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March 23, 1876 Vevay Reveille

Dr. John Mendenhall

Among the early pioneers of Vevay, stands prominent the name Dr. John Mendenhall, for a long time the leading and only physician of that place. His name can also be mentioned among the able, self-educated of olden times. At an early age left an orphan, the eldest of a number of children, he learned to depend on his own exertions educate himself, and to aid his widowed mother.

He emigrated from South Carolina, with his family, in company with number of Quaker families, to Urbana, Ohio, about the year 1809. He was residing in Urbana during the war of 1812 at which place a hospital was established for the sick and wounded in the department, and was placed in charge of the same. He was residing in Urbana until the year 1812; when after hearing glowing descriptions of a town on the Ohio River, called Vevay, with fine prospects of its soon becoming a flourishing city, he with several other families, determined to remove to Vevay. They came in covered wagons, taking about three weeks to accomplish the journey.

On the 5th of June 1817, two years after their removal to Vevay, his wife died. He married his second wife, Mrs. Martha B. Bealle, of Kentucky, on the 4th of February, 1826. During the remainder of his life he resided in Vevay, leading a quiet and peaceful life, which is the heritage the righteous. He died on the 6th of Sept. 1844. aged 74, honored and respected by all who knew him. There are but few who knew him who have survived him. In their minds the memories of his deeds as a friend, and physician still lives. The ending of his days on earth came suddenly, but quietly; like the disciple of old, he had “fought the good fight and was ready to go.”