USA > Iowa > Wright County > History of Wright County, Iowa, its peoples, industries and institutions > Part 20
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The science of medicine has made, perhaps, greater strides and ad- vancement than almost any other science. Diseases that formerly were considered as incurable are now handled with almost a certainty of cure. Every civilized part of the globe has for the past half century been making research and careful experiments concerning the origin and scientific treat- ment of diseases. Each vies with the other and exchanges and interchanges thoughts and discoveries until now, when one country finds a suitable remedy. the discovery is proclaimed in all parts of the world at once.
In times of health and strength, there are thoughtless ones who speak lightly, and sometimes sneeringly, of the doctor; but when these persons are themselves on beds of sickness; when the fevered brow and parched tongue canse them weary sleepless days and nights, the question comes before them in altogether another light, and they welcome the physician into the sick chamber.
In the matter of surgery, the last quarter of a century has unfolded many things which have revolutionized that science. The achievements in surgery and hospital work have come to be astounding to the laymen who perceive the wondrous work of the trained surgeon and trained nurse.
The "pill doctor" and the "saddle-bag" physician had their day-did what they could, faithfully and well, but a better day has dawned for humanity.
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MEDICAL FRATERNITY OF WRIGIIT COUNTY.
The medical fraternity of Wright county has, with rare exceptions, been made up of men who were, and are, 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, did not keep them back when the cry of distress reached their ears. They have been compelled to cross trackless prairies: to face blizzards, often with no hope of receiving fee or reward, but only to relieve, if possible, those who pleaded for their care. All this has been done by the physicians of Wright county without complaint. These good deeds of the profession should be remembered, and when the names of these pioneer doctors are recalled to mind, it is hoped the hearts of the old settlers will be touched, and all will respond, "May God bless them."
Perhaps the first physician to locate in Wright county was Dr. L. H. Cutler, father of G. L. Cutler, now residing at Clarion. He located at Belmond and had much to do with the upbuilding of that sprightly town. He built there the first frame house and operated a steam saw-mill as early as 1856. He was interested in all the pioneer enterprises of Wright county, and made a strong fight for the location of the county seat on the Iowa river, but fate decided that Liberty, on the west side, should be the first seat of justice. Doctor Cutler removed from Ohio to Wisconsin, and from there to Freeport, Illinois, in 1855 coming to Wright county, Iowa. When he arrived in Belmond-the site of it, for then there was no Belmond-he found all in a wilderness state, wild animals numerous and rank prairie grass covering the vast, trackless prairies. Elk and wolves roamed at will, everywhere. Doctor Cutler commenced practicing medicine and for many years was the faithful "family doctor" for many of Wright county's earliest settlers. He rode his horse over from the Iowa to the Boone river settle- ment, when there was not a tree or a house to be seen between the two streams. He treated the sick at Liberty (now Goldfield) before the Civil War cloud appeared, and sent a son into that awful conflict.
There was no weather too freezing cold, no snows too deep, no streams too wide and angry, and no roads too muddy to deter him from making his daily rounds to visit his patients. He wrapped himself up in heavy clothing and blankets, many a stormy winter day, settled himself down in a deep box on a sled, with straw and hay about his body, while his son, G. L.
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Cutler, would drive the team against a fierce, wintry blast, for hours at a time. In not a few instances they were lost on the prairies and came near being frozen to death, as a result. With all that medical men of that day had to guide them, this pioneer physician treated skillfully.
AN ENGLISHMAN'S GOOD WORK.
In 1872 Dr. Thomas Garth, a native of England, born in Yorkshire in 1835, came to Wright county. He emigrated to this country with his par- ents in 1853; enlisted in the Civil War as a member of the Fourth Missouri Regiment, in Angust, 1862; was graduated from the Eclectic Medical Insti- tute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1866; commenced practice in Jackson county, Iowa, and finally located in Wright county, where the remainder of his days were spent in the practice of his profession.
W. T. R. Humphrey of Clarion, where Doctor Garth had lived so long, wrote the following tribute to his memory: "I want here to pay a well- merited tribute to my departed friend, who was truly an honor to a most honorable profession. In the most inclement weather, over roads practically impassable, and often when there were no roads over the trackless prairie, he was always ready to respond to the call for aid, even to the remotest part of the county. During the first winter I was in Clarion, from January to the last of March, the ground was covered with snow several feet deep. Blizzard followed blizzard in rapid succession. Persons starting across the prairies might literally be said to have taken their lives in their own hands. Yet under such conditions as these, Doctor Garth never failed to respond to a call at any. hour. It made no difference whether his pay was sure or not. It surely seems to me that the old settlers of Wright county owe a debt of gratitude to him and a respect to his memory that cannot be measured. He literally wore himself out in their service. No kinder, purer- hearted man ever lived in the limits of Wright county than Dr. Thomas Garth."
Another very early doctor was H. N. Crapper, who for a time practiced in the neighborhood of Liberty and Luni, on the west side of the county. When the Civil War came on he was made an assistant surgeon and went out with the soldiers in defense of his country's flag. Later, he located at Webster City, where he engaged in practice and also conducted a drug business for a number of years. His brother was Scott Crapper, Wright county's first sheriff.
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EARLY LIST NOT COMPLETE.
For many years there were no resident physicians in the county, aside from those already mentioned. The sick calls ( when not attended by these pioneer doctors ) were answered by the physicians at Webster City -- Crap- per, Hendricks. Sage, Baum, Curtis, and by the doctors at Ft. Dodge, lowa Falls, Alden and Clear Lake.
Without trying to sort out the men who practiced after that date, by years, the following list will show most of the physicians of this county down to the present date. It is to be regretted that no more detail has been left by these truly worthy men; but doctors are too busy to record their own lives, hence it is only here and there that a sketch can be secured in this useful profession.
Charles H. Morse, of Eagle Grove, is the oldest physician in point of years in practice there. He commenced in that place when it was a mere railroad junction point, in May, 1881. He is a native of lowa, born at Maquoketa, in Jackson county, January 1, 1856. He studied medicine under Dr. M. 1. Powers, of Parkersburg, Iowa; attended normal school at Cedar Falls five years and was graduated from the medical department of the lowa State University in March, 1881, immediately thereafter locating at Eagle Grove, where he has enjoyed a large practice ever since.
S. Adams, of Belmond, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1825, and spent his youth and young manhood on his father's farm and in common school. After reaching his majority he taught school and attended preparatory school in Philadelphia. He then entered Jefferson Medical College and the Uni- versity of Philadelphia and was graduated in 1854. fle practiced in l'en- sylvania, and on account of ill health removed to Three Rivers, Michigan, where he practiced for eight years. He then came to Iowa, locating at Belmond, where he built up a large practice from among the best people of that vicinity. He owned, as early as 1889, a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres in Belmond township.
Frederick J. Will, of Eagle Grove, located on the east side in September, 1885. Hle was a native of Story county, lowa, born in 1859. He was, however, reared and educated in Virginia, to which state his parents, a few years after his birth, returned. For a number of years he attended the Agricultural College at Ames, lowa, and received an appointment as a cadet at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, where he remained three years. being graduated as a midshipman in the United States navy, at the end of
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which time he returned to Iowa and took up the study of medicine at lowa C'enter. In the winter of 1880-81 he attended lectures at the Iowa State University, after which he located at Jewell Junction, where he practiced until 1882, at the end of which time he returned to lowa City and was graduated from the medical department of the Iowa State University in March, 1883. He then returned to Jewell Junction, where he remained until September, 1885, at which time he located at Eagle Grove. He is now the chairman of the examining board of the Banker's Life Insurance Company of Des Moines.
Albert .\. Goldsmith, of Eagle Grove, a homeopathie physician and surgeon, located there in April, 1885. He was a native of Canada, born in 1855. He received his literary education at Albert University, Canada, where he also began the study of medicine. He was graduated from Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in February, 1884, and commenced his practice at Valparaiso, Indiana. Later he removed to Illinois, and still later to Michi- gan. He returned to Chicago and took his degree, after which he opened an office in Chicago, continuing in practice there till he moved to Wright county, lowa. About 1909 he went to Canada and invested his money. Ile is in impaired health, and physically broken down. He was an excellent doctor and fine man in the community.
PHYSICIANS OF WRIGHT COUNTY.
Among the physicians of Wright county who have practiced, at one time or another, may be recalled the following: L. R. Cutler, of Belmond, who came here in 1855; H. N. Crapper, Luni and Liberty, early in the fifties, died at Webster City in the eighties; Thomas Garth, Clarion, 1872 ( Eclec- tic ), born in England, graduate of Cincinnati Medical College, 1886; J. W. Garth, Clarion, born in lowa, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, registered here, 1899: S. Adams, of Belmond, 1870: Morse, of Eagle Grove, 1881; Frederick J. Will, 1885, now of the Bankers' Life Insurance Com- pany of Des Moines; Goldsmith, 1885, now in Canada; G. A. Merrietta, Clarion, 1881, deceased; Bracket, Goldfield, prior to 1886; Rush Medical College, Chicago, died 1899; C. S. Knox, Belmond, born in Illinois, Rush Medical College, Chicago, registered 1886; Masse, before 1886; Sherman, before 1886; W. T. Gannon, before 1886, Clarion, born in New York, graduate of Bennett Medical College, Chicago, registered here in 1886; Wheeler, before 1886; G. B. Galer, before 1886, Belmond, born in Pennsyl- vania, Rush Medical College, registered 1887; J. A. Mulnix, before 1886,
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born in New York, graduate of College of Physicians, Keokuk, registered here in 1886; McTravish, before 1886; Strickler, before 1886; Joseph H. Sams, Clarion, commenced in 1892, a graduate of the University of Iowa ( medical department ) ; W. N. Gordon, succeeded Doctor Chassell, at Rowan, 1905; F. J. O'Toole, Eagle Grove; A. T. Hoyt, Dows; J. L. Chassell, once at Rowan, now in South Dakota; Field came to Clarion from Rockford, Iowa, 1899; W. W. Dean came to Clarion in 1899 from Nebraska; Travis, Eagle Grove; P. C. Shepherd, Dows, in 1881; S. W. Morehead, Eagle Grove, Keokuk College, born in Pennsylvania, registered in 1886; B. S. Adams, Belmond; J. L. Pepper, Clarion, 1909; E. D. Tompkins, Clarion; E. E. Best; J. R. Christiansen, Eagle Grove; W. C. McGrath, Eagle Grove, born in Illinois, graduate of Chicago Medical College, registered here 1891, still in Eagle Grove ; L. D. McNaughton, Eagle Grove, at present ; P. O. Trooien, Eagle Grove.
AN ADDITIONAL LIST.
The subjoined is found from records at the court house at Clarion, with sundry additions made by writer :
Alfred H. Baker (homeopathic), Clarion, born in New York, gradu- ated from State University of Iowa, registered 1893; D. G. Barkalow, Clarion, February, 1887, Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons; John J. Bowes, Eagle Grove, born in Iowa, graduate of Chicago Medical College, 1898; A. S. Cunningham, Goldfield, born in Indiana, graduate of Rush Medical, Chicago, registered here in 1890, now at Goldfield; S. W. Con- nell, Belmond, born in Wisconsin, graduate of College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, registered here 1895; N. O. Dalager, Eagle Grove, born in Minnesota, graduate of University of Illinois, registered here 1902; R. H. Fields, Clarion, born in Pennsylvania, graduate of Baltimore Homeo- pathic College, registered here 1897, now in Colorado; A. A. Goldsmith, Eagle Grove, born in Canada, registered here 1886, graduate of Chicago; George Given, Belmond, born in Canada, Marion Simms College, St. Louis, registered here 1893; Joseph George Dows, born in Persia, graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, registered 1898; J. M. Kilbourne, Clarion, born in Iowa, graduate of University of Iowa, registered here in 1894; M. C. Keith, Goldfield, born in Illinois, registered here 1896, now in Casper, Wyoming; James V. Lewis, Eagle Grove, born in Indiana, graduate of Ft. Wayne Medical College, registered here in 1895; G. A. Merrietta, Clarion, born in Ohio, graduate of Michigan University, registered in 1886; H. O. Mack, Clarion, born in Ohio, graduate of Western Reserve Medical College,
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registered here in 1889, now of Walla Walla Valley, Washington; J. C. Mack, Clarion, born in Ohio, graduate of Chicago College of Physicians and Sur- geons, registered here in 1890; McCall, Eagle Grove, born in Colorado, graduate of Still College of Osteopathy; S. G. Nardstrum, Dows, born in Illinois, registered here 1888, School of Medicine, Cincinnati, now at Albert Lea, Minnesota ; Thomas J. O'Toole, Eagle Grove, born in Maryland, gradu- ate of medical department, Iowa University, registered here in 1887, Grove, born in Maine, registered here in 1886, committed suicide; John C. Powers, Dows, born in Illinois, graduate of American Medical College, St. Louis, registered here in 1896; John L. Peppers, Holmes, born in Iowa, graduate of Keokuk Medical College, now in practice at Goldfield; O. E. Rodli, Eagle Grove, born in Norway, registered here in 1897, Royal Uni- versity, Christiana, Norway; Bruce Riley, Goldfield, born in Illinois, gradu- ate of medical department, Iowa State University, registered here in 1887, now farming near Goldfield; Franklin Stevens, Belmond, born in Iowa, grad- uate of University of Iowa, registered in 1891; J. H. Sams, Clarion, born in North Carolina, graduate of University of Iowa, registered in 1893, still in practice at Clarion; James WV. Salisbury, Clarion, born in New York, graduate of Cincinnati Medical Institute; E. W. Travis, Eagle Grove, gradu- ate of Long Island Hospital, 1892, was drowned; W. J. Thompson, Eagle Grove, born in Illinois, graduate of Northwestern University, Chicago, reg- istered here in 1900; F. J. Will, Eagle Grove, born in Iowa, graduate of Iowa University, registered in 1885, now of Bankers' Life Association, of Des Moines ; John H. Wallace, Belmond, born in Ohio, graduate of Bellevue Medical Hospital, New York, registered here in 1890; C. H. Wright, Eagle Grove, born in Kiowa, graduate of University of Iowa, registered in 1896, practiced here a year, moved to New Mexico and died of consumption; D. L. Youngs, Dows, born in Ohio, graduate of Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons, registered 1895: G. C. Parsons (osteopathic), Still College, regis- tered in 1902; B. I. Green, Goldfield (homeopathic), remained a year and relocated in northwestern lowa; H. H. McCall ( osteopathic), Eagle Grove. graduate of Still College in 1907: D. M. Middleton, Eagle Grove (osteo- pathic), Still College, 1914.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL.
