SPILMAN, Dr. Smith Augustus, 1853-1942

SPILMAN, KIZER, BOWER, BALL, SELLERS, DOWDEN, BURNETT

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 11/25/2012 at 17:48:34

Rites Tuesday Morning For Dr. S. A. Spilman
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Ottumwa Medical Veteran, 89 years old,
Dies Saturday Night

Dr. Smith Augustus Spilman, 89, who practiced medicine in Ottumwa almost 60 years and was one of the most widely known and beloved medical men in the city’s history, died at 10:55 p.m. Saturday at his home, 125 East Maple avenue.

He suffered a heart attack about 10:15. Earlier he had spent an active day, going downtown and visiting with friends as he had practically every day since his retirement in September, 1937.

Dr. Spilman was one of the leaders of his profession in southeastern Iowa. He began his general practice in 1879, but in later life specialized in surgery and consultation.

Once A Schoolteacher

He was born in Jennings county, Indiana, March 6, 1853. His father, a Kentucky farmer had moved to Indiana and later came to Wapello county where he settled on a farm in Highland township in 1871.

Dr. Spilman was educated in common schools in Indiana and a private school completed his secondary education. He taught school in Wapello and Keokuk county rural schools, one term in the school just west of Hedrick. He then entered what is now Northwestern Medical school in Chicago.

He was graduated March 4, 1879, and began active practice that year. He did further study in Vienna in 1893 and in New York in 1900. He attended professional meetings and clinics continually in his practice, and contributed many papers to local societies and various articles on surgery for publication. It was his capacity for study and his zest for the advancement of the science that enabled him to pioneer in many fields of surgery. It was a well-known fact that Dr. Spilman performed the first operation of various now familiar kinds that were done in Ottumwa.

Headed State Society

He was appointed surgeon for the Milwaukee railroad in the fall after the railroad was built through Ottumwa. Later he was appointed surgeon for the Burlington and Wabash railroads.

He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and active in this organization. In 1926, on the 78th anniversary of the Iowa State Medical society he was installed as its president. He was also an active member of the Wapello County Medical society for many years, and delegate in the state society. He was a past member of the council of the state society.

Dr. Spilman was one of the small group which organized the Ottumwa hospital association, and took a big part in founding the hospital. He was on the consulting staff of both the Ottumwa and St. Joseph hospitals for years, and was past president of both staffs.

Active Civic Worker

In civic life Dr. Spilman was equally prominent. He was a member of the Ottumwa school board and a member of the city council in years past. He was a charter member of the Ottumwa Kiwanis club, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He belonged to the First Methodist church and was on the official board of the church for over 40 years.

He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, of Ottumwa Lo9dge No. 16, A. F. and M. and of the Clinton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He had been presented 50-year certificate in each of these orders. He was also a member of the Elks lodge.

On September 23, 1873, Dr. Spilman married Mary J. Kizer in Decatur county, Ind., a daughter, now Mrs. H. O. Bowen of Los Angeles, was born to this marriage. After his first wife’s death in 1876, he married Mary Ball, a native of Jefferson county, in 1879. She died in 1881. On December 27, 1886, he married Alice Sellers of Oskaloosa, who survives him. Their child, Dr. Harold A. Spilman, of Ottumwa, also survives, and has been associated with his father in the practice of medicine in Ottumwa for several years.

Seven Grandchildren

Surviving in addition to these are seven grandchildren, Maj. Lawrence A. Spilman, air corps Canal Zone; Cadet Robert Spilman, at West Point, and James Spilman, a commercial pilot in Miami, Florida, Harry Eugene Bowen, Harold Bowen, Laura Mary and Martha Bowen of Los Angeles. A niece whom Dr. Spilman reared, Laura Dowden Burnett of Seattle also survives. There are four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the First Methodist church in charge of the Rev. H. A. Keck, D. D. Burial will be in the Ottumwa cemetery. The body will be taken from the Lester Jay funeral home to the church at 9 a.m. Tuesday, where it will lie in state until time for the service.

Pallbearers will be Drs. William M. Whitehouse, W. C. Wolfe, C. L. Worley, L. H. Prewitt, Vernon Downs and L. A. Taylor.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book B, page 9, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA

Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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