USA > Ohio > Noble County > History of Noble County, Ohio: With Portraits and Biographical Sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 22
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DR. ORVIL. O. MCKEE is one of the prominent physicians of Caldwell. Ile was born in Olive Township Feb. 9, 1854. After attending the com- mon schools and academies of this locality, he took a four years' course at the University of Michigan, grad- uating from the medical department of that institution in 1882. Immed- iately afterward he settled in Cald- well where he has since been pursuing his vocation with good success. Dr. McKee was married to Sarah Whar- ton. of Cambridge, in 1885.
DR. JAMES F. CAPELL was one of the brightest and best men of the county. Ile not only succeeded ad- mirably in his profession, but he also edited a paper with conspicuous abil- ity, and was distinguished for the force and vigor of his writings. Dr. - Capell was one of the early treasur- ers of Noble County, and in the controversy which resulted in the removal of the county seat from Sarahsville, be.was always an active participant. He was born and reared in Marion Township, and after re- ceiving both a common school and collegiate education, he began the study of medicine under Dr. Wad- dell, of Belmont County. He loca- ted at Sarahsville early in the history of that town, and was soon in suc- cessful practice. For thirty years he was an untiring worker in the professional field, and had the esteem and respect of all who knew him. Probably his practice was larger than that of any other physician of
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the county of his time. Ile died in the vicinity of Caldwell, at the home of his father-in-law, Dr. David McGarry. Preceding. Dr. Capell at Sarahsville, there were several phy- sicians who were brief residents- Dr. Welch, originally from Belmont County ; Dr. Connor, from the vicin- ity of Cumberland, and others. Dr. J. Y. Hopkins was a resident of Sarahsville in 1851. Ile remained several years. The present physi- cians are : Dr. W. S. Spriggs and Dr. J. D. Aldridge.
WILLIAM S. SPRIGOS, M. D., is among the old and reputable phy- sicians of Noble County. For nearly a quarter of a century he has devoted himself to the practice of his profession in Sarahsville and vicin- ity. Ile was born in Beimont County, Ohio. in 1837. Ilis father, Morris Spriggs, was one of the early settlers of the county, and the father of eight children who grew to ma- turity. Benjamin F., the elder, was one of the leading lawyers of the county ; John P. is an attorney of Monroe County ; David S. is a prom- inent member of the Noble County bar; J. W. is a lawyer and a leading citizen of Salem, Oregon ; Dr. Will- iam S., the subject of this notice; Dr. Alfred R., of Illinois ; and Eliza and Sarah R The family are a race of teachers, and in early life all fol- lowed that vocation. William S. received a thorough common-school education, and at the age of twenty began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John Kellar, of Mt. Ephraim, Ohio. Completing his preparatory course he entered the
Starling Medical College. The fol- lowing year he began practice at Mt. Ephraim, and in a comparatively short time was in the possession of a remunerative business. His atten- tion, however, was diverted from his professional duties by the stirring scenes that were then being enacted, and, in company with others, he re- cruited Company II, of the One Hun- dred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Upon the organization of the regiment he was elected first- lieutenant of this company. He served under General Milroy in the Valley campaign ; was at the battle of Winchester, and was with the reg- iment until 1864, when he resigned his commission, returned to his home and resumed his practice at Mt. Ephraim. Shortly after he removed to Sarahsville, where he has since remained, giving his time wholly to his professional duties, and it's but just to say that no physician in the county has attained a more enviable position in the practice than he, or enjoys a greater degree of confidence and esteem of the people. While he has devoted himself assiduously to his practice he has interested himself in all matters pertaining to Sarahs- ville, especially in the advancement of its educational interests. In polit- ical belief he is a Democrat, and while he is not a politician in the ordinary sense of the term, has iden- tified himself prominently with local politics. In 1859 the doctor was married to Miss Matilda Gant. She died in 1878, and in 1879 he was again married to Miss Ida Hickle. By the first marriage there were three
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children-Edgar, Ethelind and Clem- ent D .; by the second, Frank, Sadie and Ernest.
John D. Aldridge, M. D., was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1860. Ile received his literary education at
DR. CHARLES SHRAEBER was a Ger- Mt. Union College, and began the : man who located in Sharon prior to the formation of the county and practiced there several years.
study of medicine under the tuition of T. II. Wilson, ot Dennison, Ohio. He graduated with honor from the Starling Medical in 1883, and in the same year established nimself in the practice of his profession in Sarahs- ville, where he has built up a suc- ' cessful and remunerative practice. IIe is a member of the County Med- ical Society. The doctor was married in 1882, to Miss Alice Sheppley, of Blue Bell, Guernsey County, Obio.
The first settled physician in Sharon was Dr. John Kirkpatrick, who came about 1835 from Guernsey County. In 1837 he located on a farm near Sharon, from which he re- moved about a year later. He was considered a good doctor. Next came Dr. Joseph V. Allison, from Washington County, who remained eight or nine years, leaving in 1847. Ile had a good practice and was a most worthy citizen. Dr. Jesse M. Stone came to Sharon soon after Dr. Allison. He was a successful doctor and a man of good intelligence. Ile was one of the associate judges of Morgan County, chosen to that posi- tion just before the adoption of the new Constitution of Ohio. Dr. John Hardy was located in Sharon at the same time with Drs. Allison and Stone, and remained several years. Later physicians have been quite nu- merous, many young physicians
having located here, each of whom remained but a short time. The present medical practitioner is Dr. Felix O. Neptune, son of Wesley Neptune, of Middleburg.
DR. HOWELLS practiced in Sharon , several years prior to the war. Ile went out with the Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a sur- geon. Ile was killed in a steamboat disaster after the war.
DR. FRANCIS SLATER, a native of England and an Edinburgh graduate, settled at Sharon in 1855. Though a inan of unquestioned ability, he ob- tained but a small practice here. At .the beginning of the war he was ap- pointed by Governor Dennison assist- ant surgeon of the Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his abil- ity and skill soon brought him into prominence. He served as surgeon-in- chief, Kanawha division, department of Ohio; medical director, post of Chattanooga ; medical director, four- teenth army corps ; medical director, cavalry corps, and finally as medical director, department of Alabama. From 1868 to 1874 he was medical referee in the U. S. Pension Office. Hedied at Washington, D. C., in 1879.
DR. JESSE M. STONE, a native of Harrison County, began practicing at Hiramsburg, and prior to 1848 located in Sharon, where he remained some years. Ile afterwards practiced in other parts of the county. Ile re- moved to Tennessee and died there. Dr. Stone wa a prominent politician
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of the Democratic party, and was once an aspirant for member of Congress from this district. Ile was elected associate juage of Morgan County, under the old constitution. while Sharon was a part of Morgan County. Ile was moderately suc- cessful as a doctor.
DR. JOSHUA CRAIG, who was born and educated in Ireland, came to Marion Township when the country was new, and for many years was the only medical adviser in that see- tion of the county. He had an ex- tensive practice, and was considered a good and useful member of his pro- fession.
The first resident physician of Summerfield was Dr. David Frame. lle came in 1880 from Guernsey County, and after about three years' practice returned to that county. Dr. John Banford came next, and first engaged in school teaching. Ile was unmarried, and lived with James W. Shankland. Ile took up the study of medicine without a precep- tor, and after acquiring some knowl- edge of the art. began practicing From Summerfield he removed to Cincinnati. Next came Dr. John Waterman, from Waterford, Wash- ington County, who remained a year DR. WILLIAM HORTON, son of Moses Horton, was reared and educated at Summerfield, and practiced his pro- fession here for several years at dif- ferent periods. He studied under Dr. Graham, who married his sister or two. Dr. Nathan Johns, a "steam doctor," or an adherent to the Thomsonian system, was here several years and bore an excellent reputation, though his school gener- ally was held in no great favor. He 'and practiced some years in the town. died in Summerfield. About the Dr. Graham removed to Kansas and was in the " border war." Dr. Horton removed to Southern Indiana about same time came Dr. Foreman, and later, Dr. Graham. Dr. William Ilare, Dr. Williams and Dr. Mechem . 1871, and now lives near Cincinnati.
also practiced here a short time each. Dr. Carder, a professed cancer doc- tor. was also in Summerfield several years. Dr. Robert Stephenson, an Englishman, formerly a traveling Methodist preacher, came here from Somerton about 1846, and remained in the town and vicinity until about 1866, when he removed to Center- ville, Iowa, where he died later. IIe was a competent physician and quite successful in his practice.
