J. C. ARMENTROUT M. D.

ARMENTROUT, VINALL, LONG, RORICK, MILLER, BUTTERFIELD, MORGRIDGE, MIDDLETON

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 9/26/2021 at 14:55:36

J. C. ARMENTROUT, M. D., of Keokuk, Professor of Physiology, Histology, and Diseases of the Nervous System in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, is a native of the Hawkeye State, born in Cedar County, Sept. 25, 1851. He is the son of Joseph C. and Mary (Long) Armcntrout, natives of Virginia. The father was engaged in mercantile pursuits during his younger years, but in 1850 came to Iowa, located in Cedar County, and engaged in farming. He is still living, and has all his life been a prominent man wherever his lot has been cast. Soon after coming into Cedar County he was appointed Postmaster, and has held other important offices in this locality. He and his excellent wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which they have contributed liberally and cheerfully, and in which Mr. A. has been Class-Leader and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. They have been the parents of a family of eight children, of whom two are deceased, and of the living the record is as follows: J. C., the subject of our sketch, was the eldest child; Mary became the wife of John Rorick, and resides in Cedar County; Ella V. married Ira Miller, a resident of Cedar Rapids; Rosa B., now Mrs. Marshall Butterfield, is a resident of Milton, Muscatine County; her husband is an attorney and a graduate of the State University of Iowa; George is a student of medicine in Keokuk Medical College ; Amanda B. is a teacher in the public schools of Cedar County.

The younger days of the subject of our sketch were occupied in attending the public schools and assisting in the lighter duties around the homestead. He pursued his studies during the winter seasons until he was nineteen years old, when he attended the school at Montrose for two winters. He then taught in Benton County one term, and afterward entered McClain's Academy at Iowa City, where he remained one term, taught school for two terms in Cedar County, took a brief course of study at Wilton Academy in Muscatine County, and then entered the State University at Iowa City, remaining there two terms, when he was proffered the position as Principal of McClain's Academy, which he held for the following three years, having charge of from 300 to 500 students. At the expiration of this time he commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of Prof. G. O. Morgridge, M. D., of Muscatine, and subsequently spent one summer with Prof. Middleton, of Davenport, in his office and in the hospital at that place, in the meantime teaching and lecturing throughout the State, and before Teachers' Institutes on physiology. He continued under the instruction of Prof. Morgridge until he entered the medical department of the Iowa State University, from which he graduated in 1883. He was a close student and made the most of his opportunities, and became a writer of considerable note. While yet a student he became the author of a work entitled, "Outlines in Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene," which was published in 1881, and was received with great favor. He commenced the practice of his profession in Iowa City, where he remained for one year, and in the spring of 1884 went to South Bend, Ind. Here he enjoyed a fine practice from the start, and the following summer was proffered his present position, which he accepted, and removed to the Gate City in October, 1885.

Dr. Armentrout was married in 1883, to Miss Esther Vinall, a native of Davenport, Iowa, and daughter of Henry Vinall, Esq. The Doctor, by a former marriage, has one son living—Coral R. Dr. Armentrout stands high in his profession in this city, and as a member of the community is highly esteemed for his social and intellectual endowments, and is a member of the Keokuk Medical Association. He takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the city, educationally and religiously, and with his wife is a member of Chatham Square Methodist Episcopal Church of Keokuk. Mrs. A. is a teacher in the Sabbath-school, and the Doctor has served as Superintendent in other localities for a number of years. Their pleasant home is situated at No. 606 North Fourth street, and they have gathered about them a circle comprising the best and most cultured people of the city.

Source:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1887

Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1887