Dr. John Mack
Among the pioneer citizens of our county none was more honored by those who knew him best than Dr. John Mack, of Shelby, Ohio. When eight years of age he came to this county with his parents from Owasco, Cayuga County, N.Y., where he was born on the 16th. day of August, 1810. His parents settled on a farm near Plymouth (then Paris), in this county, in 1818. He received the good common school education of those days, which he improved by a liberal and general course of reading. He read medicine with Dr. Benschotter, of Plymouth, and attended medical lectures at Cincinnati and the Western Reserve Medical College, of Cleveland, from which institution he received his diploma. He at once commenced the practice of medicine in Shelby and for nearly fifty years was one of the leading physicians and surgeons in this part of the state. His judgment among his professional brethren was always highly regarded and his counsel was sought and his opinions treasured by members of his profession over a wide scope of country. His judgment upon matters presented for his consideration outside of his profession was sought and treasured, as well as acted upon, by his large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was strong and firm in his convictions, his motto being that of Davy Crockett "Be sure you are right then go ahead". In earlier life he took quite an interest in politics. He was throughout life a firm and consistent Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson and his last for Grover Cleveland. He was strong in all his convictions, earnest in support of all his views, but allowed to others the widest liberty of thought and action. In 1851 Dr. Mack was elected the first Senator under the new constitution in the then Ashland-Richland district. During his senatorial term he was chairman of the committee on Benevolent Institutions and a leading member on several other prominent committees, and as a law-maker he maintained the high character he had won in his profession and in private life, which was universally recognized and respected. On account of the press of professional duties he declined a re-nomination for a second term. He was a delegate to the national convention of 1856 and was always active in the cause and councils of the Democratic party. At the time of his death, Sept. 7, 1887, and for a long time prior thereto he was an active member and one of the elders of the Presbyterian church of Shelby and deeply interested in all that pertained to Christianity. For over twenty-five years he was a member of the Shelby school board and was a strong advocate of a broad and liberal education. He was a man of generous impulses and active in all that benefited his fellow man. As a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he was one of the most helpful and faithful. He attained all the honors of his subordinate lodge and when well advanced in years took upon himself the duty of district deputy grand master for the district in which he lived, and ably performed the duties of his office. As a Mason he attained the rank of a Royal Arch and on the organization of Shelby Lodge he was elected treasurer and from that time until the day of his death, nearly a quarter of a century, it never knew another. In his profession he was pre-eminently the friend of the poor and needy and never pressed the collection of a professional bill. In fact, during a long professional and business career he never brought suit against any man, nor was suit brought against him. We are gold by those who have seen that in his books many accounts are balanced with the words "Cr. By lent to the Lord", and we have no doubt that such investments will bring the surest and largest returns. Among all the early residents of our county none gained higher repute than Dr. Mack, and we are sure none have left behind them a more savory reputation, and none a warmer place in the hearts of those who knew him. His life was as the life of the truly wise, and therefore his memory will be cherished. Mrs. Emily A. Jenner, wife of Judge J.W. Jenner, of the Circuit Court, and A.J. Mack, attorney-at-aw, of this city, were his children.
From the Richland Shield & Banner, June 30, 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 7