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Mary Boyd ~ Adoniram Judson Banker M. D.

Bartholomew Co., IN

Physicians and surgeon of Columbus, and distinguished in the medical profession of Indiana, Adoniram Judson Banker, was born in Butler county, Ohio, on January 8, 1846, the son of John and Elizabeth (Carney) Banker. The Banker family is of Scotch origin, the Doctor tracing his ancestry to his great-grandfather, who was a native of Scotland and was the first of the family to move to America, the date of his arrival in this country antedating the war of the Revolution, he settling in Maryland. The grandfather of the Doctor was born in Maryland, in 1784, came west to Butler county, Ohio, and thence to Shelby county, Indiana, where he died in 1868. The father of the Doctor was born in Butler county,; Ohio, in 1818, and removed to Shelby county, Indiana, in 1850. In 1888 he removed to Kansas, and died at Ottawa, that state, in 1901. The mother of the Doctor was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1820, is still living, being in her eighty-fifth year and resides in Columbus. To the parents the following children were born: Demetrius, a farmer by avocation, residing at Shelbyville, Indiana; Adoniram J., M. D., the subject; William T., M. D., of Columbus, assistant to Dr. A. J.; Lavina Ellen, married J. C. N. Pearce, of Colorado, and now resides in Columbus, Indiana, and Isabel, who resides in Columbus, Indiana.

Dr. Banker was reared on a farm in Shelby county, Indiana, to which his parents removed when he was four years old. He received his literary education in the public schools and at Hartsville University. In 1864 he began preparing himself for the medical profession, for which he had a strong predilection, and in 1866 he entered the office of Drs. L. N. Comstock and Son, of Marietta, where he continued as a student until 1868, teaching school at intervals during that period. In the above year he entered the office of Dr. J. B. Lytle, of Flat Rock, and later entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1869 he began the practice of medicine at the village of Clifton, Indiana, where he continue until 1873, in which year he located in Columbus. In 1875 he entered the Indiana Medical College, at Indianapolis, where he was graduated in 1876. Subsequently he took a post-graduate course at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, in New York City, from which college he received his diploma in 1880. In 1898 he spent three months in visiting the principal hospitals of Europe. In 1877 the Doctor was appointed United States examining surgeon, a position he held for two years, and then resigned it, as it interfered somewhat with his regular practice. In 1880 he was appointed surgeon of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad (Pennsylvania lines), which position he has continued to hold. In 1891 the Doctor established the Columbus Hospital for the treatment of all cases of illness, save those of fever and contagion, and for the performing of general and abdominal surgery. This is one of the few similar institutions to be found outside of the large cities, and has enjoyed a most successful career. The staff of the hospital includes as interne the Doctor's brother, W. T. The Doctor also carries on the general practice, which is the largest and most important in the city. For the past six years Dr. Banker has been a member of the faculty of the Central Medical College, of Indianapolis, for the first two years of that time occupying the chair of obstetrics and for the last four years the chair of surgery. The Doctor is a member of the American Medical Association, the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Germany, the Tuberculosis International Society, the Mitchell District Medical Society. and the Bartholomew County Medical Society, and has served as president of the two latter ' organizations. He is a member of Columbus Lodge, No. 43, Free and Accepted Masons, Columbus Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar, and is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Baptist church.

Dr. Banker was married on January 4, 1870, to Mary Boyd, the daughter of Ezekial C. Boyd. Mr. Boyd was originally from Philadelphia. He came to Indianapolis at an early date, and for several years was postmaster of that city. Later in life he engaged in merchandising at Clifton, Indiana, where he died. He was a playmate and classmate of Henry Ward Beecher.

Dr. Banker has maintained a position at the head of the medical profession of Bartholomew county for over twenty years, during which time his fame as a physician and surgeon has traveled far beyond the limits of the community and has reached all over the state and even outside the confines of Indiana.

Source: Biographical record of Bartholomew County, Indiana : including biographies of the governors and other representative citizens of Indiana; B. F. Bowen, 1904. FHL Film 1000531

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