Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts and Archives Department

DR. THOMAS GIFFORD
PAPERS, 1845-1872

Collection #
BV 2705-2707

Table of Contents

Collection Information
Biographical sketch
Scope and Content note
Cataloging Information

Processed by
Charles Latham
24 October 1994

COLLECTION INFORMATION

VOLUME OF COLLECTION:

4 bound volumes

COLLECTION DATES:

1845-1872

PROVENANCE:

Mr. and Mrs. James P. Mullin, Richmond IN, 22 September 1994

RESTRICTIONS:

None

REPRODUCTION RIGHTS:

permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society

ALTERNATE FORMATS:

None

OTHER FINDING AIDS:

None

RELATED HOLDINGS:

None

ACCESSION NUMBER:

1994.1006

 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Thomas Gifford (1816-1885) was born in Yates County, New York, the son of John and Mary Gifford. The year after his birth the family moved to Dearborn County, Indiana. Mary Gifford died in 1820, and John Gifford shortly thereafter. Thomas was brought up first by a grandfather, then by an uncle, a clergyman. He received most of his education at a school run by his uncle two nights a week.

In 1833 Gifford was hired out to a tanner. He then had another year of school, then for three years worked for a tanner and raised hops in order to earn enough money to study medicine. In 1837-1840 he studied medicine with Dr. W. A. Anderson, and in 1840-1841 he took courses at Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati. In 1841 he set up practice in Laurel, Indiana, and in 1845-1846 he completed his courses at Ohio Medical College.

For the next forty years Gifford practiced medicine in Laurel. He was also active in Democratic politics. He was elected to the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly in 1858 and 1860, and to the State Senate in 1862-1868. From 1870 to 1878 he was trustee of Laurel Township in Franklin County.

Gifford married Catherine Cane, and they had nine children.

Sources: Atlas of Franklin County (1882), 60, 65, 111
Biographical Directory of Indiana General Assembly, Vol I, p. 141

SCOPE AND CONTENT

This collection, covering the years 1845-1872, contains four bound volumes, the day and account books of Dr. Thomas Gifford. They show that Gifford dispensed his own pharmaceuticals. One day book (1849-1852) has "Dr. W. T. Tennis" on the title page. The account and day book for 1854-1872 has "Gifford & Son" on the title page.

CATALOGING INFORMATION

For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:

  1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog
  2. Click on the "Local Catalog" icon.
  3. Search for the collection by its call number, using the letter or letters designation and four digits (e.g., M 0715, SC 2234).
  4. When you find the collection, go to the "Holdings" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.

END