Comparatively few representatives of the medical profession attempt to give their attention to general practice, so broad and complex has become the scope of medical and surgical science. Many concentrate upon single lines, thereby developing skill that could otherwise never be attained and following this recognized course of the present age Dr. Vaughan has become an obstetrician and gynecologist. He was born in Huntsville, Randolph county, Missouri, March 16, 1888, a son of Walter William Vaughan, also a native of Missouri, born at Bridgeton, St. Louis county. His parents were William R. and Harriett Newell (Patton) Vaughan, pioneer settlers of St. Louis county who removed from Virginia to Missouri in 1844. Walter William Vaughan was reared and educated in St. Louis county and also attended the Fayette (Mo.) Central College, and was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1890 from the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has been in active practice in St. Louis for the past thirty years, long recognized as an able physician of the city. He married Ella M. Peery, a native of this state, her birth having occurred near Mexico in Audrain county. Her father, Franklin P. Peery, was one of the early residents of the state, representing a family from Kentucky. To Dr. and Mrs. Walter W. Vaughan three children were born, two of whom have passed away.
Dr. John Russell Vaughan, the only surviving child of the family, was graduated from the Central high school with the class of 1906. In preparation for his professional career he attended Washington University and received his M. D. degree in 1910. He spent the succeeding year as interne in the Washington University Hospital in charge of obstetrics and then entered upon private practice in which he has since engaged save for the war period. He entered the service of his country on the 16th of March, 1918, with the rank of first lieutenant and was assigned to the Base Hospital at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, and later was transferred to the Camp Hospital at Camp Colt, Pennsylvania, as chief of surgery. In June, 1918, he was promoted to a captaincy. He afterward served in the General Hospital at Cape May, New Jersey, in August and September, 1918, and then went overseas on the 27th of October with Base Hospital, No. 103, as chief of surgery, being on duty at Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon in France, receiving his honorable discharge May 10, 1919. With his return to St. Louis he entered upon professional duties as a gynecologist and obstetrician and has gained wide recognition for his ability in his special field.
On the 6th of March, 1912, in St. Louis, Dr. Vaughan was married to Miss Sara Elizabeth Thomas, a native of Texas and a daughter of Edward J. and Mary A. (Andrews) Thomas. They became the parents of two children: John Russell, born in St. Louis, December 9, 1912; and William Edward, October 8, 1915.
Dr. Vaughan is a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and his membership relations also extend to the University Club of St. Louis, to University Lodge, No. 649, A. F. & A. M., and to the University City Methodist church, South,-associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern him in all the relations of life. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and elements and forces of progressive citizenship always receive his endorsement and support.