Renville County, Minnesota - Chapter 30: Physicians and Surgeons, 1916

Chapter 30: Physicians and Surgeons

His Ethics and Ideals - The Pioneer Physician - His Devotion and Courage - Men Who Have Practiced in Renville County - Present Physicians - Camp Release District Medical Society - Prepared with the Assistance of F. L. Puffer, M. D.

In an age when, in the combat of man against man, heroes are worshiped 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 devotion 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, Jenner, 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 Socrates to Mills. Society laurels the soldier and the philosopher, and practically ignores the physician except in the hour when it needs him to minister to its physical ills. 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 anyone. Saint and sinner, white, black, rich and poor, are equal and alike when they cross the sacred portals of the temple of iEsculapius." No other secular profession has ever reached such a consciousness of duties which it corporately owes to the rest of the world. What are the principles which a profession, more profuse in its disinterested charities than any other profession in the world, has established for its guidance?

It was about 2,300 years ago that the practitioners of the art of healing began to take an oath, emphasizing the responsibilities which the nobility and holiness of the art imposed upon them. Hippocrates, forever to be revered, gave the oath his name. "When a Greek physician took the Hippocratic oath, and a graduate of the modern medical school takes it, the act is one not only of obligation for himself, but of recognition of a great benefactor of mankind. The Hippocratic oath assumes that when a man has learned the art of restoring the sick to health he has passed into a realm in which the rules of personal selfishness are immediately abridged, if not expunged; and he is received in a system of principles and rules governing all licensed physicians, and enforced and respected by high-minded and cultured gentlemen - a standard of professional honor so sacred and inviolate that no graduate or regular practitioner will ever presume or dare to violate it.

Robert Louis Stevenson, seeing the life of the medical man only 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 profession of medicine is surpassed by no sister science in the magnificence of its gifts. 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 meanest of trades. The true physician will make his profession no trade, but will he accurate in diagnosis and painstaking in prescribing. He will allow no prejudice nor theory to interfere with the relief of human suffering and the saving of human life ; and will lay under contribution every source of information, be it humble or exalted, that can be made useful in the cure of disease. He will be kind to the poor, sympathetic with the sick, ethical toward medical colleagues, and courteous toward all men.

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

There is a tremendous developing and educating power in medical work. The medical man is almost the only member of 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 lie finds a new remedy 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 physician 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 pecun- iary reward. The physician is a host in himself, a natural leader among his fellow-men, 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 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 iu Renville 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, and the ambitions of his companions, and he, with them, was controlled by the forces which determine the common destiny. The chief concern of himself and companions was materially engaged with the serious problem of existence. The struggle to survive was, at its best, a competition with nature. Hard winters, 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 he had to contend with. Long and dreary rides, by day and 'night, in summer's heat and winter's cold, through snow, and mud and rain, was his common 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 his conveyance; and in some cases traveled as many as two hundred thousand miles in the same.

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 hors< - 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."

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 shielding of the innocent; the guarding of secrets; the numberless self-abnegations that cannot be tabulated, and are soon forgotten, like the roses of yesterday." Wealth did not flow into the old practitioner's coffers; in fact, he needed no coffers. He was a poor collector, and with all his efforts he obtained but little, and never what was his due. As an offset to the generally acknowledged abilities of the old doctor in every other line of his work, it must also be admitted that he was greatly deficient in business tact, often content with the sentiment of apparent appreciation of services rendered to his patrons, of lives saved, of sufferings assuaged, and of health restored, he was too easily satisfied with the reflection that he had a very noble profession, but a very poor trade.

Though poor in purse, he was rich in heart, in head, and in public esteem. He made at least a very measurable success of life, if success consists in being of some small use to the community or country in which one lives: if it consists in having an intelligent, sympathetic outlook for human needs ; if it is success to love one's work; if it is success to have friends and be a friend, then the old doctor has made a success of life.

He was a lonely worker, and relied largely on his own unaided observation for his knowledge. Isolated by conditions of his life, he 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 Tor work, willingness to lie 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 hard-working man. beloved and revered by all. He was discreet and silent, and held his counsel when he entered the sick-room. In every family he was indispensable, important, 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 lie a revelation to the young physician of today: but he can never know the admiration and love in which the old doctor was held. "How like an angel light was his coming in the stormy midnight to the lonely cabin miles away from the nearest neigh- bor. Earnest, cheery, confident, his presence lightened the burden, took away the responsibility, dispelled the gloom. The old doctor, with his two-wheeled gig and saddlebags, his setons, crude herbs, and venesections, resourceful, brave and true ; busy, blunt and honest loyally doing his best - who was physician surgeon, obstetrician, oculist, aurist, guide, philosopher and friend - is sleeping under the sod of the pioneer region he loved so well."

Several of the pioneer farmers of Renville county had received more or less medical education and practice to a certain extent among their neighbors. Before the massacre the early settlers had the advantage of medical service from the Upper and Lower Agencies from Ft. Ridgely and from New Ulm. After the massacre, many of the settlers continued to avail themselves of the services of the surgeon of Ft. Ridgely and of the physicians at New Ulm.

Two of the old-time physicians of Renville county did not live in this county, but across the river in Redwood Falls, from which place they attended a large practice in Renville county.

R. L. Hitchcock came to Redwood Falls in 1865 and started practice. He was a gifted public speaker and was often called on to address audiences at Beaver Falls on various subjects.

W. D. Flinn also came to Redwood Falls at an early date, and practiced extensively in Renville county. Both of these pioneer physicians lived to a good old age.

Dr. T. H. Sherwin practiced in Beaver Falls for some years, and was probably the first practitioner to be regularly located here. He was not, however, a regular physician, and had no medical education except what he had picked up as a hospital steward during the Civil war in 1861-65.

Two of the early and prominent farmer-physicians of Renville county were Dr. H. Schoregge, who came to Henryville in 1870; and Dr. C. S. Knapp, who came to Cairo in 1871.

Dr. Willis Clay, Dr. Wesley Smalley and Dr. F. L. Puffer had many thrilling experiences as pioneer physicians in Renville county. One incident told by Dr. Puffer illustrates some of the hardships they had to endure in their work of relieving the distressed.

On the evening of Friday, Oct. 15, 1880, Dr. Puffer was called to give medical attention in a farm house seventeen miles from his home. He hitched up, and after a long ride over the dismal prairies reached his destination. When he arose in the morning he found that all travel was completely blocked by a great storm, nearly two feet of snow falling between Friday evening and Saturday night. He was thus snowbound at the home of his patient and it was a week before he could get back home. Traffic was blocked on the H. & D. for over five days. In February and March, 1881, the railroad was blockaded for forty days. The doctors found it impossible to get their horses through the snow, and often they walked long distances to visit their patients. Dr. Puffer sometimes trudged through the snow mid drifts for eight or ten miles to attend to cases, and Dr. Clay and Dr. Smalley did the same.

What a picture of devotion to duty is brought before the mind as we see the solitary figure making its way across the bleak prairie. Snow lies everywhere, often there is no track of any kind, sometimes the thermometer is below zero, yet we see the self-sacrificing doctor keeping on his way. his little case in his hand, suffering the greatest of bodily and mental discomforts himself in order that illness might be alleviated, anguish soothed and lives saved.

Present Physicians. The present physicians of Renville county are as follows: Sacred Heart, F. L. Hammerstrand ; Renville, Ed. M. Clay, J. H. Preisinger. and L. T. Francis; Danube, W. C. Dieterich: Olivia, A. A. Passer and G. F. Mesker; Bird Island, F. L. Puffer and R. C. Adams: Hector, H. L. D'Arms and H. U. McKibben; Buffalo Lake, C. K. Gaines; Fairfax, G. H. Walker and William P. Lee : Franklin, H. B. Cole : Morton, F. W. Penhall.

Bird Island. Frank L. Puffer, M. D., practitioner and a man of affairs, now a leading citizen of Bird Island, was born in Rensselaer Falls, St. Lawrence county, New York, April 29, 1852, son of La Fayette W. and Rosamond B. (Rice) Puffer. The father, who was a New York farmer, was born at Rensselaer Falls, New York, Nov. 13, 1825, was married Dec. 24, 1846, and died there April lf>, 1902. The mother was born in Rensselaer Falls, July 12, 1825, and now lives in Adams, New York. After attaining the usual preparatory education in the public schools of this neighborhood, Frank L. Puffer entered the St. Lawrence University at Canton, N. Y., leaving there in 1872. Then from 1873 to 1875 he attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In 1876 he entered the Medical College of Columbia University, New York city, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D. March 1, 1877. His first practice was at Taylor Falls, Chisago county, this state. In 1878 he came to Renville county and located at Beaver Falls. Since 1881 he has been in practice in Bird Island. He is a skilled practitioner, and is the family physician of hundreds of families for miles around, some of whom

F. L. Puffer, M.D. Iiistoky Ok Uknyiu.K County 729

Island, which he assisted to organize as a private bank in 1899 and which was incorporated as a state hank in 1908, he being its only president up to the present time, lie helped to organize twenty years. For five years he was village recorder. Prater nally, he is associated with Bird Island Lodge No. 144, A. F. & A. M., Bird Island Chapter No. 40 Order of Eastern Star, the Bird Island Commercial Club and the .Minneapolis Athletic Club.

I>r. Puffer was married April 29, 1ST!), to Anna L. Ellison, who was horn Jan. 1, 1853, in Marine. III., and died April f>, 1911, in Bird Island, leaving two children, Florence E., horn April 9, 1880, and Howard A., horn April 7, 1884. Her parents were .lohn Ellison, who was horn in Dong Island. N. Y., and died in 1N90 at the age of seventy-six, and Elizabeth (Danford) Ellison, who was horn in Illinois, and died in 1893 at the age of seventy-eight. Feb. 27, 1913, Dr. Puffer married Ida .lulson, who was horn in Winfield township, Renville county.

1901. Ih' practiced in Bird Island two years and then moved to Excelsior, Minn., next removing to Enumclaw, Wash., where he is st ill pract icing.

Carrol Clinton Carpenter r< ived a certificate from the Medical Examining Board June in, 1897. lie located in Bird Island in L898 or 99 and remained about three years, next going to Dwight, IN., for a year or two. Then he returned to Bird Island

T. H. Murray, formerly of Bird Island, who recently died, practiced his profession at Bird Island for a number of years. He left Bird Island about nine years ago ami lived in Iowa until his ileal h.

Ralph C. Adams, one of the rising physicians of Renville County, was horn in Plica, Pennsylvania, in 1879. lie attended the common schools and the McKlwain Institute until 1898. In

1902 he graduated from the Westminster College at New Wilmington, Perm., with the degree of B, S. In 1906 he graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, Penn. Then lie spent six months as an interne in the ( 'h ihlrens ' Hospital, in Philadelphia, and about four months as assistant to Dr. McClel land at Utica, Penn. Since April If), 1907, lie has I n in active

George W. Nichols graduated from the Vermont Academy of Medicine, Vermont, in 1861, received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board, Dec. 31, 1883, and presented his certificate for record April 14, 1890. He remained in Beaver Falls for about three years.

Jennie M. Miller (.Mrs. S. H.i received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board Nov. 28, 1883, and offered it for record Dee. 121, 1883. Previous to this she had been practicing as an obstetrician and when the law was passed requiring an examination of physicians she secured a license under the exemption clause of the law. She remained in Beaver Falls for a few years, and then went to Washington, D. <_'.. where she became a worker in one of the government departments.

Albert G. Stoddard graduated from the Rush Medical College, Illinois, in 18S2, received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board Nov. 14, 1883, and presented his certificate for record Dec, 15, 1883. In 1892 he moved to Franklin, next going to Fairfax and then removed to Idaho, where he is still practicing.

J. W. Barnard conducted a drug store in Beaver Kails prior to 1877. He and his wife, Jennie S. Bernard graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan, in 1878, and that fall took up the practice of medicine in Beaver Falls. In lsso they located in Bird Island. Two years later they moved to Motley, .Minn. After three or four years there they moved to Oregon where they still reside.

S. J. Nortlmip practiced in Buffalo Lake about three years. He was run over by the ears in the railroad yard in the fall of 1903, and died the next morning. He is buried at Hutchinson, Minn.

Ernest Z. Vanous practiced here for about a year after his graduation from the University of Minnesota in .1897. He was reared at Glencoe, and is now a physician in Minneapolis.

W. A. A. Barns practiced in Buffalo hake a short time aboul 1897. He was not considered a good physician and is understood to have experienced considerable trouble after leaving here.

Frank M. Archibald was located in Buffalo Lake a few weeks. coming from Gibbon in March, 1895. Then he located in Atwater, from which place he continued to practice to some extent in the northeastern part of Renville county. He was a large, jovial man,

Danube. William C. Dieterich, M. D., was born at St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 25, 1871. He received his education in St. Louis and graduated from the Homoepathic Medical College of that place, March, 1895. He practiced in St. Louis until 1898 when he moved to Minneapolis, where he remained until 1912, coming to Danube at that time. He was married January 1, 1912, to Nellie Converse of Minneapolis.

Fairfax. The first physician in Fairfax is but dimly remembered and but little is known about him. His name is said to have been Joy and by others to have been Joyce.

C. S. Knapp was born in 1826, in Connecticut, and when twelve years old moved with his parents to the state of New York. He was given an academical education and then followed the drug business four years. Began the study of medicine at the age of eighteen, and in 1851 graduated from the Syracuse Medical College ; practiced in that city five years and then continued in the work of his profession in Columbia county, Wisconsin, until 1871, at which time he came to Cairo. He engaged in farming and in the practice of his profession. In 1883 he opened a drug store in Fairfax. Married in 1848, Miss E. M. Imson; the children are W. E., Frank S., B. A., Ida May and William H.

Franklin. Herman B. Cole, M. D., a well-known physician of Franklin, was born at Buffalo, New York, Sept. 6, 1872. Ilis father. Nelson W. Cole, is a retired farmer and at the age of seventy-seven is living with his son Herman. His mother, Josephine (Blackmar) Cole died in 1897 at the age of fifty-four. Dr. Cole attended school at Hamburg, N. Y., and graduated from the High school there in 1890. Having decided to study medicine he entered the University of Buffalo, and graduated from the Medical Department in 1896. In 1910 and 1912 he attended the Post Graduate Medical School at New York City. He was interne in the Erie County Alms Honse Hospital at Buffalo for one and one-half years and another year and a half was spent at Hamburg, New York. Feb. 1, 1898, he located at Franklin, where he still resides. Dr. Cole is greatly interested in affairs pertaining to bis work and is a member of several medical societies, belonging to the Camp Release District Medical Society, the Minnesota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is a specialist in diseases of the eye. He has been recognized as an efficient worker in village affairs, has been mayor for two years and is at present a member of the village council. He is also the health officer for the village of Franklin and for Palmyra township. He has taken a part in the educational advancement of the village ami is president of the school board. Dec. 8, 1896, Dr. Cole was united in marriage to Ella M. McCue of Buffalo, New York. Her father, James McCue, is a well-known real estate man and horseman. Her mother was Margaret ( deary) McCue. Dr. a in I .Mrs. Cole have been blessed with five children: Josephine Virginia, born Sept. 15, 1900; Donald Francis, born Jan. 9, 1902, and died Jan. 20, 1906; Burgess Luke, born June 8. 1901; John Cordon, born August 28. 1907: and Margaret Audrey, born July 6. 1914.

