dr. Gard is an active
member of Clinton Lodge, No. 54, A. F. & A. M., in which he has passed all the
chairs, and also belongs to the council, chapter and commandery, in all of which
he has held prominent offices. He is also a member of Stone River Post, No. 65,
G. A. R., and is its present commander. He is a member of Good Shepherd Lodge,
No. 22, I. O. G. T., and is a Knight of Pythias. The Doctor if at present
president of the Clinton County Medical Society, and is also a member of the
State Medical Society. He takes a lively interest in the matter of education,
and is president of the Frankfort School Board. In 1876 he was elected to the
office of township trustee by a large majority, although the township is usually
Democratic, and again in 1878 he was elected to the same office by a still
larger majority.

    WYATT A. GENTRY, M. D., is a native of Bullitt County, Kentucky, son of
Wyatt A. and Barbara (Grimes) Gentry, the father a native of Virginia, and a
descendant of one of the first settlers on the James River, and the mother born
in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. They came with their family to Indiana in
1832, arriving on the south side of Twelve-Mile Prairie on Christmas eve. They
settled three miles south of Frankfort, in Jackson Township, Clinton County, on
land which the father had entered the year before. The country at that time was
nearly a dense wilderness, Indians and wild animals being the principal
inhabitants. The father died in the spring of 1848, and the mother's death
occurred some eight years later in 1856. Wyatt A. Gentry, our subject, remained
on the home farm with his parents till eighteen years of age. He then began
attending school, and two years later commenced reading medicine with his elder
brother, Dr. Martin W. Gentry, who was a practicing physician in Jefferson. This
occupied his attention about four years, during which time he attended lectures
at the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio. He began practicing medicine
at Montezuma, remaining there one year, when he located in Pontiac, Livingston
County, Illinois, where he followed the practice of his profession for three
years, after which he spent four years in California. Dr. Gentry was married
June 27, 1849, to Keziah Blue, daughter of Garrett M. and Jennie Blue, of
Livingston County, Illinois. She died May 5, 1852, leaving one son, Oliver H.,
who was born June 24, 1850. Mr. Gentry returned from California to Indiana and
settled in Michigan Township, Clinton County, where for about sixteen years he
devoted his time to his profession. He was married a second time, February 24,
1856, to Martha A. Hutchinson, a daughter of Samuel and Miriam (Waddle)
Hutchinson, and to this union have been born eight children—Alice May, born July
8, 1857; Charles W., November 10, 1859; James D., January 5, 1862; Allen S.,
April 26,1856; John N., April 15,1868; Nellie M., April 20, 1870; Clinton E.,
January 20,1873, and Homer H., June 22, 1876. At the breaking out of the late
war Dr. Gentry enlisted as a private in Company G, Eighty-sixth Indiana
Infantry, and was shortly afterward promoted to First Sergeant. He participated
in the battle of Nashville, and acted as Field Surgeon at the hard-fought battle
of Mission Ridge. After being in the service about three years he was mastered
out at Nashville. Dr. Gentry moved to what is now Forest Township about the year
1870, and in 1884 purchased the farm on which he now resides. His farm contains
eighty acres of well-improved land, and he is now principally engaged in farming
and stock-raising. In 1870 Dr. Gentry took the census of the Twentieth District,
consisting of six townships. The Doctor is a member of Henman Lodge, No. 184, F.
& A. M., also of Sexton Lodge, No. 592, I. O. O. F., and of Hope Encampment, and
has passed all the chairs of both orders. He was elected justice of the peace of
Forest Township, which office he held four year with satisfaction to his
constituents. He and his wife are active and devoted members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and are honored and respected throughout the whole community
in which they live.

