My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL W. MARSHALL, M. D., is one of the foremost members of the medical profession of Sparta, as well as one of its most progressive and valued citizens. His grandfather, James Marshall, was a native of Ireland, and in 1795 founded the family in America. He settled in the Fairfield District of South Carolina, and there successfully engaged in teaching, and also served as Justice of the Peace.

The father of the Doctor, Robert W. Marshall, was born in South Carolina in 1799, and removed thence to Randolph County, Ill., in 1836. He located four miles north of Sparta, and there made his home until his death, which occurred March 4, 1871. He was educated by private instructors, and was a classical scholar. At the age of thirty he entered the Charleston Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1834. He then began practice, which he continued throughout his life. He was a man of recognized ability as a surgeon and stood at the head of the profession in this part of the state. In politics he was a Republican. In religion he was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in which he served as Elder. He was a charitable, noble man, and had no enemies, for all who came in contact with him recognized his goodness and were his friends.

In 1834 Robert W. Marshall married Susanna, daughter of James Arnett, and a native of South Carolina. She was also a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and her death occurred in 1852. The family numbered eight children: Eleanore, who died in South Carolina; William T., who died about 1873; Ellen C., wife of William McClinton, of Sparta; Samuel W.; Sarah Jane, who died at the age of six years; Sarah, who became the wife of W. J. Porch, of Randolph County,, and died in the fall of 1876, leaving two children, Eliza and William; Henrietta, and Charles F., who was educated in the St. Louis Medical College, and was practicing in Baldwin, Ill., at the time of his death. He married Hattie C. Kennedy.

The birth of Dr. Marshall occurred in Randolph County in 1840. He remained with his parents upon the farm until 1864, although in the meantime he attended Union Academy. In 1860 he commenced the study of medicine with his father, and in 1862 began a course of lectures in the St. Louis Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1864. He then located in Sparta, but the following fall was appointed assistant surgeon of the Eighty-fourth Illinois Infantry, under Dr. Kile. As his superior was at brigade headquarters, Dr. Marshall was the only surgeon with the regiment. After six months’ service he returned to Sparta, where he has since engaged in practice.

In 1866 was celebrated the marriage of the Doctor and Miss Marcella Eiker, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to this place with her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Hoover) Eiker. Her parents were both born in the Keystone State, and are now deceased. While the Doctor and his wife have no children of their own, they have reared three orphan children. Alice was educated in Monmouth College, and is the wife of C. C. French, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, N. Y.; Frank E. received a commercial education, and is now book-keeper in the Carother Plow Works; Finley C. is book-keeper for the Keys Commission Company, at the National Stock Yards at East St. Louis.

Dr. Marshall votes with the Republican party, He has been a member of the School Board for fifteen years, and for about five years was its President. Socially he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, is a member of the American Medical Association, and belongs to the Southern Illinois Medical Association, of which he has served both as Vice-President and President. He and his wife hold membership with the United Presbyterian Church, in which he has held the office of Elder for fifteen years. They are earnest workers in its interest, doing much for its advancement and upbuilding.