Sawyers, John Lavelle

SAWYERS, DRAKE, GREENLEAF, DOWNS, LETTS, BAKER

Posted By: Rebecca Calman (email)
Date: 12/3/2018 at 10:05:26

Centerville Journal
Thursday, August 13, 1914

DEATH OF DR. J. L. SAWYERS
Was One of Centerville's Most Prominent and Useful Citizens and one of Iowa's Best Surgeons

Notwithstanding the fact that the community knew that Dr. J. L. Sawyers had gone to Chicago some three weeks ago, where he was taken to the Augustana Hospital and placed under the care of Dr. Oschner. one ot Chicago's most noted surgeons, the reports coming from his bedside were of such a reassuring nature that when the news of his death came by telegram Monday, it came in the nature of a shock to many people in the community. At the bedside when death overtook the distinguished Centerville surgeon, who In his career with the consummate skill with which he had wielded the surgeons knife had seemed to battle back death from scores of bedsides, where his wife and his daughter Miss Hygene and his son Lazell, who together with Dr. and Mrs. Clyde Sawyers accompanied the remains to Centerville, arriving here yesterday morning.

Dr. Sawyers was one of Centerville's foremost citizens, a position which was accorded him without question, not only by reason of the splendid, professional ability with which he had been endowed but for the qualities of leadership he developed along the lines which make for the betterment of a community.

Dr. Sawyers was born in Unionvllle, Iowa on July 18, 18S6. He was the oldest child of Dr. Sylvester and Mary F. Sawyers.
His earlier education was obtained In the local schools of Unionvllle and under a private tutor, with which groundwork he began the study of medicine In his fathers office at the age of eighteen. Following his course of study in the office of his father, he first attended Chicago Medical  College and. later. Interned the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville. After graduation at the latter school at which he received the prize for surgery and a gold medal for general proficiency In all' branches of medicine, he returned to his home at Unionvllle and took up the practice with his father, later returning to the Chicago Medical College from which Institution he graduated In 1878. During his .attendance at the Chicago Medical College he had been appointed as one of the physicians at the Cook County Hospital where he remained for a period of twenty-two months. In 1879 he returned to Unionvllle and again practiced his profession at that place in conjunction with his father for about a year, leaving in1880 for a two years stay in Europe, a longer stay being Interrupted by the serious Illness of his father, who however recovered at that time, the two continuing to practice together until 1883, when Dr. J. L. Sawyers removed to Centerville, with the growth and. development ot which city he has been Identified until his death last Monday. It was In Centerville that Dr. Sawyers rapidly arose to a position of prominence In the medical and surgical professions, his fame as a surgeon being of a considerably more than a local nature. But despite his reputation as a surgeon It was a citizen that the people of Centerville knew him best, and it Is the citizen that is mourned.

Dr. Sawyers was united In marriage In 1883 to Miss Jennie Drake, the daughter of General Francis M. Drake a veteran officer of the civil war and one of the pioneer railroad builders of Iowa, who afterwards become its Governor, To this union three children were born two of whom with their mother was at the bedside of their father when he passed away. The other daughter Mrs. W. G. Baker of Baltimore was, when last heard from in London, with her husband, where they with other Americans are probably detained by European war conditions.
Besides his wife and children Dr. Sawyers is survived by eight sisters and brothers, they being Mrs. M, L. Greenleaf of this city, D. S. H. Sawyers of Eldon, Mrs. G. M. Barnett of Centerville, Dr. ; C. E. Sawyers of Centerville, Rev. Mott R. Sawyers of Cincinnati, Ohio,. Mrs. A. W. Downs of Ottumwa, Mrs. C. P. Letts of Alnsworth and Dr. F. L. Sawyers of Bethany, Mo.

Dr. Sawyers was a member of various Medical societies, the Masonic fraternity and the Christian Church, and It is in the latter organization that his absence will be keenly felt. He was a patron of the  Baraca Class of the Christian. Sunday School and it Is doubtful if any Sunday School class anywhere had a man who took mere Interest in its fortunes than Dr. Sawyers took in the Baraca Class of the Christian Church of Centerville. Only this year did he send two of the class members to a Texas city to a National Convention of the Baracas at his expense.

Dr. Sawyers has been known In the business-circles of Centerville as a man of progressive Ideas and his connection with two of the banks of this city is familiar to all who are In touch with the business side of the community. He was the President of the Centerville National Bank and Interested heavily In the other banks which have relationship with that Institution, among them being the Centerville Trust and Savings Bank. He was until this spring a part owner of the Southern Iowa Traction Company, and It has been said by those who are In a position to know that it was Dr. Sawyers alone who prevented the road from being dismantled, thus saving It to Centerville until such time as it could be made Into a first class transportation line, which was made possible this spring by Its sale to the Centerville Light and Traction Co.

Dr. Sawyers always Interested himself In any movement that made for the progress of Centerville and was a contributor to such enterprises as the Hercules Mfg. Co. the Anderson produce Co, the Gypsum project and many others.

He was a prime mover this spring in the organization of the campaign for the raising of the funds with which to establish the Boys Community work in Centerville, and was well known throughout the state in Y. M. C. A. circles.

Withal, Dr. Sawyer was a man whose loss will be keenly felt In Centerville.

THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

The funeral, services over the remains of Dr. Sawyers will be held at the Christian Church tomorrow, Friday afternoon at 4 :00. The body will lie in state at the church from 2:30 to 4 o'clock which will afford the many friends of the deceased an opportunity to view the remains previous to the services. The service will be conducted by the Rev. P. L. Moffett of Springfield, Mo., a former pastor of the church at this place. He will be assisted by Rev. J. A. McKenzie. The pall bearers will be selected from among the members of the Baracca Class, as will the ushers. The Appanoose County Medical Society will attend the obsequies in a body, meeting at the court house at three fifteen. The banks, other than those with which Dr. Sawyers was connected, will be closed during the time of the funeral and at a meeting the Centerville  association of Commerce, which was held on Tuesday evening. It was the consenous of opinion among those present that the stores would close for the hour of the funeral.

Following the services the remains will be placed in the receiving vault at Oakland Cemetery, where it will await the arrival of Dr. Sawyers’ daughter. Mrs. W. G. Baker who has been In Europe with her husband, and who has been heard from as having-sailed for home,and her arrival in.New York is expected about next Tuesday.

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