Vernon County, Wisconsin - Chapter 21: The Medical Profession, 1884

Chapter 21: The Medical Profession

The first physician to locate within the limits of the tenitory now constituting Vernon county was Dr. John H. Suddiitii. Ho was a Kentuckian by birlh; but came from Grant Co., Wis., in 1847 or 1848, and located upon a farm in what is now the town of Jefferson. In 1850 he moved to tlie village of Springville, where he remained until just before the breaking out of the war, when lie moved to St. Charles, Minn. He is still in practice at that place, having become very wealthy.

The second physician in the county was Dr. George A. Swain. Some of the early settlers, however, claim that Dr. Swain came full as early as Dr. Sudduth. Dr. Swain came from Ohio and located upon a farm near where Brookville now is in the town of Franklin. There he remained until a few years ago, when he removed to Kansas, where he died in 1883.

Village Op Viroqua

The most prominent physicians who have been located at Viroqua in the past are Drs. Henry G. Weeden, Elisha W. Tinker, J. H. Sohooley and James Rusk. Among those who have studied medicine and really began their professional career here, the most of them, however, attending and graduating from some medical college, are the following named: Drs. W. W. Rusk, now deceased; Cass Purdy, now of Iowa; VV. B. Morley, now of NealsviUe, Wis.; Albert Cory, of Chaseburg; J. B. Trowbridge, now of Minnesota; Frank Johnson of Brownsdale, Minn.; and Dr. Chase.

Dr. Henry G. Weeden was the first physician to locate at Viroqua. Dr. Weeden was born in the town of Washington, Orleans Co., Vt., on the 29th of October, 18 ii. He was educated at Burlington, in his native State, and came to Viroqua in 1852. He remained here until 1866, when he removed to Montana, where he died on the 26th of August, 1871. His family still live in Montana. Dr. Weeden was one of the sufferers by the terrible tornado of 1865. One of his children was killed, he was severely injured and his buildings were destroyed. Dr. Weeden was a man of education, both generally and professionally. He improved the farm adjacent to Viroqua, now occupied by Nathan Coe.

Dr. Elisha W. Tinker was the second physician to locate at Viroqua. He came here from Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1854, and at once began practice. He remained until May, 188.3, when he removed to the State of Missouri, where he still lives and follows his profession. He was a good physician and an excellent man.

Dr. J. H. Schooley came from Ohio in 1855, and locat'ed with his family at Viroqua. He was not a graduate of any medical school, but was a man of "good, sound sense and had had some experience" in the profession. He was about fifty years of age. He remained iiere for a number of years and then removed to Missouri.

Dr. James Rusk came to Viroqua in 1857. He was a son of Daniel Rusk, Sr., one of the early settlers of Perry Co., Ohio, where James was born Sept. 14, 1815. When he was about thirteen years of age his father removed to Morgan county, where until early manhood James remained; and there, while aiding in carving out a home for his parents, he laid the foundation of those principles of uprightness and integrity which characterized him in after life. His education was such as patient, unaided individual effort gives those who honestly yearn for knowledge. He began life as a teacher, but after some months thus spent he entered the office of Dr. Lyman Little, of Deavertown, witli whom be remained until he completed the then required course. In 1838 he began the practice of medicine at Nelsonville, Ohio. During this year he was married to Anna M. Little, daughter of Dr. James Little, of Roseville. In 1839 he removed to Morgan county, and until 1855 continued practice in that county. In the meantime, 1849, he graduated at the Sterling Medical College, of Columbus. In 1855 ho removed to McConnelsville, Ohio, and remained there until coming to Viroqua in 1857. Here he remained until the time of his death, April 15, 1872, aged fifty-six years. He was an esteemed and respected citizen. His widow still resides in Viroqua. Their eight children, five of whom are still living, were as follows - Sarah J., now wife of N. Mc- Kie, of Viroqua; Elizabeth, died when eighteen years of age; Hettie M., now wife of M. C. Nichols of Viroqua: Albert married Clar.i Chase, and now lives upon a farm near Viroqua; Dr. W. W. died March 29, 1882; Susan J., now Mrs. Edson Leavitt, living near Bangor; and David L., of Viroqua.

Dr. Wm. A. Gott came to Vernon county in the spring of 1857, and located at Readstown. He was born at Albany, N. Y., in 1830, where he was brought up. He began the study of medicine in 1849; attended two courses of lectures at the Albany Medical College, and graduated at the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, in 1852. After his graduation he was surgeon in the Albany City Hospital, for three years. He came to this county, as stated, in the spring of 1857. In 1862 he entered the army as assistant surgeon of the 25th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was promoted surgeon, in wliich capacity he served during the last year of the war. He located at Viroqua, in September, 1865. Dr. Gott is a thoroughly educated physician, and by his long and successful practice as a physician and surgeon, has secured an enviable reputation in his profession. The doctor has been twice married; his first wife was Marion S. Gill, born at Strykersville, Wyoming Co., N. Y. She died in the spring of 1880. His present wife was Mrs. Lydia R. ( Ruggles) Peck. She was for many years a teacher in the High School, at Chippewa Falls, in this State. The doctor has two daughters by his first marriage - Florence and Helen.

Dr. Henry A. Chase located at Viroqua in the spring of 1868. He was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in 1844. He removed, when a boy, with his father, S. A. Chase, to Fond 'du Lac, Wis., where the father still resides. Dr. CHiase commenced the study of medicine in 1860, and ill 1862 entered the service of the United States as a surgeon's steward, in the Navy. In 1863, when less than twenty years of age, he re-entered the service as hospital steward in the 38th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was severely wounded in front of Petersburg, in June, 1864, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered. He graduated from Rush Medical College, of Chicago, in the class of 1868, and soon after located in Viroqua Dr. Chase is an excellent physician and an esteemed citizen. Politically, he is an ardent republican, and was chosen to represent the second assembly district, in the State Legislature, during the session of 1871 and 1872. Dr. Chase was united in marriage to

Dr. J. B. Richards located at Viroqua, July 26, 1879. He was born in Bristol, Maine, in 18.32, and at the age of seventeen went to Boston, Mass., and was employed as a druggist clerk. He also devoted his spare time to the study of medicine, and finally attended four courses of lectures at Harvard Medical College, of Boston. He began the practice, of medicine in 1856, and in 18.58 located at La Crosse, Wis., where he practiced his profession and was engaged in the drug trade for twenty years. Dr. Richard's long e.vperience as a pharmacist, and skill as a physician, have won for liim a substantial practice, and his upright character and social attainments during his residence in Viroqua have gained for him a host of friends. Dr. Richards m.arried Ellen E. Washburn, of O.xi'ord, Maine. They have been blessed with four children - J. W., a druggist of Minto, Grand Forks Co., Dak.; J. B., Jr., an attorneyat-law at Frederick, Brown Co., Dak; Jessie, an only daughter, and Frank, at home.

Dr. H. J. Suttle, homeopathic physician, located at Viroqua on the 5th of May, 1883. He was the first physician of his school to locate here. He was born at Hazel Green, Grant Co., Wis., in 1852. He began the study of medicine at Lancaster, in 1878, with Dr. S. E. Ilussell, and graduated at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in the class of 1883, coming here soon afterward.

Town Of Vieoqua

Dr. J. L. Walloe, a Norwegian physician, located upon a farm about four miles north of the village of Viroqua at an early day ami engaged in the practice of medicine. He was a good physician and secured a very large practice, remaining until the time of his death in 1881.

in the past are: Dr. Leonard, J. I. Hamilton, J. R. Dundlett, Dr. Worthy and D. B. Newman. In 1883 the medical profession was represented by Drs. F. R. Pinch and A. C. Morris, in the village of Hillsborough, and Dr. R. Shear, in the northern part of the town.

Dr. Aaron Winslow came from Maine in 1848 and located near Warren, 111. In 1856 he came north and settled upon a farm south of the village, where he resumed his practice of medicine. In 1870 he moved into the village and remained until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1883. Soon after moving into the village Dr. Winslow engaged in the drug trade, and later his son became associated with him. The business is still carried on under the name of A. Winslow &Son. Dr. Winslow was a graduate of the Bowdoin Medical College, Maine. He had been engaged in practice prior to coming west, and had been physician on a line of sailing vessels for a number of years. He was an excellent practitioner.

Dr. Leonard, an allopathist, came from Wonewoc, Juneau Co., Wis., just before the war and settled in the village of Hillsborough. He remained for a few years, then left, and has since turned up at Wonewoc, where he still lives. He was a good doctor.

Dr. J. I. Hamilton was raised here, his t)arents being among the very first settlers in the town. He went upon the road as agent for a Dr. Dodge, learned the business and then started out for himself. He never settled here for steady practice. The most of his business was obtained abroad, and he made money at it. He is now located at Vanville, near Augusta, Eau Claire Co., Wis.

Dr. J. R. Rundlett located in the village of Hillsborough in 1872, shortly after graduating from Rush Medical College, Chicago. He remained until 1880, when he went to Augusta, Eau Clair county, where he still lives. He was a good physician and had a very fair practice while here.

Dr. Worthy came here from Iroutown, Wis., in \8'i5. lie remained about six months and then returned to his former home. He was a graduate of Rush Medical College, and when sober was a good physician.

Dr. D. B. Newman was raised in the town of i Forest, Vernon county, where his parents were among the first settlers. He graduated at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, and then located at Kendall, Wis., remaining for a year or two, when, in 1876, he located in the village of Hillsborough. He remained until ] 880, when he went to Cumberland, Barron Co., Wis., where he still lives. He was a good physician, and a man who was respected and esteemed by all.

The first physician to locate here was Dr. Amos Carpenter, now of Seelyburg. Others were Drs. Hamilton and Lewis. The only physician located here in 188-3 was Dr. J. M. Poff.

Town Of Webster

The first regular physician to locate at De- Soto was Dr. G. S. Sperry, who came here from St. Paul in the summer of 1856. He was an excellent physician. He died in 1873. Others who were regular physicians, were Drs. G. W. Brooks, F. Worth, Dr. Dunlap and Dr. Huntington. Among those who have borne the title of

" doctor," although not educated physicians, were Dr.E. B. Houghton, the original proprietor of the village of De Soto, who removed from here to LaCrosse, and thence to St. Louis, where he died ; and Dr. .James Osgood, who came in- 1854, and assisted in laying out the village.

