George Washington Balcom (1827-1902)

BALCOM, NELSON, MURWIN, BENTLEY

Posted By: C. Tucker (email)
Date: 1/31/2016 at 11:25:50

Evening Times Republican
Marshalltown, IA [Saturday 4-12-1902] p. 7

OBITUARY

Balcom

George W. Balcom, aged 75 years, died at 2 o'clock this morning at the city detention hospital as the result of a severe attack of erysipelas, following an illness with smallpox. Mr. Balcom was taken to the hospital on the night of March 30 from the home of his son-in-law, Duane Bentley, 407 East Main street, where he has made his home for a number of years. He became exposed to the smallpox thru Mr. Bentley, who, as a magnetic healer, called no physician in his illness and was nearly over the effects of the disease before the health authorities were aware of its existence. Mrs. Bentley, Mr. Balcom and a boarder at the Bentley home were all taken ill as a result. "Dr." Balcom, as he styled himself, was born in Palmyra, N.Y., and came to Marshalltown in the fall of 1881. He began the practice of magnetic healing and about seven years ago was accused, by a son, who afterwards suicided, of a serious crime. Following the accusation, altho acquitted of the crime, Mr. Balcom became despondent and has remained a recluse since. During the greater part of the intervening years he has been insane. When taken ill with smallpox the disease was found to be in a very light form and there was no danger anticipated. He was almost well but Friday symptoms of erysipelas set in, resulting from a sore on the patient's hand. He grew worse rapidly and died a few hours after the presence of the blood infection was known. Mr. Balcom is survived by five children, two sons and three daughters. The sons are Albert Balcom, of Malta, Ill.; and Ancil Balcom, of Dekalb, Ill.; and the daughters Mrs. Harriet Nelson, of Carleton, Ill.; Mrs. Caroline S. Murwin, of Bluff Springs, Fla., and Mrs. Alice Bentley, of this city. The burial will be made in Riverside tonight.