COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY Of Henry County Indiana B.F. Bowen 1920 Pages 367, 368, 369 Surnames mentioned in this biography: Boor, Gisenger, Stewart, Axline, Roof, Powell, Ferrie, Morton, WILLIAM F. BOOR, M. D. The career of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical sketch is well worth perusal by the younger members of society in New Castle, and well deserves their emulation, as he has raised himself from the condition of a poor father less boy in the vale of indigence to the top most height that caps the pinnacles of competency, he being now president of the First National Bank at New Castle, Henry County, Indiana. William F. Boor was born in Perry County, Ohio, June 10. 1819, and is the sixth of seven children born to Nicholas and Rachael (Gisenger) Boor, who were of German descent. His father died when William F. was yet a child, and the latter was placed at farm work, interspersed with “striking” in his brother’s blacksmith shop when yet so young he had to stand on a block to swing the sledge. He had, however, most excellent teachers, though in primitive schools, one being Robert Stewart, whose efforts left a lasting impression upon the boy and did much to infuse him with the desire to be something more than then seemed possible. He was able to take charge of a school himself while yet young, and while teaching carried on his own studies with renewed vigor, becoming, in 1842 a student of medicine at Uniontown, Muskingum county. In June 1845, he came to Indiana on horseback, having heard much of the promise afforded by the newer country, and after finishing his medical studies he returned to Ohio and at Carlisle, Monroe County, soon had a good practice. One year later, however, having lost almost everything he had, except his horse, by fire, he again decided to come to Indiana, and in August 1846, reached Middletown, Henry County. He soon built up a lucrative practice and felt himself competent to care for a wife. Returning to Ohio, he first married in Muskingum County, April 15, 1847 Miss Catherine E. Axline. In October 1852 Mr. Boor entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated in March, 1853 with the degree of M. D., and resumed his practice, in which he there met with flattering success until 1858, when he came to New Castle, where his abilities were speedily recognized. In the meantime, however, his first wife was called away, in March 1852, previous to the Doctor’s graduation, leaving two children, one of whom died in infancy and the other grew to maturity. The second marriage of Dr. William F. Boor took place in New Castle April 1, 1857 to Miss Sarah A. R. Roof, who was born in New Castle January 28, 1838. She attended the school taught by the late Simon T. Powell and at the age of fourteen was able to pass the examination by James S. Ferrie and to assume charge of a school, and to the duties of teaching continued her efforts till her marriage. After spending one year upon a farm in Perry County, Ohio, Mr. And Mrs. Boor returned to New Castle where the Doctor resumed the practice of medicine, which he had found more conducive to his own happiness than the more tedious work of conducting a farm. In 1862 Dr. Boor was appointed surgeon by Governor Morton of the Nineteenth Indiana Infantry ( Sol. Meredith’s Iron Brigade), then on the Potomac, which he declined on account of sickness in his family. Soon thereafter he accepted an appointment as surgeon of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry. In June 1863, he was promoted to brigade surgeon, though in the next November he resigned on account of his wife’s protracted illness. He again took up the profession in civil life and has kept himself abreast of the front rank of the profession. Dr. Boor was charter member of the Medical Society of 1856, finally known as the Henry County Medical Society, of which he is still a member. He is also a member of the Indiana State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association. In 1870 he was chosen a United States pension examiner, in which capacity he served seventeen years. He was also school trustee about twelve years and by appointment of the commissioners served about eighteen years as physician to the Henry county asylum for the poor. He is a charter member of the First National Bank of New Castle in which he served as director and vice-president for a number of years becoming its president in 1885. In this capacity he served until January 1, 1902, at which time he resigned on account of his advanced age, and his large farming and other interests requiring his attention. His wife has proven a most excellent companion and helpmate, their tastes running together and her business capacity having been thoroughly tried during the war when all matters of that nature devolved upon her. She is a close student of the best literature, having a most carefully selected and rare collection of the choicest works of the world’s authors. Her activity in the Christian church has placed her in such relation to the society that she is depended upon whenever any special work is to be done that demands the very best talent with in the church. Of the four children born to Dr. William F. Boor, two by each marriage, one died in infancy; of the eldest son. Dr. Walter Axline Boor, deceased, mention will be found elsewhere in this volume: Minnie L., the only daughter, died in her twenty-second year, and Orville L. is a well-known veterinary surgeon of Muncie, Indiana. In early life Dr. W. F. Boor was a strong Democrat, but on the repeal of the Missouri compromise abandoned the party. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, in which organization he has been an active member of good standing for more than fifty years and has several times represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the state. His religious devotions are paid at the Christian church.