History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history, Part 50

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918

USA > Iowa > Cass County > History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history > Part 50

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The medical fraternity of Cass county have, with few, if any exceptions, been an honor to the profession. They have ever been ready to respond to the call of duty. The winter's cold, the summer's heat, or the rains of spring and autumn could not keep them back when the cry of distress reached their ears. Not a physician in the county, especially among those who settled here at an early day, but has exper- ienced sufferings that would have deterred those in any other profession, in response to a summons to attend the bedside of a sick and suffering one. They have been compelled to cross trackless prairies, to face blizzards from the north, often with no hope of fee or reward, but only, if pos- sible, to relieve those who plead for their care. All this has been done by the phy- sicians of Cass county without complaint. If the good deeds of the profession are not remembered by those who have re_ ceived aid, a time will come when they will be remembered.

In the following review of the medical profession in the various towns and cities of the county, some of the most prominent doctors, who have practiced only for a time, will be noticed first, and then the representatives of the profession in 1884.

FIRST PHYSICIANS IN THE COUNTY.

In the early days of the county, the peo- ple were compelled to get along without medical assistance in cases of sickness or accident, and some there were who be- lieved they got along as well without as with the aid of physicians. But many felt the need of a disciple of the healing art, and in response to their wishes, Jere- miah Bradshaw went to Rockport, Mis- souri, and secured Dr. Swisher, whom he brought to Lewis. Mr. Swisher was con- sidered a good doctor, and did well. He brought his wife with him, but had the misfortune to lose her by death in 1857. Shortly afterwards he took his departure, going to Kansas.

PHYSICIANS OF LEWIS.

Doctor W. B. Swisher settled at the new town of Lewis in the fall of 1853, and was the pioneer physician of that town, and the second in the county. He "hung out his shingle," and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he continued about a year, when he departed for "pastures new," this being too healthy for him to thrive and grow wealthy as soon as he desired.

Doctor Henry S. Carey, came to Lewis, from Albia, Monroe county, Iowa, in 1855, and located permanently. He was a good physician and attained quite a practice. He died while a resident of this place in 1867.

Doctor A. Teal, came to the town of

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

Lewis in 1856, and opened an office. He was a practitioner of the homeopathic school. Ile remained here many years, but moved into Bear Grove township.

Doctor John B. Carey, a brother of. H. S. Carey, M. D., came to Lewis and en- tered into practice with his brother, in that place. He died in 1863.

Doctor N. W. Whitted located at Lewis in 1860, entering upon the practice of medicine and surgery. In 1862, when the dark cloud of war overhung our fair land, when company I,of the Twenty-third Iowa Infantry regiment, was being raised at Lewis, Whitted enlisted. In 1863, he re- signed and came home, and resuming practice, carried it on until 1865, when he died.

Doctor D. Findley located in 1862, hav- ing practiced some little time at Grove City, and remained until September, 1873, when be removed to the city of Atlantic, where he now resides.

LEWIS PHYSICIANS OF THE PRESENT.

Lewis has now a small but able band of practitioners, in the healing art, among whom are: M. J. Davis, S. E. H. Gannon, L. M. Andrews, J. G. Rishel, and C. L. Campbell.

Dr. Davis is not in full practice, although one of the finest surgeons in the State, and is noticed in connection with the post office and business interests of Lewis.

Doctor L. M. Andrews, son of Rev. John and Charlotte (Moore) Andrews, is a native of Franklin, Portage county, Ohio, born October 16, 1824. Rev. Jolin Andrews was a Presbyterian clergyman and is now deceased. Doctor Andrews lived in Portage and Summit counties, in his native State, until twenty-seven years

of age. He obtained his education at Tallmage, in Summit county, taking an academic course. He then commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Amos Wright with whom he continued five years. In the seasons of 1849 and 1850, 1850 and 1851, 1851 and 1852, he attend- ed medical lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, graduating in 1852. He went to Peoria county, Illinois and began practicing his profession at Princeville, where he re- mained until the breaking out of the civil war. From that time until October, 1864, he acted as assistant surgeon of the Forty- seventh Illinois Infantry. He was mus- tered out of the service with the regi- ment, at the time above mentioned. IIe returned to Princeville and remain till September, 1875, at which date he remov- ed to Cass county and settled at Lewis. Doctor Andrews possesses a wide and en- viable reputation as a physician and is in the enjoyment of an extensive and remu- nerative practice, all of which he justly de- serves, having earned the same by constant study and application to business. He was married June 26, 1853, to Miss Fannie J. Robinson, a native of Clinton, New York, and daughter of Asher Robinson. By this union there were five children-John K. Andrews, deceased, Forest C., Edwin B., Fannie E., and Mary Louisa. Doctor Andrews is a member of the Blue lodge, Masonic fraternity. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church., His residence is upon a farm on section 12. Here he is engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of hogs. He has a valuable farm, desirably located, also timber land in Bear Grove township.

