Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Dr. Reuben Saunders (1808-1891)
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011
1. Dr. Reuben Saunders (1808-1891) Marker
Outstanding pioneer physician in Western Kentucky for 50 years. Born in Frankfort; died in Paducah. Buried in this cemetery beside his son, Dr. John Bartlett Saunders (1840-1873), also a physician of eminence. John migrated to Honolulu, where he did research on leprosy. He was personal physician to King of Hawaii at the time of his death.
(reverse:)
Physician credited with discovery that hypodermic use of morphine-atropine halted cholera during epidemic here, 1873. Telegraphed prescription to other plague-stricken areas. Honored by Medical Associations in U.S. and Europe. First to advocate fresh air for pneumonia and tuberculosis. Grandfather of Irvin S. Cobb.
Presented by John Pearce Campbell IV
Erected 1972 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1452.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 37° 5.128′ N, 88° 37.189′ W. Marker
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase. It was also in the American Midwest, in the South, in the Upper South, and in the Ohio River Valley. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Patriot Burials (here, next to this marker); Grave of John T. Scopes / Scopes "Monkey Trial" (within shouting distance of this marker); Irvin S. Cobb (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paducah Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gen. Lloyd Tilghman (approx. Ό mile away); Linn Boyd (approx. Ό mile away); Fountain Avenue United Methodist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Chief Paduke (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paducah.
Also see . . . Reuben Saunders. Physician and Grandfather of Irvin Cobb born 1808 died 1891 buried Oak Grove Cemetery found at findagrave.com (Submitted on September 16, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Additional commentary.
1. Marker damaged
I submitted a report email to the KY Historical Society (through their website) about the marker being missing and according to the Community Engagement Coordinator, the marker was destroyed when a car hit it a few years back.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011
2. Dr. Reuben Saunders (1808-1891) Marker
— Submitted June 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, September 14, 2011
3. Entrance to Oak Grove Cemetery
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 16, 2026
4. Dr. Reuben Saunders (1808-1891) Marker
Marker is no longer there at the entrance
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 16, 2026
5. Dr. Reuben Saunders (1808-1891)
final resting place of Dr. Sanders
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 942 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 4, 5. submitted on June 16, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
