Monongalia County, West Virginia    Biography of Luther Samson BROCK M. D.

**************************************************************************
USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, 
as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is 
obtained from the contributor of the file.

These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation 
by other organizations.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this 
material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of 
the contributor.

Submitted by Sandra Reed <sandrar@emwv.com>, May 1999
**************************************************************************

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., 
Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg. 

Luther Samson Brock M. D., has been closely identified with the history of
the city of Morgantown for upwards of half a century, which time he has won
success can prominence both in the profession of Medicine and in the business 
circles, and is today recognized as one of the leaders in the public affairs
of the community, as well as one of the worthwhile men in of West Virginia.  

Doctor Brock was born in Greene County, Pa., December 19th, 1844, the son of
Fletcher and Rachel Stephenson Brock.  This branch of the Brock family is
descended from Burbridge Brock, became to America from England, settling 
in his New Jersey in the middle of the seventeenth century.  His son William,
who was born in New Jersey in 1760, married Margaret Dunn, and brought his 
family to the border land of Virginia, where he settled on land lying on each
side of the "Mason and Dixon line" in Pennsylvania and Virginia (now West 
Virginia).  Fletcher Brock, son of William and father of Dr. Luther S.  
Brock, was born in Virginia May 5th, 1807.  He built his home of practically 
upon the spot where he was born, on land touching and overlapping the "Mason
and Dixon line", and became a prominent citizen of this section.  While his 
business was in Virginia, his home was in Pennsylvania and he was always a 
citizen of the Keystone State, which he represented in the Legislature.  In 
1829 he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Stephenson, of Waynesburg, 
Pennsylvania, and four sons and five daughters were born to them, two of the 
sons dying in infancy.  Of the five daughters, three are now living: Mrs. 
Cynthia B. Glenn and Mrs. Harriet B. Showalter of Kansas City, Missouri, and
Miss Martha Brock of Morgantown.  

Living on the borderline between the states of Pennsylvania and Virginia (now
West Virginia), Luther S. Brock attended the free schools of Pennsylvania and
the subscription schools of Virginia.  At the age of fourteen he entered the 
Monongalia County at Morgantown, an institution of very high grades and standing,
where he completed the full classical course.  He read medicine under the 
preceptorship of his brother, Dr. Hugh Workman Brock, who after the death of
their father had taken upon himself the care and education of his younger 
brother and sisters.  After his graduation from Jefferson Medical College, 
Philadelphia, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1874, Dr. Luther S.
Brock entered the general practice of medicine in partnership with his brother,
Dr. Hugh Workman Brock, a distinguished physician and surgeon of Morgantown, an
association which was determined by the death of the latter in 1882.  Since the
above year he has been a senior member of the firm of Brock and Wade of Morgantown,
the junior member of being Dr. Spencer S. Wade.  During the more active years of 
Doctor Brock's professional labors his practice extended over a broad area of 
surrounding country, often reaching beyond the borders of the neighboring states.  

For a number of years Doctor Brock served as a member of the United States Board 
of Examining Surgeons, and under the administration of Governor age.  A. B. 
Fleming and Governor William E. Glasscock, served as a member of the State Board 
of Health of West Virginia.  He likewise was a member of the Board of Trustees 
of the Fairmont Miners Hospital, in the locating of which institution he was 
largely instrumental. He also served as President of the West Virginia State 
Medical Society, and was one of the founders of the Monongalia County Medical 
Society, and for several years was its President.  He is still a member of the
societies and of the American Medical Association.  He served for at least
fifteen years as a member of the Morgantown School Board, and still retains 
a keen interest and educational affairs.  He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and has been for many years one of its Trustees.  

Doctor Brock has been one of the Board of Directors and Vice-President of the 
Bank of the Monongahela Valley since its organization in 1888, and is now its
President.  He was one of the founders of the Morgantown Brick Company, and 
has been its Vice-President since its organization.  

In 89 Doctor Brock was indicted in marriage with Miss Anges Lauck, daughter
of Rev. William and Sarah (Benny) Lauck, of Beaver, Pennsylvania, and to their
union two daughters and one son have been born: Rachel Stephenson, who is 
deceased; Eleanor, who has won national distinction as a singer; and Robert 
Luther, a graduate of the West Virginia University, who served during the 
World War with the rank of lieutenant, and is now married and living in Morgantown.