Brott, J. Fred, 1869-1918

BROTT, SEIPLE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/2/2017 at 19:33:30

Dr. Brott's death was covered in several area newspapers. They give varying accounts, particularly of the cause of his death.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, November 1, 1918:

DR. BROTT DEAD

Word was received here Wednesday [Oct. 30] evening that Dr. Brott, a well known physician of Doon for many years, was dead. The circumstances surrounding his death are not known. The day before he was around as usual. Wednesday a number of calls were sent in for him, but no one was able to find him. At length in the afternoon, men went to his house and found him dead in his bed. He was alone in the house at the time, his wife being away on a visit. The coroner ordered an inquest to be held. Dr. Brott was well known in Rock Valley and vicinity, and was considered a very successful physician.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, November 8, 1918:

The remains of Dr. Brott were brought to Rock Valley from Doon Saturday for shipment to Waterloo, Ia., his old home. As mentioned in last week's Bee, Dr. Brott died suddenly at his home in Doon last Wednesday [Oct. 30]. Tuesday evening the day before his death, was the last seen of him alive by Doon people. He was then apparently in the best of health. As no one had seen anything of him on Wednesday and several calls were awaiting him, in the afternoon an inquiry was conducted, and finding his office locked the party went to his residence, and finding the doors locked there also, forcibly entered the place and found him lying cold in death in his bed. He had apparently been dead for several hours, and the position of his body indicated that he had died suddenly. The discovery was made about four o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. Brott was visiting relatives at Waterloo, Ia., from where her husband had recently returned. An inquest was held and the verdict of the jury was that he had died of apoplexy.

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From the Rock Rapids Reporter, October 31, 1918:

DR. BROTT DEAD AT DOON.
Found Dead in Bed Yesterday Afternoon--Probably Due to Fit.

Dr. J. F. Brott, who has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Doon for the past twenty years, died some time Tuesday night. Mrs. Brott was visiting in Waterloo at the time, and no one was with him when the summons came, but it is supposed that he succumbed during an epileptic fit, with which he had been troubled for years, and for which he was constantly doctoring himself. His body was found yesterday afternoon by Druggist Hoff, who went to the Brott home after repeated calls and inquiries for the doctor had been unanswered.

As far as known Dr. Brott was not seen after 9 o'clock Tuesday evening, when he made a couple of calls in town after a drive in the country. He went home and was probably seized with a fit during the night, as the position of his body showed that he had struggled violently and had without doubt attempted to get up and secure relief, but was unable to do so.

Dr. Brott was about 50 years of age, and had been at Doon twenty years. Previous to studying medicine and while in school he was a professional baseball player, having played on and managed teams in the Cotton State league, Three-I league and in the New Jersey league. Since coming to Doon he has often played, but only for pastime, although he enjoyed the game as much as ever.

Dr. Brott was well known in Rock Rapids and has many friends here. He is survived by his wife only.

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From the Waterloo Evening Courier, October 31, 1918:

Dr. J. F. Brott Found Dead at Home in Doon

Dr. J. Fred Brott, a former resident of Waterloo, was found dead in bed at his home in Doon, Ia., last night, according to word received here today. Dr. Brott and Louis Cobb, Waterloo, had just returned from a hunting trip, the doctor going directly to his home at Doon. Mrs. Brott had been visiting her mother, Mrs. Mary Seiple, 216 Commercial street, during her husband's absence and was expecting to return to her home at Doon Saturday. Mrs. Brott returned to Doon today to make arrangements to bring the body here for burial.

The immediate cause of the doctor's death was heart trouble. Several years ago, while playing on the Waterloo baseball team, Brott was injured during a game here. Since that time he has been subject to frequent attacks of heart trouble. He was also injured when thrown in a runaway accident here many years ago, and two years ago was very ill with rheumatism, both events contributing to weakening his heart action.

Dr. Brott was born Feb. 29, 1869, the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Brott, pioneer residents of Waterloo township. He was a graduate of Drake university and had been a practicing physician at Doon for the past 20 years. Prior to that time he was a professional baseball player. June 4, 1898, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Seiple of this city. Surviving him are the widow and the following brothers and sisters: J. E. Brott, Cedar Falls; Mrs. H. A. Wilson, Waterloo; Mrs. F. W. Coombs, Cedar Falls; and Mrs. Lyman Eldridge, Ruthven. The body is expected to arrive here tonight and will be taken to the O'Keefe & Towne mortuary pending funeral arrangements.

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FindaGrave.com shows Dr. J. Fred Brott, 1869-1918, buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa. It includes a photograph of the headstone.