Jefferson County, Illinois - Chapter 19: The Medical Fraternity of Mount Vernon, 1909

Chapter 19: The Medical Fraternity of Mount Vernon

Their Comings and Goings. To be or not to be - That's the question? Whether it is best to bear the Ills we Have or Fly to Those we Know not of?

As noted heretofore. Dr. John Watson, the progenitor of the Watson family, was the first doctor to locate here - in 1821. He had but little to do, for the people had not then learned to be sick or feeble ; and besides, there were but few people to get sick.

Other so-called doctors came and went during the early period of the settlement here, but as they did not leave their impresss on any of the sand-stone monuments of that day, seems to evidence the fact that they had but little business. Dr. J. C. Gray came later and seemed to have things his own way for many years. He was a good doctor and truly a unique character. Dr. William H. Short was another. Both practiced, lived and died here. Doctor Gretham came from Equality and Dr. Thomas Johnson, "Uncle Jackey's" oldest son. came from Kentucky and he and Gretham practiced for many years in partnership, but both passed on.

practiced here, for he was well advanced in age and his remains repose in Old Union cemetery. Doctor Green was thoroughly educated, was a school-mate with John C. Breckinridge. He practiced at Hartford, Kentucky, before coming here. He then practiced two years in Pulaski, Tennessee, then located in Mount Vernon, where he had not only Mount Vernon and Jefferson county, as his field of practice, but was called to various points in Southern Illinois. He was a skilled physician, an upright man, not only that he walked upright, but a good and useful citizen in every respect. He was an ardent and consistent Democrat of the old school, was quite prominent as an Odd Fellow and reached the highest places in the order. He was noted for being generous and zealous in benevolences, but acted through organizations. He was president of the original Mount Vernon Railroad Company and did as much as any one, if not more, to secure the first railroad to Mount Vernon. To him, we owe all the eastern part of Mount Vernon, as the land east of Eigth street all belonged to him. He was married in 1 844 to a Miss Morton at Hartford, Kentucky. They were the parents of Morton Green, attorney of Gainsville, Texas; William H., our Mount Vernon attorney ; Doctor Earl, of our city ; Duff, who died ; and the Missess Inez, Laura Cora, Minnie Madie - composing one of the most affectionate and "inner" home circles we ever knew. The doctor's wife died in 1902, and the doctor followed her soon afterward, as did also two of the daughters.

Dr. H. S. Plummer came from Ohio in the fifties and estabhshed himself in a good practice. In 1860. he was married to Miss Martha, daughter of H. T. and Nancy Pace, and to them have been born: Mrs. Kelley; Raymond; Mrs. Lewis; Mrs. Omar Pace; Mrs. Oscar Fly and Miss Grace, and one son. Gales, now in business elsewhere. He is a full-fledged Republican and has served as Mayor of Mount Vernon and in other positions. He also was a surgeon in the army and at one time was in charge of the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. He is still practicing medicine at the age of eighty years.

Dr. H. J. Peavler was another unique character who practiced here for many years and died here. His widow still lives at the family home near the Supreme Court house.

Dr. John N. Johnson was one of the old line doctors, but he was generally in other business too much to follow his profession. Dr. W. M. A. Maxey and Doctor Frost, above town also looked after the sick in their neighborhoods. Other doctors came and went - perhaps because they were not called often enough to insure them a living - hence they moved on.

Dr. J. W. Hitchcock, father of our photopragher, spent his last days here, but did not practice his profession. He often told the writer that he desired to die without the aid of a physician.

Those Who Are With Us Yet

Among those who are with us yet, we may mention: DR. J. H. MITCHELL, son of Doctor Mitchell, of Williamson county. It will be remembered that Miss Moulton, an eastern school teacher, who taught here in the fifties, was married to Doctor Mitchell, Sr., and took charge of the education of the doctor's large family of boys - and everybody says she made a good job of it. Dr. John H. is one of those boys, and is too well known to require eulogy here.

DR. EARL GREEN, son of Dr. Duff Green - a "chip off the old block" - a graduate of the medical schools and has attended lectures in Europe as well as America. He has taken his father's place in the profession here, and is reaching out after greater fields of usefulness. He is a bachelor.

DR. WALTER WATSON, son of Joel F., another graduate in medicine, proved himself a splendid physician, but like many other professional men, took more to politics and ease, and has virtually abandoned the practice and is looking after his financial interests, which are extensive.

DRS. GEE, two of them, father and son, are among the best doctors. The father. Dr. I. G. Gee, some years ago removed here from Winfield in the south part of the county, where he practiced his profession and farmed-having married J. J. Fitzgerrell's daughter. Young Doctor Gee married Colonel Evan's daughter, pays strict attention to duty, and is always ready for business.

