John Arnold Crowdus, M.D.

submitted by John Patrick Curley

This is what I found so far. It seems that two spinster sisters took care of their aging mother, all in the old family home. At one time she was oldest living person in town (the mother). The two sister, trying to save some family history took notes on everything the mother would say. There are hundreds of little hand written notes. One was written on the side margins of a crossword puzzle from the local newspaper (I'M NOT JOKING)! I'll do some reading this week. I thought this might interset you alittle because of its person accounts. I will type this just as I found it.

  Pg. 1

Crowdus, John Arnold, M.D., was born in 1785, in Marion County, Kentucky. His mother was the sister of Benedict Arnold, and his father fought under Arnold, but remained faithful to his country. He finished his literary education at St. Mary's College, Marion County, Kentucky, and graduated in medicine at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, in 1815. He soon after settled in Franklin, Kentucky, before it was of sufficient importance to have a name. He was, for many years, the leading and for a long time, the only physician in his district and did a very extensive practice, apreading over a large territory which became very valuable. He also dealt largely in real estate and owned a large tract of land amounting to several thousand acres. He was a remarkable man in his business and social habits and was greatly distinguished for his upright and exemplary character. He was the first "Son of Temperance" in Franklin, Kentucky. He devoted his life largely to the good of others, traveling day and night, as the duties of his extensive practice required. He was a man of great charity and kindness of heart and was one of the most valuable men known on his section of the State. By long exposure, he finally contracted lung disease of which he died at Franklin in Septembeer, 1847. Dr. Crowdus was married in 1829 to Miss Julia E. Stevenson, daughter of Hugh Stevenson of Logan County, Kentucky. Four children survive him.

  BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF KENTUCKY OF DEAD AND LIVING MEN OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, p. 207--Published by J.M. Armstrong & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, 1878

Pg. 2                                     REMINISCENCES OF PIONEERS

Judge Jones recalls the lives and discusses the characteristics of early citizens.

Drs. Crowdus, M'Creary and Spencer

Physicians who guarded the physical well-being of the pioneer settlers.

               SIMPSON AFFAIRS FIFTY YEARS AGO

     Of the physicians of Franklin who many years ago were prominent in their profession, and as citizens, we will first mention Dr. John Crowdus, of whom it may be truly said, that he was the Pioneer Physician of Franklin. Our acquaintance with Dr. Crowdus was commenced in 1844, at which time he had subatnstially retired from active practice, and was a dry goods merchant; also the proprietor of a drug store.

     Our information was that for many years he had been the recipient of a large, successful and lucrative practice. He was, of course, what would now term and old-time physician, and fully in touch with medical science as it existed at that time, and his standing among his fellow physicians was deseredly high. To his thoroughness was added good common sense and practical ideas.

     His manners was quiet and courteous, not given to superiority in any sense,; was social, but without display or parade. In all of his business, as physician, merchant and druggist, he was successful and close attention to business. During the time of his mercantile career, the credit system was in vogue, and we have heard it said, that Dr. Crowdus rarely, if ever, refused to sell goods to a person on credit, in consequence of his or her po/terty. His conduct in that respect manifested a kindness of heart that was a prominent trait of his character. He doubtless through that character of indulgence sustained many losses, in small sums, yet aggregating a considerable amout.

   In citizenship, the Doctor was a model of propriety. We do not remember whether he in politics, Whig or Democrat, we know, however, that he was a partisan, and his duty to his country in that respect, he discharged conscientiously and quietly on election days.

     Dr. Crowdus was a member of the Presbyterian Church, as was his wife, Mrs. Crowdus and Mrs. Boisseau were sisters, and daugters of Colonel Hugh Stevenson, a prominent citizen of Logan County. They have a large connection, among whom are attorneys of acknowledged ability. Some quite prominent in National Affairs. One the Vice-President of the United States. One representing the united States as Minister to a foreign government, one a judge of the circuit court in Chicago.

  Now, about Vernon K. Stevenson. He worked for N.C. & St. L. R.R. He was also the president of So.  Pacific R.R. He was married 3 times and had six children. His third wife, Anna Eve, was the sister of Drs. Paul Eve and Duncan Eve. All from Nashville, TN.

That's it for now. I'll try working on some of your questions this week.

Kathleen.

PS I am trying to find the parents of a James OBrian who married a Martina Bivens in Nelson Co. KY in 1856.

I'm not sure if LDS can help or not. I have already check their web site and it only confirmed the above info.