Livingston County, Illinois - Chapter 13: Medical Profession, 1909

Chapter 13: Medical Profession

PIONEER PHYSICIANS AND THEIR HARDSHIPS - EARLY NURSES AND REMEDIES - DR. JOHN DAVIS THE FIRST PHYSICIAN - LONG LIST OF FOLLOWERS, WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - COMING OF THE HOMEOPATHIST IN 1865 - DENTISTS IN PONTIAC, >

The Livingston County medical pioneer of fifty or more years ago did not have the smooth sailing enjoyed by their more fortunate followers who came later, after the rough corners of border life had been rounded off and some of the comforts of civilization established in their place. The early settlers of Livingston County were remote from each other, frequently twenty or thirty miles, and always in the edge of the timber, consequently the pioneer life was a lonely one, as well as one of danger and frequently of great suffering. There were no bridges, and during the spring the doctors were compelled to ford the swollen streams with great danger to their lives. The roads connecting the settlements were very indifferent; in fact, were trails, and remained so up to a very late date. It was impossible to travel in a direct line over the prairie from one settlement to another on account of the numerous impassable sloughs and boggy places, making it necessary, at times, to travel a mile out of the way in order to head one of these sloughs and cross over on the long grass and weeds. One great difficulty the pioneer doctor had to contend with in traveling over the prairie was the absence of landmarks - so much sameness. Then, again, at certain times, great districts in the neighborhood of sloughs were enshrouded in dense fog, making it impossible to locate one's self, especially at night. Every pioneer medical man has had more or less of this experience. They became lost and wandered around until daylight, and frequently were obliged to alight and feel for the roads, especially when riding a strange horse, as they would invariably take to the grass when given the reins. The doctor's usual mode of travel in those days was on horseback with saddle bags strapped on behind the saddle,

Our pioneer women were especially gifted in the care of the sick, and some of the remedies used in the early days have been handed down from mother to daughter, and are still declared to be efficacious even in the most severe cases of sickness. A system which was depended entirely upon was sweating and the use of native herbs, especially lobelia, elder bark, thyme, madder, comfrey, elecampane, catnip, hoarhound, slippery elm, burdock, sassafras and various other nauseous plants which were to be found in the timber along the banks of the Vermilion.

Of Dr. John Davis, who was the first physician in the county, but little else is known except that he came to Pontiac township about the year 1833, and settled just east of the city on what is now known as the Rollins' farm.

Dr. Cornelius W. Reynolds was the first physiclan who was an actual resident of the village. He had settled in Amity Township in 1836, but in 1837 came to Pontiac, where he resided about four years.

Dr. James S. Munson settled in Pontiac about 1837, being appointed clerk of the commissioners' court in 1888 in place of M. I. Ross. How long Dr. Munson resided in Pontiac is not known, all record of him being lost.

A physician by the name of Dr. Holland resided in Rooks Creek, coming there about 1845. His practice extended to Pontiac and during the cholera season of 1849 he was called there to attend several cases, was stricken with the disease and died the day following.

Dr. John B. Hulsey and Dr. C. B. Ostrander came to Pontiac about 1850, and were soon followed by Drs. John M. Perry, Darius Johnson, John W. Youmans, Thomas Croswell and G. J. Sweet. Dr. Hulsey remained in Pontiac until Fairbury was laid out and the settlement started, being the second physician to locate in that village. After residing in Fairbury for ten years, Dr. Hulsey removed to the state of Oregon, where he died. Dr. Ostrander remained In Pontiac two years, moving to Avoca, where his practice extended to the extreme south end of the county for many years after. The doctor was also engaged in farming, more or less, and retired in 1885, moving to Fairbury, where he died in 1905. The doctor was always noted as being a good story-teller, was a good physician with a wonderful memory, and, in his day, was acquainted with every one in the county.

Dr. John M. Perry located in Pontiac about 1852, remaining here until his death, which occurred twenty years later. Dr. Perry was an ideal citizen and a splendid physician, and enjoyed a large practice. He was a thoroughly Christian gentleman and one of the organizers of the Christian church in Pontiac.

Dr. John Youmans located in Pontiac soon after Dr. Perry. In after years the doctor became a leader in the Democratic party, and met with success in his profession. He was appointed postmaster by President Johnson in 1866 and shortly afterwards left for California, where he died about ten years ago.

