Surnames in the Biography are: Smith, Monroe, Emerick, Cooper
ISAAC M. SMITH, M. D.Professional success results from merit. Frequently in
commercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through
inheritance or gift. but in what are known as the learned professions
advancement is gained only through painstaking and long-continued effort.
Prestige in the healing art is the outcome of strong mentality close
application. thorough masters- of its great underlying principles and the
ability to apply theory to practice in the treatment of diseases. Good
intellectual training, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and
utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success. have made
the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling and he stands to-day
among the scholarly and enterprising physicians in a county noted for the
high order of its medical talent.Dr. Isaac M. Smith was born in Hancock
county, Indiana, on the 5th of July, 1854, the son of Isaac M. and Catherine
(Monroe) Smith. The grandfather of the subject was a native of England, but
came to America when a young man. He settled in Ohio and there married and
reared a family. One of his sons, Isaac, the father of the subject, was
reared upon his father's farm and upon reaching mature years married Miss
Catherine Monroe. About the time of their marriage they came to Indiana and
settled in Hancock county, where he entered land from the government. The
land was all wild and unimproved and to make a cultivale farm of it meant
much hard work. Filled with ambition and energy, however, the father
commenced the task and eventually found himself the possessor of as fine a
farm as could be found in this part of the county. He added to it from time
to time as he was able until he had in his pos session at one time four
hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on which he carried on extensive
agricultural operations and also paid considerable attention to stock
raising. He was careful in his business affairs and held Ihe high regard of
all who knew him. He was a faithful member of the Christian church and his
death occurred in the month of February, 1892. To him and his wife were born
the following children: Mary,James C., Sarah E., Robert A., Alpheus M., Isaac
M. and Nancy C. Isaac M. Smith, the immediate subject of this review, was
reared upon the paternal homestead, obtaining his education in the district
schools of that neighborhood. So proficient was he in his studies that at the
age of seventeen years he was granted a license to teach and followed that
occupation for three years, being a part of that time principal of the
Warrington schools. The science of medicine had an attraction for him,
however, and in 1872 he commenced the study of medicine in the office of his
brother at Greensburg. He continued his studies here two years and then
matriculated at the Physio-Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, completing
the course there in six months. He then entered upon the practice of medicine
and in 1877 Eclectric Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating with the
class of 1878. He then located in Tyner City, Marshall county, Indiana, and
remained there five years. At the end of that time he removed to Garnett.
Anderson county, Kansas, remained there four years, was at Winfield, that
state, four years, back at Garnett four years, and then returned to Indiana,
locating in 1900 at Kennard, this county, where he has since remained.
Successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. He has paid close
attention to the duties of his calling and has built up an extensive and
satisfactory- practice. His genial manners and eminent fitness for his
calling have gained for him the confidence of the entire community and the
warm personal friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. The subject has
been twice married. His first wife was Mrs. Emerick, and her death occurred
at Winfield, Kansas, in 1891. December 27, 1892. the Doctor married Miss
Lillie Cooper, a well-educated lady, who was a native of Kansas. Fraternally
he is a member of Knox Lodge No. 296. Knights of Pvthias. In politics he is a
Republican. but takes little active interest in politics. aside from the
casting of his ballot. The Doctor has made many friends in Henry County and
is a forceful factor in the higher -life of the community in which he lives.
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920