Randolph  County,  Indiana

Grant  C. Markle


            The name Markle has been a household word to the people of Randolph county for the past forty years, and during that period no name in the list of medical men in this section of the Hoosier state has stood out any more prominently, for Dr. Grant C. Markle, of this review, and his worthy father before him, Dr. John E. Markle, have been prominent physicians and surgeons of the county during that period, the former during the latter part and the latter during the first part of the period designated. They have brought health, and therefore happiness to the people of this locality and have won the lasting gratitude of all. The elder Markle has passed on to a higher plane of endeavor, but his mantle seems to have fallen on his son who is carrying on the commendable work of bringing surcease for the multiform ills to which humanity is heir, and he is in every respect proving himself to be a worthy son of a worthy sire.
            Dr. Grant C. Markle, of Winchester, was born in Portland, Indiana, October 31, 1868, and is a son of Dr. John E. and Emily V. (Johnson) Markle. Owing to the prominence of the father his biography will be given at some length before proceeding with the life history of the son.
            Dr. John E. Markle was born at Ithaca, New York, December 2, 1838, his father, Jacob Markle, having been a merchant at that place, and who subsequently moved with his family to Candor, Tioga county, New York, in 1841, where he lived until 1853, in which year he came to Madison county, Indiana, locating at a village which was later named Markleville. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits at this point until his death in 1864. His son, John E., received an excellent, education in the Academy at Candor, New York and the University at Meadville, Pennsylvania. In 1859 he began the study of medicine, and a year later found him pursuing his studies at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio. In the spring of 1861 he began practicing at Fishersburg, Indiana. But his practice was interrupted by the breaking out of the Civil war, and on August 4th of that year he enlisted in Company F. Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. While in camp at Anderson he was detailed for duty in the hospital department, and he did not return to his company until in November, 1862, at Helena, Arkansas, On January 4, 1863, he was appointed second lieutenant and was detailed as commander of a squad to assist in carrying out one of General Grant's plans in the Mississippi campaign. For valuable service he was made first lieutenant April 4, 1863. He had charge of his company at the battle of Magnolia Hills, Mississippi and for bravery displayed in the capture of a rebel battery, he was given a captain's commission. As captain of Company K, he participated in thirty-two engagements, winning an enviable record for bravery and daring courage. He was in the battle of Palo Alto, Texas, one of the last of the war. Here he performed one of his most courageous feats by rescuing the regimental colors from the enemy into whose hands they had fallen. On October 15, 1865, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of his regiment, serving in that capacity until February 19, 1866, when he was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service. At the close of the war he was the only one among forty applicants who passed a successful examination for admission into the regular army. He was never wounded or taken prisoner.
            After his military career had ended, Dr. John E. Markle located at Portland, Jay county, Indiana, in March, 1866, and there began the practice of his profession. He later attended a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical College from which he was graduated in the spring of 1868. He continued to practice at Portland until 1873 when he removed to Hagerstown, Indiana, and on November 2,1874, located at Winchester, where he remained successfully engaged in the practice of his profession until his death which occurred on March 20,1903. He was secretary of the Jay County Medical Association and in 1866 was president of the same. In 1876 he suggested a similar organization for Randolph county and was the principal organizer of the same, was president for one year. In the winter of 1878-9 he attended the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York City, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1879. Later in that year he assisted in organizing the Delaware District Medical Society, and was elected vice-president, and president in 1880. He was a member of the Indiana State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and he contributed numerous valuable papers to the medical journals of the country. At the organization of the Randolph County Board of Health he was elected secretary, and was by virtue of the same, health officer of the county. He was appointed United States pension examiner July 1, 1882, serving four years, and was later re-appointed. He was a Republican and a member of the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was noble grand of the latter lodge, and reached the master's degree in the former, being a Scottish Rite, a Knights Templar and a member of the Chapter. He was also past grand of the Odd Fellows and was representative to the grand lodge of Indiana in 1870. He was a great physician of the old school and enjoyed a very large and lucrative practice and was one of the best known doctors of his day in northern Indiana. He was elected clerk of his county in 1896, serving four years.
            Dr. John E. Markle was married September 19, 1866 to Emily V. Johnson, daughter of Jephtha Johnson, of Wayne county; this state, and she is still living, making her home with her son, Dr. Grant C. Markle. The only other child of these parents was Minnie, who died in infancy.
            Dr. Grant C. Markle was reared in the atmosphere of a physician's home and attended the public schools, graduating from the Winchester high school in 1886. He then entered Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, from which he was graduated in 1890 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Deciding to follow in the footsteps of his father in a professional way he began studying medicine under him at his office in Winchester, subsequently entering the medical department of the University of Louisville, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1892. He at once began practice with his father in Winchester and has remained in the general practice to the present time. He was not long in rising to distinction in his profession. He has always kept well abreast of the progress of the science, is an enthusiast in his practice, and tireless in his performance of duty. During the past year he has been compelled to give up much of his practice in view of the fact that on January 29, 1913, he was struck by a locomotive at a street crossing in Winchester and seriously injured, while making a professional call. He remained in partnership with his father for five years, then practiced by himself. He is a member of the county, state and national medical societies. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order and the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a staunch Republican and has been active in public matters since attaining his majority. He was county health commissioner for several years, and is a progressive citizen in every respect. He has also been city health officer.
/Dr. Markle was married December 30, 1897 to Bessie Smith, a daughter of Dr. W. G. and Julia (Lucas) Smith, a prominent Winchester family. Here Mrs. Markle grew to womanhood and was educated. She is a lady of culture and pleasant address. The union of the Doctor and wife has been without issue.
Past and Present of Randolph County, Indiana, 1914.
Contributed by Gina Richardson

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