USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa : its people, industries and institutions, with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families > Part 10
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Captain W. M. Magden, of Woodbine, was a veteran of the Civil War, entered the service as the embodiment of physical manhood, but the bullets and fatigue of march and camp life in southern swamps pulled him down to physical wreck. He practiced at Dunlap at one time. He was promin- ent in Grand Army circles in the early days of that order. He heid various town offices in Woodbine, where he died many years ago.
J. A. Phillips, another Dunlap attorney, and formerly a county attorney of Harrison county, was a graduate of Westminster College, of Lawrence county. Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the bar in Newcastle, Penn- sylvania in 1873, and soon thereafter located in Dunlap.
Lafayette Brown, of Missouri Valley, was graduated from the law de- partment of the Jowa University, Iowa City, with the class of 1879. He immediately located at Missouri Valley and for many years was a leading legal light. Later, he engaged more especially in real estate business.
FATHER OF HARRISON COUNTY BAR.
Sanford H. Cochran, of Logan, now the oldest attorney in point of practice of any in Harrison county, was a cadet at West Point Military Academy. He went from that government institution to Iowa City, Iowa, where he entered the law department of Iowa University, in 1868. The year following he located at Missouri Valley and began the practice of law. For a number of years he was a law partner of J. C. Rhodabeck, and then entered into partnership with a lawyer named Hart. The last partnership only existed a short time, when Mr. Cochran took for a partner a Mr. Baily, under the firm name of Cochran & Baily. In 1882, this relation ceased to exist and Mr. Cochran removed to Logan, since which date he has been accounted one of the most reliable and best-posted attorneys of the county.
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He has never dabbled in outside affairs but ever kept close to his chosen profession. He has had many important cases, both in this and adjoining counties, with his full share of cases and successfully terminated in the supreme court of lowa. ( See his personal sketch in the biographical depart- ment of this work.) He now has a law partner in the person of M. L. Barrett, formerly of Dunlap, which firm is known as Cochran & Barrett.
Hon. Thomas AArthur one of the present judges of this district, was born in St Johns township, Harrison county, Jowa, July 12, 1860. the son of William Arthur. He was educated in the common schools, the high school in Magnolia and the fowa State University, graduating from the law department in June, ISS1. He then taught school at Little Sioux and at other points. In 1883 he was appointed deputy county clerk, serving until the autumn of 1886, when he was elected to the office of which he had been a deputy : was re-elected in 1888, and, after leaving the duties of this office, commenced the practice of law at Logan. He was elected as judge in 1912 -- and has made a splendid official record.
P. W. Cain, of Dunlap, was educated at Bloomfield, Tabor and Keokuk. Hle then entered the Des Moines University, and was admitted to practice in 1886 and settled in Dunlap.
F. M. Dance, of Missouri Valley, graduated from the University of Michigan in 1866, and two years later located in the legal practice at Mis- souri Valley, where he made a success.
Minor B. Baily, of Dunlap. commenced the practice of law in the eigh- ties and is still located at Dunlap, where, in addition to his law practice, he has farming interests, near his home town, which he very much enjoys, as they afford that recreation so needed by professional men. He has had his ups and downs in law practice, has been county attorney a number of years and has always been noted for his honor and integrity, both in and outside of the bar.
John A. Berry, another Logan attorney, was a student under John V. Evans, and through his instrumentality was admitted to the bar in this county. He practiced at Logan for many years and accumulated consider- able property. He finally lost much of his property and is now living in the West somewhere, doing fairly well. He commenced poor, carried hod in the building of the old court house where he later became a lively practitioner at the Harrison county bar.
J. S. Dewell and John S. MeGavren in the cightics constituted a law firm at Missouri Valley. They both were graduates of the law department of 1883. Mr. Dewell was graduated from Ames College, and Mr. Mc- Gavren from Tabor.
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C. R. Bolter (son of Senator L. R. Bolter), was a graduate of Iowa State University, read law under his father, was admitted to the bar in 1883 and practiced up to his death, which was occasioned by an accident with a gun.
C. A. Bolter, younger son of Senator L. R. Bolter, attended Tabor Col- lege and then read law in his father's office and was admitted under judge Lewis of the district court in 1883. He still has an office, but since the death of his father, he has been variously engaged in commercial and financial enterprises, and hence is not so actively engaged in the law prac- tice as he was in former years.
Another lawyer who has been conspicuous in the profession, as well as in South Dakota politics, is George Eagen, who was graduated from the Woodbine Norman School, the law department of the Iowa State University and other schools. He commenced the law practice at Logan about 1900 with L. W. Fallon as his partner. Later, he was a partner of Sanford Cochran, whose daughter he married. Later, he moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where most of his political and legal career has been enacted. He still resides there.
LAWYERS IN ORDER OF SETTLEMENT.
Through the kindness of S. H. Cochran, of Logan, we are enabled to give the following list of attorneys, in the various towns of Harrison county (we have made a few changes) :
Magnolia-Richard Humphrey, 1854, remained until 1855; William Fuller, N. G. Wyatt. 1856: Joe H. Smith. 1856: M. Holbrook, A. L. Harvey, J. R. Zuver, J. V. Evans, E. R. Cadwell, P. Hubbard.
Missouri Valley-J. Mckinley, D. M. Harris, P. D. Mickel, T. E. Branan, W. S. Shoemaker, L. Brown, Ambrose Burke, F. Tamasia. C. \\. Kellogg, J. S. Dewell, Ross MeLaughlin.
Logan -- L. R. Bolter, E. P. Cadwell, S. H. Cochran. W. H. Davis, H. Il. Roadifer, C. A. Bolter, C. N. Wood. C. R. Bolter, S. I. King, L. W. Fallon, J. H. Smith. Thomas Arthur (now judge), M. L. Barrett, II. Rob- ertson. A. Murry, P. Roadifer.
Dunlap -- William Magden. Fred Bangs. A. Van Kuren, Charles Mc- Kenzie, S. E. Wilmot. Frank Griffin. A. Burch, M. B. Bailey, Patrick Cain, J. H. Traver, J. A. Phillips.
Woodbine-Frank Wolf. William Magden, JI. F. Johns, George Dugan. This list contains the names of forty-eight lawyers and it is known that twenty-three are now deceased.
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JUDGES OF THE DISTRICT COURT.
The first person to preside as judge of the district court within and for Harrison county, was Samuel Riddle, of Council Bluffs, elected in 1854; Asahel W. Hubbard, of Sioux City, was elected in 1858; Isaac Pendleton, Sioux City, was elected in 1863: Henry Ford, Magnolia, in 1866-70; Charles II. Lewis, Cherokee. 1874-78-82: Charles H. Lewis, George W. Wakefield and S. M. Ladd, in 1886: Judge Gaynor. Le Mars, in 1890. Since 1894 the following judges of the district court were elected: G. W. Wake- field. Scott M. Ladd. Frank Gaynor and John Oliver, Hutchison, Wheeler, Thornell Macey. Greene and Judge Thomas Arthur, presiding judge, living at Logan.
It should be said of Judge Wakefield that he was born in DeWitt, Illinois, 1839: died at Sioux City, March 10, 1905. He was of New Eng- land stock: attended Lombard University, Illinois, entered the Union army in iNOT, as a corporal, was at the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, wounded at Jackson, Mississippi and was at siege of Vicksburg. He completed his law course after the war: located at Sioux City in 1868; was auditor three terms: law partner of Judge Isaac Pendleton: elected to judicial bench in 1884. He was of a high order of ability and integrity: was president of State Bar Association in 1904: active in the erection of the Floyd monu- ment, near Sioux City: modest and genial in temperament.
JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.
By act of the twelfth General Assembly, this office was created and went into effect April 3. 1869, and continued seventeen years. being abolished in 1886 when extra district judges were provided for. This necessitated the erection of several extra court rooms in the larger cities of Iowa, which, after the law was abolished were really useless to the counties in which they were built.
The circuit judge's who presided in Harrison county were Hon. Addison Oliver, of Onawa, elected in 1868-72 and resigned in 1874; Hon. J. R. Zuver, of Magnolia, appointed by the governor, and elected to fill the unex- pired term of Judge Oliver. Judge Zuver was elected again at the general election of 1876, and again in 18So. The last two years of his office he was unable to attend to the duties of his office by reason of ill health.
Judge Wakefield was elected in 1884 and served for the years 1885-86, at which date the office ceased to be a part of the judicial machinery in Iowa.
CHAPTER VIII.
, MEDICAL MEN AND SOCIETIES.
By Charles S. Kennedy, M. D.
Pioneer practice of medicine in Harrison county is a story of all the hardships and self-denial of the early settlers, together with the hardships, fatigue and exposure at all hours of the day and night, resulting from riding over a vast country with small settlements here and there, because doctors, like settlers, were few and far between.
The early pioncer physicians of the county were men of sterling worth, industrious and of high intelligence, as a general rule. Their intuition often had to guide them at night over many unbridged streams, across trackless prairies to the bedside of some one who placed his life and its preservation in their hands with an all-abiding faith. It was often a neces- sity to remove the patient to their homes, where they could be better treated, for then, as now, nursing was an important part in the successful practice of medicine.
