I.M. Vail, physician and surgeon, West Chester, has been identified with the interests of Jay County forty-nine years. He was born in Darke County, Ohio, September 6, 1831, son of William and Lydia Ann (Voriss) Vail, the former a native of Butler County, Ohio, and the latter of Maysville, Kentucky. They were married in Darke County, and reared ten children -Caroline, Rebecca, Isaac M., Ester A., William C., Amy I., Martha M., Susan A., Polly M. and Fanny M. In 1836 the family removed to this county, coming with teams of both horses and cattle, and locating in the woods of Bear Creek Township. Our subject passed his youth amid the scenes of pioneer life, assisting at farm work and attending the common schools. He also attended Portland Academy. At the age of twenty-four years he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. D. W. McNeal, of Portland, and later, under Dr. James Gillum, of the same place. He afterward attended the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, where he received his diploma in May, 1872. The doctor has always been a deep student, and keeps himself informed in all the modern literature pertaining to the practice of his profession. In 1871 he formed a partnership with Dr. Roos, which still exists. Dr. Vail is in poor health and does not do so much active work except in difficult cases or in consultation. He was married February 10, 1856, to Miss Amy J. Ross, of Portland, and formerly of Darke County, Ohio, daughter of Aley and Sarah (Miller) Ross, and they have three children -Mary Etheland Miller, Lettie M. and J. William Isaac. Susan H., the first born, is deceased. The doctor has farms of 220 acres. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Jay Lodge, No. 87, and of the Society of Friends.
SOURCE: Milton T. Jay, M.D., History of Jay County Indiana, Historical Publishing Co., Indpls. 1922, Vol. II, Transcribed by Eloine Chesnut
Buried in Green Park Cemetery