Dr. John Alexander Steen
Dr. John Alexander Steen, the subject of this sketch, was born at Mt. Leigh, Ohio, March 26, 1841. He was the second child of Alexander B. Steen and Nancy J. Steen, whose maiden name was Nancy J. McClure. She was born in Hillsboro. Highland County, Ohio. October 16, 1820. Alexander B. Steen was born at Flemingsburg, Kentucky, May 5, 1813. Our subject was reared on his father's farm on Brush Creek, Adams County, Ohio, working in the Summer time and attending school in the Winter, where he obtained a common school education.
August 11, 1862. he enlisted in the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I. and served until June 24, 1865. At the battle of Winchester, Virginia. September 19. 1864. he was severely wounded through the throat and arm, after which he was transferred to the hospital at Philadelphia, where he remained for ten months. He subsequently returned to the field at Winchester to look after the remains of his brother, James F. Steen, and his uncle, Ira T. Hayes, who were killed in action September 19, 1864. He identified their remains and saw their honored bodies laid to rest in the Winchester Cemetery having helped to dig their graves himself. At the close of the war, he was mustered out with his regiment at Cumberland, Maryland, and returned to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where they were paid off.
On return to peaceful pursuits, he attended school in the Fall and Winter of 1865 in his home district; and in the following Spring entered the dental office of Dr. J. N. McClung, at Cincinnati, Ohio, who afterwards moved to North Liberty, Ohio, and with whom he studied eighteen months. He formed a partnership with his preceptor which was maintained for some time. In the Fall of 1868, he removed to Manchester, Adams County, Ohio, where he opened an office for the practice of his profession. In the Winter of 1869, Dr. McClung giving up the practice of dentistry, he removed back to North Liberty and resumed his for mer practice.
On December 30, 1869, he was married at Eckmansville, Adams County, to Miss Jane M. Reighley, a native of Lockes Mills. Mifflin County, Pa„ and a daughter of Henry and Nancy Reighley. whose family settled in Adams County. Of this union there were four children. Minnie M., the wife of Mr. Howard C. Green, residing at No. 6745 Emerald Avenue, Englewood, Illinois; Lulu E., the wife of Mr. Espy Higgins, residing at No. 3391 Hayward Place, Denver, Colorado; and Harry W. and Merta who are still at home. Harry W. studied dentistry with his father and attended dental college at the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating there in 1900. In 1875, our subject removed to Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, where he still resides and enjoys a lucrative practice in his profession.
His wife died January 13, 1894, and is buried in Maplewood cemetery at Ripley, Ohio. On March 17, 1896, he was married to Miss Sadie J. Lawwill. Of this union there is one child, John A., Junior.
Dr. Steen has served on the Board of Education at Ripley, Ohio. His political views are Republican, and his first vote was for U. S. Grant for President for his first term. His religious views are Presbyterian, and he joined that denomination when a boy. He has served as elder of the church. He is a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Grand Army of the Republic. He is one of the substantial citizens of Ripley, well known and highly respected for his sterling virtues.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900