Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889




Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 352

ALBERT ADY M.D., has been practicing longer than any physician in Muscatine County. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, on the 27th of February, 1830, and is the son of James and Elizabeth ( Heberling ) Ady, the former a native of Maryland, born in 1800, and the latter born in Berkeley County, Va., in 1808. In their younger days both parents removed to Ohio, where they were married in 1828, and six children were born to them : Albert, of this sketch ; Hiram H., a resident of Santiago, Cal.; Henry, a soldier in the late war, enlisted in the 11th Iowa Infantry, and was killed at Pittsburg Landing, April 6, 1862 ; John H., a resident of Greene County, Iowa ; William D., who enlisted in the 11th Iowa Infantry and served until the close of the war, receiving two wounds, one at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and the other at the front of Atlanta, is now a resident of Muscatine, Iowa ; Mary Ann died in 1875.

In 1850, accompanied by his family, James Ady came to Muscatine County, where he entered land and developed a farm. In early life he was an old-line Whig, and a great admirer of Henry Clay, but afterward he became an Abolitionist and supported James Birney. At the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, being one of its earnest suporters until his death, which occurred in 1884. Mrs. Ady is still living.

Like hundreds of men who have risen to positions of responsibility and prominence, the Doctor received his literary education in the common district schools. At the age of seventeen he entered the office of Dr. J. D. Wright, at Belmont, Ohio, and in 1851 attended lectures at Starling Medical College, but before graduating he was forced to begin practicing in order to earn a livelihood, and did not complete the regular course until 1867, when he received his degree. In 1874, he attended a medical college, and was graduated therefrom the same year. In 1853, he came to West Liberty, Iowa, where he engaged in active practice for thirty years, and in 1883, came to Muscatine, where he is rapidly gainng favor, having already secured a lucrative business. He is a member of the State Medical Society, the Eastern District Medical Society and the Muscatine County Medical Society, of which he was the first President. The Doctor was a stanch supporter of the Union cause and was one of the vigorous defenders of the administration. He gave his whole soul to the advancement of the cause and was instrumental in raising a large numbers of volunteers. After the battle of Pittsburg Landing he was sent to look after the wounded, when, through exposure, he contracted typhoid fever and has never fully regained his health.

Dr. Ady was married in West Liberty in 1853, becoming the husband of Miss Adelaide Richards, daughter of Thomas Richards, a native of Loudoun County,Va. Two children have been born of their union : Emmett, a graduate of the medical department of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, is now a practicing physician of West Liberty ; and Jennie, who resides with her parents. Dr. Ady has been eminently successful in his chosen profession, and is held in the highest respect and esteem by the citizens of Muscatine County, while by its pioneers, who shared with him the disadvantages and trials of a settlement in a new country, he is held in loving regard.



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