    DR. WILLIAM H HORNADAY was born in Hancock County, Indiana, October 19,
1837, the youngest son of Jonathan and Hettie (Brown) Hornaday, the father being
a native of North Carolina, and the mother, of New Jersey. They came to Indiana
in an early day, being the third family to settle in Rush County, where they
made their home for about twenty years. From there they moved to Hancock County,
where they remained till 1842, going thence to Marion, where they passed the
rest of their lives, the father dying at the advanced age of eighty-six years,
June 4, 1876, and the mother dying in October of the same yew, aged eighty-seven
years. Our subject's boyhood was passed on the home farm, and his early
education was received at the common school, and for one year he attended the
Baptist College at Franklin, Indiana. He enlisted in the late war in June, 1861,
in Company K, First Indiana Cavalry, as a private, and soon after his enlistment
he was detailed as Hospital Steward. He participated in the battles of Cheat
Mountain, Green Brier, Cross Keyes, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Cold
Harbor, through which he passed without receiving bodily injury. After three
years of hard service he was mustered out in front of Petersburg, June 19, 1864.
On his return from the war he began reading medicine with Dr. J. I. Hooker, of
Castleton, Indiana, and his first course of lectures was at the Long Island
Medical College of Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from the College of
Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis, and took an adeundem degree from the
Medical College of Indiana. He began the practice of medicine at Russiaville,
where he remained eight years, after which he practiced in Marion County for six
years. In 1879 he settled in Forest, where he now resides, and during his
residence here he gained the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. Dr.
Hornaday was married October 19,1866, to Mary K. Leever, daughter of Philip and
Elizabeth Leever, of Castleton, Indiana. This union has been blessed with one
son—Flint Hamilton. The Doctor and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Doctor Hornaday is at present serving as justice of the peace
of Forest Township, having been elected to that office in the spring of 1886. He
is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Middle Fork Lodge,
No. 304. He was master of Russiaville Lodge for seven years, holding the same
position in Millersville Lodge for one year.

    JOHN LOFTIN, M. D., is a native of Indiana, born May 13, 1839, near the city
of Indianapolis, Marion County. His father and mother were natives of North
Carolina, coming to Indiana in 1824, when the country was a wilderness. Dr.
Loftin was reared on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, working on
the farm in summer and attending the district school in winter (three months in
the year). In 1857 he entered the Northwestern Christian University at
Indianapolis, remaining one year. In 1858 he commenced the study of medicine
with his older brothers, Drs. Sample and Almon Loftin. He entered Rush Medical
College in 1860-'61. He practiced medicine at Mechanicsburg, Boone County, from
1862 to 1877. Returning to Augusta, Marion. County, he practiced the succeeding
three years there. In 1880 he came to Frankfort, where he established a large
drug house, and continued to practice his profession. He is the youngest of
seven children, four brothers and three sisters, all now deceased except himself
and the two brothers referred to above. Dr. Loftin is also a graduate of the
Medical College of Indiana. In. politics he is inclined to be Democratic. In
religious opinions he is partial to the doctrines of the Christian church. In
December, 1865, he married Mary E. Richey, a daughter of John and Sarah Richey,
citizens of Boone County, Indiana. There were born unto them two children—Fred
T. and Nellie J. The Doctor's mother's maiden name was West. She died when he
was a boy of eight years of age.

    MARQUIS L. MARTIN, M. D., was born June 8, 1821, in Union County, Indiana,
his parents, Simon and Sarah (Crouch) Martin, being natives of the State of
Delaware. They were among the pioneers of Indiana, locating in Union County as
early as 1813. At the age of seventeen years our subject commenced reading
medicine with Dr. George R. Chitwood, of Liberty, Union County. He attended
lectures and graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio. His
first practice was with his preceptor, with whom he remained one year, when he
located in Putnam County, Indiana, remaining there ten years. He was united in
marriage January 17, 1844, to Miss Naomi, daughter of Philip and Rebecca Shrane,
of Putnam County. Five years after his marriage he was bereaved by the loss of
his wife, who left at her death three children—Hettie C., Rebecca C. and Naomi
C. The Doctor was again married April 4, 1865, to Miss Eliza J. Parvis, a native
of Indiana, and of the four children born to this union only two are
living—Minnie A. and Jennie. Willard B., the second, and Dallas H., the
youngest, are deceased. Dr. Martin came to Clinton County in 1853, and located
at Middle Fork, and tor twenty years attended professionally to the needs of the
people of that vicinity, gaining by diligence and courtesy a large and lucrative
practice and many warm friends. In 1872 he was chosen by the people of Boone and
Clinton counties to be their joint representative in the State Legislature, to
which office he was elected and served during the term of 1872-'73 with credit
to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. At the close of
his official life he resumed the practice of his profession, at Frankfort, in
the midst of his constituents, whose respect and esteem he still held, and four
years later he purchased his present home at Forest, where he has since resided.
Dr. Martin has always been identified in politics with the Democratic party. He
is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Middle Fork Lodge,
No. 304, aud has filled with credit nearly all the chairs of this order. He is a
man of great public spirit, and is always willing to lend a helping hand to
every movement which he deems beneficial to the community in which he lives.

