The Indianapolis journal., 1899-11-27
DR.. w. H. KENDRICK DEAD
HE WAS WELL KNOWN ROTH AS A
PHYSICIAN AND MINISTER.
Death Comes to Him ut the Age of
Eighty-Five-A Long and Honor
able Career in Two Professions.

DR.. William II. Kendrick, who was for
forty years a resident of Indianapolis, died
yesterday about noon at his home, 115 North
East street. He was eighty-five years of
age, and ii is thought was the oldest ply
sician in the State AT the time of his death.
Death was due to complication of phys
ical ailments, his last illness being of about
five weeks duration. About a week ago he
got up from his bed and for the first time
in several weeks went out from his house.
Just after getting outside the door he fell.
and when taken to his bed it was found
that he had suffered a slight stroke Of pa
ralysis, which is thought to have hastened
his death.
DR.. William H Kendrick was born in
Knox county, Tennessee, in December 1914,
but removed with his parents when about
five years of age to Ohio. There he lived on
farm until he was twenty years Of age.
at which time he was converted and at
once began preaching i'm the United Breth-
rem Church, showing more than ordinary
ability and promise A few years later he
was admitted to the conference, and be-
came travelling preacher.
After a few years service his health
failed and he dropped the religious work
and began the study of medicine, graduating
from the Eclectic Medical College Of Gin
cinnati, in 1s4s, practicing first at Wash
ington, Wayne county, and then at Pendle-
ton. In 1851 he came to Indianapolis and
began what proved to be a successful career
as a practicing physician. Such knowledge
and ability was shown that his works were
learned of abroad, resulting in his becoming
a professor in the Eclectic College at Chi
cago. where he remained for several years,
finally returning to indianapolis. where he
for thrn Of hl Ln1n 10
Medical College.
One of the distinguishing and useful feat
ures OF his life work was his labors as
preacher. Though he had large practice
as a physician he found time to preach al
most every Sunday at least once, and many
times twice. For the first seventeen years
this service was rendered in connection with
the United Brethren Church, preaching
chiefly to country congregations, many OF
which had. little or no other preaching:
laymen of the United Brethren Church left
the church on account Of its hostility to
secret organizations, Dr. Kendrick severed
Church, becoming member OF the South
east Indiana Conference. In this position he
did not accept the pastoral relations as be-
fore, but hunted out localities where no re-
lgious services were held and worked in
them. 1t was through his laborS in this
direction that in rented room on West
Washington street the present Blackford-
street Methodist Episcopal Church was
formed, and also the nucleus of the Edwin
Ray Methodist EplScopal Church was De-
gun in the same manner. He was also act
i've in the establishment of other churches
of the city, and continued in the work until
old age prevented further labors.
His work q physician brought to him a
large practice from the city and State. He
was assistant surgeon in the Nineteenth
Indiana Regiment, in which he served until
his health was so impaired that he was
! obliged to resign. During the civil war and
the stormy period following he was twice
elected to the State Legislature. He re-
| tired from active practice about a year
| ago.
| He was married March 10, 1912, to Miss
| jeanette Meredith. who died about a year
ago. Two children, Robert and Minerva,
weeks prior TO his mothers death, leaving
| a widow and two children. The daughter
| is the widow of Wilbur +. Holiday.
| DR.. Kendrick was the last of his own FAM
| lily. in which there were twelve children.
| and Mrs. Holiday, his daughter, is the only
one of the children surviving.