History of Lake, Porter, and LaPorteCounty history published by the Historians' Association . . . .
Source Citation:
Cannon, Thomas H., H. H. Loring, and Charles J. Robb. 1927.
History of
the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana, Embracing the Counties of Lake,
Porter and LaPorte: An Historical Account of Its People and Its Progress
from the Earliest Times to the Present.
Volume I. Indianapolis, Indiana: Historians' Association. 840 p.
HISTORY OF THE LAKE AND CALUMET REGION OF INDIANA
CHAPTER XVII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
PROGRESS IN MEDICINE -- EARLY PRACTITIONERS IN LAPORTE COUNTY -- THE INDIANA
MEDICAL COLLEGE -- EARLY PRACTITIONERS IN PORTER COUNTY -- THE FIRST
PHYSICIANS IN LAKE COUNTY -- THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE IN THE PIONEER PERIOD
BY DR. ANDREW P. LETHERMAN OF VALPARAISO -- THE LAKE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
-- THE PORTER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY -- THE LAPORTE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
-- HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL, LAPORTE -- THYE LAPORTE COUNTY PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL
-- ST. ANTHONY'S HOSPITAL, MICHIGAN CITY -- THE CLINIC, INC., AND CLINICAL
HOSPITAL, MICHIGAN CITY -- THE VALPARAISO CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL -- ST. MARY'S
MERCY HOSPITAL, GARY -- THE CALUMET HOSPITAL, GARY -- METHODIST HOSPITAL,
GARY -- ST. ANTONIO HOSPITAL AND THE ILLINOIS STEEL COMPANY HOSPITAL, GARY
-- ST. MARGARET HOSPITAL, HAMMOND -- EAST CHICAGO HOSPITAL, EAST CHICAGO --
LAKE COUNTY TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUM.
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The story of the medical profession in the Lake and Calumet Region of Indiana may be said to be the story of the progress of the profession in America and from the pioneer physicians, so beautifully portrayed by Doctor Letherman, to the skilled, well-trained physicians and surgeons of today, represents the remarkable advancement in the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacy and every branch of education and learning connected with the medical profession, far exceeding that of any other branch of science in the same period, and which has conferred such incalculable benefits upon mankind. Formerly medicine was concerned merely with the treatment of the sick and the measures taken to effect a cure were experimental and traditional and in a great many cases had no effect whatever on the disease. A new conception of the relation of medical service to society exists today, due to better scientific knowledge of the cause of the disease. The aim of modern medicine is to prevent disease and notable success has been attained in this direction by educating the public with a proper knowledge of how to prevent disease and the enforcement of proper sanitary and hygienic measures by local, state and national governments. Modern medicine is responsible to a great
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degree for the improved conditions of employment tending to the preservation of health and for the proper physical care of infants and children and for the encouragement of physical education — all of which have been a great aid in the prevention of disease. It is the further aim of modern medicine by careful diagnosis, to recognize disease in its early stages when a cure can most easily be effected and that the patient receive proper care while under treatment and further to alleviate suffering and prolong life in incurable diseases. The remarkable discoveries in anesthetics and in antiseptic treatment and the advancement in the art of surgery, are striking features of recent day progress which have done wonders in relieving pain and suffering and adding to longevity.
When the first settlers came to LaPorte County there were about 4,500 medical practitioners in this country, of whom about 500 had medical degrees. There were but few medical schools a century ago and many students obtained their knowledge by serving as apprentices under well-known physicians. As the years went by and the population increased, medical schools were established in nearly all the states and in the congested populous centers were many excellent schools with advanced standards. In 1900 there were more than 150 medical schools in the United States, but in 1920 this number had been reduced to 86. In 1900 there were 26,500 medical students but in 1920 only 13,500. The cause of the change was the elimination of the lower standard medical schools and the more rigid educational requirements for admission to the higher standard schools remaining. This change has brought about a better quality of men engaged in the profession and they are better fitted through their higher educational qualifications to attain distinction in the various departments which the science of medicine has developed. The late medical school graduates are admirably equipped for the practice of their profession. They have enjoyed the advantages of study in schools with well equipped laboratories for anatomy, physiology, medical chemistry, pathology, bacteriology and preventive medicine and directed by men who devote their entire time to teaching and to medical and scientific research. In many cases they have also had the advantages resulting from access to well equipped hospitals with the privilege of sick room study and exercise in methods of diagnosis and treatment and they enter into the practice of their profession well fitted for general service in medicine. A long list of exceptionally well qualified members of the profession are in practice in the Lake and Calumet Region and several of the finest hospital institutions in America are located in the district which will be treated comprehensively later in this chapter. LaPorte, Porter and Lake counties all have county medical societies, a full list of the members being found in later pages.
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PIONEER PHYSICIANS.
The two earliest physicians in LaPorte County of whom we can obtain any record were Dr. B. O. Bowel, who established himself in Kankakee Township in 1831, and Dr. Chapman, who established himself in Wills Township the same year. In 1834 Dr. Philander Loomis began practicing medicine in Clinton Township and Dr. G. A. Evarts in Noble Township. In 1835 Doctor Losie began the practice of medicine in Lincoln Township and the same year Dr. Lee H. T. Maxon opened an office at the corner of Michigan and Franklin streets in Michigan City, being the first practicing physician in that growing community. Later to Michigan City came Doctors DeWitt, Strong, Palmer, Pulford, Chamberlain and Servis Sovereign and in 1841 Dr. W. W. Wilcox had an office in Union Township and Dr. Nelson Ward in Cass Township. It is said that from 1833 to 1835 there were seven physicians in the City of LaPorte, their names being Doctors Vaughn, Ball, Walks, Hemanway, Dinwiddie, Daniel Meeker and G. A. Rose, and it is said that Dr. Abraham Teegarden opened his office in LaPorte in 1837. It is probable, in view of the small population at that period, that some of the above mentioned physicians may have been in LaPorte for a short period and then removed to other settlements.
About twenty years later came the newer groups of doctors, graduates of medical schools, among whom were Drs. David T. Brown, Charles Hamerick, S. B. Innes, A. J. Mullen, Jr., Henry Schultz and many others. For a time the Indiana Medical College flourished at LaPorte and it is said that many difficult surgical operations were performed at the institution by Doctor Meeker and other surgeons. The Indiana Medical College had its origin in a private course of lectures on anatomy and surgery by Doctor Meeker to a class of students, and, later, classes in other branches of medicine were taught. The acceptance by Doctor Meeker of the chair of anatomy of the Medical Department of the University of Iowa resulted in closing the Indiana Medical College, as he had the largest financial interest in it. Other physicians who were practicing in LaPorte County in the late pioneer period were Drs. Georgs L. Andrew and George M. Dakin, also Doctors Keen, Higday, Crandall and Darling.
PORTER COUNTY.
The first doctor to practice in Porter County was Dr. L. A. Cass, who opened an office in Porter Township in 1835, and in 1836 Doctor Pagin began the practice of medicine in Washington Township. Other doctors during the pioneer period in Porter County will be found mentioned in the interesting story of Dr. Andrew P. Letherman of the pioneer physicians of the county.
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LAKE COUNTY.
It is well established that Dr. H. D. Palmer, at Crown Point in 1836, was the first physician to begin the practice of medicine in Lake County, although it is recorded that Drs. W. C. Farrington and Joseph Green were practicing medicine at Crown Point also before 1840. Drs. Andrew Stone, Cunningham, William Dinwiddie, Harvey Pettibone, James Wood and S. R. Yoeman were in active practice as early as 1846 or 1847. Solon Robinson in 1846, in his review of the progress of Lake County, mentions that there were six or seven physicians in practice at that period.
Later came Dr. William F. Vilmar in 1853, Dr. A. J. Pratt in 1854 and Doctor Finney in 1855. Just prior to the Civil war, Drs. J. W. Higgins, S. R. Pratt and Charles Groman were practicing in the Crown Point district. After the war a number of graduate physicians began the practice of medicine in the rapidly widening settled district of Lake County, among them being Drs. H. P. Swartz, P. P. and Edward R. Gordon, Miller and also Joseph C. Watson of Hobart.
Beginning in the early ‘90s, when the industrial section of the Lake and Calumet Region began to develop, the number of physicians increased with the growth of the population and many of them became noted for their skill. The strenuous life, sufferings and privations endured by the pioneer physicians are eloquently portrayed in the story which follows by Dr. Andrew P. Letherman of Valparaiso, who began the practice of medicine in 1871 and whose father was one of the noted pioneer physicians.
“THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE IN THE PIONEER PERIOD.”
BY DR. ANDREW P. LETHERMAN OF VALPARAISO.
In the spring of 1871 I returned from Louisville, Ky., with the degree of M. D. and a diploma authorizing me to practice medicine and surgery. My father took me in as a partner and owing to my father’s prominence and standing in the profession I soon got in touch with the men who were engaged in medical practice in Porter County, and as the purpose of this paper is to briefly call attention to the lives and the work of these men, I name them, or most of them, from memory:
Dr. Sylvanus Evarts Dr. Price
Dr. J. V. Herriott Dr. Blackstone
Dr. James Newland Dr. Green
Dr. H. M. Beer Dr. Morricle
Dr. H. C. Coates Dr. Jones
Dr. W. C. Paramore Dr. Marr
Dr. J. F. McCarthy Dr. Goodwin
Dr. A. C. Stanton Dr. Ellis
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Dr. M. F. Sayles Dr. Arnold
Dr. Sovereign Dr. Welch
Dr. Hakinson Dr. St. Clair
Dr. Elliott Dr. J. H. Letherman
They have all passed on. They ploughed their way through storm and flood from Lake Michigan to the Kankakee, through drifted snow and seas of mud, over impossible roads or no roads at all — mere trails — until with shoulders bent and hair turned grey they became worn and old in the service, facing every crisis boldly, fearlessly, with scanty or poor equipment. They were dependent on a few of the old staple remedies — quinine, Dover’s powder, calomel, jalap, ginger, capsicum or red pepper, morphine, opium, ipecac and antimony — a few of what they called their “sheet anchors,” and still more dependent on the old aunties for help and nursing who ofttimes prescribed castor oil, saffron tea, or administered a dose of paregoric, boneset or sage tea as first aid or preliminary treatment.
In many cases their aid and help was invaluable as they were the only dependable nurses in the community, and in a crisis or malignant infection, no trained nurse could be reached or help of any kind obtained in time to be of much value and the doctor had to officiate as neighbor, nurse and physician — prepared for almost any conceivable condition. Dependent entirely on his own resources, he became self-reliant, well-poised, and was forced to study his case with the closest care and attention. These men measured fully up to the standard of their day and brought cheer and comfort to many a darkened home as Whitcomb Riley says of Old Doc Sifers:
“Kindly and warm and tender
He nestled each childish palm
So close in his own, that
His touch was a prayer
And his voice a blessed psalm.”
Forgotten or unknown by this generation, yet dimly I see them as they pass, making their round of calls with faltering steps and slow. Fading from my sight, they have gone to their reward, and who may doubt they have received the glad hand from old Saint Peter at the gate, or the cheery smile of welcome from Saint Luke, the Beloved Physician — or have heard the ringing words of welcome from the Great Physician, “Well done, well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
We, who follow them, upon whose shoulders their mantle has fallen, even now standing close to the border line and facing west at the going
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down of the sun, turn to you who are in the flush and vigor of youth, and to you who are in the strength of mature manhood, and who must still carry on, with this kindly suggestion, that you “Watch your step,” keeping close to the trail, and prove yourselves worthy followers of the old pioneers who blazed the way that you might follow, and who have made the rough ways smooth.
Some have fallen by the way. Dr. J. H. Letherman, Dr. H. M. Beer, Doctor Vincent, Doctor Wood, Doctor Yohn, Doctor Freeman, Doctor Loring, Doctor Carson, Dr. Marr, Dr. Morricle, Doctor Arnold, Dr. Johnson and those who still carry on — Ryan, Evans, Blount, Stoner, Powell, Douglas, DeWitt, Hayward, Seipel, Dobbins, Fyfe, Gowland, Lewis, Miller, Noland, Dittmer, Wiltfond, Axe, Theorell — must move with care and prevision if they measure up to the standard set by those old doctors.
We could tell of an encounter with the big grey wolves when the snow was sixteen inches deep and thermometers below zero, one bright night when driving through a timber section — how the mare I was driving, with ears back and mouth open, charged a big fellow who blocked the way and how suddenly he side-stepped and gave us the right of way — of how my father, coming back from Calumet, when passing through the big woods riding horseback heard the shrill scream of a panther right overhead and how the horse seemed to sink under him, and then how he flew until they reached the open country. Telling us about it the next morning at breakfast, I asked him if he couldn’t hold or stop the horse. He smiled as he replied that he did not try — he was as anxious to get away from there as the horse; also of being lost in the Kankakee bottoms when the river was three miles wide and both horse and driver narrowly escaped being drowned.
I could tell of the long, cold night rides — of the terrible roads — the fierce storms, the accidents and breakdowns. As I look back these occasions rise up before me like a horrible nightmare and I compare my experience to the lot of the doctors of today, who ride over the smooth-surfaced roads in warm, well-lighted cars and I think they never will understand or appreciate the exposure and the hardships suffered by their predecessors.
