/u/w mam sra 97731 iS Some Early Medical History of the Upper Desplaines Valley, Illinois ^Wo^ W CLARENCE A. EARLE, Ph.B., M.D. bU»* f ^f Des Plaines, SOME EARLY MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE UPPER DESPLAINES VALLEY, ILLINOIS Clarence A. Earle, Ph. B., M. D. DESPLAINES, ILLINOIS Many years ago I beigan collecting everything I could that had any bearing upon the early history of the locality in which I live, a limited part of the region of the upper Des Plaines Valley. It has resulted in the assemblage of many old photos and daguerrotypes, many monographs, contracts, deeds, passports, receipts, bills, and very many old letters or copies of letters dating back to 1833. A judge in the state of Washington who had lived here wrote me several hundred pages of early history. Ob- viously the subject matter of this paper is but an incident in the major research that has engaged my atten- tion. To me the collecting of early local history has been an intriguing pas- time. I have unearthed interesting records from old attic trunks, from boxes in the lofts of out-houses, corn-cribs and garages. In the quest for early local history the word "fail- ure" does not exist. Robt. Collyer, the Unitarian preach- er, published a biography of A. H. Conant who had resided two miles north of where I now live. Collyer quoted extensively from a diary that Conant had kept while living here. This diary contained almost daily entries from 1836 to 1841. The idea of getting this record possessed me. Conant moved from Des Plaines to Geneva. A visit there netted me a copy of Collyer's book but no diary. Conant enlisted as Chaplain of the 19th Illinois from Rockford, and died immediately after the battle of Stone River. At my first visit to Rockford I secured some daguerrotypes and many of Conant's war letters and ser- mons, but no diary. On my second visit to Rockford, I learned that when Conant's daughter went West she had left her household effects in the loft of a garage. I went through every- thing there, but still no diary. I returned home discouraged but un- deterred. l_\\^o\s On a third trip, I scoured the loft again but found nothing. Discour- aged, I came downstairs and a boy repairing a car, pointed to a large box. Lifting an old oil painting, there was the leather bound diary in a per- fect state of preservation! I turned this diary over to the Chicago His- torical Society. They very kindly made me a copy. It might be inter- esting to you to learn that this same A. H. Conant read a paper at the first meeting of the Chicago Historical Society. I dug out three letters in a little town in Washington that con- firms this statement. I am free to say that the training of a medical man is and should be the best possible preparation for one engaged in collecting local history. A medical man's status and his posi- tion in society gives him a distinct advantage over commercial makers of county histories. It goes without saying that he who does not hesitate to inquire into the venereal history of a person would not hesitate to peer into skeleton closets of the past. I wanted information as to the life of an early school teacher who later had killed a man in Minnesota. I located his wife in Connecticut. I wrote her and asked her for her hus- band's photo. She said I must be mistaken in the person, and of course she couldn't do anything for me. Be- fore I got through, I not only got his history and his photo, but also her photograph. I once made a trip to Northern Wisconsin to interview another pio- neer school teacher. I rang the door bell. A highly neurotic daughter opened the door rather gingerly. To her, I announced my mission. She said her mother was an invalid, and had recently had a stroke and could not see anyone. I told her that I was a physician and I would see to it that no damage would result. She at once admitted me. I spent a very pleasant hour with the old lady, showed her a lot of photographs of her childhood friends and left her and her daughter in a happy mood, after I had gotten ivhat I wanted. It has happened several times that I have been able to trade a little professional advice for a lot of early history. In every age a few are born before their time. No one knows whethetr these anticipations are intuitive or philosophic. These few seem to un- derstand the inadequacy of present day conditions and are able to visual- ize those needs of the future that the slow process of evolution takes years to bring about. Such a one was Dr. John A. Kennicott. He was born January 5 1802, in Montgomery county, (now Fulton county; , New York, and died June 4, 1863, at The Grove, Northfield Township, Illinois. His paternal ancestors descended from Roger Kennicott who came from Devonshire in 1660, and settled in Maiden, Mass. Three of his lineal descendants were named John. The fourth, named Jonathan, was the father of Dr. Kennicott. All had large families, of from six to fifteen children. This Jonathan married Jane McMillan, descendant of a wide- ly known Jacobite family. They moved from Massachusetts to New York at an early date and had fifteen children. The