Genealogy Trails
Pottawattamie County, Iowa
1883 Biographies 1

T. C. Alexander

T.C. Alexander, physician and surgeon, Oakland, was born in Union County, Indiana, September 25, 1839. He is the son of James and Catharine (Hartsell) Alexander; he was born in Green County, TN, and she is a native of Virginia. They came to Indiana after their marriage,and in the fall of 1852, moved to Platte County, MO, where they spent one winter, coming to Big Grove in the following spring, settling in Section 13, Township 75, Range 40. He sold this place to Ephraim Bird, and moved to Adams County, this state in 1856.The following year they went to Kansas, but returned during the drought in the fall of 1860. In 1864, they moved to Jackson County, KS. The father died in 1867, and the mother in 1879.

Our subject lived with his parents until 1860. In the following year, he enlisted in Adams County, in the Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. E.Y. Burgan. His initiation in war procedures took place in Page County, where they camped for two days. Gen. G.M. Dodge, at that time a Colonel, ordered a false alarm to be sounded in order to try the boys. At 3 o'clock in the morning, they were ordered out without giving them time to dress. and in this condition were drawn up in line of battle. Our subject was engaged in many of the principal battles of the war, including Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, at which latter places he carried the colors above the clouds. He was engaged in the battles of Ringgold and Resaca, GA, at which latter place he received a gun shot wound in both legs. He afterward lay in several hospitals, until, recovering from his wounds, he rejoined his regiment at Raleigh, NC.

He was present at the surrender of Gen. J. E. Johnston, and was mustered out of service at Louisville, KY, August 20, 1865, and returned to Big Grove, then his home, having returned on veteran furlough, and married at Big Grove, March 24, 1864, Miss Phoebe Huff, born in Mercer County, IL, May 25, 1849. She was the daughter of Louis and Susan (Palmer) Huff. Her father was born in Stokes County, NC, February 22, 1811. He came to Illinois, where he was married to Miss Palmer, who is a sister of Dr. Palmer of Belknap Township. In 1865, our subject moved to Jackson County, KS, and farmed during the following year. He then sold his place, and commenced the study of medicine under D.W. Taylor, M.D. of Holton, KS, an old army surgeon. Here he studied for three years, afterward taking two courses of lectures at the E.M. Institute of Cincinnati. He practiced at his profession in Holton until 1874, when he returned to Big Grove, where he has resided ever since. His residence is on the southwest quarter of Section 5, Township 75, Range 39. He has two children -- Elmer Ellsworth, born June 9, 1865, and Laura Belle, born September 23, 1867. Mr. Alexander is a member of the I.O.O.F, and in politics is a Republican.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 83, submitted by Ann]

Amelia Burroughs

Amelia Burroughs, physician, Council Bluffs was born in Wellington, Ohio, a few miles from Cleveland. From early childhood she manifested a passion for the study of medicine and surgery. She was education in Cleveland and graduated at the Homoeopathic Hospital College in March 1881. She was Dispensary Physician at the Woman's Dispensary connected with the college. She has a large and steadily increasing practice in Council Bluffs. She was married in 1873 at Cleveland, Ohio and has one child -- Willie.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 9, submitted by Ann]

Dr. John Craig

Dr. John Craig, farmer, Macedonia, was born in Indiana, April 23, 1835; his father, William Craig, was born in Scotland in 1800; came to America in 1820, landing first in Charleston, SC; from there he moved from place to place, following his trade of weaving or serving as overseer of power looms. He finally moved to a farm in Franklin County, IN, and followed his trade in connection with farming for some years; then sold his farm and moved to Decatur County; bought a farm, improved it, and followed his trade and farming again for several years; then moved into the town of Greensburg, IN. He lived there for several years, and then moved to the town of Milford, IN, where he died in 1879. Subject's mother, Jane Gilchrist, was born in Scotland in 1800; she and Mr. Craig were engaged in Scotland, and during the religious troubles there Mr. Craig had to fly for his life, being a strong advocate of the Presbyterian Church; his intended wife soon followed, and they were married in the city of Charleston, SC; she died about 1871, and was the mother of seven children, two of whom are dead.

Dr. Craig received a common school education in Indiana; read medicine with Dr. George V. Armington, and finished reading with Dr. Mitchell; then attended two courses of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, OH, from which he graduated in February 1857. He began practicing in March 1857 at Milford, IN; continued there till 1865, excepting an absence of about two years, which time he spent in Greensburg, IN; then, on account of poor health he moved to Highland Township, Wapello County, Iowa, in 1865, and went on a farm. He managed his farm and practiced, remaining there for several years, when he met with an accident and went to Cincinnati, where he was treated for fifteen months by his favorite surgeon, Prof. Z. Freeman. Recovering, he returned to his home in Wapello County where he remained till 1873; then he traded for the farm of 160 acres on which he now resides, moving onto it in the spring of 1875.