Dr. S. E. H. Gannon, is a native of

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

Monroe county, New York, and was born on the 17th of May, 1844, his parents be- ing N. S. and Mary A. Gannon. When fifteen years of age he went to California, and was there engaged in teaching school nearly five years, when he went to Europe, with his brother. He traveled through Italy, England, France, and desiring to see the IIoly Land, he traveled through Palestine and Egypt, and spent much of his time in Jerusalem. He spent about nine months on his trip and returning home in 1866, he commenced the study" of medicine with his brother, who at the time was a prominent physician. S. E. H. Gannon then entered a medical college at Chicago, and graduated in 1869. Since that time he and his brother have lectured and practised in different places, and in the fall of 1880, he came to Lewis, and has since made it his home. Before coming to this county he practised his profession in Dubuque about two years, and about two years in Madison, Wisconsin. The Doctor has been very successful in his practice, and commands the confidence of the community. He is both a physician and surgeon, and has treated some very · difficult cases in his time. Mr. Gannon is a member of the Odd Fellows organization.

John G. Rishel, M. D., was born in Lewisburg, Union county, Pennsylvania. When he was nine years of age his father, Benjamin Rishel, settled in Stephenson county, Illinois, where his aged parents still reside. His early education was lim- ited to the village schools' with at- tendance at the Freeport high school, also the Warren Collegiate Institute, all in Illinois. During his time of study he taught a number of terms of school in

northern Illinois, achieving a desirable reputation as a successful teacher. April 20, 1861, he was among the first to respond to our country's call for three months vol- unteers. This service being full before his company was organized, he was on the 24th day of May, 1861, mustered into the United States service for three years, or during the war, as a member of com- pany G, Fifteenth Illinois Regiment Infan- try. In the fall of 1861, while in the ma- larial regions of Missouri, he contracted disease from which he has never fully re- covered and was discharged on account of said disability. Dr. Rishel, following the time of his discharge from the army, and still suffering from disease of lungs, enter- ed the office of Dr. N. Prentice, of Free- port, Illinois, as student and patient. In the winter of 1863, he attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical college, Chicago. Subsequently at Hahnemann Medical col- lege, Chicago, where he graduated as a homoepathist, March 9, 1866. January 31, 1865, he again enlisted to enter the medical department as hospital steward of the Forty-sixth Illinois regiment, was then detailed as acting hospital steward in the first division hospital Thirteenth Army Corps, and after taking of Mobile was as- signed a position as dispensing druggist in the dispensary of the United States Ma- rine general hospital, at Mobile, serving as such until time of his final discharge. After completing his medical education, in 1866, he commenced practice in Water- loo, Iowa, remaining one year, then moved to Monroe, Wisconsin. In 1869 he returned to Waterloo and continued in practice there until the summer of 1873. His health again failing him he decided

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

upon a change of climate, coming at that time into Cass county, and finding an ap- preciable difference in the climate of south western Iowa, the following spring he took up his permanent abode in Lewis, and has since been engaged in the prac- tice of his profession, when his impaired health would permit. As a practitioner, his success has won for him a remunerative practice. Dr. Rishel is a member of Hahnemann State Medical Association, of Iowa, also a graduate of the Hahnemann Medical Institute, of Chicago, and was in 1866, elected to the chair of special path- ology and diagnosis in said institute. April 11,1866, he married Almira Switzer, of Waterloo. To them were born four children-John Benjamin, May Maud, Austin Eugene and Herman Dwight Rish- el, the three eldest of whom are still liv- ing. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church.

