History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 37

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 37
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 37
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 37

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).

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IHISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF KOSSUTII COUNTY.

There is probably no profession or busi- ness in existence among civilized commn- nities, in which the members aro called on to make more daily self-sacrifices and undergo more privations than the medi- cal profession. No more thankless mis- sion can a man enter upon, in the arena of the world's activity, than that of healing sick and suffering humanity. Much more than their share of the unpleasantness of this must necessarily be the lot of those conscientious and bold pilots of the guild, who pushed out among the early pioneers in former days. Called on, at all hours of the day or night, to mount his. horse, and answer the call of duty, oftimes to face the fearful "blizzard," the summer's rain or mud and wet, the doctor of those days had a lot that none could envy.

Money in all new countries is a searce commodity, and the pioneer physician's hope of reward was but a slender chance, but notwithstanding this, be it spoken to the eternal honor of the profession, never did the cry of distress and suffering reach their ear, but what it was answered. The doctor did what he could to relieve, and if the fee was not forthcoming, the service was cheerfully given for the sake of the brotherhood of man. More real moral courage was required to adopt this profession and labor upon the verge of

civilization in pioneer times, than it does to lead armies or storm death-dealing batteries, and yet the grand heroes of these conflicts with disease and the grim king of terrors, has no wreath of victory, no grand song of fame to herald their actions. Let it then be the pleasant task of the historian to here write down the acts and lives of these, the real heroes of pioneer days, that when the present gen- eration have passed away, the children of a coming age shall do honor to their mem- ories.

The first disciple of the healing art that came into Kossuth county, to practice his profession, was Dr. R. Cogley, who was one of the pioneers of the county. He located on what is now the IIuntly place, in June, 1855. This farm was a part of section 13, in Cresco township. Dr. Cog- ley was the graduate of a medical college of some note in Ohio, and was a very pro- ficient physician. He, after some years spent in this county, left and went to Os- kaloosa, Iowa, where he enjoyed the fruits of a large and remunerative practice.

Dr. Amos S. Mason, one of the argo- nauts of 1856, located at Algona, and en- tered into the practice of medicine. Ile was a graduate of the Pennsylvania Uni- versity, at Philadelphia, and a fine scholar and physician. He remained in the county

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until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when listening to the call of duty, he en- listed and received a commission as cap- tain. After the close of the war, his health not proving very good, he moved . to New Orleans, where he lived for some years. lle died quite recently at Cin- cinnati, while on a trip from Washington to New Orleans. At the time of his death he was part owner of the Times-Democrat, at the Crescent City, one of the best pa- pers of the State of Louisiana.

Dr. Franklin McCoy came to Kossuthi connty in 1857, and commenced the prac- tice of his profession. Ile was a thor- oughly energetic man, and a successful practitioner. Coming to a new country without money, he was compelled to meet many obstacles, but by labor and energy, he overcame them and acquired a fair share of real estate. Early in the year 1866, he left Algona and went to Columbia City, Ind., where he grew into a large practice and became quite wealthy. He died at that place, on the 9th of January, 1874, of heart disease, mourned by a large circle of friends, acquaintances and patients.

Dr. Davidson, a follower of the old school of medicine, came into the county and took up some land. Ile came here from Waterloo, and practiced to a con- siderable extent and acquired some local reputation, and went back to Pennsyl- vania.

Dr. M. C. Lathrop was also one of the early disciples of Esculapins in the county. In July, 1858, he first landed at Algona, and entered into practice. In the spring of 1859, liking the place, he went back to Cedar Falls, and brought his family to this point. He remained until the begin-

ning of the Civil war, when he went to Cedar Rapids and entered the service as surgeon. After the cessation of hostili- ties, he went east, and at present is at Dover, N. II., where he has a most lucra- tive practice.

Dr. Andrew Mason was also at one time a practicing physician at Algona.

Dr. Whitney located at Algona, for a short time being engaged, during 1870, in the drug business with H. C. McCoy. One of the most eminent men in the pro- fession, he has never seemed to get ahead, but rather to retrograde in all respects. He went from here to Emmetsburg, but is at present located at Pierre, Dakota.

Dr. J. II. Leavitt came with Dr. James Barr and remained in partnership with him some time. Ile is now located some- where in Wisconsin.

Dr. Jackson came to Algona in 1881, but made quite a short stay, and now re- sides at Fergus Falls, Minn., where heis working up a fine practice.