Since then the doctor has not been in active practice, but devotes his attention to farming, stock raising and feeding. This farm is three and one half miles west of the town of Macedonia. Dr. Craig was married in Lebanon County, Ohio, in February 1857 to Miss Sarah J. Dyche of Lebanon; she was born about 1832 at State Line, Ohio; she died in February 1859. He married a second time in 1860, Miss Lydia Richman, born in Ohio about 1834 and died in 1863. Dr. Craig married a third time in September 1864, to Anna J. Huffer of Bartholomew County, Ohio; she was born in same county in 1840; her father, David Huffer was born in 1811 in Ohio; is now living in Indiana; her mother Delila Bruner died in 1846.

Dr Craig has one daughter by his first marriage -- F.J.; two boys by his second -- Isadore E. and Charles F.; three by his third wife -- William D., Claud L. and J. Freddie (deceased). Dr. Craig and wife are members of the M.E. Church of Macedonia. The Doctor is Master of Ruby Lodge, No. 415, A.F. & A.M. of Macedonia. He is a firm Republican.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 155, submitted by Ann]

William G. Emonds

William G. Emonds, physician, Council Bluffs, was born in Cologne, Wesphalia, Germany, and remained there until seven years of age; then came to this country with his sister, and located in Iowa City. He has remained there all the time since, with the exception of what time he spent in going to school and traveling abroad. He attended Salesianum College, Milwaukee, WIsconsin, one year, in 1867, after which, on account of ill health he went to Cape Girardeau, MO, and remained there one year. He then went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; attended college there some time, after which he went to Notre Dame University, near South Bend, Indiana; remained there one year, and then returned to Iowa City, and attended the Iowa State University there two years. He then went again to Notre Dame,Indiana; remained there eight months, when sickness brought him back to Iowa City again. During his convalescence in Iowa, he attended St. Joseph Institute at Iowa City remaining there two years; after that he went into the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad office, as telegraph operator and assistant United States Express agent one year. He then took the office at Mitchellville, Iowa, and remained there seven months, after which he was promoted to clerkship in W.H. Quick's Superintendent's office, Des Moines; remained there more than one year, then returned to Iowa City again, and took up the higher branches at St. Joseph's Institute, and prepared himself for the homoeopathic Department of the Medical Department of Iowa State University, Prof. Cowperthwaite being his preceptor; he remained in this office as clinical clerk for three years, graduating at the end of that time.

He commenced practicing at Bellevue, Iowa, and Dubuque, and remained there two years, after which he went direct to the place of his birth, and from there to Vienna, Austria, attending and practicing in the General World's Hospital, or Alleg. Krankenhaus, where he remained with the king of all surgeons, Prof. Billroth assisting him in the hospital one and a half years. He then went to Prague, Bohemia, and assisted in the obstetrical ward of Prof. Brisky, after which he went to Berlin, attending the Prof. Langendeck Hospital one year, after which he went to Paris, where he remained a short time, visiting different hospitals; thence he went to London, England, practicing at Guy's Street, Bartholomew's and St. Thomas' one year. Leaving London, he traveled through England and Scotland; remained at Edinburg a short time, thence went to Ireland, and from there to America on June 27, 1882. He is now permanently located in Council Bluffs, with the intention of going to Omaha in course of one year to make that his headquarters.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, pgs 21 & 22, submitted by Ann]

Mrs. E. J. Harding

Mrs. E.J. Harding, physician, Council Bluffs, is a daughter of Dr. M.S. Barnwell of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated at the Electropathic Institute of Philadelphia, PA, and her fame extends over the whole United States, she having practiced very successfully in St. Louis, San Francisco, Salt Lake and other large cities. She came to Council Bluffs and 1878 and established the Thermo Electric bath rooms. These medical baths are very effective and are very popular. She has invented several appliances and supporters for invalid ladies. She has at present three patents from the United States Government. Her great study has been to invent appliances for the relief of her own sex. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio; was married in St. Louis, MO in 1867. She is a medical Electrician and Gynechologist.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, Page 29, submitted by Ann]

Charles W. Hardman

Charles W. Hardman, physician, Hancock, was born in Tazewell County, IL, in 1853, son of Samuel B. and Mary F. Hardman; he is a farmer and Methodist preacher; she is the mother of three children -- our subject, one son a druggist in Avoca, Iowa, and a daughter living in Davenport, Iowa, the wife of Mr. Hancock, who founded the town in Iowa which bears his name.

Dr. Hardman was raised on his father's farm in Tazewell County, and subsequently took a course in Rush Medical College, Chicago, graduating from the same in 1878. After graduating, Dr. Harman located in Pawnee County, KS, where he practiced till 1881, then came to Hancock, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, where he is the only physician, and has a good practice; he and his brother are preparing to go into the drug business in Hancock.

Dr. Hardman was married in Kansas in 1879 to Miss Mary Lula Pugh of Chicago, IL; they have one daughter -- Mary Grace. Dr. Hardman is a member of the I.O.O.F.,and in politics is a Democrat.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 243, submitted by Ann]

Dr. J. W. Hemsted

Dr. John W. Hemsted, physician, Griswold, Cass County, was born in Johnson County, Iowa, May 1849; his father, F.W. Hemsted, was born in York County, PA, in 1818, emigrated to Ohio in 1840, stopped at Columbus till 1846, when he came to Iowa, landing at Iowa City, where he worked at his trade; has retired to private life. Subject's mother, Elizabeth (Akers) Hemstead, was born in Wayne County, PA, in 1816; she is the mother of seven children.

Dr. Hemsted first attended the district schools of Iowa; then he spent three years in the State University of Iowa, after which he took a course in medicine in the same institution, graduating in 1873; he first praticed one year at Tiffin, Johnson County, Iowa, then moved to Pottawattamie County and located where he now lives, on a farm of 320 acres, situated thirty eight miles east of Council Bluffs, in the Walnut Creek Valley. After Dr. Hemsted came to Pottawttamie County, he engaged in practice for several years, during which time he established a wide reputation by the many skillful operations he performed in this section; he is doubtless as well equipped for surgical operations as any physician in the West.

Dr. Hemsted married Miss Eva L. Thorn, of Johnson County, Iowa, in 1876, who was born November 24, 1854; her father Graham Thorn, born in New York in 1824, emigrated to Illinois in 1853, settling in DuPage County; in 1864 he came to Johnson County, Iowa, where he still lives. Mrs. Hemsted's mother, Laura (Bailey) Thorn, was born in New York in November 1831, and died in 1878, Dr. Hemsted and wife have three children: Ellen M., Bessie May and Samuel B.

The doctor is a Democrat, and was a candidate in the fall of 1881 for Representative on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 257, submitted by Ann] (Note: Dr. John W. Hemstead died June 20, 1913, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is buried Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Ca. 1900 he married Ella Brown. Eva (Thorn) Hemstead died March 16, 1889, 34 years, 3 months, 22 days, and is buried Flint Cemetery, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.)

Mrs. H. J. Hilton

Mrs. H. J. Hilton, physician, Council Bluffs. Came to Council Bluffs in September 1880. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised and educated there. She graduated at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1872. Her mother lives in Chicago, IL, at the advanced age of eighty years, but looks not over sixty years, and is very fine looking. Mrs. Hilton has graduated both in medicine and surgery; she has three children -- E. Harold, who is a graduate of the literary department at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is now in Washington, D.C., in the signal service department; and two daughters, who reside here with her. Mrs. Hilton belongs to a very old Eastern family, being descended from the Childs of New York, on her mother's side, and from the Tifts of New York on her father's side. Her father, Hezekiah Tift, was one of the very first settlers of Cleveland, Ohio, there being only a log hotel at that place when he first settled there. Her mother, who is still living at Chicago, spends considerable of her time among her children. One of her daughters is Mrs. F.J. Osborne, wife of the well known merchant of this city.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 29, submitted by Ann]

Dr. Samuel M. Johnson

Dr. Samuel M. Johnson, physician and druggist, Carson, was born in Ohio, Greene County, April 27, 1840. His father, Christopher G. Johnson was born in Virginia, March 15, 1800, and with his parents located in Ohio, Highland County, and a few years after moved to Greene County, Ohio, thence in 1856 came with his family to Iowa, settling on a farm in Wapello County, where he died in November 1857. He was a farmer by occupation. Subject's mother, Lydia E. Johnson, was born in Virginia in December 1806, and is now living Osage County, KS; she is the mother of ten children, two of whom are dead.

Dr. Johnson attended the common schools, and at twenty one entered Pennsylvania College at Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he remained three months, then enlisted in the army as a private in company H, Thirty Sixth Iowa Infantry. He served in this company about one year, then received a commission in a colored regiment as Second Lieutenant, where he served till September 1866, when he was mustered out at Little Rock, AR. He was at the battle of Helena, AR, July 4, 1863, and also served on the frontier. After coming out of the army he engaged in the drug business and read medicine under Dr. J.C. Johnson of Agency City, Wapello County, Iowa, from 1867 to 1870, and in 1871 attended a course of lectures at Keokuk, Iowa, then went to Kansas for two years, returned to Keokuk, and graduated in the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1873. After graduating he went to Kansas where he practiced medicine and conducted drug business for one year; he then returned to Agency City, Wapello County, Iowa, where he followed his profession for a short time, then became Medical Examiner of the Centennial Mutual Life Association of Burlington, Iowa, which position he held for three or four years. In 1878, he located in Mills County, Iowa; practiced medicine and conducted a drug store in Hillsdale, where he remained till 1880, then came to Carson, where he now follows his profession, and is senior partner of the drug firm of S.M. Johnson & Co. Dr. Johnson was the first man to come from a distance and erect a house in the town of Carson; this he did in April 1880. He was one of the first on the school board of Carson, and a member of the building committee that erected the schoolhouse; he is now on the Board of Health of Carson.

