Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 662
DR. PERRY G. INGERSOLL

The man who devotes his talents and energies to the noble work of ministering to the ills and alleviating the sufferings of humanity, is pursuing a calling which in dignity, importance and beneficent results is second to no other. If true to his profession and earnest in his efforts to enlarge his sphere of usefulness, the physician is indeed a benefactor of his kind, for to him more than to any other man are entrusted the safety, the comfort and in many instances the lives of those who place themselves under his care and who profit by his services. Dr. Perry G. INGERSOLL, the immediate subject of this sketch, stands in the front rank of Harrison county's professional men, having been engaged in his calling here for the past ten years, during which time he has not only gained an enviable reputation as a skilled and careful physician, but he has also established a sound reputation for up-rightness of character in all the relations of life.

Perry Grant INGERSOLL was born in Toledo, this state, on September 16, 1883, the son of George W. and Maggie (BAUGHMAN) INGERSOLL, the former a native of Ohio, the latter born in Germany and brought to this country by her parents while still a little girl. The BAUGHMANs settled in Ohio, where the daughter grew to womanhood and was married. Soon after their marriage, George W. INGERSOLL and wife came to this state, locating first at Tama and later going to Toledo. During all the active years of his life, George INGERSOLL has followed carpentry as a trade and is still engaged in this work. He is a veteran of the Civil War.

George W. INGERSOLL enlisted in the Seventeenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1861 and was discharged in 1865, with the rank of sergeant in the Army of the Cumberland, the Third Division and Fourteenth Army Corps. During his service he engaged in twenty main battles and many minor ones. He was wounded at the charge of Missionary Ridge and was taken prisoner near Tullahoma, Tennessee. He returned to his regiment one day before the battle and surrender of Tullahoma. During his four years' service he was never absent when his regiment was on march or engaged in a battle.

Dr. Perry G. INGERSOLL is one of a family of four children, the others being Addie, Emmett and Paul B. Doctor INGERSOLL received his elementary education in the common schools of his native town of Toledo. He received higher training at Western College at Toledo and studied medicine at the Iowa State University, from which institution he was graduated in 1905 and began the practice of his chosen profession in September of that year, having decided upon Dunlap as the future field of his activities.

On December 27, 1905, Doctor INGERSOLL was united in marriage with Elsa Martha DUNHAM, the daughter of Abner and Sophronia (BOYTON) DUNHAM, and to this union have been born two children, Donald George and Margaret Elaine. Mrs. INGERSOLL's parents were early settlers of Delaware county, this state, the father being a veteran of the Civil War.

Abner DUNHAM was born in Laporte county, Indiana, August 20, 1841, and died at his home in Manchester, Iowa, December 30, 1910. He settled near Manchester, Iowa, with his parents in 1855 and engaged in farming. A part of his education was obtained in Manchester. In September, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Union army and on November 25, 1861, was mustered into the United States service as a corporal of Company E, Twelfth Iowa Infantry. He was promoted to sergeant of his company, January 5, 1864, and was commissioned as first lieutenant April 20, of that year and was mustered as such May 23, 1865. He was mustered out January 20, 1866. Abner DUNHAM participated in the campaign against Fort Henry, in the capture of Fort Donelson, and in the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6, 1862. Here he was captured and sent to Libby prison and was not exchanged until December 1, 1862. His regiment was reorganized in January, 1863, and he was assigned to General Grant's army before the siege of Vicksburg, April 10, 1863. He was in the siege of Vicksburg until June 22, 1863, when he removed to Bear creek to watch Johnson. He was in the Brownsville expedition in October, 1863, and in action at the mouth of White river, Arkansas, June 22, 1864. During 1864 he served in the campaign against Price and in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, December 15, 1864. He participated in the siege and capture of Fort Blakeley, resulting in the surrender of Mobile. His regiment marched from Fort Blakeley to Montgomery, Alabama, where the announcement was made that the Confederate army had surrendered. Abner DUNHAM so enjoyed the confidence of the public that he was twice elected sheriff and for several terms served as recorder of Delaware county, the county that had been his home for so long.

Doctor INGERSOLL and wife are considered among the representative citizens of this community and allow no opportunity for doing good to their fellowmen to pass unheeded. He is a man who appreciates keenly his civic responsibilities, and since becoming a citizen of Dunlap has done all within his power to elevate conditions and the general tone of the community. He is at present serving his town as health officer in a manner most efficient and satisfactory to all.

Doctor INGERSOLL is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, in the work of which order he has figured quite prominently. He is a past chancellor, having filled all the chairs in the local organization and holds a committeeship in the grand lodge Knights of Pythias. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church, and his consistent manner of living indicates the sincerity of his faith. He is a warm supporter of the principles of the Republican party and is at all times an advocate of wholesome, practical living.

Doctor INGERSOLL stands admittedly in the front rank of Harrison county's professional men, possessing a thoroughly disciplined mind and keeping in close touch with the trend of modern thought relating to the noble calling to which his life and energies are devoted. He has ever maintained his high standing, never descending beneath the dignity of his profession nor compromising his usefulness by countenancing any but noble and legitimate practice. As may be inferred, Doctor INGERSOLL possesses a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, by whom he is held in high esteem.

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