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James Gladden Freshour (August 15, 1876 – August 18, 1946) was an American medical doctor and a college football coach.

Freshour was born in Miami County, Ohio, to civil war veteran and banker William Freshour and Emma (Shellenberger) Freshour. He had one younger brother, William. He graduated from Wittenberg University with a B. A. degree in 1898, and a M. D. degree at Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1901, the same year his master's degree was conferred upon him at Wittenberg. He married Elizabeth Rayner on November 26, 1902, in Piqua, Ohio. Freshour opened an office in Dayton, Ohio, in 1902 and practiced medicine there until 1909.

Freshour served as the head football coach at St. Mary's College—now known as the University of Dayton—for two seasons, leading the team to a record of 5–1 in 1906 an 0–4 in 1907.

In 1909 Freshour accepted the position as physician and surgeon with the Rio Tinto Copper company, Terrasas, Mexico. He later accepted a similar position at Chihuahuas, Mexico, for LA Republica Mining company, and served on the staff of the Copper Queen Mining company at Bisbee, Arizona.

Elizabeth was granted a divorce in Reno, Nevada in 1911, citing his failure to provide for her despite a lavish lifestyle for himself. At the time of the divorce, she claimed to have not seen him since 1909, when he had taken the position in Mexico.

During World War I, Freshour served as a captain in the 148th Infantry. He was wounded in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, received the Purple Heart and was cited for the French Medal of Honor and Crois de Guerre.

On May 12, 1925, Freshour married Eva Gaskins Lee. He continued to practice medicine in Piqua after his return from World War I until his retirement in 1936, when he moved to Covington, Ohio. He died August 18, 1946, from a heart ailment, and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Piqua, Ohio.

Head coaching record

References

1. American Medical Directory, 1907 edition, page 1198
2. The Piqua Daily Call "The Wedding Invitations..." November 12, 1902; page 8
3. "2023 History Guide" (PDF). University of Dayton Athletics. p. 12. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
4. The Lima News "Piqua Woman Gets Divorce In Far Reno" May 11, 1911; page 3
5. "Dr. J. G. Freshour Dies; Coach At U.D. In 1906". The Dayton Herald. Dayton, Ohio. August 19, 1946. p. 4. Retrieved February 12, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .

• 1876 births
• 1946 deaths
• 19th-century players of American football
• 20th-century American physicians
• American football halfbacks
• Dayton Flyers football coaches
• Wittenberg Tigers football players
• University of Cincinnati College of Medicine alumni
• United States Army officers
• People from Covington, Ohio
• People from Piqua, Ohio
• Coaches of American football from Ohio
• Players of American football from Ohio
• Military personnel from Ohio
• Physicians from Ohio