BIO:  McMAHAN, William R., M.D., s/o Joseph A. & Nancy (Armstrong) McMahan

History of Pike & Dubois Counties, Indiana; Chicago
Goodspeed Bros. & Co., Publishers, 1885
Dubois County, Patoka Twp, page 536

WILLIAM R. McMAHAN, M.D., of Huntingburgh, is a representative of one of the
oldest and most respected families of Dubois County.  He was born September 8,
1843, being the eldest and only son in a family of five children, all living,
born to the marriage of Joseph A. McMahan and Nancy Armstrong.  The father was
born in Kentucky in 1812, a son of William R. McMahan, and was of Scotch
descent.  In 1818 the family moved to Indiana and settled on a farm two miles
west of where Jasper now is, in Dubois County.  There the grandfather of our
subject passed the remainder of his days, and as a Whig in politics was among
the first to represent Dubois county in the State Legislature, and also served
as one of the associate judges of the county for a number of years.  He died
about the year 1835, a member of long standing in the Baptist Church, of which
he was a minister.  Joseph A. McMahan was raised on a farm in this county, and
when a youth learned the tanners trade, at which he worked until 1832, when he
embarked in mercantile pursuits at Jasper.  Twelve years later he removed to a
farm about five miles west of Huntingburgh, where he resided and engaged in
agricultural pursuits the remainder of his days.  He was an unassuming, honest
and industrious citizen, and a man whose character was without a blemish.  A
Republican in politics, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he
died respected by all who knew him, July 21, 1872.  The mother of our subject
was of Irish extraction.  Born in Kentucky, she came to this State at an early
day, and bravely assisted her husband in his life's labors.  She died June 12,
1872, aged sixty-two years.  Dr. W. R. McMahan received but a limited literary
education in youth, but being a close observer and great reader, that omission
has been supplied in later years.  When eighteen years old, the war of the
Rebellion began, and espousing the Union cause he enlisted a private in
Company E, Fifty-eighth Volunteer Infantry from Indiana.  He served two years,
lacking two months, as private and non-commissioned officer, and after Stone
River battle was promoted second lieutenant, and then first lieutenant.  He
commanded a company on the memorable march to the sea with Sherman, and also
had command of the foragers for his regiment.  Returning North at the close of
the war he read medicine with an uncle at Mankato, Minn., two years.  In 1868
he graduated from Rush Medical College of Chicago and since that time has
practiced his profession at Huntingburgh, Ind., where he has won success and
distinction as a physician and surgeon, and esteem as a private citizen.
Since first beginning the study of medicine Dr. McMahan has ever been a
student, and besides being a member of the American Medical Association, was a
member of the faculty of the Evansville Medical College during the years
1882-83-84, having occupied the chair of Surgical Pathology.  He is the
present president of the town school board, is one of the directors of the
Huntingburgh Bank, is chief surgeon for the Lake Erie and St. Louis Railway,
and is a member of the board of examining surgeons at Huntingburgh for
pensions.  March 23, 1868, Dr. McMahan wedded Louisa Helfrich, who died
October 13, 1875, after bearing him four children, three of whom now live.
March 8, 1877, Elizabeth Lukermeyer became his wife, and of three children
born them two are now living.  Dr. McMahan is a Republican and himself and
wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

 
From: "Phyllis Hill" 
<phill@redrock.net>
Date: 14 Aug 1998