USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
Doctor Davidson is mentioned as having been located in Shelbyville in the practice of medicine along about the thirties, by a former Shelby county history, but as nothing can be learned about him it is probable that he was not here long.
Dr. Richard Depew lived in St. Paul, but did a large practice in the south- cast corner of Shelby county for many years. He left there about 1888, and went to Indianapolis, where he died some years later.
Dr. James Dorsey was located in Shelby county at St. Paul from about 1860 to 1870, in the practice of medicine. He was an influential citizen and a good physician, and had a large practice. He was a prominent member of
14
-
210
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO .. IND.
the Methodist church and in politics a Republican. He moved away from St. Paul and later died.
Dr. John Dorsey practiced medicine at Waldron for a few years about the time of the close of the war. He then left that locality and died some years later.
Ithamar H. Drake. M. D., was born in Warren county, Ohio. September 4. 1828. His father was a farmer and one of the pioneers of Ohio, named Peter Drake, and a native of Pennsylvania. His mother was Sarah ( Merritt) Drake, and a native of Delaware. The Drake family was of English descent and his ancestors came over in the Mayflower. He was the sixth child in a family of nine children, and with the rest of the family spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, working on the farm in the summer and attending the public selicols in the winter. He later entered the Lebanon Academy of Lebanon, Ohio, where he continued the pursuit of his education for three years. after which he entered the law office of Lauren Smith, of Lebanon, where he studied law for one year.
From 1848 to 1851 he was principal of Pearl River Academy, of Madison county, Minnesota, and on his return from Minnesota he began the study of medicine by entering the office of Doctors Halangen and Drake, of Lebanon. Ohio. He then entered the Cleveland Medical College. from which he grad- uated in 1853. Soon after he graduated he came to Brick Chapel, Putnam county, Indiana where he remained in the practice for fifteen years. He then removed to Delaware. Ripley county, where he opened an office for the practice of medicine, and continued at that location until he removed to Shelbyville in 1880 and continued in the practice until the time of his death. December 8, 1900. In 1853 he was married to Miss Christiana Morrison, of Cleveland, Ohio, a native of Scotland, born in 1832. They are the parents of three sons, viz: Lauren, Doctor Morris and Frank, the latter two being residents of Shelbyville.
Elijah S. Elder, M. D. was born in Dillsborough, Indiana, March 17, 1841. He was the son of Dr. Samuel F. Elder. one of the early pioneer physicians of Mount Auburn. Shelby county. Indiana. The family was of English descent. He came to Mount Auburn with his parents at an early day. and received his early education in the public schools of that community, and at the age of eighteen began teaching school and taught for two years in Shel- by county, and then elerked in a store at Mount Auburn for two years. He then commenced reading medicine with his father, and in 1865 entered the Ohio Medical College and graduated from the institution in 1867. He began the practice of medicine in 1867 at Morristown, Shelby county, and continued there until 1875. He then entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College. of New York, and graduated in 1876. He was the first vice-president of the Shelby County Medical Society, organized in 1868, and as Secretary of the State
1
211
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Medical Society organized the present Medical Society of Shelby county, which was organized in 1888. While located at Morristown he was a member of the Rush County Medical Society and was president during 1873-74. He was secretary of the State Medical Society for fifteen years prior to his death, and elected president of that body only a few hours before his death. For almost twenty years prior to his death he was a lecturer in the Indiana Med- ical College. He had a good mind, an unusual amount of energy, and was prominent in every organization with which he was connected. He died at Indianapolis May 19. 1894. and is survived by his widow, who resides in In- dianapolis. He was a strong and useful man, an excellent physician, a first- class medical teacher and a good organizer, and his untimely death was a great loss to all with whom he came in contact.
Dr. Samuel F. Eller came from Dillsborough, Indiana, to Mount Att- burn. Shelby county, some time near 1850. He was an active practitioner of medicine, and an influential citizen until the time of his death. about 1870. He was the father of Elijah S. Elder. He was a member of the Shelby County Medical Society, organized in 1868. He died and was buried at Mount Auburn.
