Wayne County Biographies



Part of the Indiana Biographies Project



William S. Dempsey, M.D.

At an early day the ancestors of the subject of this narrative came to the United States from Ireland. His father, James A. Dempsey, was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and grew to manhood there. He then went to Hocking county, Ohio, where he made his home until 1852, then going to Indianapolis, and a year afterward he became a permanent resident of Richmond. He was a blacksmith and gunsmith by trade, which occupations he followed much of his life, and at one time he was considered quite well-to-do. From his youth he was a great student of the classics and standard authors, and he possessed an unusually extensive and well selected library. Fraternally, he was a Mason. His long and happy life was brought to a close on the 31st of December, 1890, when he was in his eighty-first year. His widow, whose maiden name was Sarah Smith, was likewise a native of the Keystone state, and she is still living in Richmond, now in her seventy-eighth year.

Dr. William S. Dempsey is one of six children, five of whom were sons. He was born November 9, 1839, and, following in his father's footsteps, he was extremely fond of books even as a boy. By the time he was fifteen he had read and studied most of the classics, and ancient and modern history. This was chiefiy accomplished by the light of tallow candles, and many a night the young student read until two o'clock in the morning, then to rise at an early hour and work all day! He has always retained his literary taste, and has frequently written articles for the papers, upon various topics. His style is incisive and sarcastic at times, and always entertaining, straight to the point and not too diffuse.

In August, 1862, at Richmond, Dr. Dempsey enlisted in the Union army, as a private in Company I, Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He served until the close of the war, and was with the Fourth Army Corps, in the Army of the Cumberland, in the numerous engagements in which it participated, but was never wounded nor taken prisoner. When his country no longer had need of his services he was honorably discharged. His brother, Joseph P., was a sacrifice on the altar of patriotism, as he was killed June 22, 1863, while making a gallant charge on the works at Vicksburg.

Dr. Dempsey studied medicine with Dr. M. W. Hobbs, of Richmond; Indiana, and later was graduated in the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, in 1873. Then, establishing an office in Indianapolis, he remained in that city until 1879, in the meantime acting as physician of the county jail, and under the appointment of the State Medical Association he was placed in charge of the hospital ward of the State Orphan Asylum, and served there for several years. Since 1879 he has lived chiefly in Richmond, but has spent short periods in St. Louis, Missouri, and Watertown, Minnesota. Formerly he was actively associated with the county and state medical societies, and for many years he has been especially successful in surgical cases. He has always taken deep interest in all humanitarian societies and movements, and has frequently delivered lectures on professional subjects, and on intemperance, considered from the physician's point of view. He belongs to the Humane Society, of Richmond, being a trustee in that organization, and in connection with this he holds the position of county truant officer.

The pleasant and attractive home of Dr. Dempsey is gracefully presided over by his wife, Mary E., the only daughter of the late Dr. Israel Tennis, of Richmond, whose history will be found following this article. The marriage of Dr. Dempsey and wife was solemnized in this city, September 14, 1891. Here, where they have so long been citizens, they are held in the highest regard by their innumerable friends.

Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899