Dr. George Newell Skinner (1925)

NABERS, RANDALL, RANKIN, SKINNER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 1/24/2006 at 09:13:52

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, February 26, 1925
Page 8, Columns 6 & 7

George Newell Skinner was born May 28, 1853, at Birmingham, Iowa, where he spent his boyhood days, receiving his education and teaching school for a time before completing his medical studies and commencing the practice of medicine. He was married in 1879 to Miss Lilly Randall, who lived less than a year after their marriage.

He completed his courses in the Keokuk Medical college, which afterwards was incorporated with the state university at Iowa City. In the year 1880, he began the practice of medicine, which he has continued during the past 45 years.

On Aug. 27, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Laura L. Rankin, at Peru. This was the old town of Peru, which afterwards was moved to the present location. Two children were born in their home, a son, Frank Randall and a daughter, Zoe Marie.

In 1889 he completed a year of study at Drake university. For ten years he practiced medicine at Truro, and then moved to Winterset, where he has since resided and where he has engaged in the practice of his profession for the past 33 years. In the early days of his practice, there were no telephones, no bridges, no improved roads and no automobiles. At times he rode horseback when making his calls, fording rivers, passing over muddy roads and often finding his way across the open prairie in storms and darkness. On one occasion the bank gave away and his team, carriage and himself fell into a 20 foot ditch, but his life was spared and he lived to tell of his adventure. His time had not yet come.

Dr. Skinner was a member of the school board at one time and also a member of the city council. He served as county physician for about 30 years and was city physician for nearly half that period of time. He was fond of boys and girls and delighted to render assistance to those making sacrifices in order to obtain an education. Although reserved to those outside the home circle, he was most thoughtful of those in the home, whom he loved so well and always desired their true happiness.

During the world war he was eager, and we may say determined, to go and do his part with the forces in the field. After many delays he at last received an appointment from the president as a member of the volunteer medical service of the United States army. The papers were in his hands and all preparations had been made for his departure in this duty to which he looked forward with such patriotic devotion, when the armistice was signed.

He was a member of the Winterset Country club, the Kiwanis club, the Knights of Pythias, and other organizations. He loved children and flowers, birds and trees. He was a lover of nature. On returning from a trip in the country, he always brought some wild flower or some beautiful branch of leaves, which he had gathered by the way.

March 19, 1916, he united with the Presbyterian church. He lived his religion. He never refused a call to a sick child or a sick woman. He was generous to the poor, often giving his services to those who were not able to repay him and sometimes giving a coat or a garment to those in need, ministering by the side of those who were needy with true devotion and carrying out the highest ideal of the noble profession of healing, in which he was honored by all.

He continued in the duties of his high calling until the end. His time came at 11 o'clock Thursday morning, Feb. 19th. He passed quietly to his reward, after a brief illness at the last, during which he suffered for a time, but was resting at the last.

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Laura R. Skinner; his son, Frank Randall of Des Moines; his daughter, Mrs. Zoe Marie Nabers of Fort Madison; a grandson, George Skinner of Des Moines; his brother, Dick Skinner of Kilbourned, Iowa and a sister, Mrs. Harry Skinner of Parkfield, Calif.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Presbyterian church, with an address by Rev. LeRoy C. Cooley, D. D., the pastor. The Knights of Pythias lodge participated in the services. Interment was in Rock City cemetery.

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