DR. R. B. TAYLOR, who was brought up in the vicinity of Sum- merfield, studied medicine in Mc- Connelsville, and practiced in Carlisle and Summerfield. Ile was a useful member of his profession. For a time he was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but he joined the Free Methodists be- fore leaving Summerfield. He went to Kansas. Dr. Taylor was the son of Rev. Edward Il. Taylor, a well- "known Methodist circuit preacher of pioneer days. His mother, Lydia I (Brewster) Taylor, was a lady of re- markable intelligence and agreeable manners. She was a teacher among the Indians in the early years of Ohio. Both she and her husband are buried at Summerfield.
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Dr. A. A. Staats is now the oldest resident physician of Summerfield. He has practiced here about eighteen years. Dr. W. R. Taylor has prac- ticed in the town several years and is a competent physician. His brother, Dr. David Taylor, formerly practiced here. Dr. R. S. Brown is in the drug business in Summerfield.
DR. REUBEN P. SUMMERS was born in Fayette County, Pa., in 1818. In 1822 he came to Ohio with his parents. Ilis father was a promi- nent farmer in Harrison County, where he died in 1856 .. Ile reared a family of four children. Reuben P. Summers passed his early life on the farm, receiving a good common- school education. At the age of twenty he began the study of medi- cine under Dr. Enoch Thomas, of New Athens. On removing to Summerfield he began the practice of his profession, in which he was highly successful; but owing to ill- health he abandoned his practice and began the mercantile business. During the war he was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. From 1865 to 1871 he was a tobacco merchant. In 1871 he came to Caldwell, and engaged in the boot, shoe and leather trade which he still follows. IIe married Violet A., daughter of Alexander Franklin. He is the father of five sons and six daughters. He is a Republican in politics, and in early years was con- nected with the Underground Rail- road movement.
land, and graduated as a surgeon in that city. On obtaining his diploma in 1851, he went as surgeon of Her Majesty's vessel, carrying Sir John McDonald as governor to Sierra Leon. He landed at Charleston, S. C., and came thence to his father's, where he soon had a large practice. Falling into the temptation of drink, a career that might have been useful and brilliant was ruined. He was probably the best read physician ever in this county. He died in April, 1868, leaving a family of five young children.
DR. A. A. STAATS, of Summer- field, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1838. . He attended school in Sarahsville, and was for a time a student at Marietta College. In 1864 he enlisted in the Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until mustered out July 3, 1865. In 1866 he began the study of medicine under Dr. R. C. Downey, now of Caldwell. He attended medical lec- tures at the Starling Medical College one term, and in 1868 graduated at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. After a short resi- dence in Sarahsville, he located at Summerfield in 1869, where he is still in practice.
Robert Stephenson, M. D., a promi- nent practitioner of Centreville, Iowa, was born in Ohio September 16, 1841. Ile studied medicine with his father and graduated from the Iowa State University in 1867. September 17, 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier in Company D., Forty-second Ohio | Volunteer Infantry, a regiment made
DR. JOHN BELTON SPARLING, son of Wyndham Sparling, of Sparling, of Marion Township, was born in Ire- famous by its gallant commander,
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HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY. OHIO.
General James A. Garfield. He served with credit until his discharge from the service as first sergeant, September 30, 1864. The following year he removed to Iowa, where he married Miss Ruth E. Pennington, a native of West Virginia. The doc- tor is in possession of an extensive and lucrative practice, and, although a young man, has attained an envi- able position among the physicians of the State. In 1883 he was elected to the chair of demonstrator of an- atomy and gynecology, in the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Des Moines, Iowa. Ile is now mak- ยท ing a specialty of surgery and gyne- cology, his practice taking him to all portions of the State. Ile is local 'surgeon for the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific, and the Kansas and Mis- souri Railroads. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in the Ma- sonic order occupies the position of Captain General of St. John's Commandery, No. 21. He is a mem- ber of the State Medical Society, also the Des Moines Valley Medical Association, and the Appanoose County Medical Society. He takes a deep interest in the welfare of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is prominently connected with that organization. In his religious affili- ations he is a Presbyterian. Ile has four children, Ralph O., Robert, Glenn and Bessie B.
DR. WILLIAM .ROSS TAYLOR .- The subject of this notice was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, in 1850, and was reared on a farm. Ile served two years as County Super-
intendent of schools in his native county, and in 1874 entered Urbana, ( Ohio), University, from which he graduated in 1878. He then taught school and read medicine for three years. In 1881 he came to Summer- field where he continued his studies under the tuition of his brother, Dr. D. II. Taylor; attended the Miami University of Medicine in 1881-2, and in 1882 began practice in Sum- merfield. In 1883-4 he attended the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, Baltimore, Maryland, grad- uating March 4, 1884. He returned to Summerfield, bought his brother's practice and is now successfully en- gaged in his profession. Few doc- tors in the county have a larger prac- tice. Dr. Taylor was married in 1885 to Jenola Kean, of Summerfield, and they have one child-Glen B.
DR. ROBERT SAMUEL BROWN is a native of Noble County, born in Marion Township in 1856. He was brought up on the farm of his par- ents, attending the common schools and two terms of normal school at Summerfield. In 1878 he began reading medicine under the precep- torship of Dr. D. H. Taylor; at- tended the Columbus Medical Col- lege in 1879-80; was granted a cer- tificate by the Noble County Medi- cal Society in 1880, and began prac- tice in that year ; attended Columbus Medical College in 1882-3, and grad- uated in March, 1883. He then located in Middleburg, where he remained un- til 1884, when he came to Summer- field and bought the drug store of Tavior Bros. He has since followed the drug business.
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Dr. David Frame, a physician in ; and the study of medicine. Dr. Beaver Township, was taxed $4 on . Bolen, of Cumberland, Ohio, was his the Guernsey County tax duplicate 1
for 1830.
The first physician who settled in Batesville was Dr. Joseph Wilcox. He came in the infancy of the town, 1833. remained many years and had a large practice. Dr. Wilcox studied medicine in Uniontown, Belmont County. Dr. William B. Stotler, from Knox County came next. He | read medicine in Barnesville. After some years practice in Batesville, his house was burned and he removed to Missouri, where he was still living at last accounts. Dr. John Stotler, his brother, also practiced in Batesville a few years. Dr. Hoops, a compe- tent and skillful physician practiced several years and died in Batesville. Dr. John Taylor, Dr. Grimes, Dr. Moore and others have been among the later physicians. Dr. C. A. Moore remained several years, re- moving about 1880. Dr. J. II. Til- ton practiced about two years, and in 1883 went west. The present physicians of Batesville are Dr. T. S. Rosengrant and Dr. Frank James. Dr. James came in 1886. Dr. Rosen- grant settled in the town in 1883. He is a native of Guernsey County, and came from Fairview. IIe is a graduate of the Columbus Medical College, and stands well profession- ally and socially.
DR. FRANK JAMES, of Batesville, is the son of Rufus P. James, of Sharon Township. He was born in Noble County, July 16, 1855. Ile worked on a farm until seventeen years of age, then engaged in school teaching
medical preceptor. Ile attended med- ical lectures at Columbus and Balti- more, graduating from the college of physicians and surgeons in the latter city. He is now engaged in prac- ticing his profession in Batesville.
In Caldwell, probably the first settled physician was Dr. Atkinson Martin, whose biography appears elsewhere. He came to the town in 1859, and for a time served as deputy auditor. Dr. J. M. Moorehead came to Caldwell about 1862 and remained two or three years. Dr. Ernest Gibbs also located here during the war. Dr. Hopkins, now of Macks- burg, came from Monroe County, and was among the early physicians. Dr. J. W. Kraps, now of Dexter City, practiced in Caldwell from 1865 until about 1871. Dr. John Martin came in 1864. Dr. J. W. Hull (deceased) practiced here a few years.
DR. JOHN MCGARRY was born in Olive Township in 1820. He studied medicine under his father's tuition, and for over twenty years was en- gaged in practice in this county. He married Elizabeth, daughter of George Walters, and reared five chil- dren-William G., IIenry B., John B., James II. and Mary B. (deceased). The sons all reside in Noble County except one.
DR. ERWIN GIBBS was an accom- plished gentleman, and an able, skill- ful physician. He was the son of Dennis Gibbs, and was born in Olive Township in 1819. After receiving a common-school education he began the study of medicine, under Dr.
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David McGarry. He then pursued a course at the Cincinnati Medical College, and graduated from that in- stitution when about twenty-four years of age. He began practice in Summerfield and remained there about one year. Ile married Susan Lund, of Washington County, and removed to Beverly. There he soon gained. a large practice, which he attended to until the death of his wife, after which he returned to Olive Township. Here also he had an ex- tensive practice, and was highly es- teemed. Hle died in 1865, at the age of forty-six. Prior to his death he located in the town of Caldwell, where he practiced for some time. In his death Noble County lost a first- class medical man.
