Crawford County, Illinois - Chapter 12: Crawford County Medical Society, 1909

FIRST ATTEMPT TO OBGANIZE A SOCIETY IN THE EARLY 'SIXTIES - NAMES OE THOSE WHO TOOK PART IN THE MOVEMENT - A RENEWED EFFORT IN 1874 PROVES ONLY TEMPORABILY SUCCESSFUL - PRESENT SOCIETY ORGANIZED IN 1880 - rFIRST OFFICERS AND SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS - WHAT THE SOCIETY HAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR CRAWFORD COUNTY.

The first attempt to organize a medical society in Crawford County was early in the 'sixties, between 1861 and 1863. Dr. S. D. Meserve, Dr. Bringle, Dr. Watts, Dr. Taylor, and a few others met in Robinson in the early summer and effected the organization of a medical society. Dr. S. D. Meserve was honored by being chosen President, and Dr. Taylor, of Porterville, was Secretary.

This society soon collapsed, and it was not until 1874 that the attempt was again made to organize a permanent society, Dr. S. D. Meserve being again elected President, Dr. J. S. Thompson, Palestine, Secretary, and Dr. A. G. Meserve of Robinson, Treasurer. This society was also short-lived and collapsed from lack of interest, after a few meetings.

The present Crawford County Medical Society was organized as the result of a call issued by Drs. T. N. Rafferty and J. S. Thompson, both of Palestine. This meeting was held on the second Thursday in July, 1880, and was well attended. Dr. J. S. Thompson was elected President, and Dr. T. N. Rafferty Secretary, and these two officers were empowered to prepare a Constitution and By-Laws, and also a Fee-Bill. Proof that this work was well done is furnished in the copies of these still in existence. At a meeting of this society held in November of the same year. which was reported at length in the "Robinson Argus," Dr. M. C. Mendenhall and Dr. C. Barlow were appointed a committee to procure a book for the Secretary's reports of the meetings, to be kept as a permanent record of the society. This was evidently a serious and difficult task, as it was not until 1883 that the book was secured and records began.

At this meeting of the society in November, 1880, a Banquet was given at the old Robinson House, by the proprietor, J. U. Grace, which presumably was fully appreciated, as "The Argus" says a "vote of thanks was heartily tendered."

It is to be regretted that the records of all the medical meetings of the county previous to 1883 have been lost, as they would, no doubt, contain much information and many names of interest not only to the medical profession but to all residents of the county.

However, since the date mentioned, the old Secretary's book contains a faithful record of every meeting held up to the present time, and is now a volume of much interest to both the old and the newer physicans.

And if Crawford County is blessed with a modern and progressive medical fraternity, as she evidently believes she is, it is due in great - measure to the active work and the ever-present guidance of one of the best county medical societies in the State of Illinois - "THE CRAWFORD COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY."