USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 66
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Mr. Kephart's first vote was cast for
John C. Fremont, in 1856. His record is Republican, and nothing else. In 1871, he was elected State Senator, and there was not a more faithful and conscientious worker in the sessions of 1872-3. ITis habits of life have been strictly temperate. Ile has labored to make the Bible the rule and guide of life, and he finds it to be the soul of all philosophy, and the perfection of all true literature. He has a good memory of facts, faces and places ; reasons well from cause to effect ; is a lover of the sublime and beautiful ; is firmly attached to friends and home ; is a good judge of human nature-reading others with re- markable accuracy ; is affable and social, with a ready flow of ideas and good com- mand of language. He is a good reasoner -dealing firmly with his subject-being governed by the inevitable logie of cause and effect. His magnetic presence gives him a commanding influence in publie ad- dress, and with highly organized mental and moral qualities, in his advocacy of measures he cannot depart far from the right.
Long may he live to be a blessing to the church and to humanity.
W. M. Beardshear was elected President in June, 1881. W. M. Beardshear was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, Novem- ber 7, 1850. Ile is the eldest of four children born to John and Elizabeth (Cole- man) Beardshear. His ancestors, on the father's side, eame from Switzerland, and on the mother's from Wales and Scotland. His parents were enterprising and pros- perous farmers. Beardshear chapel, a tasteful and commodious briek church near Dayton, Ohio, stands as a monument of the
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catholic spirit and benevolence of his father.
The early school training of the son was received in the country schools. He spent his early years on the farm. On January 24, 1865, he enlisted as a private in the 184th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being but fourteen years of age. He served with his regiment in Alabama and Tennessee. The war having closed he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, Sep- tember 20, the same year. The next four years were spent by him in farming. Having become convinced of the necessity of a higher education, in the fall of 1869, he entered the classical preparatory of Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio. While in school he stood well in his classes and had a special liking for the languages, mental and moral science. In January, 1873, he was called from school for a time by the death of his father, and was ap- pointed sole administrator of the estate. Shortly after he was also appointed admin- istrator of a large estate of a deceased uncle. Both of these estates were by him satisfactorily administered. On March 23, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Mandhenk, of Brookville, Ohio, a former classmate in college. Being eager for a complete education, in January, 1874, he entered Otterbein University from which he graduated in the classical course in June, 1876.
In August of the same year, he joined the Miami Annual Conference of the United Brethren Church, and was appointed to Arcanum Mission Station, Ohio. During a ministry of two years on this charge, about eighty persons were added to its membership, and its special
and general interests advanced. While here he went as a delegate from Ohio to the International Sunday School Conven- tion, held at Atlanta, Georgia, April 17 to 19, 1878. In the fall of this year he declined the pastorate of this charge to take a special course in theology. In Sep- tember his name was among those enrolled ax juniors in the Divinity School of Yale College. While in the middle year of this school he was, through overwork, taken suddenly ill, and after a protracted illness was advised by his physicians to rest a year.
Having somewhat regained his health, in August, 1880, he accepted the pastorate of Summit U. B. Church, Dayton, Ohio. Ilis stay here was brief. The leading features of the work done was a revival, resulting in upwards of forty accessions to the Church and setting afoot measures for the complete remodeling of the church edifice. Ile resigned this work in July, 1881, to accept the presidency of Western College, which responsible position he still holds.
FACULTY AND INSTRUCTORS.
The faculty and instructors of the Wes- tern College in 1883 were as follows: Rev. W. M. Beardshear, A. M., Presi- dent, Professor of Mental and Moral Science; Rev. J. A. Weller, A. M., Pro- fessor of Ancient Languages and Litera- ature; A. M. Beal, A. M., Professor of Natural Science; A. E. Shuey, M. A., Professor of Mathematics; Urias D. Runkle, A. M., Professor of Ancient and Modern History; John L. Drury, A. B., Tutor; Emma J. Howard, Instructor of Drawing and Painting; F. E. Smith,
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
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Instructor of Book-Keeping; I. H. Bunn, A. M., Teacher of Vocal Music; Miss Gertrude Hogan, Teacher of Instrumental Music; Urias D. Runkle, A. M., Instruc-
tor of Penmanship; J. A. Weller, A. M., Instructor of Elocution; A. M. Beal, A. M., Librarian; A. E. Shuey, M. A., Secre- tary.
