Detchon - Stow S.
STOW S. DETCHON, M.D.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties. IN.
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p. 143.
Stow S. Detchon, M.D., now a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of New Richmond, Montgomery County, Ind., attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and is a member of the American Medical Society, and also belongs to the County Medical Society, of which he has been President. In 1891 he was sent as delegate to the National Society, which convened in Washington. Beginning practice in 1861, Dr. Detchon actively engaged in the arduous and responsible duties of a family physician for over a score of years, but in 1888 abandoned the practice of medicine and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits.
Although our subject is not a native of Indiana, he is the only man now living who resided in the town of New Richmond when he located here. He was born in the Buckeye State in 1830, his birthplace being that portion of Ohio now known as Mahoning County. His parents, John and Maria (Hoadley) Detchon, were early residents of the State in which their family was born and reared. The father, who was of English ancestry, was born in New Jersey soon after his father and mother emigrated from England to America. The mother of our subject was born in the good old State of Connecticut.
Gideon Hoadley, the maternal grandfather of Stow S. Detchon, was a blacksmith by trade, and an honest, industrious, hard-working man, of courage and ability. He put many a sturdy stroke of work into the vessels commanded by Commodore Perry when he defeated the English upon Lake Erie. The Hoadleys were a long-lived people, and Grandfather Hoadley was one hundred and seven years of age when he passed away. His good old wife lived to be ninety-one. For fully seventy years this venerable couple had shared the joys and sorrows of each other's lives, and in death they were not long divided. A great-uncle of our subject was a noted character in the early days of New England. He invented the Hoadley Clocks, which were famous in their time and may still be found as precious heirlooms in various parts of the country.
Dr. Detchon received a good common school education in Ohio, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. Our subject was ambitious to achieve a position in life, and knowing he must carve out his own fame and fortune, determined, as a stepping-stone upward, to qualify himself for a profession. He first completed a course in dentistry, and afterward went to Rockville, Parke County, Ind. There, having decided to become a physician, he taught school and studied medicine, and thus, self-reliant and self-supporting, he prepared himself to enter the college in which he received his education.
Thirty-six years of wearing professional work were now the Doctor's portion. Through storm and sunshine, by day or night, exposed to most inclement weather and various contagious diseases, our subject unfalteringly went his round among the sick and dying, and when he finally resigned his practice, it was a matter of regret to the entire community to which he had devoted the efforts of his life.
Dr. Detchon was married in 1857 to Miss Mary McComas, who survived but five years, dying in 1862. The young physician again entered into matrimonial bonds, this time with Miss Jemima Thomas. This second marriage was blessed by the birth of a son, John F., who is now a student at the college in Crawfordsville. Our subject has greatly aided in the development of the town, to which he came when it was but a small village. He witnessed the burning of the town, its ashes and desolation, and was one of the most important factors in its rebuilding. Dr. Detchon has laid out seven additions to the town, and every lot in the sub-divisions but one has now been sold, so great has been the demand for the property.
Our subject is not a member of any church, but he is liberal in their support, and has a deep respect for all honest workers in the religious field. Politically, he is a Democrat, and believes the platform of the party safe and sound. It is nearly five years since Dr. Detchon gave his professional duties their final round, but he still fraternally associates with the active members of the medical world and attends their various societies. As a general agriculturist and stock-raiser, Dr. Detchon's success has been long assured, his farm being under fine cultivation, and his live-stock some of the best in the State.
Source: Zach, Karen Bazzani. Montgomery Medcine Men ... Crawfordsville, Indiana: Montgomery County Historical Society, 2002.
Stow(e) Sylvester Detchon, cousin and inseparable friend to Dr. Elliott Detchon was born in July of 1830 in Mahoning, Ohio. His father, John was said to have been born in England; however, Stow's Death Record states Ohio. His mother was Maria Hoadley, born in Ohio. One of Dr. Detchon's family pride centered around his grandfather, Gideon Hoadley being a person friend to Commodore Perry. On November 4, 1857, Sto married Mary A. McComas in Montgomery County. She died as a young woman in 1862. In December of 1866, he again married, this time to Jemima Thomas. One daughter, Linnie, died at age five and is buried beside her father in the New RIchond Cemetery. He also had a son, John. Detchon's first career was that of a dentist, practicing in Rockville. For some time while studying medicine, he also taught school. Dr. Detchon was a Democrat and believer in God, although not affiliated with a particular religion. He aided at least one other doctor, William J. Hurt in obtaining his medical degree. His practice was in New Richmond where he retired in 1888, always keeping up with the affairs of the medical world until his death from paralysis of the brain on November 12, 1902. Burial took place in the New Richmond cemetery .
Source: Covington Republican, 2-21-1902
Dr. Stow DETCHON, a well known citizen and physician died at his home in New Richmond, Wed evening at 9 o'clock. He has been afflicted with paralysis and a few days since a relapse came upon him which proved fatal. He was about 72 years old and has been a long residence of New Richmond and has had a successful career as a physician, amassing a fortune estimated at not less than $75,000. He leaves a widow and one son, John Detchon to mourn his death. The funeral service will be conducted today at 2 o'clock by Rev. HC Weston and interment will be made at the New Richmond Cemetery.