Medical educational requirements were not as exacting as now, so we find many successful practitioners who had been but partially able to com- plete the curriculum of medicine. That they were successful and merited the full confidence of the public is evidenced by many words of praise and commendation spoken by the survivors of those pioneer days.
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.
In the Western Star, published at Magnolia, February 10, 1865, ap- peared the following "professional cards" of the following physicians :
"Dr. A. M. Servis-Six Mile Grove, Iowa. Physician and surgeon. Will attend to all calls professionally and treat diseases of all kinds ac- cording to the most approved modern school principles."
"Dr. L. J. Kynett, physician, surgeon and accoucheur, Magnolia, Iowa. Gives his entire attention to his profession. Chronic diseases treated with unparalleled success. Obstetrical practice attended to promptly. Office at Waterman's drug store. Residence at the Bates House."
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"Clark & Crosswait ( W. F. Clark and P. R. Crosswait), physicians and surgeons, Magnolia, Iowa. will attend promptly to all calls in their profession. Special attention given to surgery and chronic diseases. Office over Clark & Dally's."
In G. F. Waterman's "History and Description of Harrison County." published at Magnolia in 1868, appcar the following advertisements :
"Cole & Crosswait, physicians and druggists, Woodbine, Iowa. We carry a full line of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, dyestuffs, books and sta- tionery, wall paper, tobacco, cigars, toys and notions. Professional calls promptly attended to."
"O'Linn & Brainard (D. H. O'Linn, M. D., and O. V. Brainard), deal- ers in pure drugs and medicines, toys, notions, paints, oils, dyestuffs, brushes. perfumery, books and stationery. Physicians' prescriptions and family rec- ipes carefully compounded."
PIONEER PHYSICIANS.
As near as can be now ascertained, the pioneer physicians of Harrison county began their practice here in about the following order :
Dr. John H. Rice was the first regular graduate resident physician of the county, coming to Magnolia in 1854.
Dr. Robert MeGavren, who had resided in Pottawattamie county and practiced in that county and Harrison county from 1850, located at St. John in 1858.
Dr. Libbeus D. Coon commenced practice in Shelby county, and also in Harrison county, in 1851-52.
Dr. George McGavren commenced the study and practice of medicine with his brother Robert in Pottawattamie county in 1854.
Dr. John S. Cole commenced practice in Woodbine and vicinity in 1855. Doctor Drake, at Little Sioux, commenced in 1859.
Doctor Servis practiced medicine and engaged in farming at Six Mile Grove, early in the sixties. He carried a "card" in the Western Star the same as other physicians in that day did.
In 1867 Doctors Crosswait and O'Linn were the physicians at Magnolia, and Doctor Kern and sons at Logan. However, Dr. J. J. Rainwater located at Logan a short time before Doctor Kern. It was about this date that Doctor Christie located at Dunlap.
Dr. Samuel Clark began practice at Magnolia in 1868, and Dr. E. T. McKenney located at Logan in 1869.
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PHYSICIANS BY TOWNS.
The subjoined is a list of the various physicians who have from time to time practiced medicine in the towns and cities of this county, the list being as nearly correct as it is possible to determine at this date. Some few may have practiced for a brief period and left no special record or lasting impres- sion on the community. 1
MISSOURI VALLEY.
Dr. Robert MeGavren located in Pottawattamie county May 4, 1850, liv- ing within one-half mile of the Harrison county line until October 16. 1858, when he moved to St. John, this county. He engaged in the practice and farmed at the same time. He began the study of medicine in 1843 and began practice in 1848, in Ohio .. Ile remained in active practice until 1870. To him is believed to be the honor of being the first physician to practice the healing art in the territory now known as Harrison county.
Dr. George H. McGarven engaged in the practice of medicine, with his brother, Robert, from 1854 for a period of thirteen years. In 1868 he moved to Missouri Valley and continued the practice until 1888, when he was inca- pacitated by a severe fall. This accident ended the public career and use- fulness of a man who had a high ethical and professional standing. The community lost a man who had been its benefactor and the guardian of its welfare and every interest.
Dr. George W. Coit, a resident physician of Missouri Valley, was not alone one of the pioneers of the county, but also has the distinction of being the oldest resident practitioner of medicine and the second graduate doctor of medicine to locate in Harrison county, having located at St. John in No- vember of 1866. His carly medical education was received in the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, following which he spent two years as a con- tract surgeon during the Civil War. In August of 1865 he returned to New York, attending Bellevue Hospital Medical College and receiving the honors of graduation in March, 1866. The following autumn we find him practicing medicine at St. John, this county. The next spring he returned to the East, was married, and upon his return located at Missouri Valley, then the new railroad town, where he has continuously resided and followed his chosen profession.
