USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
By January, the prospective Turfman had changed its nomen to the Ameri- can Trotter-and the date fixed for its first issue was March 1st. Mr. Frank Whitney, a talented young artist from Chicago, had been secured to design the cover pages, and the result was highly artistic. Before the first issue was in type subscriptions were pouring in at a marvelous rate. One enthusiast from Indiana in remitting his first year's subscription added. "I expect to renew annually for the next fifty years, after that I do not expect to be interested in Vol. I~34
530
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
trotters." The office of the American Trotter was opened in the Phillips block on Chatham Street, the first floor was occupied by the business office and editorial rooms, with the composing, mailing and press rooms in the double basement. A big five horse power water motor propelled the machinery. The first issue was published March 1, 1891, and at the end of the first year 10,000 subscribers were enrolled, which circulation steadily increased up until the time it suspended publication, which was in the fall of 1893. This is an unusual state of affairs, but owing to Mr. Williams' financial reverses, the paper along with the other concerns of which he was the motive power, suffered. The paper under the able management of C. B. Gildersleeve, with S. S. Toman and M. A. Smith, both of exceptional ability and experience, was bound to succeed and gained the enviable reputation of being the best journal devoted to the horse industry in the entire country, and had the concern been finaneed through this crisis by some of the Independence business men, it might have flourished for many years. Mr. Toman went to New York City, where he published the American Horseman. Mr. Gil- dersleeve removed from Independence to Galesburg with Mr. Williams. Mr. M. A. Smith for several years contributed a column known as sporting news to the . county papers (the Bulletin-Journal and Conservative) and to sporting and horse papers.
THE SATURDAY HERALD
The Saturday Herald came into existence on Saturday, October 5, 1895. Its exeuse for existence expressed in its own words was that "Believing there is a field and a welcome in Independence for a bright, lively, newsy paper, The Sat- urday Herald has arrived and makes application for citizenship." In asking for recognition, it deviated somewhat from the usual custom of candidates for public favor, in that it made few promises, or pledges and did not espouse the cause of any political party, would be the organ of no faction and would fight no one's battles but its own. It is not for the purpose of filling any long felt want, that the Ilerald threw its hat in the ring (so to speak) ; but it intended to create a want and then fill it and many other palpable reasons and intentions were elucidated.
The Ilerakl was really an outgrowth of the printing business established in Independence by Mr. E. W. Raymond in the spring of 1894. Charles A. Durno and E. W. Raymond were the publishers and proprietors. Mr. Durno acted as editor and E. W. Raymond as business manager. The Herald's office was in a building directly opposite the Gedney Opera House on the second floor.
This paper flourished for a season under this efficient management and gave their subscribers as they intimated they would, "news in a concise and correct way, free from sentiment and prejudice." Their specialty was local news and when they could not find a sufficiency they proceeded to manufacture it. The editorials were particularly elever at times, some of the literary geniuses among the young men of the town lent their literary ability. After a short time Mr. Raymond sold his interest to Mr. II. A. Allen, the firm was then Allen and Durno, and soon thereafter Mr. Allen gained entire control of the business. In October, 1897, F. S. Wilcox, managing editor, severed his connection and the paper was in charge of Mr. Emmet Allen, who conducted it for about a year and a half.
531
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
when the enterprise was abandoned. It has never been satisfactory demon- strated that Independence can support three weekly papers, at least for any long period of years and this venture, although starting under such auspicious con- ditions, but proved again the already demonstrated fact.
THE BUCHANAN COUNTY SCHOOLS
The first issue of the Buchanan County Schools, an educational publica- tion edited by County Superintendent E. C. Lillie and Professor Buechele, appeared in January, 1899. This publication was devoted to the interests of teachers and educators, contained a large amount of general reading matter per- taining to educational matters and school work and several columns of local news concerning work in the county.
This publication was continued for only a short time, the moving spirit. Mr. Lillie, for a time retired from public life on account of ill health.
The Advocate and Reformer, a religions weekly was published in Independ- ence in the early '80s. It was edited by F. M. Robertson and published by Mr. J. E. Cates and had prospects of becoming the official organ of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the state. The office was located over Edwards' grocery. The paper deserved and received the generous support of the church whose interests it represented.