CHAPTER XVII. .
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
In all ages of the world, among civil- ized and uneivilized people, the medical profession has been held in high esteem. Whether it be the learned professor, who has studied the science of medicine in all its branches, or the "great medicine man" of the untutored savages, who from ae- tual experience, has made discoveries of the healing powers of herbs and roots, honor awaits him upon every hand, while the life and death of every human being is virtually placed in his keeping. The weary patient lying upon a bed of pain, and the no less weary watcher by his side, wait anxiously for the coming of the "good doctor," and, on his arrival, note his every movement and every expres- sion of countenance for a ray of hope.
The medical fraternity of Tama county have, with few, if any exceptions, been an honor to the profession. They have ever been ready to respond to the call of duty. The winter's cold, the summer's heat, or the rains of spring and autumn could not keep them back when the ery of distress reached their ears. Not a physician in the county, especially among those who settled here at an early day, but has ex-
perienced sufferings that would have de- terred those in any other profession, in response to a summons to attend the bed- side of a sick and suffering one. They have been compelled to cross trackless prairies, to face blizzards from the north, often with no hope of fee or reward, but only, if possible, to relieve those who plead for their eare. All this has been done by the physicians of Tama county without complaint. If the good deeds of the profession are not remembered by those who have received aid, a time will come when they will be remembered.
In the following review of the medical profession in the various towns and cities of the county, some of the most promi- nent doctors, who have practiced only for a time, will be noticed first, and then the representatives of the profession in 1883.
FIRST PHYSICIANS IN THE COUNTY.
The first physicians to locate in Tama county were Wesley A. Daniel, Dr. Patty and Tallman Chase.
Wesley A. Daniel, came to Tama county from Ohio, in 1853, and located where the village of Buckingham was located. Ile
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was the first Surveyor of Tama county, and has been a prominent man. Ile still lives in Buckingham, and is beloved and respected by all who know him.
Dr. Daniel was born October 9, 1825, in Franklin county, Ohio, and in 1843, moved with his parents to Boone county, Illinois. He commenced the study of medicine in 1849, and attended Rush Med- ical College, at Chicago, in 1852 and 1853. After his settlement in Tama county, Dr. Daniel devoted himself to the practice of medicine, but as the country was new, and population scarce, his time was not fully ocenpied by his profession, and he served
four years as County Surveyor, practicing medicine as occasion required. After his second term of office expired, he devoted his whole attention to the practice of his profession. The population of the county had been greatly increased, the territory was large, and the rides were long and arduous as there were no other physicians in the county. November 10, 1858, Dr. Daniel was married to Miss Janet Gordon. In the summer of 1859, the Doctor went to Pike's Peak, where he remained some time. In 1864, he received a commission as assistant Surgeon in the Twenty-fourth lowa Infantry, and joined the regiment at Berryville, Virginia, and was mustered into the service, September 15, partici- pating in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Ilill, Cedar Creek, and saw Sheridan come in from his famous ride from "Winchester twenty miles away." January 5, 1865, he received his commission as surgeon and continued with the regiment in all its sub- sequent movements from Virginia to Bal- timore, thence to Savannah and Augusta, Georgia, in North and South Carolina,
being mustered ont of service at Savannah, Georgia, in July 1865; receiving pay and discharge at Davenport, Iowa, in August. The Doctor at once went home, reaching there on the 17th of August, having been absent just one year to a day. After returning from the war, he continued the practice of medicine until abont 1881, since which time, he has led a less busy life by retiring from practice and devoting his time to his farm, where he has lived dur- ing the past thirty years.
Dr. Patty came to Tama county in 1853, and stopped for a time with J. II. Ilollen, on the site now occupied by Tama City. In 1854 he opened a little drug store, the particulars of which are given in the . judicial chapter. The store was soon attached, and was sold by the Constable. .I. II. Hollen bid in the books and medi- cines, part of which were afterwards purchased by Dr. II. T. Baldy. Dr. Patty left the county soon afterwards.
Dr. Tallman Chase was a native of Ohio, and came to Tama county early in 1853, locating upon a farm in Toledo township. lle was a man of intelligence and education, having practiced his profession in his native State. At the time Tama county effected a temporary organi- zation in the spring of 1853, he was elected County Judge, but did not qualify.
