Auner, Jay Frank, M.D.

STURGIS, ALLEN, DENISON

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/3/2009 at 10:35:03

Dr. Jay Frank Auner, an able and successful representative of the medical fraternity in Bremer county, has continuously practiced his profession at Waverly since 1900. His birth occurred in Shellrock, Butler county, Iowa, on the 23rd of September, 1872, his parents being John Sturgis and Helen Mary (Allen) Auner. The mother, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, in 1842, passed away on the 7th of June, 1907. John S. Auner is a native of St. Joseph county, Michigan, where his birth occurred on the 22d of January, 1843. His father, Philip Auner, preempted a farm from the government in Bremer county, Iowa, in 1842, at which time the nearest railroad was at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. John S. Auner attended the first 4th of July celebration here, being at that time a lad of eight years. He was given some small change with which to buy candy but as there was no confectionery to be procured, he purchased ten cents' worth of brown sugar. When a young man he ran away to join the army, being obliged to take this step because of the opposition of his older brothers, who wished to spare him the hardships and trials of a soldier's life. He became ill in the service and returned to Iowa. About three years later he went to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and there met his future wife - a music teacher. She went to Osage, Iowa, to which place he followed her and there they were married. Subsequently he removed to Shellrock, where he became general agent for a fire insurance company, proving so successful in this work that he was made chief adjuster and for a number of years traveled over the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. He remained a representative of insurance interests until the time of his retirement and is now spending the evening of life in well earned ease at Shellrock, Iowa. At one time he ably served in the capacity of justice of the peace.

Jay Frank Auner, the only child of his parents, obtained his early education at Shellrock and for two years taught in a country school. Later he attended Cornell College at Mount Vernon and in preparation for his chosen profession entered the College of Physicians and surgeons at Chicago, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1897. Thus as a young man of twenty-five years he began the practice of medicine in Osage, Iowa, where he remained for three years and then came to Waverly, which city has since remained the scene of his professional labors. His practice has steadily grown in volume and importance as he has demonstrated his skill and ability in coping with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. He keeps in close touch with the progress of the profession through his membership in the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society, the Bremer County Medical Society, the Austin Flint Medical Society and the Cedar Valley Medical Society. Dr. Auner recently sold his farm property in Washington township.

On the 27th of April, 1898, Dr. Auner was united in marriage to Miss Daisy Denison, whose birth occurred at Clarion, Wright county, Iowa, on the 18th of July, 1877, her father being John D. Denison, a farmer by occupation. Her parents were born in the east and became comparatively early settlers of Clarion, Iowa, which town was built on the Denison farm. John D. Denison passed away in 1910, but his widow still resides on the old homestead. He served in the Civil war as a member of an Iowa regiment. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Auner served with the rank of colonel in the Revolutionary war. She was one of a family of six children and by her marriage has become the mother of a son, Joseph Sturgis, who was born on the 22d of June, 1899.

In his political views Dr. Auner is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He now serves as insane commissioner of Bremer county, also acts as secretary of the board of pension examiners and as city health physician of Waverly and is making a creditable and commendable record in these connections. He has held to high standards in his profession, has sought public welfare in his indorsement of progressive public measures and at all times has endeavored to conform his life to those principles which make for honorable manhood.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914