Marathon County, Wisconsin - Chapter 27, 1913

Chapter 27

The Medical Profession - Physicians in Practice in igi2 - St. Mary's Hospital - The Profession of Dentistry - Dentists in Practice in 1912 - Mc- Indoe Park - Tlie Public Library - Hotels.

The Medical Profession

The first physician to cure the ills to which human flesh is heir, was Dr. I. E. Thayer, a duly licensed physician and surgeon, who cahie to Wausau in 1850, or even somewhat earlier, and for some time lived in a house on the forty-acre tract which is now the Kickbusch farm north of the fair ground.

He did not reside long on the farm, which at that time, however, was wild and unimproved land altogether. He remained here until the end of the fifties, or somewhat later, and then removed to practice in Berlin and Ripon. Towards the end of the decade between 185060, W. A. Gordon who studied under Doctor Thayer and then graduated from a medical college, came back to Wausau to practice his profession ; but soon sold his drug store and went \\'est. Meanwhile Dr. D. B. W'ylie had come to Wausau to practice and engage in lumbering.

In the decade from i860 to 1870 Doctors Wylie, T. Smith, Harriet Wylie (for women and children more particular), and W. H. Searles were in general practice, besides some others whose stay was but short; in the decade from 1870 to 1880 the above named were all still practicing, but Dr. A. T. Koch, S. G. Higgins, and Win. Wylie had come. In the next ten years Drs. D. Sauerhering, A. J. Rosenberry, A. W. Trevitt, and Dr. Margaret Trevitt, J. E. Garry and L. R. Bugbeen arrive'd and soon afterwards Drs. David La Count, D. T. Jones, and W. C. Dickens.

Wausau was a good field for medical practice, because up until 1890 it sort of monopolized the medical practice in the county, there being no medical practitioners in any of the small villages, except in the village on the "line," and the country practice was as large at least as the city practice.

J. A. Rosenberry quit practice on account of bad health, and died lately, and his brother, H. L. Rosenberry, who took over his practice died at Wau- sail not long afterwards. It is not claimed that the above contains all the names of the practicing physicians, nor that the time of their coming to \Vausau is exactly correct. Many have died, some have removed; of the physicians now in Wausau, the following are the longest in practice here in point of time : A. T. Koch and D. Sauerhering.

Physici.Ans In Practice In I912

Addleman, Irving M., office, No. 8 Livingston Block. Brown, Almon L., office, 315 Third street. Bryant, Jesse R., office, 520 Third street. No. 2. Bugbee, George R., office, 526 Jackson street. Collins, Frank E., office, 606 Third street. No. 8 and 9. Dickens," Willard C, office, 501 Third street. Frawley. Ray M., office, 315 Third street. Friend, Leopold J., office, 512 Third street. Green, William A., office, 530 Third street. No. i. Rickey, Robert E., office, 311 Third street. Jones, David T., office, 506 Third street. Jones, Richard W., office, 301 Third street.

And Represextatr'E Citizens 429' St. Marys Hospital

A good hospital not conducted on mercenary lines, is a blessing to every community. It can be truthfully said that the St. Mary's is such a hospital. Its only aim is to help the sick and afflicted, to give them the best of care and nursing at nominal cost.

It was built with due regard to sanitation from its inception ; it has all the facilities which modern medical and surgical science requires ; its location is the most practical from a sanitary point of view, and its beautiful surroundings cannot help but cheer the heart of the patients and thereby assist recovery. It is located on an elevation on the northeast of the city near the city limits, on what was formerly R. E. Parcher's farm, having towards the east the wooded crest of the hill, and on the west a fine view over the river, the fields and famis on the western hills, and with the large amount of real estate owned by the hospital, it will never be crowded for breathing space.

Every physician and surgeon in good standing has access to the hospital and may treat his patients there, the hospital authorities only supervising the nursing and necessary order. Needless to say that every patient is welcome and that all receive the same care without regard to financial ability or difference in faith or sect.

