Nathaniel K. Moxley, M.D.
The best criterion by which to judge the technical ability and personal popularity of any physician and surgeon is that afforded in the extent and importance of the practice controlled by him, and from this viewpoint Dr. Moxley is to be designated with all consistency as one of the representative members of his profession in the Hanging Rock Iron Region. He is engaged in active general practice in the City of Ironton. has a substantial and representative clientage and is a citizen whose genial personality and intrinsic civic loyalty have gained to him inviolable place in popular esteem in his native city and county, where his status renders impossible any application of the aphorism that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country."
Doctor Moxley was born at Ironton, Lawrence County, on the 18th of May, 1860, a date that indicates that the family name became identified with the history of this section of the Buckeye State more than half a century ago. He is a son of Dr. Nathaniel K. Moxley, Sr., and Sophia (McConnell) Moxley, the former of whom was born in Tunbridge, Orange County, Vermont, on the 8th of February, 1818, and the latter of whom was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1829. The senior Doctor Moxley came to Ohio in 1843 and in 1847 he became a pioneer physician in Scioto County, where his marriage was solemnized in the following year. In 1852 he removed with his family to Ironton, where he became a prominent and honored representative of his profession and achieved high reputation as one of the able physicians and surgeons of this part of the state. Loved by all who had come within the sphere of his influence, this sterling pioneer continued his residence in Ironton until his death, in 1815, his widow surviving him by a decade and being summoned to the life eternal in 1906. Dr. Nathaniel K. Moxley, Sr., served many years as a member of the board of school examiners for Lawrence County, was county physician during the period of the Civil war, and was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The names of both him and bis noble wife merit enduring place on the roll of the honored pioneers of Ironton, which was a mere village when they here established their home. Of the four children the eldest is Miss Alice M., who still resides in Ironton; Clara A. is the wife of Harry Kinkade, of Marysville, Union County; Nathaniel K., Jr., of this review, was the next in order of birth and his name is still enrolled on the list of eligible bachelors in Lawrence County; and Lucy M., likewise un married, maintains her home at Ironton.
Dr. Nathaniel K. Moxley, Jr., continued to attend the Ironton public schools until he bad completed the curriculum of the high school, in which he was graduated in 1878. In futherance of his plan to adopt the profession that had been signally dignified and honored by the services of his father, he was matriculated in the Miami Medical College, in the City of Cincinnati, and dn this institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1883, with the concomitant reception of the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During the long intervening period of more than thirty years the doctor has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Ironton, where he has not only madntained but added new laurels to the professional reputation of the name which he bears. He has given special attention to the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases of children, in which branch of professional work he has been most successful and is a recognized authority, no attention having been given by him to surgical work since the earlier period of his professional career. He has served for a total of seven years as county coroner, having been the incumbent at different intervals, and for eight years he was retained in the office of city health officer of Ironton, his labors having been admirable in the promotion of sanitary conditions and measures and thus in safeguarding the health of the community. He is actively identified with the Lawrence County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, besides which he is serving as a member of the Board of United States Pension Examining Surgeons for Lawrence County.
Doctor Moxley is found aligned as a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party, is a member of the Congregational Church, holds membership in the Ironton Chamber of Commerce, and is a life member of Ironton Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he has served as exalted ruler. The doctor has become widely known throughout this section of Ohio and it may consistently be said that his circle of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances.
From "A Standing History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio" by Eugene B. Willard, Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman and Charles B. Taylor. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1916