Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 18: Physicians and Surgeons, 1911

In an age when, in the combat of man against man, heroes are worshipped according to the number they slay in battle, it is inspiring and elevating to be permitted to pay tribute to the men who won glory in fighting disease and through whose devo¬ tion and skill thousands of useful lives have been saved and been made happy.

For every man slain by Caesar, Napoleon and Grant in all their bloody campaigns, Jenners, Pasteur and Lister have saved alive a thousand. The first anaesthetic has done more for the real happiness of mankind than all the philosophers from Soc¬ rates to Mills. Society laurels the soldier and the philosopher and practically ignores the physician. Few remember his labors, for what Sir Thomas Browne said three hundred years ago is surely true: "The iniquity of oblivion blindly scattereth her poppy and deals with the memory of men without distinction to merit to perpetuity."

Medicine is the most cosmopolitan of the three great "learned" professions. Medicine never built a prison or lit a fagot, never incited men to battle or crucified any one. Saint and sinner, white and black, rich and poor, are equal and alike when they cross the sacred portals of the temple of Aesculapius. No other secular profession has ever reached such a consciousness of duties which it corporately owes to the rest of the world. AYhat are the principles which a profession, more profuse in its dis¬ interested charities than any other profession in the world has established for its guidance?

It was about 2,300 years that the practicers of the art of heal¬ ing began to take an oath emphasizing the responsibilities which the nobility and holiness of the art imposed upon them. Hip¬ pocrates, forever to be revered, gave the oath his name.

Robert Louis Stevenson, seeing the life of the medical man onlv from without, was not far wrong when he spoke of the modern scientific medical man as probably the noblest figure of the age. The noble and exalted character of the ancient pro¬ fession of medicine is surpassed by no sister science in the mag¬ nificence of its gift. Reflecting upon its purity, beneficence and grandeur it must be accorded to be the noblest of professions. Though the noblest of professions it is the newest of trades. Unless the physician will live a life of purity, of virtue, of honor and of honesty, he should seek a livelihood elsewhere, and "insult not the gods by striving through base methods and ignoble ambi¬ tions in resembling them."

The true physician will make his profession no trade, but will administer his duties with the love of man in his heart and the glory of God in his soul, his aim will be: to be accurate in diag¬ nosis and painstaking in prescribing, to allow no prejudice nor theory to interfere with the relief of human suffering and the saving of human life ; to lay under contribution every source of information, be it humble or exalted, that can be made useful in the cure of disease; to be kind to the poor, sympathetic with the sick, ethical toward medical colleagues and courteous toward all men; to regard his calling as that of one anointed to holy office, firmly convinced that no nobler work can be given to man and to go forth to his labor with love for humanity, inspired with a reverent assurance that for this cause came he into the world.

The reward of such a man, says Prof. T. Gaillard Thomas, "conies from the hand of no emperor; his glory from the appre¬ ciation of no applauding multitude ; his renown from the pen of no fulsome historian. For him the victor's crown comes from the hand of the immortal God. He that has done the greatest good for his fellow man, lias, in the doing of it, won the greatest reward in earth's possession, even though no mortal man know of the deed but him!"

The true physician is he who has a proper conception and estimation of the real character of his profession; whose intel¬ lectual and moral fitness give weight, standing and character in the consideration and estimation of society and the public at large. 1 1 is privileges and powers for good or for evil are great; in fact no other profession, calling or vocation in this life occupies such a delicate relation to the human family.

the community who does not make money out of his important discoveries. It is a point of honor with him to allow the whole world to profit by his researches when he finds a new remedv for disease. The greatest and best medical and surgical discoveries and inventions have been free gifts to suffering humanity the moment their value was demonstrated. The reward of the phy¬ sician is in the benefit which the sick and helpless receive, and in the gratitude, which should not be stinted, of the community at large. Medical men are not angels ; they are in fact very human creatures with hard work to do, and often many mouths to feed ; but there is a strain of benevolence in all their work. From the beginning they are taught a doctrine of helpfulness to others, and are made to think that their life work should not be one in which every service must receive its pecuniary reward. The physician is a host in himself, a natural leader among his -fellowmen, a center of influence for the most practical good, an efficient helper in times of direst need, a trusted and honest citizen. What more can any prophet ask than honor in his own country and a daily welcome among his own friends !

