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Montgomery County Chapter Ohio Genealogical Society |
Personal Sketch
Aaron M. Shank, M.D., Madison[Township]He whose name at present engages our attention, and the career of whom, interesting in all its parts, we take great pleasure in recording, was the son of Dr. Peter Shank, and on the 29th of October, 1830, was born, in Jefferson Township, Montgomery County. During our friend's early days, agricultural pursuits divided his time and attention; but the dry and unscientific routine of farm life in the days of our grandfathers proved very irksome and uninteresting to this peculiar cast of mind, which, more naturally sought its level of refuge in books and in the exercise of intelligent and refined thoughts. No wonder that he abandoned, without a single regret, the mode of life so inconsistent with his inclinations, and turned with delight to the source from which all his ideal pleasures and more exalted notions sprang. He commenced his student life by establishing for himself a law to the effect that one hour of every morning, and noon, and night, not excepting rainy days, or even the Sabbath, should be devoted to study and self-examination of the mind's progress.He pursued this rigid course for several years, and in 1848 he was repaid for his past labors and heroic discipline by being admitted, after a creditable examination, as a "teacher" of schools, in Montgomery County, Ohio. For five successive winters he occupied the position of a learned tutor in this County; and the many warm expressions of satisfaction delivered by his patrons testified to his merits and capacity as a public instructor. In the year 1853, his friend and neighbor, Mr. George Hubler, made known his desire to bestow a Heidelberg College Scholarship on Mr. Shank. This honorary compliment was offered under the auspices of the German Reformed Church. This encouraging gift was very thankfully received on the part of the recipient; but by the interposition and persuasion of his father, who was very anxious that his son should study medicine in preference to theology, the Heidelberg scholarship was relinquished. Out of a filial regard, and a desire to please his earthly parent, he began the study of therapeutics and the science of surgery, under the able tuition of Dr. Charles Legg, of Liberty, Montgomery County; this era in our subject's life dates from the 18th of April, 1853. He remained with Dr. Legg eighteen months, and was remarked as an apt and promising young disciple of Aesculapius. After the expiration of his term with Dr. Legg, he studied another eighteen months under Dr. William Lindsy, of Preble County, this State. We then find him attending the Medical College of Cincinnati, and the Hospital, during the winters of 1855, '56, '57, when he graduated. On the 15th of September, 1857, he proceeded to Georgetown, Miami County, for the purpose of beginning the practice of his profession. Dr. Shank was here favored with an extensive practice, and, during his residence of one year and a half, won hosts of friends. January 1, 1859, he removed to Madison "Township, in which place he has to the present time practiced and honorably earned a reputation as an excellent physician and surgeon. Dr. Shank was married on the 27th of December, 1860, to Miss Delilah F. Fry, at the residence of and by the Rev. Peter Nead. As a mark of profound respect to Rev. Peter Nead, the Doctor and his lady pay an annual visit to him who solemnized their happy nuptials. They have already made fifteen anniversary visits, and they intend, health permitting, to continue them through their subsequent life. The result of this happy and appropriate alliance has been four sons, viz., Ambrose, Ulysses, Rienzi, and Leonidas, aged respectively, eleven, eight, five, and three.
Dr. Shank's life has been one of great opposition and pecuniary deprivations; but notwithstanding all these obstacles, he has ever maintained a strong heart and a clear conscience; he never possessed the spirit to despair, in spite of reverses and discouragements. The Doctor has reason to be proud of and grateful to his friends and patrons of Wolf Creek and vicinity, for their kindness and past favors. Dr. Shank, in 1850, '51, and '52, was a member of the Teachers' Institute held in the City of Dayton.
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