McLean County, Illinois - Chapter 22: County Dental Society, 1924

The organization of dentists of McLean County is of comparatively recent date. It was on Oct. 10, 1902, that a meeting of dentists was called at the rooms of the Business Men's Association, with the following present: F. H. Mcintosh, J. M. Crigler, J. S. Reece, J. H. Campbell, W. H. Land, G. D. Sitherwood, 0. J. Jarrett, M. D. Young, E. B. Coen, J. G. Besley, J. W. Kasbeer, B. M. VanDervoort, C. P. Holland and A. J. Elmer. Dr. F. H. Mcintosh was chosen as temporary chairman and B. M. Van- Dervoort as temporary secretary. It was voted to form the McLean County Dental Society, and the following committee was appointed to draw up constitution and by-laws: A. J. Elmer, G. D. Sitherwood and J. H. Campbell. Every practicing dentist in McLean County was to be invited to join the new society.

At the second meeting, held one week later, the following dentists in addition to those present at the first meeting, expressed in person or by letter their willingness to join the society: Harry Stevenson, H. C. Rodenhauser, J. B. Brown, B. Henline, P. H. Geiger, C. D. Eaton, 0. R. Griffith, J. M. Gallahugh of Chenoa, D. M. Field of Danvers, J. T. Scott, of Saybrook, A. T. Hanson of Lexington, B. L. Stevens of Lexington, D. M. Field of Danvers, A. M. Wilkes of Leroy.

VanDervoort; treasurer, A. M. Field of Danvers. Executive committee, G. D. Sitherwood and 0. J. Jarret of Bloomington, J. S. Reece of Normal. Board of censors, J. M. Crigler and J. B. Brown of Bloomington, J. M. Gallahugh of Chenoa.

The first death among the members of the society was noted in the proceedings of Nov. 21, 1902, when resolutions on the death of Dr. 0. T. Hansen of Lexington were passed.

At the meeting held on Sept. 12, 1904, this society adopted the constitution of the state society and became affiliated with the state organization.

Soon after the society was organized, members from outside counties were admitted. At the third annual banquet, responses tp toasts were made by Dr. Piper of Pontiac, Dr. Kasbeer, Dr. Sitherwood, Dr. Brown and Dr. Crigler.

At the election of 1905, J. B. Brown was elected president; P. A. Pyper of Pontiac, vice-president; J. S. Reece, secretary, and M. D. Young treasurer. The officers in various succeeding years were as follows:

In the course of its history, the society has been called upon to mourn the death -of some of its original members. Dr. Elmer died in 1909, Dr. Harry Stevenson in the same year; Dr. Brown in 1914; Dr. Mcintosh, the first president, in 1923.

Twice has the McLean County Society entertained the State Dental Society. The first time was in May, 1903, and the second time in May, 1918. On both occasions very successful conventions were held.