It does not take long for the waves of oblivion to close over those who have taken a most prominent and active part in the affairs of the day. The life of the pioneer doctor is no exception to this law, for as Dr. John Browne tells us, "It is the lot of the successful medical practitioner to be invaluable when alive, and to be forgotten soon after he is dead, and this is not altogether or chiefly from any special ingratitude or injustice on the part of mankind, but from the very nature of the case.'' However, the pioneer physician still lives in the memory of many of us, though he is now more rare as an individual than in the years gone by, and is gradually passing out of existence. The history, written and unwritten, of the pioneer physician of Freeborn county, as elsewhere, presents him to view as working out the destiny of the wilderness, hand in hand with the other forces of civilization for the common good. He was an integral part of the primitive social fabric. As such he shared the manners, the customs, the aims, and the ambitions of his companions, and he, with them, was controlled by the forces which determine the common state and the common destiny. The chief concern of himself and companions were materially engaged with the serious problem of existence. The struggle to survive was, at its best, a competition with nature. Hard winters and poor roads were the chief impediments. Only rough outlines remain of the heroic and adventurous side of the pioneer physician's long, active and honored life. The imagination cannot, unaided by the facts, picture the primitive conditions with which he had to contend. Long and dreary rides, by day and night, in summer's heat and winter's cold, through snow, and mud, and rain, was his com¬ mon lot. He trusted himself to the mercy of the elements, crossed unbridged streams, made his way through uncut forests, and traveled the roadless wilderness. He spent one-fifth of his life in

Dr. Oliver 'Wendell Holmes has graphically described the old doctor's daily routine: "Half a dollar a visit - drive, drive, drive, all day; get up in the night and harness your own horse - drive again ten miles in a snowstorm ; shake powders out of a vial - drive back again, if you don't happen to be stuck in a drift ; no home, no peace, no continuous meals, no unbroken sleep, no Sunday, no holiday, no social intercourse, but eternal jog, jog, jog in a sulky. "

He always responded to the call of the poor, and gave freely his services to those who could not pay without hardship. Who can narrate the past events in the life of such a man? His deeds were "written upon the tablets of loving and grateful hearts, and the hearts are now dust. The long and exhausting rides through storm, or mud or snow; the exposure to contagions; the patient vigils by the bedside of pain; the kindly deeds of charity; the reassuring messages to the despondent; the shield¬ ing of the innocent : the guarding of secrets ; the numberless selfabnegations that cannot be tabulated, and are soon forgotten, like the roses of yesterday."

He was a lonely worker, and relied largely on his own unaided observation for his knowledge. Isolated by conditions of his life, lie did not know the educating influences of society work. He was a busy man, with little leisure for the indulgence of literary or other tastes. He possessed, however, what no books or laboratories can furnish, and that is: a capacity for work, willingness to be helpful, broad sympathies, honesty, and a great deal of common sense. His greatest fame was the fealty of a few friends; his recompense a final peace at life's twilight hour. He was a hardworking man, beloved and revered by all. lie was discreet and silent, and held his counsel when he entered the sick-room. In every family he was indispensable, impor¬ tant, and oftentimes a dignified personage. He was the adviser of the family in matters not always purely medical. As time passed, the circle of his friends enlarged, his brain expanded, and his heart steadily grew mellower. Could all the pleasant, touching, heroic incidents be told in connection with the old doctor it would be a revelation to the young physician of today ; but he can never know the admiration and love in which the old doctor w as held. How like an angel light was his coming in the stormy midnight to the lonely cabin miles away from the nearest neighbor. Earnest, cheery, confident, his presence light¬ ened the burden, took away the responsibility, dispelled the gloom.

The first resident physician in Freeborn county was Dr. A. C. Wedge, who arrived in Albert Lea, May 10, 1857, and opened an office at once. Previous to this, Dr. Orlenzer Allen, who settled in Austin in April, 1856, had cared lor a few patients in this county. Dr. Franklin Blackmer came to Albert Lea township in 1857, and during the war, when Dr. Wedge was absent in the South, practiced medicine to some extent, although he had prac¬ tically retired from medical life before coming here. In 1857, Dr. A. M. Burnham practiced a short time, but soon ceased. Some years later he again practiced in the county for a while. Mrs. E. C. Stacy practiced in Geneva, before moving to Albert Lea, and during the war her services as a physician were greatly in demand. These were the first to practice medicine in Free¬ born county.

