Numbers, Joseph R., M. D.

The following data is extracted from Illustrated History of the State of Idaho.

A member of the medical fraternity of Weiser, Washington County, Dr. Numbers was born in Lexington, Ohio, May 30, 1864, and traces his ancestry back to some of the early colonists of Pennsylvania, who were of German lineage. His father, Esau Numbers, was born in the Keystone state, November 1, 1816, and became one of the pioneer farmers of Ohio, whither he removed in 1840. He married Miss Anna Smith, of western Ohio, and to them were born eight children, but only three are now living. Their eldest son, William Numbers, died in the service of his country in the great civil war, losing his life at Cumberland Gap. The mother departed this life in 1877, at the age of fifty-six years, and in 1888 the father accompanied Dr. Numbers to Idaho, spending his last days in Weiser, where his death occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-two years.

Dr. Numbers acquired his literary education in the Ohio Central College and prepared for his profession in the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in the class of 1885. He entered upon the practice of his chosen calling in Kansas, where he remained one year, and then went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, being a representative of the medical fraternity of that city for two years. Since 1888 he has been a resident of Weiser, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice that many an older physician might well envy. He has a broad, comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the principles of the science of medicine and by the faithful performance of each day's duty he finds strength and inspiration for the labors of the next. His efforts have been attended with excellent success, and the public and the profession accord him a foremost place among the able practitioners of this section of the state. He is a valued member of the Idaho Medical Society, the National Medical Society, and of the board of medical examiners of the state. Through these connections, as well as through the perusal of some of the leading medical journals of the country, he keeps abreast with all the advancement that is continually being made in methods of medical practice.

In 1887 the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Swartz, of Topeka, Kansas, and by their union have been born three children; Donald S., Joseph Reno and Josephine. The Doctor and his family occupy a high place in the esteem of their fellow-citizens. In 1886 he was made a Mason in Carbondale Lodge, No. 72, A. F. & A. M., of Kansas, and is a past master. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the Modern Woodmen of the World. He devotes his time and energies almost exclusively to his profession and his ability has gained him a gratifying degree of success.

Source: Illustrated History of the State of Idaho

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