second child is the subject of this sketch. As a child he worked on the farm and orchard. According to his own statement, he attended primary school only thirty days. About 1823, he went to Buffalo where he studied medicine, taught district school, clerked in a drug store, and some of the time taking lectures at the medical college at Fairfield, New York, where he got his medical de- gree in 1826. It may be interesting to learn something of this medical college located in the wilds of central New York in a village that in 1861 had but 300 inhabitants. Fairfield Academy must have been organized in the late eighteenth cen- tury. In 1808, Fairfield Medical College was made an adjunct to Fair- field Academy. This institution was called also the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Westejrn District of New York. In 1810 the Legislature granted the college $5,000, which had been the proceeds of a lottery. Feuds and jealousies among the Professors hindered the college's organization. However, at one) time Fairfield stood next to the University of Pennsyl- vania in number of students. In 1820 an act of Legislature gave to Fair- field Medical College for dissection, the unclaimed bodies of the Auburn prison. Organization of the Geneva Medical College in 1835 and of the Albany Medical College in 1838 cut into the attendance of the Fairfield school to such an extent that with the session of 1839-40, it closed its doors. Not however until many dis- tinguished men either had taught in or attended this school. Three of the Hadleys and Asa Gray attended Fair- field. Dr. N. S. Davis, Sr., was an alumnus. It is altogether likely that Dr. Kennicott took up medicine mainly as a livelihood. Later in life he seems to have looked at it as a cultural study. In a letter in 1857 to his son, Charles, who was attending school in Buffalo, Dr. Kennicott writes, "It might not be amiss for you to accept the offer of your friends in Rush Medical College to attend a full course there some winter as a part of a good education for a pomologist, or rather a horticulturist. I think a course at Rush would be both pleasant and profitable. I enjoyed the study of medicine very much." Immediately after graduation Dr. Kennicott wrote for the pres-s in Buffalo and lectured on botany. He practiced medicine on the Welland Canal. In 1828 Dr. Ken- nicott visited Detroit, Mich., Sandus- ky, Columbus, and Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Ky., and Natchez, Tenn.; spending some time at each place in botanizing. He lectured and practiced medicine near Jackson, Mississippi, for a while; after which he located in New Orleans, La. In 1830 Dr. Ken- nicott married Mary Shutts Ransom in Buffalo. In New Orleans, he was for a time principal of a primary school. He had charge of a male or- phanage for one year. He is credited with having published the first lit- erary, scientific and religious journal in New Orleans. This was called the "Louisiana Recorder." In 1834 or 1835 Dr. Kennicott's father and brothers took up land 18 miles Northwest of Chicago on the stage route to Wisconsin, which is now Milwaukee Ave. This is un- doubtedly why in 1836 Dr. Kennicott came to Cook County. At this time there were two other doctors in this locality; Dr. Silas Meacham, a lineal descendant of Miles Standish, and Dr. Fred Miner. Dr. Miner's father, Aaron, came with him from Vermont. He was a Revolutionary soldier, who died in Elk Grove, Cook County, in 1848, and was buried there. Eli Skin- ner, another soldier of the Revolu- tion, came to this Yankee settlement and was buried in the same cemetery. Of the three Revolutionary soldiers who are known to be buried in Cook County, the remains of two lie in this little country burying ground about five miles west of Des Plaines. The third, the renowned David Kennison, was buried in Lincoln Park. Although it is more than 150 years since the close of the war of the Re- volution, there is still living, at this writing, one real son of that war, — William Constant Wheeler of Marsh- field, Vermont. His father enlisted in 1780 when fourteen years of age and, when 76 years old, he married for the third time, and became the father of two children. William Con- stant is now 87 years old and in good health. As soon as Dr. Kennicott got his log house up he started in the active practice of medicine. His daughter told me that his rides took him as far north as Waukegan and as far south as Elgin. Some of the time he had five horses. It has been difficult to learn much definite data of Dr. Kennicott's treat- ment of diseases. I have been in- formed that he did not believe much in emetics nor in blood letting; though he bled a younger brother three times who had meningitis. Mer- cury in the form of calomel, and mer- cury with chalk were common reme- dies for nearly everything. His daughter told me he treated diph- theria by cauterizing the throat with silver nitrate stick. The medicine case of the early doctor smelled strongly of rhubarb. He did only minor emergency surgery. He usual- ly called in either Dr. Brainard or Dr. Freer for help. I have been un- able to