St. Clair County, Illinois - Chapter 7 (2 of 2 so headed), 1928

Chapter 7

Some Early St. Clair County Physicians ^'^ovERNOR Reynolds mentions a long list ot the phy- ^V 1 sicians of this early period. Among them was Dr. Truman Turtle, who came to Kaskaski.i m 1S02 as a surgeon in the United States Army. After resigning his position m the army, he practiced in Kaskaskia for a time and then came to Cahokia. Later he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and Justice of the Peace.

Another was Dr. Lyle, of whom we have scant record, but the statement that "He was a good physician," which is more than can be truthfully said of some more modern practitioners.

Dr. George Fisher was considered one ot the best m his day. He came from Hardy County, Virginia, m very early times and settled in Kaskaskia, but he did not continue long in his profession. He possessed a well trained active mind and was an agreeable and benevolent character. Soon after the Territory of Indiana was established. Governor Harrison appointed Dr. Fisher the Sheriff of Randolph County. He performed the duties of this office to the satisfaction of the people for- many years. He was elected to the first General Assembly of the Illinois Territory and became Speaker of the House of Representatives. This is a position of dignity, no matter where the assembly may be. He was also elected to the Convention of 1818, which drafted the first constitution of our great state. He died on his farm at the foot of the bluffs in 1820.

Dr. William L. Reynolds came from Bracken County, Kentucky, and settled in Kaskaskia in 1809. He possessed talents of a high order and integrity of character that dignifies human nature in any situation of life. He had received a college education and was well-versed in the medical science. For many years he reigned triumphant in his profession in the community as Dr. Fisher had retired to his farm. He also practiced some years in Cahokia. He was elected to the Territorial Legislature in 181 5 and was instrumental in establishing Jackson County and naming it in honor of the great general of the War of rSii.

There was a Dr. Wallace who rendered professional service to the people of New Design in their terrible epidemic sickness in the year 1797. He was a skillful physician, but there is little on record in reference to his character.

Dr. James Rose came from Kentucky to Kaskaskia m the year 1805. He possessed talents and made a good physician in his early life. He was a little lame, but before he forgot himself in his friendship for alcohol, his mind was not lame. He enjoyed a good practice in Kaskaskia and vicinity. Later he moved to Belleville. Toward the close of his career he neglected his profession, and of course it neglected him.

Dr. Caldwell Cairnes was a physician good and true in olden times in Illinois. He came from Pennsylvania about the beginning of the eighteenth century. He was caught in the great tornado of i&o=^, but escaped with his life. Late in life he acquired a splendid farm which he called "Walnut Grove." He both farmed on a large scale and pursued his profession. He served as Justice of the Peace and County Judge in St. Clair County. When Monroe County was organized he was one of its representatives in the convention which formed the first constitution, and made a good member of that body.

Dr. Estes is said to have been the first physician who settled m Belleville. He built a residence a short distance south of the public square in 181 5. This also served as his office. Reynolds says of him that he had a strong mind, but It was not properly balanced. He was the captain of a hand of "regulators" organized m 18 15 to protect the country from horse thieves and other criminals. It was generally believed that they dealt out justice in a very effective manner. After a few years Dr. Estes moved away.

Dr. Joseph Green, who married the widow of Alphonso C. Stuart, was a man of quiet and peaceable disposition, and for a long time practiced his profession in the Belleville community. He was reasonable in his charges, regulating his fees by his judgment of human nature and the wealth of his patients. He was remarkably humane and kind m his treat' ment of dumb animals. He would frequently get off his horse and lead him, merely to rest the horse. For many years an old sorrel horse carried him on his visits to his patients, and he would ride no other. Sometimes persons would come for him in a buggy, in order to secure his presence quickly, but to no avail; for if the old sorrel was not at hand he would walk. He possessed unusual caution and would always dismount and lead his horse across a bridge. One day a neighbor borrowed the horse, and not being acquainted with the doctor's habit, he endeavored to cross a bridge without dismounting. The horse refused to go, even resisting the application of whip and spur. At length the rider dismounted, secured hickory withe, and again mounting, beat the old horse unmercifully till he forced him across. The next time the good doctor travelled that road, he was greatly surprised when old sorrel bolted across the bridge at headlong speed without giving him a chance to get off. This shows the influence of discipline, even upon dumb brutes. Dr. Green had spent his early life among the Pennsylvania Germans and was acquainted with their language. So that he and Lewis and Jacob Myers were the first persons in Belleville who could speak the German language. He was also acquainted with French. He was elected to the Legislature in 1837. He was an ardent Whig in politics, and a strong advocate of internal improvements, particularly of building railroads. He became interested in silk culture, procured silk worms and erected a cocoonery. His wife made the silk into thread on an ordinary spinning wheel and then wove the thread into a kind of cloth. The doctor died in 1842.

