George S. Waterhouse, M. D.
As a physician arid surgeon of prominence and one who has attained high proficiency in his profession, Dr. George S. Waterhouse possesses the confidence and high esteem of all with whom he comes in contact in Charter Oak and vicinity.
He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, January 9, 1870, one of nine children in the family of George and Mary (Armstrong) Waterhouse, the other surviving members being as follows: William H., of Oakland, California; D. A., of Charter Oak, Iowa; Alice, now Mrs. Charles Freeman, of Farley, Iowa; Joseph E., of Greeley, Colorado; J. E., of Lansing, Iowa; and Madge, at home with her mother in Farley, Iowa.
The father was born in London, England, in 1841, and came to this country in 1856, locating in Dubuque, Iowa, where he established a mercantile business in which he continued for five years. Deciding to engage in farming he disposed of his business interests and purchased a one hundred and sixty acre farm but later sold this and bought two hundred and sixty acres of better land, where he followed general farming, stock-raising and dairying. He was possessed of natural musical talent and had great abilities in that direction. In religion he was a faithful adherent of the Presbyterian church until his death, June 14, 1909.ยท
His wife was born in the north of Ireland and in 1853, when still a young girl, located in Dubuque county, Iowa, with her parents, who followed the pursuit of agriculture. In 1865 she was married to Mr. Waterhouse, whom she survives, and now makes her home at Farley, Iowa. The paternal grandparents of our subject were natives of London, England, whence they emigrated to the United States and located in Dubuque, where they both died. On this side of the family he also had one uncle and one aunt, who is now living in Denver, Colorado. The uncle enlisted in the Union army during the Civil war and died while in service. On the maternal side the grandparents came from the north of Ireland and located in Iowa, where they also died. They were of the Presbyterian faith. Two uncles and two aunts on this side of the family are now living in Dubuque county, Iowa.
George S. Waterhouse attended the district and town schools and then, having determined to adopt a professional career as his life work, he began the study of medicine in the State University at Iowa City and was graduated in the class of 1895. After receiving his diploma he practiced medicine for a period of six months at Dunlap, Iowa, and then removed to Charter Oak, where he located October 1, 1895. Like many other young men in professional life who have their own way to carve in the world, his beginning was a small one, but being possessed of an energetic nature and undaunted spirit, he persevered with unfaltering courage and by paying close attention to his work has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Waterhouse was married July 2, 1895, to Miss Emma Dickinsen, of Clinton, Iowa, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stroud. Her parents died during her infancy and she was adopted by her grandparents, who gave her their name. They were natives of New York state, eventually coming to Iowa, and the town of Dicksen bears the family name, having been established by the grandfather, who was one of the pioneers of the state.
He arrived here in the early '40s before any railroads had been built. In 1849, during the gold fever, he and his wife went to California to seek their fortune, their method of transportation being by means of a wagon drawn by oxen. This was considered a very dangerous journey at that time on account of the hostile Indians who infested the western plains. However, they had no mishap and in 1851 returned to Clinton county, Iowa, where he became an extensive owner of wild lands and improved real estate.
In politics he at first joined the whig party, but later became a republican and was a strong advocate of the prohibition. He was a man of prominence in local circles and acquired considerable wealth and influence. Mrs. Emily Dickinsen is today, at the ripe age of eighty years, enjoying good health and spends her time visiting her children, who live in several states.
To Dr. and Mrs. Waterhouse three children were born, of whom one, Lucile M., survives.
The political preference of Dr. Waterhouse is with the republican party and he has always been an active participant in any public-spirited movement, in recognition of which he was elected mayor of Charter Oak, an office he filled for two terms with honor and distinction to himself, bringing to his duties a high degree of efficiency and executive ability and leaving a record that is a credit to his party and to the town. He is a popular member of Live Oak Lodge, No. 543, A. F. & A. M., and in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America insurance orders. In the few years that he has devoted to his profession Dr. Waterhouse has demonstrated his thorough understanding of its demands, which call not only for scientific knowledge but a certain degree of personal sacrifice in performing the humane offices of this calling and he has never been found wanting when answering the needs of those who require his services.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.