Samuel A. Elbert

Samuel A. Elbert
Born(1832-04-09)April 9, 1832
Maryland
DiedJuly 15, 1902(1902-07-15) (aged 70)
Indianapolis, Indiana
Resting placeCrown Hill Cemetery and Arboretum, Section 20, Lot 7
39°49′02″N 86°10′31″W / 39.8172792°N 86.1753849°W / 39.8172792; -86.1753849
EducationStudied at Oberlin College, Indiana Medical College 1869-1871
Occupation(s)American physician and politician in Indiana
Political partyRepublican

Samuel A. Elbert (April 9, 1832 – July 15, 1902) was an American physician and politician in Indiana. He was the Republican nominee for a state house seat in 1882.[1][2][3] He was the first African American to receive a medical degree in the state of Indiana.[4]

Biography

Samuel A. Elbert was born in Maryland to parents who were not enslaved. He worked as a servant, and studied at Oberlin College.[1] He moved to Indianapolis in 1866 and taught at a private school for African Americans supported by the Allen Chapel.[1]

He studied medicine with two doctors and enrolled at Indiana Medical College in 1869.[1] After a dispute he was degreed by the college in 1871, appointed to the state board of health, and established a private medical practice.[1]

He won the Republican nomination for a state house seat over incumbent James Sidney Hinton. He and other Republicans lost in the state’s general election.[5]

He married and had six children. He was a prominent A.M.E. Church member. He died at his home at 512 North Senate Avenue.[6] In 2013 a grave marker was added at Crown Hill Cemetery for Elbert.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Bodenhamer, David J.; Barrows, Robert G. (November 22, 1994). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253112494 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Bodenhamer, David J.; Barrows, Robert G. (November 22, 1994). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253112494 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Thornbrough, Emma Lou (July 21, 1964). "Since Emancipation: A Short History of Indiana Negroes, 1863-1963". Indiana Division, American Negro Emancipation Centennial Authority – via Google Books.
  4. ^ Society, Indiana Historical (July 21, 1996). Peopling Indiana: The Ethnic Experience. Indiana Historical Society. ISBN 9780871951120 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ January, Alan Frank; Walsh, Justin E. (1986). "A Century of Achievement: Black Hoosiers in the Indiana General Assembly, 1881-1986".
  6. ^ "Indianapolis Recorder 12 July 1902 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program".
  7. ^ "Indiana's 1st black physician is honored with headstone". January 28, 2013.