Among the physicians now resident in Kossuth county are: Dr. L. A. Sheetz, Dr. L. K. Garfield, Dr. S. G. A. Read, Dr. James Barr, Dr. M. H. IIndson, Dr. L. E. Potter, Dr. A. Richmond, Dr. II. C. Me- Coy, Dr. J. M. Pride, Dr. 11. Alleyne, Dr. L. R. Baker, Dr. G. T. West, Dr. A. W. Berryman, Dr. E. W. Bachman and Dr. G. B. Forbush.

L. K. Garfield, M. D., the oldest prac- ticing physician in this county, was born May 6, 1820, in Langdon, Sullivan Co., N. 11. Ile was reared and educated in his native State. When twenty-one years of age he entered the office of Dr. Graves of Langdon, and commenced the reading of medicine. Two years later he at-

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tended the Vermont Medical College, his last course in that college being in 1846. Ile afterward attended the Missouri Med- ical College; the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, and the Rush Medical College of Chicago. Soon after his last term at the Vermont Medical Col- lege he emigrated to Tioga Co., Penn., where he commenced the practice of med- icine in partnership with Dr. Kronse, which he continued eight years. Ile then moved to Schuyler Co., N. Y., and con- tinued his practice until 1865, when he emigrated to Algona, Kossuth Co., Iowa, where he still follows his profession. At this time the county was sparsely settled and his rides were long and dreary, his only guide being the sun and wind by day and the stars by night. Dr. Garfield has been continuously engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery for over thirty- seven years; yet he is well preserved for a man of over sixty-four years. He is a very positive man, and when he makes np his mind no power on earth can move him from his purpose, and in most in- stances it will be found that he is correct. By his high social endowments and his skill and success in his profession, he has gained many warm and ardent friends, and by his positive character he has made some bitter enemies. Much of his suc- eess in life may be attributed to his high professional attainments, skill and suc- cess in practice.

S. G. A. Read, M. D., A. M., one of the prominent physicians of Algona, was born in January, 1817, in Washington Co., Vt., where he lived until fifteen years old, when his parents emigrated to St. Law- rence Co., N. Y., where they remained

two years, then emigrated to Medina county, on the Western Reserve of Ohio, being among the carly settlers of that county. He was educated in Oberlin College, after which he took a medical course at the Cleveland Medical College, and was graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. This was in 1852-53. He immediately commenced the prac- tice of his profession at Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, and in 1854, removed to Columbia City, Whitley Co., Ind. The doctor was married in Ohio to Beulah E. Smith. They had three children-Mary J., wife of J. P. Hawkes; Julia A., widow of Samuel Ifill; and Martha, wife of A. S. Hawkes. In March, 1860, Mrs. Read died in Columbia City. In March, 1863, - Mr. Read married Elizabeth Bunnell a daughter of Edmond H. and Betsey (Ashley) Bunnell. On the 4th of July, 1865, Dr. Read reached Algona, coming by railroad to Cedar Falls, (then the ter- minus) thenee by stage to Algona. IIe is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Knight Templar. Himself and wife are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The doctor is an active student, not laying aside even the classics. The Greek New Testament is his intimate companion in all his travels. He is now studying the Hebrew language.

L. A. Sheetz, M. D., one of the promi- nent business men of Algona, was born in Stephenson Co., III., in 1844. His par- ents were Jared and Magdalena Mennig, who emigrated to Stephenson Co., Ill., in 1840, being among the early settlers of the county. The doctor was reared and educated in his native county. He en- tered the medical department of the Uni-

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IHISTORY OF KOSSUTHI COUNTY.

versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in 1862, and finished the studies of the sophomore class in 1863, 1n 1864 he en- listed in the Sth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, was .made adjutant of the regi- ment. The regiment led in the charge at Fort Blakely and was the first to plant their colors on the walls, In 1866 he was mustered out at Baton Rouge. Re- turning from the war he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. B. T. Buckley, at Freeport, Ill., and during the winter of 1867-8, attended medical lectures at Rush Medical College, Chi- cago, Ill. In the winter of 1868-69 he attended lectures atBellevue Hospital Med- ical College, New York, graduating in the spring of 1869. In May of the same year he came to Algona, where he embarked in the drug business in company with Dn- rant brothers, and at the same time fol- lowed the practice of medicine. In 1872 the firm was dissolved, the stock being divided, and he started his present place of business. In 1870 he was married to Dona Langdon, a daughter of Henry D. Langdon, of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.

Dr. James Barr was born July 25, 1836, in Lanarkshire, Scotland. At nine years of age he was apprenticed to the weaver trade. Ilis health failing, at the end of three years, he was placed on a farm. When seventeen years old he came with the family to this country, working in a coal mine a short time near Sharon, Penn. In 1854 he went to Trumbull Co., Ohio, and worked on a large dairy farm till the spring of 1856, when he moved to Iowa, locating in Fayette county, and spending two seasons on a farm. When twenty- two he attended the district school, up to

that time not having had more than one year's schooling and was not able to do the most simple example in multiplication or division, being principally self-educated. In a short time he entered Upper łowa University, then recently located at Fay- ette, and dilligently pursued his studies till the Civil war commenced. During this time he had no means of support ex- cept the earnings of his own hand. In September, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the 12th Iowa Infantry, and soon after the battle of Shiloh was appointed hospital steward, in which capacity he served three years. During the year 1865 the surgeon of the 12th regiment was absent most of the time on detached duty, when he had charge of the regiment, and in September of that year was commis- sioned assistant surgeon, serving until mus- tered ont in February, 1866. Returning to Fayette, he read medicine with Dr. C. C. Parker, surgeon of the 12th Infantry, and attended lectures at Rush Medical Col- lege, graduating in February 1868. After spending a short time in Mindoro, Wis;, Dr. Barr located in Clermont, Iowa, prac- ticed there till May, 1869, when he settled in Algona, where he has a large and lu- crative practice. He is a modest, quiet, unassuming gentleman, attending to the duties of his profession with the utmost assiduity. In 1871 Dr. Barr was ap- pointed United States examining surgeon for pensions, and still holds that office. In February, 1876, he became a volunteer weather reporter for this immediate see- tion of the State, and still makes his daily observations, reporting to Prof. Herrick of Iowa City. In March, 1880, he gradu- ated in the Hahnemann Medical College

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of Chicago, after attending lectures dur- ing the winter. Dr. Barr has always voted the republican ticket and is a staunch supporter of the temperance cause. He is a Master Mason. He mar- ried, June 15, 1871, Selina M. Bradshaw of Davenport, Iowa. They have four children-Bertram J., Arthur E., Emma N. and Mary A. Mrs. Barr is a graduate of the high school and training school of Davenport, was a teacher there for sev- eral years, and is a woman of no small degree of intellectual polish. They are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and active in the Sab- bath school. Dr. Barr's experience in the army hospital as steward and as- sistant surgeon was an excellent school to him, and aided him in laying a good foundation on which to build in medical seienee, of which he is a very close stu- dent. When he entered the army he took some books with him, and at first pursued his studies when not busy in the hospital. He fitted himself for a sur- geon's duties by studying two hours before any one else was astir. Industry in so noble a direction has been amply rewarded.

Dr. E. W. Bachman was born in Green Co., Wis. Ilis father was a Methodist minister, being on the circuit twenty-six years, so that during Mr. Bachman's early life he was in schools in Baraboo, Mans- ton and Lodi, these being the places where his father preached at different times. Ilis education was finished at Kilbonrn City Institute. At the age of twenty, he was engaged as clerk in Eau Claire, Wis. for one year. When twenty-three years old, he went into business for himself in

Mazo Manie, sold out, and moved to Fayette, Wis., where he commenced studying medicine with Dr. Arahm. After studying two years, he went to Iowa City, to attend the lectures in the State University, from there he went to the Insane Hospital at Mt. Pleasant, for the study of nervous diseases with Dr. Ranney. He then came to West Bend, where he has since practiced, having a range of ten miles in each direction. He owns a nice residence in West Bend, which he bought a short time since of E. S. Bagley. Ile has displayed considera- ble taste in fitting it up, having good grounds. In the fall of 1883, Dr. Bach- man was elected county superintendent by the largest majority ever received by any officer in the county. Ile was mar- ried Oct. 18, 1883, to Jennie Forest, of Emmetsburg. He is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a republican, and belongs to the order of Odd Fellows.

