Frisbie, Dr. D.G. 1822-1891

FRISBIE, BULFINCH

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/26/2011 at 16:54:51

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; May 29, 1891

DIED.

FRISBIE.--At his home in this place, Dr. D.G. Frisbie, aged, 68 years and 7 months.

The announcement of Dr. Frisbie's death yesterday morning was a terrible shock to the entire community. The day before he had been in his office and about town in better apparent health than for some time past. A month or more ago he had a violent attack of the grippe which left him very weak and emaciated. His recovery from its effects was slow. While still weak he had taken up his usual routine of business and felt himself gaining strength. He went to bed Wednesday evening a little earlier than uusal, saying that he was tired. He awoke about half-past ten with a violent cough and, on attempting to get up for something to relieve it, he said he felt so weak that he thought he should die. The cough soon ceased, leaving him conscious and without pain. The heart failed to act and he passed peacefully away about half past two o'clock yesterday morning.

Dr. Frisbie was born in Delaware Co., N.Y., Oct. 4, 1822, of New England Pilgrim ancestry. When about eleven years of age, he moved with his parents to Onondaga county, New York. After a thorough academic education he graduated from the Geneva medical college in 1851, and moved almost immediately to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he practiced his profession until 1854, when he moved to Iowa and has continued a resident of the state until the time of his death.

He was married in Onondaga county, N.Y., Nov. 12, 1845, to Miss Mary Bulfinch, who survives to mourn his loss. There were born to him three children--a daughter and two sons--the eldest, Josephine, a lady of rare excellence and a graduate of Iowa College, and the youngest, Charles Sumner, both died in the autumn of 1874. Mr. O.T. Frisbie is the sole surviving child.

He settled first in Mitchell, Mitchell county, Iowa, and was one of the pioneers in that county. In that then sparsely settled region he had a field of practice not bounded by county lines nor even by the state line, for he often rode far over into Minnesota in his ministrations as physician and surgeon. He ranked with the best physicians in the northern part of the state. He was equally well known as an energetic, public-spirited citizen. In politics he was a hard worker and a sagacious political adviser. In those early days he took an active part in politics and was not only well known throughout his congressional district, but in the state. He represented Mitchell and Howard counties in the Ninth General Assembly and received the hearty support of many counties of the old Third district for member of congress, at the time Hon. Wm. B. Allison was first nominated. In his prime Dr. Frisbie was a most untiring worker at whatever his hands found to do. The early settlers soon found that he possessed a clear head in regard to legal matters, especially the drawing up of legal documents, such as deeds, wills, &c., and the time he could spare from his laborious profession was occupied by those who wanted him to draw up papers for them touching the conveyance of their proberty. For nearly twenty years he was legal as well as medical advisor to many of his neighbors, and such was the estimate of his clearness of perception and soundness of judgment that he was not infrequently chosen as referee in cases involving large property interests and by those who were opposed to him by party and local interests. While strongly attached to and faithful to his friends, his friendship did not warp his judgment from the equities of a case.

In 1874 he moved, with his family, to Grinnell and has resided on his farm just south of the city limits ever since. He was elected justice of the peace soon after coming to this place and was continued in that office by his fellow citizens to the day of his death. While taking a much less active part in public and political affairs than in former years, he has been no idle looker-on, in state and national campaigns. There have been few important elections in which he has not been one of the speakers. He has been one of the directors of the Grinnell Savings bank for many years, serving some of the time as its president. He was also one of the directors of the farmer's exchange. His former pastor, in the pioneer days, contributes the following:

"In 1854 he removed to Mitchell, Mitchell Co., Iowa, where amid pioneer experiences he was prominent in laying the foundations of all that was best in society, schools, temperance, good order, Sabbath observance. It was natural that he won for himself the confidence of his fellow-citizens as a man of strict integrity and sound judgement, a trusted physician--a friend, counselor and helper to those in need. Being a regular attendant upon the ministrations of the gospel, his influence led others in the same way. During the ministry of Rev. Wm. Windsor, 1858-61, he made a public confession of his faith in Christ and united with the Cong'l church in Mitchell, and for years was superintendent of the Sunday school there. During the pastorate of Rev. W.L. Coleman, 1861-1871, he was chosen one of the deacons.

The funeral will be held at half-past two o'clock Sunday afternoon, at the house.
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--The funeral of Dr. Frisbie was held at the family residence Sunday afternoon at half-past two o'clock. The services were conducted by Prof. L.F. Parker, assisted by Rev. W.L. Coleman, who has been a former pastor of a church at Mitchell while Dr. Frisbie was a member. Rev. Dr. A.L. Frisbie, of Des Moines, read selections from the scriptures, and was followed by Rev. W.L. Coleman, who gave a historical sketch of the deceased. Prof. Parker gave a brief and impressive discourse, and, after singing by a quartet composed of Mrs. Christian, Mrs. Holyoke, Messrs. J.C. Walker and Walter Little, the exercises were closed with prayer by the Rev. A.W. Archibald, of Davenport. A large number of citizens joined in the procession to the grave, where a brief and impressive committal service by Rev. Dr. A.L. Frisbie with music and the benediction closed the ceremonies. Everything was conducted in a plain, unostentatious manner, in accord with the well-known wish of the deceased. At a meeting of the directors of The Farmers' Exchange or Grange Store yesterday, the following resolutions of respect were adopted:

WHEREAS, Dr. D.G. Frisbie, Presdient of the Farmers' Exchange, and one of our most prominent citziens has been called away by death from our midst, and from the activites of this life, therefore,

Resolved, That we deplore his sudden departure, and that we deeply regret the loss of so pure and worthy a citizen and Christian gentleman, and that as directors and stockholders of the Farmers' Exchange we must henceforth forego his counsels in our affairs.

Resolved, That we extend to his bereaved family our deep and sincere sympathy in their great bereavement.

Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be tendered his family and be furnished the Grinnell newpapers for publication.