The Sisters of the Divine Sax'iour who conduct the hospital perform their unremitting toil in obedience to Him who said "whatever ye do unto the humblest or lowest among ye, ye have done unto me" ; to them all patients look alike, who see in them only the sick who need their care, and who must be restored to health, if good attention and nursing and medical or surgical care can accomplish that result.

To be helpful is their only ambition. The reputation of the hospital and the attending physicians has spread far beyond Marathon county, and often patients come from a great distance for admission.

The Profession Of Dentistry

The science of dentistry is a comparatively new one, and can hardly be said to have existed up to the end of the first half of the last century. The remedy for a sore tooth was extraction, which was considered to be within the sphere of the surgeon and his assistants. In large cities on the old continent, where hospitals existed and yet exist, in charge of clerical orders, there was always one or another of the brotherhood who extracted teeth free of charge, the instrument used being generally the "key," so called, an instrument of torture, as all older people will remember on whom it was used. It has gone out of use entirely. Of course there were no dentists here for many years, the settlement antedating the science of dentistry.

A dentist, a Mr. Hoffmann, practicing in Stevens Point, came up here usually three or four times a year, taking a room or rooms in the Forest House for a week at a time to cure dental disorders. When he ceased to make regular trips to Wausau, a dentist from Portage City took up his practice, until J. C. Bennett established himself at Wausau in the year 1878.

Having acquired a good practice, he ga\e himself up to drink, and when in 1880 E. L. Hogle from Stevens Point came to open dental offices, Bennett walked in Hogle's office one day and fired a shot at him from a shotgun, which killed Hogle instantly. On the first trial held in Wausau, Bennett was con\'icted of murder in the first degree, but the verdict was set aside by the supreme court, and on a second trial in La Crosse Bennett was acquitted. The defense in both trials was insanity, delirium tremens. After his acquittal Bennett moved to Pennsylvania and died lately.

Soon after this occurrence Dr. Edward E. Lawrence appeared, soon followed by Doctor Conlin. and Lawrence removed after a practice of three years, leaving Doctor Conlin here as the oldest practicing dentist, and next in point of practice here is Doctor Douglas. The profession is now worthily represented by the following:

Dentists In Practice In I9I2

Anderson, Gilbert C. : office. 220 Third street. Chubbuck, Charles W. : office. 517 Third street. Conlin, Bernh. H. ; office, 508 Third street. Joslin, Frank : office. Livingston Block, No. 2. Kolter, Jacob H. ; office, 520 Third street. Lawrence, William T. ; office, 317 Third street. Lemke, August H. : office. ^ 1 2 First avenue South.

And Representative Citizens 431 Mcindoe Park

\\'hen Walter D. Alclndoe brought his young wife, Catherine H., nee Taylor, from St. Louis in this pinery in 1847 ^"d had built his modest home, he indicated by that act that this place was to be his future home for all time to come, and that he had confidence in the future growth of this place and this part of the state.

There were at that time not more than five or six women here, and they themselves and their husbands considered their abode here as merely temporary. It was different with Mclndoe, whose work in organizing the county and town has been mentioned on other pages in this book. He died on his homestead in July, 1872, which his widow occupied until her death on the I2th day of March, 1901. By her last will she gave a part of the homestead to a niece, and another part to a nephew.

Walter Alexander, who had spent his younger years and until his marriage with his uncle and aunt on the same homestead, from a feeling of love and piety, desiring to erect a memorial for them, reminding future generations of the founder of Wausau, purchased the property from them and dedicated it as a park for public use under the name of ^Mclndoe Park, allowing, however, the erection of the public library building.

In order to bring the park out to Washington street, the corner lot was bought by the library board with money raised by subscription, and was added thereto, which enabled the city to straighten out (which at that point was not a laid out or platted street) Washington street and remove the unsightly omnibus barn which extended across the sidewalk, narrowing the street and shutting out the view to the bridge and to the island, which wonderfully improved the looks of the street. Later the city bought the Lemke wagon shop with the strip of land on which it stood, thus bringing the west line of the land of the park as donated out to Washington street.

Mclndoe Park is a beautiful place right in the center of the city, and small though as it is, for a "park," still is the only public place in the heart thereof, owned by the city. Mclndoe Park is a lasting memento of the origin of this city on that very spot, when for a hundred miles in every direction there was wilderness, and that civilization took its roots on that place.

This gift of Walter Alexander is highly appreciated now and will be more so, as time recedes, and will link his name as the donor together with that of his uncle, W. D. Mclndoe, the pioneer and founder of Wausau.

The Public Library

In the year 1904 and for several years prior thereto, there existed in the city of Wausau a public library, being the books bought in the first instance by the Pine Knot Library Club, originated by some citizens as early as 1871 already referred to herein, and augmented by small private donations in money and books, which since 1897 received also an annual appropriation from the city varying from $600 to $1,750 a year. For over three years it occupied the northwest room on the second floor of the courthouse by the courtesy of the county board of Marathon county, free of rent, then it was removed to the basement of the First National Bank, whence is was taken in the fall of the year 1904 to the store building of A. W. Wiechmann on the corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets, where it remained until April, 1907, when it was established at the present quarters. The condition of the library as an educational and popular institution at that time was not encouraging, and the prospect for immediate improvement was not bright. The rent, salaries, and other running expenses consumed nearly the too meager allowance, leaving but a trifling amount for books, to say nothing of the want of space for the reading public.

Under these circumstances the library board made energetic efforts to obtain the funds for the erection of a building, large enough to meet the estimated demands of the growing population, and durable enough to prevent repairs and alterations for a long time to come.

On July I, 1904, the library board consisted of the following persons: Uouis Marchetti, president; Mrs. D. L. Plumer, vice-president: Mrs. Mary Dickens, secretary; H. G. Flieth, treasurer, and Mrs. Helen Van Vechten, Mrs. Eva Quaw, Mr. E. B. Thayer, Mr. F. W. Genrich, Mr. Joseph Ripczinski, and Mr. Carl Mathie (the last one being a member ex-officio as superintendent of public schools), trustees.

ing his address with his name, being a majority of ah the voters in the city, the city council on the 5th day of July, 1904, adopted an ordinance to accept a gift from Andrew Carnegie for a library building, provided:

The second condition was demanded by the council to prevent the location of the building in a place unduly favoring one part of the city at the expense of another.

It was soon discovered that a desirable site which would meet the approval of the council, could not be acquired for less than $5,000, and probably more, if a site large enough was to be had, and it became necessary to raise at least such a sum by popular subscription, which work was undertaken by a committee of citizens, the president of the library board acting as chairman of the same.

When a sufficient amount had been collected, Mr. Walter Alexander deeded to the city by gift the old Mclndoe homestead, to be known forever as Mclndoe Park, upon condition that the city should beautify the same and forever keep it up as a public park, and that no building ever be erected thereon, except a library building.

This generous act gave at once the very best place to be found in the whole city for a library building, placing it in the very center of the city and also in the center of population.

The city council accepted the gift of Mr. Walter Alexander by proper ordinance, and $5,000 were used to buy additional ground on the corner, and later the city council purchased a strip on the southwest side to square the park for $2,400.

The $5,000 paid for the additional ground had been collected by subscription, so that the city was to no expense in the first place for the grounds.

The ordinance to "accept the gift of Mclndoe Park from Mr. Walter Alexander is dated April 18, 1905, and on the same date the council also accepted the gift of Andrew Carnegie for $25,000 and $4,000 more afterwards, making the whole of A. Carnegie's donation $29,000.

The sum of $8,514.12 was raised by public subscription, all of which was expended in the building, grounds, and furniture, and the cost of the library proper, building, and furniture, is substantially $38,000. which includes the cost of the beautiful approach to the building from Jefferson street.

On the 22d of July, 1905, the library board adopted the plans furnished by architect George W. Maher, notice was given to contractors, and the

The building is as fireproof a building as are usually made. Xo wood or inflammable material is used therein except the doors, windows, and the joice and rafters for the roof. Everything up to the joice under the roof is stone and steel and cement or concrete.