James O. Espey, M. D., was born in Rural Valley, West Virginia, about 1845. Ile located at Fountaintown. Shelby county, in 1868, and practiced medicine there until 1880, when he attended the Indiana Medical College and graduated from the institution. He then moved to Palestine, where he con- tinted in the practice until the time of his death about 1886. He was married to Jose Harper, who is yet living.
Shadrick L. Feree, M. D., was born about 1830 and located at London. Shelby county, for the practice of medicine about 1861, and continued in the active practice there until 1879. He then moved to Indianapolis. where he continued to live until about 1900, when he died of pneumonia. aged about seventy years. He matriculated in the Indiana Medical College and graduated from that institution about 1875, having studied and practiced medicine for a number of years previous to his graduation. He was married and had three children, two of whom are yet living.
Dr. Charles Fishback came to Shelbyville to practice medicine shortly prior to 1850, and remained a number of years. Ile then moved to Indianapo- lis, where he died about 1863 or 1864. He was a man of fine physique, of untarnished character and very influential in the community. He was wel! educated both in literature and medicine, and a good physician, and had a good practice. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and while here was affiliated with the church of that denomination in Shelbyville in an official way.
George W. Fleming, M. D., was born in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, October 1. 1802. His father was a native of that state, but of Scotch
1
212
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
descent, his ancestors having settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania, at an carly date. He received his education in the public schools of his native county, and in Washington College at Washington. Pennsylvania. He graduated ' from Washington College in 1822, and immediately began the study of medi- cine under Dr. James Straus, of his native county. He then studied and prac- ticed with Doctor Stevens, of Washington, Pennsylvania, for a term of four years, after which he graduated from a medical college of that vicinity. He first came to Shelbyville in 1830, and remained two years, and while here did much surveying in the county. He returned to Pennsylvania and practiced medicine until 1849. when he again came to Shelby county, where he remained until his death, March 21, 1864. During his time in Shelbyville he had the reputation of being a scholarly gentleman, and an eminent physician. He died from blood-poisoning received while attending a patient in this county. He was married to Belinda MeGrew, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born November 23. 1807. To this union two children were born, viz: Thomas W. and Dr. George W., both now living in Shelbyville.
Dr. John S. Forbes practiced medicine at Shelbyville along about the same time that Doctor Freeh practiced-probably from near 1840 or 1845. to near 1867. He did not continue in the practice here until his death. however, as he left here and went to Indianapolis, where he continued in the practice for a time and then went to Philadelphia, where he died. He was a good physician and commanded a large practice for many years. He was also active in public affairs and was a member of the School Board of Shelbyville when the Franklin Street school building was burned down rebuilt. The directory shows that in 1860 he resided on East Broadway. near where the Catholic church now stands.
Joseph Francis. M. D., was born in New Jersey, January 8. 1837. IIe read medicine and began practice in Fountaintown. in 1865. He entered the Ohio Medical College and graduated from that institution in 1873. He then practiced in several different places, but finally located at Morristown, where he died in 1893. He was married March 12, 1868, to Sarah Mutz, who sur- vives him and later was married to Mr. George Kinsley, who lives two miles north of Shelbyville.
Dr. Frank Free located for the practice of medicine on Flatrock river, near the cave, during the latter part of the forties. After a year or two he moved to Norristown, and a little later to Flatrock. He practiced in the south part of the county for twelve or fifteen years, and later moved to Indianapolis, and died some time during the eighties. While living at Flatrock he was married to Miss Mary Wooley. He was reputed to be a good physician and a very fine man.
Michael Freeh, M. D., who was born April 5. 1795. in Germany, came to Shelbyville. Indiana, some time near 1840, and continued in the practice of
1
213
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
medicine here until the time of his death. December 3. 1874. Ile was a typical German, and spoke a very broken English, but withal he was well educated. and a good physician. He was a man of strong personality. straightforward and free to speak his mind and consequently made some enemies, but at the . same time made many strong friendships. For many years he did a large practice, and much riding over the county. He at one time owned the ground where the First National Bank now stands, and the Padrick block. He was considered eminently successful in the treatment of small-pox.
George Gaskell. M. D .. practiced in Shelbyville for a number of years be- tween 1830 and 1850, and died here some time prior to 1850. He was mar- ried to Miss Jane Allen, a descendant of Ethan Allen, who was a native of Virginia. They were married in Virginia, which was also Dr. Gaskell's na- tive state. and came to Indiana at an early date. They finally located at Shel- byville, where they continued to live the remainder of their lives. He was educated in the East. both in literature and medicine and was eminently fitted for the position he occupied as an influential citizen and leading physician. He was the grandfather of Hon. Charles Major, the author, who now resides in Shelbyville.
Moses Rumsey Gilmore. M. D., was born in Ohio, January 12, 1832. His father. William Gilmore, was a native of Massachusetts, and a minister in the Christian church. His mother, Jane ( Rumsey ) Gilmore, was a native of New York. His parents moved to Sandusky county, Ohio, when he was a child, and there he grew to manhood. When he was twenty years of age he entered Antioch College at Yellow Springs. Ohio, and continued to attend school there and teach school alternately for four years. He first commenced the study of medicine under A. W. Hartmen. M. D .. and in the fall of 1857 he entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, where he took one course of lectures and then commened practice in Fulton county, Ohio. In 1859 he returned to Ann Arbor and took his second course of lec- tures and graduated in 1860. He practiced in Illinois for about one year and in 1862 entered the army as acting assistant surgeon, where he continued for one year. For several years after this he practiced at different locations part of the time at Fairland, Shelby county, and part of the time at Edinburg. John- son county. and in 1876 he located at Boggstown. Shelby county, where he continued in the active practice until 1892, when he moved to Missouri, where he died December 24. 1902. His remains were brought from Wellston, Mis- souri, where he died. to Boggstown, and buried where he had spent so much of the active part of his life. He was also a graduate of the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons of Indianapolis. graduating with the class of 1864. He was married to Elizabeth Allen, a native of New York, December 28. 1858, and three children were born to them. He was a member of the Pres- byterian church. and of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics a Democrat.
1
214
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Dr. William B. Gordon was born in Union township, Shelby county, In- diana, April 16, 1836, and died in the same neighborhood August 16. 1889. His grandfather, Archibald Gordon, settled in Johnsen county, Indiana, at a very early date, and his father. John M. Gordon, settled in Union township, Shelby county, before the organization of the county. Here he was married to Rachel L. Bennett, of Shelby county, to whom were born four children, William B. being the second eldest. At the age of sixteen he came to Shelby- ville, where he entered the Volunteer office, then owned by David Thatcher, and learned the printing business. He worked at the printing trade for ten years, but during the latter part of that period spent his spare time studying medical books. He then followed a course of study at his home under the instruction of Dr. Samuel A. Kennedy for a time, and during the winter of 1863-64 he attended a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical College, of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and from that time until his death he practiced medicine at dif- ferent points, but most of the time in Unien township, where he was born and died. He was married to Mrs. Catherine J. Wicker, a daughter of John W. and Eliza Brown, on March 1, 1875. They have two children, Orville E. and Julia S.
Doctor Graham is mentioned by a former Shelby county history, but nothing can now be learned of him.
William Frame Green. M. D., was born in Rush county, Indiana. April 1, 1831, and was the son of Lot and Anna ( Cooper ) Green, who were natives of Kentucky. He was raised on a farm and during the summer months occu- pied his time at farm work and during the winters he attended the public schools, a part of the time riding four miles each morning and evening, that he might have the advantages of a better teacher. At nineteen years of age he commenced teaching and continued in that vocation for two winters, after which he attended the high schools of Knightstown and Shelbyville, which completed his literary education. He began the study of medicine in the office of Doctors Selman & Bussell, at Shelbyville, in 1852, and afterward studied with his brother in Rush county for a time. In the winter of 1853-1854. he attended a course of lectures in the Rush Medical College and then returned to Shelbyville, and formed a partnership with Doctor Selman which continued until the fall of 1855, when he again entered the Rush Medical College from which he graduated in 1856. After graduating he returned to Shelbyville, where he opened an office alone and continued in active practice until the time of his death. August 19. 1886. Doctor Green was truly a self-made man, having worked his way as farm hand and school teacher while a student until he was prepared for his life work, that of a physician. For more than thirty years he enjoyed a large and lucrative practice, and at the time of his death owned a fine farm and other valuable property. Soon after graduating, May 6, 1856, he was married to
215
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Miss Jennie Doble, and to them two children were born: Mrs. Dr. Jesse Rucker, of Greensburg, and Mrs. Charles Tatman. of Shelbyville. Doctor Green and his wife were active and enthusiastic members of the First Metho- dist church of Shelbyville, and the doctor was superintendent of the Sunday school of that church for many years. Doctor Green was of a kindly disposi- tion and generous in his impulses, and held in the highest esteem both as a physician and citizen.
