Vermilion County, Illinois - Chapter 29: The Profession of Medicine in Vermilion County, 1911

Chapter 29: The Profession of Medicine in Vermilion County

The profession of medicine in the early days in Vermilion County was not of much importance. The healing art was relegated to the Indian doctor and the midwife. The first physicians recorded as having practice in this region came from as far away as Palestine. Absalom Starr hurt his heel and it did not get better, so he and his family went back to Palestine and there seemed nothing that could be done to save the foot. Coming back to Vermilion County an Indian doctor cured it, however. The first physicians who made their home in the county were Dr. Isaac Smith, Dr. Heyward, Dr. Asa Palmer, Dr. Holmes and Dr. Wood.

Dr. Isaac Smith built the first house or rather occupied the first building in Georgetown as an office in which to keep his little stock of "calomel and jalep, salts and senna, lancet and forceps." This latter found frequent use since the profession of dentistry had not as yet been established. Dr. Smith was a man of good education and excellent characteristics. He was a successful practitioner and found much to do in the treatment of fevers, and other ills incident to a pioneer residence in Vermilion County. His residence was but short, when he moved to Macinaw. ,

Dr. Asa Palmer located in Danville in about 1825, and became the first permanent physician in Vermilion County. His practice extended in every direction for many miles. He was an eastern man coming to Vermilion County from the state of New York. In connection with his son he established the first drug store in Danville.

Dr. Heyward located in Georgetown in 1829. He continued his practice here for ten years, after which he moved to his farm in Carroll township where he resided until 1871, when he moved to Indianola. In 1831, Dr. Heyward married Sarah Barnett, daughter of George Barnett, and sister of the well known Robert Barnett. Dr. Heyward, although a politician as well as a physician, did not let any thing interfere with his professional work. At the time of his coming into the county there were three other physicians here; they were Dr. Palmer, Dr. Holmes and Dr. Blood.

Dr. William Fithian came to Vermilion County and located in Danville. He was one of the most distinguished physicians ever living in the county.

Dr. Fithian continued in active practice during almost sixty years after coming to Danville. During that time he saw many changes made in both professional and social life. During these years he was, probably as widely known as any man in Illinois. He was a typical pioneer physician, he would often be in the saddle for weeks at a time, excepting for a very few hours of sleep he might snatch at night. He made his trips on horseback, keeping from six to ten head of horses all in constant work. His practice extended as far west as Bloomington, in McLean County ; south to and into Edgar County ; north into Iroquois and Kankakee Counties, and at times even to Chicago, and east far into the state of Indiana. When he went on these long rides he always had a package of tea with him and when he could not get the hot water to make a cup of the beverage, he would chew the tea grounds. Dr. Fithian was a politician, as well as a physician, and as such he was very well known. He was in the state legislature at the time the great appropriations were voted for internal improvements, and he did his best to keep the legislation from proceeding, seeing but one result from such wild propositions for spending the people's money. When Dr. Fithian found he had not enough influence to stop legislation, he proceeded to make the most of his knowledge of the matter and had the appropriation made for the North Cross Railroad, expended on abutments and grading in Vermilion County.

With the many physicians in Vermilion County during all the years since the coming of Dr. Asa Palmer, there are a few who have distinguished themselves. Dr. Fithian is one of these. Another was Dr. George Wheeler Jones who came to Danville just after the close of the Civil war. Dr. Jones had served three years as assistant surgeon of the 63rd Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. He went into the army after a very short practice in Terre Haute, Indiana. Dr. Jones went to Wabash college and took his training in study of medicine in Lind University later Chicago medical college of Northwestern University, from which he was graduated in 1861. While in Chicago he took special training under Dr. Byford. For two years he was one of the surgeons in charge of the field hospitals of the third division of the 23d army corps. He served with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, and also in the operations against Hood's army in Tennessee. He carried the scars of the wound received as the result of the explosion of a shell, as long as he lived. Dr. Jones had a splendid record as physician and surgeon, both in the army and afterward in general practice. When he graduated from the medical college he took the honors of his class, and his was the prize thesis. The theme of this was the subject so little understood at that time, that of milk sickness. Dr. Jones was very active in his profession, being abreast or in some instances, ahead of his time. His practice was not limited to his immediate home town, and his reputation as a practitioner was by no means altogether local. Dr. Jones was a member of many medical societies, among them being the Vermilion County Medical Society. The Illinois Central Medical Society, The Chicago Medical Society, The Illinois State Medical Society, the Mississippi Valley Medical Society, and the American Medical Society. He was very active in all these organizations and a tireless worker in every line

Dr. Jones was an earnest student and a ready worker. He was one of those rare physicians who seemed to have the healing touch. It has been said that, although having died years ago, yet is remembered and more often mentioned and quoted than any other physician in Vermilion County. Dr. Jones gave his strength and efforts to the practice of his profession among his friends and -.yhen his health failed, and he was obliged to go to the Bermuda Islands to recuperate, he died, January, 1895.

