The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-02-22
Death of an Old Citizen.

at his residence on South Front street.
Though unusually well and in good
spirits for SO me days previous to his
death, he complained Of fesling i'll on
that morr ing and did not partake Of
any breakfast. Stepping out into the
yard soon after breakfast and not return.
ing the family went to look for Linn and
found him lying in an unconscious and
apparently lifeless condition. He was
taken 10 the house and medical aid OBJ
tanned almost Immediately, but no signs
OF remaining vitality were discernible.
It is supposed that he had sudden at.
tack Of some disease of the heart, and
was dead before his body was discov.
cred,
DR.. James r Mendenhall was probably
the oldest resident of Richmond, having
come here the year tue town waslaid
out. He was born in Randolph county,
North Carolina, on the Sd Of July, 1895,
and was a. tue time of his death, aged
~ years, and months and Is days.
His parents emigrated to South Caro-
lima while he was yet child. In 1916
they again removed and came to this
vicinity. Here the deceased remain
ed for about year, and then went
to Vevay, in this State, to study medi-
cine with his brother. He returned to
Richmond in 1922 and began practice,
While reading at Vevay,he attended one
course Of Medical lectures in Cincinnati,
and after over years practice in Rich
mond, he attended q course in the Med
ical Department OF Pennsylvania Uni
versity, in Lexington, Kentucky. Here
he graduated in the spring OF 1924, and
returned to Richmond with his diploma.
being the first physician in this county
who possessed such q document.
He continued to practice until 1880,
when failing health untitled him for the
arduous labors required of the profess
sion in those early times. That year,
he removed to Liberty, Union county,
where he engaged IN mercantile pur-
suits.
Doctor Mendenhall represented that
county in the legislature in 1884. He
returned to Richmond in 1886, and en-
gagged in milling. On the organization
Of Richmond Manufacturing Com
pany,' DR. Mendenhall became one Of the
Stockholders. He was also interested,
at later period, in the old Richmond
Foundry form erly situated On South
Green street. After failure Of that
establishment, he took control Of the
paper mill, in 1913, and continued at
that business until 1854. Since that
time he embarked in various mercantile
pursuits and was actively engaged up to
his death
During his long residence in this
t,ace, Or. Mcndenhall was called upon
by his felow~townsme en- to fill many
public positions and has often been
member of Council, School Trustee, on
the Board of Health, and in 1887 was
elected First Burgess Cor Mayor of the
town. He was delegate TO the Wing
National Convention which at Harris
burgh, Pa in 1910, nominated General
Harrison for president. He afterwards
was an Associate Judge.
While residing at Vevay, DR.. Men
dcnhall joined the Masonic Fraternity,
and was made Royal Arch Mason aud
Kentucky. He was one Of the applicants
for the first charter granted for a Coun-
Gil in Indiana, some time after his ie
turn from Kentucky.
Dr. Mendenhall was one Of the first
Directors of the Indiana Central Rail
road, and was the first man to ride over
the railroad bridge at this place, occu-
plying a seat on the front of the locomo
tive which made the trips. This loco
motive was named for the deceased.
Ten years he was president of the Fl.
Wayne and Richmond Railroad COM
pany, and retired from that position in
1866.
In the latter part Ct 1924, the de-
ceased was married to Miss Lydia
Wright, daughter OF John Wright, an
early merchant of Richmond. But this
union was brief one, the young wife
dying 10 few months He was after
wards united to Miss Sarah T Will
liams daughter of Jesse Williams and
sister Of Achilles Williams of this city)
who still survives him.
The funeral took place On last SUM-
day afternoon and was conducted by the
Knights Templa-. very large con-
course OF citizens foil owed the remains
to their resting place in Maple Grove
Cemetery.
The Wayne Criminal Court and Grand