Hector. Harry Lee D'Arms, M. D., was born in Stillwater, Minn., May 14, 1868, son of John and Mary (Wheeler) D'Arms. He attended the public schools of his locality and graduated from the Stillwater High school. Then he entered the University of Michigan and during 1888-90 was a student in the medical department. In 1891 he entered the medical department of the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1892. He became an interne in the City hospital at Minneapolis, remaining for one year, and I lien went to the Iron Range where he followed his profession tor five years at McKinley and Eveleth. For three years he was president of the council at Eveleth. In 1896 he came to Hector, opened an office, and has since continued in practice here. From 1910 to 1912 he was county coroner. Fraternally he is a thirtysecond degree mason, and a member of the M. B. A. and M. W. A. of Hector. I)i'. D'Arms was married Sept. 27, 1893, to Maude 0. Brearley of Minneapolis.

Harry E. McKibben, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Hector, was born in Douglas county, Minn., Oct. 24, 1880, son of Joseph ami Louisa (Butler) McKibbin, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Indiana. The parents were married in Douglas county where they engaged in farming until the spring of 1881 when they moved to Day county, South Dakota. They were successful ami representative people and there followed farming until the spring of 1903 when they retired and moved to Webster, South Dakota, where they now reside. They have the following children: Harry E., of Hector, Minn.; Guy, who now operates the farm in Day county. South Dakota; Addie, now wife of Emil F. Peterson, a miller of Webster, South Dakota; Ray, who is studying engineering at the University of Minnesota; and Lloyd, a student at the Webster (South Dakota) High sehool. Harry E. McKibben attended district school in Day county and entered the Webster High sehool where he graduated in 1900. He then attended the College of .Medicine and Surgery of the University of Minnesota from which he graduated June 17, 1904. June 29, 1904, he came to Hector, where on July 7, he opened an office and engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery. He has been very successful, has built up a good practice both in the city and the surrounding country, and specializes in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. In 1910 he took a postgraduate course in general practice at the Chicago Postgraduate School and during the summers of 1911 and 1912 he took postgraduate courses in the Eye, Ear and Throat College at Chicago. Dr. McKibben owns a sightly residence in Hector and is a member of the Commercial Club and of the Automobile Club. He has served on the board of health and is the surgeon of the C. M. & St. P. Railway Co. at Hector. Fraternally he is associated with the Hector Lodge 158, A. F. & A. M. He is a stockholder in the Hector Farmers Elevator and in the Hector Telephone Exchange. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. McKibben was married June 18 1907, to Ella F. Lunder.

Wesley Smalley, native of Vermont, was born in 1849. At the age of eighteen he moved to Massachusetts, and one year after went to Kansas; attended Normal school, then taught for a time, before commencing the study of medicine ; gradudated from the medical department of the Iowa State University, and began practice at Nemaha, Kansas ; from there he came to Hector in 1881. His influence on educational life in Hector was especially strong. After living in Hector a while he went away. Later he returned and practiced many years before removing to Seattle, Wash., where he died some two years ago.

Henryville. Henry Schoregge was born April is, 1816. lb' attended school at different places in Germany, his native land, and after graduating, devoted some time to the study of medicine. Upon coming to this country he practiced four months in New York city, and then in Boston until 1870, when he located on his farm in Henryville, where he farmed and practiced medicine. He was also justice of the peace and postmaster. Dr. Schoregge married, November 26, 1846, Johanna Laidner; and had eleven children.

Morton. Fletcher W. Penhall, M. D., was born in Brooklyn, Ontario, Canada, July 24, 1862. He graduated from the Port Perry (Ontario) High school in 1885; the Trinity Medical College, Toronto, Canada, in 1889; and the Bellevue Hospital Medical College. New York City, in 1891. He has been in practice in Morton since

May, 1891. He is surgeon for the M. & St. L. Ry., and a member of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ontario, the American Medical Association, the Minnesota State Medical Association and the Camp Release Medical Society.

Reuben D. Zimbeck graduated from the Rush Medical College, 111., in 1885, received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board Sept. 16, 1886, and presented his certificate for record Sept. 17, 1886. He located in Morton in August, 1886, and in April, 1890, moved to Montevideo, this state, where he is still in active practice. He was preceded at Morton by Dr. Prather and succeeded by Dr. Penhall.

Olivia. George H. Mesker, M. D., a resident physician of Olivia, Minnesota, was born in Kelso township, Sibley county, Minnesota, July 10. 1873, son of Herman and Wilhelmina (Buesing) Mesker, natives respectively of Hanover and Baden, Germany. Herman Mesker was brought to America by his parents as an infant. Wilhelmina Buesing came with her parents at the age of eighteen. Both families located in Ohio where the young people grew to manhood and womanhood and married. In 185S they came to Minnesota, driving through Iowa to Sibley county by team and located a piece of wild land where they built a log cabin and lived the rest of their days. Herman Mesker died at the age of seventy-eight and his wife at the age of forty-seven. They had nine children. George H. being the youngest. He attended the district school and the Henderson High school. Then he taught school in his home township a year. In 1896 he graduated from the College of Medicine and Surgery. University of Minnesota. After a year spent as a hospital interne, he came to Oliva in 1897, opened an office, and has since continued in practice.

Dr. Mesker has held office ,-is a council member, is mi the school board and is ;i member of the Olivia Lodge No. 220, A. F. & A. AI. lie was united in marriage to Ella Dressel, born in St. Paul, daughter nf early pioneers of the stair who came from Germany. Two children, Douglas and Clifford, have been born to Dr. and Airs. Mesker.

Adolph Augustus Passer, A. B., M. D., physician and surgeon of Olivia, was born in Luverne, Minnesota, Jan. 3, 1880, son of Ludwig and Pauline (Boehlke) Passer, Minnesota pioneers, the father who now resides at Waseca, this state, having been a clergyman in the German Evangelical Church for some fifty years. Dr. Passer graduated from the Waseca High school, and then took the four-year course in the Academic Department of the University of Minnesota, receiving his degree in 1902. Then for five years he was principal of the High school at Virginia, this state, and then engaged as a druggist at St. Cloud for a year. In 1908 he began the study of medicine at the University of Min- nesota, completing his course in 1912. While attending medical school he served as assistant surgeon of the Soldiers' Home Hospital at Minneapolis for a year and was for a similar period interne in the St. Thomas Hospital. He is a member of the Phi Beta Pi, the medical fraternity After graduation he spent a year as an interne at the Minneapolis City Hospital, and in April, 1913, came to Olivia, where he is now engaged in general practice. He has taken his part in the life of Olivia, is a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank, a member of the Rod and Gun club, and of tlie Commercial club. Fraternally his affiliation is with the A. F. & A. M. Dr. Passer has been county coroner since 1913, and has served for some years as a member of the Olivia village Board of Health. He is also second lieutenant of Company H, Third Regiment. M. N. G. His professional connections are many. He belongs to the Camp Release Medical Society, the Minnesota State Medical Association and the American Medical Association, and is local examiner for tin- N. Y. Mutual Life Insuranee Co.; the Northwest Mutual, of Milwaukee; Fidelity Mutual: Equitable Life Insurance Society; Minnesota Mutual Life; Dakota Life Insurance Co.; the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. He is a member of the staff of the West Side General Hospital of St. Paul. In politics he is a Republican, and his faith is that of the German Evangelical church. Dr. Passer was married May 15, 1913. in Minneapolis, to Irene Morek, daughter of James ami ('aniline (Locke) Morek.

James B. Ferguson, I'm- some forty years a Medical Officer in the United States, ami for some time a physician at Olivia, first came to Minnesota in 1870. when he reached St. Paid on his way to Ft. Totten, North Dakota. In all he spent some twenty years in the Department of Dakota. Nov. 30. 1S91. he resigned from the arm}-, and after considering a number of places decided upon Olivia as the scene of his future activities. He reached Olivia, Dec. 25. 1891, and while looking about for a home, boarded at the old Merchants Hotel, at that time kept by Mr. and Mrs. John Miller. Si\ Dr. Ferguson located in Olivia because he had confidence in the people who were interested in its welfare and growth and because at that time there was a need of a physician, none being then located here. The country around was an excellent farming area, the village had good railroad facilities, and even at that time it seemed the logical place for the county seat. Dr. Ferguson at once won the esteem of the people and established a good practice. He took part in the county seat fight and was an able assistant to such county-seat fighters as Peter W. Heins, Hans Gronnerud, P. II. Kirwan, Thad. P. Mclntyre ami others. The doctor found, however, that after so many years of army service the life of a village physician wras too strenuous, so on June 4, 189S, in response to a telegram from the Surgeon Gen- eral, United States Army, Washington, D. C, asking him to reenter the service, he accepted, and was assigned to Ft. Yellowstone, Wyoming. In April, 1911, he retired, and with his wife, who in the meantime had continued to live in Olivia, moved to St. Paul, where he now lives.

F. C. Miller was born on a farm near Northfield, this state, worked as a druggist, attended a school of pharmacy at Portland, Oregon, graduated from the medical department of Hamline University with honors, and started practice in Olivia in October, 1899.

Charles Weinsma graduated from the University of Utrecht, Holland, in 18712, received a certificate from the Medical Examing Board, Sept, IS, 1884, and presented his certificate for record Dec. 18, 1890. He practiced at Olivia some two to five years.

Rock Phelps Miller received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board Oct. 13, 1896, and offered it for record Nov. 9, 1899. He remained in Sacred Heart a short time but is out of practice now.

Edward T. Congngham graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Minneapolis. Minn., in 1886, received a certieate from the Medical Examining Board June 3, 1886, and presented his certificate for record April 13, 1887. He practiced in Olivia for about six months in 1887.

