USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 68
USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 68
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Lowell, Kellum & Cames, afterward Low- ell & Cames, at Sycamore, Ill., in 1877, to read law. He was admitted to the bar in Illinois in 1879, and continued in the office until the fall of 1880. He has, by atten- tion to business, secured a considerable share of the legal business of the city and surrounding country. Mr. Telford was married in 1880 to Miss J. M Waterman, daughter of Lyman Waterman, of Syca- more, Ill. They have one daughter- May Pearl. Mr. Telford belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
M. S. Schermerhorn, an attorney and land agent of Mason City, was born in Ot- sego Co., N. Y., on the 5th of May, 1846. His parents are Jeremiah and Hannah (Swift) Schermerhorn, father of German and mother of English descent. His grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812. His parents married in Delaware Co., N. Y., and reared six children, four sons and two daughters, all of which are living. His father was a mill-wright by trade. In 1857, his father came west, traveling extensively over the State, his son, the subject of our sketch, coming with him. In 1858 he moved his family to McHenry Co., Ill., settling at Galva, where he applied himself as contractor and builder. In 1860 he came to Delaware Co., Iowa; in 1876 to Floyd county, and is at present residing at Mason City. In politics he is a strong democrat. The subject of this sketch received his educa- tion in the academy and high school. In 1864, while in the city of Davenport, he was assistant cashier for the Mutual In- surance Company, and in the meantime read law in the office of Stewart & Arm- strong. In 1870 he came to Mason City,
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
where he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, in company with R. Babcoek, as Babcock & Co. In the fall of 1874 he was elected clerk of the courts and was're- elected in 1876, also again in 1878, serving six years. He was admitted to the bar in Franklin county in 1881. In October of the same year, he formed a co-partnership with E. S. Wheeler. In December, 1870, he was married to Cornelia M. Fitch, of Groton Mass. Of their three children, but one is now living-Susie. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F. and United Workmen.
M. P. Rosecrans was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, March 28, 1822. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. He received a solid common school education and spent a year at Kenyon College, where he was a schoolmate of Rutherford B. Hayes, now ex President of the United States. Before he attained his majority, he served an ap- prenticeship as carpenter and builder, and worked at the trade some years. In 1841 he went to Burlington, Iowa, then the capital of the territory. After a brief de- lay he proceeded to Washington county, then the extreme frontier of civilization. He returned the next year to Ohio, and in 1844 was married to a lady of Pennsylva- nia origin, Lucy A. Green. In 1849 he re- turned to Iowa with his family, locating at Sigourney, the county seat of Keokuk county, where he remained until 1855. In that year he fixed his residence at Al- den, Hardin county, where he entered up- on the practice of law, and was the first at- torney at that place. He had fitted him- self for the duties of the profession amid the labors and cares of a life of more than ordinary activity. Two years later he
went to Hancock county, and was regularly admitted to the bar at Eldora, Hardin county, Sept. 28, 1857. Having purchased a farm in Hancock county, he varied his professional duties with those peculiar to agriculture. In June, 1858, he was elected county judge, being the first incumbent of that office in the county where he resided, and during eight successive years contin- ned to discharge the duties of that posi- tion. Oct. 21, 1863, he was admitted to practice in the United States circuit court, Judge Love presiding. In 1866 he resigned his official position as judge of Hancock county and removed to Clear Lake, where he operated in general mer- chandise, purchasing the business interests of Tuttle & Goodwin, the sole establish- ment of the kind in the place. His trans- actions in trade covered a period of nearly two years. In the spring of 1872 he pur- chased the Cedar Lake Observer, and con- ducted that journal on independent princi- ples about six months. A notable fact connected with the experience of Judge Rosecrans as a journalist is, that the print- ing press used in publishing the Observer, was the one used by Lovejoy at Alton, Ill., and which was thrown into the Mississip- pi river by a mob of Missourians, who, in this characteristic manner, essayed to en- force southern principles. Judge Rose- crans was, in early manhood, an adherent to the tenets of the democratic party, but when the integrity of the Union was as- sailed by the same element that destroyed Lovejoy's press and attempted to throttle the inherent liberties of every soul north of dixie, there was with him but one issue, the United States, one and inseparable, and he hurled every influence and power
