URI K. HURD, M.D. This gentleman occupies a high place among the medical fraternity of Marion County, and in addition to the duties devolving upon him as a well known physician, he superintends the operation of his fine two hundred acre farm, located on section 10, Odin Township. He is a native of Ohio, and was born in Morgan County in the year 1817 to Silas and Sophia (Hill) Hurd.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Daniel and Mary (Hamilton) Hurd, the former of whom was probably born in New York and was of English descent.
Silas Hurd emigrated to Morgan County, Ohio, from Rutland County, Vt., about 1813. He was born in the latter-named county in 1792, and soon after his marriage with Miss Hill removed to Ohio, as above stated. That lady was a daughter of Frederick and Abigal (St. John) Hill, natives of the Green Mountain State, where also her birth occurred in the year 1793. The father of our subject arrived in Ohio with but limited means, and although purchasing eighty acres of wild timber land was not able to pay for it until some little time thereafter. He was very successful in his farming operations, and later added forty-five acres to his estate, on which he continued to reside until quite advanced in years. Then removing to Zanesville, he made that city his home until his decease, which occurred October 29. 1859. His good wife survived him a few years, when she too passed away at Zanesville. Silas Hurd was a Whig in politics.
Dr. Hurd, of this sketch, was the eldest but one in his parents' family of eight children, his brothers and sisters being
The last-named and our subject are the only members of the family surviving.
Uri K. remained with his parents until reaching his majority, in the meantime fitting himself to teach school, which he began doing when in his eighteenth year.
April 16, 1845, Dr. Hurd and Miss Augusta Guthrie were united in marriage. The lady was born in Washington County, Ohio, in 1826, and was the daughter of Erastus and Achsah (Palmer) Guthrie. Her father was born in the above county in 1798, while the mother was a native of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie were well-to-do farmers during their earlier years, but in 1833 the former established himself in the dry-goods business in Deavertown, Ohio, and later was interested in an iron foundry. In 1855 Mr. Guthrie was chosen a member of the General Assembly of Ohio. As may be supposed, he was very prominent in his locality. He was a strong Abolitionist, and aided many slaves to escape through the underground railway. In religion he was a Universalist.
Our subject began reading medicine with Drs. Johnson and Dawes, and after four years spent in studying the best medical works, he was given a certificate to practice. This was in 1845, and Dr. Hurd immediately began the practice of his profession at Deavertown, Morgan County, Ohio, where he resided for nineteen years. In 1863 he sold out his interests in the Buckeye State, and coming to Marion County, has since that time resided in Odin Township.
Dr. and Mrs. Hurd have had born to them one son, Louis, who married Lymna Maxfield and makes his home in Dubuque, Iowa. He is a graduate of the Cincinnati Law School, and has been engaged in practice in the above city for a number of years.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hurd have four children,
The wife of our subject is a devoted member of the Christian Church, while the Doctor worships with the Congregationalists.
In his political relations lie is a strong Republican, and for several terms was President of the Town Council.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 465 - 466
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer