My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published by Standard Publishing Company in 1913.  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.

* * * *

Dr. Marcus Sherburne Blunt was born in Narridgewock, Me., in 1826. He was fortunate in his birthplace, as at that time New England was a center of culture and refinement, of courage and energy. Dr. William Trafton, Dr. Charles Weever and others who adorned the medical profession in that early day, were also natives of New England, and brought to the western wilds something of the culture of the East. “There were giants in those days” and giants were needed to help subdue the wilderness, to contend with Indians and wickedness, to struggle through mud and swim swollen, unbridged streams, to carry the light of hope and health to the sick, to smooth the pillow of the dying. “The paths of pain were theirs” and they were trodden by weary, but unfaltering feet, not the least among these pioneer physicians being the subject of our sketch. Dr. Blunt graduated from Bowdoin College in 1851 and came west, locating at Mt. Vernon, then a mere village, in 1852, where he resided and practiced his profession till his death, twenty-nine years later. Those were strenuous years, filled with high purpose and hard work. Those of us “upon the ends of the world are come,” who practice medicine in automobiles, over rock roads, can little appreciate the hardships which these older physicians had to undergo. After two years the doctor realized it was “not good for man to be alone,” especially in the western wilds, and he married Miss Caroline B. Abbott, of Farmington, Me., who was not merely a helpmate for him, but an addition to the society of the village. The writer was proud to number her among his friends not many years after her husband’s death. Dr. Blunt was “gathered to his fathers” after a long and painful illness, October 2, 1881, and his devoted wife joined him in the “land of shadows” in 1904. Six children were born to this union, five of whom are yet living. Said one of his contemporaries: “He had the courage of his convictions honestly, faithfully in his sphere of action, did he fulfill his destiny. Upright and honest in all his business relations he stood without reproach.” Though he did not accept the dogmas of revealed religion, “His convictions, as to the future were sincere and pronounced. Above all creeds or books he looked and believed that any power which could mysteriously call him into existence was sufficient to care for him in the great Beyond.” “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” If he had the faults and foibles of humanity, he was also the possessor of its grandest attributes. His humanity was extended as the human family, his benevolence only circumscribed by his power to do good. Said another, “The sacrifices he made during the cholera epidemic in Mt. Vernon will never be known and never forgotten, in that memorable conflict with pole horse and his rider how unflinchingly he stood by the post of his duty. All mercenary motives were lost sight of, the poorest had his professional counsel and assistance as readily as those from whom he might expect remuneration and more, they had access to his purse as long as he could keep it supplied and the overflowing sympathy of his warm heart in their affliction.” He was not orthodox but he entered into the spirit of him who said, “I will have mercy and not sacrifice.”

* * * *

This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published in 1913 by Standard Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Posey County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Posey County, Indiana family biographies here: Posey County, Indiana Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.