William S. G. Dillahunt

As printed in 1902

WILLIAM S. G. DILLAHUNT, M. D.

A thorough understanding of the principles of the medical science and broad experience in the practice of his profession has made Dr. Dillahunt a successful physician of Pitchin. He was born near Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland, September 6, 1852. His father, Alexander Dillahunt, was a planter and owned a large number of slaves. He and his brothers, however, became convinced that the practice of slavery was contrary to the laws of humanity and liberated their bondsmen about 1850. On this account they were subjected to great persecution in the neighborhood in which they lived and in consequence of this they left the south, disposing of their property at great loss, and came to Clark county, Ohio.

The first to make the removal was George Dillahunt, who established his home here about 1850, and in 1853 Alexander Dillahunt followed. The latter located in Mad River township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and later bought an additional tract of sixty acres, spending his remaining days in this county. In early manhood he had married Hannah Malone, and they became well known residents of this portion of Ohio. The father died in 1887, at the age of seventy-six years, and the mother's death occurred in 1898, when she had reached the advanced age ot eighty years. Mr. Dillahunt was a hardworking man, thrifty, careful and persevering in his labors, and eventually became well-to-do.

In the family were twelve children eleven of whom reached years of maturity, while ten are still living, and eight of the number are yet in Clark county. Catherine is the wife of Robert Latimer and lives in Springfield; Sarah is the wife of Job Hanes, and lives in Mad River township near Boone station. Lewis, who served for four years in the Union army during the Civil war, is now living near Indianapolis. Alexander M. resides near Enon. Melcha is the wife of Michael Seifert, a resident of Logan county, Ohio. Eliza is living in Springfield. Mary is the wife of Jonas Rebert, of Springfield. William G. is the next younger. George resides in Mad River township. Alice is the wife of Robert Paden, of Springfield. Emma became the wife of W. J. Corns and died in Springfield, and Albert died in infancy.

The Doctor spent his boyhood days on the home farm, where he remained until sixteen years of age, when he entered Wittenberg College, completing the work of the

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‘sophomore year. At that time he left the institution and began teaching in the country schools of Clark county, and while thus engaged he took up the study of medicine, reading privately until he could arrange to become a medical student in college. In 1877 he matriculated in the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and was graduated ‚in the class of 1878. For a year thereafter he engaged in teaching and then at once began practice, locating in Pitchin. Here his ability soon won recognition and his patronage has since been drawn from a wide territory. He has successfully handled many difficult cases, thereby proving his skill in the line of his chosen life work. He is a member of the Ohio State Eclectic Association and has prepared and read a number of papers before that organization.

In 1878 the Doctor was married to Miss Mary E. Reynard, of Springfield, Ohio, a daughter of George and Mary (Nelson) Reynard. In 1879 the Doctor purchased thirty-five acres of land where he now lives and the family has a pleasant home here. Four children were born unto our subject and his wife: Eva, now the wife of Charles Peterson, of Springfield, by whom she has one child, Arnold; William Simpson Gorman, Agnes and Ruth, who are still at home. For ten years the Doctor gave his political support to the Democracy. For another decade he voted with the Prohibition party, and is now a Republican. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but belongs to the Baptist church. He is also a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and at one time held membership relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For twenty-four years he has lived in Pitchin, devoting his time almost entirely to the duties of a constantly growing practice, which is indicative of the confidence and regard entertained for him by the public. He has been a close and earnest student and has kept informed concerning all new ideas relative to the healing art. Quick to adopt methods which he believes will prove beneficial in his work, he has thus maintained his position as one of the leading; members of the medical fraternity in this part of Clark county.

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.