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenex and Tilden Foundations.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
he possessed into the breach, devoting all his energies to the Union cause. Since the close of that terrific struggle he has been entirely independent in political principles, believing it the duty of all men to base their actions and convictions on a conscientious understanding of public measures, and he has twice consented to become the standard bearer of a forlorn hope, acting under the promptings of an honest heart and a self-sacrificing nature. He has twice been a candidate for the leg- islature on the independent ticket. He is also liberal in religious views, holding as sacred the privilege of men to be bound by no creed that hampers freedom of opinion. Judge Rosecrans is too well known in Cerro Gordo county to need the tributes of a casual observer. But these records are made in the interests of com- ing generations, and it is incumbent upon the local historian to put his claims upon their grateful consideration in no uncer- tain terms. His life has been character- ized by honesty. His integrity is stain- less, and his record without a flaw. The versatility of his abilities has prevented his making a splendid career in a single di- rection, while his public spirit and devo- tion to general progress has precluded his giving much attention to individual emol- uments. The construction of forensic bodies and the manipulations of the shys- tering element of the day, interfere very materially with the success of such as recognize the claims of justice from in- nate principles based npon the higher law. Six, of seven children born to Judge Rosecrans, are living. Charles, eldest son, enlisted in the 32d Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, and died while in service at Wash-
ington hospital, Memphis, Tenn .; Edgar J., second son, is acting sheriff of Cerro Gordo county; Juliet, eldest daughter, is now Mrs. G. G. Britchard; Alice C., is the wife of George F.McDowell, M. D .; Flora is Mrs. Dr. Z. C. Green, of Belmond, Wright county; Harry M, is serving as deputy sheriff of this county; William, youngest son, is at Little Missouri, D. T. The judge now resides in Clear Lake, in a comfortable, pleasant home, the result of his own labor; owes no man in the wide world one cent, and has held the office of treasurer of the incorporate town of Clear Lake for ten years in succession without opposition.
George E. Frost, a prominent pioneer of Clear Lake, was born at Bridport, Addi- son Co., Vt, April 1, 1834. His parents, Levi and Mary E. Frost, removed to Can- ton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., when George was but three years old, and there he grew to manhood, the only child who survived to maturity. In 1854 the senior Frost removed again with his family to DeKalb Co., Ill., and thence to a farm in Marble Rock, Floyd Co., Iowa, where Mr. Frost was engaged in agriculture and sur- veying. In 1860 the family came to Clear Lake, where the father died in 1870 and the mother in 1871. Soon after his ar- rival at Clear Lake, Mr. Frost was ap- pointed surveyor of Cerro Gordo county, and held the position five years. He ex- changed his farm in Floyd county for a quarter section in Grant township, event- ually owning 1400 acres there, 320 of which he still holds. . He has dealt exten- sively in land since his settlement, and is now the owner of nearly 2,000 acres in
54
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
the county. One fine farm in his posses- sion lies just north of the village. In 1870 he purchased the Clear Lake Observ- er, which he sold in 1874 to Hon. M. P. Rosecrans. On the discontinuation of the paper by the latter, Mr. Frost purchased a new press and revived its publication. He sold it in 1879 to F. J. Bush, who gave it the name of Clear Lake Mirror. In 1880 Mr. Frost established the Clear Lake Record, which he still publishes. He also manages a real estate office which he in- itiated in 1861. From 1865 to 1873 Mr. Frost acted as revenue collertor. In 1874, associated with Marcus Tuttle, he institu- ted the Clear Lake Bank, his partner re- maining a single year. In 1877 he sold the interests of the bank to W. A. Bur- nap, re-purchasing in 1880. In 1868-9 he was connty judge of Cerro Gordo, serving also as county auditor, and was conse- quently last county judge and first county auditor of Cerro Gordo. From 1862 to 1877 he acted as postmaster at Clear Lake, with the exception of two short in- tervals. Mr. Frost is a man of indomita- ble mental activity and energetic busi- ness habits, which he has applied to the progress of the place and generation in which he lives. His wife was Azubah, daughter of Thomas Duncan. The latter came from Mellenry Co., Ill., to Clear Lake, where he died in 1871. Mr. and Mrs Frost have three children - Agnes, Mary and George E., Jr.
J. L. Lee, of the firm of Lee & Adams, is a native of Ohio. He was born at To- ledo in August, 1852. In 1874 he en- tered upon the study of the law at Moul- ton, Appanoose Co., Iowa, of which place he had been a resident for a number of years. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1875, and had practiced about two years previous to his removal to Clear Lake in March, 1878. His wife was Lou- ella, daughter of Rev. Jacob Neal. She was born in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have two children. Mr. Lee has now a lucrative practice and is one of the lead- ing attorneys of the county. He is pres- ident of the Iowa Vigilant Live Stock Mutual Insurance Company.
J. W. Adams is a native of Ohio. In his early youth his parents, now deceased, settled in Appanoose Co., Iowa. Mr.Adams there acquired his education, graduating at Moulton college in 1876, and fitting himself for his profession in the law office of J. C. Cad, Esq., of Moulton. He began his studies in 1877 and was admitted to the bar in 1878 by the circuit court of that district, Judge Sloan presiding. Mr. Adams settled at Clear Lake in Decem- ber, 1880, when the firm of Lee & Adams was formed. They have an extended and rapidly growing business in the State and Federal courts, and Mr. Adams is now the attorney for the Iowa Vigilant Live Stock Mutual Insurance Company, and also one of the directors.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
CHAPTER IX.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
In all ages of the world, among civilized and uncivilized people, the medical pro- fession has been held in high esteem, whether it be the learned professor, who has studied the science of medicine in all its branches, or the "great medicine man" of the untutored savages, who from actual experience has made discoveries of the healing powers of herbs and roots, honor awaits them on every hand, while the life and death of every human being is virtu- ally placed in their keeping. The weary patient lying upon a bed of pain, and the no less weary watcher, wait anxiously for the coming of the "good doctor," and on his arrival, note his every movement and every expression of countenance for a ray of hope.
The medical fraternity of Cerro Gordo county has, with few exceptions, been made up of men who were, and are 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, did not keep them back when the cry of distress reached their ears. They have been com- pelled to cross trackless prairies, to face blizzards, often with no hope of fee or re- ward, but only to relieve, if possible, those who plead for their care. All this has been done by the physicians of Cerro Gordo county without complaint. These good deeds of the profession should be
remembered, and when the names of these pioneer doctors are recalled to mind, it is hoped the hearts of the old settlers will be touched, and all will respond, "May God bless them."
The first physician to locate in the county was Dr. Silas Card.
MASON CITY PHYSICIANS.
Mason City, the shire town of Cerro Gordo county, has had many physicians of note as residents. Among those who have at times located here and been en- gaged in practice, who have either died, quit practice or moved away, are the fol- lowing: Drs. Silas Card, E. D. Huntley, George Hartshorn, Dr. Doolittle, William C. Stanbery, W. W. Allen, John G. Og- den, A. A. Noyes, Dr. Van Dusen, Dr. Andrews, A. M. Tuttle, C. C. Cogswell, A. W. Cummings, Dr. Reed and others.
Silas Card, M. D, the first practicing physician in Cerro Gordo county, was born at Deerfield, Ohio, in 1810. His parents dying when he was a mere child, he was thrown upon his own resources, but by hard struggling he secured a liberal edu- cation. In 1830 he commenced reading medicine in Mahoning Co., Ohio. He was married to Mary Gibb, at Deerfield, Port- age Co., Ohio, and in 1854 emigrated to Benton Co., Iowa, where he remained a short time, then removed to Mason City, where he made his home until his decease in 1874. They were the parents of one
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
son-I. W. Card, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. The doctor was for many years postmaster at Mason City. lle was a man of intellectual and social worth, and held the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
In the spring of 1856 Dr. E. D. Huntley came from New York and located at Mason City. He was a graduate of some eastern medical school; an allopath in practice and in every way a good physi- cian. He was a public spirited man, and was popular among all classes. He re- mained there until 1864, when he went to Kansas and from there to the Indian Ter- ritory. His sister-in-law, Mrs. Prof. Hunt- ley, is a resident of Mason City.
Dr. George Hartshorn located at Mason City in 1858, and was engaged in the practice of law and medicine for many years.
Dr. Doolittle came to Mason City at an early day and engaged in the practice of his profession, remaining until the time of his death.
Dr. William C. Stanbery was a native of Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College, in 1842, after which he practiced his profession in Mercer county a number of years. He was married in January, 1846, to Elizabeth Stettler, of St. Marys, Ohio. They then moved to La Porte, Ind., where he followed his profession. In 1854 he removed to Vinton, Benton Co., Iowa, and while there attended lec- tures at Keokuk Medical College, gradu- ating from that institution in the fall of the same year. In May, 1858, he moved to Clear Lake and practiced medicine until 1860, in the meantime read law and
commenced its practice. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar by Judge Samuel Murdock, and formed a partnership with I. W. Card, the present postmaster of Mason City, which was dissolved in 1861. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the 32d regiment, Iowa Volunteer In- fantry, and was commissioned 1st lieuten · ant of company B. He was then appointed provost marshal of Tennessee, afterwards removed to New Madrid, Mo., where he was discharged for physical disability. In politics he was a democrat and a stal- wart among the stalwarts. He was a dele- gate to the Baltimore convention, when Stephen A. Douglas was nominated for President. In 1872 he was the democratic candidate for circuit judge, and was the first mayor of Mason City. He was ap- pointed by Andrew Johnson United States revenue collector, which at that time com prised one half the State. In 1860 he was a candidate for the lower house of the General Assembly, which comprised what is now the tenth congressional district. Mr. and Mrs. Stanbery were the parents of twelve children-John S., Sarah J., Margaret, Thomas P., Recompense, Wil- liam C. D. A , Harry E., Jessie M., Flora May, Eliza B., Henry S. and Francis L., who died at Clear Lake in 1859. Mrs. Stanbery is still living at the old home- stead in Cerro Gordo county. He was an active member of the Masonic order, pass- ing to the thirty-second degree, was the founder of Benevolence Lodge, No. 145, of Mason City, organized Forest City Lodge at Belmond, and many others in this section of the country.
Dr. William W. Allen located at Mason City in 1866, and began the practice of
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
medicine. He remained at Mason City for many years, prominently identified with its growth and progress. The block known as the Dyer House is a monument to his enterprise and industry, although to him it proved rather disastrous, finan- cially. He was a man of much ability, energetic and an untiring worker. He died at Independence, Iowa, June 18, 1878, and was buried at the Clear Lake cemetery with Masonic honors.
Dr. John G. Ogden came to Mason City, from Rockford, Ill., in 1866. He was quite well along in years when he came, a married man, and had been in practice prior to coming here. He first settled on a farm near Owen's Grove, but finally moved to town. He remained a resident of Mason City until 1880, when he removed to Kansas, where he still lives, following his profession. He was much esteemed by all who knew him.
Dr. A. A. Noyes, allopath, began the practice of medicine, at Mason City, in 1867. He came here from Baraboo, Wis., where he had been in practice. He was a well educated, polished gentleman, and thoroughly understood his calling. He remained, having a good practice, until 1882, when he returned to his former home in Baraboo, Wis., where he still lives.
Dr. Van Dusen, a talented young physi- cian, located at Mason City in 1875, com- ing from Mineral Point, Wis. His father was, and still is, a prominent physician in Mineral Point, and the young man had the promise of making his mark in the medical world. The young man became the partner of Dr. W. W. Allen and re- mained in Mason City about one year, when he returned to his former home.
Dr. Andrews became a member of the medical fraternity at Mason City, about 1876. His stay was short.
Dr. A. M. Tuttle, son of E. A. Tuttle, of Clear Lake, located at Mason City, in 1877, and for some months represented the homeopathic branch of the medical profession. He is now at Britt, Iowa.
Dr. C. C. Coggswell located at Mason City, in 1878, and began practice. He was a young man, and as the business did not prove as lucrative as he had hoped, he only remained a short time.
Dr. A. W. Cummings was a homæop- athic physician and Methodist preacher, who located at Mason City in 1879, com- ing originally from Wisconsin. He re- mained a little over a year and left. . He is now located in Minnesota.
Dr. Read, a student fresh from medical college, located at Mason City in 1880, and hung out his shingle. He remained about six months, when he moved to Storm Lake, Iowa, where he still lives engaged in practice.
Dr. J. S. Clark came to Mason City in 1881. He was a homœopathist in practice. He remained until the fall of 1882. He is now at Iowa City, and it is said intends returning to Mason City.
In 1883 the medical profession was represented at Mason City by the follow- ing: Drs. J. B. Dakin, Shorland Harris, O. A. Goodhne, C. H. Smith, S. H. Wash- burn, A. L. Wheeler, Edward Osborne, F. M. Somers, T. M. Blythe and Mrs. H. D. Pramer. The dentists were: C. M. Gaylord, J. L. Harkison, H. W. Sale and Alonzo Peck.