Dr. John M. Pride was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, May 3, 1849. ITis father, John Pride, was a native of New York, and his mother, Esther (Reed) Pride, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania. They were early settlers in Seneca connty. When John was eighteen years of age he went with his parents to Franklin Co., Iowa. In 1875 he began the study of medicine with Dr. O. B. Harriman of Hampton, Iowa, being a student with him until the spring of 1878. During that time, however, he attended the winter terms of 1875-6 and 1877-8, of school at the State Univer- sity of lowa, graduating at the close of the latter term. He then returned to Hampton, and practiced under his former

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preceptor until June, 1879, when he came to Whittemore. Ile was the first and only physician in practice here. Dr. Pride was married April 5, 1880, to Mary Brown, a native of Wisconsin.

Dr. Loron E. Potter, homeopathic phy- sician and surgeon, was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., April 27, 1823. When eigh- teen months old he went with his parents, Sheldon and Wealthy (Baldwin) Potter, to Genesee county and thence to Erie county, his father being engaged in the lumber business. In the fall of 1839 they removed to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where Dr. Potter led a frontier life with his parents until twenty-one years of age. llis chance for an education being very limited, he might be termed a self-made man. The most of his education was gotten with the help of his mother, in the chimney corner, after his days, work was done and his companions were pleasure seeking. When twenty-two years of age he began the study of medieine with Dr. Horace Eaton, at Sheffield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Ile continued to study with him three years, then attended lectures at the Kingsville Institute. He then re- moved to Knox Co., Ill., where he resided five years, then went to Henry county re- maining ten years, engaged in farming and practicing medicine. Before he had been in Henry Co., Ill., one year, there were no less than nine physicians settled around him, who had come west to seek a field of labor. In the fall of 1865 Dr. Potter removed to Marengo, Iowa, spend- ing the winter, and in the spring of 1866 going to Greencastle township, Marshall Co., Iowa. He resided here eighteen years, having a large practice, and at

times employing.three teams and drivers, and getting the most of his sleep in the wagons, and sometimes riding a circuit of twenty-five miles. He at first practiced the regular system, but in eight years adopted the homeopathic, which he deems far superior. In May, 1883, on account of failing health, Dr. Potter retired from active practice, and moved on a farm in Cresco township, Kossuth county. He owns eighty acres of land on section 18, township 95, range 29, eighty acres on section 19, township 95, range 29, and eighty acres on seetion 26, township 95, range 30, where he now resides. He has erected some substantial buildings, a house 18x24 feet, a barn 26x36 feet and a sheep barn 26x64 feet. Dr. Potter is not al- lowed to rest, however, for he is frequently called to see his old patrons in severe cases, even to Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Dakota, and being compelled to at- tend on his immediate neighbors, he is kept so busy that he is obliged to neglect his farming interest. Dr. Potter has been unfortunate in the way of accidents. Soon after moving to Marshall county, while hauling a load of lumber, his team ran away and the doctor was thrown from the wagon, breaking three of his ribs, and injuring his spine so badly that his lower limbs were paralyzed for some time. Two years later he lost his right hand in a broom corn machine. Mr. Potter was married Dec. 31, 1843, to Thankful Rick- ard, of Sheffield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. They have had eight children, five of whom are living-Orange A., a veterinary sur- geon, living in Cresco township, this county; Albert C., homeopathic physician and surgeon at Clifton, Kan .; Caroline

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTHI COUNTY.

C., residing in Tama Co., Iowa; Lawrence E., residing in Cresco township, and Hor- ace E., attending lectures at the Homeopa- thie Medical College in Missouri. Dr. Potter is a republican in politics. He is a radical temperance man, and in religion is liberal. He owns the only Cassimere goats in the county, has a fine flock of sheep, some fine high grade Shorthorus, and some very fine horses for driving pur- poses.

Dr. B. G. Forbush was born March 20, 1821, in Cayuga Co., N. Y. His father ‹lied when he was quite young. When seven years of age his mother moved to Erie Co., N. Y., where he grew to man- hood, receiving a common school educa- tion. When twenty-eight years of age he commenced reading medicine in Buf- falo, N. Y., under Dr. J. B. Pride, at- tended lectures at Buffalo Medical Univer- sity, and graduated in 1852. Ile began the practice of medicine in Buffalo, where he remained three years. He married Sophrona P. Mann, of Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y. She died in 1851. He then mar- ried Louisa Holbrook, in 1853, who died in 1866, leaving two children-Charles G. and Endora L. In 1853 he removed to Chautauqua Co., N. Y. In 1856 he went to Grant Co., Wis., where he followed his profession till the spring of 1872, when he came to Algona, and is now engaged in the drug business. Dr. Forbush is a member of Prudence Lodge, No. 205, and is an upright man and a gentleman of the old school. In 1868 he attended the Ec- lectic College at Cincinnati, where he graduated. In 1875 he was married to Viola Bellows, his present wife.

