JOSEPH W. MEANS, M. D., a prominent citizen of Troy, who is well known for his professional ability throughout this, section of Ohio, was born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in 1855, his parents, Joseph and Margaret Means, being both of German descent. Having completed his literary education in Pennsylvania Academy, he came to Ohio and entered the scientific department of the National Normal University at Lebanon, from which he was graduated in 1877. The next seven years of his life were spent in teaching school,, and he proved himself an able educator, but not caring to continue longer in that occupation, he took up the study of his present profession and was graduated from the Pulte School of Medicine in 1881. Wishing, however, to acquire a further theoretical knowledge of this most difficult science, he matriculated in the Chicago Homeopathic College, where he took a post-graduate course in 1898. In 1897 he was elected president of the American Association of Orificial Surgery in Chicago and in 1900 he became president of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Ohio. The doctor has been a resident of Troy since 1881 and in that time has proved his value, not only as a professional man of high standing, but also as an intelligent citizen who keeps a close watch on public affairs. In 1899 he served as president of the City Council of Troy, being elected from the First Ward. He has made a close study of economics and it was through his influence that the city of Troy purchased the electric light plant and thereby reduced the price of current from twenty cents per thousand watts to eight cents. The Doctor is a stanch advocate of municipal ownership. In politics he is a Republican and he served for two years as coroner of Miami County. His labors on behalf of the city have been markedly beneficial and have caused him to be regarded as one of Troy's most useful and representative citizens.

Dr. Means was married, in 1881, to Miss Eola F. Roberts, of Christiansburg, Ohio, a daughter of George W. and Diantha (Corbley) Roberts. Of this union there is one daughter, Myrtle, who was born July 27 1883. She is the wife of Charles P. Bryant, a druggist of Cincinnati, Ohio. Fraternally, the Doctor is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.