    JOSEPH E. MILBORN, M. D., was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, January 25,
1827, a son of Joseph E. and Rachel (Clark) Milborn, natives of Frederick
County, Virginia, the father born February 21, 1792, and the mother May 25,
1791. The parents were married in their native county in 1812 and the same year
moved to Dearborn County, Indiana, and in 1836 moved to Clinton County, Indiana,
and settled on a tract of land part prairie and part timber near the present
site of Manson. Some improvements had been made on the place, and a hewed log
house that was considered quite palatial had been built. The father only lived
four years after coming to Clinton County, dying in 1840. The mother survived
her husband until March 1, 1866, and is buried by his side in the Clark
cemetery, near Manson. Our subject's paternal grandparents, Robert and Sarah
(Homer) Milborn, accompanied his parents to Dearborn County, Indiana, and there
died. His maternal grandparents were George and Jane (Mercer) Clark, the former
a native of Ireland, born in 1752, and the latter of Virginia, of Scotch
descent. They left Virginia in 1822 and moved to Dearborn County, Indiana, the
former dying ten years later, in 1832. Dr. Milborn was but ten years old when
his parents moved to Clinton County, and here he was reared and educated,
attending in his youth the district schools of his neighborhood. He early had a
desire to become a physician, and accordingly began reading medicine with Dr.
William Byers, of Frankfort, and afterward attended lectures at Rush Medical
College, Chicago, Illinois, graduating in 1852. He then began his practice,
although for eleven years be lived on his farm. He owns the old homestead of his
father, where the family settled in 1836. He was married September 29, 1856, to
Melinda Colwell, who was born in Boone County, Indiana, December 7, 1835, a
daughter of Joseph A. and Mary E. (Goldsberry) Colwell, her father a native of
Rockingham County, West Virginia, and her mother of Ohio. To Dr. and Mrs.
Milborn have been born five children—Robert C., born July 14, 1858; Mary J.,
born November 25, 1861, wife of Levi Tharp; Rachel E., born April 18, 1863, died
in infancy; Joseph E., born March 21, 1865, died, aged nine months; Hannah E.,
born April 4, 1873. Robert C. is a physician, in practice at Colfax. He studied
with his father four years and then took three courses of lectures at Rush
Medical College, Chicago, Illinois. He was married December 6, 1883, to Miss
Sarah B. Durham, who was born in Boone County, Indiana, June 4, 1863. In
politics Dr. Milborn is a Democrat, and in religious faith is a liberal.

    O. A. J. MORRISON, physician and surgeon, Middle Fork, was born in Warren
Township, Clinton County, Indiana, February 26, 1845, the youngest son of James
Morrison, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this book. He was reared on a farm
and his literary education was obtained in the common schools of the county. He
resided with his parents until he attained his majority. Upon leaving the farm
in the spring of 1877 he engaged in the drug business at Middle Fork, and the
following December began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr.
Oliver Gard, now of Frankfort. He attended his first course of lectures in the
winter of 1878-'9, at the Fort Wayne College of Medicine, Indiana, graduating
March 2, 1880. He commenced the practice of his profession in Middle Fork, where
he has built up a remunerative and successful practice. November 29, 1866, he
was married to Miss Annie E. Johnston, daughter of William and Lucy (Fewell)
Johnston, who were among the early settlers of Indiana. This union has been
blessed with two children—Olive B. and William H. The Doctor is a member of the
A. F. & A. M., Middle Fork Lodge No. 304, and of the Independent Order of Red
Men, Powhattan Tribe, No. 69, and of the Good Templars, Griffith League Lodge,
No. 13. Politically he is a Prohibitionist.

    JOSEPH PARKER, M. D., of Colfax, Indiana, is a native of Clinton County,
born in Perry Township, December 10, 1850, a son of George and Harriet
(Loveless) Parker. His father was a native of Delaware, born in 1826, and when
four years of age accompanied his parents to Indiana. He is now a farmer of
Laramie Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Joseph Parker was reared as a
farmer, but was given a good education, finishing his collegiate course at
Stockwell Academy when within three months of graduating. In 1871 he began the
study of medicine with Dr. William Labaree, of Clark's Hill, spending three
years with him, and in 1874 entered Miami Medical College at Cincinnati and
attended one course of lectures. He then located at Colfax and began the
practice of medicine, and in 1881 returned to the college and took his second
course and graduated. He has built up a good practice in Colfax and is fast
gaining an enviable reputation as a successful and faithful physician. Dr.
Parker was married March 17, 1874, to Charlotte A. Ewing, daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Ferguson) Ewing. Her father is a native of Ohio, and one of the first
settlers of Clinton County, coming here in 1830. Her mother is a native of
Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Dr. and Mrs. Parker have one daughter—Lilla M.,
born December 27, 1874. In politics Dr. Parker is a Republican. He is a member
of the School Board and also of the village council. He and his wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal church.

