James R. Pagin, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of James R. Pagin
JAMES R. PAGIN, D. D. S., One of the long-established and most successful dentists of Valparaiso, Dr. James R. Pagin is engaged in the practice of one of the most important branches of surgery, its application being required at some period of life by almost every member of the civilized race. A son of Dr. Samuel Pagin, he was born May 1, 1864, in Washington township, Porter county, Indiana. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Pagin, a native of Virginia, followed the trail of the emigrant to the western frontier in 1832, coming to La Porte county, Indiana, and locating first on the site of the present city of La Porte. He subsequently removed to the northern portion of that county, purchased land, and engaged in farming and milling, erecting a mill and a dam, the latter of which is still in existence. He reared a family of seventeen children, all of whom lived long and goodly lives, attaining an average age of eighty years.
Brought up in La Porte county, Indiana, Samuel Pagin came to Porter county about 1850, and after his marriage settled on a farm in Washington township. Giving up agricultural pursuits about 1865, he began the study of medicine, and after his graduation from the Bennett Medical College, in Chicago, Illinois, was engaged in the practice of his profession in Valparaiso, building up an extensive and remunerative patronage. He spent his last days in Goshen, Indiana, passing away at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. Dr. Samuel Pagin married Elizabeth Malone, and to them six children were born, as follows: John, deceased; William, deceased; Harry, living on the old home farm in Washington township; Joseph, deceased; Mary, wife of George B. Mellen, of Chicago; and James R.
Obtaining his preliminary education in the rural schools of Washington township, James R. Pagin advanced in the public schools of Valparaiso, after which, in 1887, he was graduated from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. Immediately opening dental parlors in Valparaiso, he has since been busily employed in the practice of his profession in this city, by means of his skill, close attention to his professional duties and his unblemished personal reputation having succeeded in building up a lucrative patronage. The Doctor is a member of the State Dental Society, of the Northern Indiana Dental Society and of the Chicago Odontographic Society.
Dr. Pagin is a stanch Republican in politics, and is now serving as a member of the Valparaiso board of education. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, No. 137; to the Knights of Pythias, Castle Hall Lodge, No. 84; and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 500.
On January 23rd, 1888, Dr. Pagin married Lou Bundy, who was born in Valparaiso, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Hollis) Bundy, early settlers of Porter county. The Doctor and Mrs. Pagin have one child living, Helen Elizabeth Pagin, a graduate of the class of 1909, in the Valparaiso high school. Since that time she has devoted her time to instrumental music.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 692
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Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook