GEORGE WILLIAM GILFILLAN

GILFILLAN, MOON

Posted By: Deb Barker (email)
Date: 11/8/2005 at 19:59:43

GEORGE WILLIAM GILFILLAN, MD- The Gilfillan Clinic at Bloomfield has been described as one of the busiest medical centers in the United States. This of course, means it is one of the best known, with patients flocking to it from many states for surgery and other forms of therapy for all the ill which afflict the human body. Four brothers founded this clinic, and, with 2 additional associates, are operating it today. The oldest of these brothers is Dr George William Gilfillan. Formerly in practice at Pulaski, another Davis County community, Dr Gilfillan was with the United States Navy in World War II, before joining his brothers in the establishment of the clinic. He belongs to a family which has made medical history in Iowa since the pioneer days and is himself a surgeon of note.
Dr George William Gilfillan was born in Henry county on October 29, 1899, where his father, Dr Homer J Gilfillan, whose record precedes this, began his own medical practice in 1896. The father, who practiced in various parts of southeastern Iowa for fifty years, now lives in retirement with the son George. The mother was Clara (Moon) Gilfillan, a native of Westboro, Ohio. Dr George W Gilfillan, paternal Grandfather of the subject of this sketch, began his medical practice in Bentonsport, Van Buren County, in 1857, and died in 1908, at Mount Pleasant. The paternal great-grandfather was Dr Edward Gilfillan, who was a physician and surgeon at West Alexander, Pennsylvania.
The present Dr George W Gilfillan spent most of his early life in Mount Pleasant, where for years his father and grandfather were partners in practice, and where the father later continued in independent practice. He was graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1918. World War I was then nearing its end, and for 3 months after he entered the State University of Iowa, at Iowa City, the future doctor was a member of the Student Army Training Corps there. Then, for an equal period, he was in an Officers Training School for the United States Medical Corps at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, in 1921. In 1924, the State University conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Medicine, chiefly in surgery. His scholastic and professional studies led to his election to such fraternities as Alpha Kappa Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha.
Dr Gilfillan began his practice in Pulaski in 1925. He remained there until 1933, when he moved to the county seat, Bloomfield, and here his practice was centered until, in 1943, he went into the United States Navy as a lieutenant commander. He was in the service for 27 months, 17 of which he served a t sea, and nine of which he served at the United States Naval Hospital at Oceanside, California. For the distinguished character of his service in the Battler o Iwo Jima, Dr Gilfillan was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Separated from the service in November, 1945 he returned to Bloomfield and his surgical practice. In 1946, in partnership with his brothers, Dr Clarence D N Gilfillan, a surgeon; Dr Earl E Gilfillan, a specialist in internal medicine; and Dr Home J Gilfillan, Jr: a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat, all of whom are subjects of biographies following this outline, he opened the Gilfillan Clinic in Bloomfield. The brothers established their clinic in the old Southern Iowa Normal School Building, which they purchased and remodeled. It is one of the most modern and attractive professional structures of its kind in the nation. Associated with the Drs Gilfillan are Dr R S Schoonover, urologist, and Dr S R Jaskunas, obstetrician and gynecologist. The clinic enjoys a tremendous practice, with patients streaming in from all corners of the north central states and other portions of the country.
Dr Gilfillan is a member of the Iowa Clinical Surgical Society, the Davis County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, Franklin Lodge No 14, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in Bloomfield, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rotary Club of Bloomfield, the Bloomfield Country Club, the American Legion, the American Veterans of World War II, and the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce. He is on the staffs of Ottumwa hospital, and has contributed numerous papers on medical subjects to the Davis and Wapello County professional organizations. He worships in the Methodist Church and in politics is a Republican. All outdoor sports afford him relaxation.
Dr George William Gilfillan married Mabel Dills, daughter of John and Loretta (McCain) Dills, on September 29, 1923. Mrs Gilfillans father was born in Amington, Illinois, her mother in Lincoln, Illinois. The father, who farmed in Iowa most of his life, died in 1925. His widow resides at Milton, Illinois. Dr and Mrs Gilfillan are the parents of Joy N Gilfillan, who was born, in February, 1941. Mrs Gilfillan, active in women’s affairs in Bloomfield, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Tri-T, and president of the PEO Sisterhood.