Clarence H. Kay

As printed in 1902

CLARENCE H. KAY, M. D.

Dr. Clarence H. Kay early turned his attention to the profession which has for its object the noble aim of assisting one’s fellow man. From the outset of his business career Dr. Kay has engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery and has fully sustained the enviable reputation which has ever been connected with the family name.

The Doctor was born in this city on the 28th of October, 1856, and has spent his entire life in Springfield. Heis a son of Dr. Isaac and Clara M. (Deckert) Kay. After acquiring a thorough literary training he began reading medicine with his father

„and later entered the Columbus Medical College, where he remained for one term. He next became a student in the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated from that institution in March, 1882. He also took a special course in gynecology in the Cincinnati hospital and to some extent has made this branch of medical science a specialty. On the Ist of April, 1882, he began practicing medicine in Springfield in connection with his father and the association between them has been maintained up to the present time. To the experience and mature judgment of the senior partner was added the energy and enthusiasm as well as the ambition of the son. By this means the firm became a very strong one and has ever maintained a leading position in the ranks of the medical fraternity. Dr. Kay of this review is now a member of the staff of the Mitchell-Thomas hospital of this city. the medical department of the county infirmary. He is also examining physician for twelve life insurance companies, performing this work in addition to the demands of his large private practice” For several. years past he has been giving special attention to electro-therapy. He is a member of the Clark County Medical Society, of the Ohio State Medical Society and Roentgen Ray Society of America.

In 1881 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Kay and Miss Florence Wilson, a daughter of Washington and Mary (Foreman) Wilson, her father beirig one of the prominent old citizens and a retired farmer of Springfield. The Doctor is a member of the First Presbyterian church and is connected with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Clark Lodge, No. 101, F. & A. M.;

For fifteen years he was in charge of _

Springfield Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M.; Springfield Council, No. 17, R. € S. M.; and Palestine Commandery, No. 33, K. T. He was president of the Springfield board of education during the years of 1888 and 1889. He has a wide acquaintance in Springfield, being known among his numerous friends as a courteous and most genial gentleman. Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. -In person, in talents and in character, Dr. Kay well maintains the family name and in his chosen profession he has added new lustre COTE:

This gentleman is one of the prominent and most competent representatives of educational work in Springfield or the surrounding country and is to-day the principal ot the Lincolnschool. He is one of the native sons of Clark county, his birth having occurred in the village of Enon on the 3oth of April, 1852. His father, Samuel Taylor, was a native of Maryland, born in 1808, and was a stone-mason by trade, which business he followed to a greater or less extent throughout his active life. He married Miss Nancy Mummert, also a native of Maryland, and in 1849 they removed from that state to Ohio, settling in the village of Enon, Clark county, which was their home until called to their final rest.. The father died in 1888 and the mother in 1868.

Professor Taylor acquired his early education in the public schools of Enon, and in

1871 he began teaching, having charge of the Snyder school west of Springfield the first year. The following year he taught in the extreme southwest corner of Mad River township and then returned to his original school, continuing to teach in the schools of Mad River township until 1879. In the meantime he became interested in local politics and served as clerk of that township five years and as justice of the peace three years, holding both offices the last three years he was in the township.

In August, 1879, Professor Taylor removed to Springfield, and that fall commenced teaching in the Possum school. The following year he taught in the Rockaway school and then gave up teaching: for two years, during which time he engaged in business as a contractor in stone work in Springfield and vicinity. He resumed teaching, however, in 1884 at Rocky Point, where he spent two years and then taught about the same length of time at Mill Creek. In February, 1887, he opened a school on Pearl street, Springfield, now known as the Lincoln school, and at the end of two years was, transferred to the Shaffer street school as its principal, in which capacity he served He then returned to the Lincoln school and has been principal of the same ever since, having eight English and one German teachers under him. In point of service he is today one of the oldest principals of the city and has been a teacher in this county since 1871 with the exception of two years.

On September 7, 1871, Professor Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Schrock, of Mad River township, a daughter of Franklin and Anna (Miller) Schrock. By this union were born twelve children, ten of whom are still living, namely: Frank M., eight years.

Stephen D. Clifford S., Inez E., Ralph E., Clarence B., Howard L., Justin D., Elizabeth M. and Adella M. Lola died at the age of twenty-three years.

The professor and his wife hold membership in the Christian church, and he is also identified with Anthony Lorge, No. 455, F. & A, M. and Red Star Lodge, No. 205,

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.