Biographical Sketches
BENJAMIN F. RECORDS, M.D.
A physician of the regular profession, was born January 6, 1834, in Bracken county, Kentucky, and is descended from one of the honored pioneer families of that state. He traces his ancestry back to England, where in 1700 was born John Records, the founder of the family in America. Braving the dangers that attended an ocean voyage in the early part of the 18th century, he crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of Sussex county, Delaware, where occurred the birth of his son, Josiah Records, the great-grandfather of the Doctor, on the 1st of December, 1741, O. S.
His grandfather, Laban Records, was born in the same county in 1765, and by occupation was a farmer. He went to Kentucky in 1775, and afterward rendered efficient service to the government during the Indian war as a scout. He was one of the pioneers of the state, when forests stood in their native grandeur, and the famous blue-grass region was an uninhabited tract. The Doctor's father, Laban S. Records, was born in Kentucky, May 11, 1807, and in his early life followed the profession of school teaching, but subsequently devoted his energies to merchandising. He was united in marriage with Martha Stites, a daughter of Samuel Stites, who was born in New Jersey, in 1760, made farming his life work, and died at the advanced age of 88. His father, William Stites, was a native of Wales and came to America in 1740. Laban S. Records and his wife removed to Illinois in 1840. Both died in Liberty, Missouri, the former at the age of 68 years, leaving a family of 5 surviving children, namely: Mrs. Sarah J. Brown, of Junction City, Kansas; William P.; who is living in Leadville, Colorado; Mrs. M. E. Long, of Kansas City; James M., of this place; and the Doctor.
During his early boyhood, in 1840, Dr. Records accompanied his father's family on their removal from his native place near Augusta, Kentucky to Illinois, when they located near Paris, that state; and Benjamin attended the public schools of the neighborhood. Thoroughly mastering the branches therein taught, at the age of 19 he began teaching school, and while thus engaged he devoted his leisure hours to the study of medicine under the direction of the well known firm of Drs. Herrick & Mills, of Midway, Illinois. Subsequently he entered the St. Louis Medical college, and was graduated from that institution.
Having now fitted himself for his chosen calling, Dr. Records opened an office and began practice in Paradise, Missouri, where he met with good success, but removed to Liberty, Missouri, in 1878, and to Kansas City in the Spring of 1889. Not long after his arrival he was appointed to the position of assistant city physician - unsolicited on his part, -- in which capacity he served until March 1891, when he resigned and opened an office for private practice, and is now at the head of a large and constantly increasing business, which is a tribute to his ability and professional skill.
Dr. Records has been married 2 times, his second wife having been Miss Mattie B. Williams, of Platte county, Missouri. He has a family of 4 living children: John W.; who is now acting as general foreman of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe shops, Argentine, Kansas; James L., who is superintendent of postal station �A�, in Kansas City; and Lucy McC., wife of James L. Reikerd, engineer, Kansas City, Missouri; and W. C., the youngest, clerk in Hammer Brothers' grocery.
The Doctor is prominently connected with medical societies, and is a valued member of the Kansas City District Medical Society, the Kansas City Medical Club, and the State Medical Society of Missouri. The Doctor is a close student and devotes his time exclusively to his professional interests, taking no part in politics aside from casting his vote in support of the men and measures of the democracy. He and family are members of the Baptist church, and in social circles hold an enviable position. Success comes as the result of earnest application, unfaltering determination and the exercise of those powers with which nature has endowed him, and that Dr. Records has made the most of his opportunities is shown by his large and well merited practice.
He was made a Mason in 1866, exalted a Royal Arch Mason in 1867, and has filled all the leading offices in lodge and chapter, and served 4 years as district deputy grand master; is a member now of Temple Lodge, No. 299, and Orient Chapter No. 102, of this city.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.