TAMA CITY PHYSICIANS.
One of the first physicians to locate and begin practice in Tama City was Dr. M. S. Butler. Since then the following members of the profession have been in practice at that place: Drs. Parsons, A. W. Thompson, Williams, 11. W. Boynton, L. Il. Cary,' Adams, W. T. Plumb,
Bery Thompson.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Myrick, Harry Weller, A. Ford, F. W. Goding, Dentist; O. W. Goding, and others.
Dr. M. S. Butler, one of the first physic- ians in Tama City, located there in 1864, and remained until 1869. He came from Delaware county, and located in Toledo in 1860, and came from that place to Tama C'ity. He was a married man, about thirty-two years of age ; was a regular in practice, and had recently graduated. He secured a fair practice, and as a profes- sional man, was liked very well, but so- cially, he was not very popular, owing to the fact that genialty was wanting in his disposition. It was not in his nature to be affable and social, and he knew it, and tried hard to appear different from what he was. He was a good doctor, however, and in his practice was very successful.
Dr. Par ons came to Tama City in the summer of 1867, and remained until 1869, when he went to Chelsea, remained until 1873, and again returned and practiced for a year and a half at Tama City. Ile came from Funday, New York, where he had been in practice ; he was a regular gradu- ate, and an excellent physician and sur- geon. When he left here, he returned to Funday, New York, and resumed his old practice there.
Dr. A. W. Thompson located at Tama City, and remained a few months. He was a homeopathist, and did not secure very much practice.
Dr. Williams came to Tama City in the latter part of May, 1870, and remained until July, when he went to Toledo, and remained there a short time. Hle was from Cleveland, Ohio, a regular and a
graduate of the Cleveland Medical School. Ile had but little practice while here. For a time he was located at Waltham, but did not remain at one place long enough to do anything.
II. W. Boynton located in Tama City in the latter part of June, 1870, and re- mained for a few months. lle was also located in Toledo for a time.
Dr. L. H. Cary, who is now a resident of Toledo, practiced in Tama City for a short time.
Dr. Adams located here in 1875, and remained about one year, as a partner of Dr. W. Corns. He was a young married man, probably twenty-seven years of age, and came to this place from Mahaska county. He was a good doctor, a regular and a graduate of some medical college. From here he went back to Mahaska county, where he died of consumption in 1877. He was quiet and retiring in dispo- sition, was well liked and secured a fair practice, considering the time he re- mained.
Dr. W. T. Plumb, a relative of B. A. Hall, was engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Tama City for a short time. He is now in Marshall county, where he keeps a store and runs a postoffice, having given up the practice of his profession.
Dr. Myriek located in Tama City, in 1879, and remained until 1881. Hle came from Illinois, and from here went to some point in the northwestern part of Iowa.
Dr. Ilarry Weller located at Tama City in 1880, and remained for several months. He came from Cedar Rapids and returned to that place. Ile was not a graduate when he came, but had attended one course of lectures at Louisville, Kentucky,
37
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and after leaving here, returned to Louis- ville long enough to graduate.
Dr. A. Ford came to Tama City at about the same time, and remained for about three months Ile was a recent graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, but had been in practice for many years in the Pine regions of Michigan, and was proba- bly fifty-five years of age at the time he came here. He had but little practice while here and returned to his native State. It is said by way of a joke, that when he came, he rather exposed, or to use a common phrase, "gave away " his inclinations by allowing to be seen a num- ber of hard wood sticks, which he ex- plained were " to make are handles of."
Dr. F. W. Goding was a physician of Tama city. He was born in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, May 9, 1852. Hle was a son of A. L. and Lydia M. (Chandler) Goding. His mother was a cousin of IIon. Zachariah Chandler, and also of Hon. S. P. Chase. When ten years of age he removed with his parents to the city of Chicago. His classical education was obtained in the graded and high schools of that city, and at the Northwestern University, where he graduated with the class of 1877, receiving the degree of A. M. He studied medicine at the same institution, graduat- ing from the medical department the same year; and in 1882, graduated from the Merey Hospital. He at once began the practice of his profession in Chicago, but after a short time determined to seek a field of labor in some smaller town of the West; therefore, April 20, 1882, he located in Tama City, lowa, where he remained for one year. Dr. Goding was editor for
two years of the Blackberry Bluede, a weekly paper published at Blackberry, Kane county, Illinois; he also taught school in that county seven years.
