Medicine in Champaign County : a historical sketch, Part 5

Author: Johnson, Charles Beneulyn, 1843-
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Champaign, Ill. : Gazette Press
Number of Pages: 98


USA > Illinois > Champaign County > Medicine in Champaign County : a historical sketch > Part 5


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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till 1877, when he was succeeded by Dr. T. J. Merryman, who re- mained till 1885. Dr. C. D. Tuf- ford came in 1879 and continued in practice about six years when he was followed by Dr. P. S. Replogle. In 1890 Dr. Abbie G. Hall located in Champaign and practiced till her death in 1898. Dr. H. E. Cushing came in 1884 and practiced till his death in 1906.


Following is a list of physicians now in Champaign with dates of their arrival: Craig, C. M., 1899: Cogswell, G. E., 1902: Dodds, ; C., 1900; Davis, C. S., 1902: Finch, J. H .. 1895; Gray, W. L., 1891 ; Haley, H. A., 1882; Howard. H. C .. 1855; Hough, C. F., 1894: . Honn, W. M., 1900; Johnson, : Charles B., 1879: Kratz. E A., 1869; Lyons. Jennie. 1903: Mande- ville. J. D .. 1900; Miner, Ellen, 1896; Mills, C. H., 1857: New- comb, C. F., 1904; Newcomb, W. K., 1896; Osborne, J. W., 1906. Powers. F. H., 1900; Rice, Gordan W. 1907: Schowengerdt, W. E .. 1897; Spears, Charles H., 1890; Shurtz, R. E., 1898; Shurtz. S. W., 1899; Rudy, E. G., 1904: Wall. A. S .; 1896; Wilson, H. V .. 1906: Kar- iher. H. C., 1908: Kirby, Darwin 1909: Zorger. Annie L., 1895: Zor- ger, W. H., 1895.


Dewey-This is one of the new- est villages of the county. Dr. Beard was its first physician and located there about 1888, but did


not remain long and after him came in succession Drs. Bailey, Templeton, R. P. Dowd, A. Chen- oweth and one Dr. Heath, who did not long remain. Dr. Samuel Donovan is the present Dewey representative of the profession.


Fisher-Dr. James G. Elder was the first physician in this place. He yet resides there, but is now out of practice. Dr. Joseph Carr was the next, but did not remain long. About 1880 Dr. A. L. Elder prac- ticed there for a time, when he removed to Nebraska. Dr. W. K. Newcomb located in Fisher and continued in active practice there till 1896, when he removed to Champaign. Dr. S. W. Shurtz be- gan the practice of medicine there in 1893 and continued till 1899, when he changed his location to Champaign. The present physi- cians of Fisher are Dr. R. P. Dowd who came in 1896, Dr. L. O. Sale in 1898 and Dr. J. G. Lamb, a re- cent arrival.


Foosland-The first physician in this village was one Dr. Stephens, who about 1870, was succeeded by Dr. H. L. Harris, who practiced there for a number of years, when he in turn was followed by Dr. A. C. Albright. In 1892 Dr. J. E. Lowry, who is yet at Foosland, became the successor of Dr. Al- bright, but later removed to Ho- mer. Dr. Frederick H. York and


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W. P. Scott are Foosland's present physicians.


Gifford-This vintage was laid out in 1876 and was named in hon- or of Benjamin Gifford. The first doctor in the place was Dr. Sal- mons, who remained but a short time. He was followed by Dr. T. J. Berry. Later came Dr. W. Van Camp and in 1877 Dr. D. R. Mc- Kinney, who practiced medicing there for about twenty years and then went to


Indiana. In 1883 Dr. T. J. Mckinney, son of Dr. D. R. Mckinney, located, at Gifford and is now actively in practice there. So likewise is Dr. T. E. Walker who, save for a brief interval, has been a resident of the village a number of years. In 1894 came Dr. R. E. Shurtz, who remained two years and then re- moved to Champaign.


Homer-Old Homer situated on the creek about a mile north of the Homer of today, was first set- tled in 1835. Dr. Harmon Stevens was one of the earliest physicians to locate in Champaign county. When the Wabash railway was built through the southern part of Champaign county in 1857 New Homer came into existence at the Railway Station, a mile south of Old Homer, and the last named village soon passed out of exist- ence. Dr. Stevens at once remov- ed to the new village and prac-


ticed medicine there a good many years till his removal to Newton, Il1. In 1840 Dr. W. A. Conkey lo- cated in Old Homer and continued in practice there till 1850, when he retired permanently. In 1851 Dr. C. P. Mosier came to Homer and five years later removed to the new town site, but all the while he con- tinued in active practice till his retirement in 1859 to engage in farming and other pursuits. In 1853 Dr. James Core arrived in Old Homer and engaged in prac- tice and removed to the new vil- lage at its beginning and contin- ued the practice till his death in 1888. In 1853 came Dr. T. M. Hess also, who engaged in the practice of his profession in the old town till the new one was started, when he removed thither and continued to answer calls till his removal to Warren County early in the eighties. George T. Rowland succeeded Dr. Core and continued in practice till late in the nineties when he removed to Clark County, where he is yet practicing. Dr. H. N. Baker came in 1906 and remained till 1909 when he removed to Danville, Ill. Following is a list of physicians in Homer with dates of their loca- tion as near as can be ascertained: Dr. Joseph Brayshaw, 1902; Dr. J. E. Lowery, Dr. H. A. Shaw, 1866; Dr. A. L. Volborn.


Ivesdale-This village, just with-


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in the borders of Champaign Coun- ty, dates its origin from about 1864, and is named for a Mr. Ives, who owned a tract of land in its vicinity. The writer has not been able to ascertain much of its early medical history, but among the physicians who have practiced there may be named Drs. W. F. Benefield, C. M. Craig, M. A. Morgan, C. M. Bailey and H. P. Mack and L. H. Smith.


Dr. Samuel J. Hicks is Ives- dale's physician at the present time.


Longview-This village was laid out in 1883 and the first physician to locate there was Dr. R. P. Ratts. Dr. A. . J Garrison located there for a time, but recently removed elsewhere. Dr. Ratts is yet in ac- tive practice at Longview.


Ludlow-This village, at first called Pera, had its origin in the fifties. The first physician to lo- cate there was one Dr. Emmons. His immediate successors are not known to the writer, indeed, it has not been possible to gather much of the medical history of this vil- lage. Dr. M. A. Glennan prac- ticed in Ludlow for a number of years prior to his death in 1902. Dr. H. J. Moreland came to the village in 1906 and has since been actively engaged in practice.


there in 1843. He remained there twelve or fifteen years, when he died. About 1846 Dr. C. C. Hawes came to Mahomet and continued practice there till his death in 1872. Early in the fifties, Dr. C. L. Crane located in Mahomet, where he re. mained till his death in 1856, the result of injuries received by the bursting of an anvil that was fired on the Fourth of July. Dr. A. J. Crane, a brother of the foregoing, also practiced medicine there in the fifties.


Dr. W. W. Walters located in Mahomet in 1855 and remained five years. Dr .J. D. Culver came to this village about 1857 and re- mained in practice there till his death in 1890. One Dr. Clark practiced medicine in Mahomet a . few years following 1871, when he removed to Mansfield.


Dr. John D. Gardiner locat- ed and practiced medicine there during the latter part of the fifties and the early sixties. His son, Dr. John H. Gardiner came to Ma- homet in the early seventies and practiced till his death, Aug. 22, 1902. Dr. A. S. Wall located in Mahomet in 1890 and practiced till 1896, when he removed to Champaign. Dr. C. T. Wilson be- gan practice in 1890 and still shares the business with his com- petitor, Dr. J. O. Pearman, who succeeded Dr. Gardiner in 1902.


Mahomet-The first physician to locate in Mahomet was Dr. N. Ogden-This village was laid H. Adams, who opened an office out in 1870 and took its name from


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a family in the neighborhood. The first physician to locate there was Dr. Edward Tourtellette. who came in 1870, but a year later he died. In 1871 Dr. Job S. Cogge- shall located there and engaged in practice till his death, Sept. 14. 1902. Dr. Freeman P. French lo- cated at Ogden in the seventies, and remained a number of years. Dr. James F. Harris came in 1883 and is yet there in active practice. Dr. Omar H. Rees came in 1901 and has since been in active work.


