James H Noyes M D

NOYES

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/15/2010 at 13:16:59

The life record of Dr James H Noyes spans seventy-nine years and it is hoped by his many friends that it will continue for many years to come, for he is one of Boone county's most valued and respected citizens. For half century he engaed in the practice of medicine, from which at the present time he has practically retired. However, he is president of the Ogden State Bank and is a stockholder in other busiens enterprises. There is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and moraly as the years go by and gives out of its rich store of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such is the record of Dr Noyes of Ogden. A native of Massachuseetts, he was born in Gardner, July 20, 1835, and is a son of Henry J and Jane L (Gates) Noyes, also natives of Massachusetts. The father was a chair manufacturer in that state and there passed away in 1872, his wife surviving him until 1879.
Dr Noyes pursured his early educaiton in the pubic schools of his natie city and afterward entered Appleton Academy at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, where he remained three and one half years.He next became a student of Burr Seminary in Vermont, where he pursued a short course. Later he took up the study of medicine, to which he devoted four years, completing his medical course at Columbia College, New York, where he was graduated with the class of 1860. He then began practice at Nashua, New Hampshire, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war, when on May 6, 1861, he joind the Sixth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, of which he was commissioned assistant surgeon.He went to Washington and was attached to the Army of the Potomac, serving under Generals Burnside, McClellan and Grant. He was advance to the position of surgeon of the Sixth New Hampshire, with which he was on acitve duty until after the close of hostilities, or for about five years. He as in practically all of the engagements in which his command participated, including the first and second battles of Bull Run, Roanoke Island, Camden, North Carolina, Vicksburg, Mississippi, the siege of Petersburg and others, being present at the time of the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox.
It was in December 1865, that Dr Noyes came to Iowa settling first in Cedar county, where he engaged in practice unitl 1867. He then came to Ogden, Boone county, where he practiced for many yeras, devoting a half century of his life to his chosen calling before he retired forom professional activity. He was the first physician to arrive in Ogden and is the oldest living practioner in his part of the state. On the establishment of the Eleanor Moore Hospital in Boone he became one of the trustees and has so continued to the present time. While in active practice he always kept in touch with the advanced thought of the day, reading broadly, thinking deeply and utilizing his knowledge in a splendid effort to alleviate human suffering and restore health. That his efforts were attended with a gratifying measure of success is indicated in the large practice which was always accorded him to the time of his retiremet. He is a member of the Boone County Medical Society, of which he has served as president, has also been president of the Boone District Medical Society, comprising several counties, and is a member of hthe Iowa State Medical Society and Te American Medical Association.
In addition to his practice Dr Noyes became interested in business affaris of Ogden and is now president of the Ogden State Bank, which was reorganized from a private bank into a state intstitution in 1899, since which time Dr Noyes has been connected with it. The other officers are Orson Clark, vice president, S P Clark cashier, and W D Kruse, assistant cashier. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars. The company owns the building which it occupies, which is of the very latest type of bank construction, splendidly equipped with furnishings, vaults, safety depost boxes, etc. This is the oldest state bank in the county and its partonage is well merited. Dr Noyes is also a stockholder of the Boone Brick & Tile Company, his interest in business property in Ogden and owns several farms in the northern part of the state, all of which he has improved. He has a country home in Hancok county, Iowa, which is one of the best developed in the county and well stocked with horses and cattle of high grade.
On May 31, 1866, Dr Noyes was united in marriage to Miss Sarah F Stone, a daughter of Naham and Caroline M (Graves) Stone, native of New Hampshire. Three chidlren were born unto Dr and Mrs Noyes, Mary S now the wife of William R Shurtz, of Boone, Josiah G who died in 1870, and Helen, who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away February 27, 1913, after an illness of about two days.
Dr Noyes has taken a very ative, prominent and helpful part in public affairs, He served as mayor of Ogden for nearly twenty years. After a three months' imcimbency of another in that position he was called to office and no higher testimonial of his capability, fideltiy and trustworthiness can be given than the fact that he was again and again reelcetd to the position. For nearly twenty years he has been pension examiner, holding the office at the present time. He gave to the city a beautiful clock, which is placed on the Ogden State Bank building. Many tangible evidences of his public spirit may be citied, indicating his deep interest in the general welfare. He is the only living charter member now connected with Rhodes Lodge, No 303, A F & A M, which at the prestent writing has a membership of eight. He is also connected with the Eastern Star and with the Grand Army of the Republic. None has been more active in support of Masonary in Boone county than Dr Noyes, who was master amd secratary of his lodge for nearly twenty years, a record of which he has every reason to be proud, for it indicates his exemplification of the high principles of the fraternity which is based upon mutal helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He believes firmly in the principles of the order and has done everything in his power to secure their adoption. He is frequently called upon to deliver addresses on the occasion of Memorial Day celebrations and upon other public occasions. His plitical allegiance has always been given to the republican party since its organization. He attained the right of franchise about the time the party sprang into existence and has has been an interested witness of its progress and the manner in which vital political situations have been handled.
His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He was a member of the first board of trustees and was thus active in the bulding of the church. Mrs Noyes was, too, a faithful and active member of the Methodist church and was long a teacher in the Sunday school. Before her marriage she was a teacher in the public schools, for which vocation she was fitted in Washington, D C. Like her husband, her interests were broad and her activities helpful. She manifested special interests in connection with the welfare of chidren and furthered many progressive movements along that line. At the time of her death she was president of the Glenwwod Cemetery Assocaiton, which positoin she had occupied fifteen or more years. At all times was a most womanly woman, beloved and respected by all who knew her, so that her death as the occasion of deep and widespread regret. Dr Noyes shared in the interests in the various movements of the benefit of mankind. A review of his life displays many characterictis worthy of emaulation, not the least of which has been his unfaltering loyalty to the best interests of his community, his close conformity to a high standard of professioal ethics and his personal integrity and honor. No man enjoys more fully or merits more sincerely the regard and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.

1914 Boone County History Book