Biography of Frank D. Fanning, M. D., pages 616/617/618.  History of 
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 
1914.



Frank D. Fanning, M. D.



	There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due from the world 
at large than the self-sacrificing, sympathetic, noble-mined men whose 
life work is the alleviation of suffering and the ministering of 
comfort to the afflicted, to the end that the span of human existence 
may be lengthened and a greater degree of satisfaction enjoyed during 
the remainder of their earthly sojourn.  There is no standard by which 
their beneficent influence can be measured, their helpfulness being 
limited only by the extent of their knowledge and skill, while their 
power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of nature that spring 
from the very source of life itself.  Some one has aptly said, “He 
serves God best who serves humanity most.“  Among the physicians and 
surgeons of DeKalb county who have risen to eminence in their chosen 
field of endeavor is the subject of this review, whose career has been 
that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his 
life and energies have been devoted and whose profound knowledge of his 
profession has won for him a leading place among the most distinguished 
medical men of his day and generation in the city of his residence.

	Frank D. Fanning, an enterprising physician and public-spirited 
citizen of Butler, DeKalb county, Indiana, was born on May 4, 1873, at 
Butler, DeKalb county, and is a son of Dr. Fred W. and Carrie M. 
(Myers) Fanning.  Fred W. Fanning, who was born at Belleville, Ontario, 
in 1841, was educated in Coburg College, Coburg, Ontario, graduated in 
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and shortly 
afterward he located at Butler, DeKalb county, Indiana, where he 
practices his profession for thirty-six years, having previously been 
located at Beaver Dam, Ohio, for two years.  His record was an 
honorable one as a citizen and professional man and he stood among the 
leaders of his profession in this part of the state.  To him and his 
wife were born two sons, the subject of this sketch and Charles H., who 
is a stationary engineer at Bryan, Ohio.

	Frank D. Fanning received a good public school education and then 
attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, after which he 
matriculated in the medical department of the University of Illinois at 
Urbana, where he graduated in 1897 with a degree of Doctor of Medicine.  
Immediately afterwards he came to Butler and became a partner of his 
father in the practice of his profession, remaining with him until the 
latter’s death, since which time he has engaged in the practice alone 
on his own account.  He has been eminently successful in his treatment 
of diseases, having handled many very difficult cases and is held in 
high repute among his professional brethren.  He specializes in 
diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, of which he has made a close 
and critical study, and in which he is considered an authority. He is a 
local surgeon for the Pennsylvania, Wabash and Lake Shore railroads and 
is a member of the Wabash Railway Surgeons’ Association, the Lake Shore 
& Michigan Southern Railway Surgeons’ Association and the Pennsylvania 
Railway Surgeons’ Association. He possesses that broad human sympathy 
which aids him too sympathize with those who come to him for assistance 
and in the sick room he carries the spirit of optimism and hopefulness 
which enter so largely into the successful treatment of physical 
ailments.

	For many years Dr. Fanning has had a keen interest in political 
affairs and is now an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of the 
Progressive party. Religiously, he is a member of the Church of Christ, 
while his fraternal relations are with the Free and Accepted Masons, 
Modern Woodmen of America and Lodge No. 158, Knights of Pythias.

	In 1888 Dr. Fanning married Florence B. Agler, the daughter of 
Hiram and Laura Agler, of Butler. Dr. Fanning is an enthusiast in his 
chosen calling, a close student, and original thinker and an untiring 
investigator.  He avails himself of every legitimate means to keep in 
touch with the trend of modern medical thought and is familiar with the 
leading authorities, having a fine professional library in which he 
spends much of his time when not responding to the calls of his 
numerous patrons.  In him are combined two facts which have been the 
main contributing elements of his success; thorough preparation and 
deep interest in the profession, qualities which are absolutely 
essential to advancement in a calling requiring such proficiency and 
skill as the healing art.  His knowledge of the kindred sciences of 
medicine and surgery is broad and comprehensive and in his professional 
labors he has shown himself amply qualified to cope with the intricate 
problems that continually confront he practitioner in his efforts to 
prolong life and restore health. Personally, he is genial and 
unassuming and easily makes friends and enjoys a wide and loyal 
acquaintance throughout the county.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com