As a capable dental surgeon Dr. Philip Hamrick Puckett is well known in professional circles of Newark, his native city, and possesses those qualities which insure success in his chosen line of endeavor. He is a son of William W. and Margaret B. (Maloney) Puckett, natives respectively of Lynchburg, Ohio, and Loveland, this state. Rev. Benjamin Puckett, the great-grandfather of Dr. Philip H. Puckett, was born in Ohio and became a minister of the gospel, also operating a productive farm. In politics he was a republican and lent the weight of his support to all worthy public projects. He married Rebecca Hayes, who was a native of Ohio and a cousin of Rutherford B. Hayes, the nineteenth president of the United States. Rev. Puckett passed away at Lynchburg, Ohio, where his wife's demise also occurred. Their son, Sylvanus Puckett, was a native of Lynchburg and filled the position of a locomotive engineer. Financial affairs also occupied his attention, and in partnership with his brother, Sylvester P. Puckett, he owned a bank at Yellow Springs, Ohio. He was a strong advocate of the Union cause and served in the Civil war.

His political support was given to the republican party and his life was governed by the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Sarah (Hamrick) Puckett, died in Lynchburg, her native town, and there he also passed away. They were the parents of William W. Puckett, who also became a locomotive engineer and for thirteen years has been general chairman of the committee which represents the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He is affiliated with the Second Presbyterian church of Newark and casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party. His wife also represents one of the pioneer families of the county and among her relatives was Judge Davidson, the first jurist of Highland county, Ohio. Mrs. Puckett's father, James Maloney, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was also a railroad employe. He adhered to the Roman Catholic faith and gave his political support to the republican party. His wife, Anna (Hale) Maloney, was a native of New Vienna, Ohio, and passed away in Cincinnati, where his demise also occurred. Their daughter, Mrs. William W. Puckett, was reared in the Queen city and attended its grammar and high schools. She is a Presbyterian and a zealous church member.

In 1917 Dr. Philip H. Puckett completed a course in the Newark high school and for two and a half years was a student in the Ohio State University at Columbus. He next matriculated in the dental department of the University of Maryland at Baltimore and was graduated June 7, 1924. Returning to Newark, he opened an up-to-date office, pronounced one of the most complete in the state, and in the intervening period has established a large practice owing to his skillful work and devotion to his profession. Dr. Puckett is connected with Alpha Tau Omega, Psi Omega and Phi Sigma Chi, college fraternities. His name also appears on the membership rolls of the Lions Club, the Moundbuilders Country Club and the Granville Inn Club. He is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is likewise a Mason, belonging to Acme Lodge, No. 554, F. & A. M., at Newark, and to the consistory at Columbus, Ohio. He takes a keen interest in the activities of these organizations, and his religious views are indicated by his affiliation with the Second Presbyterian church. His loyalty and public spirit prompt his hearty cooperation in projects for the advancement of his community, and that he is a young man of substantial worth is demonstrated by the place which he occupies in the esteem of Newark's citizens, with whom his life has been spent.

(History of Southeastern Ohio and the Muskingum Valley 1788-1928, by Thomas William Lewis, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928)