West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
DENTISTS OF WEST LIBERTY

The earliest record of dentistry in West Liberty concerns Doctor Ivory Webster.The only dates available were taken from the stone that marks his resting place in Oakridge cemetery. Born in 1820, died in1902. It is known that he practiced here prior to 1862. He did not practice continuously but was practicing at the time of his death. He did watch and clock repairing as a side line. His wife left West Liberty soon after his death to live with a daughter. Doctor Webster's dental equipment was purchased by Doctor W. B. Jayne and presented to the dental museum of the State University of Iowa. It is the most complete collection of early instruments there.

Doctor Dillingham came here from Toronto, Canada, about 1862 but did not practice continuously. He was interested in horse racing and sometimes gave up his professional work to devote his time to that. He died in 1907, aged 69 years 6 months. he practiced up to the time of his death. At one time he had a partner by the name of Coe. At another time Doctor Ricketts was associated with him. He was married to Mary Richardson in 1867 at the home of her parents at 207 West Fourth Street in West Liberty, and went to housekeeping there. Their only child, Miss Nellie Dillingham was born there and still lives in that house.

Doctor Unangst came to West Liberty in 1878 and continued in practice until 1896 when he sold out and moved to Davenport where he practiced until his death.

Doctor L. L. Poston graduated from the dental department of the State Unicersity of Iowa in 1895 and located here, although he did under-graduate work here during his vacation while a student. He moved away in 1901 and is now practicing in Davenport. In 1896 he married Minnie Potter of West Liberty.

Doctor Long located here about 1900, succeeding Doctor Poston. He moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1908 and became interested in mining. In 1926 after taking two years of graduate work in Chicago, he located in Moline, Illinois and practiced there up to the time of his death.

Doctor DeFrance, a graduate of the State University of Iowa was located here for a short time, followed by Doctor Smith, who left to take up work in India.

Of those practicing now in West Liberty, Doctor W. B. Jayne holds the record, which is also the longest record of continuous practice in Muscatine county. He succeeded Doctor Unganst in 1896, having had charge of the Doctor's practice as an undergraduate during his absence on vacations. He was born on a farm near Wilton Junction in 1870. After somewhat limited school opportunities and varied occupations, he entered the dental department of the State University of Iowa and graduated in 1894. He was located in Oakland, Nebraska, for two years. Ill health has kept him from his office only one day in his years of practice. He recalls that during his vacations he had an office in Lone Tree. Two days a week he drove to Nichols, borrowing a horse and a cart with a backless seat, carrying all his equipment with him except his chair. In 1899 he married Helen Potter of Washington, Iowa, then in Muscatine, the first graduate nurse to locate there. They began housekeeping at 500 E. 4th st., where they still live. They have two children living, Harold, of Riverside, Illinois and Martha, medical supervisor of nurses in the State University of Colorado at Denver.

Doctor H. A. Knott succeeded Doctor Long in 1908. He was born in Tipton, Iowa. After graduation from the Tipton high school, he entered the dental department of the State University of Iowa, and graduated in 1908. In 1933 he was made a life member of the Iowa Dental Society, having belonged for 25 years. In 1912 he married Hazel Nichols, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Nichols of West Liberty. In 1914 they built and moved into their present home at 520 E. Third Street. Their son, Charles, is a junior in high school, and they have a young daughter Kathryn Kay.

Doctor E. E. Hale succeeded Doctor Smith in 1931. He was born in Glenavon, Illinois. Attended public schools in Winterset, Iowa. Graduated from the dental department of the State University of Iowa in 1929. Had work at Des Moines University and post-graduate work at Toledo, Ohio and the State University of Iowa. Practiced one year in Perry. Iowa. While in the State University, he married Naomi Musser of Lone Tree, who later graduated from the State University of Iowa School of Nursing. They have one child, Janet. They live at 621 E. Third Street.

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