To illustrate the heroism and the conscientious devotion to what these doctors considered their duty, I mention several instances that came under my observation. My father, Dr. J. H. Letherman, was called one night in February to attend a woman in childbirth. She lived six miles west of town. There had been heavy rains, followed by freezing, with a light fall of snow, making the roads slippery and dangerous. Two and one-half miles west of Valparaiso the cutter slipped and skidded from the bridge into the creek, swollen and in flood, and doctor, horse and sleigh
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were washed under the bridge and lodged against the fence on the other side of the road.
Father was washed from the cutter but caught hold of the fence post and held himself above the flood. He saw a light shining from the window of a house on the hill just above the creek and his lusty shouts soon brought two men with a lantern. They could not reach him, and he could not let go of his hold on the post. Finally one of the men went back and got a rope, and after several attempts father managed to catch it, and the men pulled him to the bank. They took him to the house, wrapped him in blankets and then went out to look for the horse. They found him at the gate. He had climbed the bank and dragged the cutter, with one runner broken, up to the farm gate. Father’s medical case was in bad shape and some bottles broken. These good Samaritans took him in — furnished some dry clothes, hitched up their own team and took him on to his destination, where I am happy to say, he arrived in time.
He certainly presented some appearance on his arrival home the next morning. Father was a large man, standing five feet eleven inches and weighing 265 pounds. The clothes he wore home had evidently been made for a man about half that size. That night’s exposure resulted in an attack of inflammatory rheumatism from which he never fully recovered.
Dr. H. M. Beer was thrown from his cutter one night, overturning in a snow drift. His frightened horse ran away and the doctor in his heavy overcoat and carrying his medical cases was compelled to walk a mile and a half through heavy drifts. The doctor was a large man, and being overheated by the exertion and wet with perspiration, contracted pneumonia and died.
These men literally, yes actually, exemplified the words of the Master when He said: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” What higher, what more beautiful, more glorious tribute could be paid these old doctors who devoted their lives to the service of their fellow men?
The writer recalls one night, during a fierce storm, he was called to attend a woman dying from pneumonia. I had seen the case in the morning and told the family she could live but a short time and, as the roads would be impassable by night, I would not be back. However, they sent for me at 2 A. M. and when I answered the doorbell there stood her son. He said, “Doctor, mother wants you to come. I have brought the big team and the bob-sled, the box is full of hay and there are two big robes; won’t you come?” I went. It was an awful struggle for the team and we were thrown out a few times, but we made it. The woman was failing fast — I sat down by the bed and took her hand. She stared at me and cried out, “Oh, say something, say something!” I repeated these beautiful lines:
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“I know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air,
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.”
She repeated the last line, “Beyond His love and care,” two or three times and then asked me to say it all over again. I did so and she cried out, “I never heard anything so beautiful, I never heard anything like that in my life!” and as I left the house in the grey of the morning there was almost a smile as she bid me good-bye. She reached the islands of the fronded palms that day. Her husband said afterwards, “Doctor, I will never forget you; never. You brought such peace and comfort to my wife that awful night.”
I have written these reminiscences, or recollections, that the people of this section of Indiana may have a deeper appreciation of the service rendered, and the trials and hardships endured by the doctors in the early days of Porter and adjoining counties. The old roads, like the old horse and buggy, are a thing of the past, and the old doctor will soon be but a memory, and as the curtain rings down for him, these lines seem to fill my thoughts:
“From hill to hill my road runs,
Oh my friendliest friend,
Less swift my plodding feet,
Less sure my step,
Less keen my sight.
Yet in the fading west
Keep for me unto the end
Thy morning pledge,
That in the evening time
It shall be light.”
And we pray that the light at the end of the road may be still shining as we turn down the last lane on our way home.
COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETIES.
LaPorte, Porter and Lake counties all have county medical societies which have been in existence for many years and include nearly all of the members of the profession in practice in the Lake and Calumet Region. A full list of the present membership in the societies of the different counties follows:
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MEMBERS OF THE “LAKE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.”
Dr. V. K. Forster, president; Dr. A. J. Lauer, vice president; Dr. E. M. Shanklin, secretary-treasurer.
HAMMOND — W.M. Bigger, J. T. Bolin, S. L. Brown, W. A. Buchanan, C. W. Campbell, J. A. Chovigany, B. W. Chidlaw, J. T. Clark, G. M. Cook, C. H. Crews, A. H. Davis, H. W. Detrich, E. L. Eggers, N. K. Forster, F. H. Fox, L. A. Goodman, H. C. Groman, E. C. Hack, A. H. Hansen, C. Harstad, W. H. Howard, W. F. Howat, E. S. Jones, R. W. Kretsch, A. Kuhn, Hedwig S. Kuhn, A. W. Lloyd, E. A. Martin, C. Mathews, C. A. McVey, O. O. Melton, A. J. Miller, L. Morrison, T. W. Oberlin, R. O. Ostrowski, J. R. Pugh, C. W. Rauchenbach, J. Schlessinger, E. M. Shanklin, W. D. Weis, H. J. White, A. L. Yoder, A. A. Young, W. E. Nichols.
