Page 73
Pictures: Dr. W. C. Tilden; Dr. C. W. Baker

PHYSICIANS

       In its early history Stanwood was fortunate in having doctors. The first, Dr. Charles H. Hunt, a graduate of Rush Medical College, came in 1880. He lived in the present Fritz Meyer home, 101 South Ash Street and had his office in the building that is now the home of the Stanwood Public Library. Dr. Hunt’s service to the community continued until his death in 1892.

       Following Dr. Hunt several doctors served here: Dr. Scoville, Dr. Charles Shearer, and Dr. Richard W. Soper. Hattie Boling, a local girl, became the wife of Dr. Shearer. Dr. Soper built the house on West Street now occupied by Howard Hines and family.

       About 1900 Dr. Grant Johnson who was traveling with a medicine show that was held on the Stanwood school grounds decided to quit his job as salesman of Kickapoo Indian medicine and settle in Stanwood. Records are not available to tell us how long he stayed, but at least he built a house, the one now occupied by Carl Lehrman, 103 East Broadway.

       For several years Stanwood had two doctors simultaneously. Dr. Charles W. Baker (maternal grandfather of Ed Davidson) came in 1900 and continued his professional services here until his death in 1929. He was the railroad’s doctor and was above the present Ropa store. Dr. W. C. Tilden came in 1902. He married a local girl, Florence Walker. Doctor Tilden is remembered as a long-time physician in this community and as the president of Stanwood’s school board for many years. Always sincerely eager to see better school opportunities available to Stanwood’s children, he promoted the consolidation of the surrounding rural schools with Stanwood and the building of the present high school. He died in 1941.

       Dr. Kingsbury and Dr. Crum each served here for a short time.

       After Dr. Tilden’s death, the Stanwood Development Association, formed in 1950 for the purpose of getting a permanent doctor in the town, built an office building south of the railroad on Ash Street, for Dr. Paul Rose, O. D. However, he did not remain long. After he left, Dr. Douglas communed to Stanwood from Lisbon for a short time. The office building has recently been sold to the Leonard Koppenhavers who have remodeled it as their home.

       Today Stanwood is without a doctor.

Page 75
Picture: Home of Dr. Ives, first Vet. Note wooden sidewalks

DENTISTS

       Before World War I Stanwood had dental offices in the building now known as the library. Those practicing there included Dr. J. K. Dice, who later moved to Tipton, Dr. Davis (who was also an evangelist) and Dr. Henrietta Allen and Dr. Casebeer, both of whom were women.

       Offices were opened later over Ropa’s Grocery and those who practiced there included Dr. Truax also Dr. Clarence L. Fenner who commuted from Iowa City and is now a leading dentist in Cedar Rapids. Dr. J. B. Lane, who was at Clarence for several years was first at Stanwood. About 1919 a Dr. Percy served the community and lived in the house now occupied by the Gordon Lichts.

       We have now been without a dentist for a good many years.