SURBAUGH-Alexander - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Alexander Surbaugh, physician and surgeon, Harveysburg, was born in Greenbrier County, Va., Sept 30, 1816. His father, a native of Va, died when Alexander was 3. His mother, also born in Va, after the death of her husband married Joseph Daneron whose death occurred in Va. She next married Mr. Mark Bruffee, a Methodist Minister and with him moved to Indiana in 1836 and in 1838 located 3 Miles South of Rockville, where she died in 1846. She was a Methodist. Alexander was an only son by the first union. His parents were poor, so that the boy could not satisfy his desire for an education. He, however, acquired sufficient to enable him to teach, which he followed for several years. When 19 he entered the ministry in the Methodist Church and became at once successful, yet never gave all his time to the church. In 1840 he began the study of medicine under Dr. John B. and S.T. Clark, at Russellville with whom he read 5 years also teaching. He then finished his preparatory reading under Dr. Slavens at Portland Mills. When writing an application for a school the doctor stepped in and taking the written article destroyed it and urged and induced Mr. Surbaugh to begin the active practice of medicine. Dr. Surbaugh located at Howard, Parke County, Indiana where he remained 17 years. In the 3rd year he was offered a partnership with his former preceptor but his practice continued him at Howard. Dr. Surbaugh bought a farm verses on account of security, he sold and moved near Harveysburg, where he bought a small farm. He again sold and moved into Harveysburg and bought the Spencer Hotel of which he is now landlord, and also practices his profession. He is a physician of experience and success. He has quite successfully treated the disease known as milksick, having had as many as 150 cases at one time. Politically, Dr. Surbaugh has been a Mason since 1852. He was married Sept 5, 1839 to Martha Ann Scott Cummings. She was born in Virginia Oct 15, 1815 and came to Parke County with her parents about 1838. She died May 8, 1851 leaving 4 children, 3 of whom are living. Dr. Surbaugh was next married March 17, 1852 to Catharine Duzan of Vermillion County, Indiana. She was born in Kentucky March 25, 1824. They have 9 children living; Mary V; Rachel D; and Everard M. of first family and William O; Sarah J; Lizzie M; Frances E; Effie M. and Nollie C. of the second family. Ida died April 27, 1880 of typhoid fever. This was a severe blow to the family, as she was a young lady of an intellectual and christian character and at the interesting age of 16.

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