BIO: James Paul SPACKMAN, M. D., Clearfield County, PA
 
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/

NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm
_____________________________________________________________

From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 803 & 804.
_____________________________________________________________ 

  JAMES PAUL SPACKMAN, M. D., who has been successfully engaged in the practice 
of medicine at Peale, Pa., since 1898, was born February 23, 1871, in 
Luthersburg, Brady Township, Clearfield County, Pa., and is a son of Dr. R. V. 
and Frances (Alexander) Spackman.
  The Spackman family originated in Hankertown, England, and after locating in 
this country settled in Chester county, Pa., from whence it moved to Center 
County and eventually to Clearfield County.  Benjamin and Hannah Spackman, the 
paternal grandparents of Dr. James P. Spackman, were for a time residents of 
Bellfonte, and from that place they removed to Clearfield County where both 
spent the remainder of their lives.  Dr. R. V. Spackman, the father of Dr. James 
P., was born in Bellefonte, Pa., March 30, 1838, and was a mere youth when the 
family removed to Clearfield County.  In company with Dr. Read of Osceola Mills, 
he read medicine under Dr. R. V. Wilson of Clearfield, and entered Jefferson 
Medical College in 1864.  After a short course there he began the practice of 
his profession, but deeming a little more study necessary he re-entered the 
college and was graduated with the class of 1868.  Locating in Luthersburg, he 
was in active practice there for twenty-five years.  He then changed his field 
of endeavor to Reynoldsville for about three years, then went to DuBois, where 
he continued in his profession until his death, which occurred March 20, 1906.  
Dr. Spackman was married to Frances Alexander, who was a daughter of James and 
Phoebe Alexander, the former a sadler by trade and an early settler of 
Clearfield County, where he died.  Mrs. Spackman died June 2, 1895, having been 
the mother of three children:  James Paul; Olive, who died at the age of eight 
years, and a child who died in infancy.
  James Paul Spackman attended the public schools of Luthersburg and the Clarion 
State Normal school of Clarion, Pa., later becoming a student of Allegheny 
College at Meadville, Crawford County.  He entered Jefferson Medical College and 
was graduated with the class of 1896, after which he practiced for two years at 
DuBois, with his father.  He located in Peale in November, 1898 as contract 
physician for the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Company, and here he has remained 
to the present time.  A close student, kind-hearted advisor and steady-handed 
surgeon, Dr. Spackman has built up a large and lucrative practice which extends 
to Grass Flat and Winburne and the surrounding country, and his friends are 
legion.
  Dr. Spackman was first married in January, 1896, to Miss Helen Wheeler, of 
Union City, Pa., daughter of James Wheeler, and to this union there was born one 
son, Francis Wheeler.  Mrs. Spcakman died September 2, 1902, and on June 8, 
1904, Dr. Spackman was married secondly to Mrs. Edith (Miller) Sherrard, 
daughter of W. H. and Margaret (Stewart) Miller.  To this union there has been 
born one son, James Miller.  Like his father, Dr. Spackman is a Republican in 
politics and a Presbyterian in his religious views.  He is a member of DuBois 
Lodge, F. & A. M., Williamsport Consistory and Jaffa Temple of the Mystic Shrine 
of Altoona.  He is professionally connected with the county and State medical 
societies and is one of the surgeons on the Pennsylvania Division of the New 
York Central Railroad.  In addition to a horse and buggy, Dr. Spackman makes use 
of a large forty horse-power, seven-seated touring car, which he finds valuable 
when making urgent calls.