Obituary of Dr. John Moffett
Transcribed from a photocopy of the original as saved in a scrapbook by his sister Mary Jane (Moffett) Harris
“Died Ap 30, 1903, buried May 3” added at top in an unidentified script
Life of Usefulness Ended
Death Claims Dr. John Moffett, a Pioneer Citizen of this City
Loved and Mourned as Falls to the Lot of But Few Men to be, This Good Physician, This Manly Man is Laid to Rest
Dr. John Moffett, the oldest practicing physician in the county as well as the oldest in continuous service, died of erysipelas at 8 p.m. Thursday at his home, North Perkins street, after a week’s illness.
Dr. Moffett was born in Washington county, Virginia, October 23, 1822. His age was 80 years, 6 months 7 days. His parents came to Indiana in 1823 and settled on a farm in Jackson township, northeast of the city, where he grew to manhood. At the age of twenty he taught one term of school and then spent one year in the Rushville Seminary. In May 1844, he entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. William H. Martin, in the city; October 1846, he entered the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, where he continued his professional studies until March 1849, when he graduated. Immediately after he spent one year superintendent of the Cincinnati hospital. April 15th, 1850, he began the practice of his profession in Rushville and had just completed fifty-three years of faithful, efficient and thoroughly conscientious service in ministering to the afflicted.
May 8, 1851, he was married in Allegheny, Pa, to Elizabeth J.A. Harris, whose death occurred, April 12, 1878. Of the four children born to this union, two, the oldest and youngest – a son and daughter, William H. and Miss Mary Daisy – survive. Two sisters, Mrs. John Maxwell, of Indianapolis, and Mrs. I.N. Harris, this city, also survive him.
In 1879, Dr. Moffett became a member of the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis, and was elected to the Chair of the Principles of Medicine, a position which he held three years, when he was transferred to the Chair of Obstetrics, which was resigned by him March 4, 1887.
There was no one in the community more respected and loved than was this good physician, this noble, Christian man, and no other life excelled and but few equaled his in its power to bless everyone with the reach of its beneficent influence.
One asks with sadness, as the poets pass away, who is going to sing the songs of the future? When the great men die we ask, where are they who are to be the great men of the days to come? And so, when we see the family doctor who never refused to answer a call, if physically able to answer it, who went his rounds, faithful, generous, devoted, threading his way through crowded streets that were pasture land when he began to practice, more than fifty years ago, called away we ask with a pang at our hearts, who can ever take the place of the beloved physician? Surely a life of such usefulness, must be as inspiring as it is worthy of imitation to those seeking entrance into that profession, so richly blest and honored by it.
The funeral service was held at the late residence, Sunday at two o’clock. The officiating ministers were Rev. Arthur Hackleman, pastor of the Morgan street Baptist church, Rev. V.W. Tevis, St. Paul’s M.E. Church and Rev. S.A. Mowers, Presbyterian church. The St. Paul’s M.E. church Male Quartet furnished the music and the entire service was very beautiful and deeply impressive. A common feeling of sorrow seemed to have touched every heart. All were mourners because each one felt that he has sustained a personal loss. His fellow physicians about thirty in number attended in a body.
The pall bearers were Drs. W.H. Smith, Lot Green, J.C. Sexton, Charles H. Parsons, Frank G. Hackleman, of this city, and S.C. Thomas of Milroy. The burial occurred in East Hill cemetery.
Those attending from outside the county were Mr. and Mrs. D.M. Parry, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Maxwell, Mr. and Mrs. John Maxwell and son John Maxwell, Jr., Dr. and Mrs. Ed Moffett and W.R. Davis, of Indianapolis; Miss Bertie Harris, of Columbus, O.; Drs. Dillman, Hamilton and Spillman, of Connorsville; Dr. Alfred Smith, of Brownsville; Dr. W.S. Hancock of Millville, O.; Dr. Cook, of Gwynneville, and Dr. Metcalf, of Andersonville.