USA > Iowa > Humboldt County > History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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
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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 Huntly 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. He 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. He 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 MeCoy came to Kossuth county in 1857, and commenced the prac- tice of his profession. He was a thor- oughly energetic man, and a successful practitioner. Coming to a new country withont 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 ax surgeon. After the cessation of hostili- ties, he went east, and at present is at Dover, N. HI., where he has a most Incra- 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. H. Leavitt came with Dr. James Barr and remained in partnership with him some time. He 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 he is working up a fine practice.
Among the physicians now resident in Kossuth county are: Dr. I .. A. Sheetz, Dr. L. K. Garfield, Dr. S. G. A. Read, Dr. James Barr, Dr. M. Il. Hudson, Dr. L. E. Potter, Dr. A. Richmond, Dr. II. C. Mc- Coy, Dr. J. M. Pride, Dr. H. 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. II. He 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. Hle 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. Krouse, which he continued eight years. He 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 up 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- cess in life may be attributed to his high professional attainment», 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 early 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) thence by stage to Algona. He 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., Ill., 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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versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in 1862, and finished the studies of the sophomore class in 1863. In 1864 he en- listed in the 8th 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 1868-60 he attended lectures at Bellevue 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 Du- 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. His 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 Iowa 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 sec- 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 gradnate 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 science, 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. His 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, Maus- ton and Lodi, these being the places where Iris father preached at different times. His education was finished at Kilbourn 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. He 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. He 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. His 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 county. 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 Iowa, 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. He 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 Genesec county and thence to Erie county, his father being engaged in the himber 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. His chance for an education being very limited, he might be termed a self-made man. The most of his edneation 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 medicine with Dr. Horace Eaton, at Sheffield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. He 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., lowa. 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 circnit of twenty-five miles. He at first practiced the regular system, but in eight years adopted the homeopathie, 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 section 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, Missonri, 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 himber, 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 Dee. 31, 1843, to Thankful Riek- 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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C., residing in Tama Co., Iowa; Lawrence E., residing in Cresco township, and Hor- ace E., attending lectures at the Homeopa- thic Medical College in Missouri. Dr. Potter is a republican in politics. Ile 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 Shorthorns, and some very fine horses for driving pur- poses.
Dr. B. G. Forbush was born March 20, 1821, in Caynga Co., N. Y. His father died 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 Bnf- falo, N. Y., under Dr. J. B. Pride, at- tended lectures at Buffalo Medical Univer- sity, and gradnated in 1852. He 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 Lonisa Holbrook, in 1853, who died in 1866, leaving two children-Charles G. and Endora L. In 1853 be 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. H. 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 California 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- tired 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. Hle 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 homeopathie 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 allopathic 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- Nity, at Iowa City. He practiced for about two years at Montour, Iowa, before coming to this place.
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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 calinly 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 clotli- 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 cominunity regard their particu- lar newspaper or newspapers as of pecu- 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 scrutiny. Its papersare well filled each week with advertisements of home merchants, and of its numerous business ventures. No paper can exist withont these adver- tisements, and no community can flourish that does not use the advertising columns of its local press. Each must sustain the other.
The first paper in the county was the Algona Pioneer Press, and was established by Ambrose A. Call, in the early part of 1861.
The material for this journalistic ven- ture was bought by the proprietors at Fort Des Moines, as it was then called, and brought to Algona in an ox-cart, by O. Minkler. The press was set up, and with Ambrose A. Call in the editorial chair, the infant journal embarked upon its career. The initial number was issued on the 13th of April, 1861, and in defer- ence to the way of the craft, Mr. Call thus indulges in a salutation:
We this week give to the public the first number of the Algona Pioncer Press, and in doing so we would say to our friends and the public generally, that we do not mount the tripod for any particu- lar love we have for the profession of an
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