Clayton Tiffin

As printed in 1881

CLAYTON TIFFIN, M. D.

Clayton Tiffin was born February 12, 1837, in Ross county, Ohio. At the age of five years he came with his father, Dr. John C. Tiffin, to Knoxville, Ray county, Missouri, where he has ever since resided. He attended school at Knoxville, till he was thirteen years of age, when his father sent him to Frankfort, Ross county, Ohio, to attend school. He was entered a student at the old Frankfort Seminary. On leaving school he resolved to make a physician of himself, and commenced studying with his father, and pursued his studies under the latter's instruction, till he went to St. Louis, Missouri, to attend medical lectures, and at that time he was placed under charge of Dr. L. P. Perry, his uncle, a prominent physician of St. Louis. Dr. Perry was a graduate of the Virginia University, and left that institution with the highest honors. Dr. Tiffin graduated at the St. Louis Medical College, receiving the degree of M. D., and returned home and entered upon the practice of his profession with his father. After graduating Dr. Tiffin spent one winter in attending lectures and hospital at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; and also one winter at the Bellevue Medical College and hospital of physicians and surgeons, New York. He visited the medical colleges at San Francisco, and while there formed the acquaintance of Dr. J. S. Potts, a prominent physician of San Jose, California, and agreed to take a trip with him to Europe, in order to acquire a more thorough knowledge in the general practice of medicine and surgery, as well as of the different specialties. They met in New York in September, 1880, and having obtained letters of introduction to prominent physicians and surgeons in Europe, embarked for that country. They visited London, Paris,

Vienna, Berlin, Edinburg and Dublin. Dr. Tiffin spent most of his time in London and Paris, but attended the medical colleges and lectures in all the other cities mentioned, including that of Prof. Billroth, Vienna; of Prof. Longenbeche, Berlin, and of Dr. Brown-Sequard, Paris. While in London he purchased the finest set of surgical instruments that could be found, and also instruments for special diseases, at a cost in the aggregate of over $800. There is not a medical institution, hospital or infirmary, of any considerable importance in Europe, that he did not visit. In 1861 Dr. Tiffin enlisted in the enrolled Missouri militia, and the following year was made captain of his company. He did active and efficient service in Ray and other counties of northwest Missouri. In 1865, by order of Governor Fletcher, he recruited an independent company for purposes of defense against bushwhackers and other lawless, marauding bands. In the engagement at Glasgow, Howard county, he was captured by the enemy, but was exchanged after a short time. October 6, 1865, Dr. Tiffin was married to Miss Julia A. Larrison. They have one child living: Alexis F., born December 28, 1871. Dr. Tiffin is one of the leading physicians* of Ray county, and perhaps no man in the state has been at greater pains or expense to gain a thorough knowledge of his profession in all its branches. He has an extensive practice and is a genial, hospitable gentleman.

As printed in History of Ray County, Mo. (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.