    DR. ROBERT H. ROSS, one of the successful practicing physicians of
Geetingsville, Clinton County, Indiana, is a native of Rockingham County,
Virginia, born in the Shenandoah Valley, February 16, 1856, a son of Rev. David
R. and Hannah Ross, who were also natives of Virginia, the father being a
minister of the United Brethren denomination. The father was the owner of a
plantation of 505 acres in Virginia, but being strong in his opposition of
slavery in any form never owned a slave, all the work on his land being done by
hired help. Under Lincoln's administration he was appointed mustering officer at
the outbreak of the war, but on account of his hatred of slavery, and his
outspoken opinions on this subject, he was not allowed to perform the duties of
his office, and as a result he was driven from the State of Virginia with his
family, being accompanied by Jacob Sheets, a United Brethren minister, and his
family. Their large brick residence and barns were burned, and everything about
their place was destroyed by their enemies, and to save their lives the family
was obliged to leave the State after night. While stopping over night at
Chillicothe, Ohio, six of their horses were poisoned by parties who followed
them for that purpose. Joseph Ross, a brother of David Ross, was pursued and
murdered, his dead body being found under a bridge with seven bullet holes in
it. Dr. Robert H. Ross, whose name heads this sketch, left his native State with
his parents, coming with them to Clinton County, Indiana, where he grew to
manhood. He began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of his brother,
Dr. Ross, of Kokomo, and is a graduate of the Indiana Medical College. He began
the practice of his chosen profession at Geetingsville, which he has followed
with success, having during his residence here built up a lucrative practice.
The Doctor was married October 14, 1879, to Joanna I. Shafor, born May 29,1863,
a daughter of John and Marian C. Shafor who are living at Bennett's Switch,
Miami County, Indiana. To this union have been born three children—Charley, born
June 12, 1881, died in infancy; Dottie L., born February 3, 1883, and Lulie G.,
born February 3, 1885. In politics Dr. Ross is a Republican. He was notary
public in Miami County for eight years. Two of his brothers, Samuel and John H.,
were soldiers in the late war, enlisting in the Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry
in 1862 for one year. At the expiration of their term of service they
re-enlisted in the three years' service in the same regiment, and took part in
the battles of Gettysburg, Franklin, Cumberland Gap, Nashville and other
engagements of minor importance. Samuel died shortly after returning home, from
the effects of exposure and hardships which he endured while in the service.
Rev. David Ross, father of our subject, died of heart disease while at work in
his cornfield July 3, 1882. He had never been sick a day in his life. His wife
passed away many years ago, her death taking place in 1865.

    DR. JAMES E. SHAW, one of the successful physicians and surgeons of
Rossville, was born in Ross Township, Clinton County, February 17, 1844, a son
of John F. and Hettie (Wilt) Shaw, who were both natives of Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania, the father born March 1, 1808, and the mother November 27, 1804.
Dr. Shaw was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving good educational
advantages. He spent two years in the high school at Frankfort, and one year at
the Fort Wayne High School, after which he attended Wabash College at
Crawfordsville, Indiana, for two years. He was married in November, 1878, to
Anna M. Troxel, a native of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, born July 4, 1854. They
have one son—Roy Glenn, who was born May 11, 1880. Dr. Shaw began reading
medicine under Doctor Wilson, of Rossville, and later attended lectures at Rush
Medical College at Chicago, Illinois, graduating from that institution in the
spring of 1878. He commenced the practice of his profession at Mulberry, Clinton
County, remaining there a year, removing to Rossville in 1879, where he has
since built up a large and lucrative practice. In politics the Doctor affiliates
with the Democratic party. In his religious. faith he is a Presbyterian. Doctor
Shaw's father was a son of Joseph and Hannah (Rippie) Shaw, who was born in
Pennsylvania, living in Cumberland County, that State, till their death. The
great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Ireland, coming from that
country to Pennsylvania in a very early day. The Wilts are of German descent.
The maternal grandparents of our subject, Peter and Catherine (McGuire) Wilt,
were natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland respectively, both dying in Cumberland
County, the former being a son of John Wilt, who was born in Pennsylvania, and
died on the same farm where his son, Peter Wilt, was born. The father of our
subject served as county commissioner for sixteen years. He came to Clinton
County in 1837 with his wife and four children—Joseph A., now deceased;
Catherine A.; Mary E., born September 1, 1830, died April 29, 1855, and Peter W.
Four children were born to the parents after coming to this county—Harriet J.,
born November 8, 1837, died June 29, 1879; Susannah; James E., our subject;  
and Hannah B. On coming to this county the father bought a farm three miles
south of Rossville on which no improvements had been made. Here he made a home,
living on the same farm till his death, which occurred in September, 1884. His
wife died on the same farm August 21, 1865. Their eldest son, Joseph A. Shaw,
was born January 5, 1827. He enlisted in Company G, Second Colorado Cavalry, at
the commencement of the war, and served west of the Mississippi, being much of
his time in Missouri. He served through the war and was in many important
engagements. After his discharge he settled in Harrisonville, Missouri, where he
married. He subsequently came to Clinton County, Indiana, and settled in Ross
Township, where he died April 30, 1885, aged fifty-eight years. He was twice
married and left a widow and three children—John N., living in Ross Township, a
child of his first marriage, and Myrtle M. and Sherwood R., living with their
mother in Iroquois County, Illinois. Mrs. Doctor Shaw is a daughter of Stephen
and Hettie (Mickley) Troxel. They are both natives of Lehigh County,
Pennsylvania, her father born August 2, 1810, and her mother December 7, 1817.
They were married in their native county, and came with their family to Clinton
County, Indiana, in 1866, and settled on a farm in Ross Township where they
still make their home. Mrs. Shaw's grandparents, John and Betsy (Hickel) Troxel,
were born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, of German descent, living there till
their death. Mrs. Shaw's maternal grandparents were Peter and Sarah (Biery)
Mickley, the grandfather being a native of Northampton County, Pennsylvania,
where he died aged ninety-eight years. He followed school-teaching for twenty
years during his life. The grandmother was also a native of Pennsylvania, dying
in Northampton County in her ninety-sixth year.