James W. Green, M. D., a native of Rush county, Indiana, was born Feb- ruary 5. 1825, and died at Shelbyville, Indiana. August 3. 1897. His father, Lot and Anna (Cooper) Green, were natives of Kentucky, but the Green family originally came from England during the early history of this country. James W. was the eldest in a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters. and was reared on his father's farm in Rush county, where he worked on the farm during the summer months and attended school during the winter until he acquired a good common school education. He began the study of medi- cine in the office of William Frame, M. D., at Rushville, Indiana, and there continued his studies until 1847. when he was licensed to practice medicine by the Fifth District Medical Institute. Ile later attended the Rush Medical Col- lege of Chicago, and graduated from that institution in 1856. From 1856 to 1886 he practiced medicine at Arlington, Rush county, Indiana, where he com- manded a large practice and was esteemed as a successful physician and in honorable citizen. After the death of his brother, William F. Green. in 1886. he came to Shelbyville and took charge of the large practice which his brother had commanded for many years. This was September 1. 1886, and he con- tinued in practice here until shortly before his death. eleven years later. He was united in marriage to Mary Gowdy, also of Rush county, and to this union twelve children were born.
Doctor Greenliei came to the neighborhood of the Cave about 1846, and boarded at Copeland's and practiced medicine for a short time.
David Handy. M. D., was a graduate of Starling Medical College of Co- lumbus, Ohio, of the class of 1865. He located at Flatrock. Shelby county, for the practice of medicine in 1866, and remained there for a year or two and then went south, where he died some years later. He was unmarried while a resident of Shelby county.
William S Hargrove, M. D., first studied medicine with Dr. J. G. Wolf, of Morristown, and later graduated from Starling Medical College of Colun- bus, Ohio, about 1865. He located at Shelbyville, for the practice of medicine about 1866. and remained about two years, when he moved to New Salem, Rush county. Indiana, where he practiced medicine for many years, and died later. While practicing here he was physician at the poor house of Shelby county for one year. He was married to Mrs. Fannie ( Wood ) Thomas. He and Doctor Handy, who located at Flatrock, were graduates of the same class. and strong friends.
216
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
Doctor Harle was another physician of about the same period as Doctor Norris, about 1844, and in fact practiced with him for several years, and at the same time boarded with his family. He practiced in the same locality. He had practiced but a few years when a boat in which he was rowing on Flat- rock river upset and he was drowned.
Doctor Harrison, a son of General Harrison, is mentioned by a former Shelby county history, but no one could be found who knew anything of him, and it is possible that the former mention is incorrect.
M. M. Hess, M. D., was born in November. 1840. in Henry county, In- diana. He attended a course of medical lectures in 1868, and then practiced medicine in Hancock county until 1884. and then in California until 18So. He then entered the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons at ludianapolis, and graduated in 1890. In 1890 he located at Morristown, and practiced medicine there until 1906. when he moved to Freeport and practiced until the time of his death. in August. 1908. He was married three times, and is sur- vived by the last wife and two daughters.