learn that he ever attended a medical meeting; yet he kept in con- tact with the best medical men of Chicago; Brainard, Freer, Herrick, Blaney and others. Dr. Kennicott had made few profes- sional calls when he began to plant trees, shrubs and flowers, particularly fruit trees. Early in the forties he started the Kennicott nurseries, pro- bably the first in northern Illinois. A company still operates under that name. It is conceded that no one did more for fruit culture in the west than did Dr. Kennicott. He became the horticultural editor of the "Prairie Farmer" and, for a time, its editor. He was president of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, and secretary of the State Agricultural Society. He edited the first two volumes of this organization. He was the first presi- dent of the American Pomological So- ciety which met in 1848. He seems to have been on intimate terms with many of the leading scientists, such as Kirtland of Cleveland, Latham of Milwaukee, Thomas and the two Downings of New York, and the thun- dering J. B. Turner of Jacksonville. Few did more than Dr. Kennicott to secure the final establishment of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. It is said that Zachary Taylor promised Kenni- cott that he would organize a separate Department of Agriculture if elected. Taylor's untimely death prevented this. Dr. Kennicott's name was prom- inently mentioned, even in eastern papers, as the logical head of this cabinet position, should it be organ- ized. Dr. Kennicott was a busy country doctor, and his editorial and agricul- tural society connections must have taken much of his time. What I be- lieve to have been his greatest work, was what he did for real education in this country. Here was a great coun- try with unlimited possibilities for agricultural and industrial develop- ment, yet about all that the colleges turned out were preachers and classi- cal graduates. As late as 1850 Turner said that there were 269 classical schools in the U. S. and not one agri- cultural school worthy of the name, although the vast majority of people were farmers. A letter written in 1838 by my father, who was attending an academy in Vermont, states that he "is study- ing Greek, Latin and French," and apparently not taking English. While the classics are not stressed as much as formerly, in my opinion more time in school should be given to the study of English, of modern languages and of natural sciences. I was a member of a High School Board for twenty- two years. I recall with dismay a farmer boy who, through the advice of a classically trained principal, studied Latin four years. For four years this boy walked three miles night and morning, putting in one fourth of his time to a study that touch his daily life less than a falling star. Intrenched behind the prac- tices and traditions of ages, coupled with the greed, envy and jealousy of sectarianism, the academies and col- leges of the day presented a formida- ble obstacle to the establishment of any but classical schools. Though many undoubtedly recognized the in- adequacy of scholastic education, few bad the temerity to defend a more useful training. Of those who fought for the newer education, the name of the impoverished but militant Jonathan B. Turner outshines all the rest. At that memorable Farmers' Con- vention meeting at Granville, Illinois, in September 1851, Turner suggested the plan of an industrial University in each state. The following March Turner announced for the first time the idea of national grants of land for the foundation and support of State Industrial Universities. It took eleven years to get this idea through Congress under what is known as The Morrill Bill. This eleven year period of gestation that it took to enact this legislation was a stormy period. Into the fight, the enthusiastic Dr. Kennicott threw the full force of his persuasive per- sonality and energy. His trenchant pen never dried, in his advocacy of the newer education. Several con- ventions were called in Illinois to dis- cuss the merits of this new idea. Dr. Kennicott was a most prominent and influential member as well as the chairman of most of the meetings. The Illinois Legislature was influ- enced to memoralize Congress. All over the country papers took up the "Illinois Idea" as did many legisla- tures. Dr. Kennicott spent much time lobbying in Springfield while the legislature was in session. On one such trip he had to borrow money from the governor to pay his bills and to buy a ticket home! In 1857 Senator Morrill introduced this Land Grant Bill into the Senate. Kennicott made trips to Washington in the interest of this bill. I have records of his interviews with the log rolling, selfish members of Con- gress. Buchanan vetoed the bill. It finally became a law when Lincoln signed the act in 186:.'