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| Pg 191, cont. 192 J. E. Gruber, M. D., physician and surgeon at Altona, was born in Clarion Co., Penn., Jan. 25, 1844. He is a son of Peter and Lydia (Mohney) Gruber, both natives of Pennsylvania, where the mother died March 7, 1853. The father came to Michigan in the fall of 1866 and located in Isabella County, engaging in mercantile business and farming, and where he is yet resident. Dr. Gruber was a pupil at the common schools until he was 15 years of age, when he entered Rimersburg Academy, Clarion Co., Penn. He was there one year and then entered Glade Run Academy, Armstrong Co., Penn., and studied two and one-half years. When he was between the ages of 18 and 19 the war broke out, and yielding to the patriotic influences which swayed the entire North, he enlisted in Company B, 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and remained in the service one year. After his enrollment he was detailed from the regiment and sent West under General Custer as a scout. On the expiration of his period of enlistment he he was honorably discharged and went home, where he remained two years and then set out on a somewhat extended tour of travel going through Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and Arkansas. At Little Rock he entered the service of the Government as a scout, and was stationed at Fort Arbuckle, Indian Territory. He had headquarters there for about one year, when he left the employ of the United States, and came North through Kansas, Missouri and Iowa to Michigan, where he was a partner with his father in mercantile business, located at Salt River, Isabella Co. This relation existed about three years and closed by sale. Dr. Gruber then went to Clare, Clare Co., Mich., and continued to prosecute his medical studies, which he had done as opportunity offered for a long period. On the 1st of July, 1874, he went to Estella, Gratiot Co, and began the practice of his profession with his brother-in-law, Dr. F. S. Marvin. He operated there until the following April. At that date he carried out a long settled plan to make a permanent location, which he did by fixing upon Altona as a field for future operations, and there began his career as a local practitioner, June 1, 1875. In 1880 he went to Chicago and entered the Rush Medical College and attended lectures with the class of '80 and '81. In October of that year he went to Fort Wayne, Ind., and there attended the Medical College, receiving his diploma, March 2, 1882. Dr. Gruber has an enviable reputation as a practitioner, and enjoys the confidence of a large circle of patrons and friends. His skill and attention to business has secured for him a satisfactory and increasing practice, and his devotion to his duties is such that he is sure to rise in his profession. Dr. Gruber was married at Salt River, Isabella Co., Mich., June 2, 1870, to Sarah M., only daughter of David K. and Elizabeth (Fordyce) Frey. Their four children were born as follows: Edgar E., Jan. 26, 1872; Lillian M., June 24, 1875; Gertrude, March 22, 1878, and John F., Dec. 25, 1880. Dr. Gruber has held the office of Town Clerk two years. He was Postmaster under Grant, Hayes and Garfield, and resigned the post in the fall of 1882. He was Democratic candidate for the office of Probate Judge in 1875, but was defeated by a small majority. In connection with his practice, Dr. Gruber owns and manages a drug store. |