May - Willis
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 2 Nov 1900 p9
The funeral of Dr. WL May occurred last Saturday at the family residence, a large concourse of friends attending the services. The floral offerings were many and beautiful and the services were conducted by Rev. AL Crim in a most impressive manner. The following were the pall bearers: AE Eastlack, SL Ensminger, TN Lucas, AS Miller, CL Thomas and Dr. Barcus. At a metting of the county medical society Friday afternoon the following memorial was adopted. “Dr. Willis L. May was born in Carrollton County, Kentucky Oct 8, 1828 and died in Crawfordsville, Ind Oct 24, 1900. He came to Indiana in 1847 and took up his residence in Crawfordsville, making this his home since that time. He studied medicine and attended a course of lectures in a medical college in Ft. Wayne in the early 50s, then began practicing here and has been identified with the medical profession of this place nearly 50 years. He graduated from Rush Medical College in 1858 and attended post graduate lectures in NY in 1878. He was always an ardent worker in his chosen field. Beginning at a time when doctors were scarce and patients abundant, he had ample opportunity for the exercise of that energy which always characterized him. No road was too long or difficult, no day too stormy or night too dark to make him falter when suffering humanity appealed to him for assistance. He saw and experienced the hardships of the pioneer doctors of this country. Days and nights were spent in the saddle on primitive roads and in trackless forests. Epidemic diseases often prostrated entire households. At such times his work was unremitting. Weariness came to him, but with the energy characteristic of him he shook it off, denying himself the luxury of rest. He was a student in his profession and kept pace with the progress of his colaborers. To the young physician he was a bulwark of strength sustaining and encouraging him in every time of need. He was a faithful friend as well as physician. He would make any sacrifice that a friend could ask. He was liberal in mind as well as heart, conceding to each one his own peculiar views. He was widely known, loved and honored and his loss is felt by more than his immediate friends. His summons came suddenly, though not unexpected, and he leaves to us a record of a life well spent and rich in the hope of immortality. Would there were more like him. The world is better for his having live: his life was a valuable lesson.” - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 26 October 1900
Dr. Willis L. May had all arrangements perfected to start Wednesday afternoon for a visit in Kentucky, but at ten o’clock that morning he started on a longer journey, peacefully and quietly departing for that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns. Tuesday he did not feel well and all but abandoned his plans for the Kentucky visit, but next morning he felt exceptionally well and busied himself preparing to start in the afternoon with his grandson, John Booe, Jr. He had made several calls and finally came to his office, sending his buggy to the repair shop to be mended while he should be gone. He stood for a few minutes in Nye & Booe’s drug store and remarked on feeling well, speaking with glad anticipation of his prospective visit to the home of his youth. About ten o’clock he went upstairs to his office. A few minutes later his wife went up and looking through the door saw him as she supposed sleeping on his couch. She entered quietly and sat down, not wishing to disturb him. A closer look, however, revealed the fact that he was dead. His day book was in his hand and he had evidently been making a memorandum when death came. He had fallen easily back on his couch and lay there as one sleeping. Mr. Booe was hastily called up and found the body still warm. Medical aid was called but to no avail. Dr. May had been for several years troubled with heart disease and his ending while a shock to his relatives was not altogether unlooked for. Dr. May was the father of the Crawfordsville medical fraternity, having been in the practice here since 1847, and few men have ever enjoyed the same confidence of their patients. Dr. May was born in Carrolton County, Kentucky, October 8, 1828, and came to Crawfordsville in 1847, entering the office of Dr. Brown, father of T. D. and G. R. Brown. Dr. May was a graduate of Rush Medical College and had taken a post graduate course at Bellevue in New York. On Oct. 9, 1849, he was married to Miss Maggie A. Thompson, who died in 1871. Five children were born to them, of whom three still live, Mrs. John A. Booe, Capt. W. T. May and Mrs. M. M. Nye. In 1873 Dr. May was married to Miss Mary E. Poole, who survives him. Their only child, June, died in 1884. Dr. May was a member of the Christian Church and was a leader in its councils. He was a man of genial temperament and a hospitable, charitable heart. His death takes from the community a man who seemed a part and parcel of it, and his absence will be sadly felt. – thanks so much to “S” for this obit
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 26 October 1900
The funeral of Dr. May will occur Saturday morning at 10 o’clock. Rev. A. L. Crim will conduct the services and the interment will be at the Masonic Cemetery.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 2 November 1900
Dr. Willis L. May was born in Carrollton County, Kentucky, Oct. 8, 1828, and died in Crawfordsville, Ind., Oct. 24, 1900. He came to Indiana in 1847 and took up his residence in Crawfordsville, making this his home since that time. He studied medicine and attended a course of lectures in a medical college in Ft. Wayne in the early fifties, then began practicing here and has been identified with the medical profession of this place nearly fifty years. He graduated from Rush Medical College in 1858 and attended post graduate lectures in New York in 1878. He was always an ardent worker in his chosen field. Beginning at a time when doctors were scarce and patients abundant, he had ample opportunity for the exercise of that energy which always characterized him. No road was too long or difficult, no day too stormy or night too dark to make him falter when suffering humanity appealed to him for assistance. He saw and experienced the hardships of the pioneer doctors of this country. Days and nights were spent in the saddle on primitive roads and in trackless forests. Epidemic diseases often prostrated entire households. At such times his work was unremitting. Weariness came to him, but with the energy characteristic of him he shook it off, denying himself the luxury of rest.
He was a student in his profession and kept pace with the progress of his co-laborers. To the young physician he was a bulwark of strength sustaining and encouraging him in every time of need. He was a faithful friend as well as physician. He would make any sacrifice that a friend could ask. He was liberal in mind as well as in heart, conceding to each one his own peculiar views. He was widely known, loved and honored, and his loss is felt by more than his immediate friends. His summons came suddenly, though not unexpected, and he leaves to us a record of a life well spent and rich in the hope of immortality. Would there were more like him. The world is better for his having lived; his life was a valuable lesson. – thanks so much to “S” for all her great obit work on this site