CALUMET CITY — M. R. Bascomb, R. S. Kemp.
HOBART — J. Ader, C. Faulkner, L. M. Fredrich, D. Mackoy, A. G. Miller.
LANSING, ILL. — W. A. Potts.
GRIFFITH — F. A. Malmstone.
INDIANA HARBOR — F. P. Cox, A. V. Cole, T. F. Cotter, R. J. Dasse, E. S. Dickey, F. A. Gutierrez, R. C. Hamilton, W. L. Huges, A. R. F. Johnson, L. Josif, Eli Levin, D. F. McGuire, F. H. Mervis, L. J. Ostrowski, C. Robinson, J. A. Teegarden, B. M. Turbow, M. L. Williams, J. B. Wadell, J. Niblick.
EAST CHICAGO — G. F. Bicknell, H. C. Ernst, M. A. Givens. R. P. Hale, R. Johns, M. Korba, J. Palkovich, A. A. Ross, A. G. Schlieker, R. Spear, L. Townsley.
WHITING — E. L. Dewey, F. R. Doll, C. Jones, A. J. Lauer, M. E. Rafacz, D. D. Reeve.
CROWN POINT — G. D. Brenna, F. II. Farley, W. F. Hauk, H. L. Iddings, C. R. Pettibone, J. Parramore.
LOWELL — J. W. Iddings.
GARY — W. F. Alexander, S. R. Best, C. C. Brink, L. F. Bills, Robert N. Bills, C. Boardman, M. Buchsbaum, H. Baitinger, W. M. Behn, M. E. Comstock, J. A. Craig, S. H. Crossland, C. C. Clyborne, L. J. Danieleski, C. A. DeLong, M. H. Derian, Frank P. Denny, P. Deitrich, F. M. Doty, E. E. Evans, H. M. English, Olga Feinberg, E. E. Geisel, R. W. Grubbs, A. Giorgi, G. S. Green, J. H. Goad, D. E. Griffiths, G. W. Gannon, R. M. Hedrich, B. W. Harris, H. M. Hosmer, A. M. Kan. T. Kollmar, L. T. Loar, H. B. Levey, H. W. Long, W. P. Laue, Georgiana Lutz, J. I. Miller, F. W. Merritt, F. J. McMichael, I. Miltimore, O. B. Nesbit, I. J. Propper, C. W. Packard, H. C. Parker, L. K. Ryan, C. M. Reyher, P. J. Rosenbloom, Joseph Sponder, E. L. Schaible, E. D. Skeen, C. M. Stoycoff, J. F. Take, T. B. Templin, D. W. Turner, G. L. Verplank, R. O. Wharton, W. J. White,
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C. Wicks, A. A. Watts, R. Wimmer, C. W. Yarrungton, S. J. Young, Paul S. Yocum.
MEMBERS OF THE PORTER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
President, M. B. Fyfe; vice president, H. M. Evans; secretary, C. H. DeWitt, who is also county health commissioner.
VALPARAISO — M. B. Fyfe, T. E. Lewis, H. O. Seipel, E. H. Miller, John A. Ryan, H. E. Gowland, A. O. Dobbins, H. M. Evans, A. P. Letherman, R. D. Blount, G. R. Douglas, G. H. Stoner, E. H. Powell, H. B. Hayward, C. H. DeWitt.
PORTER — G. C. Kasdorf.
CHESTERTON — Ross H. Axe, Charles O. Wiltfong.
HEBRON — F. J. Kleinman, R. P. Blood.
KOUTS — S. E. Dittmer, P. D. Noland.
CHICAGO, ILL. — A. J. Cramp.
MEMBERS OF THE LAPORTE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
President, G. W. Kimball; vice president, L. A. Wilson; secretary and treasurer, Robert F. Wilcox.
MICHIGAN CITY — L. E. Stephenson, H. L. Brooks, J. B. Rogers, E. O. Krueger, F. V. Martin, L. A. Wilson, John H. Foster, M. L. Drescher, E. G. Blinks, J. V. Kerrigan, R. L. Kerrigan, J. J. Kerrigan, Aimee Killough, J. D. Price, Anna B. Durie, Whitefield Bowers, R. A. Gilmore, F. R. Warren, P. H. Weeks, N. C. Reed, George M. Krieger, A. G. Tillottson.