    HON. WILLIAM STRANGE, M. D., physician and druggist at Frankfort, was born
in the township of Jackson, in Clinton County, August 17, 1829. It is a conceded
fact that he is the oldest physician born in the county and the oldest
native-born citizen of the county. His father, Hezekiah Strange, was a pioneer
of Clinton County of 1829, the year in which the son was born. The elder Strange
was a native of Montgomery County, Kentucky, and on removal to Clinton County,
settled on Government land in Jackson Township. When that section came into
market he fulfilled the requirements of the law by entering the property whereon
he had lived and made improvements,  his patents being signed by the then
President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. His home was there until his
demise, which occurred in 1883, at the age of eighty-one years. He adopted the
religious principles of the Baptist church but was not a professed member. His
course of life was that of a conscientious Christian and the Bible was his
constant study and delight. In political views he was a Democrat and he was the
incumbent of the several township offices of trust. He was especially interested
in the promotion of educational interests in his district In 1825 he was married
to Miss Nancy McCook, a native of Shelby County, Kentucky, and a member of one
of the prominent families of that celebrated county. In 1825 she became the wife
of Mr. Strange, and two years later they settled in Hendricks County, Indiana,
coming thence to Frankfort in the year in which her son was born. One of her
eight children is deceased. Those who survive are—Mrs. Mary E. Cook, of Kansas;
Stephen, William, Jesse, Seth, Henry and Mrs. Dicey Cook. -The mother died in
Jackson Township on the homestead, March 13, 1885, at the age of nearly
eighty-two years. While yet in her girlhood she united with the Baptist church
and all her active life was interested in Christian work.

    Dr. Strange passed the first twenty-two years of his life on the homestead
of his father, and was employed in the pursuits common to the sons of farmers.
In 1852 he commenced reading preparatory to his profession. He was under the
competent preceptorship of Dr. John A. Barnes, of Michigantown, for a period of
two years, and during the year succeeding he read diligently with Dr. Royal D.
Hutchinson, at the expiration of that time entering the office of Dr. Irwin B.
Maxwell. Both the last-named gentlemen were located at Michigantown. Whiie with
them he practiced the duties of the profession in the same place, continuing
there until 1882. He removed to Boyleston, Clinton County, and engaged in the
drug business, also practicing medicine. He prosecuted his business there one
year and in 1883 came to Frankfort, where he embarked in the same lines of
interest. He is a prominent and popular physician and fully merits the
confidence which he enjoys.

    He is a Democrat in political connection. During the administration of
President Pierce in 1854, he was appointed postmaster at Michigantown, but
resigned at the end of the first year. In 1872 he was elected a representative
to the Lower House of the General Assembly of Indiana and served a term of two
years.

    The first wife of Dr. Strange was, previous to her marriage, Miss Ann
Knickerbocker, of Clinton County. Their union in matrimonial bonds took place
July 7, 1850. She died at Michigantown, February 19, 1877, after becoming the
mother of seven children. William, the first born, is deceased. Mrs. Nancy
Ewbank, of Boyleston; Mrs. Mary E. Southard, of Frankfort; Walter E. and Aletha,
(both deceased); Mrs. Rebecca Heaton, of Michigantown, and Jessie, also
deceased, are named in the order of birth. January 28, 1884, Dr. Strange was
again married to Mrs. Emily (Miller) Hutchinson, widow of the late Dr. R. D.
Hutchinson, of Michigantown.