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION ,
EARLY PRACTITIONERS-TIIE BUCHIANAN COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY-THE PHYSICIANS OF TODAY-INDEPENDENCE HOSPITALS
When the first doctors began practice in Buchanan County they did not visit their patients in automobiles. Even if the automobile had been in exist- ence, the condition of the roads-where there were any roads at all-was such. that the vehicle would have been practically useless. Consequently the doctor relied upon his trusty horse to carry him on his round of visits. His practice extended over a large expanse of country and frequently, when making ealls in the night with no road to follow but the "blazed trail," he carried a lantern with him, so that he could find the road in case he lost his way. On his return home he would drop the reins upon the horse's neck and trust to the animal's instinet to find the way.
As there were then no drug stores to fill prescriptions, the doctor carried his medicines with him in a pair of "pill-bags"-two leathern boxes divided into compartments for vials of different sizes and connected by a broad strap that could be thrown across the saddle. Besides the lancet, his prineipal surgical instrument was the "turnkey" for extracting teeth. A story is told of a man onee complaining to a negro barber that the razor pulled, to which the colored man replied : "Yes sah ; but if the razor handle doesn't break de beard am bound to come off." So it was with the pioneer doctor as a dentist. Onee he got that turnkey fastened on a tooth, if the instrument did not break the tooth was bound to come out.
And vet these old-time doctors, erude as were many of their methods, were the forerunners of and paved the way for the specialists in this beginning of the twentieth century. They were not selfish and if one of them discovered a new remedy or a new way of administering an old one he was always ready to impart his information to his professional brethren. If one of these old physicians could come back to earth and step into the office of one of the leading physicians, he would doubtless stand aghast at the many surgical instruments and appliances, such as microseopes, stethoscopes and X-ray machines, and might not realize that he had played his humble part in bringing about this march of progress.
Among the early physicians of the county may be mentioned the following :
Dr. R. W. Wright became a settler here in 1851, remaining until 1860, when he went to Missouri. IIe, while here, was in the full practice of his profession, and was an active, energetic business man.
533
534
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
THE BUCHANAN COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
The physicians from Independence were, from early times, accustomed to hold meetings for consultation, exchange of views, the establishment of fee-rates, ete .; but no society was formed, embracing the entire county, till 1878. On the eighth day of May, in that year, upon a call issued by some of the leading physicians of the county, a meeting was held and an organization effected, with the name of "The Buchanan County Medical Society."
This organization has never comprised all the regular practitioners of the county, since some do not regard the benefits of association as fully compensating for the slight sacrifice of freedom and independence which membership in the society imposes.
Meetings were held on the third Thursday of May, August, November, and February, at which discussions were held in regard to miscellaneous matters connected with the interests of the profession, and interesting cases were reported that are met with in the practice of the members.
Doctor House was largely instrumental in the organization of the society, was elected as its first president and continued in office until his death in Janu- ary, 1880, when Dr. G. IT. Hill, superintendent of the insane hospital, was elected to the office and held it continuously for seventeen years. In 1897 Doctor Hill resigned and Doctor Ward, of Fairbank, was elected to the office.
On the 21st of September, 1904, the Buchanan County Medical Society met at the Gedney Hotel parlors for the purpose of reorganization to conform with the laws of the State Medical Association and the national organizations, and the election of officers resulted as follows: President, Dr. A. G. Shellito, of Independence; vice president, Dr. G. B. Ward, of Fairbank; secretary and treasurer, Dr. JJ. H. MeGready, of Independence. Censors: Doctor Sherman, Independence: Doctor Malloy, Fairbank; Doctor Doolittle, Hospital; Doctor Ward was elected as delegate to the State Medical Convention.
Meetings are held once a month and subjects pertaining to medicine, disease, and operations are discussed. Many fine papers are delivered before this body, and the latest and most applied scientific discoveries of their profession are studied.
We wonkl positively assert without fear of controversy that Buchanan County and Independence particularly, has as skilled and competent a class of physicians as any place in the United States. One fact to prove this assertion is that their services are employed not only throughout the State of lowa, but in other states, and many patients from elsewhere come to Independence to seek consultation and for operations.
Dr. Joseph B. Powell settled here in the spring of 1852. He devoted his whole attention to the practice of his profession, and was an experienced prac- titioner. He was a graduate of a medical school in Ohio. Ile came from Reeds- burgh, Ohio, to this county. He bought a farm about one mile northeast of the City of Independence, where, in 1855, he died.
Dr. 11. 11. Hunt was born in Baltimore, Maryland. July 4, 1823. He com- pleted a course in medieine and for several years practiced in Ohio. In 1853 he located at Independence, lowa, and continued the practice of medicine here until his death, on September 24, 1896.
535
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
In 1862 Doctor Hunt entered the Union Army, enlisting as a private in Company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and was immediately promoted to the position of hospital steward, which position he held until 1864, when he was transferred to the Twenty-first Iowa, receiving the appointment of assist- ant surgeon. Ile served until Lee's surrender and was mustered out in July, 1865. At the close of the war he returned to his Independence home and resumed the practice of his profession. Ile was a man beloved by all, social, genial and kind.
Dr. George B. Parsons came here in 1854 and entered upon the practice of his profession. He graduated from the medical department of Yale University, about 1852. Ile practiced his profession in Connecticut, his native state, for a short time before coming West. While here he also kept a drug store in con- nection with his practice. At the breaking out of the Civil war, he was among the first to enlist in the service of his country. He was a captain while in the war. When the war closed, he returned to the City of Independence, but remained here but a short time.
Dr. J. A. Ward settled here in 1854 and remained, for some ten years. He removed to Fairbank, where he practiced his profession for many years, also keeping a drug store.
Dr. George Warne settled here on the twenty-ninth day of May, 1856. He commeneed the practice of medicine in Wisconsin, and continned in praetiee there for nine years. The doctor was the originator of the Cedar Valley Medi- cal Society, and was its first president. Ile materially assisted in forming the Buchanan County Medieal Society ; was a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, and one of its pioneers; was connected with the American National Medical Association, in 1880 a delegate to their convention in New York City.
JOHN G. HOUSE, M. D.
The subject of this brief memoir was of New England ancestry, both parents being natives of Connecticut. He inherited the best traits of the New Eng- land character, and early laid the foundation of an eminent useful life on these solid virtues: industry, integrity and perseverance.
John Gates House was born in Cazenovia, Madison County, New York, on the 26th of April, 1816. Hle removed to Independence, Iowa, on the 1st of May, 1861.
At the time of his death, January 1, 1880, he had been for nineteen years an influential and leading character of the town and county. Ile had been for eleven years a member of the lowa Medical Society, and presided at its meet- ings in 1875-was offered the presidency of the society for the next year, but declined to accept it. He had been also a trustee of the hospital for the insane at Independence, and secretary of the board since 1872, rendering valuable services to the institution as medical adviser. For several years he had served as examining physician for pensions.
Dr. II. C. Markham commenced the study of medicine with George W. Jen- kins, in 1856, at Kilbonrn City, Wisconsin; attended the medical department and graduated from the University of New York, receiving his diploma in 1859. He then entered upon the practice of his profession in the very place
536
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
where he had commenced its study; remaining there until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when, in 1862, he went into the service as a surgeon of the Nineteenth Wisconsin Regiment. He remained in the service for two and a half years, the most of that time in charge of Post Hospital, at Norfolk, Virginia. In 1865, he came to Buchanan County, locating at Winthrop, but in the spring of 1878 moved to Independence, where he was in practice until his death. He was examining surgeon for pensions, and local surgeon for Illinois Central Rail- road and the B. C. R. & N. Railroad, at independence, He was born in Mexico, Oswego County. New York, in 1838.
Ile died in 1901.
Dr. M. J. Powers moved to Independence in 1868 and formed a partnership with Dr. S. G. Wilson. In 1869 attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and in the winter of 1870 at Medical University, New York. He was married and had three children.
Dr. Willis A. Mellen, M. D., a native of New York, graduated at Halmemann Medical College, Chieago, March 11, 1873. He commenced the practice of his profession at Sibley, Iowa, soon after his graduation remaining there until his removal to Independence, where he was in active practice.
Dr. Samuel G. Wilson settled here in July, 1873, going into partnership with John G. House, M. D .. which continued up to the time of Doctor House's death, which occurred January 1, 1880. He prepared for and entered Lafay- ette College in Eastern Pennsylvania, but left during the junior year and commenced the study of medicine with his brother, a physician and a resident of the State of Pennsylvania. He graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1873, and at once started west. He paid special atten- tion to surgery. He married here, in the spring of 1878, a daughter of A. II. Fonda, an old settler, and had one child, a girl. Doetor Wilson was born July 7, 1850, in Pennsylvania.