Dr. Darius Johnson settled in Pontiac in 1853, coming from New York, and practiced his profession for twenty-four years, passing away in 1877. During his practice here in the early days he became acquainted with nearly all the first settlers of the county and was widely known. From the day he settled in Pontiac until his death, he was always engaged more or less in politics, merely for the love of excite- ment which arose from it, and was neyer a seeker after office. He always kept himself thoroughly posted in his profession, being a graduate of four of the leading medical schools in the United States, besides serving three years in the civil war as surgeon of the 129th Regiment. He always took a leading part in the schools of Pontiac and for many years was a member of the board of trustees. He was appointed by Governor Beveridge as trustee of the Illinois State University at Champaign in place of R. B. Harrington, who removed from the county, and was coroner of Livingston County when he died.

Dr. Eben Norton was the first physician to locate in New Michigan, arriving in 1854, remaining there until 1871, when he moved to Cornell, being the first physician to locate in that village. At Cornell he opened the first drug store and continued in business there until his death. Dr. Norton was one of the first board of supervisors sent from Newtown, serving three terms, and was also a member of the board from Amity Township five terms,

Dr. Thomas Croswell located in Pontiac in 1855, coming from the state of Maine. The doctor was the pioneer druggist of Pontiac and a learned physician. He always took an active interest in the political affairs of the county and served several terms as coroner. He was a progressive business man and his store was always stocked with everything up to date. In 1859 he introduced the first soda fountain in Livingston County and in 1860 brought to the county the first coal ofl lamp, At that time these two inventions were just coming on the market, and from newspaper accounts at that time of their appearance in Pontiac one would judge that they were the greatest inventions of the age. Dr. Croswell continued in business in Pontiac until about thirty-five years ago, when he moved to Streator, where he died October 6. 1908.

Dr. Sheldon also came in 1855. He formed a partnership with Dr. Johnson, but only remained in Pontiac for a short time, returning to his home in the Hast.

in organizing in Pontiac the first county medical society, in 1868, Dr. Capron was made secretary of the society, At the second meeting of the society, a motion carried to the effect that no physician would be entitled to membership who was not a regular graduate of a school of medicine. This motion excluded the president and several of the most prominent members, and the meeting adjourned to meet no more. Dr. Capron is now living in retirement in New York.

Drs. D. S. Stewart and G. J. Sweet located in Pontiac in 1857. They became partners, but Dr. Stewart soon became discouraged with the country and located elsewhere. Dr. Sweet continued in practice until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the navy as surgeon and was killed by the bursting of a shell in Mobile bay.

Dr. J. Hill was the first physician to locate at Ancona, arriving there about 1853. He was soon followed by Dr. Edward Evans, who became quite prominent. Soon after Dr. Evans' arrival, he opened the first drug store in that village.

Dr. James H. Hagerty was the first physician to locate in Dwight, arriving there shortly after the town was laid out. Dr. Hagerty was a man of progress and one of the leading politicians of the north end of the county. He took a deep interest in educational affairs and in 1857 was elected school commissioner of the county on the democratic ticket. He erected the first brick building in Dwight. Dr. Hagerty died in 1873.

Dr. C. D. Chalfant was another pioneer physician of Dwight and was a very able man. He now lives in retirement at Streator, and is still consulted by many of the leading physicians of that city.

Dr. M. K. Wright located in Pontiac during the war and secured a lucrative practice. He was a splendid physician and a highly educated man, but in later years his mind became unbalanced and he was sent to an asylum. He was returned to Pontiac as cured, but in a few years the malady returned and the doctor was taken to the poor farm, where he died about ten years ` ago. ; Dr. J. J. Stites came to Pontiac in 1864 and at once began the practice of his profession, which he continued with success until 'about fifteen years ago, when he retired. Dr. Stiles has been health commissioner of Pontiac ever since the during the war. He was a man of many sterling qualities of head and heart and a fine physician. Dr. Stewart had many friends throughout the county and his professional services were always in demand. He died in Pontiac about fifteen years ago.

Dr. Orlando S. Wood commenced the practice of medicine in Pontiac in 1865. Before he graduated, Dr. Wood was a resident of Pontiac, but in a few days after the first call for troops in 1861, he left for St. Louis and enlisted in Bolton's battery. After the fall of Vicksburg he graduated from Rush Medical College and at once re-enlisted, becoming assistant surgeon of the 129th Regiment and later surgeon. Dr. Wood died in 1868, aged 31 years.

Dr. John W. Filkins located in Pontiac about 1865. He was a very progressive man and did much toward the upbuilding of the city. He was a good physician and secured a fine practice. About twenty-five years ago he moved to the state of Washington and engaged in the real estate business, where he still resides.

Dr. Sabin P. Kimball, a graduate of Casselton (Vt.) Medical College, was the first physiclan to locate in Fairbury, arriving in 1858, He followed his profession for twelve years, and afterward engaged in the drug business. The following year, Dr. J. B. Hulsey located in the village, followed by the Wright brothers, Drs. J. J. and H. B. They opened up the first drug store in the village. In 1870, Dr. J. J. Wright was elected coroner of this county. Then came Dr. James F. Fraley from Indiana. Dr. Fraley was a very popular physician, his specialty being diseases of children. For several terms he served as president of the village board and was always counted among the progressive citizens of his time. He was also a member of the board of supervisors several terms. Dr. N. T. P. Rob- -ertson was also one of the pioneer medical men of Fairbury. His reputation as a surgeon extended from one end of the county to the other, and his practice was large. Among other physicians to locate in Fairbury in the '60s were Drs. Love, Thurber, Loar and Fulton, all -of whom have since moved to other states.

to locate in Dwight, arriving in 1865. Dr. Baker had just been mustered out of the service of his country, having spent about four years as captain of Company B, Third Illinois Cavalry. He opened a well appointed drug store in the village and continued in practice there until about 1878, when he removed to Pontiac. In 1891, when the State Reform School, located at Pontiac, was changed into a reformatory, Dr.. Baker was appointed the first physician of the institution, remaining in charge for six and one-half years, when he was let out to make room for a Republican. Dr. Baker is now living in retirement in Pontiac.

Dr. Leslie E. Keeley located in Dwight in 1866, having just graduated from Rush Medica: College in Chicago. He soon won an enviable reputation and a large practice. In 1880, Dr. Keeley abandoned general practice and began giving his entire attention to the cure of those who had become slaves to alcohol, opium 'and other injurious drugs. He associated with him Major Curtis Judd and John R. Oughton, and the connection was maintained until the doctor's death. Drs. Heath and Thole were also early physicians of Dwight.

Dr. Walden was the first physician to locate in Odell, arriving soon after the town was lald out in 1855. Dr. T. O. Bannister, after serving three years as physician and surgeon, located there in 1865, and still continues in the practice of his profession.

Dr. Peter Eppler located in Cayuga in 1867. The doctor opened a drug store and commenced practicing his profession, from which he has since retired, now living in retirement near Cayuga.

Dr. D. W. Hunt was the first physician to locate in Chatsworth, arriving in 1861. During the civil war he was engaged as hospital surgeon stationed at Mound City, Ill. Dr. William C. Byington, another army physician and surgeon, located in Chatsworth in 1868. Both are now dead.

Dr. Daniel Duckett was the first physician to locate in Forrest, arriving in 1867, soon after the town was laid out. Dr. Duckett also opened the first drug store in the village, and was successful both in professional and business life.

Lucius S. Carter

homeopathic physician and surgeon locating in Livingston County. All were of the allopathic or eclectic schools. About this time, a young man arrived in Pontiac who had just graduated from a homeopathic school, opened an office and commenced practicing. He met with poor success and moved away. From this time on down to 1878, many other young men of that school located in Pontiac, but with the same result. In 1878, Dr. Charles H. Long, a homeopathic physician and surgeon, came to Pontiac and opened an office. At first, Dr. Long met with poor success as far as building up a practice was concerned, but success finally crowned his efforts and it was not long before his ability, both as a physician and surgeon, were recognized. Dr. Long is still a resident of Pontiac, although retired from the active practice of his profession.

Dr. Joel Allen located in Nebraska Township soon after the close of the war and began to practice medicine. Dr, Allen met with success and afterwards moved to Pontiac, where he is now living in retirement at the age of 81,

Every school of medicine known to the professional world has had at one time or another a representative in Livingston County. John Alexander Dowie gained many converts here, while Christian Science healers' have been numerous, more especially in Indian Grove Township, where they have a very nice church, which is well attended. Magnetic healers and osteopaths are also represented, and it has been a favorite resort for visiting specialists. If Livingston County has not been healthy, it has not been from a lack of a multitude of counselors.

The first dentist to locate in the county was O. Easton, who settled in Pontiac in 1857. Dr. Easton secured room for his chair in the front of Dr. Thomas Croswell's drug store, but soon his business increased and he was compelled to look for better and more congenial quarters. Soon after Dr. Easton arrived, came Dr. H. Sweet, who had an office with his brother, Dr. G. J. Sweet, over John Dehner's store. Then came Dr. H. H. Townsend and Dr. Matthews. There are about ten in Pontiac now, with probably as many more in the rest of the county.