J. B. Dakin, M. D., one of the oldest . practicing physicians of the county, was
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Jan. 5, 1836. He is a son of Perry Dakin, of Dutchess Co., N. Y., and came to Ohio when a young man-a pioneer of Clinton Co., Ohio. He married Phoebe McMannis, of Kentucky, in 1820. They reared ten children, five sons and five daughters. The doctor was raised on his father's farm and had an academie education. In 1855 he went Bremer county, where he entered the office of Dr. Geo. M. Dakin. In 1860-61 he attended a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and at the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted in 72d Illinois Volun- teer, which was known as the board of trade regiment. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, after which he was transferred to Benton Barracks Hospital, St. Louis, where he served until the expiration of his time in the service. He again attend- ed college at Cincinnati in the spring of 1866 He commenced the practice of medicine at La Porte, Ind. In 1869 he came to Mason City, where he has since followed his profession, and has, by his skill in medicine, worked himself into a large and lucrative practice. In 1867 he was married to Miss J. M. Church, of Marshall, Mich., a daughter of Elder Jesse Church, and a sister of Judge Church, one of the pioneers of Mason City. By this union there were six children, two of whom are living-Chauncy and an infant. In politics Mr. Dakin is a strong republi- can. The doctor has held the office of city mayor and is now a member of the board of supervisors. Mrs. Dakin is a graduate of Yellow Spring College, of Ohio, and was twice elected superintendent of public schools of Cerro Gordo county.
Shorland Harris, M. D., A. M. and F. A. S., druggist, came to Mason City in 1869, and is now the oldest graduate in medicine in the county. He was born in Ilfracombe, Devonshire, England, July 22, 1829. He received a classical educa- tion and graduated with honors from Exeter college, in 1849. He took his degree in medicine, and like continental practitioners generally, completed his studies by walking the hospitals of Paris and Berlin. He was in the Crimean War medical corps, and is skilled as a linquist, reading all the European languages but three. He is an experienced journalistic correspondent and a vivacious reader He is a ready conversationalist. His private library is extensive and comprises many rare works, some unique and others out of print. Dr. Harris came to America in 1853, and practiced in New York, Canada and Chicago. He was married Oct. 16, 1872, to Emily Russell. They have one son, LeRoy Vivian, about six years old. Dr. Harris has two daughters by a previous marriage-Annie Margaret Louisa, wife of Rev. Philo K. Dayfast, A. B., of Port Colborne, Ontario, and Cleo Belle, residing at Minneapolis. Dr. Harris is a democra' in po ities, agnostic in religion, and inde- pendent in scientific opinion. His re- searches into the domain of natural science is bounded only by opportunity and means; nearly all his time outside of his profession being devoted to literature, art and science.
O. A. Goodhue, M. D., has been a promi- nent and popular member of the medical fraternity of Mason City since 1870, when he became a resident. He was born in Enfield, Grafton Co., N. H., Dec. 25, 1818.
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·HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
His parents, Oliver and M. (Johnson) Goodhue, were natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Their family included three sons and three daughters. Dr. Goodhue received a good education, completing his elementary studies at an academy. He went to Rock- ford, Winnebago Co., Ill., in 1844, where for many years he was engaged in teach- ing. He began to read for his profession in the office of Dr. Clark. In 1853-4 he attended lectures at Rush Medical College at Chicago, and in the following year matriculated at the Homeopathic College at Cleveland, whence he was graduated in 1855. * He opened his career as a practi- tioner at Rockford, where he operated until 1859. In that year he removed to Cedar Falls where he spent ten years in medical practice, during the last three of which he was physician in charge of the Soldiers' and Orphans' Home, where the inmates averaged 300 in number. During his management he lost but one patient. IIe came from Cedar Falls to Mason City. In 1846 Dr. Goodhue was married to Huldah A., daughter of Ripley and Sarah (Douglass) Merrill. She was born in Weedsport, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1831. Her father died in her childhood, and when she was seven years old her mother located in DeKalb Co., Ill. Mrs. Goodhue is a regular practitioner. She has been engaged in close medical study many years, and in the spring of 1882 was graduated at the Hahnemann College of Chicago. She is a member of the State Medical Society of Illinois. Dr. and Mrs. Goodhue are members of the Baptist Church, of which he has been many years an ordained deacon. They
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