Mrs. A. E. Maltison, M. D., came to this city and commenced the practice of medicine in 1874. She graduated at Ohio Eclectic Medical College, and soon after commenced the practice of medicine in Belvidere, Illinois.
Dr. J. Richards read medicine in Andrew County, Missouri, with E. W. Brown, M. D., a regular physician, in 1865-66. In 1869 he migrated to Iowa, settling at Quasqueton. He left there and went to Indiana in 1870, and prac- ticed there up to the fall of 1880, when he came back to Bnebanan County, settling in Independence.
Other doctors who practiced here for many years are Doctor Markham and Doctor Shattuck, both of whom are dead, and Doctor Howard, who in 1896 removed from Independence to Missouri, where he engaged in the practice of his profession.
Dr. Emory Sherman, who came to Independence in 1891 and practiced until about the year 1912, when he removed to State Center to make his home.
Those who are at present engaged in the profession in Independence are Dr. A. G. Shellito : Dr. R. E. Buchanan, Dr. J. H. MeGready, Dr. F. F. Agnew, Dr. E. M. Sheehan, and Dr. B. B. Sells, Allopathic.
Dr. W. C. Miller, Dr. W. G. Allen and Dr. Caroline Brooks Woodruff, Homoeopathic ; Dr. R. H. Simpson, Osteopathie; Dr. George Nelson and Dr. M. L. O'Connor, Chiropractors.
537
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
Dentists .- Dr. M. R. Brierly. Dr. G. L. Rosier, Dr. E. A. Schrader, Dr. F.
T. Plank, Dr. Gale Wheeler, and Dr. Byron Penrose.
Veterinaries-Dr N. A. Kippen and Dr. A. L. Trebon.
Dr. Bert G. Bissell, Aurora, Allopathic.
William G. Parker, Lamont, Homeopathic.
Earl Henry Trezonia. Lamont, Allopathic.
J. C. Garard, Hazleton, Allopathic.
H. II. Hunt, Hazleton, Allopathic.
M. J. Joynt, Jesup, Allopathie.
F. E. Shimer, Jesup, Allopathic.
V. W. Johnson, Quasqueton, Allopathic.
Joseph II. Murphy, Fairbank, Allopathic.
Edward Malloy, Fairbank, Allopathic.
G. B. Ward, Fairbank, Allopathie.
George W. Bothwell, Fairbank, Allopathic.
G. B. Thompson, Winthrop, Allopathic.
HI. A. Householder, Winthrop, Allopathic.
Charles B. Rentz, Rowley, Allopathic.
M. J. Hyde, Brandon, Allopathic.
Everett C. Ward, Brandon. Allopathic.
1
INDEPENDENCE HOSPITALS
This advertisement appeared in an 1874 paper and further proves the state- ment that there is nothing new under the sun: "Electric Water Cnre-Mrs. J. E. Loomis, an M. D., of wide experience and general practice, established an Electric Water Cure Institution in the Morse Block." Her special use of the electro-thermal bath for chronic ailments had met. with flattering suecess in this community and continued to elicit a muerative practice here for several years.
The first sanitarium in Independence, properly speaking, was opened in Mr. James Whait's house in the Second Ward, with Mrs. Henrietta B. Ward, of Kansas City, a graduate of the Hopkins Theological Seminary, as healer and teacher.
Independence has never been inspired to build a city hospital, either through lack of public interest, or sufficient agitation, certainly not for the want of patients or necessity of such an institution, for the private institutions have proved a benefit and a blessing, if not a remunerative proposition to the proprietors.
At different times the doctors and nurses have conducted private hospitals. Doctor Buchanan some years ago had his residence property in the Fifth Ward enlarged and fitted up as a private hospital and it still continues in operation.
Doctor Shellito, after completing an elegant new residence in the Second Ward (now the home of L. D. Stocking), conducted a hospital therein for severel months, when he occupied it as a private dwelling.
Miss Anne Smyth fitted up and conducted a hospital in the Holman resi- dence property in the First Ward for several years and the last venture of the kind was when Miss Mary MeClernon remodeled and fitted up their large resi- denee in the First Ward for a city hospital, but in spite of the faet that patients were numerous in every case, the remuneration does not warrant .he expenditure of labor and responsibility required to conduct such an institution.
