Mercer County PAGenWeb

Dr. David J. Washabaugh


DR. DAVID J. WASHABAUGH,  of Grove City, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Mercer county, was born on a farm in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1845. His parents were David and Sarah (Huey) Washabaugh. The Washabaugh family is of German origin and the Hueys are of Irish extraction. When Dr. David J. was but seven years of age, his parents went to Mercer county, and settled in Jackson township. Three years later, young Washabaugh began the battle of life, leaving home at that time and working for others, and under difficulties not encountered by many boys of today, he finally succeeded in securing a good education. In the month of June, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, and served in the Union cause for three months. After his return from the army, he worked and attended school alternately. He worked in the oil fields until he began teaching, which profession he followed three years. In 1871, he entered the drug business, at Grove City, selling out the same in 1873. He then took up his long cherished ambition of studying medicine, and was graduated in 1876, from Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio. He then began practice at Anandall, Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he continued in the profession until 1892. In the autumn of that year, he located at Grove City, where he has ever since practiced. Dr. Washabaugh is a member of the County, State and other medical societies. In politics. he is a supporter of the Democratic party. In 1890, he was honored with the nomination for member of the legislature from Butler county, as he also was in 1898, from Mercer county. Though unsuccessful at the elections, he made creditable races in each county and acquitted himself in the campaign in a manly manner.

He is connected with the order of Odd Fellows and is advanced to the Encampment. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in church affiliations is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Doctor was married in 1875, to Sarah J. Braham, by whom he had six children—five living and one deceased.

Twentieth Century History of Mercer County, 1909, Vol. I, page 513


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