After the contract was let there was a slight change in the personnel of the board : Mrs. Helen Van Vechten and Mr. E. B. Thayer having withdrawn for business reasons, their places were filled by Mrs. C. \\ . Harger and Mr. Charles E. Turner, and Mr. S. B. Tobey took the place made vacant by the resignation of Mr. Carl Mathie as school superintendent.

On the 27th day of September, 1905, the following building committee was appointed with full power and authority, to wit : Mr. H. G. Flieth, Mrs. D. L. Plumer and Mr. C. E. Turner.

At the time of the dedication, the contractors having turned possession of the building over to the board, the president took possession to congratulate them upon the faithful performance of their contract, and of the pleasant relations which had existed between the board and the building committee during the progress of the work.

It was a great day for \\'ausau. which was particularly enjoyed by the youth which thronged the building all day until late -in the evening.

Since that time the library has grown and is what it was intended to be, an aid to education, a place where young people can spend hours in profitable recreation, and in good society.

The council seeing the benefit of a library, has made an appropriation of $3,900 for the year 1913, and there is now sufficient money to add books to the library proper.

The four beautiful light standards to the entrance on each side, which are bronze through and through, are the gift of Mrs. R. E. Parcher and give the building a front view which no other library in this state, outside of Madison and Milwaukee, can rival. It may be a little out of place to guess at the value of a gift which the donor has kept to herself, but it is safe to say that the cost of these standards, considering the valuable metal of which they are made, would be more than S2.000. The fact that the library is patronized by the people, and that the city will in not too far time reap a rich har\-est in a more enlightened citizenship by reason of it. is shown by the report of the librarian for the year ending June 30. 1912. which was:

The board was fortunate in securing Miss Grace Stevens as Hbrarian, who now for nearly three years has had charge of the same, helping young people to proper books, helping the school pupils in their researches, and accommodating the reading public in every way. Miss Gertrude Pierce is assistant librarian and has been connected with the library since it was opened in the present building, and with Miss Sarah O'Brien, the second assistant, the library is in competent hands, ready to render assistance when and wherever it is needed.

The value of the building and ground is not less than $75,000, including the donation of A. Carnegie, to which the city has only had to contribute the small strip of ground on the southwest corner on which was situated the old wagon shop of August Lemke.

The president of the library board, Mr. C. E. Turner, is entitled to much commendation for his meritorious efforts to raise the library to a high standard so as to make it of assistance for the poor as well as the wealthy youth in search of means to broaden their minds.

A large number of hotels can take care of hundreds of visitors besides their regular guests, and more in case of necessity. First among the hotels in size and comfort is the opposite the courthouse, is a brick building, three stories high, and covers an area of 80x220 feet. The first floor contains office, lobby, annex, and dining room. The second and third floors have 120 guest rooms besides parlors and ante rooms. In the basement are baths, barbershop, billiard rooms, and sample rooms. This hotel in size and accommodation of the traveling public is the leading hotel in central and northern Wisconsin.

George F. Bellis, founder of this hotel, came to Wausau in 1873, ^nd from a small restaurant in which he first engaged, his business so increased that he soon opened a hotel on Third street between Washington and Jackson streets. Later still he built the Hotel Bellis. in the year 1881, which has since been increased to its immense proportions. It is a corporation owned bv his heirs, with Mark Bellis and P. L. Goerling as managers.

The Central House

on the northeast corner of Main and Scott streets is the next largest hotel in size and accommodations. It was built in 1904, is a solid three-story brick building, and has forty-nine guest rooms on the second and third floors, the first floor having an office, sample room, and annex. This large and fine hotel is owned and conducted by Anderes Brothers.

The Northern Hotel

is owned by Anton Dern, one of the still living pioneers of Wausau. It was built in 1883 and is a solid brick building three stories high with dining room, office, sample room and annex on first floor and thirty-eight guest rooms on the second and third floors. The proprietor enjoys a well earned rest, having retired from business, which is conducted by George Forcey and Walter Dern.

Sheron House, 1201 Third. Gustav C. Fritsch, proprietor and manager. Washington Hotel, 313-17 Washington. Edw. Heimann, proprietor and manager.