The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-17
For Twenty-Seven Years He Had
Practfced ~tinu I'm
indianapolis.
HIS LOVE FOR LITERATURE
FOUND TINE FOR MUCH READING
DURING A BUSY LIFE.
As n Physician He Carried Sunshine
Into the Homes He Visited
STORY of His Life.

DR.. L. L. Todd, who for twentg-seven
years has been engaged in the practice of
medicine in this city. died suddenly last
night at IL o'clock. The exact cause of his
death could not be determined. although
For some months DR. Todd had been a
sufferer from severe pains in the chest
and in the head, but they had not been of
a nature serious enough to incapacitate
him for active practice. Yesterday after
noon he spent almost entirely in visiting
his patients. although earlier in the day
he complained to DIR. Maxwell, his partner
in practice, of a recurrence of the pains
which had troubled him. Last night when
he returned to his home from his Of
flee he ate a hearty supper. After some
electrical treatment which he had been ac-
customed to use to reduce the pains in his
chest and head he retired at an early
hour.
The circumstances of DIR. Todd's death
were unusual. His daughter accompanied
him to his bedroom and after he had re-
tired read to him until in her opinion he
had fallen asleep. About IL o'clock she
suddenly heard sounds from the bed which
frightened her. She bent over her father
and found that he was then expiring. Drs.
NidAWeI ana SuIclNe were sent LOT. IneN
round that there was no possible hope.
BORN IN KENTUCKY.
DR.. Levi l.. Todd was born in Nicholas
Vile, Ky, In a region made famous by
Daniel Boone. His birth occurred near the
end of 1880. and he was, at the time of his
death, nearly seventy-one years of age.
DR.. Todd was the youngest of a family of
nine children. His grandfather, Gen. Rob-
80 VTolI NO. - - H.
rod and other famous Kentucky pioneers
who made history on that dark and bloody
ground. His grandfather, on his mother
side, was Capt. Nathaniel Asby, who was
a member of a prominent Virginia family.
The father of the late DR.. Todd Judge l..
J.. Todd, removed to Greenwood, just
across the line from Marion county, in 1884.
DIR. Todd was reared on a farm near In
dianapolis, and his early life was marked
by toll and vicissitudes, which played a
great part in the building up of his strong
character. He attended. before the age of
seventeen, the ordinary country schools
common to the time, and at the age of
seventeen went to Danville Seminary for
two terms. Immediately afterward he ma
circulated in Wabash College, and was a
student there one year and a half.
He first took up the study of medicine
with DR.. David Todd, of Danville, Ind,
and later with his brother, the late Robert
N. Todd, who was well known in Indian
apOlis. His medical studies were continued
at the University of Louisville, from which
ne graduated IN AldTcn, 1890. IN the spring
of 1858 DR.. Todd. with his bride of two
years, Susan G.. Todd, removed TO Paris,
ILL.,, where he engaged in the practice of
his profession for sixteen years. His prac-
tice was exceedingly successful, although
DR.. Todd, like many of the physicians of
that day. had to contend with bad roads,
a miserable climate and other unfavorable
conditions.
CAME TO THIS CITY.
In January. 1874. DR.. Todd left Illinois
l. -,
mediately took high standing among his
contemporaries in medical practice. He
was made a member of the Marion County
Medical Society and was at one time presi-
dent of the organization. He contributed
during his lifetime to the records of the
society a number 70 valuable articles, some
of which have been published in the
transactions of the State Society,"
As a physician DR.. Todd was character
lied by an unusual fondnesS for his pro-
feSSiOn, and his remarkable sympathy for
the inhrm and suffering made his visits to
their bedSideS something more than mere
medical examinations. Like his brother,
the late Robert n. Todd, he possessed and
cultivated a taste for the highest forms
of literature and found time in the midst
of "A multiplicity of duties TO indulge in
wide reading. Dr.. Todd was famous 10
cally for an exceedingly retentive memory,
which could summon at any time a quo
tation from any of the great poets with
which he was familiar.
In addition to his membership in the
Marion County Medical Society DR.. Todd
was a member of the Edgar County Qll.)
Medical Society and the Esculapian Soci-
ETY. of the Wabash Valley.
During the civil war he was appointed
medical examiner for pensions at Paris,
ILL.,. and also medical inspector of drafted
men.
For a greater part of the time DR.. Todd
was a resident of indianapolis he was one
of the most active members OF the Second
Presbyterian Church. and for many years
was an elder in the church. For a number
of years DIR. Todd was a professor in the
Central College of Physicians and Sur
geons. but resigned at the beginning of the
present years work on account of i'll
health and lack of time to devote to college
work. DIR. Todd was a Scottish Rite Mason
and also an active member of the L. o.
O. r.
He is survived by the widow. Mrs. Susan
G.. Todd, and daughters. They are: Mrs.
Murphy. of Birmingham. Ala, and three
unmarried daughters, who live at the fam
lily home.
The funeral arrangements have not yet
been announced.