M. HI. Hudson, M. D., graduated at the Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield,

Mass., in the year 1844. He commenced the practice of his profession in the city of Brooklyn, N. Y. After praticing sev- eral years in Brooklyn, he took a trip to C'alifornia for his health. He went in a sailing packet around Cape Horn, being four months on the water. He remained in San Francisco for two years. On re- turning home he decided to locate in the west; consequently removed with his family to Paw Paw, Ill., where he prac- ticed some eight years, while he experi- enced many of the hardships incident to the practitioner in a new and thinly set- tled country. He came to Kossuth with his family in the spring of 1864, and set- tled on the farm where he now resides.

Dr. Harban Alleyne, was a native of the West Indies, and a graduate of Edinburgh University, Scotland, of 1871. He came to Wesley in 1880, where he established himself in practice. He has the reputa- tion of being a most excellent physician.

Dr. L. R. Baker, a homeopathic physi- cian, a graduate of the Michigan Univer- sity, at Ann Arbor, located at the village of Luverne in May, 1883, and is engaged in practice at that point.

Dr. G. T. West, allopathic physician, located at Bancroft on the 1st of March, 1883. Ile is a graduate of the St. Louis Medical College, of the class of 1876.

Dr. A. W. Berryman, an allopathie physician, settled at Bancroft in April, 1882, and is one of the resident physicians of the county. He is a graduate of the medical department of the State Univer- sity, at Iowa City. Ile practiced for about two years at Montour, Iowa, before coming to this place.

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTHI COUNTY.

CHAPTER IX.

THE PRESS.

There is no instrumentality, not even ex- cepting the pulpit and bar, which exerts such an influence upon society as the press of the land. It is the Archimedian lever that moves the world. The talented minister of the Gospel on the Sabbath day preaches to a few hundred people; on the follow- ing morning his thoughts are re-produced more than a thousand fold, and are read and discussed throughout the length and breadth of the land. The attorney at the bar, in thrilling tones, pleads either for or against the criminal arraigned for trial, often causing the jury to bring in a verdict against the law and the testi- mony in the case. His words are re-pro- duced in every daily that is reached by the telegraphic wire, and his arguments are calmly weighed by unprejudiced men and accepted for what they are worth. The politician takes the stand and ad- dresses a handful of men upon the political questions of the day; his speech is re- ported, and read by a thousand men for every one who heard the address. Sud- denly the waters of one of our mighty rivers rise, overflowing the land for miles and miles, rendering thousands of people homeless and without the means to secure their daily bread. The news is flashed over the wire, taken up by the press, and known and read by all men. No time is

lost in sending to their relief; the press has made known their wants, and they are instantly supplied. "Chicago is on fire! Two hundred millions worth of property destroyed! Fifty thousand people rendered homeless!" Such is the dread intelligence proclaimed by the press. Food and cloth- ing are hastily gathered, trains are char- tered, and the immediate wants of the sufferers are in a measure relieved.

The power for good or evil, of the press, is to-day unlimited. The short- comings of the politician are made known through its columns; the dark deeds of the wicked are exposed, and each fear it alike. The controlling influence of a Nation, State or county is its press; and the press of Kossuth county is no excep- tion to the rule.

The local press is justly considered among the most important institutions of every city, town and village. The people of every community regard their particu- lar newspaper or newspapers as of peeu- liar value, and this not merely on account of the fact already alluded to, but because these papers are the repositories wherein are stored the facts and the events, the deeds and the sayings, the undertakings and the achievements that go to make up local history. One by one these things are gathered and placed in type; one by

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one the papers are issued; one by one these papers are gathered together and bound, and another volume of local, gen- eral and individual history is laid away imperishable. The volumes thus collected are sifted by the historian, and the book for the library is ready. The people of each city or town naturally have a pride in their home paper. The local press, as a rule, reflects the business enterprise of a place. Judging from this stand-point, Kossuth county need not fear the closest serntiny. Its papers are well filled each week with advertisements of home merchants, and of its numerous business ventures. No paper can exist without these adver- tisements, and no community can flourish that does not use the advertising columns of its local press. Each must sustain the other.

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History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 37

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950