USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume I > Part 18
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
CHAPTER XIV.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF THE COUNTY.
The surgeon and family doctor hold a position of great responsibility in any given community, having, as they do, the lives and health of men, women and children in their hands. As much as the medicine prescribed by them is disliked and with all the hard things said of the medical profession at large, and as little as the physicians are appreciated when one is in the happy possession of good health, yet when the fevered brow and quickened pulse is felt, when life looks dark and all seems full of doubt and gloom, it is then that the good physician is called and duly appreciated, for he understands just what is needed to place the sick man in possession of good health and happiness again. The followers of Galen have ever been in the vanguard of civilization, to visit the sick chamber and restore life and strength to those languishing on beds of sickness. They have braved the storms of mid-winter and the torrid heat of the long summer months, in the settlement of all new countries, when, on horseback, they have made their long, tedious journeys over hill and dale, through angry streams and over desolate wastes, in order to reach and relieve the suffering sick.
The science of medicine in the last half century has made rapid advance- ment, and in surgery the last twenty-five years has almost revolutionized the science. The great colleges, hospitals and universities have educated a vast army of capable men who have progressed to a point where the diseases once thought almost incurable have come to be looked upon as simple in treatment. The per cent. of cases lost now is comparatively small to what it was in pio- neer days. Every county owes much to the good, faithful physician, who often goes unpaid for his services, but never refuses to administer to the needs of those in distress.
Coming down to the physicians of Nodaway county, Missouri, let it be said that they have ranked well among the fraternity with all the sister counties in Missouri. There are still living and practicing within the county several of the old pioneer physicians and surgeons, at least two who have prac- ticed for forty years-Doctors Dean and Wallis. These older physicians well
189
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
recall the days when modern anaesthetics were unknown to the world. Pain had to be endured by the sick and wounded person, for the science of medicine had not yet discovered a remedy, at once easy to administer and safe. The doctor found much difficulty in administering many medicines, because of their bad taste and crude preparation. But now most all remedies are given in fluid extracts, syrups and tablets that even an infant does not revolt at. The present specifics and serums for diphtheria and other contagious disorders were then not known and the result was that a larger per centum of cases proved fatal than now. In surgery, still greater has been the progress. The early surgeons had to put up with the simple appliances, such as wood splints in the setting of a fracture. The pioneer doctors, however, declare that even with no competent person to assist them, and but little with which to work, yet they succeeded in doing quite satisfactory surgical work, but it usually taxed their utmost patience and ingenuity. The best class of physicians today (even the oldest in the practice) look forward to greater discoveries in the science of medicine, and believe that another generation may find as much advancement as has the present over the past decades.
EARLY PHYSICIANS.
Without regard to the location in which they have practiced medicine in Nodaway county, but with some special reference as to their alphabetical ar- rangement, the following is supposed to be a list of the majority of those who have practiced in the county. From the earliest settlement down to about 1880, the following may be mentioned. It is not now positively known who was the first physician, but doubtless Dr. David M. Irwin, of the Hughes township pioneer settlement, was among if not the first to practice. He came in 1843. Dr. Josiah Coleman, of Pickering vicinity, was also very early, and of him later mention is made. Doctor Bishop, of Sweet Home, also ranked early. Those who have practiced longest in the county are Drs. J. W. Dean and William M. Wallis now of Maryville ( see sketches elsewhere).
Dr. E. W. Bishop located at Sweet Home and enjoyed an active practice in that section of the county. He had served as a soldier in the Confederate army.
Theodore Blenkner settled in practice at Conception, in which section for a number of years he was a successful physician.
Rev. Thomas Bennett. M. D., who located on section 31. with Bradyville. Iowa, as his postoffice, was a native of England, born near London, in April,
190
PAST AND PRESENT
1808. He was educated in his native land and when fifteen years of age chose the profession of medicine. In 1827 he embarked for this country and was appointed surgeon to the vessel on which he took passage. He landed at Philadelphia and settled at Pottsville. where he remained about three years. He later moved to Clinton county, Illinois, and in 1862 moved to Montgomery county, where he resided until the spring of 1880, then removed to Nodaway county. He practiced medicine always after coming to America and met with much professional success. Besides the medical profession, he was also a minister of the gospel, being of the Christian denomination. . He married and became the father of nine children. He was still practicing in this county in 1882.
