Dr. Urastus C. Purdum (1871-1938) was a 1893 graduate of the Ohio College of Dental Surgery.

In 1928 Dr Purdum was the earliest graduate to practice in Cambridge, Ohio out of 18 dental practitioners. None of the 18 were preceptor trained–all were dental school graduates. The town had a population of 14,200.

He married Bertha May Shroyer (16 May 1877, Muskingum Co., OH to 14 September 1945, Cambridge, Guernsey, Ohio).

Dr Purdum was part of the New York Dentist group similar in style to the Albany Dentists in that they were a loosely affiliated group of dentists. They advertised extensively and were in many towns and villages.

In 1910 he practiced at 802 Wheeling Avenue and lived at 1025 Steubenville Avenue. He had a telephone at each location.

By 1918 he was listed in city directories at the Craig Building, the same address as on the bookmark.

His parents were Zachery A. Purdum (1848-1900) and Mary E. Culley (-1920).

Dr Purdum choose a bookmark to advertise his practice in Cambridge, Guernsey County, Ohio (oictured at right). Most of the bookmarks of the day that were used to advertise dentists or dental products were chromolithograph printed on card stock similar to the ubiquitous advertising trade cards popular from circa 1880s on. A few were celluloid, but Dr. Purdum's was a heart-shaped aluminum bookmark with a surround of embossed flowers and a bow. The text was printed in black.

The Polk Dental Directories (1893-1928) list Dr. Purdun as having practiced in Nampa, Idaho initially after graduation from dental school in 1893. In the biography below we find that his grandfather, Elisha G. Purdum, and several other family members were living in Nampa, a booming railroad town. The 1893 graduation date has been confirmed by directories and the Dental Cosmos which lists members of his class. He is then listed in all the directories as in Cambridge, Ohio except for the 1896-97 directory which does not list him.

This would dovetail with his bio below that states he was also in Pittsburg, Ohio and Buffalo, New York before coming to Cambridge, Ohio. His bio states he was "in the employ of other dentists." This was most likely how his relationship with the New York Dentists was established. He is supposed to have established his practice in Cambridge in 1894 and to have remained there but he was not listed in the 1896-97 Polk Directory. All this would lead us to the probable conclusion that the facts of the bio are most likely correct but the time line is off.

Biography of U. C. PURDUM, D. D. S.

History of Guernsey County, Ohio, Volume 2, By Cyrus Parkinson Beatty Sarchet, 1911.

U.C. Purdum was born in Washington, Guernsey county, Ohio, on April 28, 1871, the son of Zachary A. and Mary E. (Colley) Purdum. Elisha G. Purdum, his grandfather, came at an early day from near Baltimore, Maryland, to Center township, Guernsey county. He was a farmer and lived until 1901, dying in Idaho, where he had moved some years previously, most of his family having preceded him. Six sons and four daughters were born to him: Ann Rebecca, now Mrs. S. S. Sultzer, of Flushing, Ohio; Zachary A., deceased, father of U. C.; Rodolphus of Nampa, Idaho; Christian R., deceased; Thomas, deceased; William L., deceased; Mary E., now Mrs. Henry Wilterding, of Nampa, Idaho; Della, now Mrs. Melville Fordyce, of Cambridge; John A., in government employ in the canal zone; and May, deceased.

Zachery A. Purdum was in the livery and stock business for many years in Washington, Guernsey county, then was three years in Idaho, returning to Cambridge, where he was engaged in the livery business until his death, October 16, 1900. He was a man of influence and force, and had accumulated quite an estate in land and property.

To Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Purdum one son was born, U.C. Purdum the subject of this sketch. He attended the public schools of Washington, and after graduating from them attended the Ohio College of Dental Surgery at Cincinnati, graduating in 1891. He practiced in Nampa, Idaho, for two years before graduation. After graduation he went to Pittsburg, where he remained one year. In 1892 he went to Buffalo for two years, practicing in the employ of other dentists. In 1894 he came to Cambridge and opened an office for himself, and has since been here. His office is finely equipped for the successful practice of scientific dentistry, and he has all the modern appliances. He has been more than ordinarily successful in his profession.

Mr. (sic) Purdum was married on January 16, 1901, to Bertha May Shroyer, daughter of Solomon H. and Eliza (Brannan) Shroyer. Mr. Shroyer is a prominent man in Cambridge township, Guernsey county, and a farmer of considerable means. ... To Mr. (sic) and Mrs. Purdum has been born one son, Ralph E., a bright lad of seven years.

Doctor Purdum is a Democrat in politics, as were all his ancestors, but is not active, though interested in public affairs. He is a member of Cambridge lodge of Odd Fellows, and was a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Nampa, Idaho, taking much interest in the order. He and his family are members of the Methodist church, also his mother, who now makes her home with her son. Mr. and Mrs. Purdum are prominent in the social life of the city. Mr. Purdum is a lover of a good horse and keeps a fine family driver, also enjoys a day's hunting or fishing as a relaxation from business. Being fond of athletics, he delights in a good game of baseball or football. In all respects he is a strong man, and he and his family stand high in the community.