Joseph S. Shinn, M. D. Among the medical practitioners of Miami county who have worked their way to recognition, one who is favorably known because of his attainments as a specialist in the cure of blood diseases is Dr. Joseph S. Shinn, of Troy. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, February 3, 1879, a son of Joseph W. and Laura M. (Swearinger) Shinn, natives of the same county, where his father was a leading member of the bar and served as county auditor, county clerk and prosecuting attorney. He was finally elected to the Ohio legislature in 1888-1889, and was one of the leading members of that distinguished body, being sponsor of the bill which validated titles for farmers on certain lands in question. He died at West Union, in 1891. He and his wife were the parents of two children: Joseph S. and Nellie. Joseph S. Shinn attended the public schools and normal school at West Union, following which he commenced a course at Starling Medical College, from which he was graduated with his degree in 1905 . He specialized in the treatment and cure of blood diseases of a virulent type, and after taking post-graduate work at Chicago began practice at Troy in 1905. Here he soon built up a large and lucrative practice, which he gave up September 26, 1918, to enter the United States Army medical service at Fort Oglethorpe as first lieutenant, hospital corps. His services were confined to treating all enlisted men infected with virulent blood diseases and segregating them from their fellows until they had been successfully treated. His military duties completed and his honorable discharge secured, Doctor Shinn returned to Troy, January 1, 1920, and since that time has been engaged in caring for his practice as a specialist. He has something more than a local reputation as an authority and expert in his particular line of research, to which he has devoted much study, investigation and thought. He spent much time and money in advocating the passage of the Hughes law, which would have provided for the segregation and treatment of persons infected with communicable sexual diseases. He belongs to the various organizations of his profession, including the county, state and national medical bodies, and is a Mason and a member of the American Legion. He married Marvel, daughter of John Henry Winters, of Troy. They have no children.