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Dr. James Tweddale |
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Dr. James Tweddale, the leading physician and surgeon of
Washburn, stands foremost among the members of his profession as
represented in Woodford County, having a large and lucrative
practice. He has built up a beautiful home in this village.
New York City is his birthplace, and Oct. 21, 1832, the date of his
birth. His father, Garlies Tweddale, was a native of Scotland, born
in Wigtonshire, where his father, James Tweddale, spent his entire
life. He was the proprietor of large landed estates, and as far as
known had no other business than looking after his extensive
property. But two of his children ever came to the United States,
his sons Garlies and Andrew. The latter settled first in Western New
York, and later in Hartford, Conn., where he died leaving no
family.
The father of our subject was well educated in his native
land, and coming to America soon after marriage, secured a situation as
clerk in the Manhattan Bank, and was one of the most trusted employees of
that institution, holding the position until his death, which occurred in
February, 1839, at the age of twenty-eight years. The maiden name of
his wife was Elizabeth Patterson, and she was a native of the same shire
as her husband. She spent her last years with her children, and died
in Illinois in 1867. She was the mother of four children, the
subject of this sketch being the oldest. Mary married Braman
Loveless, and died in Kane County in 1866; Garlies lives in Woodford
County. Elizabeth died in infancy.
He of whom this biographical sketch is written, was seven
years old when his father died, soon after which sad event his mother
moved to Saratoga County, N.Y., and located in West Charlton. There
he received his early education in the public schools, and was advanced by
attendance at Princeton Academy. At nineteen years of age he
utilized his knowledge by teaching in Schnectady County, teaching and
attending school alternately, and during the term of 1854-55 was an
instructor in Princeton Academy. In 1856 he came West and located in
Elgin, where he was employed in the various occupations of teaching,
clerking and farming, in order to obtain the means with which to defray
the expenses of a medical education, and during the year 1856 he commenced
the study of medicine with doctors McClure and Merrifield of Elgin, as
preceptors. He subsequently attended lectures at Rush Medical
College, Chicago, and was graduated from that institution in 1869.
On the 5th day of May, that year, he established himself in Washburn,
where he has practiced continuously since with gratifying success both
from a professional and financial point of view.
In 1861 Dr. Tweddale was united in marriage to Miss Sarah
Catherine Russell, daughter of Lemuel and Sarah (Edwards) Russell, natives
of North Caroling and Kentucky respectively, and pioneers of Marshall
County, Ill., of 1832. Her parents are still living at a venerable
age, her father being eighty-three years old and her mother eighty.
Of the Doctor's marriage two sons were born, Russell and John R., a sketch
of the latter appearing in this volume.
Dr. Tweddale has shown great skill in the treatment of
difficult cases; he is well abreast of the times, keeps himself informed
as to the new methods and discoveries in the medical world, and is
well-educated apart from his professional knowledge. He is
identified with the Woodford County Medical Society, and the North Central
Illinois Medical Society. He belongs to Washburn Lodge, A. F. &
A. M. In his political views he is a thorough
Democrat. |