My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM MARQUART, M. D., a native of Clark County, now residing in Springfield, has a high reputation not only as a skillful and eminently successful physician, but also as an able business man and financier. He may be accorded a place among the leading agriculturists of this part of Ohio, as among other valuable property he owns an entire section of land, and even more, which is improved and divided into well-appointed farms.

Our subject is of French descent on the paternal side. His father, Peter Marquart, was born near Carlisle, Pa., a son of Philip Marquart, who was also a native of the Keystone State. His father was a native of France, and came to this country in Colonial times, and spent the remainder of his life in Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject was a carpenter, and plied his trade in his native State till 1800, and in that year moving to Virginia, carried on his calling in Botetourt County till about 1812, when he again made a move, and accompanied by his wife and seven children started on a tedious journey to the wilds of Ohio. His wife rode all the way in a two wheeled chaise, and a four horse team and a two horse team conveyed the other members of the family and the household goods to their destination. Mr. Marquart bought a tract of timber and wild prairie land in Greene Township, on the head-waters of Muddy Run, and made his home there until his demise in 1837. He was an industrious, active man, of good habits, and consequently prospered, but in an unfortunate hour he went security for some friends, and lost all his property. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, whose maiden name was Mary Leffler, spent her last days on the home farm in Greene Township.

The father of our subject learned the carpenter’s trade of his father, in Virginia, and after he came to this county with his parents, in company with his father, he erected the most of the fine buildings in the western part of the county. Two years after his marriage he bought a tract of land in Pike Township, and built a log house thereon, the same in which our subject was born. After that he was employed at his trade but little, devoting his time to clearing his land and improving a farm. At that time lumber was comparatively valueless, and he rolled many fine walnut logs into a heap and burned them. In the years of labor that followed his settlement he wrought a great change in his land, and at the time of his death had many acres cleared and under good cultivation, and had otherwise greatly increased the value of his homestead. The mother of our subject was a native of Clark County, Bethel Township the place of her birth. Her maiden name was Margaret Minnich, and she was a daughter of Michael Minnich, a native of Virginia. His father was born in the province of Alsace, Germany, and coming to this country in Colonial times, settled in Virginia, and there passed the remainder of his life. The Doctor’s maternal grandfather was reared in Virginia, and went from there to Ohio, in 1810, and settled in that part of Champaign County now included in Clark County. He bought land on the banks of Mad River, in Bethel Township, improving a farm, whereon he lived till death claimed him. The maiden name of his wife was Leah Sinz. She was born in Virginia, was of German antecedents and spent her last years on the home farm in Bethel. The Doctor’s mother died at her home in Pike Township. The following are the four children born of her marriage: Michael, Philip, William and Milton.

Dr. Marquart received his early education in the pioneer schools of his native county, which were conducted on the subscription plan. He was an apt scholar, and by close application to his books he became well-grounded in the ordinary studies of the day, and at the youthful age of sixteen commenced teaching. He carefully saved his money with a view of obtaining a higher education, and at the age of eighteen entered Wittenburg College. For two years he was a close student at that institution, and then turning his attention to the study of medicine, while teaching, he earned enough money to pay his way at the Cincinnati Medical College, where he pursued a fine course of study, and later entered the Cleveland Medical College, from which he was graduated with honors. He had a very tempting offer to enter upon his practice with an old physician in Muncie, Ind., but after consulting his friends he decided to establish himself in the town of Northampton, in his native township, where he at once began a successful career in his profession. He practiced there many years, and such was his repute for skill and an exceptionally good knowledge of medicine, that he was in great demand far and wide beyond the limits of that and adjoining townships. He always manifested a great interest in agriculture, and finally removed to his farm in Bethel, whose management he superintended, besides looking after his other two valuable farms. He subsequently removed to Springfield, that his children might have the benefit of the city schools. He afterward returned to his homestead, and lived there till March, 1889, when he once more took up his residence in Springfield, and is still a citizen of that city.

To the lady who presides over his attractive home Dr. Marquart was united in marriage in 1853. Mrs. Marquart’s maiden name was Martha J. Layton. She is a devoted wife and mother, looking carefully after the interests of her household, and she is a kind and true friend to all who come under her influence. Of her pleasant wedded life the following five children have been born: Oscar M., a successful physician, practicing his profession in Osborn, Greene County; Alice; Ella, the wife of George A. Beard, an attorney; William and Florence.

A gentleman of broad culture, a physician of high standing, a public-spirited and progressive citizen, a true husband and indulgent father, a generous friend, considerate in his relations with others, Dr. Marquart’s busy and useful career has more than fulfilled the promise of his youth, to make life a success, and his presence among us is an honorable addition to the citizenship of this, his adopted city. The Doctor is a member of the Clark County Medical Society, and belongs to Clark Lodge, No. 101, A. F. & A. M.