Doctor Cassius L. Campbell was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, August 22, 1856, and is the son of John M. and Lavinia (Leitner) Campbell. He was reared in the place of his nativity, but attended the Pine Grove academy, Mercer county, and Westminster college, at New Wilmington, Lawrence county, where he remained one year. He then commenced the study of medicine with a Doctor J. J. Wallace, of New Castle. After a time spent with him he entered upon a course of lectures at the Miami Medical college, of Cincinnati, Ohio, attending there two terms, and an intermediate one at the medical department of the Wooster Insti- tute. He graduated from the first named medical school in March, 1881, and com- menced the practice of medicine in

Brownsdale, Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until he came to Lewis, Cass county, in January, 1883. He was, at first, in partnership with Doctor S. E. II. Gannon, but is now with Doctor L. M. Andrews.

PHYSICIANS OF ATLANTIC.

The first physician to locate in the town of Atlantic was Dr. Sanders, who came to that town, then in its infancy, in 1868. IIe died there.

Doctors J. H. Barnwell and G. S. Mont- gomery removed from Grove City to At- lantic'in 1869, and Doctor Richards settled in the embryo city the same year.

Dr. G. S. Montgomery, druggist of At- lantic, is a native of Adams county, Illi- nois, and was born on the 22d day of De- cember, 1838, being the son of Levi and Fanny (Boyles) Montgomery, the former being a native of Ohio, and the latter of New York. In 1856, the doctor's parents came to Iowa, and settled in Audubon county, near Exira, where they have since died. G. S. began reading medicine un- der Dr. John Carey, at Lewis, in 1862, but had previously studied for some three years. During the winter of 1862 and 1863, he attended lectures at Keokuk, after which he returned to Exira and taught school both there and in Grove City, and at the latter point began practicing his profession, and, in connection, ran a drug store. In December, 1868, he removed to Atlantic and practiced until 1879, when he closed his practice, and at present pays particular attention to his drug trade, but also prescribes some. Mr. Montgomery was married in Jefferson, Greene county, Iowa, on the 22d day of September, 1864, to Miss Harriet Stanford, a native of In-

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diana. They have two children: Orion S. and Edward S. Mr. M. has been very successful in everything he bas under- taken, and now has a large drug store and is doing a fine business. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and resides on the corner of West Maple and Sixth streets.

Dr. James H. Barnwell, one of the prominent physicians of Atlantic, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1841. When he had reached the age of six years, his father removed to Iowa, locating at Fairfield, Jefferson county, and after six years spent here re- moved to Indianola. His father was a merchant. James H. attended school at Blue Bird seminary, now Simpson college. In 1861, when the government was calling on the patriots of the country to assist in defense of the Union, he enlisted in the Tenth Iowa Infantry, in which he remain- ed six months. At the end of six months he came home, but soon re-entered the service in the Thirty-fourth Iowa, in which he was made hospital steward. This position gave him an excellent op- portunity for the study of medicine, which he duly improved. After his retirement from the army, he came home and entered the office of Drs. Davis and McCleary, at Indianola, where he pursued his medical studies for two years; he also attended Rush Medical College in 1866 and 1867, and graduated in the spring of 1868. IIe came to Grove City in June, 1868. He practiced in Grove City until the early part of 1869, when he came to Atlantic, at the same time Judge Loofbourow removed to the latter place. He practiced as an allo- pathist for two years, and then commenced

the study of homeopathy, which branch of the medical profession he has since been identified with. In 1883, he went to New York and spent the winter with Professor John Butler, in the study of electro-therapeutics, and became adept in the different methods of electric and gal- vanic treatment. He now makes a spe- cialty of chronic diseases. He was mar- ried at Indianola, in August, 1869, to Miss Ilattie Craig, a sister of Judge A. M. Craig, of the supreme court of Illinois. They have one child-a daughter-whose name is Susie D. Dr. Barnwell is the oldest practicing physician in Atlantic, in point of residence. He has been very successful in his practice, and has accum- ulated considerable property, located in Atlantic and Des Moines. His residence is on Linn street, between Fifth and Sixth, and his office is over Slaughter Bros.' dry goods store.