Many medical honors have been the lot which bespeak of his ability. On March 22. 1886, he was appointed chief surgeon for the Fremont, Elk- horn & Missouri Valley and the Sioux City & Pacific railroads. This posi-
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tion he held for twenty-six years, resigning July 1, 1912. In 1889 he was elected vice-president of the National Railway Surgeons' Association, at its meeting at Buffalo, New York. He has held the office of president of the lowa State Railway Surgeons' Association; also held the offices of second vice-president, vice-president and president of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Surgeons' Association.
Among the highly prized mementoes in his personal collection is the re- ceipt given by Judge Brainard, of Magnolia, then internal revenue collector, for ten dollars paid as his government tax for the privilege of practicing medicine.
Doctor Coit is a man of exemplary life and habits, always ethical in his dealings with his competitors and patients, fully keeping abreast of the times in knowledge of medicine and surgical advance. He is a credit to his cher- ished alma mater and an honored citizen of the community where he is spend- ing his declining years. (See biographical sketch. )
Dr. H. Seymour McGavren, son of Dr. George McGavren, was grad- nated at Omaha Medical College, class of 1887. He is at present located at Sacramento, California, devoting his special attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat.
Dr. J. W. Huff, a graduate of Rush Medical College, practiced in Mis- souri Valley in the eighties. He was also connected with a drug store during his residence there.
Dr. Charles F. Montgomery, a graduate of Chicago Homeopathic Col- lege in 1895. located at Missouri Valley for a short time. He is now living in California.
Dr. Joseph W. Walburn was a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia, 1888, and located in Missouri Valley in 1889.
Dr. J. H. Gasson, a graduate of Creighton Medical College, Omaha, class of 1898, located in Missouri Valley the same year. He it was who es- tablished the Missouri Valley Hospital. He is now located in Canada.
Dr. Joseph Mehan, a graduate of the Northwestern University Medical College, Chicago, class 1903, located in Missouri Valley for a short time. He is now located in Denison, Iowa.
Dr. C. W. Boughton, a graduate of the Northwestern University, Chi- cago, located in Missouri Valley in 1903. He conducted the Missouri Valley Hospital, and is now located at Youngstown. Ohio.
Dr. George II. Shiley, a native son of Missouri Valley, his father being a prominent druggist there, graduated from Iowa University (medical de-
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partment ) with the class of . 1903. He is at present located at some point in Washington.
Another physician whose name should not be forgotten was Dr. Charles W. MeGavren, son of Dr. George H. MeGavren, one of the carliest pioneer physicians of the community, a graduate of Rush Medical College, class of 1879. After his graduation he located at Missouri Valley, in partnership with his father. He assumed the mantle his father had worn, with honor to his father and credit to himself, and was shown the appreciation of the com- munity by an extensive indication of its appreciation and support, enjoying a lucrative practice. He met with an accidental fall in January, 1909. frac- turing his hip, which so incapacitated him he removed to California the next year, and is now residing at Pasadena.
Dr. Edward J. Chapman located at Missouri Valley in August, 1871. He was a graduate of Rush Medical College. Chicago.
The physicians practicing in Missouri Valley in the summer of 1914 were: Dr. George W. Coit and Dr. John L. Tamisiea, a graduate of the State University of Iowa, class of 1896. located at Missouri Valley the same year. He is at present a member of the Iowa State Board of Health. Dr. James Hugh Tamisiea, a graduate of the Iowa State University, class of 1902, located with his brother, J. L. Tamisiea, on his return from college. Dr. S. F. DeVore, a graduate of Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, 1895, located at Missouri Valley in 1898. Dr. C. Heise, the present pro- prietor of the Missouri Valley Hospital, is a graduate of Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago. He located at Missouri Valley in 1910. Dr. A. H. Konig- macher is a graduate of John A. Creighton Medical College, class of 1913. He located at Missouri Valley in July, 1914.
MAGNOLIA PHYSICIANS.
While Dr. John H. Rice was the first regular graduate resident physi- cian at Magnolia, coming in 1854. Dr. Libbiens D. Coon came from Ashta- bula county, Ohio, about 1851-52, locating at Galland's Grove, Shelby county, Iowa. Before coming to Iowa he had studied medicine under the preceptor- ship of Doctor Holbrook. He next located at Magnolia during the very early fifties, and finally on a farm at the mouth of the Soldier river. He had a large practice among pioncer families in Harrison and Shelby counties. In 1865 he removed to Salt Lake, Utah, where he died some eight or ten years later.
