WHITLEY, John L., Dr. 1848-1898
WHITLEY, CHASE
Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 5/22/2007 at 11:46:21
Birth: July 29, 1848, New York.
Death: December 16, 1898, Iowa.
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Death of Dr. John L. Whitley.The entire community was greatly shocked on Friday evening to learn that Dr. Whitley had suddenly expired in his office. In the early spring he had a long "sick spell" and for weeks his life hung by a brittle thread. Then he began to grow better and his friends hoped for a complete recovery. In the autumn he took a trip to the East and spent three months at his father's home at Jamestown, New York. These weeks of rest were highly enjoyed by him and he seemed to be recovering though he did not gain much in strength.
When he returned a few weeks ago, it was pleasant to find him strong enough to go on the street once more and to greet the friends of other years. For more than thirty years he was a resident of this place and possibly no one had a wider acquaintance in the county. His improvement was apparent rather than real. He realized that his health was in a precarious condition and that he was liable to go at any moment. He went out driving nearly every day and those who saw him on the street thought him much better than he was. He had returned from a drive and walked up to his office a few minutes before he expried.
John L. Whitley was born in the state of New York, July 20, 1848. He came to Osage in 1865, largely through the influence of the famous Professor Bush. He completed the course of study in 1867. There are those in the community that recall an oration he gave in the court house about that time. He was a speaker of real power and had he cultivated this gift he would have been an orator of great infulence. He was a man of literary taste, read widely and communed with the greatest books. In 1869 he graduated at Rush Medical College and soon after entered into partnership with the late Dr. S. B. Chase in the practice of medicine. He was a most skillful surgeon, a successful practitioner, and a man that was kind and sympathetic in the sick room. His practice was very large and he will be missed in many a home in the county. He was a man of commanding presence and his personal power was very great.
His ability was recogonized in many ways. He was at one time president of the Alumni Association of Rush Medical College, vice president of the State Medical Society, for some time the president of the board of trustees of Iowa Insane Asylum at Independence, and surgeon of the Illinois Central and Winona & Western railroad.
In March 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Ada M. Chase, daughter of Dr. S. B. Chase. Five children were born to them, four of whom survive: Ralph, Roy, Clara and Merle.
The funeral services were held at the family residence on Tuesday at 10 o'clock under the direction of the Knights Templars, Rev. W. W. Gist offered prayer.
Rev. C. B. Moody, of Minneapolis, gave a brief biographical sketch of Dr. Whitley and paid a warm tribute to his memory, calling attention to his skill and success in his profession, his kindness and sympathy to all who needed his professional services, and his firm and abiding friendship. Dr. T. O. Douglass spoke of his intimate associations with the doctor for thirty years and spoke words of comfort to the family.
Among those who attended the funeral from abroad where two brothers of the doctor, one from Webster City and one from New York.
Dr. Charles Chase of Waterloo, and Dr. Greshom Hill, superintendent of the asylum at Independence.
[ Osage News Dec. 22, 1898 ]
(MO)
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NOTES:Wife:
Ada Marilla Chase Whitley (1847-1933)Children:
Ralph Lee Whitley (1871-1964)
Fred C. Whitley (1874-1883)
Clara R. Whitley (1879-1968)Burial:
Osage Cemetery, Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa.(Credit: DM Scott)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Death of Dr. Whitley.
Osage, Iowa, Dec. 19.—Dr. John L. Whitley, one of the best known physicians of Northern Iowa, dropped dead in his office here in Osage, between 5 and 6 o’clock Friday evening. For the past year the doctor has been very sick, but during the past month or so has been much improved, and hopes were entertained of his entire recovery.
Dr. Whitley was for years associated with Dr. Chase, in the practice of medicine in Mitchell county, under the firm name of Chase & Whitley.
The doctor leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss. For years Dr. Whitley has been prominent in politics of the state, and has filled many prominent places in the Masonic lodge of Osage as well as well as the grand commanderies.
Iowa Plain Dealer Dec. 27, 1898, FP, C6
(Credit: Joy Moore, Nov. 2017)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Photo of Dr. Whitley from STANDARD HISTORICAL ATLAS OF MITCHELL COUNTY, IOWA, 1911 -- Published by Anderson Pub. Co., Chicago. (S Bell)
Mitchell Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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