J. W. Presnell, M.D.
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Dr.
J. W. Presnell was born in Story county, Iowa, in 1870. He
was a son of James Presnell, a native of Ohio and a graduate of Keokuk
Medical School. In 1872 the father came to Scranton, Iowa, where he
practiced medicine up to the time of his death in 1883. He was not
only well known in his home town, but was an influential and active
member of the County, American and State Medical Associations. In
politics he was a staunch republican and in fraternal relations was a
member of Marion lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the
Ancient Order of United Workmen. His wife was Mary Hearst, of Ohio, by
whom he had seven children, who are all living.
Dr. J. W. Presnell received his preliminary education in the common
schools, supplementing it later by his studies in the medical
department of the State University, from which he was graduated in
1892. His first year of practice was in Nebraska and his second in
Calhoun county, Iowa. Scranton, where he has built up a large and
successful practice. He was the eflicient coroner of the county for
several years and is a member of the State and County Medical
Associations and was a delegate to the state convention. When
twenty-two years of age he joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
and he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. He has always been
actively identified with the republican party, and the cause of
education has ever found in him a worthy supporter. He served for six
years on the school board, being president of the board four years of
that time, and he did all in his power to promote the growth and
welfare of the schools during that time.
In 1892 Dr. Presnell was married to Emma Frease, a daughter of Joseph
Frease, who came to Scranton from Illinois. Three children have been
born to this union: Lowell, who is eight years of age; Irene, who is
two years old; and an infant unnamed at
this writing.
Dr. Presnell enjoys the distinction of having practiced longer than any
other physician in this locality. He is now living in the homestead
where his father
settled when he first came to the town. He has always worked for better
methods in practice and for the adoption of preventive measures, and
the degree of success which he has attained means that he deserves a
place among the county’s benefactors. He is a living illustration of
all that is noble, generous and good in his private life and in his
profession.
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