My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM HENDRICKSON MATCHETT, physician and surgeon, Greenville; was born in Butler Co., Ohio, March 9, 1825. His parents were Eric Matchett and Johanna Hendrickson, natives of Monmouth Co., N. J.; in 1820, the family came to Butler Co., Ohio, and in the spring of 1831, settled in Darke Co.; Mr. Matchett followed the occupation of farmer and miller; energy, industry and honesty were the prominent traits in his character; he died in Greenville, in June, 1867, and his wife on July 20, 1839. For two years, young William, then 14 years of age, carried the mails between Hamilton and Greenville on horseback; by working, teaching and attending school, as circumstances would permit, he acquired a good education for his day; at the age of 22, he commenced the study of medicine while engaged in teaching, and was, at different times, under the instruction of Dr. Jaqua, of Darke, and Drs. Cox and Lineweaver, of Preble Co.; he attended lectures at the Cleveland Medical College, and graduated from the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, in 1851; in September, 1851, he commenced practice in Ithaca, Darke Co.; on Feb. 8, 1863, he entered the army as Assistant Surgeon of the 40th O. V. I., and served as such till December, 1864; on March 1, 1865, he was promoted to Surgeon of the 186th O. V. I., and was mustered out in the following September; his first post of duty in the army was at Franklin Hospital, Tennessee, and he was subsequently placed on duty in the hospital of the First Division of the Fourth Corps of the Army of the Cumberland; in September, 1862, he located in Greenville; for many years, he has been a member of both the County and State Medical Societies; he has made his profession a specialty, and occupies an eminent rank among the physicians and surgeons of the State; he is also the author of a number of valuable contributions to the medical literature of Ohio. Dr. Matchett was married Dec. 2, 1852, to Miss Eleanora, daughter of William Lindsay, of Richmond, Ind., a lady of rare culture and refinement; there have been six children born to them, only three of whom are living; his eldest son died Aug. 5, 1877; he was a young man of great ability, and was foremost in his class at Cornell University, where he was soon to graduate, when death claimed him. Dr. Matchett is a Mason of long standing, being a member of Ithaca Lodge, R. A. Chapter of Greenville, and of Coleman Commandery, K. T. of Troy.