DR. J. W. HAMILTON is a physician in the prime of life and in the prime of experience in his line. He is one of the principal surgeons at the Mount Vernon hospital and one of the upholders of that important institution, which was recently burned down, but will be rebuilt for greater usefulness. Doctor Hamilton is now the principal owner of the hospital.

DR. HARDY SWIFT, of the hospital, is a home product, son of James Swift, an old citizen. He is a progressive, wide-awake, up-todate physician and has his eyes fixed toward the top of the ladder.

DR. JUDSON POOL, another aspiring young doctor, is earning fame for his name in the profession. He is also connected with the hospital and is having a large outside practice. He is a son of an old citizen, W. H. Pool, and a son-in-law of our old army comrade, Pate Daniels, of Waltonville.

DR. ANDY HALL is more advanced in age and experience, having had army practice as well as general practice for many years. The hospital also has the advantage of his experience. He is a son of Colonel Hall, of Hamilton county. He is a good doctor. The doctor was with the army in the Philippines.

known and is felt in the practice of his profession. He has just set sail for the harbor of success, and was recently wedded to Miss Alice Allen, daughter of our prominent fellow-citizen, John Rhodam Allen, a son of the late George W. Allen.

DR. A. M. FROST. For more than half a century Jefferson county has had a Doctor Frost, but not this one. He has recently located here and is a descendant of the old Dr. Frost. He is full of vigor and medical lore and promises to keep well toward the front in the profession.

DOCTOR MORGAN moved here from Dahlgren and is kept reasonably busy in curing the ills the flesh is heir to. He seems to be well versed in his profession and, as he says, belives in mixing common sense with his medicines. His popularity is on the increase.

J. W. ROSS came from Belle Rive, where he performed well his part in the work of mercy, which is a leading characteristic of the profession. He has built a handsome residence on West Broadway and has come to stay. He is a good doctor.

DOCTOR LEVICK has been here several years. He has had a fair practice and is a doctor of long experience. He also has a drug annex to his doctor's office on South Tenth street. He has an X-ray and an automobile, which he uses in his practice.

DR. J. W. GILMORE is one of the youngest men in the profession, but he is fresh from the fountain-head of medical learning and is thoroughly up-to-date. He is also a factor at the hospital and there is a bright future before him.

DR. JOHN T. WHITLOCK, another Jefferson county boy, son of George Whitlock, of Field township, is a factor in the hospital force and in the practice of his profession. He is well up in the art of healing the "ills the flesh is heir to" and is fast forging his way to the front.

DR. s. M. ROBINSON came from Franklin county, was a doctor of long experience and had a good practice. He had his office at his residence on South Tenth street. He died in February, 1909. DR. MOSS MAXEY, son of J. C. Maxey and son-in-law of Al Tanner, is another young doctor of aspiring build. He is having a good practice and having good success in his work. Being a descendant of both the Moss and Maxey families, he is to be reckoned with in the practice. He is at present county physician.

DR. TODD WARD, son of G. F. M. Ward, is not to be ignored. He is thoroughly wrapped up in his profession, is paying strict attention to business and is increasing the circles of his practice as briskly, perhaps, as any doctor in town. He has located and built a handsome residence on North street. This comprises the present list of practicing physicians, and certainly there is no need of being sick long at a time ; we ought to either get well - or take an "outing on the other shore."

Then there is Dr. W. C. Pace, of Ashley; properly, he is one of us - a son of Uncle Joel and Aunt Parmelia Pace. He went west to grow up - with Ashley - and stayed there. But he forgot to get married - and there he is - a good doctor and a splendid man.

And there is Dr. J. H. Watson, of Woodlawn - he's a Mount Vernon boy - having inherited whatever good qualities he may have from his early associations with us. He has made a good record as a practicing physician. He was a son of the late John H. Watson, who died in 1861. He has "meddled" a little in Democratic politics and was elected to the State Senate- for four years, and also Representative.

25, 1853, and in it we find the professional cards of Dr. N. R. Casey, son of Zadok, who afterwards moved to Mound City and practiced there, besides being elected Mayor of the place and being sent to Legislature.

Also of Dr. John C. Gray, who filled his mission here and died among us and Doctor Powell, an oculist, who at that time practiced in Mount Vernon. Dr. P. W. Whitlock is our present optician and a first class one at that. Doctor Arendale is devoting his time and attention to the Capital Hotel and is not mentioned in the above list. Dr. J. H. Newton has recently come here from Marlow, but has retired from the practice of medicine and is a land agent.

Thus we have tried to deal fairly with the medical fraternity. If, in any way, we have failed to do so, "equal and exact justice" will surely come to them in the "sweet bye and bye."