WESCOTT, L. A., M. D. - 1914

WESCOTT, BURGESS, BELL

Posted By: VOLUNTEER
Date: 6/26/2009 at 16:03:56

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914

L. A. WESCOTT, M. D.

Dr. L. A. Wescott, actively engaged in the general practice of medicine at Cherokee and also filling the office of county coroner, was born in Marshall county, Iowa, September 18, 1871, his parents being Erskine and Elizabeth (Burgess) Wescott, both of whom were natives of New York. The year 1870 witnessed their arrival in Iowa and the father, who was a miller by trade, afterward turned his attention to farming in this state.

Dr. Wescott has spent his entire life in Iowa and began his education in the country schools near his fathers home. Later, however, better educational opportunities were accorded him. He entered the State Normal College and his training there well qualified him for the onerous duties and responsibilities which devolved upon him during the nine years which he devoted to teaching. He was principal of the schools at Volga City and also at Riverside. His teaching was not continuous and, while he was successful in that profession, he regarded it merely as an initial step to other professional labor, desiring to make the practice of medicine his life work. With that end in view he matriculated in the State University as a medical student and was graduated in March, 1901. On the 22d of July of the same year he came to Cherokee, where he has since followed his profession, engaging in general practice. He keeps well informed concerning everything relative to the profession and his ability has won for him a liberal and growing practice, while his close conformity to the ethics of the profession has gain for him the high regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity. He belongs to the County Medical Society, in which he has been honored with the offices of secretary and president, and he likewise holds membership in the Iowa State, American Medical and Sioux Valley Medical Associations. At the present writing he is filling the position of county coroner.

In 1903 Dr. Wescott was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Bell, of Cherokee. They are well known socially here, the hospitality of the best homes be ing freely accorded them. Dr. Wescott has an interesting military chapter in his life history inasmuch as he is serving as captain of Company M, Fiftysixth Iowa National Guard. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high rank, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery and to the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In politics he is a progressive republican and keeps wellinformed on the questions and issues of the day. He believes in advancement along political as well as professional and other lines and has, therefore, allied himself with the party that he believes to be seeking the public welfare by doing away with the older order of things and instituting improved methods. In all lifes relations he conscientiously discharges the duties that devolve upon him and his many sterling traits of character have won for him high regard.