BIO: James S. LOUTHAN, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 298-300. _________________________________________________________________ DR. JAMES S. LOUTHAN, a prominent physician and surgeon of Beaver Falls, Pa., has, by his perseverance and strict attention to professional duties, placed himself in the foremost rank of physicians in Beaver county, and has built up a large practice in the home of his adoption, where he has been located since 1890. Dr. Louthan was born in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pa., April 28, 1856. He received his early scholastic training at Darlington. Academy, after which he followed the profession of teaching for four years, subsequently attending Westminster College. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Moon, and later studied with Dr. Strouss: He took the required course of lectures at Cleveland Medical College, graduating in the class of 1882. Dr. Louthan began the practice of his profession immediately after his graduation, locating at Fairview, Beaver county, Pa., where he remained until 1890, when he located in Beaver Falls, and is still to be found there. Dr. Louthan is a quiet, unassuming gentleman of a very pronounced, studious nature. BEAVER COUNTY 299 To him it is a pleasure to keep in step with the wonderful advances made of late in his profession. No new thing escapes his attention, and he is quick to grasp and utilize any modern discovery, which may be used to the advantage of his patients. Careful and conservative, he is a strict adherent to the ethics of his craft, and possesses the traits of a true professional worker. Dr. Louthan descended from one of the first families of Virginia. He is a son of James Louthan, Jr., grandson of James Louthan, Sr., and great-grandson of Moses Louthan. Moses Louthan was a native of Scotland, and his parents were the first representatives of the family in America. They settled in Virginia, where their son Moses, in early manhood, engaged in farming. Later in life, however, he removed to South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pa., being one of the earliest settlers of that county. He was a member of the Salem church congregation, and was one of its first elders. Moses Louthan lived to be over eighty years of are. His wife, Betsy, bore him seven children, as follows: James; George; William; Samuel; Henry; and Betsy. James Louthan, the next in line, was born in Beaver township and received his mental training in the vicinity of his home. Like his father, he followed the occupation of a farmer, settling on a farm adjoining the old homestead, where he remained a few years, and then sold it and moved to the state of Ohio, settling near Worcester. There his death took place, in his forty-third year. He was joined in wedlock with Anna Bradshaw, a daughter of Robert Bradshaw, of South Beaver township. Mrs. Louthan died at the advanced age of eighty-three years. As her husband died early in life, the rearing of the family fell mostly upon her shoulders. Two sons and three daughters were the offspring of this worthy couple, named as follows: Moses; Sarah (Sebring); Eliza; Susan (McConnell); and James, Jr., father of the subject hereof. They are now deceased, except James, the youngest. James Louthan, Jr., was born near Worcester, Ohio, but obtained his schooling in South Beaver township, Pa., whither his mother had removed soon after the death of her husband. At the time of his father's death, James was but six years old. Upon reaching manhood, James became apprenticed, and learned the carpenter's trade in New Brighton. In that capacity he worked upon the first brick building in that flourishing borough, and followed his trade almost uninterruptedly for over forty years, making his home in South Beaver. He was an industrious, enterprising citizen, with a love for work and a capacity for achieving success in whatever he undertook to accomplish. He also followed agricultural pursuits, and was respected by all men of character and position. Purchasing twenty acres of woodland, he cleared some, and built a home, very soon adding sixty acres more. In 1838, he wedded Nancy Strain, a daughter of James Strain, of Chippewa township. Mrs. Louthan passed away from her earthly home in June, 1879, after assisting in rearing a family 300 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of ten children. Mr. Louthan sold the homestead, and removed to Darlington, remaining there until 1896, when he went to Beaver Falls, and is now spending the sunset of life in retirement. One remarkable fact concerning this family is their general good health; neither the father nor any of the children ever had any serious illness. Mr. Louthan was first a Whig, then a Free-soiler, and later a Republican, in his political attachments. He is strong in his belief, and is intensely interested in the governing policy of the nation. In his religious views, he is a Covenanter. His children's names are: Mary A. (Craig); Asa (Martin); Rebecca (Rayle); Susan M. (Hartzell); Elizabeth W. (Cox); Bradford; Allie (Bradshaw); James S. (subject); Nancy (Patterson); and John. Dr. J. S. Louthan was united in marriage with May Johnson, an entertaining daughter of Joseph Johnson, who now resides in Beaver Falls. Their nuptials were consummated in 1884, and their home is brightened by the presence of two daughters: Ethel Zoe; and Elizabeth Gemiska. Dr. Louthan is a Republican, and takes a fitting interest in party affairs. He is a member of the Beaver County Medical Association. Aside from his professional duties, he is a very energetic gentleman in the town and county. He was one of the organizers of the Dime Savings & Loan Association, of Beaver Falls, and is one of its directors. He is also a director of the Farmers National Bank.