My Genealogy Hound

A. J. SHIMP, M. D., a practicing physician and noted specialist in the treatment of chronic diseases, is, perhaps, one of the best known and most highly educated physicians of Missouri. He was born in the year 1857, in Centerville, N. J., of which state his father, A. J. Shimp, Sr., was also a native. The latter was of English and German descent, and became a prosperous merchant-speculator and broker of Philadelphia, amassing a fortune and becoming prominent in political and church circles. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, being active in the work of that organization up to the time of his death, which occurred in his native state. His father, Jonathan Shimp, who was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving under Washington. Our subject’s mother was formerly Susan Pyle, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Daily) Pyle, of English and Scotch descent, respectively. The former was a native of New Jersey in which state his daughter’s birth also occurred. He became connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of twenty years, being identified with it for forty-seven years. For many years he acted in the capacity of minister in that denomination, accepting no remuneration for his services. A Republican in politics, he became interested in the movement for freeing the slaves, and was later known as a decided Abolitionist.

In Cincinnati, Ohio, August 6, 1885, occurred the death of our subject’s mother, at the age of fifty-six years. She became the mother of seven children, of whom only two survive. William T. is a capitalist, and resides in New York City. David, who was a graduate of the Eclectic School for Physicians, was engaged for a time in the practice of his profession; his death occurred near Newport, Ky. Charles was a contractor and builder of Cincinnati. Martin and Richard were killed while in the Confederate service, during the late war. Elmina died quite young; and our subject completes the family circle.

Spending the days of his boyhood and youth in Philadelphia, our subject was educated in a private school, and later began the study of law in that city. Finding this course distasteful, however, he decided to become a physician, and began his studies under Prof James V. Lewis, a prominent physician of Philadelphia. He afterward entered the Curtiss Eclectic School of Philadelphia, graduating in 1879 with the degree of M. D. Locating in the above-mentioned city, he continued in practice there until 1884, at that time changing his residence to California. He first located in San Francisco, and later in Portland, Oregon. Desiring, however, to widen his opportunities and broaden his fund of knowledge, he decided to enter Jefferson Medical College, and for that purpose returned to Philadelphia.

Graduating in 1887, Dr. Shimp began practicing in Chicago, Ill., making a specialty of chronic diseases. After a residence of eight months in that city, he removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he established the Ohio Medical Institute, remaining in charge about eighteen months. From there he went to Cincinnati, and later took a trip for his health, first going South and later to the Pacific Coast. In September, 1894, the Doctor came to Sedalia, where he is establishing a good office practice. He has discovered a cure for rupture which does away with surgical operations. This remedy is being used by physicians in many cities, as is also his original cure for piles. He has been very successful in applying electricity to medical treatment, and his experiments will be watched with interest by the medical world.

In 1885 the Doctor made a trip to Australia. He also went to England and attended lectures at the noted institutions in London and Glasgow. Socially he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, and is also a member of the Society of Expert Specialists. During his short residence here he has made many friends who esteem him highly for his social qualities.