Edward M. Clay, M. D., physician ami surgeon of Renville, was born in Oronoco, Olmsted county, Minnesota, March -. 1866, son of Mark \V. and Johanna P. (Stoddard) ('lay. Be attended his father To Hutchinson, in this state. It was in 1887 when he came to Renville, then without a paper, ami became editor of the Renville Weekly News, which was established by ( '. L. Lorraine the same week of his arrival, and continued editing it until 1889. In the meantime he had engaged in private study, and upon leaving the newspaper desk, found himself well-qualified to enter the Minneapolis College of Physicians and Surgeons at Minneapolis, from which he graduated in 1893 with the degrees of M. D. and C. M. Having thus realized an ambition of many years, he opened an office in Renville, where he still continues to practice. He has built up a large practice, and is well deserving of the esteem and confidence in which he is held by the people id' the village and surrounding rural districts. Keeping thoroughly abreasl of the latest discoveries in science and medicine, he has perfected his previous study and experience by post-graduate work in several branches. Being thoroughly ethical in the practice of the ideals of his profession he has allied himself with the Camp Release District Medical Association, the Southern Minnesota Medical Association, the Minnesota State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He is medical examiner for eighteen Old Line, so-called, insurance companies, and has been local surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad for some twenty years. Locally the health and sanitation of the community has been benefitted by his valued services as county coroner twelve years, county physician four years, and village health officer for several years. Dr. Clay is past worshipful master of Renville Lodge, No. 193, A. F. & A. M., and in 1904 he served as deputy grand master, Minnesota Grand Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen and other orders. Too busy with his work to mingle actively in political life, he nevertheless has consented to serve for two years as alderman of Renville from the second ward, and his sane and conservative judgment was thoroughly appreciated by his constituents. Dr. Clay was married October 14, 1893, to Belle C. Benson, daughter of David and Carrie (Knutson) Benson, of Renville. This union has been blessed with two children. Florence J. was born May 20, 1906. An unnamed infant is deceased,

Mark W. Clay, one of Minnesota's sturdy territorial pioneers, was a native of the Granite State, having been born of New England ancestry in the state of New Hampshire. In the early fifties, when so many of the scions of the early settlers on the Atlantic slope were striking westward to take their part in the subduing of the Northwestern wilderness, Mark M. Clay joined the vanguard, and the year 1853 found him located in (Iron Olmsted county. He engaged for many years in the mercantile business in Oronoco in that county. In 1884 he moved to Hutchinson, in this state, where he died at the age of sixty-eight years. At the outbreak of the civil war he organized Company K, Third Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and was elected captain. He was mustered in on November 14, 1861, and retired December 1, 1862. Mark W. Clay was married in 1857 to Johanna P. Stoddard, a native of Massachusetts, who came to Minnesota with her estimable parents in 1853. She died at Oronoco. in Olmsted county, this state, in 1884, at the age of fifty-three. Later in life Mr. Clay married Emma Brundage. By his first marriage he was the father of seven childen : Ida A., Maggie W., Edward M.. Harvey J., Wellington S., Zelda M., and Charles V. Ida A. is the wife of William H. Hoffman, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, a contractor. They have four children: Mark (deceased). Merle, Claude and Charles. Maggie W. is the wife of .John W. West, a harness manufacturer of Browntown, Minnesota, and thev have three children: Earl. Kuth and Donald. Edward M. is a physician at Renville. He married Belle C. Benson, and they have one child, Florence J. Wellington S. lives in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He married Effie Powell, and they have five children: .fames, Josephine, Mark, Elizabeth and Warren. Harry J. lives at Hutchinson. He married Maud Sofford and has one son, Arthur ('lay. Zelda M. is the wife of Frank Chase, of San Francisco, and they have one daughter, Margaret. Charles F. is proprietor of Sacred Heart Hotel at Sacred Heart. He married Byrdina Lambert, and they have tour children: Marshall, Marcia, Virginia and Lambert.

Joseph W. Preisinger, M. D., was born Dec. 22, 1874, in Nicholette county, Minn., son of Wolfgang and Juliana (Gerl) Preisinger. On completing the work of the country school he entered the New Ulm High school, from which he graduated in 1900. He then entered the School of Medicine of the University of Minn., receiving his diploma in 1904. He began practicing in Renville, where he still remains, having a large practice. He is a democrat in politics, and for two terms was health officer of Renville. He is a member of the Catholic church and of the Catholic Foresters and Knights of Columbus. Dr. Preisinger was married Oct, 12, 1911, to Ella Wigdahl, born Aug. 22, 1890, in Westby, Vernon county, Wisconsin, her parents being Peter and Mary Wigdahl. They have one child, Myrtle, born Dec. 3, 1912.

Wolfgang Preisinger was born in 1828 and died at New Ulm, Minn., in 1898. He came to America with his parents in 1861 and settled near New Ulm, where he engaged in farming. In 1862 tie enlisted in the Second Battery, Light Artillery, Minnesota Volunteers, and saw service in Kentucky and Tennessee under General Rosecrans. During the year of his enlistment he received -word at Frankfort, Ky., of the Indian outbreak at his home and asked for leave of absence to go home and look after his folks. He was refused and a few days later deserted, but before reaching home was taken prisoner by the Confederates. He escaped and went home, instead of returning to his regiment. On his arrival lie found that the country had been laid waste. After spending two weeks in hunting for his folks he found them all safe at Mankato and St. Peter. Returning to the farm they rebuilt their houses and barns and in the fall of 1862 Mr. Preisinger went to Wisconsin and enlisted iii the Thirty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry under an assumed name. He was with Grant before Vicksburg and Richmond. He was mustered out at the close of the war. Returning home he married and took up a homestead near New Ulm where lie lived until 1897 when he sold his farm and moved to New Ulm. Six children were born to him as the result of his marriage in 1868: Mary, now Mrs. A. J. Fisher, of Brown Co.. Minn.; Annie, the wife of

Frank Bartl, of Stirum, North Dakota ; Frances, widow of George Dauseheck, of New Ulm; Joseph, of Renville; Sophia, who resides with her mother; Theresa, who died in 1887.

Peter Wigdahl was born in Wisconsin in 1859 and his wife was bom in the same state in 1861. They had fifteen children, thirteen of whom are living: Carl, George, Mabel, Nordahl, Ella, Jeanette, Edward, John, Myrtle. Hazel, Esther, Lloyd, and Emerson. Two died in infancy. Mr. Wigdalil is a farmer and for several years lias lived on his farm in Crooks township, Renville county.

Allison W. Lumley received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board Oct. 5, 1894, and offered it for record, Oct. 1, 1895. In about 1912 he left for Ellsworth, Wisconsin.

L. T. Francis has practiced in Renville since Nov. 23, 1909. He studied medicine in the Bennett Medical College, of Chicago, in 1881-82, and then became associated with Dr. L. Pratt, of Wheaton 111., who proved a most excellent preceptor. It was through his influence that the young student adhered to the Homeopathic school of practice. In the spring of 1884, Dr. Francis took his degree from the Chicago Homeopatic Medical College. Then he practiced with his preceptor for another year, subsequently going to College Springs, Iowa, where he remained for a year and a half. He then found himself compelled to come north on account of the malaria. Sept. 2, 1886, he located in Wasioja, Minn., where he practiced for some seventeen years, moving from there to Hammond, Minn., from which town he came to Renville for the purpose of placing his three sons in the Renville High school, from which institution all three have since graduated. In the winter of 1889-90, Dr. Francis took a post-graduate course in the Chicago Polyclinic College. Since that time he has not confined his practice to the Homeopathic school but uses those remedies which he believes for the highest interest of his patients.

John R. Peterson received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board June 10, 1897, and offered it for record August 2. 1897. He then located at Renville. In 1900 he went to Madison, Minn., and left there for Willmar in 1904 or 05. In about 1910 he moved to Minneapolis where he is still practicing.

Willis Clay was born in 1854, in Chicago, 111. About four year later he went with his widowed mother to New York but one year after removed to Minnesota. Dr. Clay attended the high school at Plainview and began the study of medicine there in 1877, with Dr. J. P. Waste. Two years after, he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, and after graduating from there in 1880 was in practice in Renville. Dr. Clay taught school while studying medicine. In 1900 Dr. Clay moved from Renville to Iowa, where he remained about two years and then moved to Waterville, Minn., where he operates a drug store and practices medicine.

Richard Randall practiced in Renville in the early days. He was educated in the college at Keokuk, Iowa, and came to Renville from Le Sueur county, this state. He afterwards returned to Le Sueur county and died there.

F. L. Hammerstrand was born on a farm in the vicinity of East Lunn, III., Oct. 11, 1881. He received his early education in the grammar school in the country and then worked on his father's farm until fourteen years of age. Next he attended the Augustana College, at Rock Island, 111., taking up a business course and for the next three years was bookkeeper with the Northern Milling Company of Chicago, 111. In 1903 he again entered the collegiate department of Augustana College with the intention of preparing for the medical course. In 1905 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Medical Department of the University of Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1909. He then served as interne for two years at the Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, 111. In the fall of 1911 he located at Sacred Heart, where he has since practiced medicine.

Otis O. Benson received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board April 11, 1902, and offered it for record August 4, 1906. Dr. Benson is now in Tower, Minn., engaged in the government service. He practiced at Hector before going to Sacred Heart.

William H. Welch graduated from the Medical Department, University of Vermont in 1880, received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board Dec. 31, 1883, and presented his certificate for record -Ian. 2, 1889.

Miscellaneous. .John Edmund Doran received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board June 16, 1898, and offered it for record duly 10, 1902.

Lauritz Fop graduated from the Eclectric Bennett Medical College, Illinois, in 1872, received a certificate from the Medical Examining Board Dee. 28. 1883, and presented his certificate for record Jan. 10, 1884.