LAPORTE — H. H. Martin, G. W. Kimball, A. R. Simon, Robert F. Wilcox, James H. Fargher, F. T. Wilcox, O. L. Sutherland, C. E. Burleson, E. F. W. Crawford, R. B. Jones, W. W. Ross, B. C. Bowell, M. S. Smith, E. L. Annis, J. N. Kelly, C. M. Sennett, R. W. Elston, L. W. Elston.
UNION MILLS — Charles Wiseman.
STILLWELL — W. W. Walkinshaw.
LACROSSE — D. D. Oak.
WESTVILLE — F. H. House.
HANNA — H. A. Garner.
WANATAH — C. E. Mayfield.
COLUMBUS — Brigid E. Malone.
HOSPITALS.
HOLY FAMILY HOSPITAL, LAPORTE.
The need of a hospital in the City of LaPorte became apparent in the early ’90s, but for a number of years no action toward the establishment of a hospital was taken. In 1899 Rev. A. Messmann of St. Joseph’s Church, after consultation with many leading citizens of LaPorte who
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were members of various religious denominations, notified Venerable Sister M. Hyacintha, Provincial Superior of the Sisters “Poor Handmaids of Christ,” Fort Wayne, Ind., that the congregation had already built a frame building which could be used for a hospital as well as a home for the sisters and submitted a proposition to transfer the building and site for this purpose.
As the institution seemed an urgent need, it was decided to accept the proposition and, on December 19, the building and site was transferred to the sisters and in March, 1890, Ven. Sister M. Helen, assisted by Sisters M. Attala, Ansehna Jerome and Alphonsina, were placed in charge of the institution, which was the foundation of the present Holy Family Hospital. The first patient was received on March 19, 1890, and slowly but steadily the number increased until by the end of the year seventy-two patients had been admitted. It was not long after the institution was established until the demand for additional room made necessary the utilization of the entire building for hospital purposes, which became possible through the generosity of citizens who contributed a sufficient fund to not only erect a home for the sisters on the adjoining lot but also provided additional equipment and conveniences in the main building.
As the years went by the demand for additional room steadily increased and the citizens of LaPorte, who had already been so generous in supporting the institution, came again to its assistance and with their aid a splendid brick building with modern hospital facilities and a chapel was erected, and the original hospital building was devoted to sisters’ quarters. The new institution was opened in 1908 and is a historical event in LaPorte, leading citizens taking an active part in celebrating the opening of the institution. In 1915 it became necessary to build a modern laundry and larger boiler room and the second floor of the new building was devoted to sisters’ quarters and the original hospital building became an obstetrical department, indispensable to modern hospitals. Later radiographic and pathological laboratories were installed in order to have everything available to give the best service. Many other improvements were made in equipment and conveniences, including an ice machine. A few years ago, the demands on the hospital became so great, that to relieve the institution, which had become crowded to its capacity, the generous citizens of LaPorte conducted a campaign for funds to build a large addition to the main building, and in 1925 the beautiful structure was ready for occupancy.
The addition made it possible to house the obstetrical department in the main building and the original hospital building was converted into quarters for employees. The first floor of the present hospital is used for offices, pharmacy, reception rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and the chaplain’s department, besides a number of nice rooms for patients. The
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basement is large and roomy and is used for storage, carpenter shop, the water softening system and other necessary equipment. The second and third floors, with the exception of a part of the east wing in which the chapel is located, are devoted to wards for the patients. The fourth floor is used for surgeries, radiographic, physico-therapy and pathological laboratories on the northeast side, while the south wing is given over to the obstetrical department and nursery.
The remarkable growth of the institution and the great value which it is to the City of LaPorte and vicinity, is shown by the number of patients admitted during 1925, which was 1,448, an increase of 1,346 since the year the hospital was opened in 1900. With the steady growth of the institution, it was also necessary to adequately increase the number of nursing sisters, besides lay nurses, pathologists and chaplain. The Holy Family Hospital today is equal to any in the state and is an institution in which the citizens of LaPorte take great pride, as it is largely through their generous support that this modern, progressive hospital has attained its present high standard.
THE LAPORTE COUNTY PROTESTANT HOSPITAL — LAPORTE.
The LaPorte County Protestant Hospital Association was organized in April 1924 with Will W. King, president; E. C. Stern, vice president; and Albert Neihuis, secretary. The association purchased the buildings formerly used by Dr. Collins as a sanitarium and have remodeled them into a modern hospital institution with facilities for the care of 50 patients. The association anticipates that the hospital will be ready for service in the summer of 1927 and will carry a complete modern hospital equipment.
ST. ANTHONY'S HOSPITAL — MICHIGAN CITY.