Dr. Charles D. Black was the son of a minister in Virginia. In 1851 young Black removed to Hancock county, Illinois, where he passed his youth, receiving his education in Knox county. He chose the medical profession for his life work and entered into the homeopathic school of medicine, locating in 1868 at Bloomfield, Iowa. About 1870, on account of failing health, he practically abandoned the practice of medicine and became a resident of Mis- souri, owning a half section of land in Nodaway county, besides two hundred acres in Iowa. He engaged extensively in fancy stock farming and kept many fine premium animals, including fine grades of Durham cattle. He was a member of the Christian church and politically voted with the Republican party.
Dr. J. P. Barron, physician and surgeon, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1844. He began the study of medicine when young and in 1864 enlisted in the Second Kentucky Regiment, and was with General Sherman on his famous "March to the Sea." He acted as one of the General's escort at the surrender of the Confederate forces. From 1867 to 1869 he was engaged in the mercantile business. During two years after he quit that business, he bought and shipped horses and mules. In 1871 he came to Missouri, settling at Graham, Nodaway county, and devoting his spare moments, when not en- gaged at work for the firm of McQuary Brothers, to the study of medicine. In 1877 he entered the Keokuk (Iowa) Medical College, from which insti- tution he graduated in June, 1878. He returned to Graham and commenced his active medical practice. In 1882 he was still practicing and had built up a lucrative practice in his section of Nodaway county. In church connection he was of the Christian denomination. He was married and the father of three sons.
Dr. W. E. Burtch was born in Oxford county, Canada, in 1842 and com- pleted his education at the University of Toronto, from which he graduated
co
1870
0
191
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
in 1859. He studied medicine in Woodstock, Canada, with Dr. Fred Scott. who later became a surgeon in the United States army. After two thorough courses at the Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, he graduated in 1866, and settled in Fillmore, Andrew county, Missouri, in 1866. He lived there six years, locating in Nodaway county in the autumn of 1881, or rather at Mait- land, Holt county, but practiced in Nodaway and Holt counties.
Dr. H. M. Carver, of Guilford, this county, was here in 1866 and had already built up a good practice. He was elected treasurer of Nodaway county, moved to Maryville and died there some years later.
Dr. S. Collins was among the doctors here, located at Elmo, and was practicing in the early eighties. He is now deceased.
Dr. S. V. Campbell was a physician of Maryville in the eighties and for a number of years enjoyed a good practice. He is long since deceased.
Dr. Josiah Coleman, of Pickering present town site, owned at an early day the land on which the town now stands. His spacious farm house was within the limits of the newly-laid-out village and was converted into a hotel. He was married thrice and was the father of about twenty children. He came at an early time and in 1874 moved to St. Joseph, where he practiced and there died. He was captain of a military company here and drew a pension of seventy-five dollars a month. He served this county as its repre- sentative in the State Legislature in the seventies. He was not a regular medical graduate, but had considerable common case practice and was fairly successful.
Dr. Spencer Collings, who practiced at the village of Elmo, this county, wa? a native of Shelby county, Kentucky, born in 1828, and when four years of age accompanied his parents to Putnam county. Indiana, where he was reared and educated. He attended the excellent public schools of Greencastle (now the seat of old Asbury University) and when about nineteen years of age entered the medical college at Keokuk, Iowa. In the fall of 1848 he began the practice of medicine in Mercer county, Missouri, where he con- tinued until 1862, after which he practiced medicine at various places until 1873, when he came to Nodaway county, locating at Lamar Station, where he remained until 1878, when he took a trip overland to California. He also visited the British Isles. He returned and resumed his practice at Lamar Sta- tion, continued until 1880, when he located in Lincoln township. In church affiliations the Doctor was of the Church of God, as was also his wife.
Dr. J. M. Cadwallader, physician and surgeon, at Gaynor City, was of an old and highly honored Virginia family. He was born in 1851 and was
med C.j. 1821
1866
1986
1873 - ZawarA 1850 €
192
PAST AND PRESENT
reared in Pennsylvania and Ohio. At the age of nineteen, he began the study of medicine at Magadore, Ohio, where he remained two years and better, when he attended lectures at the Cleveland ( Ohio) Medical College, and sub- sequently graduated from St. Joseph's College of Physicians and Surgeons. When twenty-three years old he emigrated to Iowa and commenced the med- ical practice at Doniphan, that state. From there he moved to Taylor county, Iowa, practiced three years, and in 1881 went to Gaynor City, Nodaway county, Missouri, where he was still practicing in the early eighties. He also conducted and owned a fine drug store at his home town (Gaynor City ) and in this role was also very successful. He is now deceased.
