Gadd, Benjamin T. – 1837-1913

COATES, DAVIS, GADD, MILLER

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 5/29/2017 at 18:41:38

Dr. Benjamin T. Gadd was one of seven sons born to David and Elizabeth Gadd in their family of twelve of whom but two are living. Benjamin was born in Perry county Ohio, Sept. 7, 1837. His father died when he was 9 years old, and in 1855 he came with his mother to Davenport, Iowa, where he began the study of medicine and dentistry and in 1865 was graduated from the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical Institute, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession in Scott county first for 20 years, and for 29 years thereafter most successfully and usefully in Mitchellville, Iowa.
In February, 1868, Dr. Gadd was united by marriage with Emily J. Coates and to them were born four children, all of whom, with their mother, survive him. They are Dr. E. E. Gadd, Des Moines, Iowa; J. H. Gadd, Lincoln, Nebraska; Mrs. C. E. Miller, of Coal Harbor, North Dakota, and Mrs. W. T. Davis, Colfax, Iowa.
Besides his busy practice Dr. Gadd found time to serve his profession a number of years as president of the State Eclectic Medical Society, and in the chair of Materia Medica, in Drake University, Des Moines. He also served as member of the Board of Education of Mitchellville for many years – 12 years as its president.
In 1860 he united with the Christian church, and was ever after a devoted, earnest disciple serving as Elder and teacher in the Sunday Schools until called to his reward. Preceding the funeral at the Mitchellville Christian church on Friday 12th inst., a short service was held at the home of his daughter in this city. Rev. Munyon offering a very impressive prayer. Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Robinson sang sweetly “Face to Face.” Dean Kirk read the first and Ninetieth Psalms and portions of the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth, some passages of which were quoted in the last words of the Doctor, after which the body was taken to Mitchellville for the final services and laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery of that place. Dean Kirk of Drake University spoke loving words of truth and comfort to the sorrowing hearts and in a most impressive manner told of the exemplary life of the deceased. Then the long sad procession to the cemetery rang down the curtain on the last act in the life of this good man.
Card of Thanks – We desire to express our sincere thanks to all who rendered such valuable services for the many beautiful flowers and for the expressions of love and sympathy shown during the last sickness and death of our much beloved husband and father. These kindly acts and dear friends will ever be remembered as sacred with the precious memory we have left us and as an aid to lighten the burden of this sore affliction. Mrs. Gadd and family.
Source: The Colfax Clipper; Thursday, December 18, 1913

The death of Dr. B. T. Gadd, formerly thirty-five years a prominent physician of Mitchellville, occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. w. T. Davis, in this city, with whom he and his wife were making their home at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday December 10th. Funeral will take place Friday afternoon at his old home in Mitchellville and his remains will be laid away in the beautiful cemetery near that place where so many of his old friends and neighbors are at rest.
Source: newspaper name unknown; date unknown (possibly The Colfax Clipper; the week prior, December 11, 1913)