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 77
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Althoughi,as already been stated, he came here intending to retire from the practice of medicine, and had enjoined it upon his family and friends not to divulge the fact
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of his being a physician, yet,as such things will, it soon "leaked out" in some way, and as there was no other physician near, he was besieged day and night with urgent appeals for the benefit of his skill, until he saw no other way but to surren- der, and at last again got out a license and entered upon his professional duties, and for years rode extensively over this and Kossuth counties.
While he was trying to keep the knowl- edge of his being a physician hid, he was one day at Algona on business, dressed in common clothes. At the time there was a suit pending-a case of some doctor be- ing prosecuted for malpractice. Some one interested in the case happened to know Dr. Williams, and had him subpc- nied as a witness. He was not known to the court, and to use his own language, "They gave me a look which seemed to say: ' Well, we'll soon wind that ignora- mus up.'" They commenced his examina- tion, first with simple questions, then with more intricate ones, going into all the technicalities of physiology and anatomy, and as the doctor continued giving ac- curate answers, they seemed more and more astonished, until the lawyers stopped, and looking earnestly at him one of them said in a very respectful tone, " Well, Dr. Williams, what college did you graduate from?" He practiced medicine to some extent during the whole of his stay in this county. He served the county as su- perintendent of schools two or more suc. cessive terins; how worthily, no doubt many of the old teachers in the county would be able to testify.
In the fall of 1865 he sold his place at Lott's creek, broke up housekeeping, and
went to Winneshiek county, where his daughter, Mrs. R. P. Gidley, with her hns- band, Isaac M. Gidley, then resi-led. He staid some months, then went to Musca- tine, where his two sons, John and Benja- min, lived. With them he remained un- til the fall of 1867, when he returned to this county, where he spent liis few re- maining days with his daughter, Mrs. T. E. Collins. It was his intention to make arrangements for a permanent home here again, but he lived but a short time after his return. During his stay at Muscatine he was thrown from a load of lumber on to the frozen ground. He had a small grandchild in his arms at the time, and in trying to save her, the fall was made harder for him. He fractured two of his ribs, and was otherwise injured; and al- though he so far recovered as to be able to come from that place with his own team and alone, yet his death was caused finally from injuries then received. He died after an illness of two weeks, of in- flammation of the kidneys, on the 27th day of November, 1867, in the same month and the same day of the month on which he was married, and was buried in Sumner burying ground, by the side of the daughter he had laid there four years before. He was affectionate,sympathetic, benevolent, and social in his disposition; a bitter enemy to slavery, always an up- right, conscientious man, and for the last four years of his life, particularly, he was a faithful, devoted Christian. The work of the Sabbath-school especially interested him, and claimed much of his attention the last few years of his life, and he was a very efficient helper in them in many ways. After his eyes were closed, ap-
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Fra h. Welch M.A.
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parently to open no more, a bright radi- ance lit up his countenance, he opened his eyes again, and with an expression as if looking intently at some object he ex- claimed, "Oh, how beautiful the City is!" and quietly passed away.
PHYSICIANS OF HUMBOLDT.
The first physician in the town, after it .was laid out, was Dr. D. P. Russell, who was shortly followed by W. H. Locke. Since that time the medical profession has been represented by Drs. Ira L. Welch, W. M. D. Van Velsor, E. P. Van Velsor, Edward Baker, Brackett, Porter and oth- ers, whose names are not recalled.
The present representatives of this hon- ored profession are: Drs. Ira L. Welch, G. Hardy Clarke, Gilbert Bogarth, Kinnie and W. M. D. Van Velsor.
Dr. D. P. Russell, who was the first physician to locate in Humboldt, came to this place in 1864 from Pennsylvania, al- though born in Connecticut. He has re mained here many years, but has partially suspended practice, spending much of hi- time in Minneapolis, where he now is Dr. Russell, than whom there is no better known individual in the county, is of that restless, enterprising disposition, that ix supposed to be inherent in the people of New England. Shrewd, sharp, and caring but little for any friend but himself, he must succeed in the affairs of life, which he has done, if report speaks truly. The doctor was of the eclectic school, and had considerable practice. In 1866 he insti- tuted the pioneer drug store in the county, at Humboldt. The doctor is chiefly known through this locality as having built many hotels, among which are one each in Ilum-
boldt, Dakota, Algona and Livermore, all of which he operated for a time.
