Logan County, Illinois - The Medical Profession, 1886

The Medical Profession

The life of a medical practitioner in a newly settled country is generally one of toil and hardship. Compensation is usually meager, and however extensive may be the physician's practice, much of it must be rendered gratuitously on account of the poverty of his patients. A strong constitution and abundant patience is requisite to success, and success frequently means on the part of the physician merely the consciousness that he has performed his duty well. Many of those who first ministered to the sick in this county were not graduates of any medical institution, and would not to-day be recognized as competent physicians; but they exercised what knowledge they had in the interests of euffering humanity, and deserve credit for what they did. As the county grew in population, the number of physicians increased, and in a few years all the settlers had reliable medical advisers within a short distance from their homes.

Fever and ague was the chief complaint, and by far the most frequent among the early settlers. It was especially prevalent in the region lying along Salt Creek, Aside from this disease, from which few pioneer settlements in the West were ever entirely free, there was little sickness. The early settlers were generally men and women of strong constitutions and robust health. They never called a doctor unless their symptoms were alarming, but instead relied upon the efficacy of herb teas and other simple remedies. Had it not been for fever and ague, doctors would have had but little to do. That disease disappeared as the country improved, and now few portions of the country can boast of a healthier climate and population than Logan County. No great epidemics have ever visited the people. There is nothing in the condition of air or climate to cause disease; and the present generation is free

Histoet Of Logan Oounty

The physicians of Logan Oountj have generally been men of more than average ability in their profession. JS"ot a few have been men .of culture and extensive scholarship. The present practitioners are almost without exception reckoned among the most honorable citizens, and in their professional character are possessed of jadgmsnt, faithfulness, knowledge and skill such as entitled them to rank among the most useful members of society.

Lincoln

The first physician to locate at this point was Dr. H. P. Kelso, who came about the time Lincoln was first projected, and practiced here till his death, which occurred during the war. He was not highly educated, but was a plain, practical man, of good judgment, and was personally popular. Though he enjoyed a good practice, he died poor. A Dr. Blackburn tarried here also a few years, leaving just before the war. He was considered a fair "country doctor," not brilliant but a good, reliable man. He enjoyed a moderately large practice, not equal to that of Dr. Kelso. Dr. J. H. Beidler, afterward of Mt. Pulaski, was another ante-bellum physician of Lincoln. Then there was a Dr. Fuller, not a very reliable man, who left after a few years' residence. Drs. A. and R. S. Miller, brothers, located here about 1860, were considered competent, and enjoyed a fair practice during their stay. The former is now in Macoupin County, and the latter in Montana Territory. Dr. Joseph C. Eoss, a surgeon in the army during the late war, came to Lincoln after the expiration of his term of service and practiced here till his death in 188i. He was a partner of Dr. A. M. Miller for five years. He was well educated, being the possessor of the degree of M. A. from Miami University, and had an excellent professional training. He was a popular man, enjoyed a good practice and accumulated some property. The above named are the best remembered of the members of the ncedical profession who have resided in Lincoln but have closed their labors here; the roll of present practitioners includes Drs. A. M. Miller, Samuel Sargent, L. L. Leeds, H. B. Brown, T. Newkirk, H. K. Ehrlick, E. N. Wilson, "W. W. Howser, T. W. Primm, Charles Fusch (Hom.) and Kate Miller.

