Dr. Roger Nelson Cresap ~ 1857-1929

CRESAP, WASHINGTON, BORLAND, HUGHES, SIDERS, FRIEND

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 1/30/2002 at 22:44:59

Roger Nelson Cresap, second son of John T.B. and Caroline Washington Cresap, was born in Bonaparte July 29, 1857, and passed his 72nd birthday during his last sickness.

He was educated in the old Bonaparte Academy under Prof. Howe. He made his home with his grandfather, Dr. Roger Nelson Cresap I. He went to Kansas City, Mo., in 1881 and engaged in telegraphy while studying medicine in the Kansas City Medical College from which he graduated in 1885 with highest honors – the Howard M. Holden prize.

He practiced in Kansas City until 1891 when failing health brought him back to Bonaparte. He was married to Elizabeth Borland in 1886 and to this union two children were born.

Dr. Cresap was a public spirited man, always working for the best interests of the town and community. He was a member of the school board and the city council for many years. He was a member of Bonaparte Lodge No. 73 Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons for a great many years and served as the Master for six consecutive years. He was also a member of El Chanan Commandery serving as Eminent Commander, and he was affiliated with the Shrine.

In 1884 he joined the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, and was at the time of his death President of the Board of Trustees of the Presbyterian church of Bonaparte.

Dr. Cresap was a member of the American Medical Association, State Medical Society, and the Van Buren Medical Society – serving the latter as its first president. In the words of a colleague in tribute to his memory:

“Dr. Cresap has practiced medicine at Bonaparte since 1892. He was a man of fine quality, of honor, fairness and justice, which won him friends in the profession, as well as among the large number of people of his community who had the privilege of his service. There was no sacrifice of personal comfort or interest which he was not ready to make if a patient were benefited thereby. His spirit of service brought him for many years all the most desirable practice of his community. His fair and just treatment and his kind and patient sympathy with his patients will be deeply missed by the people of Bonaparte and by the physicians everywhere with whom he had relations.”

He leaves to mourn his death his wife and two daughters – Katherine Hughes of Storm Lake, and Mary Elizabeth of the home, a granddaughter, Jane Cresap Hughes, two brothers, Keith of Topeka, Kansas, and Henry Clay of Denver; two sisters, Emma Siders of Long Beach, Calif., and Grace Friend of Eldon, besides other relatives, and hosts of friends and devoted admirers.

Funeral services were held on Saturday afternoon at the late home, Rev. M.D. Cox, pastor of the Keosauqua M.E. church officiating. Interment in the Bonaparte cemetery.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings

I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.