W. H. Locke was the second physician to locate in the "city in the vale," settling at that town during the year 1865, and where he at present resides, an esteemed and respected citizen. Dr. Locke was not an educated physician but practiced med- icine qnite successfully, being a man of more than ordinary ability and training.
Dr. Ira L. Welch was the next arrival, locating at this point in July, 1868, fromn which time he has continued in the pur- suit of his profession, and in the enjoy- ment of a lucrative practice.
Ira L. Welch, M.D., the oldest practitioner in the county, was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., Dec. 18, 1828. Ilis parents were Corne- lius and Sally (Lucas) Welch. His father wasa man of more than ordinary ability. His counsels were often sought by his neighbors, and were always given by him with an earnest, conscientions judgment, rarely, if ever wrong. . In politics he was an old time whig and a great admirer of Henry Clay. He always took an active interest in the affairs of his county and State. He sympathized with the free soil party principles but voted with the whigs until the organization of the republican party, when he joined it and worked for the success of its principles until his death. He was a man of strong convictions, and was always true to them, never swerving from doing or saying what seemed to him right. Mr. and Mrs. Welch had twelve children, eight of whom attained adult age. Three of his sous responded to their country's call, by enlisting ax soldiers in the late War of the Rebellion. One of them was fatally
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wounded at the battle of Gettysburg in the evening of the last day of that terri- ble battle. Another died instantly, soon after his discharge and return home, of heart disease, contracted in the army. Only one of the three who enlisted ser- vives. Mr. Welch emigrated to Cleve- land, Ohio, in 1831, remained there two or three years, and removed to Wayne, and subsequently to Medina county, in the same State, where he died at the age of seventy-three. Mrs. Welch died in 1864, at the age of fifty-nine years. They were both consistent members of the Congre- gational Church. Dr. Ira L. Welch was educated at the Seville High School, in Seville, Medina Co., Ohio, and at Ober- lin, Ohio. He entered upon the curricu- lum of study at Oberlin then adopted by that institution, expecting to finish it, but after two years, was obliged to abandon his long cherished plans to obtain a lib- eral education on account of failing health. As time went on, after leaving Oberlin, he began to recover his health, and then began the study of medicine, devoting as much time to it each day and each week, as his health would permit. His first course of lectures was taken at the Char- ity Hospital Medical College at Cleve- land, Ohio. He subsequently attended another course of lectures and graduated at the medical department of the Uni- versity of Wooster, also at Cleveland, Ohio. Since his first course of lectures he has been constantly in active practice, except the time necessary to attend the second term and graduate. He was mar- ried to Susan E. Dix, April 19, 1854, in Se- ville, Medina Co., Ohio. They have three children-Frankie M., George W. and Saralı
Charlina. Doctor Welch is a member of the Fort Dodge District Medical Society, of which he was president one year. He is also a member of the Iowa State Medi- cal Society, and of the American Medical Association. He attends as many of his society meetings as possible, consistent with his duties. He is a Mason in good standing with the fraternity, who places a high value upon the spirit and the teach- ings of the order. Ile still continues his membership with the lodge where he was made a Mason, namely: Wadsworth and Seville Lodge, No. 74, A. F. & A. M., Se- ville Ohio. He is also a member of Delta Chapter, No. 51, Fort Dodge, Iowa. He has been identified with this county for many years, serving it faithfully, as coun- ty treasurer, for four years, all the time doing all the work in his profession he he had time and strength to do. He maintained a thorough professional atti- tude toward his professional brethren, never losing an opportunity to lend a helping hand or give an encouraging word to them, when needed, always con- widerate and sympathizing with the af- flicted. He makes his profession his love, and devotes all the strength and talent he has to the practice of it. He is self-sacri- ficing to an extreme, often bestowing favors to his great disadvantage. By untiring attention to business and the conscien- tious discharge of his duties as a phys- ician, he has earned and obtained a repu- tation and standing of which he may justly feel proud. He has a practice extending into adjoining counties in every direction, which is large and remunera- tive. That, as a just remuneration, he may be the recipient of earth's choicest
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blessings to comfort his declining years, and heavens richest treasures beyond the grave, is the ardent desire of many true, reciprocating hearts who have been re- lieved and blessed by him.