Dr. William G. Goforth settled in the county seat in 1816 and practiced his profession till his death in 1835. He is said to have been a singular man, both in mental and physical characteristics. He looked and acted like no one else. He practiced medicine successfully, tho perhaps he relied as much on his natural genius and experience as on scientific knowledge of the profession. He felt the patient's pulse, looked at his tongue, and immediately adopted a course of treatment. Governor Reynolds always consulted him when he needed medical advice. He was very tall, with a long and slender neck. He had the reputation of being the homeliest man in all the country round.

A story is current that a man of very unattractive appearance once came to Belleville from an eastern state, carrying a jack knife which had been presented to him in consideration of his ugliness. Meeting Dr. Goforth's brother then visiting in Belleville, and who resembled the doctor in appearance, the stranger stopped him and wanted to hand over the knife, remarking that it had been given him with instructions to carry it till he found a homelier man than himself, and he thought he had now succeeded. "No," replied Goforth, "I am not the man you are looking for. It is my brother." So the doctor was found and promptly presented with the knife. He carried it for a long time, but finally met a man from Madison County, to whom it was awarded. Years later the doctor took to drinking. He then reformed and began delivering temperance lectures, but later fell a victim to his old habits, and finally met his death by accident when he was thrown from his horse one day while intoxicated.

Dr. William Heath was another early physician. He was a Virginian by birth. He was a Methodist preacher also and preached at occasional intervals. He held that a physician must live by his fees, so when practice was light he charged high fees, and vice versa. He had the reputation of making long prayers and big bills. He charged the McClintock family one hundred and twenty dollars for his services during one spell of sickness, and that was a large sum in those days. He moved to St. Louis, and later to Alton, where he died some years after.

Dr. Francis J. Crabb was one of the early medical practitioners in St. Clair County. His first wife was a daughter of Edward Mitchell and his second wife was a member of the Ogle family.

Dr. Adolphus Reuss

DR. ADOLPHUS REUSS Adolphus Reuss was one of the old citizens in the vicinity of Shiloh. He was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, in Germany, November 28, 1804. He was the youngest of a family of eight children. He early manifested an inclination to literary pursuits, and as soon as he had finished the necessary preparatory studies, he entered the University of Gottingen, from which institution he graduated in 1825 with the degree of M. D. He took graduate work in Paris and Berlin and thereby secured as thorough an education as could be obtained at that time in the field of medicine. After completing his studies he practiced his profession in Frankfort, his native city, as long as he lived in Europe. Like many of the educated young men of that day in Germany, he took an active interest in politics. He was not in sympathy with the existing form of government in Germany, but desired to live in a land of freedom, free institutions and independence. Accordingly he bade farewell to his native land and came to America in 1834. He came west as far as the Mississippi Valley and after traveUing extensively through IlUnois, Iowa, and Missouri, he chose St. Clair County, Illinois, as the most desirable place of residence. Accordingly he purchased two hundred acres of land near Shiloh, which at that time was mostly covered with timber. Upon this he settled and made his home for the remainder of his life. This was in a day when there were but few German immigrants, in comparison with the multitudes who came later. His former professional and city life were not calculated to fit him for the work of the pioneer. Yet in spite of these handicaps he successfully adapted himself to the conditions of the early settler, provided a good home for his family, and diligently practiced his profession. He succeeded in building up a large medical practice and was recognized as one of the ablest physicians in all this region. He took an interest in the affairs of his country and the political movements of the times. He was associated with the Democratic party until slavery became the absorbing topic of the day, and since he was strongly opposed to human slavery he allied himself with the party of Abraham Lincoln and was a Republican the rest of his life. While he was interested in politics he never would consent to become a candidate for any office, preferring to give his entire energies to his profession and the interests of his home. He was a man of literary attainments and culture. In his youth he was a diligent student of the languages. He was fond of reading and accumulated a large library of books in Greek, Latin, Italian, French, German, and English. He was acquainted with all these languages. This library is mostly intact m the old fimily home and cont.uns many rare volumes that would be counted as treasures by the bibliophile. He erected a fine country mansion of spacious proportions and provided with all the comforts that could be had in a country home m those days, and here abundant hospitality was dispensed by the doctor and his large family. His wife was also a native of Frankfort. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity. All but three are still hving, and of the living, all but one are residents of St. Clair County. The doctor lived a long and useful life which ended May 7, 1878. His wife died a few years before. His youngest son, Ferdinand, with his family now lives in the old home and is ever ready to exhibit its treasures to all who are interested.