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 51
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 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
402
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Miss Jennie Dobson, a native of Tippi- ary, Ireland, but of English extrac- tion, her parents having removed to Ireland prior to her birth. They have one child-Ray, who is five years of age. The docter is a member of the county and state medical associations, and owns con- siderable property in Sac county, having been very successful there.
Dr. A. P. Macomber, homeopathist, is a native of Massachusetts, born in May, 1831, and is a son of Ebenezer Macomber, of Franklin county, Massachusetts, who was of Scotch extraction and died at Northampton. His mother was Sarah Ann Jewel, of Woodstock, Connecticut, a regular descendant of the old Jewel fam- ily. She died in 1874, aged eighty-six years. The subject of this sketch was liberally educated at Uxbridge, Massa- chusetts, where for a number of years he pursued his studies, meanwhile teaching school a part of the time. At the age of nineteen years he went to Woodstock, Vermont, and commenced the study of medicine, attending a course of instruc- tion, also reading under Joseph M. Bates, of Barry, Massachusetts, now of Wor- cester. Hc then attended a second course of lectures at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and afterward a third course at New York University Medical college, gradu- ating therefrom in the class of 1853. Directly afterward he commenced the ยท practice of his chosen profession in Win- chester, New Hampshire, where be re- mained eight years, then removed to Mal- den, Massachusetts, remaining five years, thence to Hackensack, New Jersey, where he practiced eleven years, then came to Atlantic, in July, 1878. His wife, to
whom he was married in 1872, was Mrs. Fuller, formerly Miss Gray, born in Aurora, Portage county, Ohio, in 1839. She was married to her former husband in 1859, and lived in Connecticut eight years. She was a pupil of James A. Gar- field while he was a teacher at Iliram College. Mr. Fuller died in March, 1867. In 1870 she attended a course of lectures at the Woman's Medical college, in Philadelphia. She attended a second course at Cleveland, Ohio, in a homeo- pathic medical school. She subsequently attended lectures in New York, and grad- uated in 1879 from the Hahnemann Medi- cal college, of Chicago. Since that time she has been in practice with her hus- band, making a specialty of the diseases of women and children. Their office is over Smith and Bonesteel's drug store.
Dr. F. Reber, the German physician and surgeon, of Atlantic, Iowa, was born in Berne, Switzerland, in 1850, his father being Werick Reber, a farmer and export- er of cheese, and his mother being Anna Neenenschwinder. They were the par- ents of nine children, eight of whom are still living. The doctor was partly edu- cated in Berne. When twenty-two years of age he went to France, where he re- ceived a collegiate education, thus having two diplomas, one from Berne and one from Paris. On the 10th day of June, 1881, he landed in New York City, where he read medicine a short time, and began practice in a town on the Hudson river. From there he went to Maryland, where he remained for several months practicing, then going to Chicago. In 1883 he came to Atlantic, Iowa, and embarked in the drug business and practice of his profes-
403
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
sion, and has built up a large and exten- sive practice in Atlantic and all over the county. Although he has been in the county a comparatively short time, he has given over 3,500 prescriptions. IIe was married in Chicago, in November, 1882, to Miss Lillie Bugge.
Dr. B. A. Wilder came to Atlantic with his son, C. V., in 1874, and was in prac- tice until the fall of 1883. IIe was born in Lyndon, Vermont, on the 14th of June, 1824, and spent his early life on a farm, staying at home until he had arrived at the estate of manhood. He studied medicine and graduated from the college at Phila- delphia, and removing to Canada, entered into practice, and remained there four years when he removed to Dalton, Wis- consin. He made his residence in this latter State for fourteen years, when he came to Cass county. He was a very able physician and has the reputation of being one of the best surgeons that have ever been in this county. In October, 1883, he left this country going to Yaukton, Dako- ta Territory, where he now is.
Doctor C. V. Wilder came to Atlantic in January, 1874, with his father, Doctor B. A. Wilder, and the two entered into partnership which continued until Octo- ber, 1883, when the elder physician re- moved to Dakota. He is a native of Stan- stead, Canada, born September 22, 1851. When he was about four years old, his parents removed to Dalton, Sauk county, Wisconsin, where the subject of this sketch resided until he attained the age of eighteen. He attended the usual dis- trict schools, and finished his preliminary education at the Jefferson Liberal Insti- tute. After leaving this educational es-
tablishment he essayed mercantile life as a clerk in a store, but soon gave that up to follow in the footsteps of his father. IIe commenced the study of medicine with Doctor Blake, of Lodi, Wisconsin, with whom he remained eighteen months. In the winter of 1871-2, he attended a course of lectures at the LIomeopathic Medical college at Cincinnati, graduating from that institution in 1872. He at once en- tered upon the practice of medicine. In 1880, he feeling a lack in some depart- ments of his science, took a course of lectures in the Hanover Medical college, which he repeated in 1882, and obtained the diploma of that college, in the latter year. Doctor Wilder is the leading ho- meopathist in the city.
Doctor W. J. Willim is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, born March 23, 1851, bnt early in life removed to Mercer county, in the same State. He attended the high school at Franklin, graduating therefrom in 1871. In the fall of that year, he came to Iowa, locating in Mar- shall county, where he studied medicine with Dr. Waters, of Marshalltown, and was his partner for a couple of years. IIe finished his studies while with him, and in 1883 came to Atlantic. IIe was united in marriage, in Marshalltown, June 7, 1877, to Miss Lottie Codure, by whom he has three children. The Doctor gives his attention to ear and eye diseases, and ailments of the skin, and is the proprie- tor of the Atlantic eye and ear infirmary, which he established in this place.
Doctor W. F. Graham, came to Atlan- tic in 1880 from Louisa county and en- gaged in the practice of his profession. He is a member of what is known as
404
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
the regular or allopathic school. He was born on the 3d of January, 1854, in Lou- isa county, and is the son of J. H. Gra- ham, a native of Kentucky, and a physi- cian,and Mary Graham, nee Brown,a native of Ohio. W. F. Graham was raised in the county of his nativity and was educa- ted at Monmouth, Illinois, where he grad- uated in 1877. IIe then entered upon the study of medicine with his father, who had been in practice in Louisa county since 1852, and in 1878 entered Rush Medical college, graduating therefrom in 1880. After practicing a short time with his father, he came to Atlantic, as above mentioned, and where he still remains. He was married in February, 1881, in Illi- nois, to Miss Dora Buck. The doctor is the secretary of the Botna Valley Medi- cal association, and a member of the State Medical association.
Dr. J. Nichols came to Atlantic in 1870, and commenced the practice of medicine continuing the same for about a year, when he started a drug store in the city, and has been identified with that trade ever since. He is a native of Massachu- setts, born in 1826, and is a graduate of Massachusetts Medical University. IIe practiced until 1874, when he discontinued his visits confining himself to office or store business.
Doctor M. T. Weidner, came from Jas- per county, Iowa to Atlantic in 1883, and entered into a partnership with Doctor C. V. Wilder and is a resident of the city still.
Dr. M. N. Graves came to Atlantic in 1875 and engaged in the practice of medi- cine. Ile is still a resident of that place and is noticed in full in connection with
the banking interests of Atlantic, to which the reader is referred.
PHYSICIANS OF GRISWOLD.
Dr. J. L. Moore, the first practitioner of Griswold, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1827. When a small boy, his parents removed to Frank- lin county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. IIere he began reading medicine, having access to the library of his brother-in-law, Dr. James O'Bryan, a graduate of the Eclectic Medical college, of Cincinnati, Ohio. After reading in the office of his brother-in-law, Dr. Moore removed to Shelbyville, Illinois, and later to a place near Breckenridge, Missouri, where he commenced tlie practice of his chosen profession. In 1869 he removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, near the county line. Ile was in very limited cir- cumstances, and was only able to purchase eight acres of land, on which was a small log cabin. Here he spent ten years in raising small crops and riding on horse- back over the prairies, attending to his practice. When the town of Griswold was started he came to this place, where he has since followed liis profession with good success. He has property in Gris- wold and a farm in Pottawattamie county of sixty-six acres. He was married in Fayette county, Indiana, to Mary J. Burke, a daughter of Esquire John Burke. By this union, there were seven children, six of whom are living: John W., Frank L., Joseph E., Alice, Florence, Ava E.
Dr. J. W. Hunsted, a leading physician of Griswold, was born in Iowa City, John- son county, Iowa, on the 5th day of May, 1849. At the age of fifteen he entered
405
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
the Iowa State University, where he re- mained three years. In 1869 he was in the employ of the government, with a surveying party in the west. In the fall and winter of 1870-71, he taught school in the south, and while there began read- ing medicine in the office of Dr. James F. Leath, formerly of Memphis. In 1872 he entered the office of Dr. J. H. Baucher, of Iowa City, and at the same time attended lectures in the medical department of the Iowa State University, from which he graduated in March, 1873. He then began practicing at Tiffin, Iowa, where he re- mained one year, when he came to Potta- wattamie county, Iowa, settling in Wave- land, where he practiced ten years, and in the meantime improved a farm of 640 acres. He came to Griswold in the spring of 1884, and opened an office for practice. Dr. IInnsted was married in 1876 to Eva L. P. Thorn, a daughter of Graham and Laura (Bailey) Thorn, natives of New York. They have three children-Nellie M., Bessie M., Samuel B.