R. D. Wilkin, M. D., who came to At- lantic in 1875, is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, being born Febru- ary 12, 1839, and is a son of Andrew and Marian (Henderson) Wilkin, natives of Pennsylvania also. He was a farmer, spending his early life in Pennsylvania, and afterward removed to Harrison coun- ty, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkin were members of the United Presbyterian Church, and did much for its advance- ment and always took an active part in education. Dr. R. D. Wilkin was reared upon a farm and received an academic ed- ucation at Pleasant Valley, Pennsylvania. In 1859 he began reading medicine with an older brother in Harrisonville, Ohio. In 1861, he enlisted as private in com- pany I, First Pennsylvania Cavalry, and

HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

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participated in the battles of Bull Run, Cedar Mountain, Gettysburg and many skirmishes. During a service of three years he was promoted to the office of sergeant, and also spent about eleven months in the hospital at Washington City. After returning to Ohio, he pur- sned the study of medicine, and in 1866 removed to Pella, Warren county, Iowa. In 1869 he attended lectures at the Keokuk Medical College, from which place he graduated in the class of 1870. Return- ing to Pella, he began the practice of his profession, which he continued until com- ing to Atlantic in 1875. In the fall of 1876 he embarked in the drug business, which he continued until the spring of 1884, when he opened a crockery and china store, the only cxclusive store of this kind in Atlantic. He was united in marriage in 1867, to Miss N. V. Watson, a daughter of Joshua P. Watson, of Har- risonville, Ohio. The doctor is a mem- ber of the Blue Lodge and chapter, and in politics is a Republican. In 1881 he was chairman of the county central com- mittee, and at present is a member of the city council of Atlantic, The doctor is one of the enterprising citizens of Atlan- tic, and has taken an active interest in the development of the same.

David Findley, M. D., one of the lead- ing and pioneer physicians of Cass county, was born in Washington, Guernsey coun- ty, Ohio, August 31, 1830. He was the son of Rev. Samuel Findley, a pastor of the United Presbyterian faith, who was sent to Iowa in 1840, as a missionary of the Associate Reform church, traveling on horseback both ways. He followed the ministry until his death, which occurred

at the home of his son, Rev. William T. Findley, in Newark, New Jersey. Prior to his death, he established the Madison College, at Antram, Ohio, at which place be was pastor of a church for nearly forty years, and in the winter of 1861 vis- ited with his son David, in Cass county. His wife's maiden name was Margaret Ross, who was a native of Ireland. She died very suddenly in Antram, Ohio, while her husband was in attendance at the Synod, at Pittsburg. David's early life was spent in Washington and Antram, Ohio, at which latter place he was educa- ted until January, 1852, when he went to California by water. He came near being drowned while gaining the boat at Wheel- ing, and was shipwrecked on the southern coast of California and was picked up by a whaling nessel, which made his trip about a month in reaching San Francisco. IIe remained there but a short time and then went to Nevada and engaged in the mining business. He spent about two years in the West, accumulating quite a sum of money. He then returned to Au- tram, Ohio, where he was married Au- gust 26, 1856, to Miss Martha J .Barr, of Monongahela City, Pennsylvania, a daugh- ter of James Barr, coroner at that place. The subject of this sketch afterward car- ried out the desire he had maintained from boyhood-that of studying medi- cine. IIe studied under Dr. W. M. An- derson, of Antram, and in 1859 came to Iowa, where he received a diploma from the Keokuk Medical College, when he lo- cated in Madison. He followed his pro- fession there until 1861, when he removed to Cass county, settling at Grove City, spending the winter of 1861 in the base-

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ment of Judge Barnett's house. In the fall of 1862 he moved to Lewis, but only remained there a couple of months, when he went to Indianola, Warren county. At the request and solicitation of friends he returned to Lewis in May, 1863, as the leading physician of that place had died. Ile remained there until September, 1875, when he removed to Atlantic, where he bas since remained. Since his removal to Atlantic he has been engaged some years in the drug business, in addition to his large and increased practice, but entirely disposed of his interest in that concern recently. IIe owns two farms in Cass county, besides fine residence property in Atlantic, on the corner of Seventh and Linn streets. Ile has a family of seven children, two of whom are dead: David P. and Sarah M. Those living are : Samuel C., William J., Jessie C., Thomas P., Mary M. Mr. Findley is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, having filled all the chairs of that body. IIe is also a member of the Congregational church, although all his relative are Presbyterians, and he has two brothers who are ministers of tlrat denomination.

