UTTER, Joseph A. - Putnam

Dr. Utter Called In Sudden Death

Well Known Physician Expired A Few Minutes After Heart Attack Last Night

Apparently in best of health all day-Had Become Ill Monday, But Seemingly Recovered From Attack

Resident of County All His Life.

After being in the best of health through the evening and seeming in unusually good spirits, Dr. Joseph A. Utter was suddenly attacked with heart trouble at his home on Bluff street at a few minutes before ten Wednesday evening. At ten he was dead. For some time past the physician had been suffering with neuralgia of the heart. The last attack before his sudden illness of Wednesday evening occurred Monday. Dr. Utter had recovered from this attack Tuesday and he spent Wednesday in his office. His relatives believed he had completely recovered from the illness and his sudden death came as a shock to members of his family and all who knew him. The physician had a large number of friends in Crawfordsville and throughout Montgomery County.

Dr. Utter was born in this County, near Raccoon, February 14, 1847, and was past 67 years old at his death. He was the eldest child in the family of Rev. and Mrs. Abraham Utter, his father being a prominent Methodist minister until his death, thirty years ago. The deceased attended the grade schools in the rural schools of this County. Later he attended medical colleges, being first enrolled in the Normal school at Danville, Ind., and later in the Ohio Medical school at Cincinnati and the Pulte Medical school in that city. More than thirty years ago he came to Crawfordsville where he began the practice of medicine. He has remained here since that time and was recognized as a physician of ability. He was married to Flora M. Frazier in October, 1877, who with their four children, survives. The children are Charles Utter of Norfolk, Ohio, Mrs. Carrie Kurtzwell of Omaha, Neb., Mrs. Hettie Hodlefer of Donaldson, Iowa, and W. S. Utter of Crawfordsville. The deceased was a member of the First M. E. Church in this city and formerly held membership in several lodges here.

Funeral services have not been definitely arranged as yet but the services will not be held until the arrival of the deceased's children from a distance. Announcement of the time of the funeral will be made later.

Transcribed by: Tracy Jones 3-8-2002