Dr. John Moffett1

b. 23 October 1822, d. 30 April 1903
FatherWilliam Moffett1 b. Feb 1799, d. 21 Sep 1859
MotherIsabella Reed1 b. bet 1795 - 1797, d. 6 Feb 1886
Birth23 Oct 1822 Dr. John Moffett was born on 23 Oct 1822 in Washington County, Virginia.2,3 
Migration  When John was about one year old, his parents left Virginia and migrated to Indiana. There they settled on an eighty acre tract of land north of the developing town of Rushville.4 
Education  John's childhood education was in the public schools of Rush County.5 
Occupation1842 He taught one term of school himself, after which he attended the Rushville Seminary for one year.5,2 
Education14 May 1844 Having made the decision to become a physican, he began study under Dr. William H. Martin on 14 May 1844 in Rushville.5,2 
Education1849  John entered the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati in October, 1846 and graduated with honors on March 4, 1849. Following graduation he interned in the Cincinnati College Hospital and served during the cholera outbreak of 1849.1,5,2 
Cens-1850Sep 1850  In April 1850 John returned to Rushville to begin his medical practice. He initally made his home with his mentor. Dr. William Martin and his family.2,6 
Marriage8 May 1851 He married Elizabeth J. A. Harris, daughter of Isaac Harris and Jane Anne Brierley, on 8 May 1851 in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania.2,5 
  John and Elizabeth established their own home in Rushville where over the next 10 years Elizabeth gave birth to 4 children; only 2 survived infancy. The couple also briefly provided a home for Elizabeth's brother Isaac who in 1861 married John's sister Mary Jane.7,8 
Public Serv  John helped organize the first medical society in the county and served as its secretary. He also belonged to the Indiana State Medical Society, serving as its acting president in 1864. John was a staunch supporter of the local community, serving as president of the town board from 1867 to 1877 and as chairman of the Rush County Democratic Central Committee for twenty years.5,9,10 
Widowed12 Apr 1878  John was widowed when Elizabeth died at age 57 in the spring of 1878. 
  Following Elizabeth's death John accepted a faculty position at the Central College of Physicians at Indianapolis, chairing two departments (medicine and obstetrics) during his tenure. He authored several papers including one on cerebrospinal meningitis.2,10 
OccupationApr 1886 In April 1886 he was appointed United States Pension Examiner, a position that probably involved evaluating claims filed by Civil War veterans.5 
Cens-190013 Jun 1900  At the turn of the century John was enumerated living on Perkins Street in Rushville. His son William, who had married 4 years earlier, was also present as was William's wife, Meta.11 
  John was interested in the Moffett family history and recorded some of his observations and remembrances in several letters that were contributed to the archives of the Clan Moffat Society in the early 1900s. 
Death30 Apr 1903 John died of erysipelas [an acute bacterial infection of the skin] on 30 Apr 1903 in Rushville, Rush County, Indiana, at age 80.3,2 
Burial3 May 1903 He was buried on 3 May 1903 at East Hill Cemetery in Rushville.2 
Obituary4 May 1903  John's lengthy obituary observed: "There was no one in the community more respected and loved than was this good physician."2 

Research Comment:

In July 1996 this author was honored to visit the home of Priscilla (Teasdale) Rubincam and her husband, the eminent genealogist, Milton Rubincam, outside of Washington DC. We had corresponded for some time about our shared interest in the Moffett family. Priscilla related that her mother, Lydia (Parry) Teasdale (1884-1965) had been delivered by Dr. John Moffett in Rushville (Priscilla's mother was Dr. Moffett's niece). Later Lydia named her son (Priscilla's brother) John Moffett Teasdale in the doctor's honor.

Related Links and Images:

A view of N. Perkins St. circa 1907-1915 from the Ancestry.com historical postcard collection
Dr. John Moffett's obituary2
Mary Jane (Davis) Moffett, the widow of John's uncle, Garner Moffett, compiled a journal in which she recorded her knowledge of the Moffett family. She corresponded with John in the process of doing so. See Mary Jane's Journal for images and text. In particular see p. 15 for information John contributed

Family

Elizabeth J. A. Harris b. Jan 1821, d. 12 Apr 1878
Children
ChartsDescendants of William Moffett and Mary Gardner
Last Edited6 Feb 2013

Citations

  1. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "William Moffett-Isabella Reed family group sheet". This group sheet was completed in longhand by Roberta Estella Harris, granddaughter of William Moffett and Isabella Reed.
  2. [S2068] "Album" presented to Miss Mary Jane Moffett, 25 Dec. 1856. Collection includes an undated obituary for Dr. John Moffett.
  3. [S2067] Mary Jane (Moffett) Harris, "A Message to Posterity."
  4. [S475] History of Rush County, Indiana, p. 727.
  5. [S475] History of Rush County, Indiana, p. 728.
  6. [S1991] Wm H. Martin household, 1850 U.S. census, Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., District 97, p. 428, dwelling 776, family 778, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 109 of 221. Household includes Jno Moffett, 27, physician, b. VA.
  7. [S1993] John Moffitt household, 1860 U.S. census, Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., Rushville, p. 517 (added script), dwelling 197, family 197, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 25 of 61. Household includes: John Moffitt, 39, physican, owns real estate of $5,000, pers. prop of $1,000, b. IN; Elizabeth, 38, b. PA; William, 7; Mary J., 2; I.N. Harris, 28, dentist, b. PA; Alice Ryan, 16, b. Ireland.
  8. [S1992] John Moffett household, 1870 U.S. census, Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., Rushville, p. 20 (original script), dwelling 142, family 172, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 20 of 84. Household includes: John Moffett, 47, pysician, b. VA, owns real estate val at $4,000 and pers. prop of $5,000; Elizabeth, 49, b. PA; William 16, Daisy 10, both b. IN.
  9. [S444] A. E. Gary and E. B. Thomas, Centennial History of Rush County, Indiana, volume I, p. 281.
  10. [S2080] G.W.H. Kemper M.D., Medical History of Indiana, p. 313.
  11. [S1420] John Moffett household, 1900 U.S. cens., Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., Rushville, ED 94, sheet 10A (p. 137 stamped), dwelling 216, family 221, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 19 of 27. Household includes: John Moffett, 77, wid, b. Oct. 1822 VA, owns home, not mortgaged; William, son, 46, marr 4 yrs, b. Jul 1853 IN, plumber; Meta, dau-in-law, 33, marr 4 yrs, mother of 1 child, is living, b. Nov. 1866 IN; resid Perkins St.
  12. [S1452] John Moffett household, 1880 U.S. cens., Rush Co., Indiana, pop sched., Rushville, ED 88, page 26B, dwelling 205, family 225, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 26 of 56. Household includes: John Moffett, 57, wid, physician, b. VA, parents b. VA; Wm H., 26, son, machinist, b. IN; Daisy, 20, dau, b. IN; Resid. Elizabeth St.
  13. [S518] John T. and Anna Moffett tombstone, section 1, East Hill Cemetery, Rushville, Indiana, photographed Summer 1997 by D. Powell. Anna and John's names and dates of death are inscribed on the base of a large "Moffett" family monument beneath which are the words, "Children of J. & E. Moffett".