-
Dr. F. M. Davis practiced at Quitman into the eighties, at least. He was of the regular school of practice and stood high among his fellow physicians. He died many years since.
Dr. G. A. Dawes practiced at Hopkins a number of years.
Dr. S. M. Dunn, of Maryville, was born in Jasper county, Indiana, in 1830. a son of quite a noted physician. The family moved to Illinois, where young Dunn spent his youthful days on a farm. Early in life. however, he commenced the study of medicine with his father as a tutor. In 1852 he re- moved to Polk county. Iowa, settling at Carlisle. After about one year he moved to Decatur county, Iowa, where he held the office of county clerk for four years. He attended medical lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago. graduating in 1862. In 1863 he came to Maryville, Missouri, where he was accounted an honorable and successful physician for many years. He was elected to the faculty of the Northwestern Medical College. in St. Joseph. Missouri.
Dr. D. W. Dunn was also another physician who practiced at Maryvil, Dr. Joseph Dunn practiced in Maryville a number of years.
Dr. J. W. Dean, of Maryville, one of the pioneers in medicine in Nod- away county, is still in active practice, in company with his son. The Doctor has been practicing longer than any man now living within this county. He is a native of Gosport. Owen county, Indiana, born February 20, 1842. His parents were both natives of Kentucky. The Doctor was reared to manhood
in the land of his birth, receiving his education at old Asbury (now DePauw) University of Greencastle, Indiana, and when eighteen years of age com- menced the study of medicine at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which institution he graduated in January, 1863. He then was appointed assistant surgeon in the Sixty-seventh Indiana Regiment and went to Vicksburg, Miss- issippi. While on duty there. he was taken ill and returned home. In the
1881
2881
1863
193
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
fall of 1863 he took a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, grad- uating in March. 1864. He commenced practice then in Gosport. Indiana, continuing until September 7. 1868, when he emigrated West, arriving at Maryville, Missouri, September 9th of that year, having to travel by stage coach from Savannah, Missouri. He built up a fine practice and continued in the same until 1879, when he was again taken sick and obliged to quit his medical practice. For many years he gave special attention and personal supervision over a large stock farm, where he raised thoroughbred cattle. His farm was near the city limits and he was for a number of years quite successful and enjoyed the work of caring for the many fine animals his farm was stocked with. Later, however, the business was not so profitable and, having somewhat regained his health, he resumed the practice of his chosen profession at Maryville, where he has regained his former large practice and been highly successful, having at this date his son for his partner in practice. The weight of years, his failing health and the many long years of professional exposure, in all kinds of weather, over all kinds of bad roads, have pressed heavily on him and at this date his practice is limited to his office work largely. assisted by his son. Many of the doctors of this county look up to him as a father. He has seen many come and go, with the passing of his more than forty years in Nodaway county. The Doctor is an exemplary citizen, a worthy members of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Maryville and also connected with the various fraternal societies of his day and generation. Te has long been an important factor in the Nodaway Medical Society.
Dr. James Evans was a successful practitioner at Burlington Junction in the eighties, possibly in that community a little earlier.
Dr. J. H. Emmons was another of the worthy physicians practicing at Maryville in the above named period.
Dr. Thomas C. Ellis, who was known both as a doctor and extensive agri- culturist in this section of Missouri, retired early in the eighties. He was born in Kentucky in 1821, and in 1843 went to Buchanan county, Missouri. He received his education at the best schools in old Kentucky. He took up medicine in Buchanan county. this state, and practiced at St. Joseph very suc- cessfully for a number of years. He attended the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating with high honors in the winter of 1853. He followed his profession in Andrew county, at Amazonia, for five years and in Savannah one year, In March, 1855, he came to White Cloud township. this county, and purchased a large farm, on which he lived many years. He prac- ticed very successfully for more than thirty years. But few, if indeed any. (13)
Yo'S 11
1853
194
PAST AND PRESENT
had a better local reputation than did Doctor Ellis. In 1872 he was nomi- nated for the State Legislature of Missouri and was defeated by but a few votes. In 1878 he was nominated by acclamation for the same position, and was elected by a large majority. He served as a lawmaker with faithfulness to his constituents. During the long period of his practice in Missouri, he wove about him a web of true friendship, seldom the lot of any man, in or outside of his profession.
