Andrew P. Letherman, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Andrew P. Letherman
ANDREW P. LETHERMAN, M. D. Ranking high among the more prominent and successful physicians of Valparaiso is A. P. Letherman, M. D., who is distinguished not only for his professional knowledge and skill, but as being the longest-established physician in Porter county. He began his practice with, and finally succeeded, his father, the late Dr. Joseph Hampton Letherman, who located in this section of Indiana nearly three score years ago. The Doctor was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, November 4, 1850, coming from thrifty German stock on the paternal side, the immigrant ancestor of the family having settled in Pennsylvania, where his grandfather, Joseph H. Letherman, spent his entire life.
Dr. Joseph Hampton Letherman was born in Washington county. Pennsylvania, March 6, 1819, and there grew to man's estate. As a boy he attended the district schools of his native county, having among his schoolmates a lad that later attained national fame, James G. Blaine, having been one of his early comrades. Having a natural talent and liking for the study of medicine, he fitted himself for college and he graduated from Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia. About 1845 he migrated to Iowa, which was then a territory, locating in the village of Kossuth, Des Moines county, where he remained about eight years, building up in the meantime a good practice and gaining valuable experience. Turning his face eastward in 1853, he came with his family to Valparaiso, Indiana, where he continued his practice until his death, in 1886. He took an active part in public affairs, faithfully performing all of his obligations as a man and a citizen, and was held in high esteem throughout the community. He married Jane Mary Peirce, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca (McKibbin) Peirce, the former of whom was of English descent, while the McKibbins were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. She lived to the good old age of eighty-three years. Of her ten children three died in infancy, and seven are now living, as follows: Joseph H.; A. P., the special subject of this brief biographical review; William C., of Valparaiso, Indiana; Lawrence, post office inspector at Boston, Massachusetts; Mrs. Alice Dalrymple, of Valparaiso; Jennie, wife of Lincoln Brooke, of Chicago, Illinois; and Mrs. Arthur Newton Andrews, of Detroit, Michigan.
But three years of age when brought by his parents to Valparaiso, Andrew P. Letherman laid a substantial foundation for his future education in the public schools of this place, after which he completed the course of study in the Valparaiso Collegiate Institute. Inheriting a love of the study of medicine, he then entered the Louisville Medical College, Louisville, Kentucky, now the University of Kentucky, from which he was graduated with the class of 1871. Returning to Valparaiso a full fledged physician, Dr. Letherman began the practice of his chosen profession with his father, Mr. Joseph H. Letherman, and at the death of the elder Dr. Letherman, in 1886, succeeded to his entire practice. He has remained here ever since, a period, dating from the time he received his diploma, of upwards of forty-one years, and has gained an excellent reputation for professional skill and knowledge, his practice being large and remunerative.
The Doctor has served ten years as coroner of Porter county. He is a member of the Porter County Medical Society; of the Indiana State Medical Society; and of the American Medical Association. Religiously Dr. Letherman is an active and valued member of the Presbyterian church, which he is serving as an elder. We herewith append resolutions of respect and esteem relative to the death of Dr. Letherman's father, who was one of the oldest physicians and surgeons of the city of Valparaiso: At a meeting of the Porter County Medical Society held at Valparaiso, Indiana, April 22, 1886, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from our midst our friend and brother, Dr. Joseph H. Letherman,
Resolved, that in the death of Dr. Letherman our society has sustained the loss of one of our most distinguished confreres who, until the lamp of life was extinguished by the night of death, gave himself with ardor and self-sacrificing devotion to the practice of his chosen profession for more than forty years,
Resolved, that we extend to the family and friends of the deceased our heartfelt sympathies in their affliction, and that a copy of these resolutions be furnished the family of the deceased as the last mark of respect that earth can tender to the dead,
Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this society and that a copy thereof be handed to the editors of our local papers.
JAMES H. NEWLANDS, President.
W. A. YOHN, Secretary.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 445-447
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook