Orear - John Henry
Source: Zach, Karen Bazzani. Montgomery Medicine Men .... Crawfordsville: MCHS, 2002.
John Henry O'Rear was born Oct 20, 1822 in Montgomery County, this time the state being Kentucky. He was the first physician in Browns Valley and received his training in the Medical College of Cincinnati. Henry Rogers served as his mentor. A prominent Montgomery County family married into the O'Rears, that occuring when Mary Elizabeth (Ellen) Kirkpatrick and Dr. John wed. Their children included: William H, who was the postmaster and a prominent businessman in Jamestown for quite some time; Armilda J; Lilley A; Elizabeth; Oliver; Mary; Katherine and Charies D., who was probably the youngest of their children and was born April 20, 1868 in Hendricks County, while the others were born here.
Charles was a successful lawyer and was likely named for Charles D. O'Rear who was also a physician (Clark Township) who had a large family including: Mildred; Eliza; Nancy; Willard; Sarah; George and Lottie. Since Charles D, too was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, it is assumed he is a brother to this John.
John Henry O'Rear loved his politics, being first a Whig, later a Republican and always a strong party man. John Henry also farmed for some time near North Salem. Dr, John O'Rear is buried in the IOOF Cemeter, having died in Boone County Christmas Day, 1891.