The Eagle Grove hospital was completed for business in October, 1908. It was built by Drs. Morse and McGrath. It is situated on Lucas street,
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near Broadway, and is thoroughly equipped with all that pertains to a modern hospital, and does an excellent and successful business.
WRIGIIT COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
From early days, the physicians of Wright county were associated with those of a medical society in Webster county, at Ft. Dodge, up to 1898, when each county had organized a society of its own. The Wright County Medi- cal Society was organized many years ago, with Doctor Brackett, of Gold- field, as its president. It met at different physicians' offices in the county. The re-organized present society meets three times a year, either at Clarion, Belmond or Eagle Grove. Open meetings are held at least once a year, when the laity are admitted and "papers" are read and discussed, much interest being manifested in these meetings. The present officers of this society are: Dr. T. J. O'Toole, president, and Dr. W. C. McGrath, secretary.
CHAPTER XIX.
TIIE BANKS OF WRIGHT COUNTY.
The pioneer had little use for banking institutions. Ile had but little money, as a general rule, and little security to put up for the use of money ( which many times he could use to great financial advantage ), hence had to go without it. Banks are not forerunners, but among the later branches of business which is necessary for early settlements.
The little banking which Wright county men had to transact prior to the seventies, was either transacted at Ft. Dodge, Webster City or lowa Falls and Alden.
The first bank established in the county was that of R. K. Eastman & Company, at Clarion.
CLARION BANKING.
Early in the seventies R. K. Eastman & Company established a small private bank at Clarion. This bank was operated for a few years and in April, 1876, was sold to what was styled the Wright County Bank. Later, this latter bank went into the hands of George A. Mckay ( Mr. Eastman's son-in-law), who died in 1887, after which the First National Bank was organized by Messrs. G. S. Ringland, president; N. F. Weber, vice-presi- dent ; Ed Hartsock, cashier; L. L. Estes, Webb Vincent, G. S. Ringland, W. T. R. Humphrey, Ed Hartsock and N. F. Weber, directors. The same year a bank building was erected. The first capital was $50,000, which has been increased to $60,000. Its charter was No. 3,796 of national banks.
The present capital is $60,000 and the present deposits are $180,000. Some of the best men and women in Clarion and vicinity are stockholders and patrons of this bank. The present officers and directors are: G. S. Ringland, president ; M. A. Mickelson, vice-president; U. B. Tracy, cashier ; F. W. Walker, assistant cashier; G. S. Ringland, M. A. Mickelson, T. H. Crowe, H. G. Tillinghast and U. B. Tracy, directors. U. B. Tracy has been cashier ever since 1891, and G. S. Ringland has served continuously since the bank was organized. Ed Hartsock, N. F. Weber and U. B. Tracy have held the office of cashier. The bank is now in a flourishing
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condition. It has the confidence of banking circles and of the community in which it is situated. It will be seen by the above statements that the First National Bank, which purchased the George A. Mckay banking con- cern, was built on the effects of the first bank Wright county ever had.
The Wright County National Bank was established on August 31, 1887, with Duane Young as president; C. M. Nagle, vice-president; C. D. Young, cashier ; D. Young, C. N. Nagle, C. D. Young, B. P. Birdsall, S. H. Jones, directors. This bank was operated about two years, at the end of which time it surrendered its charter and became the private bank of D. Young & Son. It was followed by the Bank of Clarion.
The Clarion Savings Bank was organized in 1901 by W. J. French. The first officers were: W. W. Courson, president; O. P. Morton, vice- president; W. J. French, cashier; G. T. Eldridge, assistant cashier. The first and present capital stock was $25,000. The same president and vice- president are still serving in their respective positions. The present cashier is A. E. Weber, and the assistant cashier is Hal E. Smith. A building was erected when the bank started in 1901, costing $8,000. So far this bank has had no losses by fire or robbery. Its April, 1915, statement shows that the concern at that time had assets and liabilities amounting to $501,710, of which total the following items appear : "Deposited subject to check," $142,959; demand deposits, $12,289; time deposits, $15,720; savings de- posits, $146,613; total deposits, $447,185. The profits on hand, after de- ducting all expenses, is $14,524.
The Bank of Clarion was established in 1883, by Duane Young; its first officers were Duane Young, president; C. D. Young, cashier. Its present (1915) officers are: George W. Young, president; W. H. Trow- bridge, assistant cashier; Charles J. Birdsall, assistant cashier. This is a private banking house, with a capital of $50,000, doing a general banking business at Clarion. The proprietors own their own handsome bank build- ing, worth $10,000. At present the bank has deposits amounting to $429,403.77.
EAGLE GROVE BANKS.
The first bank at Eagle Grove was established in 1881 by B. F. Miller, of Webster City, as a private bank, he having been one of the original bankers at Webster City, coming from Indiana at the close of the Civil WVar. His son is a well-known banker of Des Moines, Homer A. Miller, who made a good banking record in Eagle Grove in the eighties and nineties. After a number of years of successful operation, this private bank was
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organized into the First National Bank, with Homer A. Miller as presi- dent and A. Odenheimer, cashier. The bank had a capital of $50,000. In 1890 the federal charter was surrendered and the Citizens State Bank was organized with the same officers. In 1904 the State Bank of Eagle Grove was absorbed by the Citizens State Bank and the present officers are: George Wright, president; R. M. Smallpage, vice-president; E. C. Platt, cashier, and H. A. Wright, assistant cashier; capital, in 1915, $75,000; surplus and undivided profits, $22,000. The bank does a general and ex- tensive banking business, and has deposits amounting to $612,000. At first this bank was located in a frame building on the east side of town, but later on was moved to the west side. In 1894 a handsome building was erected at a cost of $18,000, in which the bank is still doing business. The present directors are: George James, Eugene Schaffter, Charles Haukole, M. D. Braden, George Wright, R. M. Smallpage, W. C. Halsey, P. Larson, James H. Sterling, Homer A. Miller, E. C. Platt.
The April, 1915, auditor's call showed the following figures: Re- sources and liabilities, $707,644.45; loans and discounts, $515.719.08; cash due from other banks, $171,827.77; surplus and undivided profits, $20,015. The gentlemen connected with this institution are all first-class financiers ; prudent, though enterprising, and have been a great aid toward building up the city in which their bank has been located so many years.
The Merchants National Bank, of Eagle Grove, situated at the corner of Broadway and Lucas avenue, was established in 1892 by J. Fitzmaurice . and others. Mr. Fitzmaurice was the first president and J. P. Clark, cashier. The first capital was $75,000, which has since been reduced to $50,000. The present officers are L. G. Focht, president; L. J. Clarke, cashier. The pres- ent surplus and undivided profits are $65,000. The deposits in May, 1915, were $185,000. This has always been regarded as one of the safe financial institutions of Wright county and of northwest Iowa.
The Security Savings Bank, of Eagle Grove, was organized in March, 1899, by J. P. Clark, J. J. Garland, T. J. O'Toole, G. E. Howell and J. H. Howell. . The first officers were: J. H. Howell, president; J. P. Clark, cashier; S. H. Williamson, vice-president. The first capital stock was $15,000, which has been increased to $25,000, with a surplus and undivided profits of $17,000. A general banking business is transacted. The de- posits in May, 1915, were $250,000. This bank is situated on Broadway, near the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad depot. Contracts have been let for a new bank building, to cost $10,000.
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The present ( 1915) officers are : J. H. Howell, president ; S. A. Barnes, cashier ; T. J. O'Toole, vice-president ; directors, O. K. Uhr, T. J. O'Toole, A. H. Barnes, G. H. Lewis, C. M. Spangler, George E. Howell and J. H. Howell. The last report shows this concern to have liabilities and re- sources amounting to $300,294; deposits, $262,782; bills payable, none. .
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