Elmer E. Mace was born near Lexington in Scott county, Indiana, a son of Lambert E. and Eliza (Reid) Mace. Lambert E. Mace was born in Scott county on June 10, 1843, and died on December 19,1913, at the age of seventy years. He was a son of Albert G. and Roxanna Mace. Albert G. Mace was born in Pennsylvania and was of English descent, his father being a native of England, who came to America prior to the Revolution and settled in Pennsylvania. Albert G Mace was one of the pioneer settlers of Scott county. He was a farmer, who lived to the ripe old age of eighty-two, and spent most of his life in Scott county. He was a prosperous farmer and at his death owned about four hundred acres of land.

Lambert E. Mace, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead and spent his youth there, receiving his education in the common schools of Scott county. He was married to Eliza Reid, who was also born in Scott county on August 20, 1844. She was the daughter of Thomas Reid, the latter and his wife being natives of Scott county and pioneer citizens. Thomas Reid in the early days operated one of the first water grist-mills on Hog Creek. Eliza Reid was one of five children, of whom she was the fourth in point of years. She had three brothers and one sister. Lambert E. Mace was one of four children, one child, a girl, dying at the age of twelve years and the surviving children were Lambert E., who is the father of the subject of this sketch; Cyrus and Oliver. The last two are still living. Lambert E. Mace, after his marriage took up his residence on a farm adjoining the old homestead, where he lived for the remainder of his life, dying on December 20, 1913. In addition to his farming interests, he was a manufacturer of drain tile. He was an unusually successful farmer and business man and despite some business reverses, owned at his death two hundred and twenty acres of land. He was a member of the Christian church and his wife is likewise a member of the same church. His father was the main support of the church at Lexington. Lambert E. Mace was a Republican in politics, but in his later hears voted the Prohibition ticket. His wife is still living and resides with her daughter at Scottsburg. They were the parents of seven children: Eva, who is the wife of William Best, of Santa Barbara, California; Roxanna, who resides in Los Angeles, California; Lawson N., who is an attorney at Scottsburg; Elmer E.; Walter, who resides east of Scottsburg; Martha, who is the wife of Roland H. Weir, of Scottsburg, and Lola, who is connected with the Battle Creek sanitorium.

Elmer E. Mace was born on the old homestead of his father in Scott county. He spent his childhood and youth here and attended school in the old Frog Pond school house and later the high school at Lexington, and on graduating from the latter he entered Hanover College, where he took a two-year classical course. In 1898 he entered the Indiana Medical College, now the medical department of Indiana University, from which he graduated in the class of 1902. As a result of a competitive examination he was appointed interne at St. Vincent's hospital in Indianapolis, which position he held from May 1, 1902, to May 1, 1903. He then served at the central hospital for the insane, where he had charge of a department. All through his training, starting under the able Doctor Marsee, local surgeon of the Big Four Railroad, and afterwards under Doctor Ford, chief surgeon of the Big Four Railroad, he was during his student career associated with two of Indiana's best surgeons. Afterwards he enjoyed splendid opportunities in hospital and clinical work. After leaving the central insane hospital, he was physician in charge and assistant superintendent of the Marion county hospital for insane at Julietta, for the ensuing year. He then entered the general practice of medicine at New Palestine. This was in 1905 and for the last ten years he has enjoyed a large and increasing practice. In this time he has become thoroughly identified with the community and its interests.

On May 3, 1908, Elmer E. Mace was married to Grace Huntington, who was born in Hancock county, north of Cumberland. She was a daughter of Milton S. and Hester (Kitley) Huntington, both of Hancock county. Grace was one of three children, one of whom died in infancy. The surviving are; Grace and Milton S., who is a veterinary surgeon at New Palestine. To Elmer E. Mace and wife one child was born, Helen, on November 1, 1910.

Doctor Mace is a member of the Christian church and his wife is a member of the Baptist church. Doctor Mace is a member of New Palestine Lodge No. 404, Free and Accepted masons; New Palestine Lodge, Knights of Pythias; New Palestine Lodge No. 844, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, New Palestine Camp No. 6922, Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the Hancock Medical Society and of the Indiana State Medical Association. He is a Republican in politics and is a member of the town board. As a physician Doctor Mace is extremely popular and progressive and as a citizen his character and reputation are above reproach.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 1030-1032.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 31, 2001.

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