Dr. Letherman, 86, Succumbs; Ill Two Years Oldest and Most Revered Physician in County Dies Thursday, Ending Colorful Career
Death, following an extended illness, Thursday evening at 7 o'clock, wrote finds to the colorful story of the life of Valparaiso's and Porter county's veteran physician, Dr. Andrew P. Letherman, who died at his home, corner of Washington and Erie streets.
Dr. Letherman was 86 years of age and the oldest physician in Porter county in point of years of service to humanity. Two years ago he was forced to relinquish the practice of his profession because of ill health, after 55 years, most of which was spent in Valparaiso.
Memorial services will be held Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock daylight savings time, as thte Bartholomew chapel on Washington street, conducted by Rev. Chester W. Wharton, of the Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Old City cemetery.
Of the old school of medical men, Dr. Letherman was trained to the vicissitudes encountered in the practice of medicine when the family doctor was more than a man in the community--when he was revered as an institution to which sufferers could turn for relief day or night, regardless of what hardship might be encountered by the physician in making his rounds. Only physical inability to leave his home or reach his patent ever deterred the physician in answering a call where his certain hands and his knowledge were needed. Thus did he establish a record of having attended four generations in more than one family before death stilled his hands.
Dr. Letherman joined the Presbyterian church in 1865. For many hears he was an official of the church and active in its affairs. He was intimately acquainted with Rev. James C. Brown, who organized the local Presbyterian church in 1840.
He never married. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Andrews, of Detroit, Mich, and Mrs. Lincoln Brooke, of Hinsdale, Ill., and a number of nieces and nephews.
Dr. Letherman was born in Kossuth , Iowa, a village in Des Monies county, on the Burling and Cedar Rapids railroad. With his parents, Dr. Joseph H. Letherman and Mary Jane Peirce Letherman and two brothers, Joseph and William, they started in 1853 for Valparaiso. Chesterton was the closet place they could come by rail, and from that town they were transported to Valparaiso in an old lumber wagon by Aaron W. Lylle.
He attended common schools, one of which was located at the time in the old Merchnats' hotel block, since destroyed by fire. Later he attended the Presbyterian Seminary, then located on the site of the present Women's club building. In 1870, Dr. Letherman left Valparaiso to enter the Keokuk Medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, and institution attended by his father. from there he went to Louisville, Ky., where he was graduated from the Louisville Medical college.
Following his graduation, Dr. Letherman returned to Valprasiso and engaged in the practice with his father. He remained one years and then got the wanderlust. He went to Hempstead, Teas, where he was given the post of deputy health commissioner of schools. The job paid $1,200 per year.
After two years at Hempstead, Dr. Letherman resigned and went to California, locating at the San Juan mines, where he worked as a miner. Yielding to the entreaties of his father he returned to Valparaiso in 1874 and again entered the practice of medicine. This partnership was maintained until 1885, when the senior Letherman died.
During his long career as a doctor, Dr. Letherman served as county coroner and city health commissioner. He was a member of the city board of health at the time of his death.
In his practice, Dr. Letherman visited all parts of the county. For many years he employed three horses to carry him to country homes. Many times he was called to Jasper, Lake and LaPorte counties to attend the sick. In those days the road were different than now. Much of the time they were impassable. Many times it was necessary to go on horseback.
Dr. Letherman had many trying experiences in following his profession. On one occasion, a pack fo wolves attacked him in the Tassinong vicinity, south of Valparaiso, and it was only by a stroke of luck he was not killed. On another occasion while driving near Hebron he encountered a herd of twelve deer.
Obituary, The Vidette Messenger, Valparaiso, Indiana, March 19, 1936.
Death, following an extended illness, Thursday evening at 7 o'clock, wrote finds to the colorful story of the life of Valparaiso's and Porter county's veteran physician, Dr. Andrew P. Letherman, who died at his home, corner of Washington and Erie streets.
Dr. Letherman was 86 years of age and the oldest physician in Porter county in point of years of service to humanity. Two years ago he was forced to relinquish the practice of his profession because of ill health, after 55 years, most of which was spent in Valparaiso.
Memorial services will be held Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock daylight savings time, as thte Bartholomew chapel on Washington street, conducted by Rev. Chester W. Wharton, of the Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Old City cemetery.
Of the old school of medical men, Dr. Letherman was trained to the vicissitudes encountered in the practice of medicine when the family doctor was more than a man in the community--when he was revered as an institution to which sufferers could turn for relief day or night, regardless of what hardship might be encountered by the physician in making his rounds. Only physical inability to leave his home or reach his patent ever deterred the physician in answering a call where his certain hands and his knowledge were needed. Thus did he establish a record of having attended four generations in more than one family before death stilled his hands.
