Portrait and biographical record of Christian County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and   representative citizens, together with biographies of all the Governors of the state, and of the Presidents of the United States.  Chicago, Ill. : Lake City Pub. Co., 1893.  Transcribed by Judy Rosella Edwards, 2007.

JOHN N. NELMS, M. D., who has been engaged in the practice of medicine in Taylorville since August, 1889, was born in Grimes County, Tex., October 6, 1856, and at the age of four years went to Illinois with his parents, the family settling in Christian County. His father, James D. Nelms, is a carpenter, and for many years has followed that trade, and is now residing in Edinburgh. He is a native of Kentucky, and first came to Christian County in 1830 with his father, Thomas Nelms, who for some time followed farming near Mt. Zion, Ill., and was killed by a tree falling upon him. In 1852 James Nelms went to Texas, where he remained until 1860. As before stated, he and his wife are now living in Edinburgh. She bore the maiden name of Sallie L. Neely, and is a native of Tennessee. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until eighteen years of age. Since that time he has earned his own livelihood, and whatever success he has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts. He acquired his education in the district schools, and by private study. In 1878 he began teaching school, and followed that profession in Christian and Macon Counties for ten years, being employed at Blue Mound, Palmer, Owaneco, Stonington, and in the district schools. For one year he read law, and while engaged in teaching began the study of medicine with the firm of Toby & Harvey, of Blue Mound. In the terms of 1888 and 1889 he was a student in the medical department of the University of Wooster [ed., probably the medical school at the College of Wooster], at Cleveland, Ohio, and was graduated from that institution on the 24th of July of the latter year, with the degree of M. D. On the 8th of April, 1880, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Charlotte Yockey, who was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., and is a daughter of John and Lydia (Baughman) Yockey, of Stonington Township. They have a daughter, Luella Pearl, now a maiden of ten summers; they also lost one child, Minnie Irene, who died at the age of fourteen months. Immediately following his graduation, Dr. Nelms located in Taylorville, where he has since engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. Although quite young in his chosen work, he has already gained a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy. Several very difficult cases have come under his care, and have been successfully treated. He is a member and Secretary of the Central Illinois District Medical Society, having held that position since April, 1893, and is also a member of the State Medical Society [ed., Illinois State Medical Society]. He takes an active and prominent part in these organizations, and has been a frequent contributor to medical journals, especially to the Cleveland Medical Gazette. Socially, he belongs to Mystic Lodge No. 64, K. of P., has been Keeper of the Records and Seals and is now Vice-Chancellor. In politics, he is a supporter of the Democratic party, and takes an active interest in its success and growth. The Doctor is a pleasant, genial gentleman, very popular, and has a host of friends throughout the community.

HOME

©2008 Judy Edwards and Genealogy Trails