Pesotum-Dr. E. I. Birdsell was the first physician to locate in this village, arriving there late in 1860. A little later one Dr. Nichols prac- ticed medicine there for a time, as did also one Dr. Oatlev.


Dr. John .1. Hoffman came to Pesotum a good many years ago and has always been very busy Dr. 7. E. Matheny came a number of years later and after some prar- tice went elsewhere. Dr. Hilgen- berg is now an active practitioner of the village.


Penfield-Penfield was laid out in 1876 and takes its name from John Penfield of Rantoul, Ill. The first doctor to locate in the village was Dr. M. M. Hazel: the next Dr. W. S. Higgins and Dr. W. Van- Camp: also Dr. P. E. Cole. Of these Dr. Higgins is dead. and Dr. Cole is in LeMars. Iowa. In 1894 came Dr. J. S. Mason, who re- mained till 1899, when he was suc-


ceeded by Dr. C. H. Zorger, who removed to Rantoul. Dr. J. W. Moreland came in 1906 and is yet there.


Philo-The village of Philo was laid out in 1864 by E. B. Hall, son of Philo Hall,from whose Christian name both the village and town- ship are named. The first physi- cian to locate in Philo was Dr. B. C. Morris: the next one was Dr. Hall, whom Dr. James M. Bartho- low succeeded in 1869. Dr. Barth- olow remained in Philo till 1895, when he sold out to Dr. Robert F. L. Jessee,who is now in active prac- tice in that place. In March, 1868 Dr. John D. Mandeville located in Philo and continued in active prac- tice here till 1900, when he was succeeded by Dr. James M. Tins- lev, who recently removed to Ran- toul. In 1808 Dr. Joseph Schue- hich began the practice of medi- cine in Philo and is yet there.


Rantoul-The village of Rantoul as well as the township in which it is located. takes its name from Robert Rantoul, one of the origin- al stockholders and charter mem- bers of the Illinois Central rail- road corporation. Rantoul was first settled in 1855-6. The first physician to locate there was Dr. D. M. Marshall who came in 1856 and remained till 1860. Dr. T. Sweat located in Rantoul in 1857 and continued in practice there till his death ten years later.


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About 1860 came from Indiana. one Dr. New, who remained only one year. About this time and later came Drs. D. B. George, Hazel, Clark, Hobart, Garrison, Boise and Ferris. Dr. John North located in Rantoul in 1865 and Dr. D. P. McClure in 1870. Dr. North practiced medicine there till about 1878 and then went west. Dr. Mc- Clure did a good business till 1887, when his health gave way. Dr. Charles E. Triplet was in Rantoul for several years following the


early seventies: Dr. Roy Taylor for two or three years, when he removed. Dr. J. E. Harman came in 1874 and remained till his death in 1906.


Dr. J. M. Minturn practiced in Rantoul from about 1884 till 1890, when failing health compelled his retirement. Dr. W. J. Fernauld located in Rantoul in 1890 and re- mained till about 1900, when he re- moved to Frankfort. Ind. Dr John Laughlin came in 1890 and remained till 1900 when he re- tired and made his home in In- ciiana. Dr. J. S. Mason came in 1809 and was in practice till 1906, when he changed his location to Urbana


Following is the present roll of Rantoul physicians: Brewer, E. M., 1900; Diller, F. S., 1906: Tins- ley. J. M., 1908: Zorger, Charles H .. 1906.


Sadorus-This village was laid


off about 1856 and in that year came its first physician Dr. A. Ca- tron. who yet lives there in old age, bat retired from active practice. In 1869 Dr. J. G. Chambers located there and practiced a number of years, when he removed to his farm in Sadorus township, where he yet lives. Early in the seventies Dr. A. D. Gillum located in Sado- rus and remained there till his death some years ago. A contem- porary of Dr. Gillum was Dr. L. M. Lee, who practiced in Sadorus a few years, but removed to anoth- er location about 1877.


Dr. Frank L. Birney, son of Dr. S. H. Birney located in Sadorus and remained two years in the eighties and went from there to Denver in 1888. He was succeeded by Dr. W. H. Zorger, who re- mained till 1894. Dr. C. P. Hoff- man came to Sadorus several years ago, but later removed to Dan- ville, Ill .. as an eye and ear spe- cialist. Dr. Arthur G. Lewis has been in practice many years in Sa- dorus and Dr. F. C. Renfrew since 1903.


