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History of Marcus, Iowa


Doctors Who Practiced in Marcus

Dr. W. C. MAXEY

Dr. W. C. Maxey, of Canada located in Marcus in 1881. He was a graduate of Toronto, Canada college. Dr. Maxey procticed medicine for sever years in Marcus, and then moved to Idaho

Dr. J.L. LaDOUX

Dr. J. L. LaDoux located in marcus in 1882. he was a graduate of Iowa State University. He remained in Marcus but a short time, and then left for other fields.

Dr. Alfred RAYMOND

Dr. Alfred Raymond located in Marcus in 1886. He belonged to the regular school of medicine, remained two years, and then sold his practice to Dr. PROSSER, and went to Europe to further study the science of medicine. He then practiced medicine in the West.

Dr. C.S.A. PROSSER

Dr. C.S.A. Prosser was a graduate of Bellevue Hospital College; he came to Marcus in 1888, and practiced there a few years, and then moved West. He sold his practice to Dr. LOOMIS of Storm Lake.

Dr. Frank E. LOOMIS

Dr. Frank E. Loomis was born in Fayette County, IA, on October 4 1858. There, he grew to young manhood, and in 1891, received his degree from Rush Medical College. On June 20, 1894, he was united in marriage to Miss Madge PERRY. To this union were born five children, one dying in infancy. Dr.Loomis practiced medicine in Marcus for 30 years, and moved to Chicago in the fall of 1923. He died October 13, 1935. Prior to his coming to Marcus, IA, Dr. Loomis practiced medicine for a short time in Nebraska.

Dr. J. FAILING

Dr. J. Failing was one of the first settlers of Marcus, and there was scarcely a man, woman, or child in the town, or surrounding county, but had kind words for the doctor. He was one of the old landmarks of Marcus, and traveled over the bleak prairies, where there was but a occasional settler, in storms and the blizzsards of early 1870's, administering to suffering humanity during the dark days of the grasshopper plague. He was generous to a fault, big-hearted and kind, and many were the old settlers left that felt a deep and lasting sorrow when they heard of his failing health. He was an extraordinary man in many ways, a good physician and a generous soul. He was buried in the Mill Creek Cemetery in August or September of 1894.

Dr. Calvin HOSTETTLER

Dr. Calvin Hostettler was graduated from the Sioux City Medical College in 1889, and located in Marcus in 1889. Dr. Hostettler died August 14, 1907.

Dr. William Nelson FRY

Dr. William Nelson Fry was born in Wells, NY on September 23, 1863. His preliminary education was received in a preparatory school in Poultney, VT. He graduated from the medical department of University of Burlington, VT, and later received a degree from the Columbia Medical School of New York City. Selecting the city of his birth, Wells, NY, as his future home, he settled there after the completion of his preparation for his profession, and in the year 1888, he was united in marriage to Miss Clar DEMING in Wells. The following year, they came to Marcus, IA. To this union were born five children, two of whom departed this life in infancy. Mrs. Fry died in this city on August 13, 1903, after a short illness. Dr. Fry's second marriage took place in the city of Springfield, IL on June 20, 1906, when he took for his wife, Miss Caroline GOLDSMITH. Twenty-one years of his life were devoted to the needs and welfare of the people in this vicinity, for in no other profession is the call for sacrifice as great as that of a physican. Dr. Fry served for many years as mayor of Marcus, and at the time of his death, September 13, 1911, was president of the Board of Education of the public schools.

Dr. T.C. KNOX

Dr. T. C. Knox was graduated from the medical department of the State University of Iowa, June 1908, and after taking hospital work, he located in Marcus in 1911. He moved to Merrill, IA in August 1930.

Dr. Michael F. JOYNT

Dr. M. F. Joynt was born November 10, 1882 at Emmetsburg, IA. He taught school at Emmetsburg for four years before entering medical school at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, from which he graduated in 1910. He came directly to Marcus, and practiced here until he retired. On November 15, 1948, he married Lucille LUKEN in Washington, DC. The Marcus community honored Dr. Joynt on August 14, 1960, on the 50th anniversary of his practice here. Friends, relatives, and doctors (a number of them his classmates formed a big crowd that gathered to pay him honor. Dr. Joynt was in every way the honored and revered country doctor. He made many calls with help of a horse and buggy, and lived to take a number of trips by jet plane. Dr. Joynt's only extended absence from Marcus was during WWI. On his return, he helped organize the Marcus Post of the American Legion, and was its first commander. He ushered 3,300 babies into the world during his long practice. Also to be counted are an untold number of people who found him always ready to respond to calls for help in the traditional manner of the country doctor.

