John Semple, M.D., deceased, for many years one of the foremost physicians and surgeons of western Pennsylvania, a man devotedly attached to his profession, was a member of a family which has been honored in the annals of the state for a number of generations.
Dr. John Semple, second son and child of Robert Anderson and Mary (Simpson) Semple, was born on the family homestead at Wildwood February 16, 1822. His early years were spent in the place of his birth, and his preliminary education was received from his father. Later he attended the college at Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated with honor. He then took up the study of medicine under the preceptor ship of Drs. Brooks and Speir, subsequently becoming a student at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, graduating from that institution in 1848. He then took up the active practice of his profession in Ebensburg, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, but at the end of one year was summoned to Wilkinsburg to take up the practice of Dr. James Crothers. He erected a fine residence in Penn avenue, in which he had his offices until the time of his death, October 9, 1901. He was one of the oldest physicians in the western part of Pennsylvania, a man of extraordinary ability in many directions, and with more than a local reputation in the medical profession. While taking an active interest in the industrial and financial development of Pittsburg, he never allowed this to interfere with his profession, and his patients evinced a remarkable devotion to him as a physician and a friend. A proof of this is to be found in the fact that he was the physician and counselor of grandparents, parents and children in a number of the most prominent families of the city. Toward the close of his life, when the impaired state of his health would not permit him to leave his home, his patients still insisted upon having the benefit of his experience, coming to him in his home and obtaining medical advice. He spent much of his leisure time in the study of botany and horticulture, and was a recognized authority in these branches of research. He was a great lover of animals, and always had a number of pets about his home, notable among them being a macaw, which was twenty-six years of age. His heart was filled with kindness toward all living creatures, and his many acts of unostentatious charity were only discovered after he had departed this life, regretted by all who had known him. In politics he was an ardent and active Republican and served as burgess of Wilkinsburg from 1888 to 1890. His religious affiliations were with the Presbyterian church, he being on of the charter members of the First Presbyterian church of Wilkinsburg, and holding the office of elder until his death. He took a great and beneficial interest in all matters connected with this institution. He was one of the leading spirits of Wilkinsburg in medical, political, religious and charitable matters, and was universally esteemed and loved. He was a member of the Bedford Medical Association, for which he wrote many noteworthy papers, making a specialty of those having a bearing upon botany. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, the State Medical Association, and held a prominent place in Masonic circles. The interest he evinced in educational matters was of much benefit to the school system of the city, and one of the public schools of Wilkinsburg was named in his honor.
Dr. Semple married, first, March 20, 1848, Isabella Smith, who died March 22, 1852, and by her he had one child, Mary I. R. He married, second, June 8, 1854, Nancy Thompson, who died in 1895, and they had one child, Margaret J. S., deceased, who married and is survived by a son, John S. Semple.