Dr. Johnson married Miss Ellen Stephens of Agency City, Wapello County, Iowa, September 10, 1868; she was born March 31, 1852 in Agency City; her father, James Stephens, a pioneer of Wapello County, Iowa, was born in Kentucky May 1, 1822, and was reared in Indiana; he came to Iowa when a young man and located at Agency City, where he remained till his death, July 3, 1868. He was a blacksmith by trade, and erected a large plow manufacturing establishment, but died before his business had fully developed. Mrs. Johnson's mother, Mary A. (Horrow) Stephens, was born in Kentucky, February 27, 1824; she is the mother of five children, three girls and two boys, and lives in Agency City, Wapello County, Iowa.

Dr. and Mrs. Johnson have had three children -- Hamilton C. (deceased), C. Clyde and an infant, deceased. Dr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Olive Branch Lodge No. 21; he has always been a firm Republican; he was reaed by Quaker parents and rather adheres to that belief. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the M.E. Church.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 161, submitted by Ann]

H. S. Knowles

H.S. Knowles, M.D., Avoca, born in New York State in 1827, came here from Findley's Lake, NY,where he had been practicing medicine for five years; graduated in 1857 at the Kalamazoo College, Michigan, and took his medical courses in the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in the winter of 1874-75, and in the Chicago Homoeopatic College in the winter of 1877. The doctor's first practice was in Wisconsin, where he practiced for six years. Going to New York, he practiced five years, when he moved here, where he has practiced for twelve years. Subject's office is at his home, where he keeps a large stock of homoeopathic medicines.

He and his wife are engaged with a son-in-law, the firm being known as P.C. Backus & Co., in a 99 cent store, containing an endless variety of fancy goods and furniture, and are doing an extensive business. Subject was married, December 25, to Miss M.L. Francisco. Her father, B.S. Francisco, was born just after her parents came from France, and her family are noted for their longevity. Her father, joining the army when he was over sixty yeas old, is still living at the age of eighty two. One of her great uncles lived to be one hundred and twenty four years old. Her mother died in November 1881 at eighty three years old.

Dr. Knowles' ancestors are also long lived. His mother died at the age of eighty four. His grandparents (Knowles) lived to be between ninety and one hundred years old. Dr. and Mrs. Knowles had five children, but only three are living -- one daughter at home; one daughter, Mrs. Backus is in a large fancy store in Omaha; the other daughter, Mrs. J.J. Hipsley, is in a wholesale and retail book store in Fort Dodge, this state. The doctor has quite an extensive business in Avoca and surrounding country.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 137, submitted by Ann]

Dr. Noah D. Lawrence

Dr. Noah D. Lawrence, Council Bluffs, was born in St. Lawrence County, NY, in 1822; was educated in Rensselaer Institute, New York, and at Vermont University, from which latter institution he graduated. He practiced the medical profession in New York, and in 1868 came to Council Bluffs.

He was married in New York in 1846 and has been blessed with two children -- Frank E. and Ella M. Frank E. was born in 1848, and in 1878 married Elizabeth Cody Stanton, who has borne him one daughter -- Margaret Livingstone Stanton. Ella M. was born in 1851, and in 1871 married John Monell, son of Dr. Monell of Omaha, Nebraska. They had one daughter, Anna Mabel, who came from Omaha on a visit to Dr. Lawrence in Council Bluffs, and while there died in February 1880, aged two and one half years.

The doctor has been elected Mayor of Council Bluffs three times. Since he came here, he has made three trips to Europe.

[History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 37, submitted by Ann]

Ernest P. Macomber, M.D.

Ernest P. Macomber, M.D. physician and surgeon, Avoca, born in Massachusetts in 1854, son of Dr. A.P. Macomber, a physician of Atlantic, this state, who was his son's preceptor through his medical course at college. Dr. A.P. Macomber is a graduate of New York University, and practiced the old school system for fifteen years, but now and for twelve years he has practiced the new (homoeopathic).

Subject has been in Avoca one year, succeeding Dr. F.K. Dabury, who was in practice here for four years, and came from the vicinity of Long Branch, N.J., where he had been living four years. He is a graduate of the New York Homoeopathic College; also attended a course in the Medical Department in Columbia, NY, and a session of lectures in the Long Island Hospital. He received his early education at Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., and Goddard Seminary, Barre, VT. He is a member of the New Jersey and Iowa State Homoeopathic Societies, and has been quite successful in his practice here, which is quite extended, taking in Oakland, Carson, Hancock and Shelby. Dr. Macomber and Dr. Knowles are the only homoeopathic physicians in Avoca.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 137, submitted by Ann]

Donald Macrae, M.D.

