Myers - Noah D.
Source: Past and present of the city of Decatur and Macon County,
Illinois. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1903, p. 270
One of the most prominent and successful physicians and
surgeons now engaged in practice in Decatur is Dr. Noah D. MYERS,
who has that love for and devotion to his profession which have
won him a place among the ablest representatives of the medical
fraternities in this section of the state. The Doctor was born in
Fountain County, Indiana, Feb 17, 1843. his grandfather, Jacob
Myers was a resident of North Carolina and in the Spring of 1811
removed to Indiana. He found that the red men were so numerous at
that time that he considered it unsafe to reside in such close
proximity of them and, accordingly, returned tot he south. In
1829, however, he again ventured to the frontier and remained a
resident of Indiana until his death. John Myers, father of our
subject, was also born in NC and died April 1, 1903 at the
residence of the Dr. in Decatur. He wedded Catherine Fine, who
died in 1892, at the age of 79 years. Both were of German
lineage. In their family were 11 children of whom 4 are now
living: Noah D; Peter, who resides in Gila, ILL; Susana wife of
MM Sowers of Gila; Amanda C wife of JA Sander, of Covington,
Indiana. Upon the home farm in his native state Dr. Myers spent
the days of his boyhood and youth. He attended the public schools
and he worked in thefirst steam sawmill in his locality this
having been erected by his father near Wallace, Fountain County,
Indiana. Later he became a student in Harmonia College at
Russellville, Indiana and subsequently matriculated in the State
University at Bloomington, Indiana where he pursued a scientific
course. With broad general knowledge to serve as the foundation
upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning,
he took up the study of medicine in the office and under the
direction of Dr. A. T. Steele of Waveland, Indiana and in 1870 he
became a student in Rush Medical College at Chicago but that
institution was burned during the great Chicago fire in 1871 and
Dr. Myers therefore completed his course in the medical college
of Ohio in Cincinnati where he was graduated with the class of
1872. Being now well equipped for his chosen profession the Dr.
opened an office in Veedersburg, Indiana where he remained for a
short time, removing then to Browns Valley in the same state. In
1874 he came to Illinois, locating at Gila, Jasper County. He
built the first house in the village there and practice din that
locality for 13 years having a large country practice, which was
of a varied and important character. In 1887, however, desiring a
broader scope for his labors, he came to Decatur where he has
since carried on general practice and has won for himself a place
among the leading and successful physicians of the city. He
belongs to the Decatur Medical Society and the members of the
medical fraternity acknowledge his worth and capability. In 1873,
Dr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Mattie J. WARD, a
daughter of Samuel and Sarah Musgrove Ward, of Parke County,
Indiana. They now have 4 children: Bessie Lee, wife of WH Peters;
Minnie M; Lulu P, the wife of William A. Shorb and Merle M. The
Dr. is a valued representative of the Masonic fraternity. He was
made a Mason in 1889 in Ionic Lodge No. 312 F&AM (Free and
Associated Masons) with which he is still affiliated. He is also
a member of the Order of Eastern Star and holds membership
relations with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Fraternal
Tribunes and the Yeomanry. His political support has ever been
given to the Democracy and he has taken an active part in
politics. He was a member of the pension board during President
Cleveland's administration. The Dr. deserves credit for what he
has accomplished. He earned a portion of the funds necessary for
his college expenses as a "Hoosier Schoolmaster," in the rural
districts of Indiana. He has throughout his professional career
advanced steadily by reason of his close application, his zeal
and interest in his work and his broad study and thorough
investigation. He is connected with a calling wherein advancement
is won through merit and it is because of his capability that he
is justly regarded as a prominent practitioner here.
(PS Never heard of that place in Russellville I live about 3
minutes from there)