USA > Missouri > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County Missouri, early and recent history and genealogical records of many of the representative citizens, Volume I > Part 53
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Dr. N. F. Terry came here in 1894 from Lyons, Kansas, with a reputa- tion as a surgeon already established, and at once took high rank in the profession. He. no doubt, shortened his life by hard work. He died sud- denly in his office after a brief but successful career.
Dr. H. D. Baker, one of our eye and ear specialists, has for many years pursued the even tenor of his way, doing much good work, but mingling rarely with his professional brethren. In 1895 the name of Dr. Robert M. Boyd was added to the roll of the medical society. We hoped much from his talents and his manly character, but for only two years does his name appear. His frail body was laid to rest, and we have left only the brief memory of a bright young life. Dr. W. L. Pursselley is another of our young, active men who has overworked the willing machine and been compelled to lay up for repairs. Rest has improved his condition and we hope he has learned his lesson in time. About 1899 Dr. John H. Fulbright came to Springfield from Ozark, Missouri. After a few years of work tuberculosis attacked and he went to California, where he soon died. In 1903 the ranks of the medical society were further reinforced against the powers of dis- ease and darkness by the entrance of a medico-clerical member, Dr. Theodore A. Coffelt. who presents the rare combination-a successful preacher-doctor. In his work as eye specialist, he strives to give his patients a clear view of the
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material world; as a religious teacher he corrects their spiritual squints. All the same -- "He's a jolly good fellow." In the same year Dr. J. Harve Ful- bright, brother of Dr. John, located in Springfield and has made a large place for himself as physician and surgeon. In 1904 Dr. J. D. Oldham appeared among us. He had also been a minister of the gospel, and his kindly way won him many friends. Failing health compelled him to go South, and he is now successfully practicing at El Campo, Texas. Dr. R. M. Cowan entered the ranks in 1904. He would be better known by his brethren if he would mingle more with them. There are indications that he is a man of excellent judgment. Dr. Enoch Knabb came to Springfield from Stoutland. Missouri, in 1904. He has been a success himself and contributed two fine sons to the profession-Drs. Henry and Arthur Knabb. The former is located in Foyil, Oklahoma, the latter is with his father. N. B .- Girls! He is still unmarried.
Dr. D. U. Sherman began his work in Elmwood, Missouri, in 1898 and settled in Springfield in 1905. He is a man of weight in more ways than one. Dr. Garrett Hogg, after an experience of two years in the mining camps of Macon county, came to Springfield in 1906, and at once entered upon active work, but soon an attractive field called him to Edna, Texas. where he is winning laurels and other things more substantial. Dr. S. W. Tickle entered the Greene County Medical Society in 1907. By steady faith- fulness he has won a large circle of friends and patrons. Dr. John C. Mathews graduated from the Missouri Medical College in 1890 and soon after settled in Springfield. He is serious as a deacon and steadfast as the hills, and many there be that trust him.
Dr. T. V. B. Crane came into the medical society in 1907 and is one of those who have made good, as will be seen elsewhere in this history. The same favorable report may be made of Dr. A. F. Willier, who is one of our most active young members. Dr. E. L. Evans graduated in 1895 and since 1907 has been a useful member of the professional and social circles. He is more fitly mentioned elsewhere in this work. Dr. F. B. Fuson's creditable career is also given in another chapter. As a special student of state medical affairs, he is a valuable member of the community. Dr. A. Armstrong has been one of our wheel-horses since his admission into the medical society, in 1907.
Dr. C. B. Elkins came to Springfield after having served a term on the State Board of Health and continues in active work. Dr. W. A. Coy joined us from Dallas county in 1907, and is a desirable citizen. Dr. James E. Dewey is among the most accomplished of our young physicians. A fuller sketch is given elsewhere. The entire community is saddened by the recent death of Dr. H. J. Ruyle by suicide during a temporary mental derange- ยท ment.
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Dr. R. P. Ralston has been one of the leading general practitioners here for the past twenty years or more.
YOUNG MEN SUCCEEDING.