In 1870 Drs. E. P. and W. M. D. Van Velsor came to Humboldt, and com- menced the practice of medicine. In a very few years E. P. withdrew, leaving his brother to continue alone. These were both graduates of the State Univer- sity, of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. E. P. Van Velsor, after the dissolution of the partnership, went back to Michigan where he died. His brother is still in practice at Humboldt. Dr. W. M. D. Van Velsor, resided for some years in Dakota, and was in the practice of medicine at that point, also.
Dr. Edward Baker, a son of N. B. Baker, the widely known war adjutant-general of Iowa, came to Humboldt in 1872 or 1873, and entered into the practice of medicine. He was a graduate of the Lonisville, Ky., Medical College, an allopath, and ayoung man of decided ability in his chosen pro- fession, and from the promise of youth manifests a glorious future. He is at present at Indianola, this State, in full practice.
Dr. W. M. Brackett, a disciple of the allopathic school of medicine, came to Humboldt in February, 1877, and com- menced the practice of the healing art. He was a native of New York State, but a graduate of the Chicago Medical College, from which institution he obtained a di- ploma with the class of 1876. He went to Livermore in October, 1881, where he is one of the most prominent citizens, being
the present mayor of that lively little "burg."
Dr. E. D. Nickson, dentist and druggist, was born in Staffordshire, England, Oct. 25, 1843, and is the son of William and Ann (Dugmore) Nickson, who emigrated to Canada in 1853. In 1860 they removed to Grant Co., Wis., and in -1869 came to Humboldt county, and settled at Mc- Knight's Point, where they engaged in farming. In the fall of 1879 William Nick- son, at the age of seventy-seven years, was killed by being thrown from a horse. He was remarkable for his activity. At the anniversary of his seventy-sixth birthday, he accepted a challenge from his grand- children present, of whom there was nearly twenty, to run a race with them, of seventy-six yards, a yard for each year of . his age, at which he came out victorions, leaving many of them far behind. His wife still survives him; she is seventy- five years old. They have raised a family of eight children, six boys and two girls, ill of whom are still living except the old- est son, William, Jr., who died May 6, 1882, at the age of forty-seven years. The subject of this sketch received an acade- mic education. He studied dentistry in the office of J. B. Brown, D. D. S., Galena, Ill.,and afterwards with Dr. E. L. Clarke, of Dubnque. In 1868 he visited his na- tive country and the continent. Return- ing in the fall of 1869, he came direct to Humboldt county, and engaged in busi- ness at MeKnight's Point, getting a post- office established at that place. In 1873 he moved to Humboldt, purchasing the drug business at that place, and subse- quently the one at Dakota City, consoli- dating the two at Humboldt, which gave
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him the exclusive drug business of the county for some time, and making him the oldest druggist, now in business, in the county. He is a member of the State Pharmaceutical Association, and of the State Dental Society. He is one of the prominent Masons of the county, and at present, is W. M. of Eastern Star Lodge, No. 195, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of Delta Chapter, No. 51, and Calvary Commandry, No. 24, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Dr. Nickson was married in June, 1871, to Mary A. Brown. They have one adopted son-Harry E. Nickson. The doctor is in easy circumstances, oc- cupying his own property. He has the nicest drug store in the city,and is doing a good bnisness.
Dr. A. S. Myzatt, a resident of Rutland township, was born in Albany Co., N. Y., March 16, 1833, and is a son of Ezra and Hannah (Slade) Myzatt,both of whom are now buried in Albany county. When twenty-two years old the subject of this sketch left New York, went to Illinois and engaged in teaching near Belleville. He had received a liberal education in Albany county, and had attended a school in Schoharie county, designed for fitting teachers for the work, and was therefore well qualified to teach. He remained in Illinois about six months and then re- moved to Dane Co., Wis., and engaged in general mercantile trade two years, then removed to Owatonna, Minn., where he was in a drug store, and also worked at the carpenters and painter's business. He then went to Albany and commenced a regular course in medicine at the medical college of that city. After an attendance of two terms he commenced the practice
of his chosen profession in Blue Earth City, Minn., where he remained four years then removed to Rutland, where he has continued since 1877, and now, deservedly, has a remunerative practice, is very popu- lar and successful, and universally liked, having a host of warm friends.
