My Genealogy Hound

DR. REUBEN SAUNDERS, one of the oldest as well as most prominent physicians of Kentucky, was born near Frankfort, Ky., in 1808. He was principally reared to manhood in Frankfort, where he was, in early life, apprenticed to a book-binder. His early education consisted of what he learned in leisure moments from literary productions passing through his hands. In 1832 he went to Wetumpka, Ala., and while in the South studied medicine; attended one course of lectures at Charleston, S. C., after which he entered the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, Perm., from which he graduated in 1836. He then returned to Alabama, and for six years he had an extensive practice. In 1844 he removed to McCracken County, Ky., locating for a few years in the country. In 1847 he removed to Paducah, where he still engaged in his profession. To Dr. Saunders the medical fraternity of the United States accords the honor of having first discovered the efficacy of belladonna as an agency in the treatment of cholera, the practice being by hypodermic injection of atropia. This discovery was made by Dr. Saunders in 1873, and is now endorsed by eminent medical authority, and has thus revolutionized the practice in the treatment of that dreaded disease. Dr. Saunders retains far more of his youthful vigor than is common for one of his age, and although a practitioner for nearly fifty years, is still in the profession. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. He has been twice married: first, in 1838, in Knoxville, Tenn., to Adaline Roberts, who died in Paducah, leaving six children, one of whom, John B., attained eminence as a physician, and of whom four are residents of the city of Paducah. His second wife, to whom he was married in 1858, was Rebecca Lockett, of Richmond, Va.