The Camp Release District Medical Society comprises the following counties: Renville, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine, and Sibley. Regular meetings are held every third Thursday in January, April, July and October. The president is Dr. E. M. Clay, of Renville. Minn.; the secretary is Dr. H. Kern of Granite Falls. The members are: R. C. Adams, Bird Island; F. H. Aldrich, Belview; R. S. Bacon, Montevideo; W. M. Beck, Clarkfield ; L. N. Bergh, Montevideo ; F. W. Burns, Montevideo , M. A. Burns, Milan; M. E. Bushey, Arlington; H. B. Cole. Franklin; F. J. Cressy, Granite Falls; J. A. Duclos, Henderson; H. Duncan, Marietta ; James B. Ferguson, St. Paul : Thos. E. Minn, Redwood Falls; Ward Z. Flower, Gibbon: H. W. Gammell. Madison; E. O. Giere, Watertown, S. D. ; F. L. Hammerstrand. Sacred Heart ; M. M. Hauge, Clarkfield : J. W. Helland, Maynard ; L. J. Holmberg. Canby ; A. E. Johnson, Watertown, S. D. ; Carl M. Johnson. Montevideo; H. M. Johnson, Dawson; D. N. Jones. Minneapolis; C. W. Kanne. Arlington; J. S. Kilbride, Watertown. S. D. ; F. Koren, Watertown, S. D. ; L. Lima, Montevideo : M. H. Marken, Boyd; G. H. Mesker, Olivia; N. A. Nelson, Dawson, A. A. Passer, Olivia ; G. R. Pease, Redwood Falls ; F. W. Penhall, Morton ; T. Peterson, Gaylord ; F. L. Puffer, Bird Island ; J. P. Schneider, Minneapolis; A. A. Stemsrud, Dawson; G. E. Strout, Winthrop; G. H. Walker, Fairfax; R. D. Zimbeek, Montevideo.

The Tubercular Sanatorium. September 10, 1913, a request was made by the Minnesota State Sanatorium Board to have the county of Renville in connection with adjoining counties build a sanatorium for tubercular patients. After considering the proposition some time it was decided to employ a traveling nurse in the county for six months. The board directed the county auditor to transfer $8,905.35 from the county revenue fund to the joint sanatorium fund and to forward the amount of $8,905.35 to the stale treasurer to the credit of the state of said sanatorium fund. Oct. 14. 1913, Dr. Robertson Bosworth of the Minnesota Advisory Sanatorium Commission appeared before the county hoards of Renville and Redwood and presented the matter of erecting a tuberculosis sanatorium jointly by the two counties. Besides the board members the following were also present: Dr. E. M. Clay, Dr. F. W. Penhall, Dr. H. B. Cole, Dr. H. L. D'Arms and other individuals. The Renville county board decided to appropriate the sum of $5,000 for a tuberculosis sanatorium provided that Chippewa and Yellow Medicine counties would also join with them with a similar appropriation for a joint sanatorium of at least three counties

The results may be seen in the following article from the Granite Falls "Tribune." "A year from now there will be located a mile east of this city a tuberculosis sanatorium that will rank second to not one in the state; a place where the counties of Lac qui Parle, Chippewa and Yellow Medicine may have their people who are afflicted with this dread disease treated in a manner that will effect, if possible, a cure.

"On Tuesday, Aug. 24, 1915, the bids were let for the construction and finish of the buildings that will comprise this sanitarium. In letting the bids the Board of Control acted largely upon the advice of the committee composed of D. A. McLarty and Ole Flaten, of this city, and Dr. Smith, of Montevideo, who have had the preparatory work in charge. The lowest bidder for the general construction work was the firm of C. Ash & Son, of St. Paul, the bid being $37,500. The highest bid was $52,000. The plumbing contract was awarded to the Worthingham Company, of Minneapolis, for the sum of $3,7S1. The heating contract was awarded to the Healy Company, of St. Paul, the consideration being $8,399. The electric wiring and fixtures will in all probability be let to the Twin City Electrical Company, for $1,380, that bid being the lowest. The General Concrete Construction Company will build the mammoth chimney for the power house, for which it will receive $895.

"There will be three buildings upon the grounds, for besides the main building and power house, the former Jannusch house will be rebuilt for the use of the nurses.

"It is thought that this sanatorium will be able to take .arc of the tuberculars of the four counties. Admission to the sanitarium will be gained through the Commissioners of the applicant's county. As we understand it, if the patient is able to pay, a moderate charge will be asked ; if not able to pay, the state and county will bear the expense, the state's limit being $6 a week for each patient."

The care and governorship of the building will rest with the general committee of nine appointed from the four counties. Situated as this sanitarium is on the bank of the Minnesota river the place can be made very beautiful and attractive, and in being such can aid those who seek health through it.

The River Side Sanatorium will be completed early in 1916 at a cost of some .+65,000. It is located in Chippewa county across the river from Granite Palls. The president of the board is 1). A. McLarty of Granite Falls, and the secretary is 0. P. Platen of the same place. The board is constituted as follows: Chippewa county, 0. P. Platen, Granite Falls; Dr. L. G. Smith, Montevideo; Fred Bakke, Granite Palls; Yellow Medicine, D. A. McLarty, Granite Falls; Dr. W. M. Stratton, Granite Falls: Lac qui Parle county. Dr. M. II. Marken, Boyd: J. R. Swan, Madison; Renville county, Timothy O'Connor, Renville; Darwin S. Hall, Olivia. Dr. Stratton is dead and his place has been filled by K. E. Neste, of Granite Falls. Mrs. Sara W. Dunton has been appointed superintendent.