Dr. Charles H. SWIFT JR.

Dr. and Mrs C.H. Swift moved to marcus, IA in August of 1933. Dr. Swift's father was a physician, whom he was associated with in Bancroft, NE following his internship at Fairview Hospital, Minneapolis, and cared for the practice of physicians during extended leaves. He took his medical schooling at Iowa University. Mrs. Swift was a former instructor in Cherokee High School, having taught physical culture. Major Swift was awarded the Silver Star in 1945 (WWII) for gallantry on Luzon, where he was regimental surgeon. Dr. Charles Swift purchased the Argo Hotel in Crofton, NE in 1962, where he lived and had his office until his retirement.

Dr. M.D. HAYDEN

Dr. Hayden was born June 29, 1922 at Humboldt, IA, and married Frances HARMAN on December 16, 1944. He graduated from the State University of Iowa Medical School in 1946. He served in the U.S. Navy until 1949, when he opened a general medical practice in Marcus, IA. He moved his practice to Cherokee, IA in 1961, and retired in 1981. Dr. Hayden passed away February 22, 1987 in the Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital. He was a member of the Academy of Family Practice. Dr. and Mrs. Hayden had two daughters, Dr. Patricia (Dennis) HARRISON and Mrs. Linda (Terry) BURKHART, of Cherokee, IA; one son, Michael Hayden of North Liberty, IA; and nine grandchildren.

Dr. Earle STINE, JR.

Dr. Stine received his B.A. degree from Albion College in Michigan, and in 1958, his Doctor of Medicine degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He interned at Bon Secours Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI for a year, and was awarded a two-year residence in surgery. Upon completing his residency in surgery, he stated practice in Pigeon, MI. In December 1962, he came to Macus and set up practice in the new medical building, which was built according to the specifications arrived at the Sears Foundation. In 1965, Dr. Stine moved his practice to Ida Grove, IA, where he was for the next 12 years. He then went to the State University of Iowa for a residency in radiology (1977 - 1980). Upon completion of this program, he moved to Altus, OK as a radiologist until his retirment in 1995. Dr. Stine has always been active in the field of medical missions. In the summer of 1995, he and his wife. Bea (R.N.) went to Karaganda, Kazakhstan (Russia) for six months under the Methodist Mission Society (World Gospel Mission). Dr. and Mrs. Stine have three children: Renee, Mark, and John and three grandchildren.

Dr. Daryl E. DOORENBOS

Dr. Doorenbos was a part of the medical community in Marcus immediately after coming to LeMars in December of 1971. At that time Dr. Marvin was staffing the Marcus Clinic, Associates services were terminated in 1993. Prior to coming to the area, he graduated from Drake University in 1965, and from the University of Iowa Medical College in 1970. Following that, he completed a rotating internship in 1971. For three months thereafter, he was involved with flight surgery training in Texas to complete military obligations as a Flight Surgeon for the 185th Fighter Group out of Sioux City, IA. He attained board certification in Family Practice in 1976.

Dr. H. Norton HIRSCH

Dr. Hirsch was born in Kansas City, MO. and lived there until he had graduated from college. He attended Rockhurst Prep School and College before going to Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, NE. These are all Jesuit Priest schools. After completing his internship, he moved to Sioux City, IA. Dr. Hirsch is married, and his wife's name is Marilyn. He spent his entire medical career in Sioux City until he came to Marcus in February 1994. He states coming to Marcus has allowed him to slow down after having a busy practice for many years, and he is happy here, and has met lots of very nice people.

SOURCE:  Transcribed by: Arlene Steffen: MARCUS, IA -THE MARCUS, IA BOOK , Vol 1 1996 Page 93 & Page 94

References: "History of Cherokee County, Iowa, Volume I" by Thomas McCully, Chicago, the S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1914; and The Marcus News, Marcus, IA

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