William Amos Rohlf

ROHLF, SCHROEDER, BEED

Posted By: Debbie Gerischer (email)
Date: 4/10/2009 at 18:44:38

A Narrative History
of
The People of Iowa
with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY,
BUSINESS, ETC.
by
EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.
Curator of the
Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa
Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
Chicago and New York
1931

WILLIAM AMOS ROHLF, distinguished Iowa surgeon, has attained many honors in
the course of his labors and one of the most gratifying to him personally came
when he was elected president of the Iowa State Medical Association for the
year beginning May, 1930. It was a well deserved professional compliment
paid to a man who for thirty-three years has practiced at Waverly and during
that time has given a reputation to this Iowa city as a surgical center out of
all proportion to its population.

Doctor Rohlf was born in Davenport, Iowa, January 5, 1867, son of Amos and
Doris (Schroeder) Rohlf. His parents were natives of Germany, and his father
was eleven and his mother nine when they were brought to America, their
respective families leaving the old country and seeking the new to be rid of some
of the oppressive laws and customs there. Amos Rohlf was a shoemaker by
trade, but in 1872 located on a farm in Scott County, and after retiring lived at
Sheldon, Iowa. He and his wife were devout Lutherans.
Doctor Rohlf was one of a family of seven sons and two daughters. His early
life was spent on a farm. He had the advantages of the common schools but
after that had to work and earn every step of his advancement. He taught
school, and the funds that enabled him to go on through high school and college
were earned by washing dishes, selling books and for a time he sold surgical
instruments to physicians. In 1891 he was graduated M. D. from the
University of Iowa, and he began his practice at Hampton, having only thirty-five
dollars when he went to the town. He paid a month's board and bought the
furniture for his office on credit. He remained at Hampton six years and in 1897
moved to Waverly. He has always been a hard worker, noted for his skill as a
surgeon, has been interested in all phases of medical and surgical progress,
and his research studies have brought him in contact with renowned surgeons
throughout the world. In 1923 he went to South American, under the auspices of
the American College of Surgeons. During 1924 he was in Europe. He has
visited famous clinics all over the country. During his early years he took
special surgical work under Dr. D. W. Middleton, of Davenport, and Dr. W. F.
Peck, of Davenport. For twenty-five years his time and abilities have been
largely taken up with his work as a surgeon. He is a fellow of the American
College of Surgeons and has frequently read papers before professional
organizations.

Doctor Rohlf had much to do with the building of the Mercy Hospital in
Waverly. His associate in practice for a number of years has been Dr. H. W.
Rathe. It has been the custom of Doctor Rohlf for many years to celebrate his
birthday with what is known as a birthday clinic. The most notable of these
came in January, 1930, when about 110 physicians and surgeons gathered at
Waverly to attend the Rohlf clinic and birthday celebration. It was an interesting
event from many standpoints. The presence of so many able physicians and
surgeons not only from Iowa but other states and cities, including Chicago and
Rochester, Minnesota, gave to this district of Iowa the benefit of examination
and attention from the ablest men in the country and many major operations
were successfully performed in the course of the two days. Members of the
profession also participated in interesting discussions and the social feature
was climaxed by a banquet in the Fortner Hotel. Among other distinguished
guests present was Dr. J. H. Peck, whom Doctor Rohlf succeeded as president of
the Iowa State Medical Association in May, 1930.

Doctor Rohlf during the World war was a member of the local exemption board.
He is a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner, member of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, Knights of Phthias and B. P. O. Elks. Doctor Rohlf married
Miss Lottie P. Beed, daughter of James and Charlotte Beed, of Hampton, Iowa.