Dr. J. M. Emmert was born in Wash- ington county, Maryland, June 13, 1846, and is the son of Joshua and Anna G. (Funk) Emmert. Ilis mother is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, her people having settled in the southeastern part of that State in 1745, and some still reside there. Iler father was a large farmer of that State, and was a member of the State Leg- islature when Thaddeus Stevens offered the first bill to establish fall schools. Grandfather Emmert moved to Illinois about the year 1845, and was one of the

pioneers of Lee county. IIe was a min- ister of the German Baptist faith, and erected the first Baptist church in that county, at an early day, almost en- tirely from his own resources. Dr. Em- mert spent his early life in Washington eounty, Maryland, and was educated at Mechanicsburg and Millersville State Normal sehool, Pennsylvania. He grad- uated at Jefferson Medical college, Phila- delphia, March 9, 1872, but had taught school prior to the study of medicine. A short time after graduating he came west to Iowa, locating at Hamburg, Fremont county, in June, 1872, and was married October 28, 1873, to Miss Ida Washa- baugh, a native of Franklin county, Penn- sylvania. March 16, 1874, he removed to Atlantic, Iowa, where he has since achieved good success in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the State Medical society and the American Medical association, to which latter body he has twice been a delegate. He has been a member of the committee on micrology and arrangements several times, and in 1876 was a delegate to the International Medieal Congress, in Philadelphia. He has held the position of assistant surgeon for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad since 1874, and has also filled important local offices of Atlantic, including city clerk, president of school board and health phy- sician. IIe is the Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, a member of the Chapter and Prelate of Commandery. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. societies, and an elder of the First Presbyterian church of Atlantic. In May, 1882, he lost two children from

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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.

diphtheria-Blanche, aged five years, and Dale, three years of age. There is one son left, Max, aged one year. He owns a drug store in Marne, Cass county, and has acquired considerable property, having been financially successful in all his un- dertakings. In 1881 he was a candidate for representative on the Democratic ticket, from Cass county, which had a Republican majority of over one thousand, and was defeated by but ninety nine votes in the county, which proves conclusively his popularity and standing among the people as a man of ability and eminence. He was also a delegate from the Ninth congressional district to the Democratic National con- vention, at Chicago, in 1884, which placed in nomination the successful candidate.

Among the leading physicians of Cass county is Dr. William C. Egan, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1846. His father, C. B. Egan, was a physician of forty-eight years' prac- tice, and died in 1878, at Blue Island, Illi- nois. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated at Blue Island and Chicago, enter- ing the Rush medical college in 1872, graduating there in the class of 1874-5. He located at Blue Island, where he prac- ticed until coming to Atlantic in June, 1877. He is a member of the State and American medical associations, and has acted as a delegate to the same, and has also filled the positions of president and secretary of the State association. At present he is county coroner and physi- cian for the city of Atlantic. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry, and on February 9, 1862, in the Eleventh Michigan Light Artillery,

Battery L. As he was very young his father opposed his enlistment, all to no avail, as he was bound to go. He was on the whole of Morgan's raid, during which he was wounded, and on April 15, 1864, was discharged on account of disability. Ile returned home and began the study of medicine. He was married in Pella, Iowa, January 2,1870,to Miss Cebe Gardner and has a family of two children, Edward E. and Mary. Ile is a member of the I. O. O. F., the G. A. R. and the I. K. H. societies, in the latter of which he is a member of the finance committee and one of the trustees. Mr. Egan is Republican in politics, and both himself and wife are members of the Methodist church.

Dr. J. W. Cannon, allopathic physi- cian, although a new man in this county, has been successful as a practitioner and has gained the confidence of the people. HIe was born in Hancock county, Illinois, April 15, 1849, and is the son of Arthur M. and Elizabeth (Gibson) Cannon, who are natives of South Carolina, and of Scotch-Irish descent. His carly life was spent on a farm receiving a common school education during that time, and attended the college at Abingdon, Illinois, during the year 1864, and in 1867 and 1868 at- tended the Branch institute, at Macomb, and afterwards graduated at the Quincy Com- mercial college. He entered the Medi- cal institute at Keokuk in the winter of 1872-3 from which place he afterwards gradnated and practiced in Sac county until 1876, when he took another course at Keokuk. He again returned to Sac county, where he remained until October, 1883, when he came to Atlantic. He was married in Sac City, October 2, 1878, to

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Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918