Lacey, Thomas B. (1853-1907)

LACEY

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Date: 3/29/2010 at 01:12:44

Thomas B. Lacey
Dec 9, 1853 - Mar 24, 1907

Dr. Thomas B. Lacey, who for almost a third of a century was engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Council Bluffs, and whose professional skill and ability constantly increased as the years passed by reason of his study and investigation, was born in New Milford, Connecticut, in 1853, his parents being Thomas and Rachel (Noble) Lacey. On leaving New England the family became residents of Racine, Wisconsin, and in 1863 took up their abode in Chicago, Dr. Lacey being at that time a youth of ten years. His father and his grandfather were both members of the medical profession and whether an inherited tendency, environment or natural predilection had most to do with Dr. Lacey's choice of a life work it is impossible to determine. It is evident, however, that he was well fitted for the calling which he chose and in which he gained most desirable success. His common-school advantages were supplemented by study in Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, where he completed his more specific literary course prior to entering the Chicago Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1875.
For a year following his graduation he was in active practice at the Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but in March, 1876, came to Council Bluffs, where he remained until his death on March 24, 1907. He was not long in demonstrating to the public that he possessed an accurate knowledge of the scientific principles of medicine and was correct in his application thereof to the needs of his patients. Moreover, he gave evidence of his skill and ability in diagnosing a case and his broad humanitarianism was proven in his ready sympathy. Within a short time he had gained a liberal patronage and became recognized as one of the most prominent and able physicians of western Iowa. He was made medical director of the United States Masonic Benevolent Association of Council Bluffs and for a period of four years was associated with Drs. Macrae and Thomas on the board of pension examiners. Anything which tends to bring to man the key to that complex mystery which we call life was of interest to Dr. Lacey, who was ever a deep student, carrying his investigations far and wide into the realm of medical knowledge. Dr. Lacey was also a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-third degree. He was accorded high honor by the craft, serving as past grand commander and also that of past grand high priest in the grand commandery and in the grand chapter, respectively. He was ever in thorough sympathy with the principles and purposes of the order and did much to advance its interests in the state. He had ample opportunity to put his knowledge into practice in the discharge of his professional duties and he neglected no opportunity to assist his fellowman.
Dr. Lacey was married to Miss Mary C. Adkins. Dr. Thomas B. Lacey, Jr., the only son of Dr. T. B. Lacey, Sr., was born October 12, 1880, in Council Bluffs, and spent his youth in this city. He acquired his primary education in the public schools and was afterward a student in Cornell University for two years. Subsequently he attended the University of Southern California, at Los Angeles, and in 1906 he was graduated from the Creighton Medical College, at Omaha, Nebraska. He then located for practice in Council Bluffs, where he has since remained and although one of the younger he is also one of the stronger members of the medical fraternity, having the ability and the ambition to advance in his profession. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Iowa State Medical Society, the Pottawattamie County Medical Society, the Council Bluffs Medical Society and the Medical Society of the Missouri Valley.
Something might be learned of the character and interests of Dr. Lacey from the fact that he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being also a Knight Templar, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and also holds membership in the Episcopal church. His entire life has been passed in Council Bluffs and the fact that many of his friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood is an indication of an honorable and upright career.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.434)
THOMAS B. LACEY, M.D., of Council Bluffs, is one of the leading physicians of this city, where he located in March 1876, and has been continually in practice since that date. He was born in New Milford, Connecticut, in 1853. His parents were Thomas and Rachel (NOBLE) LACEY. The family emigrated to Racine, Wisconsin, from New England, and thence to Chicago, in 1863. Both the father and the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch were physicians. The mother survives her husband, being still a resident of Chicago. The Doctor has but one surviving brother, Fred N., a resident of Chicago, who is connected with the Pullman Palace Car Company. He lost two brothers, Arthur at the age of twenty six years, and Edward at the age of sixteen. He has one sister, Mrs. H. A. SUMMER, of Chicago. The Doctor received his literary education at Oberlin College, Ohio, and graduated at the Chicago Medical College in 1875. The Doctor was in practice at the Soldiers' Home in Milwaukee for a year after graduation, but nearly all his professional life thus far has been spent in Council Bluffs. Doctor LACEY is a gentleman of culture, possessing excellent literary attainments, and is recognized as one of the leading physicians of western Iowa. He is at present Medical Director of the United States Masonic Benevolent Associaton of Council Bluffs. He was associated with Drs. MACRAE and THOMAS as a Board of Pensioning Examiners for a period of four years. The Doctor is a prominent Mason, having taken the higher degrees of that order. He has a son named Thomas B., born October 12, 1880.