Dr. Frank D. Schwerdtfeger (1888-1917)

SCHWERDTFEGER, SARGENT, STEPHENSON

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 10/21/2011 at 14:22:26

Sutherland Courier, 8 Mar 1917, p 1 col 1

Young Physician Claimed By Death

Dr. Frank D. Schwerdtfeger Fails to Survive Operation After Lingering Illness

Frank D. Schwerdtfeger was born in Sutherland, Iowa, May 15, 1888 and died at the Mercy Hospital in Chicago, March 5, 1917. He graduated from the Sutherland High School in 1907. After his graduation from the Medical Course in Northwestern University in 1911, he located at Royal, Ia., in January 1912. On September 10, 1912, he was married to Pauline E. Sargent, of Harley, Rev. George Gilbert officiating. He is survived by his wife, baby daughter Ruth, Elizabeth his mother, two brothers and three sisters. He united with the Methodist church of Sutherland in 1907 but later was transferred to the M. E. church at Royal.

Dr. Schwerdtfeger started on his medical work with every qualification for a successful career. But after a little over a year's practice he was taken sick on Aug. 15, 1913, with typhoid fever and was unable to practice again until March 1914. On Easter Sunday, 1015, he was again taken sick with osteomyelitis of the left femur bone. He was taken to the hospital at Harley, Ia., where for almost a year he suffered intense pain and several operations were performed in the hope of helping him. Health apparently began to return and he was taken back to Royal to the new home that had been built during his absence.

Here he carried on the practice that came to his office though unable to make any professional calls. He interested himself in organizing the young men and boys of Royal into a band. He became their leader though having to be taken to rehearsals in his wheel chair. But in the fall of 1916 he was taken ill, a third time, and on January 19, 1917 was taken to Mercy Hospital, Chicago where on March 5th, his left limb was amputated at the hip joint in the hope of stopping the course of the disease. Death followed about nine hours later before he had fully recovered consciousness.

Dr. Schwerdtfeger was of a genial, sunny disposition and because of his deep interest in all people he was greatly loved. In spite of his long illness and intense suffering he was always cheerful, plucky and optimistic. To his patients he was a friend as well as a doctor, to his band boys "Doc" was always a source of inspiration and to all who knew and loved him, the influence of his life will be a blessing.

The funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church in Sutherland, Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. George Gilbert, of Marcus, preaching the sermon. The Masonic order, Mr. J. T. Reeves, of Hawarden, presiding, conducted the burial service. Interment was in the Waterman Cemetery.

Sutherland Courier, 15 Mar 1917, p 1 col 1

Mrs. W. T. Stephenson, of Deep River, and Albert Schwerdtfeger, of Sioux City, came to Sutherland last Thursday to attend the funeral of their brother, Dr. Frank Schwerdtfeger, Mrs. Stephenson remaining here to visit home folks until Sunday evening.

Sutherland Courier, 24 May 1917, p 7 col 4

Mrs. Pauline Schwerdtfeger departed Monday evening for Hartley where she will make her future home with her mother. She has not as yet disposed of her property here and will therefore come to Royal occasionally to visit in town for the purpose of looking after these interests. (Royal Banner)