Straughan, - Kent K.
Source: H. W. Beckwith History of Montgomery Co IN (HH Hill, Chicago 1881) p
430
Kent K. Straughan, physician and surgeon, Parkersburg, is a son of Dr. J. W.
and Sarah J. (HARRISON) Straughan. He was born in Montgomery County, Indiana
March 6, 1857, and his early youth was spent farming and attending school till
about the age of fifteen years. He then entered a graded school at
Russellville, where he remained about four years, and then went to Indianapolis
and became a student in the medical college of that city, from which he
graduated in the spring of 1878. March 6, 1878, he married Miss Lucy BELL,
daughter of Allen and Mary (DRENNON) BRIDGES, early settlers of this County. He
at once settled in Parkersburg and began the practice of medicine for
twenty-eight years. In the way of success, his most sanguine hopes are more
than realized. He has one child, Walter Lee, born February 4, 1879. transcribed by kbz
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke &
Fountain Counties, (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893) p 511
Dr. Kent K. STRAUGHAN. Little space is necessary to the introduction
of Dr. KK Straughan to the people of Montgomery County as he is personally well
known to them as a young, able and active practitioner, and as the son of one
whose days of usefulness in alleviating the sufferings of humanity number over
42 years. Dr. Straughan was born in Scott Township, at which place his
father located in the year 1850. The parents of our subject were natives
of Ky and Indiana respectively and have proved by their affiliation with the
best elements of the community in which they have resided nearly a half a
century that they came of more than ordinary ancestry. Many old servants
of the medical profession claim that a physician in order to succeed must be
born with the attributes of nature most fitted to relieve and sympathize with
the afflicted, and it must certainly follow that he who follows in the
professional footsteps of such an eminent father has more than the ordinary gifts
which tend toward success in the life work he has chosen. The grandfather
of our subject was born in Ky. about 1806 and is still living a resident of
Fillmore, Putnam Co, IN where he now enjoys the rest of years well spend and is
made happy by the fact that his family have succeeded him with credit even to
the third generation. Kent K. Straughan was born in Scott Twp, Montgomery
co where his parents had located after leaving Ky. Dr. JW Straughan and his
wife, Sarah HARRISON Straughan are both descendants of a long line of Ky.
ancestors and the spirit of chivalry in one and good breeding in the other
portrays the fact of their southern birth. Dr. S. arrived at years of maturity
in Montgomery Co and after taking the common school course entered the Russellville
Academy from which he graduated and then began reading medicine with his
father. In the year 1875 he entered the Indiana Medical College at
Indianapolis from which place he graduated 3 years later. The Dr. began the
practice of medicine in the Spring of 1878 at Parkersburg and afterward located
in Browns Valley, where he practiced successfully for several years.
In 1889 he located in Waveland and by energy and native ability has
built up an extensive practice. The year 1878 marks an era in the life of
Dr. Straughan as the one in which he obtained the consent of Miss Lucy B.
BRIDGES to become his wife. To those best acquainted with her Mrs. S.
represents those womanly qualities which are so well calculate to assist a life
partner toward success and as a lady of gentle bearing and kindly disposition
she is loved by all who know her. Her parents were Mr. AC and Mary DRENNON
Bridges, pioneers of this county. Dr. S. is connected with the Free &
Accepted Masons and Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Waveland. Both
Dr. and Mrs. Straughn are identified with the Baptist Mission Church in which
body they are recognized as earnest Christian workers and supporters.
Three bright interesting children have blessed their union and give
promise of the ability and intellect to be expected from those of distinguished
ancestry. Dr. Straughan has devoted his life to his profession and,
though young in years, has met with remarkable success and been rewarded by the
accumulation of a large amount of this world's goods, all of which is the
result of his own industry. He has always worked earnestly for the
advancement of Waveland in material prosperity and intellectual and moral
growth. Both he and his wife are leading members of society, where their
intelligence and refinement make them ever welcome and give them a standing
merited by people of their character and ability. - transcribed by kbz
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana Jan 22, 1926
Dr. K. Straughan died at an early hour on Sunday morning after a protracted
illness. Funeral services at the home on Tues. afternoon were in charge
of Dr. J.T. Boyer of Flora. Interment at Maple Ridge. The following
obituary was read: Dr. Kent K. Straughan, whose body lies before us today, was
born on the 6th day of March 1857 at Parkersburg, Indiana. he was the
second son born to Dr. John W. and Sarah Josephine Straughan. His early boyhood
days were spent on the farm. He attended the district schools of his day
and later took a students course in the academy at Russellville, Indiana.
he taught school for one year and then chose to enter the Indiana Medical
School, located at Indianapolis, finishing that course in instruction in
medicine and surgery in the year 1878. He started the practice of
medicine at the early age of 21. His work has been in the immediate
vicinity of Waveland and covers a period of almost 48 years. In the year
1878, on his birthday, he united in marriage with Lucy B. Bridges and to this
union three children were born: Dr. W.L. Straughan who was associated with his
father in his practice at this place, Miss Mayme Straughan who later married
Mr. Harry Chenault and preceded her father in death in the year 1916 and Miss
Maud Straughan who is the wife of Mr. Oscar L. Cook of Indianapolis.
Dr. Straughan was a devout member of the Baptist Church, a member
of his County and State Medical Society, an active member of the local Masonic
body, a 32 degree Mason and member of the County Chapter and also a worker in
the local lodge of Odd Fellows. His life of service has been well
appreciated by his many friends and patrons in this community. His
constant desire to help and to heal, rather than wound or those he loved led
him to ask that no songs be sung at this sad hour, so sorrow and grief would be
modified as much as possible. We that know him, know he has won and
earned his Masters reward. Work so well and carefully done here means
that he has already hear his Master's voice say, "In as much as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my brothern, ye have done it unto
me." (Note from Jeff Scism -- when I was growing up in Waveland,
Maud and Oscar Cook were my neighbors. She was a WONDERFUL woman -- they
had no children of their own, but basically adopted me -- I'd go over and help
her clean house or help him mow yard -- she fixed homemade cookies and we
laughed and had so much fun. For my graduation present, she did an oil
painting of me -- I have it in my home, which oddly, is right back where I
started, 204 E. Green St, Waveland -- she was a fantastic artist). - transcribed by kbz
Source: Waveland Independent newspaper, Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana March 16, 1923
A late mail and a noon fire about wrecked the dinner hour on Friday. After considerable inquiry the blaze was found to be at the home of Dr. KK Straughan on E. Greene St. The fire Co. was soon on hand and soon had the flames under control. The cause of the fire is hard to determine but it is thought possible that it might have been defective wiring. The loss by fire and water was considerable but covered by insurance. Dr. Straughan was just able to sit up after a serious attack of flu, but suffered no ill effects from so many callers. - transcribed by kbz