Dr. Letherman joined the Presbyterian church in 1865. For many hears he was an official of the church and active in its affairs. He was intimately acquainted with Rev. James C. Brown, who organized the local Presbyterian church in 1840.
He never married. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Andrews, of Detroit, Mich, and Mrs. Lincoln Brooke, of Hinsdale, Ill., and a number of nieces and nephews.
Dr. Letherman was born in Kossuth , Iowa, a village in Des Monies county, on the Burling and Cedar Rapids railroad. With his parents, Dr. Joseph H. Letherman and Mary Jane Peirce Letherman and two brothers, Joseph and William, they started in 1853 for Valparaiso. Chesterton was the closet place they could come by rail, and from that town they were transported to Valparaiso in an old lumber wagon by Aaron W. Lylle.
He attended common schools, one of which was located at the time in the old Merchnats' hotel block, since destroyed by fire. Later he attended the Presbyterian Seminary, then located on the site of the present Women's club building. In 1870, Dr. Letherman left Valparaiso to enter the Keokuk Medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, and institution attended by his father. from there he went to Louisville, Ky., where he was graduated from the Louisville Medical college.
Following his graduation, Dr. Letherman returned to Valprasiso and engaged in the practice with his father. He remained one years and then got the wanderlust. He went to Hempstead, Teas, where he was given the post of deputy health commissioner of schools. The job paid $1,200 per year.
After two years at Hempstead, Dr. Letherman resigned and went to California, locating at the San Juan mines, where he worked as a miner. Yielding to the entreaties of his father he returned to Valparaiso in 1874 and again entered the practice of medicine. This partnership was maintained until 1885, when the senior Letherman died.
During his long career as a doctor, Dr. Letherman served as county coroner and city health commissioner. He was a member of the city board of health at the time of his death.
In his practice, Dr. Letherman visited all parts of the county. For many years he employed three horses to carry him to country homes. Many times he was called to Jasper, Lake and LaPorte counties to attend the sick. In those days the road were different than now. Much of the time they were impassable. Many times it was necessary to go on horseback.
Dr. Letherman had many trying experiences in following his profession. On one occasion, a pack fo wolves attacked him in the Tassinong vicinity, south of Valparaiso, and it was only by a stroke of luck he was not killed. On another occasion while driving near Hebron he encountered a herd of twelve deer.
Obituary, The Vidette Messenger, Valparaiso, Indiana, March 19, 1936.
Dr. Letherman, 86, Succumbs; Ill Two Years Oldest and Most Revered Physician in County Dies Thursday, Ending Colorful Career
Death, following an extended illness, Thursday evening at 7 o'clock, wrote finds to the colorful story of the life of Valparaiso's and Porter county's veteran physician, Dr. Andrew P. Letherman, who died at his home, corner of Washington and Erie streets.
Dr. Letherman was 86 years of age and the oldest physician in Porter county in point of years of service to humanity. Two years ago he was forced to relinquish the practice of his profession because of ill health, after 55 years, most of which was spent in Valparaiso.
Memorial services will be held Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock daylight savings time, as thte Bartholomew chapel on Washington street, conducted by Rev. Chester W. Wharton, of the Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Old City cemetery.
Of the old school of medical men, Dr. Letherman was trained to the vicissitudes encountered in the practice of medicine when the family doctor was more than a man in the community--when he was revered as an institution to which sufferers could turn for relief day or night, regardless of what hardship might be encountered by the physician in making his rounds. Only physical inability to leave his home or reach his patent ever deterred the physician in answering a call where his certain hands and his knowledge were needed. Thus did he establish a record of having attended four generations in more than one family before death stilled his hands.
Dr. Letherman joined the Presbyterian church in 1865. For many hears he was an official of the church and active in its affairs. He was intimately acquainted with Rev. James C. Brown, who organized the local Presbyterian church in 1840.
He never married. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Andrews, of Detroit, Mich, and Mrs. Lincoln Brooke, of Hinsdale, Ill., and a number of nieces and nephews.
Dr. Letherman was born in Kossuth , Iowa, a village in Des Monies county, on the Burling and Cedar Rapids railroad. With his parents, Dr. Joseph H. Letherman and Mary Jane Peirce Letherman and two brothers, Joseph and William, they started in 1853 for Valparaiso. Chesterton was the closet place they could come by rail, and from that town they were transported to Valparaiso in an old lumber wagon by Aaron W. Lylle.
He attended common schools, one of which was located at the time in the old Merchnats' hotel block, since destroyed by fire. Later he attended the Presbyterian Seminary, then located on the site of the present Women's club building. In 1870, Dr. Letherman left Valparaiso to enter the Keokuk Medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, and institution attended by his father. from there he went to Louisville, Ky., where he was graduated from the Louisville Medical college.
