Abram B. Dobson, M. D.

DOBSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/22/2015 at 12:22:40

Jackson County Portrait and Biographical Album, 1889, Chapman Brothers, Chicago

ABRAM B. DOBSON, M. D., is a healing medium, whose wonderful cures have gained for him an almost world-wide reputation and his practice extends not only throughout the United States, but to different European countries. He has a beautiful home in Maquoketa, and since taking up his residence here several years ago, he has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of the city and has been a prominent factor in promoting its growth. He was born in the province of New Brunswick, in the town of Bay DeVerte, British America and is a son of George Dobson. His father was a native of Ireland, but was brought to America when quite young and was reared in Bay DeVerte. He was there married to Lavina Pally, who was likewise of Irish birth. He continued to reside there until 1845, when he brought his family to the United States, taking passage on a sailing-vessel for Boston and thence going by rail to Albany, from that city to Buffalo on the canal, from there by the lakes to Southport (near Kenosha, Wis.), and thence by team to Winnebago County, Ill. He thus became an early settler of that part of the Prairie State, and buying a small farm he was identified with its agricultural interest for many years. The country roundabout was then very sparsely settled and Racine and Milwaukee, seventy-five miles distant, were the nearest markets. He lived to see the country well developed and wealthy; his death occurring on the old homestead at the venerable age of eighty-six years: and there his wife also passed away, her life having been prolonged until she reached the remarkable age of ninety-one years. They were the parents of ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity, as follows: John, Andrew, George, Ann, Betsy, Thomas, Samuel, Jane, Ruth and Abram.

The latter, the subject of this brief biography, was the youngest of the family, and was but ten years of age when he accompanied his parents to their pioneer home. He attended school in the primitive school-house of that day; and when but eight years old showed decided mediumistic power, and in 1853 he became a healing medium. He still has in his possession a testimonial given to him by the grateful parents of his first patient, testifying to the wonderful cure of their child. The father and mother, having been members of the Methodist Church and strong in their religious belief, doubtless had but little faith in his powers. May 29, 1861, Dr. Dobson patriotically threw aside his professional duties to lend the strength of his manhood to his country for the defense of the dear old Stars and Stripes, and enlisted in Company I, Sixth Missouri Infantry, and served with credit until June 1864; and was then honorably discharged, as his term of enlistment had expired. After his return to Illinois he was employed by the government as Hospital Steward at Devil's Bluff, for four months. He then took up arms again, enlisting in Hancock's Veterans Corps, and subsequently went to Washington, arriving there on the night of the 14th of April, 1865, and was in that city during the trial and execution of the conspirators who were responsible for the death of President Lincoln. Our subject received his last discharge from the Army in April, 1866, having proved himself a brave and efficient soldier. He took part in many important engagements; was in the battles of Corinth, Arkansas Post; was at the siege and capture of Vicksburg and at Champion Hills; in the battles of Jackson (Miss.), Missionary Ridge, and was with Sherman at Resaca and in other battles from Chattanooga to Kenesaw Mountain.

After leaving the Army Dr. Dobson lived in Rockford, Illinois until 1869 and then went to Kansas and took up his residence in Osage City, where he practiced his profession successfully until 1876. In that year he came to Maquoketa, where he has since resided and has made himself a fine reputation as a physician whose skill and power has been proven by the cures that he has performed in many serious cases. He is quite wealthy and since coming to this city has acquired a good deal of property. He has built himself a handsome residence of the corner of Pleasant and Eliza streets and besides has built several other dwellings and is now the owner of fifteen in this city.

The doctor has been twice married. He was first wed to Rebecca Filmore, a native of New Brunswick, and a daughter of John and Jane Filmore, their marriage taking palce June 1, 1854. She died in 1866, leaving three children-Julian, Dora (wife of Newton Sheldon) and Frank. The doctor's second marriage, which took place in 1867, was to Miss Ellen Williams, a native of Union County, Pennsylvania and a daughter of John and Mary Williams. Of this union three children have been born- Cora N., Alta and Owen. Alta died at the age of twelve years. Mrs. Dobson's father is dead, and her mother is now the wife of J. K. Millard, of whom see sketch on another page of this volume. The doctor is very public-spirited, and never hesitates to give material aid to all schemes looking toward the advancement of his adopted city. He is a man of marked force of character, generous and sympathetic and given liberally to charitable and benevolent objects.

Dobson grave
 

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