G. Hardy Clark, M. D., of the homeo- pathic school, was born in Utica, Ill. He is the son of John L. Clark, and of Julia (Hardy) Clark, a native of Vermont. The former is one of the early settlers of La Salle county, going there with his parents from Ohio, when a child. Dr. Clark, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Poughkeepsie Riverview Military Academy. On leaving school he entered the office of Dr. G. F. Contant, at La Salle. He attended lectures at the Hahnemann Medical College three years and gradu- ated in 1882. Receiving the appointment of resident physician to the Hahnemann Hospital, he held that position to the time of coming to this town. Dr. Clark has been a resident of this place but a short time during which he has had a remuner- ative practice.
Dr. Edward H. Kinney, son of Dr. J. R. and Julia (Hinman) Kinney, was born at Defiance, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1856. His mother is dead and buried at Defiance. His father is general anrgeon for the Min- neapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company, and is stationed at Minneapolis. While an infant Edward went to Illinois to live with his grandparents, with whom he remained until six years old. He then went with his father, who was, at that time, assistant surgeon in the army, and afterwards, professor of chemistry in the College of California, one year. Edward
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attended school two years in that State at San Jose. His father then obtaining a situation in the Sandwich Islands, he went there with him and attended school until 1874. In the meantime his father returned to New York and graduated at Bellevue, then went to Europe, studied and gradu- ated at Wurzburg, having pursued the full course of study, and was fellow vale- dictorian of his class. Having completed his medical studies, he located at Cedar Rapids, and sent for Edward, who came and entered Coe College, took a classical course and graduated, taking two prizes, in 1877. He then studied surgery in his father's office, three years, then took a course at the New York City College of Physicians and Surgeons and lastly took a sourse at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, from whence he graduated in the spring of 1883. He commenced the prac- tice of his profession at Minneapolis with his father. In June, 1883, he came to Humboldt, where he is engaged in the practice of medicine, making a specialty of surgery. His fine medical education, together with a natural ability, enables him to stand high in the profession, and few men are more competent to treat suc- cessfully intricate and difficult cases in medicine or surgery, and there is a grow- ing demand for the exercise of that skill, which he posseses in a marked degree. He deservedly has the confidence of the public, and a growing and remunerative practice.
PHYSICIANS OF LIVERMORE.
The first to locate here for the purpose of attending to the sick was Dr. W. M. Brackett, from Humboldt.
The prefession is represented at pres- ent by Drs. W. M. Brackett and J. Vought.
PHYSICIANS OF THOR.
Dr. D L. Field located in this embryo village with the Runic name in October, 1883, and commenced the practice of med- icine. He came here from Clinton, Iowa, and, although a new resident of the county, meets with considerable encour- agement in his profession.
DOCTORS IN DAKOTA.
Among the physicians that have prac- ticed in Dakota the most prominent names that yet remain in the minds of the peo- ple are Drs. I. A. Averill and J. S. Sprague. Dr. Averill commenced practice in Da- kota late in the seventies, and attained quite a cliental, but left the country in 1881, being located at present at Brainard, Minn.
Dr. Sprague was a graduate of Toronto Medical College,and was a finished scholar. He did not remain long.
Dr. Ira L. Welch, on his first coming to this locality, settled in Dakota, where he lived some years.
Dr. Van Velsor, now one of the medical fraternity of Humboldt, was at one time a resident of this town, as was Dr. W. M. Brackett, now of Livermore.
Dr. O. Beam is the only representative of the profession now resident at the town of Dakota.
