Dr. Lester D. Rusk

RUSK, CONNORS, LANG

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/3/2015 at 17:43:05

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

Earnest studious and efficient, Dr. Lester D. Rusk has steadily advanced toward the goal fixed by his ambition and is now classed with the leading physicians of Sioux City, in which he has resided for a period of ten years. He was born April 8, 1872, in Vernon County, Wisconsin. His parents, Henry and Jennie (Connors) Rusk, who were natives of Ohio, removed from the state to Wisconsin, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until 1882, when he came with his family to Iowa. He rented a tract of land near Sioux City, in Woodbury County, operating the place for several years, and then moved to Plymouth County. There he spent the remainder of his life, contributing his share toward the development of its rich agricultural resources. As a young man he enlisted in Company in Company I, of the Forty-second Wisconsin Infantry, and fought for the Union during the last year of the Civil war. He passed away, August 30, 1917, but the mother still resides on the old homestead and has reached the advanced age of eighty-two years.

Dr. Rusk attended rural schools of Wisconsin until he was ten years of age and then became a pupil in the public schools of Woodbury County, Iowa. He took a course at Morningside College and then clerked for a time in a general store. His higher education was received in the Sioux City Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1907, and he then chose Jefferson, South Dakota, as the scene of his professional activities. He remained at that place until 1915 and has since maintained an office in Sioux City, Iowa. He utilizes his scientific knowledge to the best advantage in his efforts to alleviate suffering and restore health and each year has recorded a marked increase in his practice, which now makes heavy demands upon his time and attention.

On October 14, 1907, Dr. Rusk married Miss Emma Lang, a daughter of John and Martha Lang, who were born in Ohio and became pioneer settlers of Iowa. Mr. Lang served for three years in the Union army and now resides in Roseville, Illinois. He has reached the eighty-fourth milestone on life’s journey and his wife is seventy-eight years of age. Dr. and Mrs. Rusk have one child, Anna Marie, who was born August 8, 1916.

Dr. Rusk is much interested in politics and while a resident of Jefferson, South Dakota, was chairman of the republican central committee. He also served on the city council and as justice of the peace. He is a Presbyterian in religious faith and along fraternal lines is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Modern Brotherhood of America. A member of the Iowa State and Sioux Valley Medical Societies and the American Medical Association, he is deeply interested in his profession and through able, conscientious work has won the confidence and respect of the residents of this community.