Victory Town Of Sterling

S. A. Mellen, M. D., came to Vernon county in 1871. He lived for one year on section 14, of township 11 north, of range 6 west, and in 1872 bought the place that he now oceHi)ies at Retreat. He has built up a large practice, his drives extending into Crawford county. He was born at Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1839. When he was eight years of age, his father emigrated to Wisconsin, and became a pioneer of Sheboygan county. He bought government land, improved a farm, and still makes that his home. In early life, Mr. Mellen attended school at the Lawrence University, Appieton, Wis., and in 1863, entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he prosecuted his studies until the fall of 1864. He then went to Hingham, Sheboygan Co., Wis., and commenced practice. He received a diploma from the Sheboygan County Medical Society, and remained in Uinghani until 1871, when he came to Vernon county. Dr. Mellen was married July 7, 1863, to S. Adelia Lombard, a native of Otsego Co., N. Y. They are the parents of two children - Hattie A. and Willie A. Since Dr. Mellen located in Sterling township, his excellent repu- , tation as a skilled physician has gained for him an extensive patronage, and by his gentlemanly behavior and kind manners has won a host of warm friends.

Newton

Dr. William Webster was the first physician to settle in the town of Harmony. He came from Waupon, Wis., in 1858, and remained here until the time of his death a few years ago.

The first physician to locate at Chaseburg was Dr. W. W. Rusk, who died March 29, 1882. In 1833 the medical profession was represented at this point by Dr. Albert Cory.

Albert Cory, the only physician in the town of Hamburg, was born at Janesville, Wis., in 1855. The following year his parents removed to the town of Kickapoo, in this county, where the doctor was i-eared. He spent four years attending school in Pennsylvania, and then returned to Viroqua, where he studied medicine with Dr. Chase. In 1880 he entered Rush Medical College, at Chicago, 111., from which he graduated Feb. 25, 1882. He then located at Batavia, where he built up a large and lucrative practice ; but under the urgent solicitation of his former preceptor. Dr. Chase, he came to Chaseburg, and the success he has attained is proof that his move was in the right direction. The doctor is a very pleasant gentleman and well esteemed as a citizen and neighbor. On Christmas day of the centennial

Genoa

The first physician to locate at Genoa was Dr. Bugaizy, an Italian, who came here from Galena, 111., in 1856. He secured a good practice among his people and remained for about four years, when it is thought he went back to his former home in Galena.

Dr. C. M. Poff, eclectic physician at Readstown, Kickapoo township. Wis., was born March 21, 1840, in Jay Co., Ind., being a son of J. J. and Eliza J. (Miller) Poll, natives of Ohio. His father was a physician and an early settler of Jay county. When Dr. Poff was five years of age his parents moved to Howard Co., Ind., where he commenced the study of medicine with his father. On June 8, 1861, he enlisted in company E, K^th Indiana Volunteers, and went south. He was severely wounded at the battle of Rich Mountain, West Va., on July 11, 1861, and as soon as able went home on furlough. In August, 1862, he was discharged on account of disability. In 1865, by advice of his physician, he came west in search of health, first settling in Richland Co., Wis., where he bought a tract of land and built a house, and finished the study of medicine. In 1867 he came to Readstown and opened an oflice for the practice of medicine. He has been very successful, his practice extending into Richland and Crawford counties. Dr. Poff assisted in the organization of the first eclectic medical society in the State of Wisconsin, in 1875. He is also a prominent member of the Christian Church, and an ordained minister of that denomination. Dr. Poff was married April 25, 1863, to Rachel C. Armstrong, born at Dnpont, Jefferson Co., Ind. Six children blessed this union, three of whom are livng - Rosella Belle, Ada Florence and Lillian May. Rosella Belle, the oldest daughter,

H. P. Miller, the leading physician of the eastern part of Vernon county, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1840. He resided there till fifteen years of age, and then accompanied his parents to Vernon Co., Wis. He was in attendance at the Viroqua High School and the Allamakee College, of Allamakee, Iowa, and then commenced the study of medicine. He had for his preceptors Drs. Tinker, of Viroqua, and Taylor, of Lansing, Iowa, and at the expiration of a three years' study, went to Chicago, III. He there entered Rush Medical College, and attended that famous medical institution during the winter of 1865-6. Shortly after graduation, he returned to Vernon county, and commenced the practice of his profession in the village of Ontario. Since locating there five other physicians have opened offices, but the tireless energy and determination of our subject, and his growing popularity among all classes of people, forced them to retire from the field, leaving Dr. Miller in complete possession. The doctor has also prospered in a worldly point of view, and now owns a residence and two village lots, and 135 acres of land on section 10. He was united in marriage, in 1866, to Hattie, daughter of Stephen and Cynthia Cotterell. Dr. and Mrs. Miller have five children living - Howard C, Bessie P., Mary H., Bertha Orpha and Harvey C. One son, Lester D., died in 1872.