Lawrence William Littig 1858-1918

LITTIG, DUCKETT

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 3/14/2010 at 11:32:32

Waterloo Evening Courier
18 Jul 1918
Page 5

Bite of Insect Causes the Death of Dr. L. W. Littig

Davenport, Ia., July 18. -- Dr. Lawrence W. Littig, who until about a year ago practiced medicine and surgery in Davenport, died at a hospital in Iowa City yesterday, a victim of blood poison, brought on by the bite of an insect. He was bitten in the face at a picnic of medical men at Iowa City on July 3.

This was the second occasion Dr. Littig had suffered from blood poison. About 15 years ago, while amember of the faculty of the state university, he developed blood poison from a wound which was infected while he was conducting an operation. He was laid up from this for about a year and went to Europe for special treatment. He finally recovered, and later came to Davenport to practice medicine.

He acquired a large practice here and resided at 230 Kirkwood boulevard, the old family home of his parents. He was prominent in local and national medical societies and came from one of the prominent pioneer families of Scott county.

He was born in Davenport July 20, 1858, the son of John and Louise Rogge Littig, pioneers of the community. He received his early education in the local school and his A. B. degree at St. Vincent's college, Mo., in 1880, and his A. M. degree in 1882. He graduated from the medical department of the Iowa state university in 1883, and from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1884. He spent three years in London, Berlin, Vienna and Paris hospitals.

From 1889 to 1902 he was a member of the faculty of the University of Iowa and director of the university hospital.
He was married June 4, 1895, at Utica, N.Y. to Miss Amy Duckett, who survives him with five children.

Waterloo Times-Tribune
19 Jul 1918
Page 7

Distinguished Iowa Surgeon Died Tuesday

Formerly Professor of Anatomy and Prominent Lecturer On Surgery.

Insect Bite Cause of Death

Iowa City, July 18. -- L. W. Littig died here yesterday morning of blood poisoning, caused by an insect bite. He was formerly professor of anatomy and prominent as a lecturer on surgery at the State University, and returned here a few months ago, after several years' residence in Davenport, to give his children the benefit of the schooling at the university. He was a graduate of the State University of Iowa and the University of Pennsylvania, and he spent several years in European hospitals. He leaves relatives in Davenport and elsewhere, and a wife and five children here.

Davenport, July 18. -- The news of Dr. Littig's death was received with sorrow in Davenport by relatives and his many friends, including the members of the medical profession. "He was the finest secretary the Iowa and Illinois District Medical association ever had," remarked W. L. Allen this morning, "on account of the active interest he took in the preparation of programs and in the generation of other activities for the association." When the association met at the Outing club last week, word came from Iowa City that Dr. Littig could not be present because of illness, but its members will be shocked at word of his death, which was little expected by them.

Dr. Littig was one of the few Davenporters accorded space in "Who's Who." the sketch of his life in that record of well-briefed biographies reading, as follows:

LITTIG, LAWRENCE WILLIAM,
physician, surgeon; b. Davenport, Iowa, July 20, 1858; s. John and Louise (Rogge) L.; St. Vincent's Coll., Mo., 1880; A. M., 1882; M. D., State U. of Ia., 1883, and U. of Pa., 1884; M. R. C. S., Eng., 1887; 3 years in London, Berlin, Vienna and Paris hosps., m. Amy Dicket (sic), of Utica, N. Y., June 4 1895, Resident phys., Phila. Hosp. 1884-5; prof. anatony, 1889-91, theory and practice medicine, 1891-1902, asst. to chair of surgery, 1889-1902, State U. of Ia., dir. Univ. Hosp., 1900-1902. Mem. A. M. A. (chmn. hosp. sect. 1916), Iowa St. Med. Soc. (pres. 1911-1912). Am. Assn. Rv. Surgeons, Western Sur. Assn. (pres. 1916), Miss. Valley Med. Assn., Ia. Clin. Surg. Soc., Chicago Med. Soc., Mo. Valley Med. Soc., Iowa Union Med. Soc., Austin Clint. Med. Soc., fellow Am. Coll. Surgeons Clubs; University Chicago; Outing Commercial (Davenport. Home: 230 Kirkwood Boul. Office: Putnam Bldg., Davenport, Iowa.

Dr. Littig was one of a large family, and is survived by five brothers, three sisters, and two half-brothers. The brothers are, Joseph of North Dakota, Dr. H. A. of Davenport, Victor of Davenport, Dr. John V., now a major in the United States medical reserve on duty at Camp Taylor, and Marcus of Boston, and the half-brothers are Peter and Adam Littig of this city. Two of the sisters are in holy orders, one at Chicago and one at Joplin, Mo., and the third sister, Josephine is an art teacher in Boston.