Dr. Bourne G. Ford, who located in Maryville in 1853, was born in 1824. in Pulaski county, Kentucky, near Somerset. His father, at one time very wealthy, was a leading man of the county. The subject of this memoir spent his youthful days on his father's farm or plantation. After securing a good common school training and higher branches, he studied medicine with Dr. William Stone, a celebrated physician of his native town. After finishing his studies he commenced the medical practice in his home neighborhood. In the spring of 1850 he crossed the plains to California, where he remained eight months. While there he was afflicted with inflammatory rheumatism. so that he was unable to follow his practice as a physician. He then retraced his steps to his native state and resumed his practice there. continuing until 1853, when he came to Nodaway county. After three years in the medical practice at Maryville, he removed to the present site of Barnard, where he bought a mill property, which he superintended two or more years. He then returned to Maryville, continuing the practice of his profession until 1860. when he was elected county clerk of Nodaway county, holding such position seven years, virtually resigning it during Civil war times, Joseph Jacksc ? succeeding him in that office. Having accumulated considerable property, he retired and went into business, including the manufacture of brick, and erected many buildings. In 1875 he was elected a justice of the peace and was re-elected in 1877, holding the position at the time of his death, Septem- ber 1, 1878. From the many local paper notices at the time of the Doctor's death, the following may here fittingly be inserted: "It can truthfully be said that B. G. Ford was a man respected by all who knew him. Honest himself, he believed all others to be so, and hence could be easily imposed upon. He had large benevolence, and any object of charity, if in his opinion worthy, could command the last farthing in his pocket. His was a tender. generous heart. always open and susceptible to appeals for sympathy."
Doctor Gaines came to the county in the time of the Civil war and prac- ticed until about 1866: but little can be learned of him as a doctor.
Dr. Marcus A. Gaugh, who practiced at Clearmont, this county, was a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, born in 1850. When he was six
1453
Indad 1866
195
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
years of age his parents removed to Iowa, settling at Sioux City, where he was reared to man's estate. When eighteen years old he began the study of medicine under Doctor Long, of St. Joseph, Missouri, with whom he re- mained nine years. He graduated from the Hospital Medical College of that city, and later began the practice of his profession at St. Joseph. continuing four years, after which he removed to Clearmont, this county, where he lived to build up a large practice and became a well-trained and widely known physician.
Dr. Jesse N. Goodson, physician and surgeon of more than passing note at Clearmont, this county, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1846. He began the study of medicine in Tolona, Missouri, and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, from which well-known in- stitution he graduated. He went to Clearmont in 1875. He became a promi- nent doctor in his section and was honored by many offices in the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. He served in the One Hundred and Eighty- eighth Ohio Regiment during the Civil conflict. He is now supposed to be practicing at Kansas City.
Dr. S. M. Girard was one of the early physicians at Hopkins, this coun- ty. He is now practicing in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Dr. P. D. Goodson also practiced at Hopkins at about the same date as the last physician named.
Dr. B. F. Goodson, who conducted a drug store and practiced medicine at Gaynor City, this county, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1851. He came to Lewis county, Missouri, when sixteen years of age. He spent his youth on a farm and obtained a good common school education and then en- tered the State Normal School at Kirksville, and commenced the study of medicine in 1873. Later he entered and graduated from the Keokuk Medical College in Iowa, leaving there in 1877. That fall he came to Nodaway county, stopped a short time at Pickering, then located in Gaynor City, prac- ticing until 1881. then moved to Hopkins and purchased the residence prop- erty of Doctor Dawes. He enjoyed a good practice at Hopkins. He is de- ceased.
Dr. J. T. Glaze practiced at the village of Wilcox several years. He was a native of Washington county, Iowa, born July 14. 1855. being a son of James Glaze. Young Glaze spent his youth in Washington county and there took advantage of the most excellent public schools. In 1874 he entered Howe's Academy at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he remained until 1876. then entered Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Burlington. Iowa.
1875
18 77
196
PAST AND PRESENT
In the autumn of the year last mentioned he began the study of medicine under Dr. C. Brown, of Keokuk, and Dr. J. Hull, of Bellevue Hospital, New York. He also attended lectures at the Iowa State University Medical School and in the spring of 1880 attended lectures at Rush Medical College. Chicago. He commenced practice at Ely, Iowa, continuing until the fall of 1885, when he again attended the lowa State Medical College, graduating from the same on March 4, 1881. He then located at Wilcox, Missouri, en- tering into partnership with G. H. Booth in the drug trade at that point. In January, 1882, the Doctor was appointed postmaster of his town and con- tinued in practice in that community.
Dr. J. S. Gleaves, who practiced at Guilford in the eighties, is now de- ceased.
Dr. J. W. Heath was one of the fraternity who practiced at Barnard in the early eighties and was a successful physician. Is now deceased.
Dr. Hargrave practiced at Quitman from late in the seventies far into the eighties.
Dr. G. W. Hobbs practiced at New Conception for a number of years and was still there in 1883.
Dr. H. M. Hutt, of Skidmore, was another of the doctors of this county who was still in active practice in 1883 and met with excellent success and was popular among a large circle of people in his locality.
Dr. M. R. Hackedorn, of Maryville, was a native of Ohio, born in 1848. the son of Dr. N. E. Hackedorn, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in his young manhood. The young doctor was reared in Crawford county, Ohio, obtaining a good common school education, after which he en- tered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. Ohio. He commenced to study medicine under his father and later entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College. in New York, from which he graduated in 1870. He was in com- pany with his father three years, after which he practiced in Cleveland. Ohio. coming to Maryville. Missouri, in 1874. He possessed great professional pride and courtesy and was well liked by the fraternity. From 1875 on for several years, he was United States examining surgeon for Nodaway county. He was a Mason: was married and had several interesting children. He is cleceased.
Dr. T. J. Hunt was another one of the physicians of Nodaway county who practiced with much skill and success in the eighties. He was located at Maryville, beginning in 1877 to practice there. He was a native of New York state, born in Orange county, in 1823: was educated in the Empire state and
197
NODAWAY COUNTY, MISSOURI.
attended school until almost a full grown man. He took up medicine when but seventeen years of age. He attended the Medical Institute of New Jersey. and in 1847 moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he remained one year. then located in Madison, that state. He was of the homeopathic school. He practiced in Madison until 1861, then moved to Worth county, Iowa, where he introduced this system of medical treatment. He remained there until 1877, then came to Maryville, Missouri, practiced one year and, on account of failing health, retired from his profession. In 1880 he moved to Burling- ton Junction, where he engaged in the grocery trade for a number of years. He was a Methodist and formed the first Sabbath school in Northwood. Iowa. He took much interest in educational matters and was many years on various school boards. In lodge affairs he was a Mason and Good Templar.
Dr. W. C. Hughes, of Hopkins, was another one of the physicians who was still in active practice in Nodaway county in the early eighties, but is now deceased.
Dr. George Kerfman practiced in the county about 1880, and was skilled in his profession and well liked as a man.
Dr. Charles Impey, physician and druggist at Skidmore in the eighties. was a native of Andrew county, Missouri, born January 6. 1853. being the second son of Dr. Francis Impey. The father was a native of Ireland, born in 1821, coming to America in 1840. He was a graduate of the St. Louis Medical College in 1844, and settled in Ray county, Missouri, in the same year, and came to Andrew county in 1846. The son, Dr. Charles Impey. moved with his parents in 1862 to St. Joseph, where he attended school some two or more years, the family removing to Ray county in 1864. He then went to St. Louis, in which city he remained until 1867, then returned to his father's home, his mother having died in 1865. The father was then in New Market, Platte county. There he attended the Monroe high school one year, going back to his native county in 1868 and in 1872 graduated at Bryant's Commercial College, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Charles read medi- cine with his father in Fillmore and Andrew counties until the autumn of 1872, then entered the St. Louis Medical College. He graduated from the Louisville Medical College, of Kentucky, in the spring of 1874, then com- menced practice in this county, at Graham, removing in the fall of 1880 to Skidmore, where he opened a drug store in connection with his medical prac- tice. In his newly chosen field, both in the practice of his chosen profession and as a druggist, he did an excellent business and became well and favorably known as a man of learning and upright business principles. He is now de- ceased.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.