Donald Macrae, M.D., has been a resident of Council Bluffs since March 1867. He is a native of Edinburg, Scotland, receiving both his literary and medical education at the University of Edinburg, from which he graduated in 1861. He spent three years in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburg, after graduating, and then accepted a position as Surgeon for the Cunard Line of steamers. He remained with the Cunard Line three years, during which time he crossed the Atlantic seventy-five times. The half of the last "round trip" landed him in New York City in 1867, where before coming to Council Bluffs, he married Charlotte Bauchette, daughter of Joseph Bauchette, late Surveyor General of Canada, who died in 1881, aged eighty six years. The family was of French origin and well known in Canada, which is the native place of Mrs. Macrae.

The Doctor has been in active practice since his residence in the city. In 1882, he was appointed Professor of Diseases of Women in this district for the Des Moines College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is a member of the Council Bluffs Medical Society and of the State Medical Society. He is also a charter member of the lodges of the following orders in Council Bluffs: A.O.U.W., A.M.L. of H., and Equitable Aid Union. The Doctor is so well and favorable known socially and professionally that anything of a eulogistic nature in connection with the above facts would sound like flattery.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 41, submitted by Ann]

D. S. McConnaughey, M.D.

D. S. McConnaughey, M.D., Avoca, born in Lawrence County, PA, July 8, 1837, came to Avoca April 4, 1882, from Washington County, this state, having arrived in Denmark, Lee County, this state in 1852, and living there two years before he went to Washington County. He attended the Denmark Academy for two years, the Washington College several years; enlisted in 1861 in Company H, Eleventh Iowa Infantry; discharged in 1862 at Fulton, MO; returned home and commenced the study of medicine; re-enlisted in the summer of 1862 in the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry; remained with the regiment one year; discharged in 1863 at Vicksburg; returned to Washington, this state; resumed the study of medicine attending a course of lectures at Rush Medical College in the winter of 1865-66; graduated in 1866-67 at Keokuk, this state; began the practice of medicine near the present town of Riverside this state; moved in 1869 to Marshall, Henry County, this state; remained there seven years, returning to Riverside, remaining there five years when he removed to Avoca, where he has a large and constantly growing practice. Subject was married October 31, 1867 to Miss Josie Terry, daughter of J. L.L. Terry of Washington, this state. They had two children--Zetta born in 1869, lived nine years and died at Riverside; and Harry D. Subject is a Republican and a Freemason.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, pg 137, submitted by Ann]

F. C. Miller

F.C. Miller, physician, Council Bluffs, who has recently become associated with Dr. Rice in the practice of medicine, is a native of Granby, NY, where he was born March 31, 1857. He resided there until twelve years of age, when his parents removed to Bristol, IL, where they resided for eight years and then removed to Maryville, MO. There the doctor began the study of medicine and subsequently attended and graduated from the St. Louis Eclectic Medical College. He graduated in the spring of 1882, and in March, the same year, he married Miss Jennie M. Gaunt of Maryville, MO. A short time subsequent to this event he came to Council Bluffs, and effected a partnership with his uncle Dr. R. Rice. Under the instruction of one so thoroughly capable of advising him, he begins the practice of his chosen profession under most favorable circumstances.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 40, submitted by Ann]

P. J. Montgomery

Phineas J. Montgomery, physician, Council Bluffs; though a resident of this place but a little over two years the doctor has already established himself in the practice of medicine in a very satisfactory manner. He is a native of Delaware County, NY, and on his father's side is a lineal descendant of Gen. Montgomery, while by his mother, who was an Abbott, he traces the genealogy of his family to the Abbots of England, and to the Mayflower pilgrims of that name. When he was eleven years of age, the doctor's parents moved to Wisconsin; his education was received principally at the Albion Academy of Dane County, Wisconsin; he studied medicine with Dr. D.L. Davis of Waterloo, Iowa, an allopathic physician, and also with Dr. L.N. Squire of the same place, who was a homoeopathic physician. In 1866 he graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago; he also attended the Chicago Medical College, an allopathic institution, and, in addition to this, he took a course of lectures at the Homiston Intitute College of Cleveland, OH. During last two years of the war, he served in the Nashville City Hospital, or what was better known as the College Bluff Hospital. In May 1880, he was appointed Surgeon of the Wabash Railroad at this point. He is a member of the Northwestern Academy of Medicine, and was president of that society in 1881; he is also a member of the State Homoeopathic Medical Society, and is now holding the position of Chairman of the Bureau of Surgery in that society. His success in practice and the honorable position he has held in the medical societies is due to his extensive study of the science of medicine, and to the honorable course he has pursued since he became a resident of the Bluffs City.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 37, submitted by Ann]