. Sixty-nine colleges and universities have been benefited by this act of Congress. I have given some of the history of this legislation, first, be- cause in my opinion, next to the act of 1787, this Land Grant Act stands as the greatest potential stroke for education ever enacted. Second, though the concrete idea was sug- gested by Turner and introduced into Congress by Morrill, its final enact- ment in my opinion was in a large measure due to that persistent, in- domitable country doctor, John A. Kennicott. In politics Dr. Kennicott was a Whig. In religion he was a liberal. There are no records that he ever attended church. Robert Collyer, the Unitarian preacher, officiated at an early funeral of one of the family. Dr. Kennicott was the father of five boys and two girls. All have passed away. It was my pleasure to know all except the two older boys. Kenni- ( iitt's most noted child was Robert, a distinguished naturalist. The his- tory of the classification of the fauna of this country can never be com- plete without mention of his work. Dr. Kennicott was not above five feet five inches in height, and was very stoop shouldered. His face was seamed with deep lines. His eyes beamed with expression and flashed with each new thought. In any as- semblage he would attract attention. He had the gift of friendliness and hospitality, but when occasion arose he could be a doughty opponent. He loved youth and youth turned to him with intuitive trust. He fought many battles for causes and for friends, but never for his own advantage. Geniality was one of his most marked characteristics. This is evident even in his grandchildren. Dr. Kennicott was a loyal friend. His innate cour- tesy and charm of manner made "him approachable by all whom he chanced to meet. He had traveled much. He attended many public gatherings in his own state, and in other states. His home was a meeting place for leaders in the natural sciences and in medicine. His procedures were direct. He was as transparent as a child. There never was a doubt as to his convictions, and he hated double-dealing in others. The selfish ax-grinding politicians excited Dr. Kennicott's unmitigated disgust. He was an idealist who pursued realism. Literally Dr. Kennicott died in his boots. Powells history states that "a call was issued during the latter part of May, 1863, for the Sixth Industrial Convention to meet in Springfield, on June 9, 1863. This call was signed by twelve well known leaders, headed by the enthusiastic Dr. Kennicott." But the "Old Doctor" was not there to answer the call. He had passed away on June 4. On May 23, 1863, eleven days before his death, Dr. Kennicott wrote to his old friend Col. Hodge of Buffalo. Probably this was the last letter Kennicott ever wrote. It is so expressive that I shall give it: "My dear old Friend: Are you still alive? I still live but scarcely breathe. For two months I have been at death's door with laryngitis complicafed with heart disease, etc. and lately with rheumatic pains in the chest. Dr. Freer attended me first and I expect him and Dr. Brain- ard out tomorrow. It was thought I could not live, as I breathe with great difficulty, and often have to sit up 20 hours in the 24, as I suffocate if recumbent. The worst is I can't eat nor exercise. I now write for the first time in two weeks. I have been up since half past three A.M. I now write at six A.M. Very warm. Let me hear from you. I may suffer for this imprudence. But you and I should not neglect each other while we can hold a pen. I trust you do not suffer as I have of late. I have wished for death more than once, but I don't want to die if I have any chance of being comfortable again, and I seem to stand a heap of killing. Strange how much a man can live through. God be with you." "Your old friend the Old Doctor." As lite years roll, as wealth in- creases, as urbanization of the prair- ies proceeds and the haunts of the deer and other wild game are cut up by miles of hard smooth roads, I see a tendency to exaggerate the trials and vexations of the Pioneer Country Doctor. My father was a country doctor. My own professional life in a rural community reaches hack nearly half a century. I have gone through the horseback, the two- wheeled carl, and the buggy age of a country practice. Even so they were safer if not pleasanter hours than I now experience in going over the same territory in my car. In the early days I was summoned in per- son by a messenger whom I knew. I knew the people who desired my ser- vices. If I had any money in my pocket I never thought of leaving it when called out at night. The Pio- neer Doctor never feared being rob- bed, kidnapped, or murdered when making a night call. I might gel a leg scratched riding along a hedge row or my horse might stumble but that was nothing compared to being run into by a drunken driver nowa- days. One could catch naps riding behind a faithful horse. I never dozed but once in my car. When I awoke I was in a ditch. I do not wish to minimize the hardships of the Pioneer Country Doctor for they were many. Nor do I desire to de- tract from the halo of glory and glamor that a generous posterity has accorded him, but as I see it human nature was the same in the early days as now. The problems of life were similar and are met today with the same spirit of helpfulness and earnestness of purpose — if not quite the fortitude — as in the days of yore, ||^0253130;