Notes:
Dr Reuben L Lockwood. This eminent physician and worthy citizen springs from one of the earliest pioneer families of Elkhart county, for his father, Seylon Lockwood, came to this region in 1830 with his father, Samuel Lockwood, and made a settlement in Locke township prior to its organization.
Seylon Lockwood was married to Frances Molebash, and by her became the father of six children, the eldest of whom was the subject of this sketch. The next was Elizabeth E, who became the wife of Samuel Stratton, of Elkhart; William F is unmarried, and is attending the H P Medical College of Chicago; John W is unmarried, and is a resident of Michigan; Lucy A, died in 1891, at the age of nineteen years; and A, who lives with the parents in Madison township, St Joseph Co, Ind.
Dr Reuben L Lockwood was born in Locke township, Elkhart county, December 23, 1858, and on the old Lockwood homestead he was brought up, obtained a practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits, and learned lessons which have largely assisted in bringing about his present success. During the winter months he found time to attend the district schools in the vicinity of his rural home, but he was quick to grasp at new ideas, and made fair progress in his studies. He remained at home until he attained the age of twenty-one years, when he began working at the carpenter's trade, and followed this calling for four years. At the end of this time he began learning telegraphy in an office of the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, after which he went to Kansas, and remained a resident of the Sunflower State for about one year. Returning to his old home in Indiana, he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr H A Miman, now of Elkhart, but then of Nappanee, and after a year thus spent he entered the H P College of Cleveland, Ohio, which he attended from 1886 to 1888, graduating in the latter year.
He at once opened an office at Wakarusa, and since that time has built up a paying practice, for the people soon came to recognize the fact that he is well posted in his profession, that he was skillful, and that he was a faithful and conscientious practitioner. His reputation has gone abroad, and among his medical brethren he is often consulted, and highly valued. From the onerous and laborious duties of his profession, he has found time to interest himself in public matters, and ranks among the foremost in supporting measures which are designed to benefit the county.
He has always been a Democrat in politics, as were his father and grandfather before him, and his services to his party were recognized in 1892 by his election to the position of county commissioner. His practice extends allover Elkhart and St Joseph counties, and is especially large in the township where he was born and reared. He has been more than ordinarily successful in the treatment of rheumatism, but is an excellent and reliable all around physician, of which fact the public is thoroughly aware. He is unmarried.
[Pictorial and Biographical Memoirs of Elkhart and St Joseph Counties, Indiana Together with Biographies of Many Prominent Men of Northern Indiana and the Whole State, Both Living and Dead
Goodspeed Brothers Publishers, Chicago
1893 ]