Business of DeWitt: Physicians and Dentists

From the end of January, 1880, until June, the Clinton County Advertiser ran a section called “Business of DeWitt” in which they tell quite a bit about the local businesses.

No class of our professionals have labored harder in the interest of their patrons than the physicians of DeWitt, and there is no class that stand so highly in the estimation of these patrons as those whose skill has restored them to health once more. Our physicians have a large field to traverse. Their calls to the distant parts of the county are frequent, and beyond its boundaries by no means seldom. We challenge any town in the state of the size of this to display an array of physicians who stand better intellectually, morally or financially.

The oldest in practice here is

DR. J. H. BOYD

Who was educated and practiced ten years in Pennsylvania, coming to DeWitt in 1855. Dr. B is of a remarkably cheerful disposition and that cheerfulness given out in allopathic doses is often better than medicine, or administered with the medicine one is a great help to the other. As a natural consequence, Dr. Boyd is very successful in his practice, and is often called to a distance. His business has increased to such an extent that recently he found it necessary to take in a younger partner, which he did in the person of Dr. Johnson, of Wyoming. Office 3d door west of post office.

DR. M. R. WAGONER

Regular homeopathic physician, brought his ‘little pills’ here in 1863. He is a graduate of the Hahnneman Medical College, of Chicago, and attended a full course of lectures at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Last year he received the ad ???dem degree from the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, and, until his recent resignation, was a member of the board of examiners of the Homeopathic Medical Department of the University of Iowa, is a member of the Hanneman Medical Association of Iowa, and this year is chairman of the bureau of anatomy, physiology, pathology and hygiene. Dr. Waggoner also took a course of clinical lectures at the Cook County Hospital, Chicago, which was a great help to fitting him for the active duties of his profession. He is a skillful surgeon, and has a large and increasing practice. In person Dr. W is 42 years of age, weighs 208 pounds and looks the picture of health. Office and residence just south of the Gates House.

Dr. A. W. MORGAN

Physician and surgeon, commenced practice here in 1863. He graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa. He practiced a few months in southern Iowa and served a year or so in the army, during which time he was promoted to the full rank of surgeon of the 37^th Ill. Infantry. This school of surgery, together with his natural tact in that direction, placed Dr. Morgan in the front rank, and as a consequence his services are required in all directions, where from any mishaps a person’s limbs need trimming up. He is a member of the Clinton County Medical Society, and has been honored by nearly all the offices in its gift, being at this time its president. He is also an honored member of the Iowa State Medical Society. Dr. Morgan treats all diseases to which the flesh is heir, and has a large practice both in town and country. He is jovial and good natured, and deserves the success he is receiving. Office over J. B. Webb’s store. Residence on 5^th Street, east of Washington.

Dr. D. Langan

Laid the foundation of his education in the rigid schools of Europe, attended the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated at the Medical Department of the University of Iowa, at Keokuk, where he had the advantage of the army hospitals located there, and commenced the practice of medicine to DeWitt in 1863. Dr. L is a member of the Clinton County Medical Society and has held the office of vice president and president of same. He has presented some valuable papers before this society, for which received high [praise]. He is also a member of the State Medical Association, and was the first representative to the latter from the Clinton county society in 1872, and was also representative in the years 1876 and 1877. Dr. Langan invented and put in practice a valuable addition to a dental splint for fractures of the lower jaw, for which he was eulogized by the Clinton County Medical Society. Dr. L has an extensive practice, and while healing others has got himself “well heeled.” Office, first door above Opera House, residence, Dodge street West DeWitt.

DR. JOHN DENNISON

A graduate of the Albany, New York Medical College, of the class of 1846 and practitioner in western New York for 20 years, located in DeWitt in 1867. He is a member of the Clinton County Medical Society, and was recently elected delegate to the American Medical Association, which is to meet in New York City in June next. Dr. D is a thorough scholar, and an ornament to the profession, but is modest and retiring and does not seek notoriety, therefore the writer found it a difficult task to collect sufficient data from him to write him up as he deserves. He has a good practice, and in all kinds of diseases. Office and residence corner of Dodge and Miller streets.

DR. P. F. RYAN

Was a DeWitt boy and graduated from our High School with the highest honors. He then attended three courses of lectures at Iowa City and graduated from the Medical Department of the State University at that place to the class of 1877. In January 1878 he was appointed by the Board of Supervisors as county physician for the district, and was re-appointed in 1880. He was elected member of the Clinton County Medical Society at its last session. Dr. Ryan is a young man of rare abilities always studying when not on duty, and bids fair to take a high rank in the profession. Dr. R is of the allopathic school, is a skillful surgeon and has already a good practice. His office is on Harrison street, second door east of Jefferson.

DR. F. S. JOHNSON

Junior partner of the firm of Boyd and Johnson, is a new comer, having recently moved here from Wyoming. As we said last week, he makes a favorable impression upon our people. We clip the following editorial from the Wyoming Journal “We hazard nothing saying that he (Dr. Johnson) is one of the best read young men in his profession in Iowa. A good proof of this fact is found in the statement that when he graduated with honors at the State Medical University, he was selected as valedictorian, an honor given to but few. Dr. Johnson studied for some time with Dr. McGrew, of this city, and also with his uncle, Dr. G. O. Johnson, of Maquoketa. The good people of DeWitt will find Dr. Johnson a good addition to their citizenship, socially, morally and professionally, and should he not succeed there it will be because merit and attentiveness to business are at a discount.” Drs. Boyd & Johnson have their card in the ADVERTISER, indicating that they have an eye to business. Office 3d door west of post office.

DR. F. G. POTTER, DENTIST

Is a gentleman of large experience, and ranks high in his profession. He commenced the practice of dentistry in 1854, at Maquoketa, and in 1857 removed to New York state, remaining till 1865 when he again returned to Maquoketa where he practiced until 1874, when he came to DeWitt to practice the art. During the period of his practice there have been giant strides made in the grand march of improvement in the way of dentistry, in which Dr. Potter has fully kept pace. He uses the celluloid plates in his practice and promises to fit the ugliest mouth that is brought to him.

Since he came here he has had a large business for which he thanks the good people hereabouts. We regret to state that Dr. Potter and family are again about to return to Maquoketa at the urgent salutations of friends there coupled with the fact that he still owns a residence in that enterprising town. DeWitt congratulates Maquoketa on again numbering Dr. Potter and his estimable family among its citizens.

DR. J. B. GOULD, DENTIST

Came here first in 1876 and in 1878 removed to Tipton. During his sojourn here he had won a reputation for first class work, which was the means of bringing him back here social visits, and as time wore on they became so frequent that he was induced in 1879 to establish himself here once more. When teeth are too weak to fill with gold, Dr. Gould uses (unfortunately, the next several sentences are illegible.) He uses the celluloid plates put up by himself, which have a life like appearance, and are regarded superior to gold, silver or rubber for durability. The card of Dr. Gould in the ADVERTISER has directed many a wanderer to his office, and assisted him to build a large patronage. Office and residence over M. J. Hey’s bakery and store.