Dr. G. B. Lemmon is another of our younger men who has won high regard, as shown by his election at about the same time to the presidency of both the Medical Society and the Young Men's Business Club. He first joined the society in 1909. In the same year appeared among us Dr. Thomas O. Klingner, "eye, ear, throat and nose." Almost ever since he has been our valued and efficient secretary. Dr. William McF. Brown is a member of a family of doctors in this and adjoining counties. He graduated in 1885 and after practicing for many years in Strafford removed to Springfield about 1910. Dr. J. P. Ferguson graduated in 1895 and, after a period of service in the Frisco Hospital, entered into general practice in Springfield. He had the good furtune to win one of our fairest maidens, Miss Birdie Anderson, who has just presented him with a fine son, John Porter Ferguson, Jr.
The record of Dr. U. F. Kerr is given in another chapter. This chron- icler is glad to add his testimony as to his value as a physician and citizen. Dr. C. C. Hankins, besides his work as a busy physician, is a partner in the Dental and Surgical Supply Company, which is one of Springfield's live en- terprises. Dr. E. C. Roseberry is a "rushlight of many candle-power. He graduated at Rush in 1895, began practice at Cambridge, Illinois, later came to Mount Vernon, Missouri, and came to Springfield in 1912. He confines his work mainly to surgery and gynecology. Dr. J. P. Wright is one of our oldest and most respected physicians. He graduated at the University of Louisville in 1874, and has been in Springfield ever since 1894. Dr. J. B. Neff joined us in 1909, and his untimely death, a year or two later, cut short a career that was unusually full of promise. Dr. B. Fortner, who was with us during several past years, will be remembered as an accomplished surgeon and courteous gentleman. He has retired to his farm in Oklahoma and is raising blooded stock.
Dr. H. A. Lowe joined the society in 1911 and has already established a reputation as a surgeon. Dr. J. M. Potts began his work about four years ago, after working his way through college. The energy and faithfulness which earned his education have given him an excellent start in his pro- fession. As city physician he is just now busy attending to the drug victims who were left stranded by the Harrison law. Dr. C. H. McHaffie is one of our recent arrivals, but has already made many friends. He graduated in medicine in 1906, and came into our society something over a year ago. A fuller sketch is given in another chapter.
The Medical Society is proud to own Dr. A. L. Anderson as its present
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head. He is in general practice, but is devoting much attention to bacterio- logy and kindred studies. Dr. W. R. Beattie has long been identified with medical affairs in southwest Missouri. He began his work in Sparta, later removed to Mashfield, and settled in Springfield in 1913, where he is en- gaged in general practice, and, with his son, is proprietor of a drug store. Dr. W. S. Hopkins first hung out his shingle at Fair Play, Missouri, and has dealt out fair play with his powders ever since. He came to Springfield in 1911 and has made good. Dr. J. T. Morgan has, for many years, been a specialist on Commercial street. He was bereft by death of his wife and only child a few years since. He lately removed to Kansas City. Dr. W. C. Sumner came to Strafford about 1912. In 1914 he located in Oklahoma.
Dr. W. E. Allbright came into the Medical Society in 1912. He is now a leading physician of La Russell, Missouri. Dr. S. A. Johnson was for some years a member of the medical staff of the State Hospital for the Insane at Nevada. He came to Springfield about 1911 and established a sanitarium for the treatment of mental diseases. It has, from the first, been of great benefit to the community. Dr. W. L. Turner is caring for the health of the people of Galloway and vicinity. He came into the society in 1912.
A SKILLED SURGEON.
Dr. R. W. Hogeboom has for many years been surgeon in charge at the Frisco Hospital. He is among our leading surgeons. Dr. A. W. Thomas is also on the staff of the Frisco Hospital, which is a guaranty of his worthiness. Dr. O. C. Horst is one of our most scientific young practitioners. He is also a member of the Frisco staff.
Dr. C. W. Russell, "The Tall Sycamore of the Ozarks," came here from Colorado in 1912, and at once took high rank as a surgeon. A sketch of Dr. M. C. Stone is given in another chapter. His laboratory has become an indispensable aid in our professional work. Dr. E. M. Box began his work in 1898 at Lawrenceburg, Missouri. Two years ago he joined the ranks in Springfield, and has become one of our successful specialists. Dr. J. D. James came here from Sparta about two years ago and took the office of Dr. W. L. Smith, to whom he has been a worthy successor. Dr. E. N. Walker began practice at Excelsior Springs in 1898 and came to Springfield in 1913. His ability and courtesy have won many warm friends.
