WIGGINS, Charles C., Dr.

WIGGINS, BARNARD, MORSE, SHERMAN

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 5/31/2010 at 22:01:17

Dr. Charles C. Wiggins, a most successful and capable physician of Osage, actuated in all that he does by the spirit of modern progress as applied to the science of medicine and surgery, was born in West Charleston, Vermont, Janu­ary 16, 1865, a son of Frank E. and Stella (Barnard) Wiggins and a grandson of Reuben Wiggins, who came west to Bristol, Iowa, when his son, Frank E. Wiggins, first visited this state. Here Reuben Wiggins purchased land and continued to engage in farming until his death. He was quite prominent in the early days and served as county supervisor of Worth county for a number of years.

Frank E. Wiggins was born at Stratham, New Hampshire, June 7, 1832, and his wife's birth occurred in West Charleston, Vermont, September 29, 1831. In early life they came westward to Osage and were married here. Mr. Wiggins purchased some land within the corporate limits of Osage, where the courthouse now stands, and planned to start a nursery there. After living in Iowa, however, for two years they returned to Vermont but again came west in 1869 and took up their permanent abode in Iowa. In the meantime Mr. Wiggins spent a con­siderable period in travel through Colorado, being at Goldfield for a time. On again coming to Iowa he settled at Bristol in Worth county, where he lived for three years and then removed to Mason City, where he carried on farming for five years. In 1875 he took up his abode in Osage, where he resided until called to his final rest. He was interested in the lime kiln until the manufacture of lime was discontinued and he had a brickyard at the same location a few miles south­west of Osage. His death occurred in 1893, while his widow survived for a considerable period, passing away in 1912. They were both consistent members of the Congregational church and were people of genuine worth and of the highest respectability, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they came in contact.

During his early childhood Dr. Wiggins was brought to Iowa and began his education in the public schools, supplementing his early training by a course in the Cedar Valley Seminary, from which he was graduated with the class of 1883. Two years later he attended the Iowa State University at Iowa City and afterward matriculated in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. He then returned to Iowa and located at St. Ansgar for practice, opening an office at that place. There he continued until 1893, when he removed to Osage and began practice, in which he has since continued. He is a surgeon of marked ability and ranks very high in the profession. He practices surgery in connection with the William Wood Hospital. He had the first X-ray outfit in this section of the state and has a complete X-ray laboratory, while in that branch of professional work he has attained eminence. He belongs to the Mitchell County Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Association, the Hahnemann Medical Association of Iowa and the American Institute of Homeopathy. In the Hahnemann Association he served as vice president in 1903.

On the 26th of October, 1892, Dr. Wiggins was married to Miss Stella Morse,, a native of Lee, Ohio, from whom he secured a legal separation. On the 26th of May, 1909, he married Ethel Sherman, a native of Rochester, Minnesota, who, however, has spent the greater part of her life in Osage.

Dr. Wiggins is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery at Osage and to the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is back of many of the progressive movements which have won distinction for the members of the medical profession of Iowa and at all times he keeps in close touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress, recognizing fully the obligations that devolve upon him in his efforts to check the ravages of disease and restore health. He is conscientious in the performance of all professional duties and has made for himself a creditable place among the physicians and surgeons of his section of the state.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1918, pages 243 & 244.