J. F. Brendel, M.D.

The name of Dr. J. F. Brendel, of Zionsville, Boone county will be held in lasting honor as one of the ablest physicians and surgeons that ever gave loyal service in behalf of suffering humanity in this locality, for his life has been characterized not only by the most adroit professional ability but also by the most profound human sympathy which overleaped mere sentiment to become an actuating motive, for when a youth he realized that there was no honor not founded on genuine worth, that there was a vital purpose in life and that the best and highest accomplishment must come from a well-trained mind and an altruistic heart. Those who know him well are unstinted in their praise of his superior ability and his genial and forceful individuality. Older men in the profession here have often relied upon his judgment and younger ones have frequently sought his counsel, all admitting his eminence.

Dr. Brendel was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, August 9, 1853. He is a son of Frederick Brendel, who was born in North Carolina, and was a son of John Brendel, a native of Germany, from which country he emigrated to America in an early day and founded the home in the new world. Frederick Brendel spent his earlier years in the old Tar state, and devoted his life to farming for the most part, however, conducted a grocery store for some years and also a general store, and was a successful man of affairs. He married Elizabeth Jones, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Benjamin Jones, a pioneer preacher and a widely-known man in his day, being one of the picturesque circuit riders in this country. He was of Scotch-English blood. The death of Frederick Brendel occurred in 1871, when past his three score and ten, he having been born in 1800. His wife was born in 1837 and her death occurred in 1856. Two children were born to them. Dr. J. F., of this sketch; and Dr. B. F., a prominent physician of Cass county, Nebraska.

Dr. J. F. Brendel was reared in Hamilton county. He received his early education in the common and high schools and by close home study. In 1881 he went to Cass county, Nebraska and studied medicine with his brother. Dr. B. F. Brendel, and he began practicing medicine in 1883, and has thus been continuously in the practice for a period of thirty years. He studied medicine in the Indiana Physio Medical College, from which he was graduated in March, 1892. He also took a post-graduate course in this institution in 1898. He established himself in the practice in Boone county and he and his son enjoy a large and lucrative practice, maintaining an office at Zionsville, being regarded among the leading general practitioners of the county.

Dr. J. F. Brendel was married January 20, 1878 to Mary Miller, who was born in i860, in Indiana, and is a daughter of Louis O. Miller, also a native of this state. She has proven to be a most faithful and helpful companion, and has borne her husband three children, namely : Mattie, who married Erna Harvey, cashier of the bank at Zionsville: G. Stultz, the second child lives in Zionsville; and Dr. O. E.. the youngest child, who was graduated from the Indiana Physio Medical College at Indianapolis, May 9, 1907. He is building up a large practice, and he and his father have a finely equipped office, well-furnished and in a substantial building. The son married Helen Tarlton. The elder doctor and family are members of the Christian church,
and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and Modern Woodmen of America.

Source Citation: Boone County Biographies [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2008. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: Hon. L. M. Crist. "History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families." Indianapolis, Ind.: A. W. Bowen, 1914. pp 630-634.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - October 6, 2008