About twenty-five years ago, a number of citizens in Michigan City invited the Sisters of St. Francis, a nursing organization, to conduct a hospital in Michigan City and through the charitable and benevolent contributions of several benefactors the Sisters opened a hospital in a small building on July 2, 1903. On October 1st, the same year, the corner stone was laid for the first unit of a new hospital which was dedicated on November 9, 1904.
In recent years the need of more room made necessary the erection of a large addition to the institution which was officially dedicated October 8, 1925. The new addition is similar in architecture to the original unit and of the same kind of material as used in the original structure. In the arch above the main entrance, an exquisite statute of St. Anthony calls attention to the fact that St. Anthony is the guiding patron of the hospital. The hospital is modern throughout, well ventilated, heated, lighted
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and absolutely fire proof. The floors throughout the building are of mosaic terrazo and the electric elevators are of the most modern type with button switch control. The entrance of the old building has been remodeled into a smoking room and the main entrance and offices are placed in the new addition.
The first floor of the new edifice contains the main office, record room, reception room, department for drugs, physicians’ lockers, a complete X-Ray and Physiotherapy equipment, and an emergency room with provisions to give immediate care to the injured. The second and third floors are similarly arranged, each floor containing a utility room, lavatories, surgical dressing rooms, linen rooms and a sun parlor tastefully arranged for convalescing patients. The fourth floor includes space for the maternity wards, nursery, infants bath, and also an isolation ward to which a baby may be removed if necessary. The operating rooms are located on the fifth floor and adjacent to these rooms are the latest model sterilizers.
An important feature of the hospital is the laboratory department where all manner of experiments and tests may be made and where findings are recorded. Since the erection of the new addition to the hospital there are 100 beds aavilable. Every modern comfort and convenience may be had by patients. The rooms have been adequately fitted with the best of sanitary furnishings and efficient service is maintained at all times. During 1926 there were 1361 patients admitted to the hospital including 339 day, 169 medical, 484 surgical, 91 obstetrical and 190 emergency cases. There were 353 Radiographic, 59 Fluoroscopic, 194 X-Ray Therapy and 1359 laboratory examinations. Of the cases treated 121 were charity and 179 part paying. The nursing personnel consists of fifteen registered nurses; a Laboratory Pathologist and Technician; a Roentgenologist and Technician; a Sister Registrar and a Sister in Record Room. No Lay nurses are employed although a patient may have a special nurse if desired.
THE CLINIC, INC. AND CLINIC HOSPITAL — MICHIGAN CITY.
The Clinic Hospital is a private non-sectarian institution, incorporated in 1925, resulting from the needs of the Clinic Incorporated which had been in operation for some time. Although not subject to donations or endowments and depending wholly on its charges for service for its maintenance, it furnishes the best medical, surgical and personal attention at moderate cost. The hospital, which is a three story structure, is designed to carry out the aim of the governing staff — the creation of a home-like atmosphere and extending every kindness, courtesy and consideration to the sick.
The hospital has its own X-Ray laboratory and maintains a completely equipped Physio-Therapy department. Radium in sufficient quanti-
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ties is owned by the Clinic Hospital so that all types of cases where radium is indicated can be handled. Carrying out the modern idea in medicine, the Clinic Hospital encourages seemingly well people to undergo periodical laboratory examinations believing it more profitable to preserve health than to repair it. The hospital staff consists of J. B. Rogers, M. D., president; E. O. Krueger, M. D., secretary; F. V. Martin, M. D., vice president; L. A. Wilson, M. D., treasurer and H. L. Brooks, M. D., manager.
VALPARAISO CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL.
In 1905, the Christian Hospital was founded through the efforts of the Christian Benevolent Association affiliated with the Christian Church. It is a non-sectarian private institution open to all regular physicians, and patients are not only received from Valparaiso but from many distant cities. The hospital is in charge of Superintendent Clara N. Gulbrensen, has twenty beds and excellent care is given to the patients. There is a complete operating room but no laboratory.
ST. MARY'S MERCY HOSPITAL, GARY.
St. Mary’s Mercy Hospital was established at St. Mary’s Hospital in November, 1907, by Franciscan Sisters of Burlington, Iowa. In 1912 the present site at 540 Tyler St. was donated by the Illinois Steel Corp. and on November, 1917 of the following year, the hospital was taken over by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, the present modern hospital building erected, and the name of the institution changed to St. Mary’s Mercy Hospital.