By Gidcon Hawley and wife, of Woodbine, and J. M. Kennedy, of
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Logan, with other pioneers, we are informed that the doctor bore an excellent character and was noted as a physician of his day, and for some eccentricities. He had two private formulas, one called "Thunder and Lightning," a quick action remedy, and the other called "Bog Hay," a popular remedy for fever and ague chills.
J. M. Kennedy, a pioneer settler of this county, is responsible for the following: "Doctor Coon was an intelligent man, but of a peculiar turn of personality. A neighbor of ours. Mrs. Gus Klooping, was sick and her hus- band wanted a doctor called. I volunteered to go for Doctor Coon, going on horseback, taking me all day to make the trip from Shelby county to the mouth of the Soldier. I arrived about supper time, and we made an early start next morning, stopping at the old Chatburn inill on the Willow for our dinner, and arriving at the patient's home in the evening. The doctor re- mained over a day or two until the patient was better, then went to his own home.
"He had a remedy of herbs which resembled fine hay, over which he would pour a pint or more of boiling water and allow it to steep, the hay floating on top. If you were not seriously, at least distressingly, sick, you would have to hold your nose while taking the dose, which was a good-sized teacupful. I can guarantee the taste and after-effects to be quite lasting.
"Ben Homer, an old-timer here, was hesitating on taking a dose, when he soliloquized: 'It looks like bog hay.' A new name was thus applied to the cure, which suited the doctor and the public alike, and it immediately be- came a household name, and the remedy was generally found in many homes to be applied as an emergency treatment."
Dr. John H. Rice was probably the first resident graduate physician of Harrison county. He commenced the study of medicine under Doctor Eaton at Enosburg, Vermont, with whom he practiced for three years. During this time he took a course of lectures at Castleton Medical College, Castleton, Ver- mont, graduating in 1852. He located at Ottumwa, Iowa, where he prac- ticed medicine for one year. During the winter of 1853-54 he crossed the state with his.horse and buggy, visiting a brother at Council Bluffs, and de- cided to locate at Magnolia, which he did in the spring of 1854. He prac- ticed his chosen profession until the spring of 1870 at Magnolia, then moved to liis farm near that town, continuing to practice medicine until 18SI. when, owing to failing health, he gave up his life work and profession, which had frequently taken him into Shelby, Monona and Woodbury counties, as well as across the Missouri river into Nebraska. He was often threatened by wolves, met severe hardships and exposures on account of storms and had
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some thrilling escapes on the ice while crossing and recrossing the Missouri river.
During the summer of 1862. Doctor Rice was commissioned a surgeon of the Fifteenth Infantry Regiment. Iowa Volunteers. He served during the great Civil War.
From an issue of the Weekly Star, of Magnolia, published February 10; 1865, a card appears in the following language :
"A CARD.
"Owing to various circumstances after my return from the army, I had expected to be absent from the county for some time: I then gave notice to my friends and patrons to that effect, and recommended Dr. L. J. Kynett to medical practice in my absence, but owing to the strong solicitation of friends and patrons, combined with other influences. I have determined to remain in Magnolia.
"I therefore feel it to be my duty to the public to recall the notice with regard to Doctor Kynett. and to say that I am ready to attend to all orders left at Waterman's drug store, or at my residence in Magnolia, opposite the Congregational church.
"I offer my hearty thanks to all my friends for their uniform kindness and liberal support for nearly twelve years in this community, and as I have had much experience in medical practice during my connection with the army. I hope to be able to give entire satisfaction to all who may favor me with their patronage, and to retain that confidence which they have been kind enough to repose in me during the time past.
"December 30, 1865.
J. H. RICE."
Doctor Rice was appointed special examining surgeon for this county and called to his assistance Dr. George H. McGavren, as well as Dr. Robert MeGavren and Dr. John S. Cole. This board represented what is now known as "examining surgeons of the bureau of pensions." In the discharge of their duties they had occasion to hear the most exaggerated stories of per- sonal deformity and inability that ever came to the cars of men in their pro- fession. His death occurred at Pomona, California, in March. 1910. Thus ended the earthly career of a man who, not alone in professional life, was an integral part of pioneer days in Harrison county, but also as a citizen who had the utmost confidence in humanity, and his fellow-men had the same con- fidence in him. He lived not for himself alone, but for the common good and cause of humanity.
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