BIO:  RISK, James B. A., Pendleton Co., KY
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Date: Wednesday, July 10, 2002
Subject: BIO: RISK, James B. A., Pendleton Co., KY
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Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 7th ed., 
1887, Pendleton Co.

JAMES B. A. RISK, M. D., a practicing physician of Morgan, Pendleton
Co., Ky., was born in Georgetown, Scott Co., Ky., December 4, 1823, and 
is a son of John B. and Mary (Hughes) Risk.   John B. Risk and wife 
were born near Richmond, Va., and immigrated to Kentucky with their 
parents when infants, who settled near Newton, Scott County; they were 
married about 1820, and John B., a farmer by occupation, was a man of 
considerable intelligence.  After his death his widow removed to 
Pendleton County, where she spent the remainder of her life.  James B. 
A. Risk was brought up on the farm, and received his education 
principally at Sugar Ridge Academy, Scott County, where he followed 
farming until eighteen years of age, when he commenced the study of 
medicine under Dr. Robert Flournoy and also Dr. D. L. Price, of Fayette 
County, graduating in medicine, and received a diploma from the medical 
department of the University of Transylvania a few years later.  Also, 
after becoming a member of the Medical Philosophical Society of that
institution, he was honored with a diploma from that society.  By his
fondness of science and literature he became the honored recipient of
the degree of A. M. from Eminence College, of Kentucky.  In a few years 
the honorary degree of Legum Doctor, LL.D., whose president, Prof. W. S.
Giltner, one of Kentucky's noble sons, is worthy of high encomiums.  In
the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, Cincinnati, Ohio, in the
year of 1864, he was appointed to the chair of obstetrics and diseases
of women and children.  After laboring in that department most 
gratifyingly he was appointed to the chair of obstetrics only.  From 
this he was removed, and placed in the chair of pathology, and thence 
to the chair of physiology.  It seemed that he grew rapidly in favor 
with the trustees and faculty as a teacher, and as there was a vacancy 
in the chair of medical jurisprudence and forensic medicine, he was 
honored with that place, and last of all he was identified with the 
chair of the principles and practice of medicine.  After the faculty 
moved in their new college building, he moved with his family to 
Covington, and commenced the practice of medicine, but returned to 
Morgan, and resumed his practice.  After a few years he moved to 
Falmouth, the county seat of Pendleton County, this State.  After 
practicing medicine a few years in this city he disposed of his 
property, and went to St. Louis, where he expected to remain.  In this, 
however, he was disappointed, for, soon after he reached that place his 
wife informed him that the children were going back to Kentucky.  
Desiring to be near their children, they returned to this State, near 
Falmouth, where they now sojourn.  His labors in college are during the 
fall and winter months.  By invitation he became a member of the 
American Medical Association.  Dr. Risk owns 528 acres of land, and
lives in a stone house built by Gov. Metcalf about one hundred years
ago.  March 23, 1852, he married Miss Lucy Myers, a daughter of John 
and Frances (Asberry) Myers, natives of Pendleton County.  To this 
union have been born four daughters and two sons: Stowers, Scott, 
Margaret A., Harriet A., Nancy M. and Emma T., all deceased but Emma T.,
who is the wife of Dr. John M. Meek, a practicing physician of 
Pendleton County.  Dr. Risk was a member of the F. & A. M.; politically 
he is a Democrat.

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