SLAVENS, John - M.D. - Putnam

SLAVENS, JOHN, P. O. Brick Chapel, Physician, Section 29; was born March 1, 1811, in Montgomery County, Ky.; son of Reuben (born in Greenbrier County, Va., October 12, 1787), and Elizabeth HART - SLAVENS (born in Virginia November 19, 1782). He married May 22, 1842, in Portland Mills, Putnam Co.,

Sarah WARDEN, born in Bath County, Ky., June 15, 1818, daughter of William and Catherine DAVIS - WARDEN, he a native of Ireland and she of Pennsylvania, by whom he has had six children - H. C., born February 10, 1843, died April 27, 1851; Mary E., born September 3, 1844; Sarah I., born September 5, 1846; Julia, born April 5, 1849; Horace Greeley, July 16, 1850, and Queen N., born December 22, 1852. Dr. SLAVENS was the second in a family of ten children; he came to this county in 1826, when fifteen years old; attended a subscription school in Section 28, known now as the Brick Chapel, until his twentieth year. The school only being in session during the winter, he worked for his father on the farm through the summer. After leaving school, he taught at intervals for five years, then began reading medicine with Dr. A. C. STEVENSON, of Greencastle. After two years' study, he began the practice of his profession in Portland Mills. In 1847 - 48, he attended the Louisville Medical University, where he graduated in the latter year. Dr. SLAVENS has spent forty years in the practice of his profession in Portland Mills twenty-five years, in Greencastle eighteen months, and where he now resides, fourteen years. He favors all that tends to improve the educational and material advancement of his county, feeling somewhat of a paternal interest in it, having seen its growth almost from its birth. He is a Republican, and has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1845; he and his wife belong to the Christian Church. His son Horace G. is practicing medicine in Humboldt, Allen Co., Kan. The SLAVENSES are of Irish decent; the Doctor's great-grandfather John, settled in Virginia, where his son Isaiah, grandfather of the Doctor, was born in 1756; he was a soldier in the wars of the Revolution and of 1812, and died in this county about 1844. Dr. SLAVEN'S  father died in this county February 14, 1872, and his mother September 26, 1846. Both were members of the regular Baptist Church. Mrs. SLAVENS' parents died in Orange County, Ind., when she was a child.

DR. JOHN SLAVENS, physician and surgeon at Brick Chapel, residing on section 29, Monroe township, was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, March 1, 1811, son of Reuben Slavens, an early settler of Kentucky, now deceased. His great-grandfather, John Slavens, came from Ireland prior to the Revolutionary War. The doctor came to this county in 1826, settling in Monroe township, which was then a wilderness. They had all the experiences incident to pioneer life. He used to roll logs thirty days in succession; also attended house-raisings. He was educated in the subscription school of the early day, and sat on split-pole seats, and wrote on a puncheon pinned to the wall. He taught school five or six years, then read medicine with Dr. A. C. Stevenson, of Greencastle. He began the practice of medicine in 1838 at Portland Mills, this county, and graduated at the medical department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1848. He has practiced fifty years. There was a time when he knew everyone in the county north of Greencastle. He came to his present home in 1864, where he owns thirty-seven acres of land. He is a member of the Christian church, and is a Royal Arch Mason. He was married May 22, 1842, to Sarah Warden, daughter of William Warden, who was born in Bath County, Kentucky. They have had six children, Henry C. (deceased), Mary E., Isabelle, Julia, Horace G., and Queen. All are married.

Although Dr. John Slavens, the veteran physician of Brick Chapel, has reached his three score and ten yet he gets about with all the vigor of a young MD.

Source: Greencastle Banner and Times 30 Dec 1892 p 8

Brick Chapel – John Fleming and wife of Fowler, Benton County are here visiting Mrs. Fleming’s parents, Dr. John Slavens and wife.

Somerset – Those in our vicinity over 70 years of age are: Charley Philips, 87; Jane Frankes, 84; Dr. John Slavens, 83; Mrs. Dr. Slavens, 75; Mrs. Mary Talbott; 75; Joe –row (no age but must be between 72 & 75; Mrs. Lizzie Hall, 72; Flem McCray; Mrs. McCray; Mrs. McMahan; Tom Gardner, 70; Mrs. Nancy Hart; Mrs. Catharine Farrow, Mr., Richardson

Dr. John March Slavens – picture thanks to Susan Huber from findagrave

Born: 1 March 1811 Montgomery Co KY Died: 3 Oct 1905 age 94 Putnam County buried Brick Chapel

He practiced with Dr. James Hervey Slavens 1861-63; John (Jack) Slavens, Joseph WR Slavens and his brother, Zenas Ludolphus Slavens ALL practiced with him during that time period – WOW

Father: Reuben 12 Oct 1787 Greenbrier Co W VA

Died 14 Feb 1872 prob. Putnam Co buried Brick Chapel

Mother: Elizabeth Pherr b KY 19 Nov 1782 died Indiana 26 Sept 1846 Brick Chapel

was a merchant in Greencastle, Putnam Co until 1869 when moved to Neosho Falls, Kansas where he was also a merchant many years.  1880 moved to Yates Center, KS and made his home with his son – married Martha F. Inge 1832-1895 – one son? William Henry Slavens 1849-1897

Brick Chapel,IN, 10.3.1905

Sarah Warden

6

Univ of Louisville, Med.Dept., 1848

JAMA v.45 Nov 4 1905 pg 1425, Putnam (Brick Chapel)

P1886

Christian, Royal Arch Mason

Pastor

22 May 1842

Record # 98225, 19th and 20th Century Indiana Physicians