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Below is a family biography included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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C. W. M. OTWELL, M. D., physician, New Madison, Ohio; was born in Williamsburg, Wayne Co., Ind., March 4, 1837, the day Martin Van Buren was inaugurated President of the United States; he is a son of Curtis Otwell, M. D., whose biography appears in this work; when 15 years of age, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware; after a four years’ course there, he commenced the study of medicine in his father’s office in Greenville; three years later, he attended a course of lectures at the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and returned to Greenville a short time before the breaking-out of the rebellion. When the call was made for troops, he enlisted in the 11th O. V. I, as a private, but received almost immediate promotion in the medical department; at the end of the three months’ term he returned to Greenville, but soon enlisted again as a private, and was again promoted, this time to Hospital Steward, and continued such, although doing the work of Assistant Surgeon most of the time, until the expiration of his term, when he returned to Greenville; his father and brother having gone into the service, he took charge of the office and practice of Otwell & Son; he continued practicing at Greenville until July, 1867; he then began practice alone at Otwell’s Mills; in October of the following year he returned to New Madison, where he has since resided and enjoyed a large practice, and is now doing his share of business, having become a fixture and almost a necessity to the citizens of that vicinity. He was married July 14, 1867, to Sarah A. Hecker; she was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 16, 1838; is the daughter of Jacob Hecker, of Neave Township, and was 12 years of age when her parents came to Darke Co.; being one of a large family, she studiously improved her mind and soon supported herself and helped support the family by teaching. They have three children— Luella, Jerold A. and Curtis W.

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This family biography is one of 659 biographies included in The History of Darke County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Darke County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Darke County, Ohio family biographies here: Darke County, Ohio Biographies

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