Brower, Dr. Ephraim D. 1858-1910

BROWER, STEBBINS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/7/2017 at 09:17:49

LeMars Sentinel
October 14, 1910

NOTED DENTIST IS DEAD
DECEASED STOOD HIGH IN HIS PROFESSION
HELD VARIOUS STATE POSITIONS
Dr. E. D. Brower Succumbs to Stroke of Paralysis on Returning from An Automobile Ride With Friends With Whom He Was Visiting.

On Monday at noon on returning from an automobile ride with friends with whom he was visiting at Brewster, Minn., Dr. E. D. Brower, of this city, suffered a second stroke of paralysis, from which he never rallied, and died the following morning at four o’clock, without regaining consciousness. His wife was at the door to meet him and as she greeted him she noticed he was pale. A moment later he fell forward in her arms.

A physician was summoned from across the street, but all efforts to prolong life were futile as it was the death stroke.

Dr. Brower suffered a stroke of paralysis on Sunday night, April 17th, as he was leaving his house after supper to go up town to visit friends. From this attack he had recovered to such an extent as to go up town to his office, although using a wheel chair, and attend to some of his business matters.

He was bright and cheerful under the vicissitudes of illness and had hopes, in which he was joined by his many friends, of ultimate recovery.

Those hopes were not realized and “Doc,” as he was familiarly called, has gone at a comparatively early age to join the vast majority. That his death is sincerely regretted goes without saying. He had his enemies, as who has not, but his friends, of whom he had many, deplore his death, and pay a sincere tribute to his work and to his social qualities.

During his long illness, he was devotedly nursed by his faithful wife and daughter, whose care and attention were unremitting. He was among his friends only last week, feeling that he was gaining strength, and greeted them as in the good old days, telling them he was going away for a little visit at the home of a niece, Mrs. R. T. Wells, at Brewster, Minn. He left for that place on Thursday, and was enjoying outdoor life in the lovely autumn weather, when summoned by the angel of death.

The body, accompanied by the bereaved wife and daughter, arrived home on Tuesday afternoon, and was met at the depot by old friends, and conveyed by them to the Grand Rapids mortuary chapel, and later to the residence on Clark street.

Ephraim D. Brower was born in Leesville, Carroll county, January 15, 1858, of Holland and Scottish ancestry. He attended school in his native place, and the writer has often heard him relate experiences of his school days and on the farm in pioneer days. When fourteen years of age, parents moved to Ackley, this state, where his education was completed. After leaving school he taught school in Grundy county for two years.

In the spring of 1878, he commenced the study of dentistry with J. K. Morris at Ackley, and in 1879, he went to Ann Arbor university, Michigan, graduating from dental school of that institution in 1881. In the same year he located in LeMars, which has been his home since. Dr. Brower stood high in his profession, and was one of the foremost dentists in the state of Iowa, his ability being conceded by all in the ranks of the profession.

His practice was extremely large, and he always kept abreast of the times, and was posted in every advance of modern science and device, and patients whom he had treated in years gone by, who have scattered to several states, made frequent trips back to LeMars to avail themselves of his skill. He was an enthusiast in his work, and assiduous toil in season and out of season was partially responsible for his breakdown.

When still a youth, in 1883, he became a member of the State Dental society and the same year was appointed to a position on the examination committee of the dental department of Iowa, which he held for three years.

In 1888, he received the appointment as member of the state board of Dental Examiners, at the hands of Governor Larrabee. In September, 1895, he assisted in organizing the Northern Iowa Dental Society, and at the close of the session held at Clear Lake, was elected its president. His second appointment on the board was made by Governor Cummins, on August 1, 1903, for a term of five years and he was reappointed on August 1, 1908, for another five years. On May 3, 1904, he was elected secretary and treasurer of the State Dental board, and served up to the time of his death.

Dr. Brower was united in marriage in LeMars on November 26, 1884, with Jessie C. Stebbins, who with their daughter Hazel survives him. He was an affectionate husband and father, a loyal friend and generous to a marked degree.

He was active in politics during his life, being a progressive Republican, and a staunch supporter of Governor Cummins. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, and was clerk of the local camp of Woodmen of the World at the time of his death.

The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the residence on Clark street, and was largely attended by friends and old neighbors. Rev. C. F. Fisher, of the Congregational Church, officiated. The Pallbearers were A.C. Colledge, J.R. Street, Anton Sartori, C.L. Haas, Wm. Smiley, W.S. Freeman, G.J. Richards, and Dr. J.M. Figg.

The services at the grave were conducted by Woodmen of the World.