Dr. A. C. Woodruff, a native of Knox county, Illinois, was born July 2, 1850, and is a son of J. W. and Elizabeth (Dodge) W. druff. Ilis father died when he was three years of age. When a young man he attended the Abingdon college, where he received his education. In 1869 he came to Dallas county, Iowa, and the following year began reading medicine at DeSoto, Iowa, with Dr. A. P. McCullough. In 1872 he attended lectures at the Keokuk Medical college, and later became a graduate from that institution. In the spring of 1881 he came to Gris- wold, where he has since been engaged practicing his profession. He was mar-
ried to Hattie Dodge in 1879. The doctor is one of the oldest practitioners of Gris- wold, and enjoys a good patronage.
Francis A. Bryant, M. D., came to Gris- wold in the spring of 1881, and began the practice of medicine. He is a young man of ability, and is meeting with good suc- cess as a practitioner. In 1873 he attended in the medical department of the Keokuk college, graduating in the spring of 1876, with honor's. Ile soon afterward went to Rush county, Kansas, and began the prac_ tice of his profession, where he remained until he came to Griswold. Dr. Bryant was born in Wapello county, Iowa, Feb- ruary 8, 1851. He was educated in the common schools, and at Troy academy. In the spring of 1873 he commenced read- ing, under the direction of Dr. P. M. Bil- ley. Ile was married in Davis county, Iowa, in the fall of 1877, to Sarah A. Rooker, a daughter of J. B. and Mary P. Rooker. There is one child by this union living-Lowell C., born June 25, 1879. Ilis wife died. in Davis county, July 12, 1881. She was a consistent and sincere Christian, having united with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church in early life, and was highly respected by all who formed her acquaintance. The doctor is a master Mason in the Cass Lodge No. 412 of this place.
Josiah B. Martin, M. D., was born in Laporte county, Indiana, March 1, 1845, and is the son of Josiah and Ellen (Par- ker) Martin. The subject of this sketch was reared in Indiana, receiving his edu- cation in the common schools and at the New Carlisle Collegiate Institute. When about twenty-four years of age, he began the study of medicine under the direction
406
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
of Prof. Joy, of Chicago. In 1874 he attended lectures at the Bennett Eclectic Medical college, Chicago, and graduated in February, 1877. The following fall he began the practice of medicine at Com- merce, Polk county, Iowa, and in Septem- ber, 1881, came to Griswold. He is a member of the Eclectic Medical society of Iowa, and has a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Martin was united in mar- riage to S. Almira J. Cramer, a daughter of Job Crainer, of New Jersey. Two children have been born to them-Flor- ence and Edith. The doctor is a master Mason in Cass Lodge No. 412, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Hercules Lodge No. 69.
PHYSICIANS OF RENO.
Dr. Mosher was the first physician to locate at Reno. He came in 1875, the year previous to which the village was platted, but was not a graduate from any college. When he first settled here, he lived in a dug-out near the mill. IIe remained here about two years, when he removed to Kansas.
J. II. Hume was the next physician to settle at Reno. IIe came from Mitchell- ville, Iowa, in 1877, and was a young man just commencing to practice, but after- ward graduated from the Keokuk Medical college. He remained about a year and a half, when he was succeeded by J. H. Whiteside, from Canada, who remained about the same length of time. J. H. Hume then returned, and continued to practice until October, 1883. He is now practicing in Marshall county, in this State.
Dr. William Snelson located here in Marchi, 1883, and opened a drug store,
purchasing a stock of drugs of Breen Bros., which they had carried in connec- tion with their stock of merchandise.
PHYSICIANS OF ANITA.
The medical fraternity of Anita, con- sists of Doctors V. D. Rood, J. E. San- som, E. E. Major, T. B. Beatty and R. Davis.