    LEVI THARP, M. D., was born in Boone County, Indiana, September 9, 1854. His
parents were Joseph and Elizabeth Tharp. His youth was passed on a farm and in
attending the public schools. He began reading medicine in 1872, with Dr. H. W.
Vale, of Colfax, and attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons
at Indianapolis. The first five years of his professional life were spent at
Colfax, where he met with remarkable success. In 1881 he located in the village
of Boyleston, where he enjoys a lucrative practice. March 10, 1878, he was
married to Miss Mary J., daughter of Dr. Joseph E. Milborn, of Colfax. Dr. and
Mrs. Tharp have had three children—Florian N., Byron B. and Robert, who died in
infancy. Dr. Tharp is a worthy member of Plumb Lodge, No. 479 F. & A. M.
Politically he is a Democrat.

    Dr. THOMAS H. WADE was born in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, February 1,
1836. His father, Ezra Wade, was born in Middleton, same county, in 1812, and
lived there until September, 1836, then removed to this county, first settling
in Rossville. He entered a quarter-section of land from the Government one mile
east of Rossville, Andrew Jackson signing the patent. He lived here until June,
1863, then sold his property and removed to Champaign County, Illinois, and
bought a farm of 120 acres, nearly three miles southeast of Sidney. He lived
there until he died, January 3, 1878. The Doctor's Grandfather Wade was one of
the first settlers of Butler County, being a native of Virginia. The Wades were
of French ancestry. His mother, Catherine M. (Smock) Wade, was born in Palmyra,
New York, May 4, 1814. She was fourteen years of age when her parents moved to
Butler County. She now lives on the old farm in Champaign County, Illinois, with
her youngest son. The Smocks were of German descent. Doctor Wade was married
November 19, 1857, to Susanna A. Clark, daughter of Jonas P. and Susan (Flenner)
Clark, natives of New Jersey, then Ohio. She was born September 23, 1834, in
Butler County, Ohio, and came to this county when three years old. She died
April 26, 1859, and is buried in Oxford Cemetery, Tippecanoe County. She left
one son, Willoughby C, who was born September 16, 1858, and is a farmer,
residing in Madison Township. May 15,1869, the Doctor was married to Sarah E.
Packer, daughter of Larance and Mary (Rowe) Packer. She was born March 3, 1848,
in Hamilton, Madison Township. Her father was born in 1812 in New Jersey and
came to Ohio at the age of ten years, and lived in Hamilton County, near
Cincinnati, until 1834; then came to this county, where he died in 1851 and is
buried in Fair Haven Cemetery. Her mother was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1816
and died in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Wade have one son—Azorus D., born April 11, 1870.
June 14, 1861, Doctor Wade enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Indiana Infantry,
and served until November 8, 1861, when he was discharged for physical
disability. His first battle was at Rich Mountain and his second at Green Brier.
At one time he was detailed as a sharpshooter and was with a squad of eight men
which took the body of John A. Washington, a Major in the rebel army, and a
nephew of General George Washington. Eight thousand men were encamped at Elk
Water, guarding a mountain pass, when four mounted men approached the skirmish
line where the Doctor was stationed. They saw them coming and withdrew into the
bushes; but they were not allowed to pass, so the horsemen started for their own
lines, but Major Washington was killed by four bullets; the others escaped. The
Doctor had attended medical college previous to entering the service. Upon his
return he remained in Rossville about six months, then went to Logansport,
Indiana, where he partially recovered his health. He then went to Sidney,
Illinois, and formed a partnership with Dr. William S. Duncan which lasted two
years, then came to Hamilton and practiced his profession six years, when he
went to Lafayette for six months, and to Brookston twelve months, thence to
Stockwell, where practiced five years. He then returned to Hamilton and he
bought out Young & Thomas who, were conducting a general store. Young & Thomas
were successors to Sullivan, who succeeded B. D. Elliott; the latter succeeded
W. J. Slipher, who succeeded McDavis & Dickerson, the original operators of the
store, and the one now owned by Dr. Wade. Mr. and Mrs. Wade are members of the
Baptist church, and in politics he is a Republican. He is at present serving as
justice of the peace.

