Biographical Sketches
WILLIAM D. STROTHER, M.D.
Who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Lee's Summit, is one of the worthy citizens that Kentucky has furnished to this county. He was born near Bardstown, Kentucky, March 10, 1827, and is the 7th in order of birth in a family of 11 children. His paternal grandfather, Robert Strother, was a native of Virginia, and removed to Kentucky before the beginning of the 19th century. He located near the present site of Louisville, which at that time, however, was little more than a frogpond. Subsequently he removed to Barren county, where he spent his remaining days. Two of his sons were soldiers in the War of 1812.
The father of our subject, John Dabney Strother, was a native of Culpeper county, Virginia, but was reared a farmer in Kentucky. He was a self-educated man and the success of his life was the reward of his own labor. He started out for himself as a farm hand, working for $8 a month, and while thus employed he was one day accosted by General Lucas, who asked him if he would accept a position as deputy sheriff. Mr. Strother answered in the affirmative and served in that capacity and as high sheriff of Nelson county for 12 years. He was also offered an excellent position by the governor of the state, but declined.
He married Nancy Ann Slaughter, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Pendleton) Slaughter. In the 18th century they removed to Kentucky and became pioneer settlers of Nelson county, making there a permanent location. Mrs. Strother was reared and married there, and they began their domestic life in Bardstown. An aunt of our subject became the wife of Judge Carpenter, and another married Captain Matthew Duncan, of the United States army, both gentleman of considerable prominence. The Doctor's parents continued their residence in Bardstown until called to the home beyond. In politics the father was an old-line Whig, and in religious belief he was an Episcopalian. His death occurred in 1850, and his wife passed away in 1839. To his children he gave good educational privileges, and of the family of 11 sons and daughters all reached years of maturity. Elizabeth became the wife of Enoch Hinton - both deceased - and had 2 children. Mary became the wife of Henry Glasscock, of Paris, Missouri, and had 5 children. The parents are both deceased. Margaret, living in LaRue county, Kentucky, is the widow of William Slaughter, and has 5 children. Sarah is the wife of Frank Bealmean, of Lee's Summit. Robert is a physician of Kentucky. Maria D. is the deceased wife of William B. Howard. Dr. William is the next younger. Emily is the widow of Charles Cowherd, of Kansas City, and has 3 children. Ben H., of Kansas City, married Miss Frances McCawley, of Washington, DC., and they have 4 children. Catherine is now deceased. Dr. John D., now deceased, married Miss Esther Elliott, of Kentucky, and they have 2 children. Two sons served in the civil war, Dr. Robert Strother having been a surgeon in Genral Bragg's command, while Dr. John D., was surgeon of the first Arkansas regiment, and was at the 1st battle of Manassas.
Dr. Strother of this review completed his literary education in St. Joseph's college, of Bardstown, and afterward read medicine with his brother Robert. He was graduated in the medical department of the University of New York City with the class of 1851, and began practice in his native city, where he remained for a year. During the following quarter of a century he was a prominent and successful physician of Bullitt county, and the year 1876 he spent in practice in Texas. He then returned to Bullitt county, and in 1882 came to Jackson county, having since made his home at Lee's Summit, where he is engaged in the practice as a member of the regular profession. He served for five years as visiting physician of the Jackson county asylum and poor farm, and for one year was the resident physician there.
In May, 1855, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Julia Sanders, a native of Bullitt county, Kentucky, and a daughter of Josseph and Susan (Sommers) Sanders, both of whom are deceased. The lady was born August 29, 1836, and died July 9, 1885. The Doctor and his wife had become the parents of 10 children, 9 of whom reached adult age. Mary Elizabeth is the wife of J. C. Fields, of Lee's Summit. Dr. Joseph S. married Miss Mattie Cowherd, of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and they have 2 children, Edmund and Julia. John D. is an attorney at Blue Springs, Missouri. Lillian is now deceased. George B. married Miss Nannie Parks, an attorney of Belton, and has 2 children, Bessie and George. William Howard married Miss Mussie Parks, lives at Wakefield, Kansas, and has one child, Duvall. Ben Slaughter, who is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Kansas City, married Nellie Whiting. Samuel B. is an attorney at Kansas City. Juliette completes the family.
The Doctor is a stalwart democrat, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party, and doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. His skill and ability in his profession have brought to him a liberal patronage, while the social qualities of his nature have gained him many friends.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.