My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL McGIFFIN, physician and surgeon, Tippecanoe City; prominent among the physicians of Tippecanoe; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1824, and is the son of David and Nancy (Hudson) McGiffin, both of the same county. David was a farmer, and followed the pursuit of agriculture and stock-dealing throughout his active life; he still survives at the advanced age of 86 years; he had nine children, of whom the Doctor is the fifth child; he was brought upon the farm, and received his early education in the characteristic pioneer log cabin, under the usual difficulties of his day. At the age of 14, he moved with his parents to Jackson Co., and here began the study of medicine at the age of 17, under the tutorship of Dr. Kenan; he continued his studies here a few years, and then entered the practice in Berlin, and at the end of two years established himself in Allensville for ten years, and then returned to Berlin in 1860, and went to Waverly, Pike Co., where he remained till the breaking-out of the war, when he repaired to Camp Douglas, Chicago, and became surgeon of the 15th Veteran Reserve Corps, but subsequently, was placed in charge of the “Rebel Prison Ward Hospital,” at the same place, where he remained until the spring of 1864, when he returned to Ohio, practicing a short time in Zanesville, and then went to Perry Co., where he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church; his eminent success in this field is attested by the fact that he took charge of a circuit in great disorder and confusion from political factions, and by much earnest labor brought it to a good condition, and added 186 members to the church. At the end of the year, he resumed his practice, and came to this county in April, 1871, where he has since successfully practiced. The Doctor feels the responsibility which his profession imposes upon him, and is conscientious and careful in the discharge of his duty. He finds his religious creed in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, with his wife, is a faithful member of the same. He was married in 1849 to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Jackson Co., Ohio. One child, who died in infancy, has been the issue of this union.