My Genealogy Hound

L. D. TOMPKINS, M. D., an able and widely known physician, located in Cassopolis, Cass County since 1848, and who has for fifty-three years constantly continued the practice of his profession in the same part of Michigan, may with truth be numbered among the faithful medical pioneers of the State. Dr. Tompkins, who is to-day one of the oldest and most highly regarded practitioners of Cass County, was born in Litchfield, Oneida County, N. Y., February 15, 1817. He was a son of Elijah and Minerva (Barber) Tompkins, who removed with their family from the Empire State to Ohio in 1832. The parents made their permanent home in the Buckeye State and gave to their children all the benefits of an education which their means afforded. Our subject, having completed his course of studies in the higher branches of an English education, decided to adopt a profession, and began to read medicine in Portage County, Ohio, in 1837, giving his entire time for three years to the preparation for his future responsible duties as a physician.

Dr. Tompkins began the practice of medicine in Ohio, when only twenty-one years of age, and, enjoying success, remained in his first location for four years, then moved to Logan County, Ohio, and there practiced his profession four years. He finally decided to make a change of residence, and journeying to the farther West came to Cassopolis, where he was cordially received and soon entered into a prosperous and rapidly extending field of labor. As a family friend and physician he was welcomed into the homes of the early settlers, who appreciated his unwearied and valuable service, cheerfully given alike in pleasant and stormy weather. Our subject availed himself of the benefit of a course of lectures in Rush Medical College and graduated from this institution in 1852. He has kept himself abreast with all the progressive methods of the day, and throughout his long professional career has been more than ordinarily successful, winning his way upward to a practice second to none in Cass County.

During the Civil War, Dr. Tompkins, in the month of August, 1862, enlisted as Assistant Surgeon of the Nineteenth Michigan Regiment, and remained in the service until 1863, when he was forced to resign on account of ill health, and, having returned to his home and recuperated, again resumed his former practice. Our subject is fraternally associated with the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and is a valued member of Backus Lodge and is also connected with Kingsbury Chapter. For many years Dr. Tompkins was a stalwart Republican and cast his first vote for President for William Henry Harrison. Since the Hayes administration our subject has identified himself with the “Party of the People,” and is a stanch defender of the principles of true Democracy. Aside from all political preferences, Dr. Tompkins is thoroughly public-spirited and, a leading citizen of Cassopolis, has with earnest effort given valuable assistance in the forwarding and promotion of the best interests of Cass County. A friend to educational advancement and local enterprise, he has worthily done his part as an early settler of the State, and may with satisfaction review his record as a neighbor, friend, citizen and physician.