The history and accomplishments of Dr. J. L. Atherton are set forth in another section of this volume. It only remains for me to protest against the unfair advantage he is taking of the rest of us in taking as a business partner his fairer and better half, Dr. M. J. Atherton, who is also an accom- plished graduate in medicine. However, for the sake of the good company,
GREENE COUNTY. MISSOURI
we are glad to concede the fairness of the arrangement. Dr. J. W. Love, a specialist ou ce, car, nose and throat, is mentioned elsewhere in this work.
NO INTENTIONAL. OMISSION.
There are no doubt some belonging in this list whose names we have madvertently omitted, and there are many others, more or less engaged in the treatment of disease, many of whom deserve honorable mention for the good they are doing, but who cannot properly be classed as fully educated physicians. To them we extend the left hand of fellowship, with the re- minder that true medicine includes all means of healing-material. mental. and spiritual, and cannot rightly be practiced according to any one set of dogmas of processes.
DENTISTS.
The people of Springfield and Greene county have always had the best representatives of the science of dentistry, as good as could be secured any- where. The first settlers here, as everywhere, had to depend on the general medical practitioners to pull their teeth, but they knew nothing of dentistry as was later practiced. There were no real dentists here prior to the Civil war. but about that period came Doctor Natress, who was doubtless the first advocate of his profession in Greene county. Not long thereafter, or about fifty years ago. Charles Wright was graduated from a Philadelphia dental school and began practicing here, and he continued successfully in the practice until his death fifteen years ago. His brother, S. A. Wright, is still practicing dentistry in Springfield, after thirty-four years of continuous work in this field, he being the oldest dentist in the county at this time. Among other well remembered pioneers in this vocation here were Doctors Smith, Aus Eversoll. White and Young. White is now living in California. Young was an eccentric character, and slept in a glass cage to "keep off "the spirits," which, however, finally invaded his retreat and bore him to the unknown beyond many years ago. Doctor Clyde, who was one of the ef- ficient dentists here in the early days, met with an unfortunate accident to his hand, which incapacitated him for work and he has been living at the Masonic home in St. Louis for a number of years. Dr. W. E. Tucker is one of the oldest dentists here, having been in the harness continuously in Springfield for a period of twenty-four years, twenty-three of which were spent in one office. Dr. C. A. Badgley is also one of the oldest in point of service, having been located here over twenty years. J. B. McBride and R. E. Darby have also been here at least two decades or more.
During the past half century perhaps two score of dentists, some good, :some bad, have located in Springfield, but remained only a short time, de-
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parting to other fields. R. J. Winn was one of the most recent of this num- ber, having come here six years ago from Bolivar, Missouri, and practiced until 1915, when failing health compelled him to give up his large practice and return to Bolivar, where he is practicing part of the time.
The following dentists are engaged in the active practice in Springfield in June, 1915: E. F. Musgrave, R. H. McCrum, A. O. Mccutcheon, J. B. McBride, L. N. Spalding, J. H. Coffman, H. C. Kitchell, R. E. Darby, W. R. Anderson, J. V. Boswell, H. Boatner, J. L. Wetzel, S. A. Wright, T. T. Umbarger, W. E. Tucker, Ed. Tucker, E. G. Schmitt, W. S. Sweet. W. Skidmore, T. G. Plummer, J. A. James, V. O. Pranter, J. H. Crone, C. A. Badgley, M. L. Leekinzy and Ike Wiener. They are all practicing on the south side with the exception of J. B. McBride, R. E. Darby and M. L. Leekinzy, who have offices on Commercial street.
The profession has very creditable representatives in other towns in Greene county. G. W. Musgrave and Lester N. Griggs are at Ash Grove ; H. B. Peebles is at Republic, and B. F. Cantrell is located at Walnut Grove.
The Springfield Dental Society was organized in 1906, with Dr. W. E. Tucker president. Three years ago it was changed to the Springfield Dis- trict Dental Society, the "district" embracing the following counties : Greene, Polk. Dallas, Hickory, Camden, Laclede, Pulaski, Texas. Howell. Oregon, Ozark, Douglas, Taney, Stone, Christian, Wright, Webster and a part of Lawrence. There are over fifty members of the society, which meets in De- cember each year in Springfield. The present officers are: W. Ed. Tucker, president ; J. L. Wetzel, vice-president; T. G. Plummer, secretary: E. G. Schmitt, treasurer.
The members of this society are also members of the Missouri State Dental Association and the National Dental Association.