CHAPTER XXIX BENCH AND BAR
THE JUDICIARY -- MEMBERS OF THE BAR-SOME LEGAL CASES OF NOTE
In the year 1847 there stood a small wooden building on the corner of Main and Court streets, in the City of Independence, the spot where what is called the Brewer Block now stands. The small, dingy front room of this building was used as the county clerk's office and courtroom. The back end was occupied by Dr. Edward Brewer and family.
In the fall of that year, a gruff-looking man, in a one-horse buggy, drove up to the front door of this building and from his seat called for the clerk of the court to appear. Doctor Brewer modestly stepped to the door, when the following colloquy took place :
"Is this the clerk of the court ?"
"It is."
"I am JJudge Grant. Are there any cases on the docket ?"
"Yes, there are two. One an original case ; the other an appealed case from a justice of the peace."
"Bring the docket out here."
The Doctor carried the doeket out to the buggy. Says the Judge :
"Do you know anything about these cases?"
"I do. One is an original case against myself ; that is to be dismissed. The other is an appeal from a justice by the defendant. I am counsel for the plaintiff. That is to be affirmed."
"All right. Enter them up accordingly."
And the Judge drove off. Thus ended the first court ever held in Buchanan County.
Doctor Brewer had just been elected county clerk, the first clerk of the county, and a position which he held continuously for the next twenty-one years.
Court was held the following year by Judge Grant in a log building just south of the Doctor House dwelling, in what is now the street. The year fol- lowing it was held in an okt building occupying the ground where the First National Bank now stands. It was at this place that a scene occurred which illustrates the practice of the times, likewise the peculiarities of Judge Grant, and the summary manner of dispensing justice.
Two men from Black Hawk County were here on trial for disturbing the peace. As was usual in those days, a large number of neighbors and friends
539
540
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
of the parties, and a host of witnesses, were on hand. As the skirmish was about to commence, the Judge said to Doetor Brewer :
"Call out all the men from Black Hawk County and have them stand in a row."
This was done, and enough stood in the row to make a good-sized militia company.
"Now," says Judge Grant, "put all those men under bonds to keep the peace." It was done at once, and court adjourned.
The next year T. S. Wilson was elected judge of the District Court. llis first term was held in the old Methodist Church, just back of the present church. This building resembled a nine-pin alley, and was just about as large. The year following it was held in the upper room of the stone building now occupied by Tom Curtis as a livery stable and in a school building where the jail now stands. It was afterwards held in a wooden building just south of Orville Fonda's store, on the west side of the river, and afterwards, in 1857, in the present new courthouse.
The first judge of the District Court of this county was James Grant, of Davenport, who held his position from 1847 to 1853. The second was T. S. Wilson, of Dubuque, who held his first term in June, 1853, and his last term in September, 1862. The third was James Burt, of Dubuque, who held his first term in April, 1863, and his last term in October, 1870. The Fourth, J. M. Bray- ton, of Delaware County, who held his first term in April, 1871, and his last term in April, 1872. The fifth, D. S. Wilson, of Dubuque, who held his first term in October, 1872, and his last term in September, 1878. The sixth, S. Bagg, of Waterloo, from January 1, 1879, to JJanuary 1, 1882. Seventh, C. F. Couch, of Waterloo, from 1883 to 1890. Buchanan County was in the meantime em- braeed in the Tenth Judicial Distriet and J. D. Eincham, of Dubuque, served from 1887 to 1891. J. J. Ney, of Independence, from 1887 to 1894. Fred O'Donnell, of Dubuque. from 1891 to 1894. J. h. Husted, of Waterloo, from 1891 to 1894. Dubuque County was then made a district by itself, and A. S. Blair, of Manchester, served from 1894 to 1906. J. J. Tollerton, of Cedar Falls, from 1895 to 1897. F. C. Platt, of Waterloo, from 1898 to 1915. C. E. Ransier, of Independence, from 1907 to 1912. G. W. Dunham, of Manchester, was appointed in 1912. C. W. Mullen, of Waterloo, in 1913, both of whom, with H. B. Boies, of Waterloo, were just elected for four years.
FIRST TERM OF CIRCUIT COURT
The first term of the first Circuit Court of Buchanan County was held in March, 1869, S. Bagg, of Waterloo, judge. The first ease tried in this court was D. D. Iloldridge vs. Andrew Nicolia.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.