    JAMES BYRON WISE, M. D., practicing physician at Frankfort, was born at St.
Mary's, Ohio, April 26, 1850. His father, John M. Wise, M. D., was a native of
Pennsylvania and was of German lineage. He was a prominent physician of the
homeopathic school and practiced some years before his death at Frankfort. He
died there July 13, 1885. His mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Moore, was a
native of Ohio and was of mixed German and Irish ancestry. Dr. Wise was reared
to manhood in the place of his nativity. He was educated in the district and
normal schools at St. Mary's and graduated from the latter with the class of
1869. He became a clerk in a hardware store where he was occupied until 1875,
when he began to read for his profession, under the direction of his father, in
1876. After completing an office course of study he went to Cincinnati in 1878
and received the benefit of three courses of lectures at the Homeopathic Medical
College of that city. He received his credentials from the institution, March 4,
1880. He opened an office with his father at Uniopolis, Ohio, where he remained
but a short time, coming to Frankfort October 1, 1880, where he was associated
with his father in business until the death of the latter. Dr. Wise was married
April 22, 1884, to Marcella Hallowell, of Frankfort, Indiana. He is a member of
Shield Lodge, No. 71, Knights of Pythias, at Frankfort.

    WILLIAM P. YOUKEY, M. D., was born in Preble County, Ohio, September 9,
1845, a son of John Q. A. and Eliza A. (Jackson) Youkey. His father was born in
Montgomery County, Ohio, in August, 1823, and died in Frankfort, Indiana, May 2,
1871. His mother was born in Ohio in 1826, and is now living in Logansport. Of a
family of five children the Doctor and one brother, John K., of Frankfort, are
the only ones living. Laura died in 1872, aged twenty years; Mary, in 1878, aged
twenty-two years, and Sanford R., in 1871, aged nineteen years. When our subject
was eight years old his parents moved to Clinton County, Indiana, and settled in
Frankfort, where he was reared and educated. August 14, 1862, he enlisted in
Company K, Seventy-second Indiana Infantry and served three years. His regiment
was assigned to General Wilder's brigade and served with distinction throughout
the war. He participated in all the battles of his regiment except one, and
although they endured many hardships was always well. never being sick enough to
go to the hospital while he was out, but when on the way home he took a severe
cold and did not recover from its effects for nearly twenty years. His first
battle was at Hoover's Gap and then at Chickamauga, and then his brigade went in
pursuit of General Wheeler. He was detailed as orderly for General Sherman and
carried the first flag of truce from Atlanta to Rough and Beady, twelve miles,
to General Hood. He was sent back to his regiment when Sherman started for the
sea, and with it participated in the battle at Nashville and on a raid to Macon
with General Wilson. He was at Macon when Jeff Davis was captured and brought
there. After his return from the war he attended school for three years and then
worked at the marble-cutter's trade three years. He then took up the study of
law, reading a year with Joseph Claybaugh and one year with Judge Palmer.
Becoming convinced that he would not make a successful lawyer, he chose the
profession of medicine and began to study under Dr. J. C. Martin, remaining with
him two years when he went to Indianapolis and graduated from the Medical
College of Indiana in 1879. Prior to this, however, in 1876, he began to
practice, locating at Hamilton, where he remained until 1880, when he went to
Camden, Carroll County, remaining there five years, and in March, 1885, removed
to Rossville where he has found a very good field and is building up a large
practice. Dr. Youkey was married in 1871 to Miss Alice A. Brown, who was born in
Rossville March 11, 1851, a daughter of Wesley and Mary (Sheridan) Brown. Dr.
and Mrs. Youkey have two children, John Sanford, born March 11, 1872, and Harry
B., born January 19, 1874. In politics Dr. Youkey is a Republican. He and his
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