VETERINARIANS.
Springfield has had many veterinarians, or, more properly, horse doc- tors, but few graduates of accredited schools. The crude methods of the pioneer horse doctor are well known, and it was only some two decades ago that this branch of medicine became much of a science. Today excellent work is being done all over the country. The pioneer veterinarian of Spring- field and Greene county was H. E. Nearing, who established himself here not so very long after the Civil war, and he remained in the practice, along the methods of the old school, until his death about ten years ago. Doctor Immel was also one of the well-known earlier veterinarians. He left this city in 1900, locating in the West. Doctor Young was another of the older members of this profession. He has been practicing in Oklahoma City for a
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number of years. William Garrett, who practiced here many years, died in the spring of 1914. Sam McClure, one of the older advocates of this science, removed to New Orleans, Louisiana, where his death occurred a few years ago.
Of those who are at present practicing here, R. B. Love is the oldest in point of practice, having begun practicing here about 1896, and he was graduated from the Western Veterinary College of Kansas City in 1898, and was immediately appointed a deputy state veterinarian, which position he has held to the present time, having been the first one to hold this posi- tion in Missouri. He is assisted in the practice by his son, Robert WV. Love, who is a student of the college mentioned above during the winter months. A complete sketch of Doctor Love will be found in the biographical depart- ment of this work. William Harrison came here about twelve years ago, W. N. Waugh established himself in the practice here in 1900, and W. T. Duncan came the following year. They are all three graduates of the West- ern Veterinary College. W. R. Piersol, also a graduate in this science, has been practicing here several years. AAll these men have their offices on the south side. Doctor Fry and others have established themselves on the north side from time to time, but have not remained long. David B. Mor- gan, now of Neosho, was formerly located here. There are no regular vet- inarians in the county outside of Springfield, although James Blades, of Re- public, and John Morrison, of Ash Grove, are engaged in the practice along with other lines of endeavor.
The local veterinarians belong to the Missouri State Veterinarian As- sociation and to the Missouri Valley Veterinarian Association. There is a Greene County Veterinarian Medical Association, of which W. N. Waugh is president. W. T. Duncan is vice-president, and R. B. Love is secretary and treasurer.
OSTEOPATIIS. By Graham Young.
Osteopathy has had a rapid growth in Springfield during the past decade and is now well represented here, since the science has become uni- versally known. During the past nineteen years, or since the first representa- tives of this profession located here there have been about thirty osteopaths located in Springfield, many of them remaining but a short time, however. The first to come was Dr. William Smith, about 1896. followed not long thereafter by a Doctor Hatton. They both maintained offices in the Metro- politan Hotel, but neither remained long. They were followed by Dr. T. M. King, who located here in February. 1899, soon after his graduation from the American School of Osteopathy, the original school of Dr. A. T. Still, the founder of this science, at Kirksville, Missouri. He first located in the Baldwin Theater Building, then moved to the Merchants National Bank
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Building, where he remained about eleven years, or until he removed to the Woodruff Building, and in 1915 he moved to the Landers Building. He is one of the oldest osteopaths in point of practice in southwestern Missouri. He was the first president of the Ozark Osteopathic Association, which was organized in October, 1913, and he is at this writing vice-president of the Missouri State Osteopathic Association. He was president of the latter as- sociation in 1905. He has served in these capacities in an able manner and has done much for the profession in this state. He is well known to his pro- fessional brethren throughout Missouri.
Dr. G. L. Nolan and his wife. Dr. Lou Nolan, a complete sketch of whom will be found in the biographical section of this work. are also well and favorably known in this part of the state. They located in Springfield fourteen years ago, soon after Doctor King came, and here they have re- mained, having built up a large practice the meantime. Dr. B. L. Dunning- ton, who located for the practice of his profession in Springfield eight years ago, is also well known. Dr. G. E. Covey has been here about six years and has a good practice. I. L. James came in 1913 and so far has held his share of the local practice. J. S. Conner has not been here long, but is said to be doing very creditable work.
Believing that "in union there is strength," the osteopaths of Spring- field have always worked in harmony. At present there are no representa- tive of this profession in any of the smaller towns of Greene county.
The present officers of the Ozark Osteopathic Association are: Dr. B. L. Dunnington, president : Dr. Lou Nolan, secretary. The association meets once a month at the various offices of the local osteopaths. Representatives of this profession anywhere in the Ozark region are eligible to membership in this association. The Missouri State Osteopathic Association has twice been entertained in Springfield-in 1905 and 1914.
