Bogan, William Levi, MD

Submitted by Tamara Kincaide

Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa: Leaders inBusiness, Politics and the Professions: Des Moines: Conaway & Shaw, published 1899, 1210 pgs.

WILLIAM is one of the successful practicing physicians of Hamburg, Also one of the leading businessmen. He was born in Warrick County, Indiana, March 28 1832. His father Samuel Bogan was a local farmer and local Methodist preacher.
His father Samuel was born in Virginia and went with his parents to Indiana about the time of its admission into the Union. Samuel made for himself a home in the forest and resided there until his death which occurred in 1834,Samuel married Kittie Clark, December 18, 1828 she a native of North Carolina. They had three children, Mary born 1829, William Levi born 1832 and Samuel Thompson born in 1835 the third child born after the death of his father, Samuel Sr.
Samuel Thompson Bogan became a Methodist Minister and teacher and enlisted in the army as a Sergeant in Co B 91st Regiment Indiana Volunteers He was killed at Marietta in 1864.

At the death of the father, Samuel, the mother Kittie was forced to support her young family by her own efforts. An uncle Jackson Bogan took young William Levi into his home to educate him.

Dr. William Bogan's paternal grandfather took part in the war of 1812, His maternal grandfather William Clark possessed a fine estate at the site of present place Clarksville, NC that the town being named in his honor. Dr William Bogan early education was obtained in private schools and in his 18th year he entered the Delaney Academy at Newburgh, Indiana. He took an irregular course and left to teach school at Spencer and Warrick Counties. He then with his sister went to attend Asbury University at Green Castle Indiana. Here he also took an irregular course, upon leaving the school he was presented with a certificate giving him authority to teach in any public school in Indiana.

In 1860 he was appointed school examiner for Warrick County. Dr. Bogan has began his study of medicine in 1855 in Keokuk Iowa studying one year at that state university, He was obliged to practice until 1860 at Taylorsville, Indiana when he returned to the university for graduation, But on account of financial decisions did not receive his diploma until 1872.

Removing from Taylorsville to Lynnville he built a very lucrative practice, which he left in 1862 to enlist in the army. He was Captain of Co. B 91st Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, enlisting August 16, 1862 at Evansville, Indiana. He was detailed for some time as surgeon of the hospital at Smithland, Kentucky, still retaining his rank as captain. In 1864 he received an honorable discharge on account of a physical disability. He is also a member of the GAR and is commander of the M. S. Holtzinger Post No. 210 at Hamburg. In 1869 his shattered health caused him to move to Vernon County, Missouri where he remained for three years, after which he removed to Hamburg Iowa.

Dr Bogan earned his first dollar by driving horses and carts on the Erie and Wabash Canal when eleven years old. Besides the active practice of his profession he has been engaged in various business pursuits, buying and selling properties, conducting a stock farm and from 1887 to 1892 was in partnership with his two sons in general merchandise business. He owns two valuable stock farms and much town property in Hamburg. As a practitioner he has met with marked success.
He has published several treatises on important topics, which are of great interest and value to the profession at large. Dr. Bogan is a member of the Fremont County Medical Society and of the State Medical Society and is a republican. He is a member of the Methodist Church and belongs to the Masonic Fraternity and the Knights Templar. He was one of the pension examining surgeons of Fremont County during President Benjamin Harrison's administration.

Dr. Bogan married April 8 1858 to Syrena M Aust ,They have seven children. Charles P. is engaged in commercial business in Omaha, William S. also engaged in commercial business in Hamburg, Matilda Katherine is a teacher and an accomplished elocutionist, Bertha May wife of C. W. Sturgeon a dry goods merchant lives in Hamburg, Mary Louise wife of W. F. Green , a commercial traveler lives in Hamburg, Nellie Aust is the widow of the late J. Farquar resides with her parents, James W. is engaged in stock rising.