Dr. Reuben Saunders
Cobb's famous maternal grandfather
An obituary of Dr. Saunders that is on Ancestry.com
DR. REUBEN SAUNDERS
The late Dr. Reuben Saunders was one of the most distinguished physicians and surgeons that ever resided in the city of Paducah. He was a native of Kentucky, born in Frankfort, in 1808. In his native city he was principally reared to manhood, and in early life was apprenticed to a book-binder. His early education consisted largely of what he learned in leisure moments from literary productions passing through his hands. In 1832 he went to Wetumpka, Alabama, and while in the south studied medicine, attended one course of medical lectures at Charleston, South Carolina, and then entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated in 1836. He then returned to Alabama, where for a period of six years he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1844 Dr. Saunders removed to McCracken county, Kentucky, locating for a few years in the country. In 1847 he located in the city of Paducah, where he continued to practice the rest of his career, which extended over a broad expanse of time and until he ripened into old age and passed away in death.
To Dr. Saunders was due the distinction of having first discovered the efficacy of belladonna as an agency in the treatment of cholera, the practice being by hypodermic injection of atropa. This discovery was made by him in 1873, and this treatment of this dreaded disease has been universally indorsed and utilized by the profession. He was a progressive professional man, and kept well informed on the progress of his profession. He was one of the most skillful of physicians, kind and generous, so much so that he was a much beloved doctor. He was no less respected as a citizen, for he was esteemed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was for years a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was also an active member of medical societies.
He was twice married, first, in 1838, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Adaline Roberts, who died in Paducah, leaving six children, one of whom, John B. Saunders, attained eminence as a physician. In 1858 Dr. Saunders married for a second wife Rebecca Lockett, of Richmond, Virginia.
Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Volume I and Volume II,
Lewis Publishing Company, 1904, pp. 91-92. McCracken Co.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/mccracken/saunders.r.txt