Hardin County (Iowa) Medical Associations and Societies

Of course, Hardin county physicians have had their associations for the mutual benefit of the fraternity here, as in most counties in Iowa. The first of such organization was formed at Eldora in June, 1873. At the first meeting those present were Drs. J.H. Cusack, B.E. Dodson, M. Underwood, C.H. Guibor, J.F. Simonds, E. Jessup, E.H. King, Steamboat Rock, Thomas Cosgrove. Dr. Cusack was elected president and E.H. King, secretary. After some discussion a constitution was adopted and signed. The organization was known as the Hardin County Medical Association. The board of censors was Drs. Myron Underwood, Jessup and Guibor. For the permanent organization Dr. Cusack was elected present; J.F. Simonds, vice-president; E.H. King, secretary; Thomas Cosgrove, assistant secretary. The organization was continued until about 1878, then went down.

Other attempts were made to sustain a society aiming at the same objects, but none succeeded until the present one that was organized in 1899, as follows:

On May 15, 1899, a number of the physicians of Hardin county met at the court house in Eldora and organized the Hardin County Medical Society. The object of this society was two-fold: Protection and mutual helpfulness. All duly authorized physicians were to be admitted, regulars, eclectic and homeopathic doctors. The officers elected were: President, Dr. Symington; vice-president, Dr. N.C. Morse; secretary, William E. Whitney; trustees, Drs. J.E. King, A.P. Buck and H.C. Willett. It was decided to admit any regular graduates of the three schools of medicine named above. The meetings shall be held semi-annually, the first Monday in June and December, but the business meetings are now held in January each year, instead of December. Interesting papers are read at the meetings, which are held at different points within Hardin county. At each meeting some noted specialist is secured to lecture to the society, which makes the meetings both interesting and practical to all who see fit to attend. The January meeting is always held at Eldora and the others wherever it may be voted to be held. In this way serious cases and obscure ones can be presented by the local physicians for diagnosis and suggestive treatment. Nearly all the physicians of this county are members. The meeting at Eldora in January, 1911, elected the following officers for the present year: President, C.C. Gethman; vice-president,J.E. King; secretary, U.E. Marsh; treasurer, James Thornton. The society is at this date in a prosperous and fraternal condition.