William W. Wilt, M. D.

    William W. Wilt, M. D., a successful physician, residing at Montpelier, is a native of Ohio, born in Darke County, June 30, 1848, and is a son of John and Martha (Dowler) Wilt, who were also natives of Ohio, the father born in Darke County, and the mother in Preble County. In the spring of 1857 the family removed to Blackford County, Indiana, settling one mile west of Dundee, April 5 of that year, where the father bought a tract of eighty acres. Here he made his home until his death, which occurred may 13, 1882. The mother still resides on the old homestead near Dundee.

    William W., the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the old home farm, and in his boyhood received a fair common school education, and subsequently taught school a couple of terms. On reaching the age of nineteen years he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. A. Ransom, of Dundee, boarding at home. In 1869-'70 he attended lectures at Indiana Medical College, and the following eighteen months he practiced medicine at Dundee. In the winter of 1871 he returned to Indiana Medical College, and in March, 1872, graduated from that institution. He located at Montpelier September 15, 1873, where he has since practiced his profession.

    The doctor was married April 17, 1870, to Miss Marietta Ely, a native of Blackford County, Indiana, and of the three children born to this union only one, Adelbert Irvin, is living. John F. died at the age of twenty-two months, and Virgil Edgar was drowned January 12, 1885, in the Salamonie River, at the age of eight years and four months.

    Dr. Wilt is a member of the Blackford Medical Society. He is also a member of the Masonic Order. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He was holding the office of trustee of Washington Township at the time of his removal to Montpelier, and was the first Republican holding that office in that township.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.