Seymour dates its beginning from about 1870. The first doctors to locate there were Dr. J. M. Hadden and one Dr. Clark. Dr. Clark did not continue the practice long and has since died. He has been succeeded by a number of men, but none remained long. Dr. Hadden is yet in active prac-


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tice. Dr. H. C. Kariher came in ing horses, as he had built for his 1903 and remained till 1908 when he moved to Champaign. Recent- ly came Dr. W. P. Donovan.


Sidney was the site of an old In dian trail and, located on a moder- ately high and well-drained bluff on the south bank of the Salt Fork, is a rather old and interesting land- mark. A company or more of sol- diers had been encamped on the hill in the east side of the pres- ent village, some time before the earliest settlement as attested by tice certain remains of an old camp described by the oldest settlers of this locality.


Excluding the "medicine men" of the Indian tribes, who were no doubt frequent visitors to this spot and possibly a doctor in the employ of the Government, the first doctor to practice his profes- sion in the eastern part of Chan- paign county was Dr. Lyons, who was an eastern gentleman of some ability and refined tastes. He evi- dently had great hopes for the fu- ture of his location, for it was he in connection with a Mr. Davis, who laid off the original village of Sid- ney, the name being given in hon- or of Miss Sidney Davis, the eldest daughter of one of the founders of the village. He also designed a very large park, a part of which is now the public school grounds, the remainder long ago having Leen sold in town lots. He de- voted some time at least to train


use a training track and barn. The old track was southeast of Sidney one-half mile. The doctor sold all his interests later to J. R. C. Jones and then moved to Texas, where he was visited by friends 'n 1865, who found that he had been elect- ed : the legislature in that state.


For some years after the depart- ure of Dr. Lyons the practice in the locality was done by Dr. Con- key and Mosier of Old Homer. In the early 50's Dr. Hartman and Dr. Joseph Goodman came to try, their fortunes with the new town. Dr. Goodman was there when the Township was organized in 1860, and was the first Supervisor of Sidney Township. The old records of the office would indicate that he was a man of fair ability. About this time Dr. Ashby came to the town and was connected with Dr. Goodman in practice. He did not remain very long and for some reason not recorded he left rather suddenly, and was succeed- ed by a young man, Dr. F. A. White, who practiced medicine there in 1857-8. He was a brother of Attorney S. F. White of Ur- bana. The young doctor was a strong and noisy Abolitionist and also a convert to the Mormon church. He was not pleased with the surroundings at Sidney and in spite of the solicitations of friends he closed his office and left the vil- lage. Twenty-five years after that


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his friends were notified of his geon. He served to' the close of death in Salt Lake City. Dr. Good- man enlisted in the Army: return- ing at the close of the war he moved to Coles, where he re- mained only a short time, going from there to Iowa, where he died about 1877 or 1878.


Dr. H. S. Hickman came to Sid- ney about 1859 and practiced with Dr. Hartman. In the beginning of the war of the Rebellion he was among the first to enlist, being a private in Co. I, 2nd Illinois Cav- alry. He served to the close of) the war, and, on his return, finding the field of medicine well filled at the place, went to Newman, Ill., where he practiced for twenty years then moving to the new town of Longview, remained but a short time, when he moved to Wichita, Kan.


Dr. Wesley Lawson came just after the war and began his ca- reer as a medical man in the quiet village of Sidney. He came from Pennsylvania, having served in the Union army as a member of a com- pany doing duty in the signal ser- vice. The doctor did not remain very long, however, going from here to Homer, where he has lived ever since.


Dr. W. S. Duncan was practic- ing medicine at the beginning of the war and entered the 10th Illi- nois cavalry as an assistant sur- Electic Medical


the war and like many others came home to find the conditions changed, and he soon decided to change his location. He moved to Vigo County, Indiana, where he remained for several years; then he went to southern Illinois, practic- ing with varying success, until 1889 he again decided to locate in the town of his first love, and moved back to Sidney. He re- mained two years and then went to Hutton, Coles county, and later to Casey, Ill. He recently retired from practice at the age of 84 years. The doctor was a faithful member of the Masonic and Odd [Fellows lodges and of the Grand Army of the Republic. In relig- ous views he was a Seven Day Ad- ventist.


