Samuel Polly, M.D.

POLLY, OWENS, BELL, MOTE, KESLER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 3/7/2018 at 10:20:46

History of Monona County, Iowa
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SAMUEL POLLY

Samuel Polly, M.D., a practicing physician and surgeon, residing on section 26 in the town of Fairview is a native of Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, and was born November 29, 1821. His father, James Polly, was a farmer in his earlier days, but later in life engaged in the mercantile trade. The latter was born October 18, 1801, and was the son of William and Jemima Polly, the father of whom was born December 24, 1776, and died January 13, 1847; the mother, born December 22, 1778, died December 22, 1840.

The mother of our subject, Priscilla (Owens) Polly, was born September 25, 1803, and was the daughter of Samuel and Libbie (Bell) Owens, natives of Kentucky, both of whom died in Darke County, Ohio.

In his youth Dr. Samuel Polly attended school and assisted upon the farm where he remained until nineteen years of age. February 4, 1841, he was united in marriage with Anna Mote, a native of Ohip, and the daughter of Jonathan and Susannah (Kesler) Mote, the former of whom was born in Georgia and removed with his parents to Ohio at the age of fourteen; the latter was a native of North Carolina. About a month after his marriage Samuel commenced housekeeping on his father's farm, near Greenville, on the day that W.H. Harrison was inaugurated President, and engaged in agricultural pursuits and in working at the carpenter's trade, for about two years. At the expiration of that time he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Samuel Downing at Salem, Randolph County, in the same State and on the 7th of March, 1847, commenced practice in partnership with his late instructor. Three years later the firm was dissolved, but Dr. Polly still carried on is practice in the same locality until the fall of 1855, when he removed to Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa. Until June 4, 1872, he was ranked among the leading physicians of that locality. He then came to Monona County and located on section 25, Fairview Township, still following his profession. In the spring of 1881, the river having washed away the greater part of his farm, he removed the buildings to another piece owned by him on section 26, where he now lives. By a common freak the river, by its change of course has again restored most of the land, which is becoming quite valuable for pasture, timber, etc. In connection with his practice he has always owned several farms, whose operation he carries on under his own supervision.

The Doctor and Mrs. Polly are the parents of five children--Ephraim E., born February 9, 1842; Priscilla B., February 26, 1844; James, born February 3, 1846, and died September following; Curtis, born February 12, 1848; and Jonathan, June 5, 1850. The Doctor is a staunch Republican in politics, and a strong advocate of prohibition.