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DR. JOHN MARTIN, a prominent physician of Caldwell, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, May 1, 1832. He was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education and after- wards attended Monroe Academy at Woodsfield. He began the study of medicine under Dr_ W. T. Sinclair, of Woodsfield, remaining with bim four years, assisting him in his prac- tice during the last year. Ile next attended the Forest City Medical College at Cleveland, and on his re- turn practiced in Woodsfield for two years. Ile then removed to Mon- mouth, Ill., where he remained farm- ing, practicing medicine and follow- ing the drug business until 1861. In October of that year he was ap- pointed by Governor Yates assis- tant surgeon of the Fifty-fifth Illinois (fractional) Regiment. In February, 1862, the Regiment was consolidated
with the Fifty-seventh Illinois, and he returned to Ohio soon after vol- unteering as surgeon in the Ninety- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until Novem- ber, when he left the regiment on account of ill health. In 1864 he came to Caldwell and en- gaged in practice. In 1868-9 he attended the Miami Medical Col- lege where he graduated in March, 1869, and has since practiced in Caldwell. In the spring of 1865 he was commissioned surgeon for drafted soldiers with the rank of major. Has been government pen- sioner examiner since 1873. Dr. Martin has served as school examiner of the .county, and is at present president of the board of education in Caldwell. Ile was married in 1856 to Charlotte C., daughter of Judge Kirkbride, of Woodsfield. His children are Wal- ter C., station agent at Mount Gilead, O .; Frank M., editor Caldwell Jour- nal; Willis K. (deceased), and Carl Otto.
ROBERT C. DOWNEY, M. D .- The grandparents of the subject of this notice were born near Winchester, Va .; his father, who was the seventh son, was named Doctor. Ile came to Ohio and settled in Noble Township about 1820. There Robert C. Dow- ney was born in 1834. In early life he farmed and taught school. Ile studied medicine in Guernsey Coun- ty and in Indiana, and graduated from the Starling Medical College. In 1863 he became assistant surgeon of the Thirteenth Ohio Cavalry and served until the close of the war. being
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present in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. Since the war he has practiced his profession in Noble County. He has been mar- ried four times and is the father of three children. Dr. Downey served as county coroner four years. Ile is a Republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Ma- sons and Odd Fellows.
CHARLES PERRY SIMONS, M. D., was born in Zanesville, Ohio, January 26, 1842. His father, John White Si- mons, was one of the early settlers of Muskingum County. and was born near Philadelphia, Pa., in 1819. He followed the vocation of an iron worker, and removed to Zanesville in 1830. He died in Cambridge in 1871. Dr. Simons received an acad- emical education, and studied medi- cine under the tutelage of Dr. An- drew Wall, of Cambridge. Comple- ting his preparatory course he at- tended the Michigan Medical Col- lege, graduating, however, from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati in 1864. In the spring of 1862 he entered the army as assistant sur- geon in the general hospital at Camp Dennison, Ohio. After passing an examination before the State board of medical officers, he was commis- sioned assistant surgeon of the Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infan- try. His division joined Sherman's command, and he followed the for- tunes of this army from " Atlanta to the Sea." At the close of the war he was mustered out with his regi- ment at Cleveland, in 1865. Flatter- ing offers were made him to accept a position in the regular army which
he declined. Returning to Cambridge he established himself in practice, making a specialty of surgery and diseases of the eye and ear. In his practice the doctor was highly suc- cessful, and soon attained an enviable position among his professional brethren. Aside from his profess- ional duties he gave some attention to political matters, and in 1881 re- ceived the nomination for State sena- tor. In 1883 he came to Caldwell, and engaged in the drug business. Since this time he has not been in active practice, giving his attention to special cases only. In 1884 the doctor was married to Mrs. Arrena Kells, daughter of Henry Teener, of Caldwell.
DR. G. A. WAY has practiced his profession in Caldwell since 1869. He is thoroughly well-read and a very competent medical adviser. He was born in Marietta in 1844. His parents removed to a farm in Mon- roe County in 1857 but he continued to attend school and college in Ma- rietta. In 1861 he entered the ser- vice as a private in the One Hundred- and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, served through the war and at its close was mustered out as second lieutenant. This, considering the youthful age at which he entered the army, is a remarkably good record. Before entering the army he began the study of medicine under Dr. Joshua Way, of Monroe County. He afterward attended the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, from which he graduated March 2, 1869. In 1870 he married Miss Maria Skin- ner of Meigs County. Two children
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