FAIRCHILD, David S.

FAIRCHILD, STURGES, TATTERSALL

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/20/2003 at 12:22:05

DAVID S. FAIRCHILD. 

One of the most distinguished physicians in Iowa is David S. Fairchild, whose prominence is not limited by the confines of the city of Clinton, in which he makes his home, but extends throughout the commonwealth. His ability, strong mentality and his close and comprehensive study has gained him distinction that places him in the foremost ranks among the eminent physicians in this portion of the country, and today he occupies the position of division surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway.

Dr. Fairchild entered upon his life career on the 16th of September, 1847, the place of his nativity being the town of Fairfield, Vermont. His parents were Eli and Grace D. (Sturges) Fairchild, who settled in Fairfield, Vermont, in 1844, and were there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a grandson of Archibald Fairchild, of Redding, whose descendant became noted in connection with affairs which shaped the policy of the nation in early days. Six of his sons were soldiers in the Continental army which established the republic after eight long years of warfare with Great Britain. The Doctor's mother was born in Fairfield, Vermont, and there the marriage of the parents occurred. Her father was a sea captain and located in the Green Mountain state in 1802. He represented a prominent family of New England that was established in Vermont in pioneer days.

Dr. Fairchild was reared to manhood in the place of his nativity and attended the public schools, after which he continued his education at the academy at Franklin and was also a student in the academy at Barre, Vermont. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he became a student in the office and under the direction of the noted physician, Dr. J. B. Crampton, of Fairfield, and thus laid the foundation for his wide and comprehensive knowledge of the medical science. He afterward attended medical lectures at the University of Michigan, in 1866 and 1867 and was graduated in the Albany Medical College in December, 1868. Believing that the west would furnish better opportunities for a young man just entering upon a professional career, he located at High Forrest, Minnesota, and after three years of successful practice at that place removed to Ames, Iowa, in 1872. He has always been a student of his profession, and his continued reading and observation have kept him in touch with the progress that is yearly being made by representatives of the medical fraternity. His worth was soon acknowledged, and in 1877 he was appointed physician to the Iowa Agricultural College. In 1879 he was elected professor of physiology and comparative anatomy, acting in that capacity until 1893, when he resigned to accept the position of surgeon of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, covering all the lines of that system in the state of Iowa. He had served as local surgeon for this road in 1884, and through the satisfactory performance of the duties that devolved upon him, won favorable notice, and two years later was promoted to district surgeon, with headquarters at Clinton. In 1897 he was appointed special examining surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad system.

He is particularly skillful in the line of surgery owing to his thorough understanding of anatomy, his intimate knowledge of the human system and the function of all its parts, combined with coolness and accuracy in performing an operation. In 1880 he was elected professor of histology and pathology in the Iowa College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Des Moines, and in 1885 was transferred to the chairs of pathology and diseases of the nervous system, and in the latter capacity he has since rendered capable and valued service. For two years prior to the incorporation of the college as a part of the Des Moines University, he served as president of the institution.

Since 1893 Dr. Fairchild has abandoned general practice and devoted his time and energies almost exclusively to consultation, giving particular attention to surgery and nervous diseases. He has been a valued contributor of numerous articles to the medical journals and his papers have attracted wide attention in various medical societies. He has always taken a great interest in establishing organizations in the medical fraternity to disseminate a broader and more accurate knowledge of the science of medicine and surgery.

In 1873 he issued a call to the physicians of Story county to meet for the purpose of framing a county medical society, and at its organization was elected president. In 1884 he assisted materially in the organizing of the Central District Medical Society, and was chosen its president in 1886.

In 1874 he became a member of the Iowa State Medical Society, and in 1876 was elected second vice-president; in 1894, first vice-president, and in 1895, its president. He is a member of the Western Surgical Association and filled the position of president in 1898. He is also prominent in the American Medical Association, the National Association of Railway Surgeons and the American Academy of Railway Surgeons, serving as president of the last named in 1901. He served as a delegate to the National Medical Congress of 1876 and assisted in organizing the Iowa Academy of Sciences, in which he became chairman of the committee appointed by the State Medical Society to prepare a history of medicine in Iowa. He is local surgeon for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway Company. All of the patients connected with the various railroads than can conveniently be taken to Mercy Hospital, of Clinton, Iowa, come under the immediate care of Dr. Fairchild. It is his desire to devote three days each week to this work in Clinton, but as his services are so largely in demand it is sometimes impossible for him to accomplish this.

On the 1st of May, 1870, Dr. Fairchild was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina C. Tattersall, a daughter of the Honorable W. K. Tattersall, of High Forrest, Minnesota. The lady is a native of New York City, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children. The eldest, David S. Fairchild, Jr., is associated with his father in business and carries on a general practice. He is a graduate of the Drake Medical College, of Des Moines, Iowa, of the class of 1897, and in May, 1898, was assistant surgeon of the Fifty-first Iowa Infantry. He went to the Philippines as major surgeon and was promoted to brigade surgeon of the Second Division of the Eighth Army Corps, serving on General Wheaton’s staff. Later he was transferred to brigade surgeon of the First Brigade, Second Division, serving on General McArthur’s staff. On the expiration of this term he returned home with his regiment and was mustered out of service on the 1st of November, 1899. He was born at High Forrest, Minnesota, in 1871,and is therefore a young man, but already has gained distinction in the line of his profession and is an able assistant to his honored father. He is a member of the County Medical Society, of which he is president, and also belongs to the State Medical Association; the State Railway Medical Association and different branches of Masonry. He married Ella Brown, of Des Moines, and they have one son, Marion. The second member of the family is Gertrude, now the wife of Albert Brown, of Des Moines, while Marguerite completes the family.

Dr. Fairchild is a member of different Masonic bodies and of the Wapsipuncon Club. His beautiful home, with his office and consultation rooms, is located at the corner of Sixth avenue and Third street in Clinton.

In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual ability, Dr. Fairchild has won distinction and to-day is one of the most prominent representatives of his chosen calling in this state. Endowed by nature with strong mentality, he has closely applied himself to the mastery of the principles of medical science and has carried his investigations far and wide into the realms of medical knowledge, not only following the leadership of others but leading in the advance movement that has brought new truths and principles to light, proving of great value in the healing art.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.