From the earliest history of mankind, in all countries, civilized and uncivilized, the medical man has always been held in high esteem by those in need of his services. Whether it be the learned professor, who has had the advantages of many colleges and thoroughly understands the latest discoveries in his science, or the "great medicine man" of the semi-civilized and half-tutored savage, who from actual experience has made discoveries of the healing properties of various roots and herbs, honor awaits him on almost every hand, while the life and death of a human being is virtually placed in his keeping. The weary patient, stretched out on his bed of pain, and the no less worthy watcher by his side, wait anxiously for the coming of the "good doctor," and, on his arrival, note his every movement. In health and strength we often speak lightly of the medical profession, but when the face is flushed with fever and the frame is full of pain and disorder, then it is that the doctor is most appreciated, for we know full well that nature can best be aided by medicines administered by one who has made materia medica his life study.

The early physicians in Jasper and adjoining counties were men of standing and endured great hardships as they faced the storms of an Iowa winter or the burning suns of summer, traveling on foot and on horseback, many times over roads almost impassable, with bridgeless streams, by day and by night. The "saddle-bag doctor" was here in evidence and the trained nurse was wanting, but was quite well substituted by the dear old grandmothers who seemed to have brought down from their homes in the eastern country many simple remedies and knew just how to care for the sick member of the family until the case needed a physician.

The early day doctors practiced for money, same as today, but then, as now, the honorable physician did not turn a poor person away without treatment, but administered the best he could and trusted to luck to be repaid. This trait has caused many a doctor to have thousands of dollars charged on his books which might as well never have been entered, for when the patient has been healed he too frequently forgets his family physician and pays others less worthy.

The science of medicine has materially advanced in the last fifty years and surgery has within twenty-five years made wonderful strides. What once seemed impossible to perform is today counted but the work of a few minutes and a great operation is performed and life saved thereby. New countries always have their own peculiar diseases and Jasper County had her full share of pioneer ailments to be cared for by the early physicians, who were not always of the brightest, highest type of medical men, but they carried out what they believed to be the best for those whom they treated. The later physicians were of a better-educated type and met with good success, especially is this true of those who came to Jasper County after the close of the Civil War. That conflict was of itself a great surgeon maker and the result of the experience is still felt in the hospitals and general practice of today, from ocean to ocean.

Early in the eighties the state laws were so changed that a "quack" was prohibited from practicing medicine, and this rule of law has made higher and better the standard of doctors throughout the commonwealth. The bitter fights between "old school" and other medical schools, including homeopathic, osteopathic, and even Christian Science treatment, has about been abandoned; the rank and file of physicians now see some good in the eclectic school as well as in the "regular," and if patients care to take treatment with any new school the reputable doctor is not offended, and indeed if he himself thinks anything is to be gained by using some of the remedies of other schools he feels at liberty to do so, and calls it perfectly professional. In short, the men engaged in the practice of medicine have been trained at institutions of learning controlled by broad-gauged men, who see some good in all rational methods and have come to seek a cure rather than carry into practice a pet theory of any, school of medicine.

PHYSICIANS OF JASPER COUNTY
(By Dr. Perry Engle)

The first physician in this county to establish a medical practice was Dr. Henry Rodgers, who came from Pendleton, Indiana, and settled in Newton in 1847. He was the father of John F. Rodgers, of Newton, and an uncle of T. M. Rodgers, of the Newton Record. Once while riding through the woods he was chased by a wild cat that tried to jump on his horse. He had a very severe spell of sickness and was just convalescent when some of his patients near Grinnell came after him to see someone very sick; no buggies were in the county then and the Doctor was unable to ride a horse, so a bed was rigged up in a wagon in which the devoted Doctor made his trip. He came home, took a relapse and died at the age of thirty-seven years. He saved his patient. He died that others might live. When the anxious John inquired from the seaside prison, "Art thou He that shall come?" Christ sent reply: "The lame walk, the blind see." Is not the saving of the lives of others divine? Doctor Rodgers was buried in the Newton cemetery in 1855.

William Patton was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1818; graduated in medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio. He practiced medicine in Rock Creek Township, Jasper county, from 1855 to 1862, when he died from cerebro spinal meningitis, contracted while attending patients in Grinnell afflicted with that fatal malady. He was the father of I. L. Patton, ex-sheriff of Jasper County. He died May 6, 1862, in Rock Creek Township.

