Dr. O. S. Somerville, who has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Bartlesville during the past sixteen years, is also a prominent factor in financial circles as Vice President of the Bartlesville State Bank. His birth occurred in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on the 11th of February, 1871, his parents being Andrew and Margaret (Slaven) Somerville, the latter also a native of West Virginia. Andrew Somerville, who followed general agricultural pursuits in that state throughout his active business career, passed away in 1899, while his wife was called to her final rest in 1913.
In the acquirement of his education O. S. Somerville attended the common schools of Elizabeth, Parkersburg and Rockport, while his professional training was received in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, and in the Louisville Medical College of Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to his, graduation from the latter institution, however, he taught school in West Virginia. He came to Oklahoma in 1904 and engaged in the practice of medicine at Oktaha for a year and a half, on the expiration of which period he took up his abode in Bartlesville, where he has followed his profession continuously since. Dr. Sutton and Dr. Woodring are the only physicians in Bartlesville at the present time who were here at the time of the arrival of Dr. Somerville in 1905. He has devoted his attention to the general practice of medicine and surgery and has been very successful therein, demonstrating his ability in the satisfactory treatment of many difficult cases. In connection with his professional activity he has also been most successful as an oil developer but has now disposed of his interests of this character. He is, however, still the Vice President of the Bartlesville State Bank and a factor in its capable control and management.
In 1891 Dr. Somerville was united in marriage to Miss Gretta M. Coe of Rockport, West Virginia, and they have become parents of two daughters: Rae L., who is now the wife of D. V. Swing of Bartlesville ; and Virginia L., who is the widow of Dr. W. C. Foster, late of Casper, Wyoming. Dr. Somerville is a Knights Templar and Scottish Rite Mason and belongs to all of the Masonic bodies in the state. He also has membership in the Bartlesville Country Club. He is likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a life member of the Rotary Club. Dr. Somerville has held the following official positions: United States pension examiner, County Superintendent of health, city Superintendent of health, County physician, President of the Washington County Medical Association and member of the Advisory Board. He has been local surgeon at Bartlesville for the M. K. & T. Railroad for several years. He was on the Advisory Board during the World war. Whatsoever his hand finds to do, whether in his profession or in any other sphere, he does with his might and with a deep sense of conscientious obligation.