J. E. ENTSMINGER, D. D. S., one of the leading dentists of Murphysboro, who is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, is a native of Meigs County, Ohio, and was born April 2, 1864. The family is of German ancestry. His father and grandfather, both of whom were named David Entsminger, were natives of Virginia. The latter served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and as a business pursuit followed farming throughout life in the Old Dominion. The former went west when a young man, locating near Middleport, Ohio. He followed farming for a time, and then began blacksmithing in the town where he still makes his home. He was joined in wedlock with Christine B. McKnight, a native of Nova Scotia, and a daughter of Samuel McKnight. The latter was born and married in Scotland, and thence emigrated to Canada. He afterward became a pioneer farmer of Meigs County, Ohio, where his death occurred in 1873. Mrs. Entsminger, who was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, was called to her final rest February 4, 1893.
In the parental family were seven children, four sons and three daughters, and all are still living, namely: G. W., a dentist of Carbondale; Mrs. Isabel Bailey, of Pomeroy, Ohio; Mrs. Mina F. Klein, of Evansville, Ind.; Ida, at home; Richard B., a farmer of Meigs County, Ohio; James E., of this sketch; and A. L., of Carbondale.
Dr. Entsminger, whose name heads this record, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farmer lads. After attending the common schools, he completed his literary studies in the high school of Middleport, Ohio. Leaving his native state on the 24th of January, 1884, he reached DuQuoin, Ill., where his brother G. W. was living. He remained with him until June, 1884, when he accompanied him to Carbondale, and under his direction took up the study of dentistry. He then practiced with his brother until January, 1889, when m order to further perfect himself in his profession he entered the Hospital College of Medicine, in Louisville, Ky., as a student in the dental department, from which he was graduated June 17, 1890, with the degree of D. D. S. Since that time he has been in Murphysboro, and in a pleasant office at the corner of Walnut and Spring Streets he receives from the public a large practice, which is steadily increasing.
On the 31st of December, 1890, in Louisville, the Doctor wedded Miss Lizzie Cox, who was born near that city. Her mother was an own cousin of ex-Governor Blackburn, of Kentucky. They now have a little daughter, Ruth. In social circles, the Doctor and his wife hold an enviable position, and true worth and intelligence were their passports into good society. Dr. Entsminger is a charter member of the Fraternal Mystic Circle, of which he is now serving as Chaplain, and he also belongs to the Southern Illinois Dental Association, and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a true-blue Republican. His skill and ability and his courteous and general manner have made him a successful dentist and won him a prominent place among his professional brethren.
Extracted 22 Feb 2017 by Norma Hass from 1894 Biographical Review of Jackson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 525-526.