Andrew Patton was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1808, and practiced in Newton three years before enlisting in the army; he was a surgeon in a colored regiment. His residence was where the Methodist parsonage now stands; he left Newton in 1865 for Nevada, Iowa, where he died in 1888.

M. W. Richey practiced at Colfax, but for many years has been located in LeMars, Plymouth County, Iowa, where he has built up a large practice.

N. W. Gearhart, another Colfax doctor, is now in Pierre, South Dakota.

Lindley S. Blackledge, who was in Newton in 1883, is now in Orosi, California.

A. T. Ault came to Newton in 1855, and later was elected county treasurer, served in the Union Army as captain in Company C, of an Iowa regiment. After the war he moved to Missouri, where he died.

Drs. Neeley and A. L. Gray were active practitioners in Newton in 1854.

B. M. Failor was born February 21, 1831, in Bucyrus, Ohio. In 1853 he married Sarah Picking. To them one child was born, Anna, now Mrs. Grandstaff, of Burlington, Iowa. He was a surgeon of the Nineteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteers and had a horse shot from under him at the Battle of Stone River. He located in Newton in 1865. He was secretary of the Jasper County Medical Society for twenty years. He had charge of a field corps hospital in Mississippi. Garrett Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Woman's Relief Corps and the Jasper Society attended his funeral. In his professional business he was generous to a fault, never refusing a call on the score of poverty. He was, while returning from a sick call, waylaid and robbed. He died September 12, 1901.

James M. Brown was born in Newton and was a son of Rev. T. F. Brown; was one of the editors of the Iowa National; was a man of ability and a successful practitioner. He is now practicing in western Nebraska, having left Newton in 1878.

A. H. Buchanan died in Baxter, Iowa, April 3, 1911. He was born at sea January 1, 1830. For three years he lived at Delma, Alabama. At the age of three years he came with his parents to Richland County, Ohio, and lived on a farm near Hayesville. After preparatory study he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He practiced medicine in Bellville, Ohio, for twenty-five years. In 1862 he married Irene Wade, who died in 1876. To them two children were born, one of whom died in infancy, the other being Astella V. Hunter. In 1876 he came to Newton, Iowa, where he lived two years, then moved to Baxter, Iowa. July 9th he married Isabelle Donaldson, and to this marriage one child was born. His wife and two daughters survive him. His life was a success, and he left the world the better for his having lived in it.

Eugene Augustus Goodwin was born April 10, 1831, at Hallowell, Maine. He spent much time teaching. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1871, and from there he entered the Long Island Medical College, from which he also graduated. He first practiced medicine in New Jersey, from where he moved to Newton, Iowa, in 1873. He practiced two years, then located in Baxter, this county, and finally engaged in farming. June 14, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Ninety-ninth New York Volunteers; he was a valiant soldier of the Potomac and witnessed the memorable battle between the "Merrimac" and "Monitor." He was discharged July 2, 1864; died October 18, 1910, and was buried at Baxter.

John S. Hunter came from Carrollton, Ohio, to Newton, Iowa, in 1857, at which time his competitors were Drs. Ault, Neeley, Rodgers, Hammer, Dinwiddie, Gray and others. The Doctor was the father of five children, Dr. Henry E. Hunter being one of them. He was a successful practitioner for years, and died and was buried in Newton.

Henry E. Hunter was born in Carrolltown, Ohio, September 18, 1830. He came to Newton in 1854. He returned to his old home and was married to Sarah A. Wilson February 27, 1855. To this union two children were born, George M. Hunter, and Carrie Hunter, who married C. E. Stubbs; she died in confinement in Chicago in 1885. Doctor Hunter first kept house in a frame building standing where the "Churchill" now stands. He was sent by the people of this county to care for our soldiers at Vicksburg, Mississippi. He came in a stage from Davenport, Iowa, to Newton and began practice with Dr. A. T. Ault, and at the time of his death he was the oldest practicing physician in the county. In medical ethics, Doctor Hunter was the soul of honor, brave, manly and just; his religious environment was the strictest cut of Presbyterianism, but at his death he was a liberal, a seeker of truth, and an example of equity. He died of brain trouble June 20, 1902; his pall bearers were Dr. S. Druett, of Anamosa, Perry Engle, L. E. S. Turner, C. Boyd, E. F. Besser, C. C. Smead and J. T. Hendershot.

