DRS. F.P. AND M.J. BELLINGER, of Council Bluffs, formed their present partnership in 1886, since which time they have been doing a general practice. The former is an expert in the diseases of the eye and ear, which he made a specialty, but gradually drifted into a general practice, as the city at that time was not sufficient to maintain a profession of that kind alone. They have received a very extensive patronage and their general practice will amount to $220,000 annually. In the spring of 1890 they erected a handsome two-story frame building, 80 x 40 feet, on the corner of Broadway and Twenty-Sixth Streets, as a hospital, surgical and medical institute, which can accommodate forty patients. They handle all kinds of chronic and private diseases with the best treatment.

They are both natives of New York State, and of German descent, their parents being J.H. and Molly (Smith) Bellinger. They were reared on a farm in their native state until they entered the medical college. F.P. is a graduate of the Albany (New York) Medical College, and M.J. also attended that institution one term, and then took one term in Omaha, Nebraska, and in 1886 graduated at the Des Moines Medical College. When these gentlemen started out for themselves they had to commence at the very bottom, and have since risen to a position of wealth and affluence. The senior member, F.P., is a married man. He was a member of the city council of Council Bluffs two years. They both affiliate with the Democratic Party, and F.P. is a member of the A.F. & A.M.

Contributed by: Darlene Vergamini