USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1 > Part 48
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The "Illiuols Atlas" was published between 1869 and 1871, its first editor beiug Thomas Lewis, who was editor for a time of a paper at Cairo, 111.
The "Legal Directory, established by Eugene L. aud Wm. L. Gross, was published between 1869-73, in the latter year taking the name "Illinols Legal Directory."
The "Young Men's Christian Association Her- ald" was published as a monthly for several years after its establishment in 1870.
The "Atheneum," a monthly literary journal, was published for a short time from 1877.
The "Emerald." an organ of the Ancient Order of Hiberlans, with James E. Dunn as editor and publisher, was issued In 1879-80, but in 1882 was removed to Chicago, bearing the names of both Chicago and Springfield as places of pub- llcatlon.
The "Sunday Mall" had a short existence in 1879-80.
The "State Argus" edited by D. W. Lusk. was established In 1879, but was continued for only a short period. About that time Lusk was State Printer for two years.
The "Synoptical Reporter," a bimonthly law journal, was published for a short time begin- ning in August, 1879, with J. C. Wells as editor ..
(A number of the items in the latter part of the precedlug list are taken from Frauklin W. Scott's volume ou "Newspapers aud Periodicals of Illinois," published by the Illinois State His- torical Society.)
According to Newspaper Directories the foi- lowing papers were in existence In Springfield at the dates mentioned : "Round Table," 1882-83 ; "Prohibitionist," "Evening Post," aud "Repub- Ilcan," 1888; "Veteran" aud "Sunday Mirror," 1884; "Capital Idea" (J. L. Pickering, editor), 1887; "Messenger" (a colored Democratic paper), 1888.
PRESENT SPRINGFIELD WEEKLY PAPERS .- Be- sldes the publishing concerns already enumer- ated as issulng both dally and weekly papers in Springfield, there have been during the past few years four weekly papers In course of publica- tion in that city representative of the Interests of the colored class of citizens.
The oidest of these, the "State Capital," was started in 1886, but ceased publication about 1910.
The "Advance Citizen," an 8-page Republican sheet, was established in 1893, and is issued by the Citizen Publishing Company. H. T. Bowman Is the present editor.
The "Leader" was founded in 1902. It is an S-page independent sheet, with W. T. Scott as editor and publisher.
The "Forum" (Republican), was established in 1903. Rogers & Barbour are the present pub- lishers, and E. L. Rogers editor.
THE SANGAMON COUNTRY PRESS .- In addition to papers published lu the city of Springfield, Sangamon County is unusually well suppled with local journals published in the country towns and villages, al of these, with two or three ex- ceptlons, having been established within the last twenty years. The oldest of these-now the "Auburn Citizen"-was established at the vil- lage of Auburn In 1873, by W. W. Lowdermilk and A. B. Stover, as the "Auburn Herald," the printing for the first five months being done at the office of the "Virden News" In Macoupln County. A stock company was then formed and the material of the "News" was purchased, but in August. 1874. M. G. Wadsworth, of Auburn. and W. F. Thompson. of Virden, purchased the concern and became the publishers. At the com-
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
mencement of the second volume the name of the paper was changed to "Auburn Citizen," and in April, 1880, the size was enlarged to an eight-column folio and in December following to a five-columu quarto. For a number of years M. G. Wadsworth continued in connection with the paper, but M. L. Gordon is the present editor aud proprietor. The paper is an eight- page weekly and is independent in politics.
The "South Sangamon Messenger" was estab- lished at Chatham In 1905, but about 1908 took on the name of the "Messenger-Enterprise." It is a 4-page weekly, the Kinkade Brothers being publishers with W. F. Kinkade as editor.
The "Divernon News." an S-page independent weekly, was started in August, 1899. I. S. Dunn is the present editor and proprietor.
The "State Center-Record" of Illiopolis, a .4- page independent weekly, was established in 1884, as the "Illinois State Center," bnt later was consolidated with the "Sangamon County Record,' which was established in 1893, then as- suming its present name. Charles M. Buckles & Company are the present publishers and Charles M. and Grace G. Buckles editors.
The "New Berlin Tribune," established in New Berlin in 1884, is a 4-page independent weekly. J. W. Ilale is editor and proprietor.
The "Pawnee IIerald." an 8-page weekly, es- tablished in 1898, is an independent sheet, pub- lished by the Ilerald Publishing Company, with H. H. Mason as editor.
The "Review," an independent sheet in the village of Riverton, was established in 1902, and is published by the Review Printing Com- pany, with John Scott and J. E. Fish as editors. The "Eagle," a weekly local journal estabished there in 1908, was in course of publication in 1909. but appears since to have been discon- tinued.
The "Pleasant Plains Press," an 8-page weekly, was launched in 1899; E. A. Fink is its present editor and publisher.
The "Rochester Item." next to the "Auburn Citizen," the oldest newspaper in the Sangamon County rural districts, was established in 1882 by Thomas M. Dulon as editor and proprietor. Mr. Fred B. Everhart is the present proprietor and editor.
The "Williamsvile Index," an independent local journal, the result of the consolidation of the Williamsville "Gazette,' established in 1884. and the Williamsville Times," founded In 1894,
was in existence in 1909, but appears since to have ceased pubication.
TOTAL COUNTY PUBLICATIONS .- According to the Ayer Newspaper Directory for 1911, there were sixteen publishhig concerns in the city of Springfield, from which were being issued 4 daily, 3 semi-weeky, 7 weekly, 1 seml-monthly and 4 monthly publications-with 9 weekly papers from the same mnumber of rural towns and villages, making the total number of publl- cations in the county 28, witli ten different places of publication.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
DR. GERSHOM JAYNE THE FIRST PHYSICIAN IN SANGAMON COUNTY-LIST OF HIS EARLY FOL- LOWERS-SANGAMON COUNTY PHYSICIANS WHO IIAVE WON STATE AND NATIONAL REPUTATIONS -ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY IN 1850-SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS IN SPRING- FIELD-DRS. BOAL AND THOMPSON-SKETCIIES OF SPRINGFIELD PHYSICIANS-DRS. LORD, BUCK, TRAPP AND OTHERS-PHYSICIANS OF CIVIL WAR TIME-ST. JOHN'S AND SPRINGFIELD HOSPITALS -COUNTRY PHYSICIANS-THE MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT-TIIE CAREER OF DR. J. II. RAUCH-A SMALL- POX EPIDEMIC-FEMALE PHYSICIANS-TIIE PRINCE SANITARIUM-HOMEOPATHY, OSTEOP- ATHY AND OTHER MODERN CULTS-ORGANIZATION OF THIE SANGAMON COUNTY SOCIETY-LIST OF STATE SOCIETY OFFICERS-SPRINGFIELD BOARD OF HEALTH-IIOSPITAL TREATMENT FOR TIIE POOR.
(By Dr. George N. Kreider.)
The following chapter was originally written, some months since, expressly for this volume. By consent of the publishers, It was published in a series of several articles by one of the local journals of Springfield, due ackowledgment of its original purpose heing given.
For convenience, the medical history of San- gamon county may be divided into the following perlods :
1820-Arrival of the first physicians.
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
1838-Springfield chosen the State capital, becomes a city of nationai importance.
1845-Dr. Daniel Drake's visit to the city to investigate the diseases of the Illinois prairies.
1850-Illinois State Medicai society founded at Springfield.
1854-Appearance of first city directory, giv- ing names of physicians.
1861-Beginning of the Civil War, brought many changes in the profession.
1867-State Medical Society meets here and starts movement to secure medical practice act.
1869-First woman practitioner appears in directory.
1875-Founding of the St. John's Hospital; graduai change in the character of treatment of the sick dates from this period.