Dr. O. W. Goding was a dentist of Tama City. He was a native of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, where he was born May 12, 1857. When four years of age he removed with his parents to the city of Chicago, where he obtained a good edu- cation in the graded and high schools of that place. Subsequently he studied dentistry two years under Dr. E. Il. Kilbourne, of Aurora, Illinois, who was President of the American Dental Asso- ciation. He then began practicing his profession in that city. In April, 1882, he removed to Tama City, where he remained for one year.
In the spring of 1883, the medical profession was represented at Tama City by Drs. William Corns, Benjamin Thompson and C. H. Myers. The dental branch was represented by Dr. John Nicholson.
One of the best read physicians of Tama county, and one whose experience in surgery and medicine is probably greater than most men of his age, is Dr. William Corns. Ile is a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, born October 27, 1-35. Hlis parents were William and Phoebe A. (Bagley) Corns. In May, 1837, his father's family removed to Muscatine county, Iowa, among the very earliest settlers of that county. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and his carly educational advantages were such as the district schools afforded, though he could not attend even these uninterruptedly, but usually had the benefit of the winter
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
terms, and attended at such other times as he could be spared from the farm work. In 1849 his father died, and William remained with his mother until nineteen years old, at which time he began life for himself by working on a farm as a laborer. During the spring of 1861, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Albert Ady, of West Liberty, Iowa. At this time young Corns had hardly a dollar to his name, but nevertheless, determined that with a stout heart and willing pair of hands he would work his way up, and become a physician. While with Dr. Ady he did the chores for his board, and studied at such times as he could command, oftentimes pouring over his books until the " wee sma' hours." In the fall of 1862, he entered the Keokuk Medi- cal College (now the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk) where he made his way by working in the Military Hospi- tal. lle graduated from there in July of 1863, and soon after was appointed a contract surgeon and given charge of a ward in the Military Hospital of Keokuk, which was known as the "Estes House Ilospital." During his engagement there he attended other lectures, which greatly added to his store of information. April 1, 1865, in consequence of failing health, he was obliged to resign his position. He then came to Tama City, where he soon began the practice of medicine, and has since won for himself the enviable reputation of being one of the best medi- cal counsellers of Central Iowa. Ile is a member of the State Medical Association, and is the examining physician of Tama county for United States pensions In
Angust, 1868, Dr. Corns was united in marriage with Miss Isabel Hemperly, a native of Muscatine county, Iowa. Seven children bless the union-Flora, Kitty, Amos, William, Mabel, Charles and Emmett.
Dr. Benjamin Thompson, who has prac- ticed medicine in Tama county for the past thirteen years is a native of Ohio, born in Wayne county on the 15th day of October, 1844. Ile is a son of James and Margaret (Makinson) Thompson. In 1851, his parents removed to Lee county, Iowa, and subsegently to Scott county. Benjamin's early youth was spent in at- tending the district schools during the winter season and helping his father with the farm work during the spring, summer and autumn. Later, he attended the high school at Davenport, and in 1864, begar the study of medicine. He attended the Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, where he graduated in March of 1870. Upon completing his education, Dr. Thompson returned to Iowa and soon after settled at Tama City, where he has since resided, and now enjoys an extended practice. In politics he is a Democrat and for the past eight years has been one of the city council- men. He is a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge, number 7, of Davenport. The docto: is a member of the Tama county Medical Society, and now holds the responsible position of Surgeon for the southern Iowa lines, of the Chicago and Northwestern R. R. Company. In 1873, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Sylvia Parks, a native of Indiana. They have one daughter- Grace, born May 17, 1881.