The advance in the profession of medicine has been rapid and far reaching during the last few years. One in particular of the resident physicians has made a good record in his special work so that he is said to be one of the six physicians of the state outside of Chicago who have won distinction in his particular line.

Dr. W. A. Cochrane takes the line of bacteriological findings. He has been working in this line of investigation for four or more years, and being a true scientist, feels that he has but just begun to study. Dr. Cochrane has been treating tuberculosis with tuberculin for several years using- the opsonic index. He carries on a line of original investigation with painstaking care and promises to reach greater distinction. Dr. Cochrane makes all diagnosis of infectious diseases according to the Wassermann reaction. While there are other physicians who use the microscope, and may become experts yet it is safe to predict that Dr. Cochrane will distinguish himself and reflect credit on Vermilion County even to a greater extent in the future in the line which he is following.

Some of the physicians coming to Vermilion County before 1840 were Dr. Davis, Dr. Holmes, and Dr. A. M. C. Hawes. After this date there were Dr. J. R. Holloway, Dr. Samuel H. Vredenburg, and Dr. W. D. Craig.

The first of these three settled in Salem, the second settled in Newtown and lived there for many years, a country practitioner, who learned the ills to which this region was subjected and by constant practice was enabled to find the best way of effecting cures. Dr. Craig, Dr. A. H. Kimbrough and Dr. Qoyd all were located in Georgetown. Dr. Wilkins was another practitioner of Newtown. Dr. Porter, Dr. Ralston, Dr. J. H. Farris, Dr. Smith and Dr. Griffin were here in about that time. Another of the early physicians who locate in Newton was Dr. O'Ferrell. One of the men living in Danville who as a boy had his home not far from Newtown, tells with a kind recollection of how Dr. O'Ferrell is inseparately connected with the old gray horse he rode when going on his professional work. To this man Dr. O'Ferrell seemed to spend his entire time on that one horse. The tribute paid to this oldtime physician and his personal care of the sick is well worth the discomforts of that early day riding around the country to heal the sick.

Dr. S. W. Jones was a popular physician in Catlin before he moved to Danville where he is yet living. The two Drs. Humphrey were located in Danville at an early date and were quite well liked practitioners. Dr. Balsch (Georgetown), Dr. John R. Livingood (Rossville), and Dr. J. M. Baum (Indianola), were all prominent in the profession while they were at work. Dr. R. Vandoren, Dr. John E. Butz (Potomac), Dr. S. T. Smith (Oakwood), Drs. J. L. Hull, Wm. Porter (Higginsville).

The Vermilion County Medical Society has been in existence for years but interest was lagging or perhaps was at a very low ebb as indications would show when in 1897 the society took on a new lease of life. It was at this meeting that the following physicians were present and a new society or rather the old one was given new life : Drs. Brown, Fairhall, T. E. Walton, S. C. Clidden. R. Gillett, P. H. Barton, W. H. Paul, M. L. Horn, M. A. Cochran, J. W. Moore. E. E. Clar and J. M. Wright. The date of this meeting was November 12. 1897. This society has prospered and now counts about one hundred members.

In the spring of 1903, the Vermilion County Medical Society became affiliated with the Illinois State Medical Society, and the members of the Vermilion County were also members of the State Medical Society. That implies a stack that can work in both direction for the best interests of all concerned the members of one of the societies ought to be the member of both to do the most with either. The members of the Vermilion County Medical Society are in large majority residents of Danville.

The Danville Medical society is another society more in the nature of a club. This is the outgrowth of the desire on the part of a limited number of physicians to do post graduate work. The membership is so far limited to twenty and comprise those who are anxious to advance in the profession. This society holds semi-monthly meetings, one of which is of a social nature. They have rooms nicely fitted up in the Temple building and have constantly on file all of the best medical journals published in any language. A librarian is in constant attendance and everything done to aid and encourage each in the advancing methods and means of the medical profession.

The Aesculapian Society of the Mississippi Valley has as members one or two of the Danville physicians. Dr. E. B. Coolley was president of the society in 1910. Dr. Coolley is one of Danville's physicians.

The Drug Trade

In the early days of Vermilion County drugs and medicines were a part of the stock in trade of the practicing physician. There was no need of a store where one would go to buy his own drugs. The fields and woods furnished simple helps to health and the doctor did the rest. A little later the demand for quinine, calomel, and other necessities of life in the Wabash valley, was met by the sale of these independently first in the general store and later from a stock of their own. Since the general store sold drugs, just as the department stores now sell them, long before drug stores were known, it is difficult to establish a date when the trade beg'an. and the history of the drug trade in Vermilion county must of necessity become a history of the trade in Danville. The pioneer drug store in Danville was the well known Woodbury store which has been in business

