1905 History of Crawford County Kansas

Dr. E. O. Sloan, physician and surgeon of Pittsburg, Kansas, has been engaged in the active practice of his profession in this city for fourteen years, and in many ways has gained pre-eminence in his work. Having been acquainted with the life of the physician from boyhood in the home of his father, who was one of the old-time genial and beloved household doctors, he has from the time of his first aspirations toward the pursuit been devoted to the study of every branch of the great science. Because he realized the magnitude of the realms of the art of healing, he offered an inspired mind to his theoretical preparation and worked with ardor during his student days. But as the complement of his knowledge of the science he possesses a humane and sympathetic nature which is penetrative and healing of itself and goes beyond the range of the coldly scientific man to that influence of spirit over matter which is often more powerful than all medicaments of the world. Dr. Sloan thus fills an important place in this city, not merely as a man of energy in his profession and business or as a popular member of society, but as one who by his daily work helps mankind and who necessarily stands above self and pelf in his altruistic endeavors.

Dr. Sloan was born at Walnut Grove, Greene county, Missouri, February 25, 1855. His grandfather, Judge Jeremiah N. Sloan, came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1831, as one of the early settlers of the state of Missouri, and was the first judge of Greene county. He was accidentally killed by being thrown from his horse, in 1846.

Dr. A. C. Sloan, the son of this Missouri judge, was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri with his parents in 1831, locating first in Polk county among the earliest settlers, and later removing to Greene county. He made his home at Walnut Grove until his death in 1899, and he was engaged in active practice for the long period of forty years, from the pioneer days until the progressive years of the end of the last century. His wife was Mary Jane (Hamilton) Sloan, who was born in Tennessee in 1826 and came with her parents to Missouri in 1832. Her father, Elijah Hamilton, was a soldier in the war of 1812 under General Scott.

Dr. E. O. Sloan received his early education in the public schools of Walnut Grove, and began the study of medicine with his father as preceptor. He then took the regular course at the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, where he was graduated with the class of 1881. His first practice was in the town where he was born and reared, but in the fall of 1882 he moved to Cherryvale, Montgomery county, Kansas, where he was engaged with a successful practice until 1890, January 2d of which year he located in Pittsburg. He served for two years as city health officer, and is now president of the Crawford County Medical Society, an auxiliary of the State Medical Society. Dr. Sloan is a professional man in the best sense of the term, and his chief concern as a member and president of the county society is to elevate the medical profession to a higher plane. So rapid has been the advance of medical science in the last few decades that even the most studious and conscientious can hardly keep abreast of the current, and many are left behind in the rut of mediocrity or inert self-satisfaction. The energizing and progressive mind is needed as a kind of leaven and stimulus among all professional men, and this want is what the Crawford County Medical Society, under the leadership of Dr. Sloan, supplies all within the radius of its influence.

Dr. Sloan has always voted the Republican ticket, and he affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, having attained the Knight Templar degree. March 30, 1876, he was married at Walnut Grove, Missouri, to Miss Lucy M. Mizener, a daughter of E. A. Mizener, who was a native of Indiana and was killed while fighting for the Union at the battle of Chickamauga. Dr. and Mrs. Sloan have three children living: Mrs. Maud Marsh, Miss Georgia Pauline and Miss Edna Ophelia. The other daughter, Laura Wealthier Sloan, died March 19, 1895, at the age of eighteen years, having been one of the most popular young ladies of Pittsburg.