Dr. James Charles Fremont "J.C." Newlon (1856-1920)

NEWLON, WALKER, GILROY

Posted By: Ken Akers (email)
Date: 4/20/2008 at 21:35:43

Audubon County Journal (IA)
April 8, 1920
page 1
photo

DR. J. C. NEWLON

John Charles Fremont Newlon was born in Edgar County
Illinois in 1856. He came with his parents to Cass county, Iowa
where he resided until he entered the medical department of the
Iowa State University, where he remained until
his graduation March 2, 1881. He practiced his profession for a
short time in Illinois after which he moved to Cass county, Iowa.

In 1883 he was married to Elizabeth Walker. He came to
Exira in 1893 where he has lived continuously until his death.
Elizabeth Walker Newlon died September 14, 1901. In 1909 he
was married to Dorothea Gilroy, with whom he lived until his
death, which occurred March 28, 1920.

As a professional man Dr. Newlon was a skillful general sur-
geon and in later life made a special study of diseases of the
eye. As a physician he was prompt, painstaking and careful
and met with great success from his intelligent application of
common sense principles. These attributes inspired his patrons
with confidence and added greatly to his success as a family
physician.

As a citizen, he was intensely patriotic and helped with all
his powers to advance the cause of the Allies by his services upon
the Board of Examiners, which services were entirely gratuitous.
He received a medal and the thanks of his government for his
services.

In civic matters he was always to be found at the front, hav-
ing served many years on the city council; was appointed Health
Physician for the town of Exira and was so serving at the time
of his death. He was also Health Physician for several of the
Townships, and Coroner of this county during the last four years
of his life.

He was for years a member of the Masonic Lodge and a
Knight Templar. As a member of the Knights of Pythias he
was a tireless worker and the Lodge owes much of its success to
his efforts. He was the main stay of J. C. Newlon Post Wood-
man of the World. As a member of our Commercial Club he
was the main worker for good roads and an officer of the River
to River Association.

As a husband he was all that a man should be. As a friend
he was always to be relied upon. All of his motives were pure.

We regret his loss as his like is rarely seen. He has lived the
life of a valuable citizen and leaves nothing to regret.

"There's a gathering in the village, that has never been outdone
Since the soldiers took their muskets to the war of sixty-one
And a lot of lumber wagons near the church upon the hill,
And a crowd of country people, Sunday dressed and very still.

"Now each window is pre-empted by a dozen heads or more,
Now the spacious pews are crowded from the pulpit to the door;
For with coverlet of blackness on his portly figure spread
Lies the grim old country doctor, in a massive oaken bed.
Lies the fierce old country doctor,
Lies the kind old country doctor,
Whom the populace considered with a mingled love and dread.

"Maybe half the congregation, now of great or little worth,
Found this watcher waiting for them when they came upon the
earth;
This undecorated soldier, of a hard, unequal strife,
Fought in many stubborn battles with the foes that sought
their life.

"In the night-time or the daytime, he would rally brave and well,
Though the summer lark has fifing, or the frozen lances fell;
Knowing if he won the battle, they would praise their Maker's
name.
Knowing if he lost the battle, then the doctor was to blame.
'Twas the brave old virtuous doctor.
'Twas the good old faulty doctor.
(rest of article missing)