West Liberty History 1838-1938

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

Acorrding to the best available information, medical service in this vicinity was begun by Dr. Van Pelt in the early fifties. The first doctor of whom local people have any recollection, was Dr. George Dunlap, who first located about three miles east of West Liberty, moving into town in 1855, making his home at 915 Columbus street. More definite recollections are of Dr. Holmes who traded his Henry county home and practice with Dr. Dunlap in 1861 and practiced here about seventeen years. He was also a Quaker preacher. Many now living recall Dr. Albert Ady who came here from Belmont county, Ohio, about 1852. He was the first graduate physician to locate in this part of the county, having taken his degree at Bellview Medical College in New York City. He moved to Muscatine in 1883, practicing there until his health failed. He returned to West Liberty in 1892, where he died, March 20, 1893, at the age of 67.

Dr. Ady's home, which he built during his early residence here, stood on the northwest corner at the intersection of Third and Columbus streets, where his widow lived until her death in 1926 at the age of 93. Her maiden name was Adelaide Richards.

Associated with Dr. Ady from 1872 to 1878 was Dr. G. O. Mortgage, a graduate of Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was a Civil War verteran, having been Captain of Company H, 11th Iowa Infantry at the close of the war. He moved to Muscatine where his death occurred in 1909.

Dr. E. H. King studied medicine with Dr. Ady and graduated from the Detroit College in 1870. Located in West Liberty in 1875, practicing here for 15 years. He moved to Muscatine where his death occurred some years later. He served in Company D, 35th Iowa Infantry in the Civil War. The King family came to Iowa from Maine in 1857, locating near West Liberty. The Presbyterian Church here still enjoys an income from a trust fund created by Z. N. King, a brother of Doctor King.

Doctor G. F. Arter, a graduate of Rush Medical College in Chicago came to West Liberty in 1868 and practiced here for a few years.

The first homeopathic doctor known to have practiced here was Doctor J. Q. Hollister who came here form New York in the early seventies. After practicing a number of years he returned to New York.

While here he married Prudy Palmer, whose mother was a great-aunt of Pamela Hollingsworth and whose father owned and operated the old mill which used to stand on the north side of No. 6 highway, two miles east of West Liberty.

As far as known, West Liberty can claim only one woman physician, Doctor Mary Lawson, of whom little is known.

Doctor DeLap and Doctor Carpenter were here for a few years but little is known of them.

Without regard to dates, we should mention Doctors Miles, Struble, Hill, Mott, Wyant, Battet, Woodruff, Regnier, and Morrow, some of whom are now practicing in other Iowa towns.

Representatives of osteopathy and chiropractic have been located here for short periods of time.

Doctor J. R. Gorsline probably holds the record for length of service in osteopathy and Doctor F. L. Rust in chiropractic.

Doctor Rust came here in 1930. His father was bass drummer of the 8th Iowa Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War. Doctor Rust early learned the tailoring trade. He graduated from the Palmer School of Chiropractic in 1923 and later took a course in Swedish Massage and electro-physio-therapy at the National School of Chiropractic in Chicago. He was married in 1915 to Elsie Jane Stuttler of Wilton. They are now living at 106 E. Third street.

Doctor Emmet Ady, the son of Doctor Albert Ady, Senior, was a native of West Liberty. He graduated from the medical department of the University of Iowa in 1882. Served as Intern in the Bellview Hospital of New York and practiced in and around West Liberty for 46 years. He died in 1929 and was succeeded by his son Albert who had been associated with him for five years. His wife was Maria Brown. They lived at 315 Columbus street where he built a home. His wife preseded him in death.

Dr. C. B. Kimball was born in Iowa City. He graduated from the medical department of the State University of Iowa in 1871 and practiced for a short time in Iowa City, later locating in Nebraska, but returned to Iowa and practiced at Downey for a time. He came to West Liberty in 1886, continuing to practice here until his death in 1925 at the age of 74. His son J. E. Kimball joined the firm in 1908. Doctor Kimball was something of a linguist, speaking both German and Bohemian. Having a fine baritone voice he was prominent for years in local musical circles. Doctor Kimball built and occupied the home at 201 East Sixth street where his widow; the former Amelia Polders of West Liberty, now resides.

In years of service Dr. Emmet Ady and Doctor C. B. Kimball hold the record.These men took up their work here under circumstances far more difficult than they are now. No local telephones, no hard-surfaced roads, no automobiles. Old timers tell of the one-horse cart with its backless seat which Doctor C. B. Kimball used when the deep mud did not make it impossible; then it was the horse and a pair of saddle bags in which to carry the necessary remedies.

Today the record in years of service is held by Doctor L. A. Royal who succeeded Doctor Struble. Doctor Royal was born in Coventry, Conn. The family moved to Des Moines in 1886, and later to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, where he received his early education. He graduated from the College of Homeopathy of the State University of Iowa in 1906. Interned at Fergus Falls Hospital at Fergus Falls, Minn. In May 1937, he was joined by Doctor Treadwell Robertson. Some years ago Doctor Royal purchased the property at 103 Maxson avenue where he and Mrs. Royal, the former Pauline Swisher of Iowa City, now live. Their daughter, Gabriella, is the wife of Doctor Treadwell Robertson.

Next in years of service is Doctor J. E. Kimball, son of Doctor C. B. Kimball. He received his early education in West Liberty. Graduated from the medical department of the State University of Iowa and interned at the State University of Iowa Hospital. He located in West Liberty in 1908. In 1911 he took post graduate work at Harvard, returning to West Liberty to again join his father in general practice. It is interesting to note that his eldest son, John, is now in his junior year in medical school at the State University of Iowa. Soon after his marriage Doctor J. E. Kimball built the home at 616 Spencer street where he and his wife, the former Edna Whitacre, now live. Their second son, Whitacre, is a law student at the State University of Iowa.

Doctor ALbert Ady, son of Doctor Emmet Ady, was born in West Liberty. After finishing high school, he entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa, graduating in 1923. Interned in the Harper Hospital at Detroit after which he joined his father here. Doctor and Mrs. Ady, the former Odette MacKenzie of Kenora, Canada, own and occupy the home built by his father. He is a world war veteran.

Doctor Treadwell Robertson was born in Monterrey, Mexico, the son of the American Consul of that city. His early education was in Monterrey, Mexico; Lu Verne, Iowa, and San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from the medical department of the State University of Iowa. Interned one year and was resident physician one year at the Iowa Methodist Hospital at Des Moines.

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