USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1 > Part 49
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A POLITICAL ERA .- The attentiou of the entire country was drawn to Springfield in 1860, by the nomination of Mr. Lincoln for the presi- dency. Large numbers of people were attracted here, and on one occasiou a vast crowd came to attend a political rally. No doubt the physi- cians were busy that summer, and the records show that a large number of new members of the profession located here in 1860 and 1861. Among those who came about this time were Drs. Jobn S. Allen, A. M. Anderson, F. A. Lathrop, A. A. Nortb, Nathaniel Harris, Alex. Pollock, J. W. Routh, C. S. Shelton, Elisha Tucker, Charles Vaeth and T. S. Henning.
Soon after the beginulng of the war a nnm- ber of changes occurred amnoug the older practi- tioners. Dr. Wm. Jayne was appoluted Gov- crnor of Dakota; Dr. Wallace was appointed Paymaster iu the army ; Dr. Long became Con-
Charles H Seward
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
sul at Havana; Dr. Henry received an appoint- ment in Oregon ; Dr. Allen was appointed Consnl at Moscow, Russia. These appointments showed Mr. Lincoln's appreciation of the ability of these gentlemen outside of their profession, whlie many others were appointed to important positions in connection with the medical service in the army.
Dr. Henning came from Steubenville, Ohio, where he had been a druggist, possessing a com- petence. but foreed into bankruptcy by misfor- tune. Ile had picked up some knowledge of medicine, and on coming to Springfield entered into practice. A near neighbor of Dr. Ryan he often answered calls in place of the latter, espe- clally at night, but being a small man was usually accompanied by a friend of the patient or his wife. Ile met with success, and Investing his means in property in Minnesota which greatly increased in valne, he finally retired a compar- atively rich man. He was a man of excellent morals and highly esteemed.
MEMBERS OF STATE HEALTH BOARD .- Dr. B. M. Griffith, a native of Kentucky, gradnated at the St. Louis Medleal College and after practicing In Missouri several years came to Springfield in 1863 and was there engaged in practice for nearly forty years. He was for several years a mem- ber of the State Board of Health, and at one time its presiding officer, was also for a time President of the City Board of Health, and was attending physician at St. John's Hospital for several years. His death occurred September 24, 1898. as the result of an attack of temporary apoplexy some three years previous, which finally developed into Bright's disease. His widow still resides in the same residence on South Sixth Street. His son, Dr. B. B. Griffith, succeeded to hils father's business and position on the hospital staff, but has been away from Springfield for several years because of physical disability.
Dr. Justus Townsend came to Springfield in the 'sixties with Dr. Wm. Jayne, with whom he had been associated in Dakota, and here they later entered into partnership which was ter- minated by Doctor Townsend's death In 1901. He was born in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1828. and here became a popular physician and enjoyed a large practice. He served for a time as Auditor of Dakota Territory by appointment of Gov. Jayne, had practiced mueh among the soldiers of the frontier, and in his later years held the position of Physician to St. John's Hos-
pitai for many years, and was connected with the Home for the Frlendless. No man who ever practiced in Springfield had more friends and fewer enemles than did Doetor Townsend.
Dr. T. W. Dresser located in Springfield in 1863 or '64, and remained in practice for nearly forty-five years in this community. He was the son of Rev. Charles Dresser, an Episcopallan clergyman who solemnized the Lincoln marriage ceremony. The son established a good practice and invested his money in city property, which afterwards Increased in value so that on his deatii in 1907 he was quite wealthy. Dr. Dres- ser and his wife died within a few days of each other.
COMING OF THE ARMY SURGEONS .- Among the numerous army surgeons who came to Spring- field, after the close of the war, was Dr. H. B. Buck, a native of Maine, and graduate of Jeffer- son College, Philadelphia. After being stationed at Camp Butler for some months he finally lo- cated here. He practiced successively with Dr. Price and Dr. Fred Matthews. Dr. Buck, though somewhat visionary, was a man of per- fect integrity and had a large practice. During the latter years of his life he was Medical Di- rector of the Franklin Life Insurance Company, and inade a great success in this position. IIe was President of the Tri-State Medical Society, and delivered an address of great excellence be- fore It at Its meeting held in Louisville, Ky.
Dr. Benj. F. Stephenson practiced in Spring- field for a time but was more distingnished for his service in the army and his leadership in the steps which led to the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic. He died In Men- ard County in 1871.
STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY MEETING .- The sev- enteenth anniversary meeting of the Illinols State Medical Society was heid in Springfield in 1867, and was attended by Drs. Roman, Barrell, Wardner. Turney, Stephenson, Trapp. Siater, Miller, Black, Allen. Griffith; Bailhache, and Palmer .of Springfield and Drs. Wright of Chat- ham, Veatch, Ewing and Kerr of Pawnee, and Walker of Berlin. The Mayor and city anthor- Itles extended a welcome and an Invitation to the physicians to visit Oak Ridge Cemetery, this being tlen a chief point of Interest. The com- mittee on medical legislation made a report fa- voring a law regulating the practice of medicine but no law was enacted at this time.
A CHOLERA EPIDEMIC .- Dr. W. R. Marsh of
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
Chicago read a paper at this meeting on "Cholera in Chicago in 1866." It appears that the dis- ease had prevailed there for sixteen weeks, dur- ing which time there were 1,581 cases and 970 deaths, or approximately one death in each 200 of the population. Should this mortailty pre- vail in Chicago at the present time with its pop- miation eleven times as great as then, there would he at least 17,500 deaths. When we con- sider that there have been no deaths from cholera in Chicago, or in any other place in Illinois for many years, It is apparent that a l'emarkahle change has taken place in less than fifty years.
Dr. H. H. Roman came to Springfield from Bellevilie in the late '60's, but died a few years later. He was the second physician in Spring- field to devote his attention entirely to diseases of the eye.
Drs. Perry Slater and L. B. Slater practiced in Springfield and elsewhere in the county and State. Dr. Perry Siater died at hls residence, which was located where the First Presbyterian church now stands.
In the directory of 1869 appears the name of Dr. Amelia Hastings, who seems to have heen the first lady physician to practice in this com- munity.
Dr. G. W. Morgan, a homeopathic practitioner, hegan his work in this city in 1863-64, and con- tinued in practice for thirty years.
Among other names not already mentioned ap- pearlng in the directory of 1860-70, are E. Potter, B. F. Stanley, R. E. Adams, A. M. Ander- son, J. B. Fox, J. W. Kreigh, J. Phillips, Ed- ward Potter, C. S. Shelton, A. A. Shutt, Samuel Willard, W. C. Richardson, Daniel White, James R. Grey, and C. F. Hughes.
HOSPITALS .- An event of interest in connec- tion with medical history was the founding of St. John's Hospital In 1875. When Bismarck came into collision with the Catholic church in Germany, he ordered the closure of many cou- vents, and as a result five German Sisters of St. Francis from Minster, Westphalia, came to Springfield and started a movement to open a hospital. They were sheltered for a time in the UrsulIne convent on North Fifth Street, and iater occupied the old Loose residence on South Seventh and Lawrence Avenue, where they opened a modest establishment which was soon filled up with the aged aud decrepid.
The Sisters were penniless hut the citizens of
all classes were sympathetic and responded lib- crally to appeals for aid, and the institution was a success from the beginning. The accommoda- tions were limited, and some disagreement hav- ing arlsen regarding the value of the ground cansed the sisters to leave this excellent location, purchasing property on Mason Street and crect- ing a small hullding capable of accommodating some twenty-five patients. For a number of years they canvassed the city almost daily for food and supplies and never returned empty handed. The institution has grown rapidly, ad- ditions heing made in 1887, 1890, 1900, 1905 and 1910. At the present time it is probably the largest hospital in the State outside of Chicago, and during the last winter accommodated as many as 212 sick people at one time. The total number cared for each year is approximately 3,000. A Father Director and a Mother Supe- rior, with ahout seventy Sisters and fifty helpers have charge of the large institution. Several times a year, Sisters from other hospitals of the order in Illinois and Wisconsin come here for moral and professional training. From a small beginning one of the largest and most heneficent Institutions in Central Illinois has heen devel- oped, and a remarkable influence In the treating of the sick has resulted. Owing to the success in the treatment of disease and accidents in St. John's and the Springfield Hospitals, a former prejudice against hospitals has passed away, and at least fifty per cent of the serious cases of illness in this connty are treated in these hospitals.
The Springfield Hospital was organized in 1897, and has had as remarkable a growth as St. John's. Its rooms are open for maternity cases, as well as for general diseases, and in every way this hospital has proved a great suc- cess. A training school is connected with it, and a large number of nurses građnated from it have found employment in the families of this and neighboring counties.
The first sterilizing apparatus was installed at St. John's Hospital in 1894, and the first mod- ern operating room opened in 1897. Rev. Father Hinssen labored at St. John's for many years and took a great interest in the development of the hospital and the training of the nurses. He wrote several text hooks on nursing, which have had a wide circulation all over the world. Rev. Joseph Straub Is now spiritual director and is carrying forward the hospital work with success.
Carrie Seward
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
COUNTRY PHYSICIANS .- In the early days physicians were usually located on farms, and often as much time was given to cuitlvation of the soii as to the treatment of the sick. Most of these doctors were selt-educated, and the iist of drugs given by them was limited, to which was added in nearly every case, the preliminary use of the lancet. Their knowledge of disease was limited, and their treatment depended chiefly on symptoms. The woman doctor was known in every community, and the following story is told of a cali by Dr. Helm to see a patient In the country. He had made his diagnosis and was about to measure ont some medicine, when he was told that they did not want him to give any medicine because there was an old woman over in the corner who knew how to treat the case if she only knew what the disease was, and the doctor was only called to give a name to her ailment.
Another old-time physiclan, Dr. Benedict of Round Prairie, was asked by one of his patlents, "Doc, what Is it that makes that tizzerizzen in the back of my ear?" His answer was, "My dear madam, that Is caused hy a drappin down of the narves."
Among the early practitioners in the eastern portion of the county Dr. Josiah Brown located at Mechanicshurg lu the 'fortys, and was a weil- known character for many years, practicing aiong the old Ilnes, with calomel, jalap and the lancet as his principal remedies. It was hls custom, on going to the home of a patlent to fill his "du- deen," take a live coal from the open fireplace and proceed to smoke a pipe before going near the patient. This caused tronbie at times when the patlent was suffering severe pain, and many stories are told of his good humored replies when chided for his favorite habit. The senior Dr. McNelli practiced in Mechanlesburg before the war and Dr. H. R. Riddie, a veteran of the civil war, has practiced there nearly all the time since 1873, when he graduated at Rush College.
At Buffalo resided old Doctor Leeds, the "her- init doctor," In ils hare office. Llke Dr. Brown he was decidedly antedlInvian in appearance and habits, and was rarely seen unless by some one entering his prison house. Dr. L. Gillett practiced at Buffalo for nearly thirty years from 1857, was successful and built a fine residence, but near the close of his life moved away. Dr. L. P. Rogers also practiced here and was the agent for Lord Senliy's land. Hle
later abandoned practice and went to Nehraska for Scully, where he was accidentally kilied a few years ago.
Doctor Stuve, located in Illiopolls in 1860, and continued for six years, coming there from Lou- isville, Ky. He afterwards moved to Spring- field and studied iaw and assisted in writing the Davidson and Stuve History of Illinois." (See chapter on "Bench and Bar.")
Dr. J. D. Mayes, brother of Dr. J. W. D. Mayes, came from Mexico, Mo., in 1863, and formed a partnership with Doctor Stuve, but re- tired in 1877, and is now In banking business at Centralia, Mo. Dr. J. W. D. Mayes entered practice at Illiopolis with his brother In 1876, and has heen continuousiy engaged ever since, his field covering the eastern end of Sangamon County, with parts of Macon and Christian Counties. Probably no practitioner in the coun- ty has done more or better work. His son, Dr. Earl Mayes, Is in practice at Dawson. .
Dr. W. R. VanHook, father of Weiler Van- Hook, a prominent surgeon in Chicago, practiced. in the eastern part of the county for a number of years between 1860 and 1890, hut dled in a Chicago hospitai after an operation for hrain tumor about 1896.
Other physicians at Illlopolis were Dr. J. M. BIrch, an army surgeon who came there after the war and practiced until his death in 1874; Dr. Edwin H. Graves came in 1874, but later moved to Morrisonville, where he died; Dr. J. P. Cowden came in 1875 and remained severai years, and Dr. Hoicomb practiced there in the 'sixties, hut llttie Is known of his iater career.
Dr. John R. McGinnis practiced at Dawson for nearly forty years with success, but is now living in retirement in Springfield.
AN EARLY SETTLER OF CHATIIAM .- Probahiy the first practitioner in Chatham was Dr. John Root Lewis, horn In 1800 In Connecticut, where he grew np on a farm. He obtained hls profes- sional education in the medical department of Yaie College. and whlie yet a young practitioner he emigrated to IilInois and located at Cariin- vlile, where he soon became actively employed professionally, and so continued for a number of years. Meanwhile he hecame one of the hondsinen for the County Treasurer of Macoupin County, and In consequence became a heavy ioser, investing the remnant of his means in iand. About 1849 he removed to Chatham, Sangamon County ; he established a good home on land
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
that became part of the village, meanwhile de- voting his attention to his profession which he continued uutil lils death from Bright's disease in 1858. Dr. Lewis was an exceptionally com- peteut physician and au exemplary citizen, en- joyiug the confidence of numerous patrons and the esteem of his colleagues and a large circle of frieuds. He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church and died what he had lived -a Christian gentleman.
Dr., Nehemiah Wright located at Chatham in 1856, for many years had a large and labo- rious practice but died in 1891. He was a good physician and a well educated man of much muore than average ability. He had a fine lit- erary taste and wrote considerable poetry which had much merit. His son, Charles D. Wright, succeeded him and afterwards moved to Spring- field. Dr. L. D. Wright, of Rochester, is his grandson. and the only representative of the third generation of physicians in Sangamon couuty.
Dr. Charles B. Johnson found his first loca- tion at Chatham in 1868, remaining uutil Jan- uary, 1871, when he removed to Champaign County, III., where he has since continued in practice. He married a daughter of Dr. Lewis, and is an author of considerable ability having written a medical history of Champaign Coun- ty ; also served for several years on the State Board of Health.
Dr. Samuel C. Hewitt, au eclectic and veteran of the Civil War, located in Chatham about 1865, where he still resides though retired from practice. Dr. Hewitt, au uncle of the preceding and also an eclectic, practiced in Chatham for many years.
Dr. Smith, a homeopathic practitioner and preacher, resided in Chatham for a time and afterwards moved to Springfield.
ROCHESTER PHYSICIANS .- The earliest practi- tloners at Rochester were Drs. Slater, Robert Price and Fox, who lived near what is known as Fox bridge, on the South Fork of the Sanga- mon.
Dr. Abells practiced east of Rochester and ac- cumulated a considerable property.
Dr. E. R. Babcock, for many years an active practitioner in Rochester, was born in New York in 1826, and graduated from the University of Vermont ; served in the Civil War aud located in Rochester where he had a large ride until his death in 1882. 1Ie was a resourceful citi-
zen, had a splendid reputation aud was a skilled physician. He was succeeded in his practice by his son. Dr. O. B. Babcock, who lived in Roches- ter until 1893, when he moved to Springfield where he has continued in practice.
Dr. R. J. McNiel practiced in Mechanicsburg and Rochester for a number of years until his death ahout 1880.
THE PAWNEE PRACTITIONERS .- At Pawnee the early doctors were W. H. Veatch, Dr. W. C. Johnson and Dr. Chas. Kerr. Dr. Kerr had served iu the medical department during the Civil War, entering into active practice on his retirement from the army. He and Dr. John- son were bitter rivals, each keeping a well stocked stable of horses, and each priding him- self on his prompt answer to a summons from a patron. It was said that each was not averse to taking a patieut from the other, and when so called the first step of the new physician was to throw out the medicine his predecessor had left, and warn the patient of the danger of death if its use had been continued. Pawnee was the center of a large territory, and as there was a great deal of sickness at that time. these men were always busy and no doubt if they had heen wiser and more toleraut, each would have had more success financially. Fortunately the founding of Medical Societies has led to a hetter understanding, and the present generation of physicians, like other callings, certainly live in greater peace and harmony than some who pre- ceded them.
DOCTORS OF BERLIN AND ISLAND GROVE .- Doc- tors in the western part of the county included Drs. Gibson and Joel Walker of Old Berlin and Dr. Lloyd Brown, of Island Grove, who prac- ticed in both Sangamon and Morgan Counties and accumulated a large estate. He afterward moved to Jacksonville, went into the banking husiness and by unfortunate investments lost the greater part of his fortune. IIe was a fine gentleman of the old school, and lived to an ad- vanced age, dying at the residence of liis son- in-law. Dr. F. J. Brown, in Decatur, a few years ago. Drs. Fulton aud Price were long active in New Berlin. Dr. Langdon, a young man of much promise, hegan practice in New Berlin ahout 1890, soon built up au extensive husiness and seemed to have a very bright future. In 1894 the entire community was greatly shocked hy his death, which was apparently caused by his own hand.
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
Drs. Cloud and E. C. Bain were among the early practitioners of Pleasant Plains. Dr. Bain was sneceeded by his son, Paul Bain, who re- mains in practice in that locality.
OTHER RURAL PRACTITIONERS .- One of the most noted country practitioners was Dr. Hal- bert, residing near Williamsville. Dr. Halbert had picked up some ideas of medicine in Ohio, came to Sangamon County in the '40s, and was known as "Dr. Red Drops" from his medicine which had wide use in the treatment of malarial conditions. All the Dr. Taylors in Springfield, are relatives of Dr. Halbert.
Dr. R. E. McClelland began practice in Wil- liamsville in 1873, continned for nearly thirty- five years, and then moved to Springfield, retir- ing from practice.
Drs. J. Y. Winn and J. M. West practiced in Williamsville from 1860.
At Anburn were very early Drs. Logan and Ewell ; Drs. M. S. and W. D. Wheeler followed. Drs. Fred and Frank Wheeler have succeeded their father, who lived and practiced in that community nearly forty years.
Dr. L. C. Taylor, now of Springfield, practiced in Auburn for sixteen years, coming to Spring- field in 1892.
Dr. S. C. Ham went to Auburn in 1892 and died of puenmonia in 1895. Dr. Ham was a cheerful and conscientious man, and his death was a great loss to the community.
THE MEDICAL PRACTICE ACT .- An event of im- portance in 1877, was the enactment of the law regulating the practice of medicine and surgery which went into effect on July Ist of that year. This law was the offspring of the Illinois State Medical Society, and very much needed. At least one-half of the practitioners of the State had never scen the inside of a medical school, and were pooriy equipped for practice. Besides this, scarcely a month went by that traveling medicine trompes did not make their appearance in all the large cities, with worthless or danger- ous compounds which they sold to unsuspecting citizens at an exorbitant sum. The damage done by this gentry was really greater than the public were aware, and in the meantime tic hard-working family practitioners were held up hy these people to scorn and ridicule, and at the end of the first year it was estimated that 1,400 persons had left the State or quit practice, 300 had attended a course in some medicai schooi,
and 150 were found competent after passing an examination by the Board.
The first President and eventually the most active worker on the Board for fifteen years was Dr. Jolin H. Rauch, who during this time re- sided in Springfield. Doctor Rauch was of Pennsylvania Dutch origin, being horn at Leh- anon in 1828. Early in his professional career he came to Burlington, lowa, in 1857 was called to Chicago and there hecame a member of the Rush Medical College. When the war began, he entered the medical service, became Medical Director under Grant in the Virginia campaigns and attained a higher rank than any other Illinois practitioner during that period. After the close of the war he returned to Chicago, where he was soon afterwards made Health Commissioner. His army experience served him well, and the present sanitary condition of Chi- cago is largeiy dne to the foundations laid hy him. Dr. Rauch gave the best years of his life to his duties as Secretary of the State Board of Health and the only criticisms ever made upon his work were by those who com- plained of the rigid standard which he enforced.
A PRISONER'S TRICK .- An incident of interest in his career was the trick played upon him, Dr. Dixon and others by an inmate of the Sangamon County jail, about 1882. This fellow got hold of some croton oil, with which he anointed his body and caused an ernption; then ate some soap which brought on fever and in this condi- tion told the jailer that he was suffering from smallpox. Some of the local physicians were called and, being in doubt, they took along Dr. Rauch to see the case. The doctor finally de- cided that the man was suffering from some sus- picious disease which might be smallpox, and he was placed in quarantine in some outhouse from which he soon escaped, and the joke came out greatly to the chagrin of all the doctors.
In 1886, after the law had been in effect for a number of years and the town frec of travel- ing medicine shows, the doctor was mnuch an- noyed by the presence of a long-haired individ- nal with a band of Indians who set up a tent on the vacant ground where the Franklin Life building is now situated, and for several days pa- raded around the square and the Leland hotei, headed by a band and followed by the Indians. One of his exhibits was to give an exampie of pulling teeth without pain-which was a mere "fake."
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
A SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC .- During an epidemic of smallpox which swept over the country in 1882-83, the exceileut work done by Dr. Rauch and his assistaut, Dr. Reilly, dld much to stop the spread of the disease. Dr. Rauch was aiso active In the yellow fever scare of 1879, and ten- dered valuable service severai times when chol- era threatened to invade the country. Possibly his greatest work was in starting the movement which had for Its object the regulating of med- ical colleges and the raising of standards of medical education. Every year during his in- cumbency he Issued an annual report which was eagerly sought by health authorities all over the country. At the same time hls reports on medical education made him well knowu in medical centers. As already mentioned, Dr. F. W. Reilly was his right hand man, and after leaving the service of the State, served Chicago for many years as Assistant Health Commis- sloner, in fact, was the real brains of that de- partmeut.
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