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Was the first physician who came to Indianapolis, in April, 1821. He was from Paris, Kentucky. He first built a bowed log house on the southwest corner of Washington and Tennessee ssreets [sic], where the State offices now stand. He then bought the lot, and built a frame house, on the northwest corner of Washington and Meridian streets, where the "Bee Hive" store now stands. At the latter place he lost his wife and only child. This bereavement he never got over until his death. He was a large, fleshy man, and, like that kind of men generally, was very good-natured. He possessed many fine traits of character, and was noted for his hospitality and liberality. I do not think he was considered as good a physician as either of the other three physicians of that time. He brought with him the first colored person that came to Indianapolis, a boy about fifteen years old, named Ephraim Ensaw. This boy took advantage of the Doctor's good nature and kindness, and became so bad that the Doctor had to get rid of him. The Doctor had a stroke of palsy, and became paralyzed. He was taken by his friends to Ohio, and there died about the year 1837. He was brother-in-law of Samuel Henderson, the first postmaster, and father-in-law of Henry Porter, a prominent merchant of his day. Nowland, John H. B., “Early Reminiscences of Indianapolis, with Short Biographical Sketches of Its Early Citizens, and of a Few of the Prominent Business Men of the Present Day,” 1870, pp.108-109. |