Dr. Harmon located in Sidney in 1866 or 1868 and remained for five or six years. He owned a drug store and later an interest in a good farm, two miles southeast of Sidney. On deciding to leave the locality he disposed of his farm in * a novel way-by issuing lottery tickets with one chance for the farm. He had no trouble to dis- ' pose of them at good figures. He moved west in 1873 or 1874. Dr. Smith located here not long after the war and practiced actively un . til his death in 1877. The doctor was a graduate of the Cincinnati College: He


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was quite well liked, was very suc- cessful as a physician and a finan- cier.


Dr. S. D. Jerauld came to Sid- ned in the spring of 1858, having a good practice when the war broke out. Three sons enlisted, William, Walter Hall and T. D. Jerauld. William was killed at Vicksburg, Walter Hall was prisoner at Andersonville, Ga., and


a died while a prisoner. T. D. Jer- auld, the youngest, returned after the close of the war and was dis- charged January 6, 1866. Dr. S. L. Jerauld contracted quick con- sumption going south after his son, William, who was killed. Died April 5, 1865.


The above historical details of medicine in Sidney are from the pen of Dr. W. F. Burres, who for many years practiced there before moving to Urbana. Dr. J. M. Law- son came in 1885 and is yet busy in practice. Dr. E. W. Kinchelor came in 1899, practiced a number of years, and emigrated to Okla- homa.


St. Joseph-St. Joseph had its beginning about 1870, that is, the present or New St. Joseph had. But its predecessor, Old St. Jo- seph, had its beginning about 1856 and was located a mile south of the present St. Joseph and when the latter came into existence there was no longer need for the old vil-


lage. St. Joseph derives its name from the first town of that name and the latter was named in hon- or of Joseph Kelly, who for many years kept an old-time country tavern at what became the site of Old St. Joseph. It is related that a guest of Landlord Kelly was so well treated by the latter in an early day that his heart was filled with gratitude and he was deter- mined to bestow some especial fa- vor upon his benefactor and being a man of some political influence, induced the authorities at Wash- ington to establish a postoffice at the tavern of Joseph Kelly and that in honor of the latter it was hence- forth known as St. Joseph. Pos- sibly Landlord Kelly came to the conclusion that "he had entertain- ed an angel unawares."


The first physician to locate at Old St. Joseph was Dr. James Gillespie and the next Dr. An- thony Doyle and a little later Dr. George Doyle. Dr. William Good. win was also there for a time. Later came Dr. David Jennings.


As before intimated it was about !870 that old things in this region passed away and new things came about when Old St. Joseph gave away to New St. Joseph. In the latter village Dr. David Jennings was the first physician to locate and Dr. W. B. Sims the next, both of whom came about 1870. Later came one Dr. Marion who did not


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remain many years. In 1877 Dr. N. B. Sims, son of Dr. W. B. Sims, joined his father in practice in St. Joseph and continued there for a period of about twenty years, when he removed to Danville. Early in 1877 Dr. J. T. Purcell located in the village and has since been there. About 1897 Dr. J. N. Rees came to St. Joseph, and Dr. A. J. Dalton more recently.


Tolono-This village dates its origin from about 1856. The first physician to locate there was Dr. Herman Chaffee, who built the fourth frame house erected in the place. Dr. Chaffee remained there till his death in 1900. About 1857 Dr. B. D. Keator came to Tolono and continued in active practice till 1878, when he re- moved to Missouri. About 1872 or 1873 Dr. James T. Logan,an ec- centric character, located in To- Iono and for seven or eight years did quite a practice. In 1861 Dr. S. S. Salisbury arrived in Tolono and at the age of eighty years is yet in active practice in that vil- lage. In 1865 Dr. A. T. Darrah came to Tolono and began the practice of medicine and continued it till his removal to Bloomington in 1883. In 1874 Dr. C. B. John- son removed to Tolono from Crit- tenden Township, where he had practiced three years, and answer- ed professional calls till his remov- al to Champaign in April. 1879. In 1879 Dr.L.K.Lamb came to Tolo- no and practiced till 1892, when he


was succeeded by Dr. J. C. Doods, who practiced there till 1901, when he removed to Champaign. In 1886 Dr. C. M. Craig located in Tolono and continued in general practice till 1899, when he removed to Champaign. Dr. H. E. Dunlop came in 1900 and remained only about one year. Dr. S. A. Crab- tree came in 1901, practiced a num- ber of years and removed else- where. Following is the list of To- lono physicians at this writing: Dr. S. S. Salisbury, 1861 ; Dr. John Marten, 1897; Dr. W. P. Tinsley, 1907.


Urbana-As noted elsewhere Ur- bana was designated as the County Seat of Champaign County early in 1833, but prior to this date had been a village of only a few hous- es.


Dr. John S. Saddler located in Urbana in 1839 and was the first doctor to make his home there, but he remained only a few years. Dr. Winston Somers came in 1840 and continued to practice medicine till his death in 1871. Dr. William D. Somers, brother of Dr. Winston Somers, located in Ur- bana about the same time and the brothers were partners till Dr. W. D. in 1847, abandoned medicine for the law. In the fifties came Drs. T. F. Snyder, J. T. Miller. James Hollister, C. H. Mills, C. A. Thompson, M. B. Thompson. Joseph Hager, M. Lindley, and W.M. Goodwin. Drs.Hollister and Mills removed to Champaign in


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1856. Dr. C. A. Thompson re- moved to Jefferson City, Mo., at the end of the civil war. Dr. M. B. Thompson abandoned medicine for the law very early in the six- ties. Dr. Hager did not remain long. Dr. W. M. Goodwin con- tinued in practice till about 1878, when he went west. Late in the fifties Dr. M. S. Brown located and began the practice of medicine in Urbana and continued till his removal to Danville in 1884, where he died later. Dr. S. H. Birney came to Urbana during the civil war and practiced there till about 1887, when he removed to Den- ver, where he remained till 1899. when he returned to Urbana in broken health and died in that city July 1, 1900. For a few years in the eighties Dr. F. D. Prentice prac- ticed medicine in Urbana. He is now in the west. Drs. C. N. and J. E. White came to Urbana and after practicing about twenty years : removed to Springfield. Dr. John W. Fuqua came in 1895, practiced about ten years and then went else- where.


Following is a list of physicians now in Urbana, with dates of lo- cation:


Allen, J. R., 1908; Baker, Nellie M., 1906; Bartholow, J. M., 1895; Burres, W. F., 1900; Dillon, Wm., 1900; Gulick, C. D., 1902; Han- more, J. J., 1906; Hughes, Jennie, 1899; Lindley, A. M., 1880; Lind-


ley, Mahlon, 1857; Martinie, Chas. W., 1898; Miller, H. W., 1889; Miller, J. T., 1853; Morrison, Jas. E., 1880; Munsell, W. W., 1901; Nichols, Chas A., 1896; Sims, W. B., 1883; Smith, E. S., 1896; Stanley O. O., 1908; Van Doren, C. L., 1900; Yantis, D. E., 1906.


The following country locations were occupied by doctors at the dates designated:


Big Grove, Dr. Fulkerson, 1830.


Farmhouse of Mijamin Byers, two miles east of Urbana, Dr. James H. Lyon, 1832.


Farm house, Hensley Township, one mile west of Five Points on the Bloomington road, Dr. Scott in the carly sixties.


Farm-house of David Jessee, Crittenden Township, Dr. Charles B. Johnson, 1871-4.


Orizaba, one mile north of Long View, Dr. R. P. Ratts about 1870.


Old Head Quarters, south of Homer, Dr. W. F. Burres, 1881, and Dr. George T. Rowland, 1882-3.


Burr Oak Grove, northeast part of County, Dr. D. R. Mckinney, 1867-1878.


Sugar Grove (now Kerr Town- ship). Dr. Isaac Hobart, 1850 to about 1862.


Farm house of William Peabody


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a mile north of the present vil- lage of Fisher, Dr. S. H. Birney, about 1859.


Farm house of John Pusey, Con- dit Township, one Dr. McFee in the early sixties.




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