CASE-Martin Truman - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Marvin Truman Case, MD. An individual life when directed by a high purpose through a long period of years may attain a maximum of service greater than that performed by many better known characters in history under the stress of abnormal conditions. One such life that calls for special honor in this publication is that of Dr. Marvin Truman Case of Attica. Dr. Case was for nearly 3 years a hard fighting soldier of the Union during the Civil War. But the maximum of his service has been given not as a soldier but as a fighter in the interests of humanity at Attica, where he has practiced medicine steadily for over 45 years, and though one of the oldest physicians in that part of the state is still on duty, and doing all he can to alleviate the ills that beset his fellow beings. It is not easy in a brief sketch to indicate all the good that flows from such a life and character. Dr. Case was born in Walworth Co WI June 18, 1843, second son of William Henry and Sybil Howe Case, whose family consisted of 3 sons and 3 daughters. His early life was spent in several different states. He was with his parents 4 years in Wisconsin, 9 years in Cattaraugus Co NY 4 in St. Joseph Co Michigan and a year and half in St. Clair Co Ill. During that time he attended the public schools in these different localities and also shared in the labors of the home farm. While living in Ill his oldest brother, Henry Harlan enlisted in Aug 1861 in Co D of the 9th Ill Inf and died of typhus fever at Paducah, KY in Spetember of the same year. In March 1862, the family moved to a farm in Warren Co Indiana and Dr. Casehelped cultivate a crop of corn. Then in the laste summer of that year, feeling that his turn had come to serve his country, he enlisted Aug 15, 1862, in Co D 86th Ind Inf. With that company he served until the close of the war. He was a private in the ranks until May 1864, when he was detailed as color guard. In July of the same year, while in the trenches before Atlanta, he was made 1st Sgt of his company and enjoyed that non-commissioned rank until mustered out in June 1865. His record shows him to have been a quiet, efficient and faithful soldier in every relationship of his service. He was present every day with his regiment from muster in to muster out. During his first days in camp he contracted pneumonia, from which his complete recovery was slow, but he has no hospital record, never having been a patient in hospital all the time he was in the army. Furthermore, he participated in every engagement in which his regiment took part. On being mustered out in June 1865, Dr. Case returned to Warren County and tried to resume farming. Finding himself unable and without sufficent strength to do farm work, he engaged in teaching in the public schools and was a teacher from 1865-1868 inclusive. During the years 1867-68 he was county superintendent of schools. In the fall of 1868 he entered the Univ of Mich as a student of pharmacy, chemistry and medical departments. He graduated wit the degree PC in 1869 and taught in that department during 1869-70. In March 1870 he was awareded his medical degree and with the ink still fresh on that document he arrived at Attica April 1 1870 and began the practice of medicine and surgery, which he was continued with unabated interest for over 45 years. He was at first associated with Dr. Jones for two years until Dr. Jones removed to Indianapolis. Since that time he has had as professional associate Thomas J. Leech from 1875-78, Aquilla Washburne from 1881-83, John E. Morris in 1897-98 and Louis A. Bolling from 1900-1907. In addition to looking after a large private practice he was for several years local US examining surgeon for pensions and a member of the Fountain County Board of Pension Examing Surgeons. For a busy practitioner he has filled many offices of trust that require much time without corresponding compensation. During 1875-76 he was county superintendent of schools. For six years he was a trustee of the Attica public schools, and has been a trustee of the Carnegie Public Library since its establishment at Attica. He has served as city health officer more than 30 years and has been a member of the Logan Twp Advisory Board since establishment. Dr. Case has been a director of the Building & Loan Association at Attica during its growth from assets of nothing until they now amount to nearly $1,000,000. He is still active in professional and other affairs, and it is his ardent hope that he may continue to be spared many years and continue an active participant in the work of betering conditions in his home locality. His fellow citizens look upon him as one of the most dependable men in the community, always ready to do their bit for the suppression of Prussianism. Dr. Case is at present a trustee of the Methodist Church and was for several years superintendent of its Sabbath School and for five years has taught the adult Bible Class as alternative with John Travis. Dr. Case has had an ideally happy home life and with three living children he and his wife also renew their youth and the memories of their own children in four grandchildren. Nov 16, 1870, Dr. Case soon after he entered upon active practice as a physician, married Miss Elizabeth DeMotte. Mrs. Case was formerly a teacher of music, choir leader and Sabbath School and church worker, the latter interests still continuing. Five children were born to them, death claiming three. Those living are Miss Jessie and Clarence DeMotte. mis Jessie has been a teacher of piano in Tudor Hall at Indianapolis for several years and is a musician of great technical ability and most successful as a teacher. The son, Clarence DeMotte, holds a responsible position in the proof reading rooms of Sears, Roebuck & Co at Chicago where he has been employed for 5 1/2 years. Lauren Wilber, a younger son was an invalid in New Mexico his ill health being the result of exposure during the Spanish-American war and his death occurred 7 Dec 1918. Both sons were married. Clarence D, is the father of three bright boys and a beautiful daughter. The youngest of these grandchildren is a four-year-old boy with overflowing vitality and a tremendous bumpt of inquisitiveness.