Nevin - John S.
Source: H. W. Beckwith
History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Chicago: HH Hill, 1881) p 557
John NEVIN, banker, Thorntown. Prominent among the names of those
who have resided in this township is that of Capt. John Nevin, whose career
through life has been of the most checkered nature. He was born in Failsworth,
Lancashire, England, March 1816, and shortly afterward removed with his
parents, Richard and Anna Mary Nevin, to their native country, Scotland, where,
in the vicinity of Glasgow, was spent his boyhood days. When fourteen years of
age he went to sea as an apprentice, continuing for several years in this
calling. On returning from the sea he studied medicine, and attended lectures
at Glasgow University, then returned to sea again, where he rose through all
the grades to that of chief officer, in which capacity he made numerous voyages
to various parts of the world. In 1841 he spent six months in company with Dr.
Judson, the famous Baptist missionary, who was on his way to India in the ship
Ramsay, of which Mr. Nevin was in command. In 1842 he was baptized by Dr.
Judson in Burmah, and has now in his possession the certificate of his baptism,
dated at Moulmain, January 30, 1842. He had as passengers, in 1846, Alexander
Campbell and Robert Dale Owen, and at other times numerous titled and literary
gentlemen. In 1852 he came to the United States, left the sea, and came west to
Tippecanoe County, where he engaged in farming, and in the winter taught school
and read medicine. Here in 1857 he married Mrs. SUMMERS, of the Wea, by whom he
has two children: Anna May and Richard E. He removed from his farm in
Tippecanoe County in 1865, and settled in Darlington, where he practiced
medicine for five years very successfully. In 1870 he removed to Thorntown,
Boone County, where, after spending a year or two improving his residence, he
became a director and stockholder in the National Bank of Thorntown, of which
institution he is now the president. Mr.
Nevin's grandfather was Sir Hugh Nevin, who through his extravagance left his
family at his death in straitened circumstances. His father, Richard, was a very studious boy,
and on account of being constantly engaged when a boy in experiments in
chemistry acquired the sobriquet of "Daft Dick." His knowledge, however, thus obtained enabled
him to acquire a large fortune, which at his death was equally divided among
his children.- typed by kbz
NOTE: It is not certain the picture is of THIS John Nevin. He seems much tooo old for this picture but the only John Nevin we know
Source: Zach, Karen Bazzani. Montgomery Medicine Men .... Crawfordsville: MCHS, 2002
One of the few of our
doctors born outside the US, Dr. John S. Nevin was born in the northern portion
of Scotland, although one source states Failsworth, Lancashire, England, on St.
Patrick's Day, 1817 (source above says 1816).
He was raised and schooled in Glasgow, Scotland. At the young age of 14, he went to sea as an
apprentice. Some years later, he studied medicine and attended lectures
at Glasgow University.
He again returned to the
sea; this time he rose through the grades to Captain in which capacity he made
numerous voyages to various parts of the world.
In 1842, he was baptized by Dr. Judson, one of the passengers. Robert
Dale Owen, Indiana minister, and Alexander Campbell were "two fine
gentlemen" who were also present on voyages captained by Nevin. In 1852, he came to the US, left the sea and
came west to Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Here, he farmed, taught school and
read medicine for five years. It was here in 1857 he married Margaret Summers
(one source stated she was a Wea Indian but I doubt that) by whom he had two
children: Anna May and Richard E (named for Dr. Nevin's father, Richard. John's mother was Anna). In 1865, John S. Nevin settled with his
family in Darlington where he practiced about five years.
Then, he moved to
Thorntown, Boone County where he became a director and stockholder in the
National Bank of Thorntown. Nevin's son,
Richard continued in the banking business.
Dr. Nevin was said to have lead a life of romance; was honest, honorable
and the epitome of wit and good humor (just look at that face :) He is buried in Culver, Indiana.