S. Osborne Barkhurst, M.D.
S. Osborne Barkhurst, M.D., for a decade a resident of Steubenville, O., is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the city, successfully engaged in general practice and taking a good citizen's interest in public affairs. He was born in Smithfield Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, in August, 1863, and is a son of William B. Barkhurst.
The founder of the Barkhurst family in Jefferson County was the great-grandfather, William Barkhurst, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was of Revolutionary stock, his father having been with General Washington at Valley Forge, where he almost lost his life. With several companions he had left the unhappy camp of almost starving soldiers, in the hope of securing some supplies in the surrounding country. He was so weakened, however, from previous hardships that he would have perished but for the kindly ministrations of some Indians, who guided him back to the camp. William B. Barkhurst, father of Dr. Barkhurst, was born in Jefferson County, in 1831, and died in 1903. His father, Jacob Barkhurst, was also born in Jefferson County.
Dr. Barkhurst was reared on his father's farm in Smithfield Township, attended the local schools and later Mt. Union College. He spent four years teaching school, during that period doing his preliminary medical reading, and later entered the medical department of the Western Reserve College at Cleveland, where he was graduated in 1888. He located at Smithfield and practiced there for thirteen years and then came to Steubenville. He is a member of the Jefferson County and of the Ohio State Medical Societies and of tlie American Medical Association. Since 1897 Mr. Barkhurst has been a member of the Board of U. S. Pension Surgeons, of which he is secretary/ He jas interests outside his profession, here and at other points.
In April, 1900, Dr. Barkhurst was married to Miss Mary E. Graham, who was born in Jefferson County, and they have three children: Marjorie, who is a member of the graduating class of 1910 in the Steubenville High School; and Helen Leonora and Miriam Katherine, both of wliom are students. Dr. Barkhurst and family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church, in which he is a deacon. Fraternally he is a Mason.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910