Elisha Purdum(biographical, Guersney Co.
>Hope it helps someone, it helped me.
Portrait and Biography album (1866), Knox Co., Illcopyright1886page 987
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>the name of Elijah F. Purdum (DR)
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Dr. Elijah G. Purdum, a practicing physician of Abingdon since 1876, was
born in Montgomery County, Mayland, October 14, 1839, and is a son of
Nathan and Rebecca (Etchison) Purdum.His father was born in Maryland and
was descended from the French.His mother was born in the same county as
her son and was descended from the English and Irish.
Our subject went to Guernsey County, Ohio, when eight years of age.He
began the study of medicine in 1859, with Dr. Francis Rea, of Washington,
Ohio, and was discharged for physical disability resulting from typhoid
fever.He took a regular course at the Medical College of Ohio, at
Cincinnati, graduating in the Class of 1863, July 6.He passed an
examination before the Medical Board of Examiners of Ohio, within a few
days after graduating, with so credible a record that he was recommended as
being qualified to serve as Regimental Surgeon.Not having the necessary
experience, he was disqualified for the position, but was commissioned
Assistant Surgeon of the 89th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.The appointment was
a compliment to the young Doctor, as it was unsought, the receipt of his
commission and orders being the first intimation he had of the matter.He
re-entered the service under his commission, July 24, 1863, and was
captured at the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863.His whole
regiment was either killed, wounded or captured, and not re-organized again
until the following December.After his capture, Dr. Purdum was taken to
Richmond and held a prisoner at Liberty Prison, in that city, for two
months and a few days.He was then exchanged, and in December rejoined his
regiment.He served in the Army of the Cumberland, 14th Army Corps, under
General Stedman.His army record is one his friends are proud of.
He was mustered out June 28, 1865.In October of that year he revomed to
Abingdon, Illinois and spent the winter of 1865-66 in that city, and the
following spring took up his residence in the town of Hermon, Knox County,
where he was engaged in practice until 1876 when he returned to Abingdon
and has since that time made that city his home, and has pursued his
practice successfully.Dr. Purdom was married in Washington, Guernsey
county, Ohio, July 4, 1865, to MIss Callie Swan, daughter of Edward and
Caroline Swan.Mrs. Purdom was born in Belmont county, Ohio.Her people
were natives of London county, Virginia.Dr. and Mrs. Purdom have one
child, a son, Charles W. born in Hermon.