The first doctor in Ringgold County was Dr. Alexander "Alex" McCARTY. Dr. McCARTY was born around the year 1829 in Tennessee, the son of Daniel and Sally McCARTY and the spouse of Mary Ann FARMER. The McCARTYS arrived in Ringgold County in 1853, and settled on a farm located 2 1/2 miles southwest of Mount Ayr. There, he remained for ten years, then sold the farm to Lon ROBINSON'S father. Dr. McCARTY was considered to be a very capable doctor of his day.

Dr. BEEABOWER came to Mount Ayr in 1855. He stayed only two or three days, saying that the town was too healthy for him and his medical practice.

In 1856, Dr. Ezekiel KEITH arrived and stayed in Ringgold County for ten years. Dr. KEITH was born in Ohio on September 2, 1830. He moved to Missouri where he died on November 2, 1874, at the age of 44 years.

Dr. PRESSLEY came to Mount Ayr in 1857. During the Civil War, Dr. PRESSLEY enlisted on March 30, 1862, and was during the Civil War and didn't return to Ringgold County after the War.

Dr. Alexander Z. "Alex" HIGGINS arrived in Mount in 1860. He enlisted during the Civil War. Upon his return, Dr. HIGGINS was elected state representative. He died in 1866.

In 1863, Dr. KACKLEY came to Ringgold County. He stayed eighteen months, then moved to Missouri.

Dr. STEPHENSON came to Mount Ayr in 1863 and stayed a year before moving on.

Dr. John T. MERRILL had been living in Ringgold County since 1856. He moved to Mount Ayr in 1866 where he had his medical practice. Dr. MERRILL was born July 2, 1835, and died December 13, 1904. Dr. MERRILL was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Dr. D. F. SELLARDS came to Mount Ayr in 1866. He died in 1879.

Dr. William HORNE arrived in Ringgold County in 1869. He practiced medicine in Mount Ayr until his retirement in 1924. Dr. HORNE was born on December 20, 1843, and died January 22, 1925. He was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Other early physicians in Mount Ayr have been Dr. CAMPBELL, Dr. CALKINS, Dr. WILLEY, Dr. CORNWALL, Dr. J. H. WHITE, and Dr. C. B. WHITE. Later physicians were Dr. BAILEY, Dr. C. T. LESAN, Dr. HANNELLY, Dr. F. C. SMITH, Dr. LANDES, Dr. J. W. HILL, and Dr. James T. STANTON.

SOURCE:
LESAN, Mrs. B. M. Early History of Ringgold County: 1844 - 1937 p. 156. Blair Pub. House. Lamoni IA. 1937.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2010