My Genealogy Hound

William W. Rodman, M. D. Among the professional men in Newton County Dr. Rodman, a physician of true merit and worth, is deserving of honorable mention. He was born in Callaway County, Mo., June 6, 1854, and is a son of Benjamin T. and Harriet L. (Brown) Rodman, natives of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. The mother’s father, Felix Brown, came to Missouri with Daniel Boone, and was a soldier in the Black Hawk and Mexican Wars, dying soon after his return from the latter. The Rodman family in the United States are supposed to have descended from John Rodman, who died in the Barbadoes in 1686. Dr. W. W. Rodman, of New Haven, Conn., and Thomas Rodman, of New Bedford, are among his descendants. The subject of this sketch, the eldest of five children, was reared in Callaway and Audrain Counties, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. After he had decided to study medicine he became the pupil of Dr. Russell, of Mexico, Mo., and afterward studied under Dr. W. G. Hendrix, of New London, Halls Co., Mo. He was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1875, and first located at Edina, Knox Co., Mo. He resided for a time in Novelty, Mo., and then proceeded to Mexico, in the same State, where he lived until 1884; then moved to Sparta, Christian County, thence in 1885 to Washburn, Barry County, and in 1886 to Granby, Newton County, where he has since resided, enjoying a good paying practice. October 30, 1877, he married Mary Z. Biggerstaff, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, by whom he has three children: Gracie E., Daisy V. and Arthur E.