J. Morton McWharf, M. D.—Among the physicians and surgeons of eastern Kansas who have attained a distinction merited by years of study, observation and practice, is he whose name introduces this sketch. Dr. McWharf was born in Wayne county, New York, Dec. 17, 1841, the son of Theodore and Mary (Stickles) McWharf, both natives and lifelong residents of that county. The father was a cooper by trade and followed that occupation until seventy years of age when he ceased active work and lived retired. He rendered valiant service as a soldier of the Union during the Civil war, serving in the One Hundred and Eleventh New York regiment, which participated in many battles, in one of which—that of Harper's Ferry—he was taken prisoner. His death in 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, terminated a long and useful career. John McWharf, the father of Theodore, was a native of Scotland, who came to America in an early day and settled in Wayne county, New York, where he lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and six years. His occupation also was that of a cooper. The mother of Dr. McWharf was the daughter of William Stickles, a native of Herkimer county, New York, and of German descent, whose vocation was that of a farmer. His death occurred in Seneca county, New York.

Dr. McWharf received his preliminary education in the common schools of New York state and at Falley Seminary, Fulton, N. Y., where he completed his literary education. He then matriculated in the Buffalo Medical College, Buffalo, N. Y., where he graduated, his diploma being presented to him by Millard Filmore, ex-president of the United States. He entered upon the practice of his profession in Chautauqua county, New York, where he continued successfully for eighteen years, then supplemented his previous training by taking some special courses in medicine, after which he removed to Blue Rapids, Kan., and still later to Fort Scott. At the last named city he began his practice as a specialist, treating diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and continuing there successfully twelve years. He then removed to Ottawa where he has since been located, and where he is the only specialist. Dr. McWharf has ever been a student, desirous of keeping thoroughly posted concerning every advance made in therapeutics, and by observation, experience and the reading of the best medical journals, is in constant touch with the latest developments of the science. He has been not only a wide reader of medical literature but has also been a contributor to various medical journals of articles which have indicated deep professional knowledge, and has delivered many lectures on medical science and other subjects. He is former president of the Franklin County Medical Society, and president of the Kansas Academy of Science.

In 1866 he was united in marriage with Lucie I. Stryker, daughter of Alfred Stryker, a native agriculturist of New York state. Notwithstanding professional duties, Dr. McWharf has found time to participate in the social, political, fraternal and church life in the places in which he has resided. He and his wife are active and consistent members of the Baptist church and Dr. McWharf has served as president of the Baptist state convention for two and one-half years, the 1910 session of which was held in Atchison, Kan. He affiliates with the Republican party, and as a representative of that party served on the city board of aldermen of Fort Scott. He has also represented his party as a delegate in state and Congressional conventions. In former years Dr. McWharf was prominently active in several fraternal orders. He is also president of one of Ottawa's leading manufacturing concerns, the Ottawa Vault & Construction Company, which, although recently established, is doing a rapidly increasing business.