  ROBERT OGLE YOUNG, M. D., is the oldest physician now living in Clinton
County, Indiana, and was born on his father's farm near Somerville, in Butler
County, Ohio, May 12, 1814. He is the fifth son and the sixth of ten children of
Robert and Jane (Ogle) Young, natives of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. His
grandparents on his father's side were Andrew and Sarah (Parks) Young; on his
mother's side, Ogle and Fulton, who was a near relative of Robert Fulton, who is
said to be the inventor of steam. All his grandparents were native-born
Americans, two of Irish, one of Scotch, and one English descent. His father was
a tailor by trade. He emigrated to Ohio in 1801 and entered and settled on the
farm on which the Doctor was born. He built a Buckeye cabin himself and kept
bach, having the Indians for his neighbors, and by his own labor made a
beginning. In 1803 the Ogle family emigrated also to Ohio and settled within
four miles of him. He and Miss Jane Ogle were married the next year and
originated the family of which the Doctor is a member. He continued on the farm
with his parents until he was twenty-seven years old. Having received a fail
from a wagon which disabled one of his arms so much that it led him to choose
some other calling, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Mendenhall, of
Somerville, Ohio, and took his first course of lectures in the winter of
1843-'4, in the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati. The next spring he
removed to Clinton County and commenced the practice of medicine in Warren
Township. In October of the same year, he returned to Cincinnati and took a
second course of lectures and graduated in March, 1845. He then returned to his
former location aad continued in the practice for twenty-five years. His health
failing he took his nephew, M. V. Young, M. D., with him, gave him his location
and retired from practice. His success as a physician was most gratifying to
himself, endearing the community in which he lived to him, and financially it
resulted so favorably that with economy he and his family need never suffer want
He was married March 21, 1848, to Miss Margaret N. Robison, daughter of Andrew
Robison. They had five children, two sons and three daughters—Robert, Louisa,
Mary, Hulda and Milton. Robert married Miss Sarah E. Taylor; Louisa, A. H.
Coapestick, and Mary, Elias Campbell. Hulda and Milton died in infancy. Robert
and Mr. Coapestick are farmers and E. Campbell is engaged in mercantile
business. They are all settled near their father. Margaret N., the mother of the
above children, died March 17, 1863. The Doctor was married a second time
November 1,1864, to Miss Susanna Compton, daughter of Arthur Compton, with whom
he is now living on one of his farms which he still superintends and makes grain
and stock-raising a success. His farm land is well underdrained with tile. He
has managed bees so successfully for thirty-eight years that he has never been
without them or their product. Fruit growing has been a specialty for home use.
His sugar maple has been preserved and worked so that his family always has a
supply of the syrup. In general he has labored to make the gifts of the Almighty
a blessing to himself and to those with whom he lives. For benevolent purposes
he has been a free giver, not only to the church but to the poor also. He united
with the Presbyterian church at Somerville, Butler County, Ohio, at the age of
twenty-three years, and when he removed to Clinton County he connected by letter
with the Lexington Presbyterian church, of Carroll County, Indiana. Some twenty
years ago he was elected ruling elder in that church in which capacity he serves
at present. In early life, at the age of twenty-one, he connected himself with
the temperance cause uniting himself to the Washingtonian Society, as it was
then called, and has since rigidly adhered to his pledge. In politics he was a
Democrat in early life, but when the Republican party was organized he
identified himself with and still works with it. His early privileges for an
education were quite limited. His first schooling was in a log cabin with oiled
paper for glass and slab benches to sit on with clapboard door and mud chimney,
the fire place six feet wide. The people of Ohio at that time were in poor
circumstances financially, and his father had a large family to provide for and
could not more than spare the labor of his children while the district school
lasted. The Doctor, when he moved to Indiana, found the people in like
circumstances as he early experienced in Ohio. Log cabins, mud roads, privations
of many of the comforts of life, many shaking with ague chills, but a kind
people, with whom he cast in his lot, and has lived to see them now wealthy and
prosperous, with good houses, good health, good schools, and all that is needful
to make them prosperous and happy.

    ISAAC S. EARHART, physician and surgeon at Mulberry, came to this county
with his parents and six brothers when he was but ten years of age. His father,
George Earhart, was born in Butler County, Ohio, April 5, 1815. His paternal
grandfather, Andrew Earhart, was a Virginian by birth. His mother, Susan
(Slipher) Earhart, was also a native of Butler County, born September 21, 1819.
His maternal grandfather was Steven Slipher. Dr. Earhart was born in Butler
County, Ohio, July 27, 1840. He was reared on a farm and at the age of eighteen
attended the academy at Battle Ground, which at that time was a large,
flourishing school. He attended here three years and then taught school several
terms. He commenced to read medicine with Dr. Davis, of Dayton, Tippecanoe
County, one of the pioneer doctors of the Wabash Valley. He then attended
lectures at the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, graduating in the spring
of 1866. He commenced the practice of his profession in Madison Township when
there was only a cross-road and one small store that he could wheel away in a
wheelbarrow. He commenced here in April, 1866, and here he has continued ever
since. July 10, 1873, he was married to Miss Josephine Osterday, daughter of
Benjamin and Eliza (Bear) Osterday, who were natives of Lehigh County,
Pennsylvania, and came to this county in 1865, settling in Mulberry. Mrs.
Earhart was born September 18; 1851, in Lehigh County, and when fifteen years
old came with her parents to this county. Mr. and Mrs. Earhart have two
boys—Henry O., born September 16, 1877, in Mulberry, and Troy B., July 6, 1881.
Dr. Earhart is a Democrat and both are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. The Doctor is superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He has the finest
herd of Jersey cattle in the county.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA,

TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNS, EDUCATIONAL,
RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL HISTORY, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT
PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO:
INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO.
1886.


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