When W. W. R. Woodbury returned to Danville after having finished his studies in Rush Medical College, in 1850, he became a druggist. His partner was James A. D. Sconce. Mr. Sconce had been in the drug trade for six years, and the young physician, who wanted to try a partnership with him, paid $563,6. The firm had to pay the enormous sum of $75 per year for rent. Danville's population at this time was 736. All merchandise came by way of the Wabash river to Perrysville or Covington, Indiana, thence was hauled across country. There were no traveling men at that time, and all the drugs must needs be bought by the proprietor going to the eastern cities once or twice per year. The amount of sales of this firm can be estimated by the bill yet in existence from one firm of a purchase at one semi-annual trip of $2,000. Their customers came from fifty miles in every direction. The firm of Sconce and Woodbury did business for three years and then Mr. Sconce sold his interest to Stephen Mires and John W. Mires. The firm name became Woodbury & Co., and this arrangement continued for four years. Meanwhile the population of Danville increased. In 1857, another change in the firm name put the business under the entire charge of Mr. Woodbury, and from that time until 1885 the store was the W. W. R. Woodbury store. In 1860 the population of Danville was 1,632 which ten years before this time was but 736. In 1885 the firm name changed once more, becoming A. G. Woodbury. In 1903 the Woodbury Drug Co. was formed and the business has been done under this name ever since.

Just after the war the Jones Bros.' drug store was opened at the corner of Main and Hazel streets. This building was put up for the purpose of housing the store and it yet remains standing, having been used for a drug store for forty years. This firm comprised Dr. George Wheeler Jones and his brother, James S. Jones or "Jim," as he was familiarly called. Dr. Jones practiced in Danville and the country surrounding, and his brother who was a fine business man, conducted the drug store. This firm was continued until the death of the younger brother. The stock and building were sold to Waterman and Irwin, who continued the business. In 1874 there were four drug stores in Danville. They were Woodbury's Jones Bros.', E. E. Boudinot, and E. C. Winslow. Baum's made the fifth. The Baum drug store came to Danville in that year. The next year Irwin and Waterman sold out, and in a year and a half, Franz came. The Franz drug store was on Vermilion street above North street. He sold out to Taylor & Bro. & Genung. It was at this time that Kesper on Washington ave., moved to Georgetown. Dixon succeeded Hakey on East Main street. Stickrod clerked for Nungesser on Vermilion street. Lindsey had a store on Logan ave. and sold out to Gus Hall. Gus Hall, on north Vermilion street, sold to Mr. Thomas. Kesper started a store out by the Junction and sold out to Mr. Edwards. Winslow sold his stock to Stebe and he sold to Johnson. Morrow bought out Nungesser and Carter and shipped the stock out of town. Irwin sold his store to John Boudinot, who kept it for a time and in turn sold it to Johnson, and Irwin bought it back, and later sold it to Overman. Franz sold his store, on Vermilion street, to a man from Milford, who in turn sold to the Owen-Raney firm. J. W. Plaster, of the firm of Plaster Drug Co., started his store, and has been running it continuously since. The Baum drug store started in Marshfield, Indiana, being a branch store from Covington, Indiana. In 1874, a branch store was started at Gibson City and moved to Danville. This drug store was housed in the room on Vermilion street, owned by D. Gregg, for four years and two months, at the end of which time it was moved into the Daniels building, where it remained twelve years. In 1818, Mr. Baum put up the building where he is at present. This is one of the best buildings in eastern Illinois. It is absolutely fire proof, being built entirely of steel and stone.

In December, 1892, Herman Schuckai, Chas. A. Crane, Horace Reed, M. S. Brown, C. H. Little, John A. Griffin, Hiram Woods, C. L. Hawley, Thos. L. Spellman applied for and received a charter for the formation of the Protestant Hospital Association, afterwards changed to Lake View Hospital Association.

They rented a building on East Fairchild street where they cared for patients until the present building was completed and formally dedicated March 12, 1896. The present building has a capacity of 40 beds with a modern operating room and a complete sterilizing plant. They treat 300 to 400 patients a year and number some of the best physicians and surgeons of the city on their staff. The hospital maintains a training school for nurses containing a three-year course of instruction in nursing and the care of patients. The school has 46 graduates who do private nursing and 10 young ladies in training at present.

St. Elizabeth

The St. Elizabeth hospital was established in Danville in 1882, August i. It was housed in a frame building but soon outgrew that. In 1888, it was put into the new building where more conveniences could be had. This was the only hospital in Vermilion County for many years and the good done by the faithful sisters can never be estimated. In 1900, the west wing was added and the efficiency of the hospital was increased. But yet there was not enough room for all the calls made up on the care demanded. In 1904 another addition was made and since that time the hospital has been complete. The building is large airy, and well furnished. It is well lighted, all the rooms being pleasant and so arranged as to make them perfectly sanitary. Every care is taken and there is no better equipped hospital in the country than the St. Elizabeth at Danville. The capacity of this hospital at this time is one hundred and twenty-five patients. The location on the corner of Green and Elizabeth streets is one of advantage. It is away from the noise and confusion of the down town stores and yet is not far away from travelled streets. The trolley runs within a block of the door and the situation is quite favorable. The St. Elizabeth hospital is an institution of which Danville may well be proud and for which the whole county needs be very thankful.