V. D. Rood, M. D., son of D. B. and Eliza (Hines) Rood, was born in April, 1842, in the State of Vermont. He was one of a family of eight children, five daughters and three sons, and was brought up on a farm. In 1861 he enlisted in company H, of the Second Vermont Vol- unteers. He was at Centerville at the time of the battle of Bull Run, and par- ticipated in the Peninsula campaign. At Savage Station -he was wounded, taken . prisoner and sent to Libby prison, where he remained five weeks. He was then released, joined his command and went to Newport News, where he was wounded and sent to McClellan hospital. Here he commenced the study of medicine, which he afterward pursued at Fairfax institute two years. He then entered the office of Dr. C. F. Halley, of Fairfax, of whom he received instruction for two years. In the meantime he took a course of lectures at Burlington University, and graduated from that institution in 1867. He then commenced the practice of his profession at Hyde Park, Orleans county. Dr. Rood was married in 1869, in White House, New Jersey, to Miss Sarah C. Voorhees. In the summer of 1870, he came to Iowa and began practice. In addition to his practice he is running the largest hard- ware store in Anita, carrying a stock of six thousand dollars. He also deals in
407
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
wagons, farm implements and machinery and everything to be found in a first class hardware establishment. Doctor and Mrs. Rood are the parents of five chil- dren, four of whom are living-Roscoe, Grace, Edson and Vernon. Dr. Rood came to the county poor, but is now in possession of a competency. He is a mem- ber of the medical society and of the G. A. R. and A. O. U. W.
Doctor E. E. Major is a native of Wash- ington county, Vermont, and first saw the light upon the 29th day of May, 1854. IIe is the son of Samuel and Sarah B. (Russell) Major, both natives of the adjoining State, New Hampshire. In early manhood, the doctor was engaged in the laudable undertaking of teaching school, in Audubon and Cass counties, he having moved to the former county in 1866, with his parents. He taught the first school in the town of Anita, in 1869. When he was about eighteen years of age, he commenced the study of medi- cine, by himself, afterwards entering the office of Doctor V. D. Rood, with whoni he studied two years. In 1876 and 7, he attended courses of lectures at Keokuk, and in 1878, at the Rush Medical college, at Chicago, and graduating from the latter institution. The same year, he returned to Anita, and commenced the practice of the healing art, which he follows to this day. He was united in marriage in August, 1878, to Miss Carrie Griffiths and and they have one child-Hattie. The doctor is the proprietor of one of the drug stores of Anita, and has worked up a good trade, and enjoys a fair practice in the town and its environs.
Doctor Theodore B. Beatty, a native of Bureau county, Illinois, is in practice in Anita. Ile is a son of F. H. and M. J. Beatty. The doctor was educated at Princeton seminary, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. A. H. Thomp- son. IIe attended lectures at Rush Medi- cal college, of Chicago, of which he is a graduate.
Doctor R. Davis is a native of Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, and born March 9, 1844. Ile is the son of Edward and Sarah (Pyett) Davis, both of whom were natives of the same State. In 1846, Mr. Davis, the elder, emigrated to Miami county, Ohio, with his family, where he followed his trade, which was that of a wagon-maker. In 1852, he removed to Muscatine county, this State. When the subject of this sketch was twenty years of age, he having no taste for mechanics, entered upon a course of reading medi- cine with Doctor H. C. Harsche, of Mus. catine, with whom he remained three years, grounding himself well in that science. In the winter of 1866-7, he at- tended lectures at the medical department of the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, and in 1867, graduated therefrom. In the spring of that year he removed to Grinnell, Iowa, whither his parents had preceded him, and he "hung out his shingle" and commenced the practice of his profession. IIere he remained two years, and in 1369, came to Anita and opened an office. IIe remained in prac- tice for eleven years, but is at present en- gaged in the grain and coal business at Anita. He was married in October, 1871, to Miss Eliza Prosser, of Muscatine, and
408
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
has three children-Pearl, Ruth and Helen.
MARNE DOCTORS.
Dr. C. II. McClees was born in Madi- son county, Indiana, January 1, 1858, his parents being Joseph and Phoebe (Welsh) McClees. When he was seven years of age, his parents removed to Warren county, Iowa, where they now live. Here he spent his early life on his father's farm, being sent to the common schools when arriving at suitable age. In 1875 he commenced attendance at the Des Moines University. After two years spent there, he went to Iowa City, and took one year's course in the collegiate depart- ment of the University, and three years in the medical department, graduating in 1881. Ile commenced the practice of medicine June 1, 1881, in Marne, where he has since remained. He was married in Marne, in 1883, to Miss Harriet Roark. They have one child- Edna M. The doctor is a member of the Botna Valley and State Medical associa- tion.
John Pipher, M. D., was born in Wit- tenberg, Germany, November 16, 1848, and in 1853 came with his mother to America, his father having previously died in Germany. He located at Monroe, Jasper county, where he remained until 1861, when he removed to Des Moines. In 1872 he entered the office of Doctor Carter, at Des Moines, and in the fall of that year attended a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical college, Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from that institution in the spring of 1874. He came to Norwalk, Monroe county, Iowa, and began the prac- tice of his profession, and afterward re-
moved to Greenfield, Adair county. In 1876 he came to Marne, Cass county, and a year later was appointed postmaster of that place. In the fall of 1879 he came to Griswold, where he has since pursued his present business. In October, 1879, he was joined in wedlock to Ephmira Black, of Norwalk, Warren county, Iowa. One child has blessed the union-Chester D., born April 19, 1884. The doctor is a master mason, and a member of the Cass Lodge, No. 412.
WIOTA.
Doctor J. I. Pogue, located at the town of Wiota, in August, 1877. He is a native of Ohio, born in the year 1848, but re- moved, when a child, with his parents, to Kendall county, Illinois. He began the study of medicine, at Aurora, Il.inois, with Doctor M. Davis, in 1872, but en- tered the Chicago Medical college in 1875, and graduated from that institution in the spring of 1877. He practiced for a short time at Lisbon, Illinois, and came here, as above stated. He was united in marriage in October, 1879, with Miss Min- nie Buckley, a native of Washington coun- ty, New York, and they have one child- Grace. The doctor has a drug store in Wiota, also.
Doctor Porterfield is also in practice at this place.
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
The Botna Valley Medical Association was organized in April, 1875, with the fol- lowing members: Doctors J. Nichols, D. Findley, J. M. Emmert, O. B. Thompson, of Atlantic; M. J. Davis, of Lewis; V. D. Rood, of Anita; Hallock, of Oakfield, and Archer, of Bear Grove, Guthrie county. The first officers were: M. J. Davis, pres-
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
409
ident; Doctor Hallock, vice president; O. B. Thompson, secretary; D. Findley, treas- urer. The first delegates sent by this so- ciety to the State Medical association, in 1876, were the following named: M. J. Davis, V. D. Rood and J. M. Emmert.
The society having languished after a few years, was re-organized in 1881, by the following physicians, and is in good run- ning order at the present: Doctors J. M. Emmert, D. Findley, and W. C. Egan, of Atlantic; J. D. IIolmes, J. F. Cloughly, and J. S. Brenneman, of Audubon, and G. M. Barber, of Walnut. Of this re-organ- ization, Doctor J. M. Emmert was elected president; Doctor W. F. Graham, secre- tary; and Doctor G. M. Barber, of Wal- nut, treasurer. The object of the associ- ation is the advancement of medical knowledge and uniformity of medical ethics as well as the promotion of har- mony and fraternity among the members of the medical profession, and the protec- tion of the interests of its members. Part of the duties developing upon its members
are the promotion of measures adopted for the relief of the sick and suffering, and devise means for the improvement of the health of the community.
The constitution recites, that "the Asso- ciation shall consist of physicians and surgeons, authorized to practice medicine and surgery by a medical college qualified to grant diplomas, and acknowledged by the American Medical Association." The society is in a good healthy condition, and has accomplished much good and bids fair to do much more. It has a membership at the present (1884) of twenty-six, among whom are the majority of the leading dis- ciples of Esculapius in this vicinity. The present officers are: Doctor J. E. San- som, of Anita, president; Doctor J. F. Cloughly, of Audubon, vice president; Doctor W. F. Graham, of Atlantic, secre- tary, and Doctor J. M. Emmert, of Atlan -. tic, treasurer. Meetings are held four times a year, at Atlantic, on the second Thursday of each third month.
CHAPTER XIV.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
"You raised these hallowed walls, the desert smiled, And Paradise was opened in the wild."
In touching upon the religious history, whether the field of the chronicler be ex- tended to the broad expanse of the uni- verse, or confined to the narrow limits of
a State or county, there stands out on every page, predominant, the fact that the religion of any nation, of any people, of any age, is the foundation of its institu-
O
410
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
tions, the source of many of its customs, and the one thing nearest the popular heart.
Let us go back no further than the dawn of the Christian era-though the same conditions appear as clearly before as after that date; we find that for many generations after the birth of Christ, the records of religion comprise the history of the times; later on, we find the relig- ious wars of the Crusades upsetting the equilibrium of the whole civilized world. Later still, we find the people of the old world, fleeing from religious persecution, flocking to America's gladsome shores, the one object urging them on to the cast- ing of their lots in unexplored climes, be- ing the desire and firm determination to worship God according to their own be- lief.
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.