Rohlf, William A., M.D

SCHROEDER, MIDDLETON, OSBORNE, RISK, BEED, GOULD

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/18/2010 at 11:10:18

Dr. William A. Rohlf, a prominent physician and leading citizen of Waverly, has here practiced his profession for the past sixteen years and is now specializing in the field of surgery. His birth occurred in Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, on the 5th of January, 1867, his parents being Amos and Dora (Schroeder) Rohlf, natives of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, the former born on the 29th of August, 1842, and the latter on the 9th of April, 1847. Amos Rohlf accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States in 1853, while Dora Schroeder came to the new world with her parents in 1856, both families locating in Davenport, Iowa, where the father and mother of our subject grew to maturity and were married. In early life Amos Rohlf learned the shoemaker's trade and became an expert at that occupation. About 1872 he took up his abode on a farm near Davenport, residing thereon until about 1898, when he removed to Everly, Clay county, Iowa, and has there since lived in honorable retirement.

William A. Rohlf obtained his early education in the district schools and when fifteen years of age left home with ten dollars in cash, working his way through the Davenport high school. Following his graduation from that institution he was engaged in the profession of teaching for three years and during the last year of that period acted as principoal of the Walcott city schools. Subsequently he entered the State University at Iowa City, continuing his studies therein until the date of his graduation, March 11, 1891. During the periods of vacation he read medicine in the office of Dr. W.D. Middleton, of Davenport, who won his love and admiration and whom he now proclaims as the greatest and grandest man he has ever known.

After completing his preparation for the work of his chosen profession Dr. Rohlf located at Hampton, Franklin county, Iowa, and there engaged in the general practice of medicine until May 17, 1897. On that date he came to Waverly, Bremer county, here forming a partnership with Dr. L.S. Osborne, who left the city soon afterward, however, going to one of the southern states for the benefit of his health. Dr. Rohlf took care of the practice of both without an assistant until May, 1910, when, feeling that his duties had long been too arduous for one man, he became assodiated with Dr. Howard Risk, who has remained his assistant to the present time. He specializes in the field of surgery and the extensive and lucrative practice accorded him has come in recognition of his skill and ability as a representative of the medical profession. Dr. Rohlf was the leading spirit in raising funds for the erection of the Waverly hospital, contributing liberally of both his time and means. Recently he made another generous cas donation to the hospital and raised five thousand dollars of the forty thousand which were used in making an addition to the buildings. He was also the prime factor in establishing the nurses' training school at Waverly, the class having grown in number from six to eighteen. For seven years he served as secretary of the Austin Flint Medical Society, now the Austin Flint Cedar Valley Medical Society, and subsequently acted as its president for a number of years. His high standing in the profession here is further indicated in the fact that he served as secretary and president of the Bremer County Medical Society for a number of years and has represented that organization as delegate to the State Medical Society for several years. Dr. Rohlf is a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, the Iowa Clinical Surgical Society, the American Medical Association, the Rock Island Railway Surgical Society, the Illinois Central Railway Surgical Society and the North American Clinical Congress and acts as surgeon for the Rock Island, Illinois Central and Great Western Railroads and the Waterloo, Cedar Falls & Northern Interurban line.

On the 19th of December, 1893, Dr. Rohlf was united in marriage to Miss Lottie P. Beed, a native of Hampton, Franklin county, Iowa, and a daughter of James H. and Charlotte (Gould) Beed, the former a native of London, England, and the latter of New York, James H. Beed, who was successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits throughout his active business career, has lived retired since 1910, both he and his wife making their home with Dr. and Mrs. Rohlf. They have just completed a large and modern residence on the west side, on South Elm street, which is one of the most pretenious of the many beautiful homes in that vicinity.

In his political views Dr. Rohlf is an independent republican. He has never sought the honors and emoluments of office but is nevertheless a most public-spirited and loyal citizen whose aid can be counted upon to further any movement or measure instituted to promote the general welfare. He has served as president of the hospital staff since the opening of the institution and also acts as pension examiner. Fraternally he is identified with the following organizations: Tyrrell Lodge, No. 116, A.F. & A. M.; Waterloo Lodge No. 290; B.P.O.E.; Herdman Lodge, No. 79, K.P.; Willow Lawn Lodge, No. 628, I.O.O.F.; and Waverly Tent, No. 2, K.O.T.M. His interests and his activites are wide and varied. There is nothing narrow nor self-centered in his life. He reaches out along the lines of usefulness and his work in many directions has been most serviceable in the world.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol II 1914