My Genealogy Hound

HUGH R. GUTHRIE, M. D., is not only one of the oldest physicians in Randolph County, but is one whose extensive practice and high standing in professional circles prove conclusively his mental and physical endowment, his careful culture, and his painstaking efforts to continually add to his theoretical knowledge and practical skill.

Our subject is a son of Thomas C. Guthrie, who was born in 1797, in County Antrim, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States in 1817. His first location in the New World was made in Crawford County, Pa., where he taught school for one year, having received an academic education before leaving his native land. Thence Thomas Guthrie went to the Smoky City, and entering the Western University of Pittsburgh, was graduated from that institution in 1822. While there he was a student under General Black’s father, who was professor of Latin, Greek and theology. The father of our subject was licensed to preach by the Pittsburgh Presbytery in 1825, and as a minister of the Gospel he first located at Pine Creek, Allegheny County, Pa., where he had a charge for thirty-five years. Thence he went to Mt. Pleasant, nine miles from that place, where he established a mission and continued to preach for twelve years. At the expiration of that time, on account of his failing health, he gave up the active duties of a pastor, and in April, 1874, came to Sparta and made his home with his son, the subject of this sketch, until his decease, which occurred in 1876.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were Hugh and Sarah (Cathcart) Guthrie, natives of County Antrim, Ireland, where the former passed away; the latter died in Pennsylvania. The paternal great-grandparents were natives of Scotland, who, after removing to Ireland, located in County Antrim. Our subject’s mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Caskey, was a native of Pennsylvania and the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Thompson) Caskey, who were born in Ireland, and after emigrating to the United States made their home in Pennsylvania. The parents of our subject were married by Dr. Black, in Pittsburgh, December 30, 1828, and reared a family of four children, namely: Joseph C., Hugh R., Samuel and Lizzie M. They are all deceased with the exception of Dr. Guthrie. Lizzie M. was a missionary to India in 1873, and while there was sent to Japan, where she remained about five years. In October, 1878, she returned to the United States, and departed this life at San Francisco in April, 1880.

The mother of our subject having died, Thomas Guthrie was married January 26, 1837, to Mrs. Nancy McLean, the daughter of Barnard Gilleland, a native of western Pennsylvania. She became the mother of four children, and died June 1, 1847. Her children were named Margaret, James, Barnet and John K. In 1848 the father of our subject married Mary McFann, who died in 1889, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.

Dr. Hugh Guthrie was born February 23, 1831, in Allegheny County, Pa., and there resided with his parents until the spring of 1855, with the exception of a few months, in the meantime having taken a literary course in Duquesne College. Upon leaving home he came west, and taught school for ten months in Perry County, Ill., and then returning to Allegheny County, began the study of medicine. He attended lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, and received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine in 1855. When ready to locate for the practice of his profession, he went to Madison, Wis., and after a residence there of two years came to Sparta, Ill., and continued here until 1864. January 1 of that year, he went to St. Louis, and took a post-graduate course in the St. Louis Medical College. Then returning to Sparta, he made his home in this city for one summer, when he went to Philadelphia, and there also took a post-graduate course in the University of Pennsylvania, after which he attended lectures on surgery in the Jefferson Medical College. Returning to St. Louis in 1866, he practiced for a short time, and the following year came again to Sparta, where he has since made his home, and is now one of the oldest and most prominent citizens in the county.

March 7, 1861, Dr. Hugh Guthrie and Miss Helen B., daughter of Dr. Joseph and Mary Ann (Miller) Farnan, were united in marriage. Dr. and Mrs. Farnan were natives respectively of Ireland and New York, and after coming to Illinois they located in Sparta. To our subject and his wife have been born three children: Mary E., the wife of W. G. Pardoe, an attorney at Santa Fe; Ada, who is a graduate of the Jacksonville Musical College; and Margaretta.

In his political relations the Doctor is a strong Republican, and socially is a member of the Southern Illinois Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Mississippi Valley Association. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, and for a number of years has held the position of Trustee. He is now President of the School Board, and a member of the local Board of Health.