Goodspeed's Biographies Goodspeed's History of Greene County -- 1887

William Girdner, M. D.

William Girdner, M. D., was born at Flag Branch, Greene County, September 18, l808, the son of Conrad and Eva (George) Girdner, the former born in Northhampton County, Penn., February 20, 1787. The father was of German origin, the son of Michael and Huldah (Beach) Girdner.

Conrad was two years old when they set out with two horses and a wagon for the wilds of Tennessee, in February, 1792, on a seven weeks' journey. Conrad went to school to Charles O'Neal, an Irishman, who was teaching during one of the Indian wars. In 1807 he left home and married Elizabeth, a daughter of Yost George, who spent the first four years of his life in Germany. Conrad then settled on the land given him by his father. His grandfather David and his wife, the latter driving, came to Greene County with a team of horses; he died on Richland Creek, and Conrad died at his home May 11, 1882. Our subject, Catherine, John, Delilah, Luther, Eliza, Mary J., Stephen, Alexander, Nancy and Sally are Conrad's children.

William graduated from Greeneville College when about twenty-two, and began studying medicine under Dr. Broyles. He began practice May 1, 1837, at Cedar Creek, Greene County, and has scored over a half century of success.

September 24, 1839, he married Mary A., a daughter of John Link. Their children are Robbley, Douglason, Laura, Ione, Emma, William H. and John H. She died September 14, 1871, and June 24, 1884, M. J. Cavener, nee Leming, became his wife. Our subject earned his education himself. He has been a Lutheran for about sixty years.

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