November 21, 1895
LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Some of the Physicians Who Have Grown Prominent and Rich.
Salem, Ky, Nov. 18, 1895.
Livingston county has always been fortunate in having good physicians; it's true we have now, and always have had a few quack doctors, but the quack doctor has never met with any success in this county. Most all of our doctors are educated men, who have shown a pride and ambition in wanting to reach the top in their profession. The most skillful and most successful physician, that ever lived in Livingston county, was Dr. Thomas Linley; he was born in 1806, in Mason county, Ky. He practiced medicine in Mason, Lewis and McCracken counties; in 1840 he came to this county, where he remained until his death in March, 1880. He was in every sense of the word a self made man, his parents were very poor, but when very young, Thomas Linley, showed a great desire to get an education, and at twelve years of age, he began to work for his neighboring farmers at 20 cents per day, he worked during the spring and summer, saved his money, and paid his way to school during the winter months. At the age of 18 years he began teaching school in Hamilton county, Ohio, and while teaching school he read medicine. From his youth to old age, he never knew what it was to have idle moments, he had felt the sting of poverty to such an extent when young, that he economized every minute of his time in trying to get out of it, and in that way he acquired habits of industry that never left him. His practice extended over whole of this county, and a large part of Crittenden county. For many years, his residence was almost like a hospital, the sick and afflicted came to him from far and near. He was as skillful in surgery as in medicine, and he never in life made any distinction in his practice between the rich, and the poor, he would go as far to see a poor man as a rich one, and the night was never too cold or dark for him--he went at every call. Dr. Anthony Hodge, Dr. Gilliam, Dr. Carrington and Dr. Crawford, of Marion, Ky., Dr. Harris, of Carrsville, Dr. H. H. Duley and Dr. Sanders of Smithland, Dr. Furnish and Dr. Shamwell, of Birdsville, and Dr. Johnson, of Fredonia, and his home doctors at Salem each and all recognized his ability as a fine physician, for each of said doctors frequently sent for Dr. Linley as consultation physician. Some of the above named doctors have moved away from this county, and some have gone to that land where there is no sickness. He was a graduate of Transylvania University at Lexington, Ky., also graduated at the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dr. J. V. Hayden, was born in 1850. He began the practice of medicine in Pope county, Ill., he graduated in the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1878, and in 1879 located in Salem, he formed a partnership with Dr. J. D. Threlkeld, in the practice of medicine and in the drug store business under the firm name of J. V. Hayden & Co. This firm has done an immense business from the beginning of their partnership to the present time. They are honorable, pleasant gentlemen to deal with, and have accumulated considerable wealth, the firm being worth about $80,000; they have the Salem Valley country plastered over with mortgages, and while they are kind and indulgent with the people, they are not in business for their health, with them pay day comes, and when it comes something must be done, if there is to be no pay, then there will be no practice and no drugs. Dr. J. V. Hayden is a very cheerful man and the moment he enters the sick room the patient feels better. Dr. Hayden has attended medical lectures several times since he graduated; in the winter of 1893, he attended the New York Polyclinic, a post graduate school of medicine. He is a warm hearted sociable gentleman, and very popular with the people. And for the benefit of any young lady who may be looking out for a husband, I will say he is yet a single man. Make his acquaintance try your winning powers on him, and if you succeed, you have made a success. His partner, Dr. J. D. Threlkeld, was born in Crittenden county, Ky., in 1851; he graduated at the Louisville University in 1874 and located in Salem in 1875. He had nothing when he came to Salem, except his horse, and now he is one of the wealthiest men in the county, and made the reputation of a fine physician. He is always found at his post of duty, and never for any cause neglects his business.
Dr. C. L. Harris, of Carrsville, is the oldest physician now living in this county. He was born in Virginia in 1821; he graduated at the [missing text]ton in 1851-52. In 1855 he located at Carrsville, and soon went to the front in his profession and although he is now an old man, he is still in the front rank with the professional men of this county; he is a most companionable man, a cultured, polished gentleman. He is a fine conversationalist, and those who meet him are delighted with his company. He has many friends, and no enemies. No stains has ever ye[t] blotted the character of this man.
Dr. H. H. Duley, of Smithland, has always enjoyed a very large practice, and it is a remarkable fact that when a family call in Dr. Duly [sic], they never afterwards drop him for another. His patients have the utmost confidence in his skill and ability. In the last 15 years many people have left Smithland and gone to Paducah to live, yet all those who have gone to Paducah, still send to Smithland for Dr. Duley when they get sick. He has indeed been a friend to the poor, he was never known to ask any man to pay his medical bill, those who desire to pay him, do so when they get ready. And those who never pay, continue to call on him for medical service, which they always get, just as though they had paid their bills promptly. He takes great pride in his profession, and has given his entire time to the study and practice of medicine, and had he been a close collector, and received pay for all the services he has rendered the people, he would today be the richest man in this county.
We have several young physicians who are fast coming to the front.
FREE SILVER.
Source: Crittenden Press. (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, November 21, 1895, Image 2 - Chronicling America - The Library of Congress.
[My comments are in brackets.]