William O. Beam, M. D., was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Aug. 29, 1834. His father, the Rev. Charles Beam, was a native of Virginia, who went to Ohio in 1833. His mother, Lucy (Hattle) Beam, was a native of the same State. They were both of German descent. In 1839
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the family removed to Vigo Co., Ind., where they resided until 1846, when they emigrated to Jones Co., Iowa, remaining until 1855, then went to Linn county, of. the same State. Here William com- menced the study of medicine under Dr. J. E. Strausberry, continuing with him until the fall of 1867. He then attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Keokuk, Iowa, during the term of 1867-8, when he commenced practice in Linn Co., Iowa. In July he removed to Tama county, where he practiced in Waltham and Dysart until 1882. He graduated in Iowa State University March 5, 1873. In January, 1882, he came to Dakota City, where he is uow the only physician. He
was married Sept. 8, 1857, to Hester A. Stewart, a native of Ohio. They have eight children-Watson W., also a phy- sician; Della I., Jennie G., Franklin L., Charles H., William O., Hattie L. and Hugh A. He is a Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F., a member of the A. O. U. W., of the G. A. R., of the M. E. Church, of the Iowa State Medical Association, of the Iowa Union Medical Association and of the Tama County Medical Soci- ety. He is the present county coroner. In September, 1862, he enlisted in company HI, 22d Iowa, and at the charge of Vicks- burg, May 22, 1863, was wounded and was discharged on account of disability in No. vember, 1863.
CHAPTER XII.
EDUCATIONAL.
The educational history of Humboldt county is one of interest, and the zeal displayed by many in the interest of good schools, is indeed commendable. The common schools of our country are now regarded by many as essential to the safety of the Republic. The first settlers in the territory showed in their works, their faith in the public schools. Gov. Robert Lucas, in his message to the Leg- islative Assembly of Iowa Territory, which convened at Burlington, Nov. 12, 1838, says in reference to schools:
"The 12th section of the act of Con- gress establishing our Territory, declares, ever encouraged.'
'that the citizens of Iowa shall enjoy all the rights, privileges and immunities heretofore granted and secured to the 'Territory of Wisconsin and its inhabit- ants.' 'This extends to us all the rights, privileges and immunities specified in the ordinance of Congress of the 13th of July, 1787.
"The 3d article of this ordinance de- clares, 'that religion, morality and knowl. edge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and all means of education shall be for-
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"Congress, to carry out this declaration, has granted one section of land in each township, to the inhabitants of such town- ship for the purposes of schools therein.
"There is no subject to which I wish to call your attention more emphatically than the subject of establishing, at the com- mencement of our political existence, a well digested system of common schools."
This Assembly addressed itself early to the task of providing for a system of common schools, and enacted a law pro- viding for the formation of districts, the establishing of schools, and authorized the voters of each district, when lawfully as- sembled, to levy and collect the necessary taxes, "either in cash or good merchanta- ble property at cash price, upon the inha b- itants of their districts, not exceeding one-half per centum, nor amounting to more than 810 on any one person, to do all and everything necessary to the estab- lishment and support of schools within the same."
The 2d Legislative Assembly enacted Jan. 16, 1840, a much more comprelien- sive law to establish a system of common schools-a law containing many excellent features. It provisions were, however, in advance of the existing public sentiment, on the subject of education making ample provision as it did for free public schools. Even the people of Iowa were scarcely ready for such a law.
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In the United States census of 1840, very few schools, either private or public, were reported. One academy in Scott county, with twenty-five scholars, and in the State, sixty-three primary and com- mon schools, with 1,500 scholars, being the whole number reported.
The 1st section of the act of 1839, for the establishment of common schools, pro- vided, that, "there shall be established a common school or schools, in each of the counties of this Territory, which shall be open and free for every class of white citizens between the ages of five and twenty-one years;" the 2d section pro- viding that "the county board shall, from time to time, form such districts in their respective counties, whenever a petition may be presented for that purpose by a majority of the voters resident within such contemplated district." These dis- tricts were governed by a board of three trustees, whose duties were to examine and employ teachers, superintend the schools, and collect and disburse the taxes voted by the collectors, for school pur- poses.
Among the earlier enactments of the Territorial Legislature, were those requir- ing that each district maintain at least three months school every year, and that the expenses of the same be raised by taxes levied upon the property of said district. Among the latter enactments was that providing for a county school tax to be levied to pay teachers, and that whatever additional sum might be re- quired for this purpose should be assessed upon the parents sending, in proportion to the length of time sent. The rate bill system was thus adopted near the close of the Territorial period.
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