William Bailey was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, on the 14th of March 1819, and died in Newton, Iowa, on the 25th of July 1907, aged eighty-eight years. He was a son of Rev. William Bailey, who was one of John Wesley's preachers. When a lad of ten years of age he came with his father to America and settled in New York State, and later moved to Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He earned his money for an education and graduated from the Lake Erie University in Columbus, as Doctor of Medicine at the age of twenty-three years. He practiced medicine for twenty-five years in Ohio and two years in Newton, Iowa. When he left his parental home to fight life's battles, he had but two dollars, one of which he gave to his loving mother, the other dollar was his only cash capital, which with his honesty, energy and industry, made him rich. He bought a horse on credit; the horse died and he was compelled to make his rounds to visit his patients on foot. His patients many of them were poor and his practice large. His big generous heart took in his patients as well as his mother. He gave thousands of dollars in services and medicines gladly to the poor and unfortunate. In giving his life for others, the kind-hearted Doctor often suffered from want and hunger. He instructed his family to never turn a tramp away hungry. His sympathies took in animals and birds as well as humanity. He was engaged in general merchandise in Newton for two years and then owned and successfully managed a large farm near Baxter. He was twice married and had seven children born. In 1893 he and his faithful daughter, Margaret, made their home in Newton. He was a charter member of the Masonic lodge of Baxter.

I. A. Hammer was born in Tennessee, and came to Newton in 1864. He was a man of marked ability and served as mayor of Newton two terms. In 1872 he moved to Des Moines and was elected city clerk. In 1892 he moved to Chicago, where he practiced medicine until his death that occurred January 1, 1900. He was a Methodist preacher, as well as a doctor, and he could marry a couple, officiate at the birth, and preach the funeral sermon, and do all the work well. He was an uncle of Dr. Marion Hammer.

James Cooper was raised in Jasper County, read medicine with Perry Engle, and is now a prominent practitioner in Rockwell City, Iowa.

J. Ridhout located in Jasper County in the early fifties, practiced a few years in Newton and for many years near Baxter. He died in Newton when nearly ninety years of age.

Max Miller read medicine with J. R. Gorrell and is now in Newton, Kansas.

George Clark was J. R. Gorrell's student, also Charles Erichson, who located in Des Moines, where he died.

A. B. Thornell was located in Newton in the sixties, but moved to Knoxville, where he died.

Drs. Wolf and Willey practiced in Newton about fifty years ago.

J. Lindley read medicine with J. R. Gorrell, located and died while a young man at Marengo, Iowa.

The following is a miscellaneous list of doctors who have practiced in Jasper County, and who have removed to other lands or are dead. The present whereabouts are given when known to the writer:

C. C. Graham, of Baxter, now located at Des Moines, traveling salesman for antitoxin.

H. C. Potter, formerly of Prairie City, is now located in Des Moines.

J. W. Beck, of Kellogg, moved to Des Moines, where he served several terms as coroner, and where he died.

S. F. Miller, once located at Colfax, Prairie City and Baxter, died at Baxter.

H. C. Eschbaugh was located in Monroe and moved to Albia, where he has a lucrative practice.

J. L. Pifer left Newton for Chicago.

W. R. Trotter, once of Newton, is now in Des Moines.

J. T. Robbins left Newton in I897 for Des Moines, where he is still located.

A. C. Simonton was in partnership with Henry E. Hunter, but is now located in the far West.

C. J. Lukins read medicine with Perry Engle, moved to Oskaloosa, and from there to Oklahoma.

J. T. Hendershot practiced in Monroe, where he died of phthisis.

H. C. Finch left Lynnville and is now in Oklahoma.

E. H. Robb, of Newton, is now in Meenah, Wisconsin.

D. W. Smouse left Monroe for Des Moines.

Theodore Engle left Newton for State Center, where he is running a large sanitarium.