There have at various times been medical associations in Freeborn county, from a very early day. These associations, however, were for the most part strictly local affairs - gatherings of men drawn together was the bonds of common interests and common work. It was not until 1903 that the present medical society was born.

The Albert Lea District Medical Association was organized October 20, 1898. Dr. A. C. Wedge was named as temporary chairman and H. H. Wilcox temporary secretary. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: President, Dr. A. C. Wedge, Albert Lea; first vice-president, Dr. W. H. Jones, Forest City; second vice-president, Dr. J. Watson, Alden; secretary, Dr. H. H. Wilcox, Albert Lea ; treasurer, Dr. Thos. M. Stixrud, Northwood. The physicians present at the meeting were : W. H. Jones, P. H. Vesterborg, Forest City; A. C. Wedge, G. W. Barck, G. A. Stevenson, H. Nissen, F. A. Blackmer, G. G. Beisheim, W. E. Todd, J. P. von Berg, G. H. Briggs, H. H. Wilcox, Albert Lea; L. C. Cowles, John Watson, Alden; L. G, Hewitt, Thos. M. Stix¬ rud, Northwood; W. S. Wood, Geneva; N. C. Thimsen, Emmons; W. L. Palmer, Glenville.

The Freeborn County Medical Society was organized January 2, 1903, and a year later absorbed the Albert Lea District Medical Association. This new society was organized in accordance with the provisions . made by the ethical physicians of the United States for the organization of a national, state and local societies, all of which, were to be related to each other.

At the organization of the Medical Society in 1903, Dr. A. C. Wedge was elected president. He served until May, 1907, when by his own request he was retired, being succeeded by Dr. G. W. Barck, who in 1909 was succeeded by Dr. J. P. von Berg, who is still serving. Dr. H. H. Wilcox, the first secretary, was succeeded in 1904 by G. A. Stevenson. Dr. O. A. Burton served as secretary pro-tern. during Dr. Stevenson's term, and was himself elected in 1905. He served until 1907, and was followed by Dr. O. E. Rodli, who in 1911 was succeeded by Robert G. Stevenson. Dr. W. L. Palmer, the first vice-president is still serving. There was an interval, however, from 1908 to 1911, when Dr. J. P. Freeman held the position. Dr. J. P. von Berg, the first treasurer, was succeeded in 1909 by Dr. J. R. Nannestad.

In addition to these there have been boards of censors, com¬ mittees, delegates to conventions and the like, elected and appointed by the society.

Those who have been admitted to the Medical Society are as follows: A. C. Wedge, II. H. Wilcox, J. P. von Berg, Henrik Nissen, G. W. Barck, G. A. Stevenson, AA . E. Todd, A\ . L. Palmer, J. P. Freeman, Robert Williams, Oscar A. Burton, T. F. MeKev, O. E. Rodli, Mary E. Hood, J. R. Nannestad, W. A. Bessessen, F. A. Blackmer, Byron A. Kamp, F. Gramenz, John Christiansen, Robert G. Stevenson, David Gordon, A. Y. Garlock, F. AY. Cal¬ houn, John AY. Kurz, and AAA W. Johnston. Nearly all are still members.

The physicians of Freeborn county at the present time are as follows: Albert Lea - A. C. AAYdge (retired), G. W. Barck, AAA A. Bessessen, T. F. AIcKey. F. AY. Calhoun, David Gordon, Oscar A. Burton, F. Gramenz, Alary E. Hood, J. R. Nannestad, AY. L. Palmer, O. E. Rodli, Robert G. Stevenson, AAA E. Todd, J. P. von Berg and P. H. AIuus. Alden - Byron A. Kamp, G. A. Steven¬ son and James Christiansen. Emmons - J. A. Schultz. Glenville - J. P. Freeman. Hartland - A. Y. Garlock. Geneva - AY. AY. Johnston. AI. L. Head, formerly a physician at Hartland. has retired and is now engaged in stock farming.