Dr. Augustus Ralston of Wabash Township came to New
Corydon, this county, in April, 1880. He was born in Lawrence County, Ohio,
September 1, 1845, where he remained until he was sixteen years of age. In
1861 when a mere boy he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-third Ohio Infantry,
for three years. After serving two years he was transferred to the marine
service, and was on the B. G. Adams gunboat that ran up and down the
Mississippi River and its tributaries. He was discharged in December, 1864,
after having been engaged in twenty-two battles and skirmishes, including
the siege of Vicksburg. He then commenced the study of medicine. He
graduated at the business college at Delaware, Ohio, and then went to
Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated at the medical college in 1881.
Dr. Ralston was a son of James and Mary Ann (Grubb) Ralston, the father a
native of Adams County, Ohio, and died in Greenup County, Kentucky, when his
son was quite small, leaving six children. The mother was born in Lawrence
County, Ohio, and she also died young, leaving four children, the doctor
being the youngest of the family.
He was married
December 3, 1883, to Rosetta M. Adams, who was born in Jay County, March 27,
1860, and has lived in the county ever since. Her parents were David W. and
Harriet (Johnson) Adams, the father born in Columbiana County, Ohio, October
28, 1837, and the mother in Montgomery County, same state, April 6, 1844;
both are living in Wabash Township on a farm.
Doctor
and Mrs. Ralston have two children -- William, born August 1, 1884, and
Augustus, born October 19, 1885. Mr. Ralston’s grandfather, Robert Ralston,
was of Scotch-Irish descent; he came to this country and died in Adams
County, Ohio, where he probably settled when he first came to America. His
grandmother, Isabella Ralston, also died in Adams County.
The doctor first commenced his practice in Geneva, Adams County, remaining
there one year then removed to this county where he has a large and
successful practice.
Biographical and Historical Record
of Jay County
Lewis Publishing Company, 1887
Transcribed by Margie
Pearce