John A. Wakeman, M.D.

JOHN. A. WAKEMAN, M.D., Ph. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Centralia, was born on the 23d of January, 1815, in Hector, Tompkins County, N. Y.

His father and grandfather both bore the name of John, and the ancestors on both sides came over in the "Mayflower."

The father was born and reared in Weston, Conn. In that city he married Ruth Adams, a native of Connecticut, and after about two years they removed to Tompkins County, N. Y. Supplied with one year's provisions, they made the journey in a one-horse wagon and later endured all the trials of the early pioneers.

He served in the War of 1812, and for many years followed farming and carpentering. After the completion "of the Erie Canal he owned and ran several canal boats. In Tompkins County he continued to make his home until about 1832, when he emigrated to Huron County, Ohio, where he followed farming and milling for about twenty years. With his youngest son he then went to Branch County, Mich., where they built and operated a sawmill and gristmill and also carried on a farm. The father there died April 8, 1859, and the mother passed away November 5, 1856. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom grew to mature years, but only two are now living: John A., and Eli, who is engaged in farming and milling in Branch County, Mich.

1. William H. was a farmer and miller and died in Missouri;
2. Sherwood followed the same pursuits and spent his last days in Ohio;
3. Bradley, who was a school teacher, died in early life;
4. Harriet became the wife of Dr. Bronson and died in Los Angeles, Cal.;
5. Miranda died at the age of eight years; and
6. the others died in infancy.

The father of this family was a Whig in early life, but became one of the stalwart supporters of the Republican party on its organization. He held membership with the Presbyterian Church. In his business dealings he was very successful and aided all of his children in making a good start in life.

John A. Wakeman was a youth of about fifteen when with his father lie removed to Huron County, Ohio. For about a year he engaged in teaching school in the Buckeye State and then began reading medicine in Worthiugton.

On the 24th of March, 1828, he was graduated from the medical department of Worthington College, and the following day was united in marriage with Miss Hulda Janet Stiles, a native of Oneida County, N. Y. She was for many years his faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey, but died at their home in Centralia in 1885, at the age of seventy years, five months and thirty days.

After his marriage Dr. Wakeman engaged in practice for about a year in Tiffin, Ohio, and then returned to Worthington, where he pursued a post-graduate course. Locating in Huron County, he was for fifteen years engaged in practice in Fairfield, and during that time became a convert to homeopathy.

In the winter of 1852-53 he was a student in the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in March of the latter year. Removing to Portsmouth, Ohio, he there engaged in practice for seven years, and in June, 1859, came to Marion County, ILL., purchasing a farm one mile from Centralia. He has been very successful, and his skill and ability have secured for him a liberal patronage.

He continued to reside on his farm until after the death of his first wife, when he removed to the city, lie was again married May 4, 1887, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah Ann Willard, daughter of Caleb Trevor, who was a native of England and during his youth came to America. For some years he followed merchandising, and he and his wife spent their last days in Cincinnati.

The Doctor has a family of three children.

1. Emmet B. is General Superintendent of Transportation for the Great Northern Railroad and has his office in St. Paul, but, his home is in Minneapolis.
2. Josephine C. became the wife of J.C. Kehoe, a merchant of Centralia, and after his death she married Dr. William II. Leonard, now of Minneapolis.
3. Henry S. is Assistant Superintendent of one of the divisions of the Great Northern Railroad and is located in Willmar, Minn.

In early life Dr. Wakeman was a supporter of the Whig party, but since the organization of the Republican party has been identified with its interests.

He holds membership with the Episcopal Church and has served as Senior Warden and Vestryman. His wife is an active member of the Baptist Church and they both take an active interest in charitable and benevolent work, contributing liberally to all worthy enterprises and objects.

For fifty-seven years the Doctor has engaged in the practice of medicine, devoting the greater part of his time and attention to his business. He has always kept abreast of the times, and his ability has won him not only a liberal patronage, but lias also secured him a prominent name in the profession.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 313 & 314
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer