USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns : educational, religious, civil, military, and political history : portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, also a condensed History of Illinois > Part 24
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1844 he bade a sorrowful farewell to his mother and the little cot- tage that sheltered her, and in the silence of night shouldered his trunk and proceeded on foot and alone a distance of two miles where a carriage, which he had engaged, awaited him. Mr. Bishop has since visited that home, and he has also had the pleasure of welcoming his mother to a more pretentious one in the West, secured by his own exertions. He sailed on the boat Bunker Hill, and the day after his arrival in Chicago took the stage for Waukegan, where his brother resided. There he worked at his trade for several months, receiving $17 per month for his services. When harvest came he became a laborer in the field at $1.50 per day. After the harvest was over, in company with a man named McAllister, he started for MeHenry on foot. They were not to be deterred by the sloughs and lakes which lay in their way, but waded them with their clothes tied in a bundle upon their heads. In McHenry Mr. Bishop followed blacksmithing until January, when he went to Waukegan and secured a job cutting wood for 50 cents per cord. The following spring he was again pursuing his trade in McHenry. The first year he earned enough to pay for eighty acres of land at $1.25 per acre, and at once made the invest- ment. This proved a profitable venture, and as fast as he was able he made other purchases, buying and selling with good results. From this humble beginning, in spite of reverses, fires, etc., Mr. Bishop has become the owner of a large portion of the business of McHenry. He owns a large grist-mill, a wagon manufactory, an agricultural implement store, a pickle factory, besides a farm of nearly 1,000 acres. In 1874 he engaged in the banking business in Woodstock, which he followed two years. He then bought a choice law library at a cost of over $1,000, acquainted himself thoroughly with the principles of the law and was admitted to the bar. In 1874 he was a member of the Legislature. He has served as Supervisor for fifteen years. In politics he is a straight forward Democrat. Mr. Bishop has taken all the degrees in Masonry. Oct. 19, 1849, he married Miss Mary Maurice, a native of New York. She is still living, and the mother of one son and a daughter. The son, Ormus, died in 1879; the daughter, Lola, is the wife of Thomas Walch, of McHenry. The career of Mr. Bishop is an eloquent illustration of what energy and will can accomplish.
C. H. DONNELLY, son of Neill and Mary (McElroy) Donnelly, was born in Woodstock, Aug. 22, 1855. He was educated in the
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common schools and at Notre Dame College, South Bend, Ind., graduating from that institution in 1872. In 1873 he began the study of the law in the office of Slavin & Smith, at Woodstock, and in 1878 entered upon the practice of his profession in this city. Of public stations, he has served as City Attorney, and as Public Administrator of the county four years. He is a member of the Catholic church, and is prominent in social circles.
A. B. COON, JR., son of A. B. Coon, of Marengo, was born in Marengo, Feb. 17, 1855. He graduated from Oberlin College, Ohio, in 1877, read law in his father's office, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1879. He practiced with his father until 1880, then removed to Woodstock and entered into partnership with Hon. M. L. Joslyn. Mr. Coon has taken a creditable rank among the members of the bar, and has a good practice. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. He was married in 1878 to Miss Ida Shores, of Marengo, and has two children.
ALBERT E. BOURNE was born in Bristol, Kenosha Co., Wis., in 1849. He was educated at the State University, Madison, Wis., graduating in 1872. After graduation he taught school and pnr- sned the study of the law. In 1880 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois, and in July of the same year entered upon the practice of his profession as a member of the firm of Bourne & Gillmore, which partnership still con- tinues. Mr. Bourne has served as Captain of Company G, Third Illinois National Guard, and is a member of the Masonic and A. O. U. W. orders. In politics he is Republican. He married, in 1872, Miss May L. Craig, who died Jan. 2, 1883. Three children of this union are living, and one deceased.
C. P. BARNES, one of the youngest of the McHenry lawyers, was born in Dorr, McHenry County, Feb. 14, 1862, and is a son of Chas. P. Barnes, Sergeant of Company D, Ninety-fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, who was killed at Vicksburg in May, 1863. The subject of this notice read law in the office of Judge Gillmore, and afterward under Judge Smith. He was admitted to the bar before the Appellate Court of Chicago, March 9, 1883, and has since practiced in Woodstock. Mr. Barnes was married, in 1883, to Miss L. A. Young, of Woodstock.
The first and only lawyer who ever practiced his profession in Huntley Village was Lawyer J. F. Casey, who put out his shingle in the spring of 1884. He is one of McHenry County's youngest sons, and one that she may well be proud of. His natural talent,
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together with his perfect knowledge of law, places him among the first members of McHenry County bar. He was born in Grafton Township, March 6, 1858. He is a son of Daniel Casey, who was a full cousin of Judge Casey's, whose superior legal talent is recog- nized through this section of the county. Mr. Casey received his education principally in Huntley, and after teaching several years, during which time he devoted considerable time in the study of natural sciences, he entered the law office of Judge Kanstead, of Elgin, where he studied law eighteen months, and then entered the office of Judge Lovell, of Elgin, where he pursued his studies till April 7, when he was admitted to the bar in Chicago. He stood highest in the examination with thirty-five others who were examined and admitted at the same time. Mr. Casey's first appearance be- fore the County Court was with five cases. One of his first cases was in the Appellate Court of Chicago. Mr. Casey is a young man who by his own exertions has brought himself to his present envi- able position, and those who know him predict great achievements for him in his profession.
C
CHAPTER VII.
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
INTRODUOTION. -- EARLY PHYSICIANS. - THEIR CHARACTER AND EX- PERIENCES. - PREVALENCE OF FEVER AND AGUE IN EARLY TIMES. -THE CLIMATE .- ITS GENERALLY HEALTHFUL CHARACTER. - THE HIGH STANDING OF MCHENRY COUNTY PHYSICIANS. - HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. -- MENTION OF PROMINENT DOOTORS, EARLY AND LATE. - PHYSICIANS OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF THE COUNTY.
The life of a medical practitioner in a newly settled country is generally one of toil and hardship. Compensation is usually meager, and however extensive may be the physician's practice, much of it must be rendered gratuitously on account of the poverty of his patients. A strong constitution and abundant patience is requisite to success; and success frequently means on the part of the physi- cian the consciousness that he has performed his duty well.
The first who prescribed for the ' k and suffering in the county, so far as can be learned, was Dr. Christy G. Wheeler, who located at McHenry shortly before it became the county seat. He was not a regularly educated physician, but had studied the Thompsonian method. About the same time, or perhaps in the following year, 1837, Dr. A. B. Cornish located near the present village of Algon- quin. He was a good doctor for those days, and found plenty to do in the country. Yet from the fact that he started i erry, it would seem that his practice was not sufficiently lucrative to justify him in depending upon it for a livelihood. Wheeler became a merchant and does not seem to have devoted very much of his time to medicine. Dr. Luke Hale, who was in no sense of the word a competent physician, came into the county soon after the two first mentioned, and for several years exercised what knowledge he had in the interests of suffering humanity. Many of the early settlers would not trust entirely to their home physicians, and in critical cases frequently sent to the older settlements east of Fox River for a doctor. But as the county grew in population, the number of (274)
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physicians increased, and in a few years all the settlers had reliable medical advisers within a short distance from their liomes.
Fever and ague was the chief complaint, and by far the most frequent among the early settlers. It was especially prevalent in the region lying along Fox River. Aside from this disease, from which few pioneer settlements in the West were ever entirely free, there was little sickness. The early settlers were generally men and women of strong constitutions and robust health. They never called a doctor unless their symptoms were alarming, but instead relied upon the efficacy of herb teas and other simple remedies. Had it not been for fever and ague, doctors would have had but little to do. That disease disappeared as the country improved, and now few sections of the country can boast of a healthier population . than McHenry County. No great epidemics have ever visited the people. There is nothing in the condition of air or climate to cause disease; besides, the present generation, having its parent- age among the sturdy pioneers of Yankee stock, is free from inherited taints, and blest with good habits and vigorous health.
The physicians of McHenry County have generally been men of more than average ability in their profession. Not a few have been men of culture and extensive scholarship. The present prac- titioners are almost without exception reckoned among the most honorable citizens, and in their professional character are possessed of judgment, faithfulness, knowledge and skill, such as entitle them to rank among the most useful members of society.
MC HENRY.
The first doctor in McHenry was Christy G. Wheeler, who came in 1837. He practiced medicine but little. Opening a store soon after he came he followed mercantile business until he died.
Next was Dr. Luke Hale, who does not seem to have been remarkably well versed in medical science, nor did he have a large practice.
Dr. Bosworth, a well-educated and skillful physician, came next. Not caring to trust to the scanty returns to be derived from its practice, he brouglit with him a stock of goods and kept a store. He died abont four years later.
Dr. McAllister then practiced liere four years. He removed to Oshkosh, Wis., and died there. Dr. Coleman, now of Iowa, was here for about five years. He was succeeded by Dr. Flavel, from Virginia, who remained about six years, then returned to his
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native State. Dr. Ballou, now of Nunda, practiced here about five years. Dr. Mellendy had a good practice here for about ten years and was much esteemed as a physician. He went to Cali- fornia where he died a few years ago.
Dr. H. T. Brown, who began practice with Dr. Coleman, still resides and pursues his profession here. After him came Dr. Polly, who remained five years, then went to Indiana. Dr. Cra- vens, from Virginia, practiced about ten years in this place. He removed to Indianapolis, Ind., where for some time he was a sur- geon in the insane asylum. He is now a Government physician in Colorado.
Dr. Beers, a man of excellent scholarship and ability, practiced in this town for over eightcen years.
The present resident physicians are Drs. Brown, Howard, Fegers . and Childs, the latter a homeopath.
DR. CHRISTY G. WHEELER, although not strictly a physician, was the first who bore the title of "Dr." in the old county seat, McHenry. He was born in Dunbarton, N. H., March 24, 1811, and was a brother of Rev. Joel Wheeler. He was ordained a Baptist minister in Keene, N. H., and preached for two years. Having a knowledge of medicine, he concluded to change climate for his health, which was failing. He, with his wife and two children, came to Illinois in the fall of 1836. After stopping a few weeks at Geneva, they came to McHenry, being the first white family to locate in the township. The following May the stake was driven, locating the county seat at McHenry, Mr. Wheeler paid the cost of the survey of the town, $100. He purchased a small store and kept the first postoffice in the county. He was afterward Recorder of Deeds and held that office at the time of his death, March 28, 1842.
DR. O. J. HOWARD, a physician of large practice in McHenry, is a native of Madison County, N. Y. He was born Oct. 12, 1816. His ancestors were of English origin. His grand- father, John Howard, served in the Revolutionary war, was captured at Crown Point, and made his escape by jumping from the window of a two-story house and running for life while the bullets fell fast about him. His father, Joseph Howard, served in the war of 1812. Being in Canada at the commencement of hostilities, he was impressed into the British service, from which he fled, to join the American army at the first opportunity. Dr. Howard in early life worked at shoemaking and farming, hiring
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out at the latter for $5 per month. His educational privileges were few, but he took advantage of every opportunity for self- improvement. In 1845 he went to Indiana where he studied medi- cine, working part of the time to pay his expenses. Here he studied and practiced for five years, obtaining a thorough knowl- edge of the science. In 1850 he returned to Ohio and went to Cleveland to attend college. Having no money, he was obliged to go in debt for his tuition. He graduated in the spring and began practice in Liverpool, Ohio, where he remained seventeen years. He then removed to McHenry, where he has since pursued his profession with conspicuous success. Dr. Howard is a zealous friend of education. He is a member of the Republican party and of the Masons and Odd Fellows. While in Ohio he held the office of Postmaster during Lincoln's administration. In 1836 he mar- ried Miss Juliette Gould, a native of New York. They had six children, four of whom are living-Lodema, wife of Curtis Har- vey, Lake County; Jane, wife of Simon Kennedy, McHenry; Selora, wife of James Walch, McHenry, and A. R. Howard, of McHenry. Mrs. Howard died Nov. 3, 1874, aged fifty-nine years. In 1875 he married Rebecca, widow of Samuel King.
DR. EDWIN A. BEERS (deceased) was born in Fairfield, Herki- mer County, New York, in 1827; read medicine under Dr. Sweet, of that town, and graduated in 1853 from the medical department of the University of the city of New York. In 1855 he located at Crystal Lake, in this county, where he practiced four years. He then removed to McHenry where he died Nov. 26, 1879. In 1862 he was chosen Surgeon in the Seventy-second Illinois Regiment, in which capacity he served nearly two years, when failing health compelled him to resign. Hc married Miss Esther M. Salisbury in 1856. She survives him.
DR. HENRY T. BROWN, an old and respected physician of large practice, is a native of Manchester, Ontario Co., N. Y. He was born Nov. 1, 1823, and is the eldest son of Benjamin B. and Ann L. (Woy) Brown. His father, a veteran of the war of 1812, was a pioneer emigrating to Illinois in 1837. He held sev- eral offices of trust and was much respected. Dr. Brown was educated in the public schools and followed mercantile pursuits for four years. He studied medicine for three years under Dr. McAllister, and in 1850 graduated from the Rush Medical College, Chicago. He then went to California and remained two years, engaging in mining to some extent, but following his profession
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principally. He then returned and has since pursued his profes- sion uninterruptedly and won an enviable reputation. Dr. Brown was married June 1, 1852, to Elmira, daughter of Abijah and Thankful Smith, natives of Vermont. They have two children. Dr. Brown has been connected with the Republican party from its origin.
DR. C. H. FEGERS, son of John and Gertrude Fegers, was born in the kingdom of Prussia in 1846. His father, a physician of extensive practice in his native country, came to America with his family in 1850 and located at West Point, Iowa. There he pur- sued his profession until 1876, when he returned to Germany on a visit, and while there, died of apoplexy. His widow is still liv- ing in Iowa. Dr. C. H. Fegers was educated in the schools of West Point, Iowa, and subsequently followed the druggist's busi- ness in Keokuk and Burlington for six years. He then began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Andrews, of Chi- cago, meanwhile attending the Chicago Medical College. Grad- uating in the spring of 1879 he began his practice at Johnsburg, McHenry County, moving thence to McHenry in June, 1883. June 9, 1880, Dr. Fegers married Miss Alice McGhool, daughter of Sylvester McGhool, a native of Ireland, now living near Wood- stock, Ill.
J. H. SOOTHILL, M. D., of Ringwood, is a native of McHenry County, born at Harvard, May 25, 1860. His parents, Joseph and Charlotte Soothill, were born in England, and came to this country in 1856. His father follows the occupation of contractor and builder. Dr. Soothill worked at carpentry in boyhood. He gradu- ated from the Harvard High School, and at the age of eighteen be- gan the study of medicine. In the fall of 1880 he entered the Chicago Medical College, and for three years attended the college and in the hospital. He graduated March 27, 1883, and soon after located at Prophetstown, Whiteside County, where he prac- ticed a few months. Poor health obliged him to quit for a time. On recovering his health he located at Ringwood, where he already has a good practice.
WOODSTOOK.
Dr. Almon W. King settled in Woodstock soon after the town was founded, and was the first physician.
Dr. Luke Coon came from Indiana in 1849, remained about two years, and had a small practice.
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Dr. A. F. Hedger came from New York State to Algonquin in 1849. After practicing about eighteen months at Algonquin he removed to Woodstock. Here he bought an interest in a drug store, and continued his profession in connection with the drug business for about eighteen months, when he died.
Dr. A. F. Merritt came from Geneva, Wis., in 1853, and in partnership with Dr. O. S. Johnson (see biography), bonght Hed- ger's drug store, and formed a partnership in the practice of medi- cine, which continued about three years. Merritt then bought out his partner and continued to practice for some time. Johnson practiced till his death.
Other physicians besides those mentioned in the following bio- graphical sketches have practiced in Woodstock, generally for short periods. The city practitioners are now men of acknowl- edged worth, well skilled in their profession.
DR. GEORGE E. STONE .- The subject of this notice was born in Monktown, Vt., April 4, 1803. His father was a distinguished physician, and he pursued his medical studies in his native town under his direction. Dr. Stone graduated at the medical college at Castleton, Vt., when but a youth, too young according to the rules of the institution to receive the degree M. D., which was conferred upon him when he reached his majority. He began practice in Monktown and labored zealously and successfully. He was a close student, and possessed an analytical and discriminating mind. He stood at the head of his profession in his native State, with few equals and no superiors. In 1857 he settled in Wood- stock, but strictly adhered here to a previously formed resolution not to practice in the West, occasionally yielding to the solicitation of his friends and the earnest requests of resident physicians to give his opinion in critical cases. Dr. Stone died in Woodstock, Aug. 23, 1876. He was not only eminent in his profession, but his mind was stored with the richest treasures of learning. In literature, science, ethics and theology he was well versed. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was highly honored by all who knew him.
D. C. GREEN, M. D., is a son of John and Anna (Hechler) Green, the former a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and the latter of German descent. John Green came to McHenry County in 1838, and erected the second house in Seneca, where he took up 320 acres of land. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California. His return was expected as late as 1861, but it is supposed that he was
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murdered on the return journey. His wife died at Marengo in 1867, leaving six children, all of whom are living. D. C. Green received his primary education in the common schools and in the Academy at Belmont, N. Y. Subsequently he entered the Hudson River Institute, near Hudson, N. Y. He studied medicine in Ma- rengo, Ill., and in 1858 became a student in the office of Dr. Hiram Hoyt, at Syracuse, N. Y. He began the practice of niedi- cine in Joy, Wayne Co., N. Y. Two years later he was called into service in the Fairfax Hospital at Alexandria, Va. He spent the winter of 1862-'3 in Bellevue Hospital, New York, after which he opened an office and practiced in Juno County, Wis. In 1871 he came to Woodstock where he has since been almost continuously engaged in practice. During this time he attended the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, during two sessions, and received a diploma from that institution. Dr. Green was married in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1860, to Miss Etta Van de Bogart, a native of Ontario County, N. Y. He has acquired a large practice, and is not only a reliable physician but a well-known and highly esteemed citizen.
DR. W. H. BUCK was born in Lycoming County, Pa., in 1840, and came to Illinois with his mother when young. He was edu- cated in the common schools, and then engaged in the work of teaching, at the same time pursning the study of medicine. He attended the Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago in 1865-'6, and continued studying with Dr. Mesick, of Marengo, Ill. In 1866 lie began practicing at Richmond; in 1867 removed to Woodstock, and in 1869 entered the Homeopathic Medical College of New York, where he graduated in 1870. Since that time he has been steadily engaged in the practice of his profession in Woodstock, where he has an excellent reputation both as a physi- cian and as a citizen.
DR. V. B. ANDERSON was born in Girard, Erie Co., Pa., in 1847. He is a son of Amos W. and Almira (Allen) Anderson, natives of Pennsylvania; they came to Seneca, McHenry County, in 1854, where they still reside. Dr. Anderson was educated in the schools of Woodstock and read medicine under the tuition of Dr. J. Northrup. In 1868 he entered the Rush Medical College, from which he graduated in 1871. The same year he began practice in Central, Ford Co., Ill., where he remained two years. He next practiced in Buchanan County, Iowa, for three years, then located at McHenry, where he remained until the spring of 1883, when he
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removed to Woodstock. He was married in 1875 to Miss Isabella A. Todd, a native of Connecticut, and lias two children. Dr. Anderson is a member of the Masonic order and of the A. O. U. W.
WILLIAM W. COOK, M. D., is a son of Thomas M. and Sarah (Coquillette) Cook, and was born in Seneca, McHenry County, Dec. 31, 1855. His parents were both natives of Brooklyn, N. Y., and were among the earliest settlers in Seneca, where they still reside. Four of their children are living-Laura, wife of John Deitz, Sibley, Iowa; Charles E., a physician at Huntley, Ill. ; Edward H., and the subject of this sketch. William W. Cook received his primary education at Naperville, and at the age of nineteen began studying medicine in the office of Dr. Isher, of Chicago. In 1878 he graduated from the medical department of the North western University, Chicago. The same year he began practicing in Woodstock, where he has gained a good practice. He has been particularly successful in surgery, having secured through devotion to his studies and the tuition of his preceptor a thorough surgical education. May 12, 1878, he married Miss Ella, daughter of U. T. Hyde, Esq., of Seneca, by whom he has une child. Dr. Cook has served several years as the Coroner of this county. His father has also been prominent in local affairs, and the family is among the oldest and most respected in the county.
RICHMOND.
S. FILLMORE BENNETT, M. D., is a son of Robert and Sally (Kent) Bennett, who were married Oct. 24, 1821. Mrs. Bennett died at Lake Zurich, Lake Co., Ill., on her cightieth birthday. For years she had predicted that she would die on that day. Robert Bennett is still living at the age of eighty-four. Dr. Ben- nett is the eighth of a family of eleven children-seven sons and four daughters-all of whom lived to become the heads of families. He was born in the village of Eden, Erie Co., N. Y., June 21, 1836. When two years of age he came with his parents to Plain- field, Ill., where the family resided three years; then removed to Lake Zurich, Ill., and settled upon a farm. Here the subject of this sketch passed his boyhood, laboring on the farm, attending the district school in the winter, and in his spare time reading all the books to which lie could gain access. At the age of sixteen lie entered the academy at Waukegan, Ill. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school at Wauconda, Ill. In 1858 he entered the University of Michigan, leaving at the end of the university year
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