Dr. C. It. Myers was born in Tioga
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Center, New York, January 2, 1857. The first seventeen years of his life were spent at home attending school, after which he entered Waverly Institute, Waverly, New York, graduating after a three years course, with the class of 1877. While attending the above mentioned Institute he studied medicine with Dr. W. E. Johnson of that place. Subse- quently he entered the department of. Medicine and Surgery at the Michigan University, Ann Arbor, and was imme- diately detached as acting assistant to the professor of practical anatomy. Later, he was the successful candidate in competi- tive examination for the position of House Surgeon in the Homeopathic Medical De- partment, and was transferred to the hos- pital of Homeopathic Medical College, where he had the honor of being a mem- ber of the graduating class of 1880. During August of that year he settled at Tama City, Iowa, where he is now locat- ed.
Dr. John Nicholson is one of the lead- ing dentists of Tama county, and was the second of that profession to establish in Tama City. Ile is a native of Ohio, born in Belmont county, January 23, 1836. Ile is a son of Daniel S. and Martha (Beck) Nicholson. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Virginia. The first twenty-five years of Dr. Nichol- son's life were passed on his father's farm, and up to that time he had received but a common school education. At that date, however, he began the study of dentistry with his brother J. S., a prominent dentist of Independence, Iowa. He completed his studies with that brother and then formed a partnership with him, which
lasted until his settlement in Tama City, in 1867. Dr. Nicholson is the oldest practicing dentist in the town, and in fact, in the county. Since his location here he has remained alone until within the past year, when he associated himself with Dr. J. II. Dwight. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Tama City. During 1858, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Cynthia A. Doan, who also is a native of Ohio. Eight children have blessed their union, five of whom are now living: Milton V., Daniel Q., Rosa M., Oscar S. and Alta.
TOLEDO PHYSICIANS.
The medical profession of Toledo has been represented by some very good men and excellent physicians. Among those who have practiced there are Drs. T. L. Baldy, C. A. Leibrandt, Lorenzo Renz, Iliram Bunce, William Harkins, Ed- ward Barton, J. B. Wing, William Bunce, M. S. Butler, W. P. Cunningham, D. K. Wier, W. R. Miller, Jeremiah Ball, H. W. Boynton, Jeremiah Ballard, Dr. Williams, and others.
Dr. P. L. Baldy was the first regular graduate to locate at Toledo, the date of his arrival being June, 1854. He was of German descent, but was a native of Pennsylvania, born in September, 1814. lle attended the Fairfield Medical School, graduated in 1835, and in February, 1836, removed to Constantine, St. Joseph coun- ty, Michigan, where he commenced prac- tice, and remained for a number of years. In 1850, he took a trip to California, but returned within a year, and in 1853, went to Chicago, where he remained until June. 1854, when, as stated, he came west with
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his family, and located in Toledo. At once commencing practice, he did an im- mense business, nearly as long as he re- mained here. He was a man of great reading, quick perception, and of much more than ordinary ability; genial, of pleasant address and social, he made a great many friends among the pioneers. He remained in Toledo until 1863, when he removed to Conneil Bluffs, from there to St. Louis, near which city he died in February, 1873. His family has been scat- tered ; he has one son living in California. Dr. P. L. Baldy was a brother of Dr. II. T. Baldy, an esteemed old settler of Tama county.
Dr. C. A. Leibrandt came to Toledo and began the practice of medicine a short time after Dr. P. L. Baldy. He was a native of Ohio, a man with a family, about 35 years old. He was a regular in his practice and also claimed to be a dentist, although it is said that his work in that line in a good measure belied his word. Hle remained in Toledo for two or three years, when he went to Missouri, and has since been lost track of. In personal . appearance, Dr. Leibrandt was rather fine looking, a little above medium height and stontly built. He was sometimes a little overbearing and some facetious personage dubbed him "The Obstropulous."
Dr. Lorenzo Bent, practiced medicine in Toledo for about one year, coming here in the spring of 1855. He was of German descent, but a native of Pennsylvania. lle was regular in his practice, but had had no drilling in the profession, having picked up what he knew by observation. He wa- about fifty-five years old at the time he came to Tama county, small in stature,
and a cripple, one of his knees being stiff. From here he went to Nebraska and it is said was killed by the Indians.
Hiram Bunce, M. D., came to Toledo in the spring of 1856, and was engaged in the practice of medicine until the time of his death in early war times. He was a native of Ohio, was a regular graduate in medi- eine. He brought his family with him. Ile was a good doctor for his time, an earnest, honest, straight-forward man; a member of the Congregational church. In personal appearance, he was medium sized, slender build and dark complexion.
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