CHIROPRACTORS.
By Graham Young.
The science of chiropractic (spinal adjustments) is not as yet exten- sively known in Greene county, but has enjoyed a rapid growth during the past few years, and those who practice this profession in Springfield are doing a good business. Like the medical profession, chiropractic has its "quacks" and impostors, who are no credit to the science, but such, as a rule, are "floaters" and do not spend much time in any one place. The science is at present represented in Springfield by graduates of accredited schools.
The first chiropractor to locate here was James W. Fenter, who was graduated from the Universal Chiropractic College, of Davenport, Iowa, in 1910. He first located in Enid, Oklahoma, where he remained until Decem-
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ber. 1011, when he located in Springfield, where he has since remained. His wife. Mamie 1 .. Fenter, who was graduated from the Universal Chiro- practic College in 1910, has assisted her husband in his profession. They maintained their office in the old Merchants National Bank Building until it was torn down. They are at this writing located in the Landers Building. They have made many friends since locating in Springfield, who have found them people of education and culture. They are members of the Missouri State Association of Chiropractors, in which Mr. Fenter has long been an officer, and he is a director of the International Association of Chiropractors; he is also a member of the board of the Universal Chiropractic College at Davenport, and has been vice-president of the same since his graduation.
Tracey McCarty and his wife, Nina McCarty, originally of Indiana, were both graduated from the Universal Chiropractic College in the spring of 1915, and immediately thereafter came to Springfield and opened offices in the old Bank of Commerce Building, southeast corner of Walnut and South streets, where they are engaged in practice. They were led to take up the science of drugless healing from an unusual incident. Mr. McCarty's neck was dislocated while making a high dive in one of the streams near Springfield some two years ago. He consulted James W. Fenter, who ad- justed the dislocated vertebra, thus restoring the normal use of his neck. Mr. McCarty at once began to make preparations for a career as chiro- practor.
L. H. Hunter, who is a graduate of a chiropractic college in Denver, Colorado, came to Springfield in 1913, but has not been here continuously since then. He is at present located over the State Savings Trust Company on the north side of the Public Square.
The way of the chiropractors in Springfield has been hard. The Fenters have been tried five times in the local criminal court and Hunter once, on charges of practicing medicine without proper license. Each time the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The charges were brought by the Greene County Medical Society.
HOSPITALS.
In the matter of hospitals the city of Springfield stands well to the fore: in fact, it would be hard to find a city of her size in the Middle West so well equipped in this respect. During the past few years much attention has been given to them, no pains being spared to bring them up to the twentieth century standard of efficiency. There are five in number, not counting several sanitariums conducted by individuals, the best known of which is the Johnson Sanitarium, at 807 North Jefferson street, a detailed account of which will be found in the biographical department of this work.
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The various hospitals are Springfield Hospital, Burge Deaconess Hospital, Southwest Hospital, St. John's Hospital, and the Frisco Employees Hospital.
SPRINGFIELD HOSPITAL.
The Springfield Hospital Association and Training School for Nurses was organized January 6, 1904. The hospital is located at 448-450 Market street, in a quiet, resident district within three blocks of the public square and the Frisco and Missouri Pacific Railroad depots. It was organized in 1904, incorporated in 1905 and re-incorporated in 1913. It was opened for the reception of patients January 1, 1905. The growth of the hospital was so rapid that a new addition was soon added to take care of the business. In 1908 a second addition was necessary to take care of the increasing patronage. So popular was the institution that in 1912 the board of direc- tors found it had outgrown its former capacity. The capitalization was in- creased from fifteen thousand to sixty-five thousand dollars. The annex was begun in 1912 and completed in July, 1913, and formally accepted by the board of directors August 4, 1913. The new addition to the hospital was built entirely of reinforced concrete and brick, is fireproof throughout, with every modern convenience; many of the rooms have private baths, electric fans, local and long distance telephones. Everything known to hygiene and comfort has been furnished. The institution can now accom- modate comfortably about eighty patients and a corps of twenty-five nurses. The total cost of the addition to the hospital, including equipment, was about fifty thousand dollars. The first building was renovated, repaired and painted from top to bottom, and brought up to the most modern and sanitary standard.
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