(Note: Dr. Phineas J. Montgomery, died June 2, 1916, at his home in Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA)

J. W. Nusum

J.W. Nusum, M.D., Crescent City, came to Crescent City four years ago, and began the practice of medicine, though previous to this he had practiced some time in Spring Hill, Warren County, Iowa. The doctor was born in Waynesburg, Greene Co., PA, in 1848, though his people moved to Virginia when he was four years old; there the early years of his life were spent. In 1866, when he was nineteen years old, he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, with his people. He began the study of medicine in Des Moines, under Dr. J. Grimes, and then studied with Dr. James T. Wakefield, of Spring Hill, Iowa, after which he took a course at Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he graduated in 1868. He then returned to Spring Hill, where he spent two years in partnership with his old preceptor, Dr. Wakefield.

In 1872, at Indianola, Iowa, the doctor married Emma Armstrong, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, born in 1852. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are now living, viz., Georgie G., Maggie E., and Ivy F. The genealogy of his family, the doctor is able to trace back to an honorable ancestry. His grandfather and grandmother were both natives of England, and born a short distance north of London. In their early settlement in the United States, his grandfather joined the Americans in the Indian War, and while fighting under St. Clair, was taken prisoner by the Indians and held a captive for three years. His father, George G. (who spelled his name Neusum), was born in Virginia in 1822, and lives in Iowa; his mother, Eliza J. (Kimball) Nusum, was born in Greene County, PA, in 1826, and died in 1861.

During the war of the rebellion, the doctor spent some time in the Confederate service, under command of Gen. Morgan; he was wounded three times during his service; he has now a good and lucrative practice established and has gained a place in four years which many physicians struggle ten years to attain.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 90, submitted by Ann]

J. W. Palmer

J.W. Palmer, dentist, Council Bluffs, was born in Vinton, Benton County, Iowa, September 2, 1861; lived there four years, then moved to Iowa City. After residing in Iowa City for six years, he moved to Harrison County, Iowa, where he lived until the fall of 1879, when he came to Council Bluffs. Mr. Palmer began the study of dentistry under Drs. Swinton & West on Pearl Street, Council Bluffs, in the spring of 1882, and purposes completing the study of his profession at the Iowa City dental college. He is the son of Capt. J.E. Palmer, of Company A Twenty eighth Iowa Volunteers, who was born in Ohio in 1821, and who was killed September 19, 1864, at the battle of Winchester, his remains being brought back to Vinton, Iowa, for interment. Subject's mother was born in Essex County, NY, in 1822, was married at Vinton, Iowa, in 1856, and resided there until 1862.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 48, submitted by Ann]

Dr. W. L. Patton

Dr. Washington L. Patton, physician, Council Bluffs, is a native of Virginia. He moved to Missouri in 1853, and resided in that state nine years, during eight of which he practiced in Kirksville, Adair County, of that state. He came to Council bluffs in 1865, and followed his profession as a physician and oculist. He went into the drug business in 1867. After two years, he sold out and opened up in the same business a second time, in connection with Mr. M. Beardsley. They carried nearly $7,000 in stock, and continued in this business for two years, when they sold out, after which our subject attended strictly to his practice. During the last two years, he has treated 352 cases of eye and ear difficulties. He owns a fine livery stable on North Main Street. He opened an undertaking establishment September 1, 1882. He has 106 feet front on North Main Street, valued at $20,000.

The doctor was married in Virginia, in March 1852 to Miss Elizabeth C. Rogers, daughter of John Rogers, who died in Harrison County, this state in November 1880, aged eighty two. Mr. and Mrs. Patton have seven children, four sons and three daughters. His oldest boy--A.B. Patton, is at present a telegraph operator in Pueblo, CO. Douglas S. is in Omaha in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. The next boy--William, studied law and was admitted to the bar in Council Bluffs in 1880, and is now in Kokomo, Summit County, CO. His three daughters--Jennie, Effie and Lulu are all at home. His youngest boy--D.D. is also at home and a fine musician.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 47, submitted by Ann]

R. Rice, M.D.

R. Rice, M.D., Council Bluffs. The science of medicine has grown to such an extent as to admit of many specialties in the practice. After a general course of study in order to graduate from any of our leading medical colleges, it has become the custom of many of the best students to turn their attention to some important specialty in the practice and in their chosen field devote the time and hard study of their career as a practitioner to adding new points and new discoveries to that science upon which mankind has grown so dependent. What more important study than the treatment of cancer could be taken up as a specialty, and what more difficult to treat successfully? For hundreds of years the cancer was considered incurable; this, too, by the best medical authority; and it is only by the patient study of eminent physicians, who have made a specialty of this dreaded affliction, that in later years thorough and permanent cures are not uncommon. For years it was the custom of the physician to use the knife in the removal of the cancer, and even to the present time this is practiced to an extent. The same science, however, which has made the custom of blood letting by the barber--in honor of which their signs were painted with a red stripe--a thing of the past, has also discarded the use of the knife in removing the cancer. No better evidence is needed of the success of the science of medicine in this respect than a talk with some of the patients of Dr. R. Rice of Council Bluffs, or a visit to the Doctor himself, where abundant proof awaits the incredulous.