village was an Englishman, born in London about 1800. He came to Sangamon County, this State, in an early day, and thence here in 1836, where he practiced till 1856 or 1857. He then went to Cairo, but afterward returned for a short stay before going to Paris, Kansas, in which State he is now located. He was a reputable citizen and a good physician for his day. Dr. Granville Fain came in the " forties," and practiced until about 1860. He is still living in Mason County. He was well read, but an eccentric man, and his hobbies made him rather unpopular. A Dr. Dickinson died here in 1854, after about ten-years practice. Dr. John Clark came about 1846 or '47 and followed farming in connection with the practice of medicine until his death. Though he had no diploma, he was a Christian gentleman, popular, cautious and safe. He deserves to be remembered as a prominent and public-spirited citizen. Dr. Samuel Sargent came from Waverly, Ohio, about 1854. Dr. John C. Mershon came in the "forties" from Akron, Ohio, went to Michigan in 1858; thence to Ohio; returned here in 1882, and one year later removed to Peoria. Dr. Wemple came in 1856, and was for a time in partnership with Dr. Sargent in the drug business. The latter is now practicing medicine at Lincoln. Dr. or Major Wemple has not practiced since the war. Dr. J. H. Beidler moved from near Philadelphia to Ohio in 1852, and practiced at Chillicothe for a few years. In 1857 he came to Logan County with S. Linn Beidler, was at Lincoln several years, and then fixed his residence at Mt. Pulaski. He held for two terms the office of superintendent of schools. Dr. J. N. Pumpelly came herefrom Atlanta in 1859, and practiced until his death, twenty years later. He stood very high in the community. Dr. A. H. Lanphier, now of Kansas City, came in 1859 and remained two or three years. He then removed to Springfield, where he had a large practice, being an excellent physician. He was afterward connected with a chemical establishment, and later went to Kansas City. While at Mt. Pulaski Dr. Lanphier was a partner of Dr. A. N. Fellows, who came also in 1859. Dr. Fellows joined the army as a surgeon, and after his return went to Lincoln whence he went to Parsons, Kansas, having acquired a fair reputation. Dr. T. C. Bryan, from Jacksonville, located here in 1866, and in the winter of 1871-'2 died of confluent small-pox - the only case ever in Mt. Pulaski. Dr. M. P. Phinney came about 1873, and is yet in practice. Dr. W. S. Mendenhall, of Indianapolis, located here in 1877, and two years later left. He is now at Win- field, Kan3a8. Dr. P. H. Oyler, of Indianapolis, came about 1877 or '78, and in the latter year came Drs. C. F. Poppele and E. 0. Nolan. Dr. Geo. W. Ebrite has been here since 1880, and Dr. T. C. Meads since 1881.

Atlanta

Before this place was even projected, two physicians lived in this neighborhood, and practiced till their death. The first was Dr. Win, an educated man, and a graduate. The second was Dr. Proctor, who lived at Mt. Hope, and had an extensive practice for - many miles in every direction. The first to locate at Atlanta was a Dr. Rankin, who located about 1862, and three or four years later went South. He is now in Northern Illinois. Though a man of good judgment, he was not highly educated, and did but little here. The second arrival in Atlanta was Dr. George M. Angell, who came in the spring of 1863 and has practiced continuously since, except three years. The third was Jerome Tenney, who had resided at Armington for many years. He graduated at Jacksonville, came here in 1854, and remained until 1881, when he went to Florida. He was an A. B. and an M. D., was a good physician and did well here. He served in the late war as a Lieutenant of cavalry. Dr. Kirk, still practicing, came about the same time with Dr. Tenney. A Dr. Johnson was here "off and on" five or six years before the war, and then settled at McLean, where he died. Dr. Stewart came soon after the close of the war, in which he attained the rank of Colonel. He had been in medical practice at Waynesville before the war. He resided here until 1877, wlien he went to Texas, and is now following his profession there. Though not a graduate, he was a bright man, had a good knowledge of his business, and acquired a fair practice. Dr. White came soon after Stewart, and left in 1875 or '76. He was a very capable man and a graduate from Philadelphia. He kept a drug store here for a time. His practice was not extensive. Dr. Benjamin F. Gardner came about fifteen years ago and is still here. Drs. Serieux and Yoke were homeopathic physicians, each remaining at Atlanta several years. The physicians now practicing here are: Drs. W. F. Kirk, B. F. Gardner, G. M. Angell, A. Bartholomew, C. M. Hough, G. W. Dunn and J. L. Lowry.