Biography of Byron W. Steele, M.D. - Wyoming Co. WV The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 397-398 BYRON W. STEELE, M. D. For the past several years Dr. Byron W. Steele has been engaged in the general prac- tice of medicine at Mullens, and by his devotion to the duties of his profession, his close study and his pronounced skill has won a liberal and representative practice. His talents and sympathy have gained him recognition as a leader, and he has maintained throughout his career a high standard of professional ethics and honorable principles. Doctor Steele was born at Moundsville, West Virginia, July 14, 1889, and is a son of Dr. S. M. and Florence N. (Cheadle) Steele. Dr. S. M. Steele was born September 14, 1860, in Tyler County, Virginia (now West Virginia), and after completing his normal school education at West Liberty engaged in school teaching for two years, in the meantime pursuing his medical studies. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, from which institution he was graduated with his degree with the class of 1886, and commenced practice at Moundsville, West Virginia, where he remained until becoming superin- tendent of the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane. He remained in this capacity from 1906 until 1914, and his tal- ents as an authority on nervous diseases made his work of particular value. He returned from the hospital to Mounds- ville, where he now has a large practice and is numbered among the foremost members of his profession. He is a republican in politics and an Elk fraternally, and belongs to the Methodist Church, as does Mrs. Steele, who is a native of McConnellsvilIe, Ohio. Four sons were born to them, all of whom served during the World war, three seeing overseas service. Dr. Byron W. Steele is the eldest of the sons. Leonard C. Steele was a sergeant in the Medical Corps of the Eighty-seventh Division and was overseas one year. He is now associated with the Wyoming Ice and Bot- tling Company at Mullens as bookkeeper. Rodney D. Steele was on the battle line with the Seventeenth Ambu- lance Company, Fifth Division, a noted company with splendid service to its credit. Marion Steele, the youngest son, was at the Students' Training Camp at Washington and Lee University when the armistice was signed. Byron W. Steele attended the public schools of Mounds- ville, and was graduated from the high school there, fol- lowing which he entered Marshall College and was gradu- ated in 1910. He then enrolled as a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, his father's alma mater, and was graduated as a member of the class of 1914, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and for one year thereafter served as instructor. For the following year he served as obstetrician at Mercy Hospital, Balti- more. and during the next year held the same position at the Women's Hospital in that city. In 1916 he came to Mullens to take charge of Robertson's General Hospital as surgeon, and remained in that capacity until March 10, 1918, when he enrolled as a student in the Army Medical School at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. He received his com- mission as first lieutenant, was made an instructor, and in June, 1918, went overseas, where he was promoted cap- tain and made orthopedic surgeon at Base Hospital No. 63. He remained in that capacity until March 11, 1919, when he was transferred to Base Hospital No. 91 as chief orthopedie surgeon. He returned to the United States in August, 1919, and again settled at Mullens, where he is in the enjoyment of a very heavy practice. Doctor Steele's physique and general bearing are such as to inspire confi- dence, and his real courtesy and sympathy likewise gain him the faith of his patients. Ho holds to the highest ideals in his professional service, and his work is characterized by a conscientious devotion to duty and a display of knowl- edge that demonstrates him a master of his vocation. His work has brought him before the people of Mullens and the surrounding community in a way that will not be easily for- gotten, and he has never been found lacking in any of the essentials that are necessary for the making of a truly great physician. He keeps fully abreast of the numerous advance- ments being constantly made in his calling, and is an ac- tive and interested member of the Mercer County Medical Society, the West Virginia State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a member of the Phi Beta Pi medical fraternity. In politics he adheres to the principles of the republican party, but his profession has kept him too busily occupied for him to engage in pub- lic life, although he displays a good citizen's interest in civic matters and gives his support to worthy movements and enterprises. Fraternally he is affiliated with Mullens Lodge No. 151, A. F. and A. M., and Princeton Chapter, R. A. M., in both of which he has numerous friends. On July 14, 1920, at Mullens. Doctor Steele was united in marriage with Miss Frances P. Ould, daughter of W. T. Ould, of Glenlyn, Virginia. To this union there has been born one son, Byron W., Jr. Mrs. Steele, a woman of nu- merous graces and accomplishments, is a graduate of Con- cord Normal School at Athens, West Virginia, and also did special work at the University of Virginia. Prior to her marriage she was a teacher in the public schools. She and Doctor Steele are members of the Methodist Church. Doc- tor Steele is a member of the American Legion. Submitted by Valerie F. Crook **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************