A brief study of the Doctor may not prove uninteresting. He was born in Coventry, NY, March 15, 1820, and resided there until six years of age, when his parents moved to Whitestown, Oneida Co., NY. The ensuing time until he had arrived at man's estate was spent in Holland Patent, Oneida County, and in Fulton, Oswego Co., NY. After receiving a careful literary education, he began the study of medicine, and subsequently graduated from the eclectic Vegetable Reform College of Fulton. He began practice in Fulton,NY, and remained there until 1868, when he removed to Sandwich, IL. There he practiced eight years and then removed to Council Bluffs, where he arrived in the spring of 1875. He at once opened up an office and began practice, and since that time he has been steadily increasing his practice until at present he is known as the most successful physician in the treatment of cancers and other chronic diseases of the Missouri Valley.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, pg 52, submitted by Ann]

John Steiner

John Steiner, physician, Council Bluffs, was born in Goettingen, Germany, March 30, 1842, and was educated in his native place. In 1860, he began the study of medicine in Tubinen, Germany, graduating there in 1863, and was admitted to practice. During the Franco-Prussian War, he was Second Assistant Surgeon in the German Army, and while acting in that capacity saw a great deal of service. In 1867, he married Magdeline Frash, and they have four children, two boys and two girls.

In 1873, he came to this country and located in Sac County, Iowa, where he followed farming for some time. He then moved to Audubon County, Iowa, where he followed the practice of his profession for some time, thence moved to St. Mary's, Iowa, and thence to Westphalia, Iowa. Meanwhile, he had been attending the Herring Medical College of St. Louis, MO, from which he graduated in the spring of 1882. He then located in Council Bluffs, where he has now a good practice.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 55, submitted by Ann]

Dr. Frederic Smith Thomas

Dr. Frederic Smith Thomas, physician, Carson, was born in Chatam Village, Columbia County, NY, September 23, 1845. His father, Caleb J. Thomas, was born in Champlain, Clinton County, NY, March 10, 1807. He was engaged in the cotton and woolen factories of the East, in which he was very successful until 1837, when the financial crisis swept away so many hard earned fortunes. He was among the unfortunate, but paid every dollar of debt, thus being left without anything to begin life anew. This he did by going onto the railroad as a brakeman, where he continued till promoted to conductorship; then he left the railroad and came to Illinois in 1847, and located at Warsaw, Hancock County. There he following painting for two years, then bought a farm of eighty acres three miles south of Warsaw. Here his children grew up. He moved from the farm back into Warsaw to afford his children better opportunities of education. From this town he moved to Atlantic, Iowa, in 1874, where he, with his wife, made their home with their daughter, the late wife of Hon. J. K. Powers, until 1878, when they made their home with the subject, then at Walnut, Pottawattamie County, where his father died July 21, 1880. Subject's mother, Catharine (Smith) Thomas, was born in Livingston, Columbia Co., NY, September 16, 1806. She died August 25, 1881. She was the mother of six children, all of whom are dead but the subject. Three died in New York -- Edward, Charles and William; one is buried in Illinois -- Mrs. M. F. Clark, and one is buried at Atlantic, Iowa -- Mrs. Anna L. Powers, late wife of Hon. J. K. Powers of Atlantic, Iowa.

Dr. Thomas began his educational work in the common schools of Illinois; thence he entered the Warsaw High School, where he graduated in 1864. He then went into the army as a private in the One Hundred and Thirty Seventh Illinois Infantry, where he continued six months. The war then over, and Dr. Thomas clerked about one year in the Keokuk Post Office; thence he spent one season on the Keokuk Mail Packet Line as mail agent. Then he entered the drug store of Dr. C. G. Strong, at Warsaw, IL, and began reading medicine; attended two courses of medical lectures at Keokuk Medical College (now College of Physicians and Surgeons), graduating February 21, 1870. He then took a special course in surgery under the late Prof. Hughes of Keokuk. He began practice at Bentonsport, Van Buren Co., Iowa, in April 1870. He removed to Atlantic in the spring of 1871, entered the drug business under the firm name of Tobie & Thomas, continuing there till 1872 and then moving to Macedonia, Pottawattamie County, where he practiced medicine, doing remarkable well, but, owing to the ill health of his wife, he moved to Walnut in 1877. There he continued practice until August 1880, when he moved back to Carson, where he is now located, and has a very fine practice. The Doctor is the oldest graduate of medicine in this portion of Pottawattamie County. He has a fine residence and other property in Carson. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and in politics he is a (Blaine) Republican.

