From Farm Boy to Physician: Dr. Joseph C. Carson

Written by Victoria Gresham | November 20, 2023

Dr. Joseph C. Carson

Nestled in the chronicles of time are the lives of those who once walked our streets of Porter County. One such public servant was Dr. Joseph C. Carson, once a farm boy who became an upstanding physician within his community.

Dr. Joseph C. Carson came to Porter County, Indiana in 1861 as a youth. He was born on November 29, 1849 in Carroll County, Ohio to Matthew and Margaret (Knox) Carson, who were Irish immigrants. After moving to Porter County, his father farmed to provide for his family. The Carson’s had a bountiful brood of seven children, to which Joseph was their fifth child. His siblings included James E. Carson; Hanna J. (Carson) Gibbs; Ellen (Carson) Foster; Samuel Carson; Matthew A. Carson; and William H. Carson.

Dr. Carson held the office of Porter County Coroner from 1901-1910. During his tenure, he conducted numerous local inquests due to a variety of causes of death.

Photo Credit: Joseph C. Carson; Grand Trunk Railway. 1898. Headlight: Sights and Scenes Along the Grand Trunk Railway: Valparaiso, Ind. Volume 3, Number, 6, Page 13.

In Joseph’s earlier years, he took on the role of Principal with Hebron schools and held the office for two years. He pursued his higher education at the Department of Medicine at Butler University in Indianapolis to later return to Hebron as a physician.

On April 22, 1880, he married Elizabeth “Lizzie” J. Cain and held their nuptials in Porter County. The public announcement appeared in the April 29, 1880 Vidette newspaper to which it read:

“A large number of the elect society assembled at the M.E. Church, last Thursday, April 22^nd at 5 p.m. to witness the tying of the nuptial knot between our promising young physician, Joseph C. Carson and the beautiful and accomplished Miss Lizzie Cain, all of this city, by the Rev. O. R. Beebe, of North Liberty, Ind., officiating clergyman. The church was tastefully decorated; an arch of evergreens being built over the altar for this special occasion. Several excellent wedding marches were furnished by Mrs. J. E. Bryant, who as a performer on the piano, has but few superiors. Precisely at 5 o’clock the contracting parties arrived, attended by Misses Emma Sweeney and Mattie Gibson, and Messrs F. R. Bryant and O.S. Baird. The bride’s dress was seal-brown cassimere and silk, trimmed with white point-lace. The attendants also were tastefully attired. Immediately after the ceremony was performed the bridal party repaired to the residence of the bride’s mother for refreshments and from there took the 6:30 train for Chicago. The doctor proposes to make this his permanent home; and now that he has a better half to share his joys and sorrows through life, we bespeak for them an increase in his already encouraging practice. The following is a partial list of bridal presents: One set silver teaspoons; Mr. And Mrs. O. R. Beebe; handsome cut honey dish, Mattie Gibson; lady’s black valise, from the groom; point-lace tie and white kid gloves, Emma Hodges, Lafayette, Ind.; fancy work basket, from mother-of-bride; point-lace handkerchief, little Mabel Beebe; silver pickle-fork, Lida Heaton, Valparaiso, Ind; cake stand, Emma Sweeney; Silver butter-knife, E. R. Bryant; two silver tablesoons, O. S. Baird; paste set gold ring, E. S. Irvin. May they always live and ever meet with the happiness and prosperity they so richly deserve, and if the All-wise Providence sees fit to extend their probation through life together, beyond the time usually devoted to man, may they never regret the memorable day on which they were so happily united.” (Transcribed by Victoria Gresham, Archives Coordinator, Porter County Clerk Archives, Thursday, December 15,, 2023 from Vidette Publication.)

Photo Credit:

Marriage notice for Dr. Joseph C. Carson and Miss Lizzie Cain published April 29, 1880, in the Porter County Vidette, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana [Volume 24, Number 18, Page 2, Column 3].

The young Carson family consisted of one daughter named Theresa “Tressa” I. Carson, who was born on June 16, 1884.

On June 23, 1880, the Carson family lived in the Village of Hebron located in Boone Township. Lizzie’s 57- year-old mother, Elizabeth Cain, a seamstress, lived with them. By June 4, 1900, the Carson family moved to Valparaiso, Indiana to reside at 8 E. Monroe Street. At that time, Elizabeth no longer is recorded as a member of the Carson household, but living with them was Hannah Jessen, their servant, who was a 23-year-old German single female according to the Center Township census.

Source: Twelfth Census Data of Center Township; June 4, 1900; http://www.ancestry.com

In 1909, Theresa married Harry E. Gowland, an aspiring physician. Harry graduated from the Chicago Northwestern School of Medicine in 1908 and practiced medicine with Dr. Carson in Valparaiso. Harry was originally from Fort Benton, Montana, the son of Samuel and Martha (Robinson) Gowland, who were Canadian immigrants. As his career flourished, Dr. Harry E. Gowland was elected president of the Porter County Medical Society on January 3, 1921 at a meeting held at the office of Dr. Herman O. Seipel in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Dr. Joseph Carson passed away on September 5, 1916 at the age of 66 years-old and is laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery located in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana.

The following is a partial list of cases overseen by Dr. Joseph C. Carson held at the Porter County Clerk Archives during his tenure as county coroner. This list continues to grow as more records are processed by the Clerk Archives team.