My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

J. E. ENTSMINGER, D. D. S., one of the leading dentists of Murphysboro, who is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, is a native of Meigs County, Ohio, and was born April 2, 1864. The family is of German ancestry. His father and grandfather, both of whom were named David Entsminger, were natives of Virginia. The latter served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and as a business pursuit followed farming throughout life in the Old Dominion. The former went west when a young man, locating near Middleport, Ohio. He followed farming for a time, and then began blacksmithing in the town where he still makes his home. He was joined in wedlock with Christine B. McKnight, a native of Nova Scotia, and a daughter of Samuel McKnight. The latter was born and married in Scotland, and thence emigrated to Canada. He afterward became a pioneer farmer of Meigs County, Ohio, where his death occurred in 1873. Mrs. Entsminger, who was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, was called to her final rest February 4, 1893.

In the parental family were seven children, four sons and three daughters, and all are still living, namely: G. W., a dentist of Carbondale; Mrs. Isabel Bailey, of Pomeroy, Ohio; Mrs. Mina F. Klein, of Evansville, Ind.; Ida, at home; Richard B., a farmer of Meigs County, Ohio; James E., of this sketch; and A. L., of Carbondale.

Dr. Entsminger, whose name heads this record, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farmer lads. After attending the common schools, he completed his literary studies in the high school of Middleport, Ohio. Leaving his native state on the 24th of January, 1884, he reached DuQuoin, Ill., where his brother G. W. was living. He remained with him until June, 1884, when he accompanied him to Carbondale, and under his direction took up the study of dentistry. He then practiced with his brother until January, 1889, when in order to further perfect himself in his profession he entered the Hospital College of Medicine, in Louisville, Ky., as a student in the dental department, from which he was graduated June 17, 1890, with the degree of D. D. S. Since that time he has been in Murphysboro, and in a pleasant office at the corner of Walnut and Spring Streets he receives from the public a large practice, which is steadily increasing.

On the 31st of December, 1890, in Louisville, the Doctor wedded Miss Lizzie Cox, who was born near that city. Her mother was an own cousin of ex-Governor Blackburn, of Kentucky. They now have a little daughter, Ruth. In social circles, the Doctor and his wife hold an enviable position, and true worth and intelligence were their passports into good society. Dr. Entsminger is a charter member of the Fraternal Mystic Circle, of which he is now serving as Chaplain, and he also belongs to the Southern Illinois Dental Association, and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a true-blue Republican. His skill and ability and his courteous and general manner have made him a successful dentist and won him a prominent place among his professional brethren.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Jackson County, Illinois family biographies here: Jackson County, Illinois Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.