Dr. Thomas married Mary Ella Ferrier at Atlantic, Iowa, October 15, 1873. She was born in Platte City, Platte Co., MO, September 4, 1850. Her father, John Ferrier, born in Virginia April 29, 1819, is living near Atlantic, Iowa. Her mother, Jane E. (Walker) Ferrier, was born in Virginia, February 29, 1821, died February 3, 1867, in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Thomas and wife have two children -- Ethel, born February 21, 1878, and Edith, November 25, 1880. Dr. Thomas was Coroner of Pottawattamie County from 1873 to 1875. He was prominently mentioned for Representative in 1875. He is a member of the Town Council of Carson, also a member of the School Board of that place.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Co., Iowa, Part 2, page 169, submitted by Ann]

Levi W. Todd

Levi W. Todd, phyisican and surgeon, Neola, was born in Jennings County, IN, in September 1854. The family originated in Scotland, but subsequently removed to Ireland, where a man by the name of Todd (his first name believed to have been David) married Hannah Owen, and came to this country with other members of the family previous to the American Revolution. They settled at Pequea, Lancaster Co, Pa, and had three sons -- John, Robert and Levi -- who were educated by their uncle, Rev. John Todd, who conducted a literary institute in Virginia. About 1778, the three brothers emigrated to what became Fayette County, KY. They were influential in forming the institutions of the state, and took an active part in the Indian wars of those days. John Todd, under commission from Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia, was authorized to establish the county of Illinois. In the commission dated December 12, 1778, at Williamsburg, then the capital of the state, he was styled County Lieutenant Commandant, and as such organized the county, and thus became in fact, though not in name the first Governor of Illinois. At the outbreak of the Indians west of the Ohio, he was commissioned Colonel, and was slain at the battle of Blue Licks, August 18, 1782.

Robert Todd, the second brother, acquired the title of General, in connection with the Indian wars and later military operations in Kentucky. One of his daughters became the wife of Gen. William O. Butler, of Carrollton, KY. Levi Todd, the youngest of the three brothers, was engaged in the early Indian wars in Kentucky, and was a Lieutenant under Col. Clark in the expedition that captured Fort Gates and the village of Kaskaskia, July 4, 1778. Lieut. Todd afterward acquired the title of General. He was Clerk of the Circuit Court of Fayette County, KY; spent the most of his life at Lexington, KY, where he died. His daughter Hannah was the mother of Hon. John T. Stuart; his son, Robert Todd, was the father of Mrs. N.W. Edwards, Mrs. Dr. William S. Wallace, Mrs. C.M. Smith and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, all of Springfield, IL.

Gen. Levi Todd, the third son, before mentioned, was the head of the family of our subject, Dr. Levi W. Todd, youngest son of Levi W. and Demia (Butler) Todd, he was born in Ohio in 1807, was Treasurer of Jennings County, IN, for fourteen years, during which time he studied medicine, afterward graduated at Cincinnati, and is now practicing at Litchfield, MN. Our subject's mother was born in New York State in 1812,and died in 1876; she was the mother of ten children, one of whom is dead. Our subject began his education in the common schools of Jennings County, IN, and afterward spent two terms in Franklin College, Johnson County, IN. He came to this county in 1870, and, after teaching school for two years returned to Indiana and read medicine with his father. He graduated in 1879 at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago; then located in Neola, where he has since practiced medicine.

Dr. Todd was married in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1878 to Fannie Foot, born in Connecticut July 4, 1855, daughter of Reuben M. and Nancy (Taylor) Foot, natives of Connecticut. Dr. and Mrs. Todd have one child -- an infant daughter, Demia. Members of the Christian Church. The Doctor is a member of the I.O.O.F., of the Iowa Legion of Honor, and is a Republican.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Part 2, page 194, submitted by Ann]

E. I. Woodbury

Edmund Israel Woodbury, dentist, Council Bluffs, was born in Bolton, MA, in 1830. Studied his profession in Worcester, MA, where he lived till 1852, then went to Ohio and remained there until he came to Iowa. He settled in Council Bluffs in 1858, and immediately established dental rooms. The Doctor was married in Townsend, MA, in the spring of 1855, and has three sons and two daughters. The eldest son, H.A. Woodbury, is a graduate of Boston dental College; the other children are at home. Dr. Wodbury is one of the most popular and best know dentists in Council Bluffs, having been in business there twenty four years.

[1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Co., Iowa, Part 2, page 59, submitted by Ann]

Note: Printing error: The 1883 History has him listed under E. J. Woodbury and it should be E. I. Woodbury (Edmund Israel).