George A. Spaulding (1867-1922)

SPAULDING

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/8/2008 at 01:04:05

SUDDEN DEATH OF DR SPAULDING
(September 20, 1867 - August 2, 1922)
PHOTO AVAILABLE
Dr. G. A. Spaulding Passes Away at Sweedish Immanuel Hospital in Omaha in Less Than Thirty-six Hours After an Operation for Gall Stones. Body Brought to Avoca for Burial. One of Best Known Physicians in Southwestern Iowa.

Just when the sun in all his state,
Illumined the eastern skies,
He passed through Glory’s gate,
And waked in Paradise.”

Dr. G. A. Spaulding, Avoca’s popular and well beloved physician and surgeon, passed away at six o’clock Wednesday morning at the Sweedish Immanuel hospital in Omaha, after an operation for gall stones. The remains were brought to Avoca about noon Wednesday. The funeral services will be held at his late home tomorrow (Friday) morning at ten o’clock.

Dr. George Albert Spaulding was a son of John and Augusta Spaulding. He was born September 30, 1867, in Coos County, New Hampshire. His parents moved to Iowa when he was a small child, locating at Charles City, where he grew to manhood. After graduating from the public schools of that city he attended the Iowa State University at Iowa city, graduating from the medical department in 1888 with high honors. Dr. Spaulding first began the practice of medicine at Quinter, Kansas, a small town in the northwestern part of that state, where he stayed a little over a year.

Dr. Spaulding came to Avoca in 1890, where by hard work and strict attention to business he became one of the leading physicians and surgeons in this section of Iowa. Among his professional friends he was considered a surgeon of unusual ability and very successful, as a physician he stood second to none. Dr. Spaulding was a citizen any community could well be proud of. He stood for all things that was right and honorable and for the betterment and uplift of the community. He was personally interested in all public improvements and public gatherings. While there were some who did not agree with him on all questions, all respected him for his honesty and sincerity of views.

On February 28, 1894, Dr. Spaulding was united in marriage to Miss Fannie L. Blake, of Avoca. To this union three daughters were born; Ethel, Edna, and Georgia.

The news of Dr. Spaulding’s death was like a bolt of lightning out of the a clear sky, a great shock to the community as only a few of his very intimate friends knew he was ailing. He had spoken of his coming operation, but put it off because he was caring for patients who needed his personal attention as he thought when in fact Dr. Spaulding should have been under the direct attention of a physician himself. He seldom complained of his condition. Sunday he had a severe attack of gall stone colic and departed on the evening train for Omaha. He was operated upon Monday forenoon and recovered from the anesthetic nicely. Tuesday he was reported as getting along nicely, but in the afternoon took a turn for the worst. His family was summoned and all were present at the end except Miss Georgia.

In the death of Dr. G. A. Spaulding, not only Avoca, but the entire community lost a good, faithful citizen, his associates a true friend and neighbor.

Dr. Spaulding had served on our school board, our town council and was always found on the side he thought was right, and justice to all. He had many friends among the men of national reputation and among the medical profession. His patients loved him for his many kind and thoughtful acts, and his death has deeply affected the community which had known him form a young man of twenty-three years, who came among us to live and became one of us, one who was willing to give his little mite, to help better the community which he afterwards called home.

During the world’s war, Dr. Spaulding offered his services and was given the rank of captain and went to Camp Lewis, Washington, where he was stationed until the close of the war.

Dr. Spaulding was member of the Masonic fraternity for many years and stood high in Masonic circles.

Dr. Spaulding was descended from a family who traced their lineage directly back to the twelfth century, and his ancestor, Edward Spaulding came to America in 1619, with the expedition sent to Virginia under Sir George Yeardley. Needless to say they fought for independence in the Revolution.

The community joins as one in giving their sympathy to the bereaved family.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald