Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Isaac S. Harold, M.D.
Both as an educator and as a medical practitioner has Dr. Isaac S. Harold won distinction, and though but a few years have passed since he became a permanent resident of Richmond, he enjoys an extensive and remunerative practice. Doubtless he inherited his talent as a physician, as his father was noted as a nurse and local doctor in the pioneer days, and two of his brothers are also successfully engaged in the profession. He is progressive in all his methods, constantly reading and studying, and keeping in close touch with the spirit of the times.
On his father's side of the family the Doctor is of Scotch-English extraction, while on the maternal side he is of English stock. Three brothers bearing the surname of Harold came from the British isles to America many years ago, one settling in Virginia. Another, from whom the Doctor is directly descended, located in North Carolina, in that portion now known as Guilford county, and there the grandfather, Jonathan Harold, was born. In 1835 he removed to Hamilton county, Indiana, where he became a prosperous and influential agriculturist, remaining in that locality until his death.
Our subject's father. Dr. Nathan Harold, was born in Guilford county. North Carolina, whence he emigrated to Hamilton county in 1833. In those days there was a great need for physicians among the scattered hamlets and country people, and Dr. Harold, being a natural nurse and having some knowledge of medicine, found his services in such demand that, of necessity, he bought books and posted himself in the care and treatment of the sick. He prospered in the work, to which he gradually devoted himself more and more, and his practice included a territory of twelve or fifteen miles in each direction from his home. This old homestead, which is still in possession of the family, was purchased by him from the government at one dollar and a quarter per acre, and comprises one hundred and twenty acres. In politics he was a Whig and later a Republican, and took an active part in the maintenance of good government. An elder in the Society of Friends, he assisted in the founding of Richland church, in which he was an earnest and consistent member. His death occurred in 1884, when he was in his seventy-fifth year. His wife, Betsy, who died December 31, 1897, at the age of eighty-five years, was a daughter of Nathan Hawkins, and was born in Richmond, whither her father had removed at an early day. He was a farmer and wagon-maker, his early prime being devoted to the last mentioned business, while his last years were spent upon a farm in Hamilton county, Indiana. To the union of Dr. Nathan Harold and wife seven sons and one daughter were born, all of whom survive. John is engaged in gardening at Noblesville, Indiana; Henry is carrying on the old family homestead; Lemuel, formerly a merchant, is now farming in the vicinity of Pendleton, Indiana; Herman is a farmer in Hancock county, this state; Dr. David is practicing at High Point, North Carolina; Mrs. Rebecca Greene is a resident of Hamilton county; Dr. Cyrus N. is a practitioner in Indianapolis; and our subject completes the number.
The birth of Dr. Isaac S. Harold took place in the neigborhood of Carmel, Hamilton county, Indiana, January 1, 1852. He received an excellent education, as, after leaving the common schools, he pursued a course in the Carmel Academy and the normal institute in Hancock, Indiana. Having thus thoroughly prepared himself for pedagogic work, he obtained a school and continued as a teacher in Hamilton and Hancock counties from 1873 to 1880, also having charge of a school in Mississippi for some time. In the meantime he began the study of medicine with his brother, Cyrus N., as his instructor, and for a period was directed in his work by Dr. J. J. Baker, of Westfield, Indiana. Then for several years he was engaged in merchandising in the towns of Carmel and Westfield, but in 1887 he laid aside all his general business affairs and matriculated in the Physio-Medical College, in Indianapolis. Two years later he graduated, and opened an office in Westfield, where he practiced until 1891, then coming to Richmond. He engaged in general family practice, but has made a specialty of chronic diseases, and has been particularly fortunate in the field of dermatology. Since 1892 he has been a teacher of this branch of medical science at his alma mater, and is looked upon as an authority in this special line. At one time he was president of the State Physio-Medical Association, to which organization he still belongs, and is likewise connected with the District and United States Associations.
In his political views the Doctor adheres to the principles of the Republican party, and is quite independent in local affairs. Religiously he follows the training of his youth, and is actively interested in the Society of Friends. He belongs to the Friends church on South Eighth street, and contributes to the support of the same.
In 1874 Dr. Harold married Miss Cordelia B. Hodgin, a daughter of Jonathan and Jane (Millican) Hodgin, originally of North Carolina, and later residents of Richmond. Two promising sons and one daughter bless the Doctor and wife. Earl J., now twenty-two years of age, is a graduate at Earlham College, while Frank, two years younger, is a junior in the same institution. Haley G., a maid of sixteen, is a student in the Richmond high school.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899