DR.
DAVID J. WASHABAUGH,
of Grove City, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Mercer
county, was born on a farm in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, October 30,
1845. His parents were David and Sarah (Huey)
Washabaugh. The Washabaugh family is
of German origin and the Hueys are of Irish
extraction. When Dr. David J. was but seven
years of age, his parents went to Mercer county, and settled in Jackson
township. Three years later, young Washabaugh began the battle of life,
leaving home at that time and working for others, and under difficulties
not encountered by many boys of today, he finally succeeded in securing a
good education. In the month of June, 1863, he enlisted in Company F,
Fifty-Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, and served in the Union cause for three
months. After his return from the army, he worked and attended school
alternately. He worked in the oil fields until he began teaching, which
profession he followed three years. In 1871, he entered the drug business,
at Grove City, selling out the same in 1873. He then took up his long
cherished ambition of studying medicine, and was graduated in 1876, from
Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio. He then began practice at
Anandall, Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he continued in the
profession until 1892. In the autumn of that year, he located at Grove
City, where he has ever since practiced. Dr.
Washabaugh is a member of the County, State and other medical
societies. In politics. he is a supporter of the Democratic party. In
1890, he was honored with the nomination for member of the legislature
from Butler county, as he also was in 1898, from Mercer county. Though
unsuccessful at the elections, he made creditable races in each county and
acquitted himself in the campaign in a manly manner.
He is connected
with the order of Odd Fellows and is advanced to the Encampment. He is a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in church affiliations is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Doctor was married in 1875,
to Sarah J. Braham, by whom he had six
children—five living and one deceased.
Twentieth
Century History of Mercer County,
1909, Vol. I, page 513
