Biographical Sketch of Dr. Matthew F. Wakefield - Andrew County, Missouri

>From "History of Missouri, Andrew & DeKalb County" Published 1888

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Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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Dr. Matthew F. Wakefield (deceased), the subject of this sketch, was one 
of the leading physicians of Andrew County, MO., and a prominent citizen
of Savannah.  He was born in Nelson County, KY., on June 16, 1816.  He
was the eldest of six children, and was eleven years old when his father
died.  He worked for his mother on the farm until twenty-three years of
age, attending school in the winter.  After leaving the farm he clerked
in a store in Kentucky for a year, during which time he conceived the
idea of fitting himself for the profession he afterward adorned.  He
read medicine with Dr. Bascomb, and then entered the medical college at
Louisville, KY., from which he graduated.  Returning to Nelson County
he practiced his profession for one year, and then entered Jefferson
Medical College, of Philadelphia, and also graduated from that institu-
tion.  In 1855 he removed to Andrew County, MO., where he resided, and
practiced his profession until his death, which occured on February 2,
1886.  He was united in marriage in Nelson County, KY., on November 17,
1844, to M. A. McDonald.  She was born in Washington County, KY., on
January 31, 1822, and died in Savannah, MO., January 29, 1858.  To this
union four children were born, three of whom survive.  On December 8,
1858, he was again married, to H. A. Roberts, a native of Shelby County,
KY., who with seven or eight children, survives him, and now resides in
Savannah.  Dr. Wakefield was a man of sterling worth and character, 
peculiarly fitted for the profession in which he achieved such a brilliant
success.