Following his graduation, Dr. Letherman returned to Valprasiso and engaged in the practice with his father. He remained one years and then got the wanderlust. He went to Hempstead, Teas, where he was given the post of deputy health commissioner of schools. The job paid $1,200 per year.
After two years at Hempstead, Dr. Letherman resigned and went to California, locating at the San Juan mines, where he worked as a miner. Yielding to the entreaties of his father he returned to Valparaiso in 1874 and again entered the practice of medicine. This partnership was maintained until 1885, when the senior Letherman died.
During his long career as a doctor, Dr. Letherman served as county coroner and city health commissioner. He was a member of the city board of health at the time of his death.
In his practice, Dr. Letherman visited all parts of the county. For many years he employed three horses to carry him to country homes. Many times he was called to Jasper, Lake and LaPorte counties to attend the sick. In those days the road were different than now. Much of the time they were impassable. Many times it was necessary to go on horseback.
Dr. Letherman had many trying experiences in following his profession. On one occasion, a pack fo wolves attacked him in the Tassinong vicinity, south of Valparaiso, and it was only by a stroke of luck he was not killed. On another occasion while driving near Hebron he encountered a herd of twelve deer.
Obituary, The Vidette Messenger, Valparaiso, Indiana, March 19, 1936.
Death, following an extended illness, Thursday evening at 7 o'clock, wrote finds to the colorful story of the life of Valparaiso's and Porter county's veteran physician, Dr. Andrew P. Letherman, who died at his home, corner of Washington and Erie streets.
Dr. Letherman was 86 years of age and the oldest physician in Porter county in point of years of service to humanity. Two years ago he was forced to relinquish the practice of his profession because of ill health, after 55 years, most of which was spent in Valparaiso.
Memorial services will be held Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock daylight savings time, as thte Bartholomew chapel on Washington street, conducted by Rev. Chester W. Wharton, of the Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Old City cemetery.
Of the old school of medical men, Dr. Letherman was trained to the vicissitudes encountered in the practice of medicine when the family doctor was more than a man in the community--when he was revered as an institution to which sufferers could turn for relief day or night, regardless of what hardship might be encountered by the physician in making his rounds. Only physical inability to leave his home or reach his patent ever deterred the physician in answering a call where his certain hands and his knowledge were needed. Thus did he establish a record of having attended four generations in more than one family before death stilled his hands.
Dr. Letherman joined the Presbyterian church in 1865. For many hears he was an official of the church and active in its affairs. He was intimately acquainted with Rev. James C. Brown, who organized the local Presbyterian church in 1840.
He never married. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Andrews, of Detroit, Mich, and Mrs. Lincoln Brooke, of Hinsdale, Ill., and a number of nieces and nephews.
Dr. Letherman was born in Kossuth , Iowa, a village in Des Monies county, on the Burling and Cedar Rapids railroad. With his parents, Dr. Joseph H. Letherman and Mary Jane Peirce Letherman and two brothers, Joseph and William, they started in 1853 for Valparaiso. Chesterton was the closet place they could come by rail, and from that town they were transported to Valparaiso in an old lumber wagon by Aaron W. Lylle.
He attended common schools, one of which was located at the time in the old Merchnats' hotel block, since destroyed by fire. Later he attended the Presbyterian Seminary, then located on the site of the present Women's club building. In 1870, Dr. Letherman left Valparaiso to enter the Keokuk Medical college at Keokuk, Iowa, and institution attended by his father. from there he went to Louisville, Ky., where he was graduated from the Louisville Medical college.
Following his graduation, Dr. Letherman returned to Valprasiso and engaged in the practice with his father. He remained one years and then got the wanderlust. He went to Hempstead, Teas, where he was given the post of deputy health commissioner of schools. The job paid $1,200 per year.
After two years at Hempstead, Dr. Letherman resigned and went to California, locating at the San Juan mines, where he worked as a miner. Yielding to the entreaties of his father he returned to Valparaiso in 1874 and again entered the practice of medicine. This partnership was maintained until 1885, when the senior Letherman died.
During his long career as a doctor, Dr. Letherman served as county coroner and city health commissioner. He was a member of the city board of health at the time of his death.
In his practice, Dr. Letherman visited all parts of the county. For many years he employed three horses to carry him to country homes. Many times he was called to Jasper, Lake and LaPorte counties to attend the sick. In those days the road were different than now. Much of the time they were impassable. Many times it was necessary to go on horseback.
Dr. Letherman had many trying experiences in following his profession. On one occasion, a pack fo wolves attacked him in the Tassinong vicinity, south of Valparaiso, and it was only by a stroke of luck he was not killed. On another occasion while driving near Hebron he encountered a herd of twelve deer.
Obituary, The Vidette Messenger, Valparaiso, Indiana, March 19, 1936.
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