WILLIAM D. CHASTAIN.

WILLIAM D. CHASTAIN, M. D., of Iola, whose professional and social life has withstood the public scrutiny in Allen county for more than two generations and whose characteristics and personal attainments mark him as one of the conspicuous citizens of Iola, came to us from the state of Kentucky November 15, 1870. He was born in Logan county, that state, December 27, 1846, and is a grandson of one of the pioneers of the "Blue Grass" state. William Chastain, who introduced the family name into Kentucky, was a descendant of Huguenot French settlers of North Carolina. He went into Kentucky before it became a state and was,

consequently, one of the first tillers of its soil. He died rather early in life, leaving six sons: Edward, Edmund, Willis, Boone, Jackson and Isham. Some of these left Kentucky many years ago and located in Benton county, Missouri. He had two daughters: Mrs. Moss, of Springfield, Missouri, and Mrs. Mosley, who lived and died in Kentucky.

Isham Chastain was the father of William D. Chastain. He was born in 1816 and died in 1851. He was amply educated and was a prosperous and successful farmer. He was a Whig in politics and was married to Angelina, a daughter of Daniel Bailey. The Bailey family was a prominent one in Logan county, Daniel being a prosperous and representative citizen.

Dr. Chastain's mother died in 1847 at the age of twenty-eight years. Her four children were: Mary, who married William Townsend and died young; James Chastain, so far as known a resident of Colorado; Fannie Chastain, a resident of Logan county, Kentucky, and our subject, the Doctor. A half-sister to these, Mrs. Cornelia Evans, is a resident of Logan county, Kentucky.

Dr. Chastain lived with the family of an uncle, Dr. J. R. Bailey, from infancy. Dr. Bailey was an extensive farmer, also, and our subject passed his time upon the farm until seventeen years of age. He attended the county seminary and afterward Bethel college at Russelville. He chose medicine for his life work and read more or less with his uncle. He spent two years in the medical department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, from which he graduated in 1870, just prior to his departure for Kansas. He had never been in the west and his knowledge of Kansas and of Allen county, in particular, was obtained from friends. He opened an office in Iola upon his arrival here but the following year decided to try the experiment of locating in Osage township. This move did not realize as it was hoped for, in the matter of patronage, and he returned to Iola in six months.

Dr. Chastain's professional attainments have long been recognized and he has held a high place in the esteem of the public since he came among us. His relation to his town, and the public generally, has been that of a liberal, judicious and progressive citizen and to the church that of a conscientious, courageous Christian gentleman.

April 3 1873, Dr. Chastain was married in Iola to Alice F., a daughter of Rev. Samuel Price, now of Wellington, Kansas. Mrs. Rev. Price was Charlotte Alder and she and her husband were from Belmont county, Ohio.

The Dr. and Mrs. Chastain's children are: J. Earl, D. D. S., a graduate of the Iola High School and of the Western Dental College, Kansas City, was born February 14, 1874. He served as hospital steward in the Twentieth Kansas in the Philippine insurrection; Bertha, Maud and Fannie Chastain, both graduates of the Iola High School.

The politics of Dr. Chastain is unmistakable. He is known far and wide in Allen county, for his outspoken Republican sentiments, and, in years past, he has been regarded among the active local political workers. His name has been mentioned in connection with a nomination for county

office but he would not sacrifice his profession to the requirements of a public office.

Previous | Home | Next