HULLINGER, John D.

HULLINGER, MCDOUGALL, COE, HOLLINGER, URAN, DAGUE, ANDERSON, HOLMES

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 23:37:16

Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JOHN D. HULLINGER, M. D.

Prominent among the professional men of Clinton, Iowa, is this well-known physician and surgeon, who is a native of this county, born on a farm near DeWitt, December 7, 1860, and is a son of William and Sarah (McDougall) Hullinger, and grandson of John and Olivia (Coe) Hullinger. The family name was originally spelled Hollinger, and was changed by the grandfather of our subject. The first to come to America was Joseph Hollinger, a native of Switzerland, who crossed the Atlantic in 1710, and settled in Pennsylvania. He was the father of twelve sons and seven daughters, including three pair of twins, and the family has become very prominent in that state.

John Hullinger, the Doctor’s grandfather was born in Pennsylvania and at an early day removed to Ohio. In 1832 he again started westward, and with ox teams removed to La Salle county, Illinois, locating at Vermilionville, where he died of cholera the same year at the age of forty-four. His wife departed this life in 1836, at the age of forty-nine years. They were the parents of the following name children: John D., Martin H., Harvey C, William S., Maria, Barbara and Caroline.

William S. Hullinger, the father of our subject, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, on the 25th of September, 1829, and being left an orphan at an early age, he was reared by Mr. Coke on a farm in Illinois. He married Miss Sarah McDougall, a native of Syracuse, New York, and a daughter of John and Elvira (Uran) McDougall. Her father was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, while her mother was born in Quebec, Canada, and was descended from the royal family of France. The latter lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and seven years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hullinger were born seven children namely: William E., and engineer on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, residing in Clinton, who wedded Mary Dague, and has one son, William E., Jr.; Sarah E., wife of John R. Anderson, of Clinton, has one son, James William; Millie A., wife of Charles S. Hullinger of the same place, has one daughter. Ealeanor E.; John D., the subject of this sketch; James C., a dentist of Clinton, who died in 1894; Ida C., wife of Ira W. Hullinger, of Clinton, has one son, Cecil W.; and Olive Belle, a teacher of DeWitt. The father came to this country in 1852 by team, and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres at one dollar and a quarter per acre. He owned a fine violin, made in 1711, and handed down by his ancestors, and with it he earned money to pay for eight acres of his land, playing principally for dances. He was one of the best violinists of his day in this part of the country, and his services were sought far and near. His first home in this county was a small log cabin which in later years was replaced by a fine residence. On starting out in life for himself he was in limited circumstances, but met with success in his farming operations and became quite well-to-do, owning two large farms and two smaller ones in this county, besides some good property in DeWitt, where he and his wife are now living. He removed to that place in 1888 and has since lived a retired life, enjoying the fruits of former toil. He is public-spirited and progressive, but has never been an office seeker, although he has held several minor positions in his township.

Dr. Hullinger grew to manhood on the home farm, and became thoroughly familiar with every detail of farm work. He completed his literary education at the Northern Illinois Norma School at Dixon, where he was graduated in 1889. He had previously taught school during the winter while attending the Normal at Dixon during the summer, and for lack of means to continue his medical studies he resumed teaching, following that profession from 1886 until 1890. He was principal of the schools at Onslow, Iowa, in 1890, and while there he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Holmes, a primary teacher and the youngest daughter of Robert Holmes, of that place. They have one cold, Nellie Gertrude, born June 7, 1891. Carrie Holmes was born at Maquoketa, Iowa, on a farm, January 28, 1863. Her father spent five years in the English army, became a Philadelphia merchant and later proprietor of a store in Freeport, Illinois. Mrs. Hullinger is a college-bred lady, having been educated at Cornell College, Mount Vernon and Epworth, Iowa, Seminary, graduating in the scientific course of last name college in 1884. She was a successful teacher in Jones county, Iowa, schools for eight years, two of which were spent teaching in the city schools at Anamosa and one in Onslow village school.

By teaching school and music Dr. Hullinger made enough money to complete his medical studies and was graduated from the medical department of the State University of Iowa in 1893, with the degree of M. D. His brother James also educated himself by teaching but overwork broke down his health and he died at the early age of twenty-nine, while teaching the Doctor made a specialty of writing and became one of the finest master of the Specerian hand, while he is still an excellent penman. He began the practice of his chosen profession at Chancy, which was then a suburb of Clinton, but is now a part of the city, and it was not long before his skill and ability were recognized and gained for him a large and lucrative practice. He is a close and thorough student, as well as a progressive physician, who keeps abreast with the latest discoveries and theories known to the science. Outside of his general practice he gives special attention to obstetrics. He is examining physician for sixteen insurance companies and a a large number of fraternal orders, including the following: The Prudential and the Registered Life Insurance Companies, The Mystic Workers of the World, the Modern Brotherhood of America, the Brotherhood of the Railway Trainmen, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and the Knights and Ladies of Golden Precept. He is a member and secretary of the Board of United States Oension Examiners, ex-secretary of the Clinton County Medical Society and a member of Western Star Lodge, No, 100, A. F. & A. M., while both he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star. At one time he was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Doctor was a member of the Republican county central committee for seven years, and takes an active interest in public affairs. As a physician he ranks among the best in the city, and as a citizen is quite popular and influential. Since 1897 he has had an office in the Toll block, and in 1892 erected a fine residence, where he also has a fine residence office, supplied with all modern appliances known to his profession.

In 1884 the Doctor took up the study of instrumental music and has received a diploma from a Society Musical Course at Dixon, Illinois, in 1888. Since taking up music he has organized and taught nine different bands. At Iowa City, while attending medical college, he organized and instructed the F. M. B. A. band, composed of eighteen members and also taught a ladies’ band of twelve members. He was also one of the organizers of the DeWitt band; organized the Onslow band and German cornet band at Bryant. He also helped to organize the Camanche Avenue band, of Clinton, but owing to his professional duties is not an active member.

Dr. and Mrs. Hullinger are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the Doctor is a member of the official board of stewards.