DR. L. W. FOULKE,
The subject of this sketch was born at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in August, 1809.
His father, George D. Foulke, a physician and surgeon, was a graduate of Dickinson college, Carlisle, and of the Medical University of Maryland, one of the leading institutions of its character in the United States.
The son was reared with all the advantages superior social position could secure, and in 1825, was sent to Dickinson college, which was then extensively patronized, and from which he graduated in 1829. In 1832, after the usual course of attendance upon the lectures of the Medical University of Maryland, he graduated as a doctor of medicine, just thirty years after his father had done so from the same college, which still continued to maintain a high standing, having among its faculty some of the first men in their departments to be found in the country.
Commencing the practice of his profession immediately after receiving his diploma, first in his native State, and afterward in Chillicothe, whither he removed in 1836, his personal demeanor and professional skill, soon won for him the esteem of the community. He rapidly acquired an extensive practice which embraced many of the influential families of the town and surrounding country. Ever attentive, patient and watchful in his practice, his presence in the sick chamber inspired hope in the patient; while his self-reliance and assurance in his diagnosis precluded dissatisfaction. In his consultations and intercourse with his brother practitioners he was ever careful to maintain a strict regard for the ethics of the profession.
In 1837 Dr. Foulke married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John McCoy, of Chillicothe. Their only child, a daughter, became the wife of Dr. G. S. Franklin, a gentleman of fine literary culture, genial manners and increasing influence, a graduate of Marietta college, and subsequently of the college of physicians and surgeons, of New York. For several years, and until his resignation in 1869, Dr. Franklin was an assistant, and when he resigned, a full surgeon, in the United States navy. He then located in Chillicothe as a practitioner.
Having lately retired from the more active and laborious duties of his profession, Dr. Foulke is prominently identified with many of the most important public interests of the city. He took a prominent part in the organization of the present effective public school system, while to him, in chief degree, the Chillicothe cemetery owes it spaciousness, position and beauty of plan. He was president of its board of trustees from the organization of that board until 1879. Dr. Foulke was also the first president of the Ross County National bank, and held the same position in the Ohio Insurance company. In 1843, in acknowledgment of his professional status and literary attainments, he received from Dickinson college the degree of master of arts.
During the war of the Rebellion he was loyal to the Federal government, and his influence was always exerted in favor of the Union cause.