1877-Law regulating the practice of medl- cine passed by the Legislature in Springfield- the first law of the kind in America.
1891-The Prince Sanitarlum removed to- Springfield from Jacksonville.
1897-Founding of the Springfieid Hospital and Training school.
1899-Organization of the Sangamon Couuty branch of the Illinois State Medical Journal.
1904-First Osteopathic practitioner.
1900-Appointment of a physician to the posi- tion of Health Officer of Springfield.
1910-Condition of the profession after ninety years existence in this community.
DR. GERSHOM JAYNE THE FIRST PHYSICIAN .- . The medical history of Sangamon county begins in 1820, with the arrival of
(1) Dr. Gershom Jayne, the first physician to locate in ali that vast district of Illinois iying north of Alton and Edwardsville, and west of Chicago. Dr. Jayne came well equipped for the work on the far frontier. Then in his twenty- ninthı year, he had served as a surgeou in the War of 1812, and practiced in Cayuga County, N. Y., for five years. He was strong mentally and physicaliy, and indefatigahle in his work, riding a circuit which covered a radius of fifty or sixty miles. The conditions as to weather, roads and bridges were most unfavorable-in fact, as to the last two there were none-so that traveling on the trackless prairics, and exposure to noxious insects and stagnant bodies of water tended to the breeding of malarlal diseases, which were a menace to the practitioner as well as to the ordinary inhabitants. The choiera epidemic of 1849 was probably the most serious
of this class. The means of preserving food in the summer were very poor, and choiera morbus from decayed vegetables and meat were frequent. Dr. Pasfieid says it was nothing un- usual to find in the hot summer morning that three or fonr citizens had died of cholera mor- bus during the night, after a few hours' Illness.
Dr. Jayne not only practiced his profession, but was active in the business affairs of the new community. He was foremau of the grand jury which indicted the first murderer, was one of the first Canai Commissioners appointed in 1826, and later was one of the Commissioners to su- pervise the construction of the first State pen- itentiary at Alton. He was present and heiped to organize the first State Medical Society in 1850. Ile died in 1867.
THE SON FOLLOWS HIS SIRE .- Dr. William Jayne, ils oldest son, born in Springfield in 1826, and probably the oldest native son, followed in his. footsteps. He graduated at Iilinois College, Jacksonville, in 1849 recelved the diploma of Doctor of Medicine from the Missouri Medicai college of St. Louis, and for more than a half century was engaged as a practitioner. His prominence in political life is well known. Presideut Llucoln appointed him Governor of the Territory of Dakota (1861), when that re- gion embraced what are now both the Dakotas, Montana and Idaho. He served two terms as Mayor, and one session as State Senator preced- ing inis appointment as Governor of Dakota. Ile was also president of the State Board of Public Charitles and in the evening of his life is President of the Lincoin Library Board. He is a mine of information about early Springfield, her physicians and the great characters, Lin- coln, Douglas, Baker, Bateman, Logan, and others who have made the city famed and re- spected.
(3) Dr. Garrett Eikin came from Kentucky in 1823, for six years was Sheriff of the county, served in the Black Hawk and Mormon wars, but in 1844 moved to Bioomingtou and later went to the Mexican war as a captain in Colonel E. D. Baker's regiment ; afterwards moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and died there.
(4) The next physician of prominence to locate at Springfield was Dr. John Todd, who was the son of General Levi Todd and uncle of Mrs. Lincoln. He was horn near Lexington, Ky., in 1787, graduated at the University of Pennsyl- vania in 1810, was a surgeon in the war of 1812,
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
and captured at the battle of River Raisin. He came to Springfield In 1827 as Register of the United States Land Office, but lost his po- sition in 1829, when old Hickory Jackson came into power, after which he devoted himself to his profession. Dr. Todd was a man of good attainments and excellent character and left a fragrant memory on his death In 1865.
(5) Dr. Willlam Merriman came In 1820 from Baltimore, having, according to rnmor, been a surgeon on a slave shlp. He soon ac- quired a good practice; later aspired to pollt- ical honors and ran for Congress, but was de- feated.
THE SECOND DECADE .- The second decade (1830-40) saw the following physiclans locate In Springfield :
(6) Dr. Ephralm Darling came in 1830, and after practicing for some time went to Falr- field, Iowa, where he dled.
(7) Dr. Alexander Shields came In 1833, from Pennsylvania.
(8) Dr. A. G. Henry came In 1837, from New York, was active In politics, and with Abraham Lincoln, signed the call for the first Whig State convention held in 1839, and was one of the commuissloners to bulld the first State House. Mr. Lincoln appointed hlm Surveyor General of Oregon, and he was lost on the ocean.
Dr. Meredith Helm, who came from Maryland 1 In 1810, was a gradnate of Baltimore Medical College, a fine Greek scholar, a good physician, and did a large obstetric business, was devoted to Masonry for a number of years, and was elected Grand Master In 1843. Hls professional dutles became so heavy that he gave np hls Masonle affillations.
WITH LINCOLN AT FAREWELL .- Dr. William S. Wallace came from Lancaster County, Pa., In 1836; In 1839 marrled Miss Frances J. Todd, thereby becoming a brother-in-law of President Lincoln, who appointed hlm Paymaster in the army. He was on the car when Lincoln made his touching farewell address to the people of Springfield and accompanled Lincoln to Wash- ington. Exposure in the service caused his death In 1867.
THE HERB DOCTORS AND ECLECTICS .- The third decade (1840-50) marked the coming of various representatives of new schools of medicine known as herb doctors, steam doctors, Thompsonians, eclectics and homeopathists. Herb doctors and eclectics sought patronage because they used no
minerals and especially uo mercury iu the treat- ment of disease. They made a close study of the native roots and herhs and professed to find in them a cure for all human allments. About this time also, and as late as 1870 or 1880, the Indian doctor traveled from town to town or sometimes located permanently and applled the secret cures he was supposed to have obtained from the aborigines. The first herb doctor we know of, a "Dr. Higgins," came from Indiana and afterwards moved to Peoria, where he died. Dr. Henry Wohlgemuth studied with him and begau practice in 1846. For sixty years Dr. Wohlgemuth was a practitioner in Springfield and, with characteristic German thrift, became active in financial and political circles. He was one of the first waterworks commissioners, later was a trustee of Oak Ridge Cemetery until his death In 1908; was also a director in the Farmers' hank and left a hand- some estate to his children.
Doctor Freeman was a botanic doctor who came here in this decade, and bullt the original St. Nicholas hotel, a very small building. All- other physician who practiced the botanle or eclectic system was Dr. W. Hope Davis, who came in 1872, and only recently moved to Texas.
HOMEOPATHY .- Homeopathy was introduced by Dr. Fred Kuechler, who soon bullt up an ex- tensive practice especially among women and children. Later Dr. Kuechler attempted to estab- Ilsh a medical college in Kansas City, but did not succeed and returning to Springfield spent the remainder of his life, dying In 1900. Prob- ably one of the most successful of this school was Dr. J. A. Vincent, who also served one term as Mayor, and has now retired.
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It is worthy of remark that no physician in Springfield now announces himself as practicing an exclusive system of medicine. This is no reflection or criticism on any one, for the science and art of medicine has so changed and im- proved In the past twenty years that little gronnd of difference remains, and the practice of the so-called regulars has changed as much as any.
Ahont 1845 Dr. David Drake of Cincinnati, a most versatile and indnstrlous physician, vls- Ited the west and came to Springfield, hls ohject being to study diseases prevailing on the fron- tler. Dr. Drake spent much time and money in personal investigation, and the result of his
جريهوم
SPRINGFIELD HOSPITAL AND TRAINING SCHOOL
113
سوره
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ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL, SPRINGFIELD
SANGAMON COUNTY POOR FARM
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
efforts was the production of a work of intrinsic value and historic importance.
ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY. -Au important event in 1850 was the formation of the Illinois State Medical Society in Spring- field, the first meeting being heid in the State Library rooms (now the Sangamon County court house), June 4th. Dr. Robert Boai of Lacon, presided, coming with his coileague, Dr. S. G. Thompsou, in a buggy, taking four days to make the trip, which is now made in as many hours. These two gentlemen lived to a great age, espe- ciaily Dr. Boai, who survived until his ninety- sixth year in fuli possessiou of his facuities. He attended the fiftieth auuiversary meeting at Springfield in 1900, and I heard him teil of the wonders of that trip across the flower bedecked Illinois prairies in Juue, 1850.
The number of physicians present was six- teen, including Drs. Helm, Henry aud 'Jayne from Springfield. The society weut on record as favoriug the registration of births, deaths and marriages, and against the use of patent or secret nostrums. After a session of two days the society adjourned to meet the follow- iug year at Peoria. This society, aithough it may not have done everything possible, has had a marked influence for sixty years on the prac- tices of medicine in the State of Iilinois. Among other early members from Springfield were Drs. C. F. Hughes, Sanford Bell, John Todd, Fletcher Talbott and Rufus S. Lord.
Dr. Lord was a graduate of the University of New York in 1846 and came to Springfield in the early 'fifties. He was a man of fine appear- ance and soou secured a large practice. His accomplished wife stiil survives at an advanced age. Dr. Lord was unfortunate in being a large stockhoider in the oid savings bank which failed in the 'seventies, and did not long survive the catastrophe. At the time of his death he was Surgeon Generai of the Iliinois National Guard. His daughter Mattie, a beautiful and accom- piisied young iady, was happily married to a gentleman of Chicago, and while in a pleasure boat on the iake with her husband on a sum- iner evening, was drowned after a collision with an excursion boat. We believe Springfield has never known a more lovable character than Miss Lord, and her death was widely mourned.
Dr. Lord was for a time, in 1858-59, in part- nership with Dr. E. S. Fowler. also a graduate of the University of New York, and a man of
aristocratic appearance aud beariug, who lo- cated here in the '50s. Dr. Fowier was pros- perous and ambitious. He erected a beautifui dwelling on the block surrounded by Second and Third Streets, Cook Street aud Lawrence Ave- uue, where he and his family dispeused delight- ful hospitality for many years. He was ambi- tious politicaily but failed of eiectiou to office. For a time during the war he was a coutractor furnishing supplies for the army at Camp But- ler, but iater became a heavy ioser in specula- tions, and was obliged to take up practice again, but without the success of his eariier years.
Drs. Sauford Beli and Samuel Long were partners of Dr. Lord in 1852. President Lin- coln appointed Long consul at Havana and he abandoned medicine. Later partners of Dr. Lord were Dr. Henry Condit Barreli, and the late Dr. J. N. Dixon, the former having been a student in Dr. Lord's office. After serving in the medicai department of the army when very young, he graduated at Rush Coiiege; had a career of great activity and usefulness, espe- cialiy in surgery, untii his premature death at the age of 36, May 19, 1877. After Dr. Lord's death Dr. Dixon succeeded. to much of the business of the firm.
PROMINENT IN FRATERNAL ORDERS .- Dr. J. L. Miilion, a graduate of the Missouri Medical Col- lege in 1851, practiced at Pleasant Piains for a number of years prior to the war, later served in the medical department of the army and after the war iocated in Springfield, where he was active until his death at the beginning of the present century. He was Supreme Medical Di- rector of one of the first fraternai orders, and a man of superior business sagacity and ac- quired a large amount of real estate including his home on South Sixth Street. He is survived by a son, Edward, a graduate in medicine but practicing oniy to a limited extent.
One of the ieading members of the profession in his day was Dr. Charies Ryan, a native of Phiiadeiphia, whose family came at au early date to Greene County. He located at Spring- field in 1853 and soon acquired a iarge practice. He was a man of large stature, of strong frame and vigorous mind, and served on the army Med- icai Examining Board with Drs. Johnson and Davis of Chicago, examining many medicai men who went out as surgeons of the many regiments organized in Springfield. He was the first sur- geon in St. John's Hospital and remained with
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
that institution until compelled to retire by fail- Ing healtil. He made a trip to California In 1849 for tuberculosis of bis lungs, but contracted a disease from which he never recovered. Later he visited Europe on account of his health, but received uo permanent benefit. His phys- icai and mental suffering unfitted him for prac- tice aud interfered with the success of his latter years. His son Charles was a popuiar druggist in Springfield for a number of years but died a few years ago. Another son, Walter, after graduating from a medical college, enjoyed a large practice, for a part of the time being sur- geon of St. John's Hospital, but during the present year (1911) by his own hand, at Los Angeles, Cal., brought a tragic end to his own life and that of his wife, a danghter the iate Roland W. Diller.
Dr. A. H. Trapp was a native of Germany and a polltical refugee in Switzerland, where he studied medicine at the University of Zurich. During his stay in Switzerland he engaged In a duel with a student from a rivai nuiversity, whose secoud was Von Bismarck, the fonnder of the German empire. Dr. Trapp then went to England aud in June, 1837, sailed for the United States. From New York came by way of the lakes to Chicago and fiualiy to Belleville where he practiced for a number of years. In 1854 he was elected Representative lu the Gen- eral Assembly and, as a Democrat, took part In the celebrated contest which resulted in the election of Lyman Trumbull to the U. S. Senate. Although opposed politically to Mr. Lincoin, Dr. Trapp greatly admired the mau and told inany incidents of his interviews with the future Pres- ident. Governor Bissell was an intimate friend of Dr. Trapp and on his electiou to office in 1856, they came together to Springfield where Dr. Trapp successfully practiced until 1887, when he retired on account of his great age. He died in 1891 at the age of SS. After coming to Springfield Dr. Trapp took a deep interest in the cause of education, served as a member of the School Board for twenty years and for many years president of the same. The Trapp school in the old Second Ward was named In his houor. His grandson and namesake, Dr. Albert R. Trapp, a graduate of Rnsh Medical College iu 1901, has followed In his footsteps and Is a con- sclentions and weli educated physician.
A Dr. Hogan came here from the East, possessed of considerable money and an attrac-
tlve wife. Ile Invested largely In real estate and was known as an elegant gentleman, but never engaged in practice here. The discovery after his death that a wife had been left in all asylum at Philadelphia, ied to much litigation In the settlement of his estate.
AN EARLY SPECIALIST .- Dr. J. D. IIarper, a graduate at St. Louis and Chicago, began prac- tice bere in 1855 and was probably the first to glve exclusive attention to diseases of the cye and ear. He died In 1878 at the age of 53.
Dr. P. Moran practiced here at this time, his office and residence belng at Seventh and Monroe Streets, where hls daughter still resides. 4
Dr. J. V. Goltra had an office on Fifth Street In 1855. By industry and thrift he accumulated a considerabie property.
Dr. George Pasfield graduated at the St. Louis Medical College in 1856, aud returned to Spring- field where he was born In 1831. He practiced for a short time and rendered service at Camp Yates for six months at the beginning of the war. The falling health of his father compelled bim to give up his choseu profession to look after extensive property Interests. He has been a well known figure in financial circies for sixty years.
Other names which belong to this decade are Adams, John Finch, J. A. Hughes, C. P. Slater, James Smith, J. C. Stevens, Shearer, Davld Helin, W. B. Price, J. Seiman, P. A. Smythe, P. H. Bailhache, F. W. Fink, W. T. Chamber- ialn, H. Magee, Alex Holbert, Norwood and Lodge.
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