J. C. McNutt left Reasoner and his residence is unknown.

W. W. Goodrich, once in Ira, this county, is now on the Pacific coast engaged in other business.

A. Moxley, of Kellogg, removed to parts unknown.

W. H. E. Booth, of Newton, is now practicing in Lebanon, Oregon.

E. M. French died in Newton.

A. W. Adair, who practiced in Kellogg for more than forty years, moved to Des Moines, where he died.

E. H. Mershon practiced in Newton and vicinity for forty years and died in Newton.

J. R. Smith was a successful practitioner of Kellogg, where he died.

J. B. Coor, of Monroe, removed and residence is not known.

E. M. Holland, of Colfax, died in that city.

E. D. Allen, of Monroe, died there.

J. R. Ryan, of Colfax, served humanity there more than forty years and moved to Des Moines, where he followed his profession ten years and died of cancer of the stomach.

George Franzee, of Greencastle, this county, moved to Shelby County, where he died.

J. G. Bidwell and W. T. Geary, of Prairie City, removed to parts unknown to the writer.

Joseph Cowgill read medicine with Perry Engle and practiced medicine in Newton and is now located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Bailey Thomas was a son of Prof. Thomas, founder of Hazel Dell Academy, Newton, and read medicine with Perry Engle, and is now a leading physician at Carthage, Missouri.

Frank Hunter also read with Perry Engle, located and died at Newton.

Howard Gray left Newton, and is now located in Des Moines.

E. E. Lusk left Newton, but his residence is unknown.

O. N. Jones left Colfax and, we believe, is deceased.

J. W. Martain, of Colfax, left, but we know not of his residence.

Harlan Wells was associated with J. R. Gorrell for a year and then moved to Wisconsin.

John Thomas Hendershot was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1842; he died in Monroe, April 5, 1903, of consumption. He came to Monroe from Otley in 1883; in 1877 he married Lucy A. Dunn, who with one son, survives him.

W. F. Stouder was born in Ohio July 12, 1850; came to Newton from Des Moines and died November 9, 1908. He was the Socialist candidate for Congress from Des Moines, and polled a large vote.

Frank Carpenter has moved from Sully to Pella, Iowa, recently.

PRESENT PRACTICING PHYSICIANS

At Newton - J. R. Gorrell, Perry Engle, Harry P. Engle, E. F. Besser, Charles E. Boyd, M. R. Hammer, C. C. Smead, H. V. Byers, J. C. Hill, L. O. Rodgers, M. R. Harding. H. F. Landis.

At Colfax - A. B. S. Turner, L. E. C. Turner, Florence Brown Sherbon, John Bayard Sherbon, F. E. Boyd, J. C. Corselius, William W. Hawk, Numa T. Weston, Royal Anspach, Frank W. Stewart.

At Lynnville - C. E. Quire, Austin R. Quire.

At Baxter - Paul Keoper, C. C. Graham, Herbert W. Canfield.

At Prairie City - J. F. Harp, W. D. McCannaughey, J. N. Porter. W. B. Chase.

At Monroe - W. H. Shaw, J. L. Taylor, G. W. Loar, C. J. Aplin, James A. Shrader, G. L. Smith, J. L. Taylor. Daniel W. Wheelwright.

At Sully - O. O. Carpenter, J. C. Smith.

At Mingo - D. C. Garner.

At Kellogg - B. Liesman, J. F. Hackett, Dr. Woods.

At Vandalia - A. M. Norris.

At Reasoner-Frank Carpenter.

COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETIES

Jasper County's first medical society was organized in May 1858. Doctor Hunter was elected chairman and Doctor Hunter, Jr., secretary. Drs. Harris and Gray were selected to frame a constitution and by-laws. Drs. Dinwiddie and Hunter. Jr., were to draw up a fee bill. The society completed its organization May 24, 1858, and it had five members. Dr. E. H. Mershon was called the "odd man." This society was short-lived, and Jasper County had no medical society until June 1874, when another was organized with the following officers: J. W. Shooley, of Monroe, president; J. W. Adams, of Prairie City, vice-president; B. M. Failor, of Newton, secretary; J. R. Gorrell, of Newton, as treasurer; H. E. Hunter, of Newton, I. A. Hammer, of Colfax, W. H. Shaw, of Monroe, censor.

The present society is composed of twenty-five members and the following are its officers: Harry Perry Engle, president; L. E. C. Turner, vice-president; Frank E. Boyd, secretary; Perry Engle, C. C. Boyd and John Sherbon, censors.