Constantine Markt, M.D.
Constantine Markt, M.D., president of the Eclectic Medical Society of the State of Ohio, is a native of Spaichingen, in the kingdom of Wirtemberg, Germany, where he was born on the 25th of February, 1832. His father, Karl Markt, was a dealer in clothing, and for sixteen years was one of the twelve associate judges of the district, to whom was confided the duty of sitting in judgment at the trial of offenders, two with the supreme judge constituting a quorum. His mother was named Mary. One of Dr. Markt's brothers had been forced to leave Germany on account of political troubles in 1848, and had settled in Thompson, Lake County, Ohio. He wrote repeatedly to his father to come over with his family, and settle here also. Constantine was opposed to this, but after the death of his mother, which happened in 1852, he abandoned opposition to the plan, and, with his father, one brother, and three sisters, embarked for America in 1854. What they should do in the New World he did not know. He had received his early education in the schools of his native town, and at the age of fourteen began attending a seminary, where he prepared himself for the university, and where he graduated three years later, having taken the classical course. He was then made a teacher under the government, remaining attentive to his duties until his departure for America.
Upon their arrival, Mr. Markt found that the brother who had preceded him was not in a situation to render them much aid, and the young man determined that to his toil they should owe their subsistence. As yet he could not see his way clearly. The most imperative requisite for a livelihood is a knowledge of the language of the people among whom it is the lot of a stranger to be cast, and of English he as yet knew nothing. He soon, however, was in a way to remedy this defect, as a short time after he arrived he made the acquaintance of Postmaster Mead, an old and esteemed citizen of that town, with whom he exchanged lessons in music to his little girl for English. It was not long after he reached Thompson that his new friend perceived that he possessed musical attainments far beyond the common, and that as a performer upon the piano he much surpassed any one in the neighborhood. In truth, Mr. Markt had been thoroughly grounded in the principles of music in Germany, and had been well known in the places in which he had lived as an amateur of promise. He had, however, never intended to become a professional musician, but the quick eye of Mr. Mead soon saw that here was the path that would lead him to a livelihood and competence. He took Mr. Markt to Painesville, sixteen miles distant, where he performed before the musical young ladies of the town, met for that purpose. From that time he had no fears of his future. He then removed to Painesville with the rest of the family, and there established himself. He taught assiduously during the day, and in the evening studied medicine, for which he had had an inclination from boyhood, with Dr. Carpender. He cared for his family as long as they needed it--his father until his death in 1865, and his sisters until their marriage.
In 1856, having attained sufficient means and a competent knowledge of the English tongue, he began attending lectures at the Eclectic Medical College, in Cincinnati under charge of Dr. Cleveland, who died in Nashville, Tennessee, during the war, and was graduated in 1858. He at once came to Hamilton, and entered upon practice, being married the same year. Here he was at once successful. His easy and agreeable manners, his imperturbable coolness, his command of all the resources of the physician's art, at once made him a favorite. A year after coming here he was made brigade-surgeon of this district for the militia. During the war he was influential and active. He attended assiduously to his calling for many years, but finally, after a long attack of illness, became convinced that he had given too intense a devotion to his profession. He resolved to abandon the duties of a visiting physician, and bought the drug-store formerly owned by J. W. Baldridge, No. 13 Third Street, which had been established years before by John O. Brown. To propose, however, is one thing, and to do is another. Many of his old patients refused to leave him, and he found that he had, in addition to his medical practice, a drug-store on his hands. He had also, during his many years of residence here, acquired great skill as an operator in difficult cases of surgery, and in this respect his reputation has increased with time.
He was married in 1858 to Miss Josephine C. Carpender, daughter of his old preceptor, Dr. Joseph Brown Carpender (who was a man of much prominence in the medical profession as well as in other ways). He was a native of Milton, Vermont, and the son of a physician. Mrs. Caroline Jackson Carpender was the mother. Dr. Carpender graduated at the Burlington Medical College about 1826. He came West in 1835, and settled in Wellsville, Erie County, Pennsylvania, but in 1843 went to Painesville, Ohio, where he practiced until his death, in 1861, at the age of fifty-five. He had been mayor of Painesville, and for several years president of the school board. He was a man of great probity of character, and for years exerted a marked influence in the affairs of the town. Mrs. Carpender died in 1865. She was also a native of Milton, Vermont. Dr. and Mrs. Markt have had three children, two of whom are now living. Adelaide C. Markt was born July 25, 1869, and Karl Constantine, August 16, 1873. Mrs. Markt is a Presbyterian in religion, and a lady who enjoys the highest esteem of all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance, and is considered one of the most popular in the social circles of Hamilton. She is secretary of the Butler County Children's Home, and one of the managers. She is one of its founders, and a charter member. She is active in Church and missionary work. Besides what we have mentioned above, Dr. Markt has taken an active interest in every thing that benefits society.
He is a member of the Miami Medical Society, the State Medical Association of Hamilton, and county examining physician of the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Honor, and a contributor to various medical periodicals. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Honor, and the Royal Arcanum. He was the leader of the Maennerchor in this city for several years, and brought it to a high stage of excellence. Since entering upon medicine he has found but little leisure for this favorite pursuit. He is the secretary of the board of health, and has been so for eighteen years; has been a member of the school board, and has filled other offices of prominence and responsibility. In person Dr. Markt is tall and commanding, in manners courteous and obliging, and in business thorough and exact. No man is better esteemed in Hamilton, and when a friend has once been made by him he is always kept.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.