William Fithian
William Fithian | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the Vermilion County district | |
| In office 1838–1846 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Vance |
| Succeeded by | Josiah McRoberts |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 7, 1799 Cincinnati, Ohio, US |
| Died | April 5, 1890 (aged 90) |
| Political party | Whig Party Republican |
| Residence | Danville, Illinois |
| Profession | Physician |
William Fithian (April 7, 1799 – April 5, 1890) was an American physician and politician reputedly born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Moving to
Provost Marshal for the Civil War
.
Biography
William Fithian was born in
Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 7, 1799. One of America's Oldest Physicians, he trained as a printer, once typing a volume of enactments by the Ohio General Assembly. With the money made from that job, he studied medicine. After three years, he was awarded a diploma. Under the state laws at the time, this also entitled him to be an Associate Justice of the county court. In 1826, he decided to move west to Danville, Illinois, then a town of a few hundred people. He would remain in Danville until his death.[1]
Fithian became involved with the local
presidential elector. He campaigned on behalf of Lincoln for President in 1860.[1]
During the
Provost Marshal of the 7th Congressional District of Illinois.[1] He also served as a civilian doctor, working in the hospital in Leetown near the Battle of Pea Ridge.[3] At the end of the conflict, he returned to the practice of medicine.[1]
Fithian married four times and had two surviving sons. He continued to practice medicine until about two years before his death at the age of 90 on April 5, 1890.[1] Fithian's House in Danville was recognized with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places on May 1, 1975, and it is now the Vermilion County Museum.[4] He is the namesake of Fithian, Illinois, near Danville.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "William Fithian, M. D.: One of America's Oldest Physicians". Transactions of the Illinois State Medical Society. Chicago, IL: Jameson & Morse Company: 33–36. 1890.
- ISBN 978-0809332014.
- ISBN 978-0807846698.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 126.