Dr. Jacob Homberg was born in Germany, and emigrated to America in an early day. He crossed the ocean in a sailing vessel. and was six months in crossing. He located for the practice of medicine in Shelbyville. Indiana. some time during the thirties, and practiced medicine here for a number of years, probably until about 1850. He is now remembered only by a few of the oldest citizens, among them James Bennett, of West Washington street. Mr. Bennett, then a lad of twelve or fourteen years of age, while hauling wood with an ox team, had his thigh bone broken and Doctor Homberg treated the fracture. In dressing the injury he used leather splints, and strapped the patient's shoulder to the head of the bed, and the foot of the injured limb to the foot of the bed. The treatment was successful as the results were equal to those secured by the best surgeons of today. He was educated in Germany. and well prepared for the practice of medicine and had a good practice. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics voted with the Whigs. He finally left here and moved to Indianapolis, where he died some years later. He was a bachelor and lived with his brother, Fred Homberg. and for a time they lived in a frame house on the south side of the square, where the Model dry goods store now stands.
C. P. Jennings, who was a minister in the First Presbyterian church front 1866 to 1869, practiced medicine in a number of families during his residence here.
Thomas S. Jones, M. D., was born in Kent county. Delaware, June 29. 1843. He was the son of George and Mary ( Ford) Jones, of the same state, his father having been born in 1803. and his mother in 1809. He secured his literary education in the public schools of his native county, and early in . life decided to study medicine, and in 1864 he entered the office of William
217
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND
B. Maloney, M. D .. of Hazletville. Delaware, where he pursued his studies until 1866, when he entered Michigan University and remained for one year. He then became a student of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from that institution in 1868. Immediately after graduating he commenced the practice of his profession in Marydell, Maryland, and continued at that location for one year, then came to Shelby county, Indiana, in 1869. On coming to this county he located at Flatrock, where he soon built up a large practice, which he retained until he was elected Clerk of Shelby county in 1886. He then moved to Shelbyville and continued to serve in that office until the end of his term in 1890. After his term as Clerk was ended he opened an office for the practice of medicine in Shelbyville, and again soon built up a large practice, which he retained until he was stricken with paralysis a few weeks before his death, which occurred April 2. 1903. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and always had a keen interest in these organizations as well as in all public af- fairs. Personally he was of a positive make-up. warm and loyal to his friends. and a hard fighter against those whom he thought to be wrong. He was mar- ried to Miss Kate Struble, of Bartholomew county, Indiana, in 1878, and to them three children were born, viz: Mary E., Stanley and Herbert C.
Samuel A. Kennedy, M. D., was born in Northumberland county, Penn- sylvania, March 20. 1835. Here he remained until he was eighteen years of age attending the public schools and Lewisburg Academy until he had com- pleted his literary education. His great grandfather. James Kennedy, was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to this country, locating in Maryland. before the Revolutionary war, where his grandfather. Andrew Kennedy, was born and grew to maturity, and remained until 1792, when he moved to Northum- berland county. Pennsylvania. Here his father. Andrew, grew to manhood. and was married to Nancy McMullan, of that state: they were the parents of twelve children. Samuel A. being the fifth. In 1853 Samuel A. came to Shelby county, where he continued to make his home until his death, August 22, 1900. Immediately on coming to Shelby county he entered the office of his uncle. Dr. John Y. Kennedy, and commenced the study of medicine. During the first winter he taught school and during the winters of 1854-55 he attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College: the next winter he again taught school, and in the winter of 1856-57 he again attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, where he graduated in the spring of 1857, on March Ist. After graduating he located at Fairland, where he prac- ticed for two years and then moved to Shelbyville in 1859. where he continued the practice of medicine until a short time before his death. During nearly all of those years he had a large practice and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. As well as being a good physician, he was a good busi- ness man, owned a good farm and other valuable property. On June 17. 1857.
218
CHADWICK'S HISTORY OF SHELBY CO., IND.
he was married to Miss Eliza M. Kennedy, a daughter of John Y. Kennedy M. D., and to them six children were born, five sons. James G., Dr. Thomas C .. Dr. Samuel and Dr. William H .. all now living in Shelby county, and Doctor Donald, who died at Denver, Colorado, a few years since, and Miss Anna, who died in Shelbyville in 1908.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.