Since the present hospital building was first occupied on December 8th, 1914, the west wing including chapel has been added and also a nurses home and power plant. The capacity of the hospital is 125 adult beds and twenty-five infant beds. The Nurse Training School was established when the hospital was opened and the alumni now number seventy. The institution is an excellent example of the best type of modern hospitals and its classification is “Class A” given by the American Medical Association and American College of Surgeons.
The first floor contains the general offices and Sister Superior’s office, two reception rooms, emergency department, with 540 square feet of floor space, X-ray department with 400 square feet of floor space, and the following equipment: Fluoroscope, two X-ray machines, diathermia and two ultra violet ray. On the first floor also is the clinical laboratory with 500 square feet of floor space, intern quarters and wards.
The second floor contains private rooms and two and three bed wards. The third floor has private rooms and two, three and four bed wards. The fourth floor has the operating department with 1620 square feet of floor
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space, three operating rooms and accessory rooms. On the fourth floor also is the delivery room, nursery and some private rooms and small wards. All corridors, laboratory, operating department, X-ray department and delivery room have terraza floors. The hospital is so designed that each room gets sun light during some part of the day. Since 1915 the hospital has been in charge of Superintendent Sister Superior, M. Alphonsina.
There were 3782 patients treated in 1925, the average daily number being 115. During that year there were 7739 laboratory examinations and 1536 X-ray examinations and 424 births. The total number of employees is 132. There are four interns, forty-nine graduate nurses, nine supervising sisters, forty-one nurses in training, fourteen non-nursing sisters, and five male attendants. There are sixty-five members of the hospital staff.
CALUMET HOSPITAL, GARY.
The Calumet Hospital is located at 2554 Washington Street, the hospital building being a two-story brick structure containing twenty-six rooms, an annex with thirty-two rooms, ten bath rooms, vapor heat automatic oil, and has modern equipment throughout. There are accomodations for 100 patients and at present there are two trained nurses, one registered and four pupil nurses. Since its existence the hospital has treated and cared for about 400 patients many of whom have come from distant cities and states. The institution is in charge of Dr. B. T. Lewis, M. D.
METHODIST HOSPITAL, GARY.
Another hospital institution with every modern equipment and convenience is the Methodist Hospital completed in 1923 at a cost of $400,000. It has a capacity of 100 beds and operates a school for nurses. Later funds were procured for the construction of an industrial wing with the capacity of 100 beds to cost approximately $350,000 and a nurses’ home with accommodations for fifty nurses at a cost of approximately $50,000.
ADDITIONAL HOSPITALS, GARY.
St. Antonio Hospital was incorporated in 1916 with a capacity of fifty beds and operating a school for nurses. The Illinois Steel Company maintains a hospital for the care and use of its employees with every modern equipment and conveniences installed.
ST. MARGARET HOSPITAL, HAMMOND, INDIANA.
As early as 1896 the idea of hospitalization entered into the issues of Hammond’s civic structure. About two years later under the inspirational
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guidance of Reverend H. M. Plaster, then pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, with the co-operation of the city’s leading citizens, the Sisters of Saint Francis Seraph of Perpetual Adoration of LaFayette, Indiana, were requested to establish a hospital at Hammond. On February 2, 1898, Sister Richardis, Superior, Sister Gerharda, Sister Edwards and Sister Marcellina, arrived at Hammond from LaFayette to establish the hospital and the Lautman home at 30 Clinton Street was secured for the purpose.
The first hospital, a frame building, provided facilities for thirty patients. The first patient, John Stephens an old settler, now deceased, was registered the folowing day and was attended by Dr. J. T. Clark. The hospital staff the first year included Doctors J. T. Clark, J. Pannenborg, C. W. Campbell, A. G. Schlicker, W. F. Howat, H. E. Sharrer and T. W. Oberlin of Hammond, Doctor Iddings of Crown Point and Doctor Baker of Englewood, Illinois.
Within two years the Lautman home was replaced by the first unit of the present hospital and in 1901, the brick and stone structure facing Clinton Street was dedicated. The growth of Hammond and vicinity made additional facilities necessary and the Sisters purchased the lots adjoining west to State Line Street and south to Douglas Street, practically dedicating a city block to their enterprise. The second unit, now'the north wing, which was added in 1909 corresponded materially and architecturally with the first unit and provided for one hundred and fifty additional patients. At this period approximately thirty doctors attended the institution, fifteen Sisters nursed the sick and about twelve graduate nurses were registered for call.
The building housing the power-plant and laundry was constructed in 1909 and the Grotto of Lourdes was also completed during that year. In July, the Right Reverend H. J. Allerding, D. D., Bishop of Fort Wayne, Indiana, dedicated the new buildings.
In September, 1919, St. Margaret Hospital School of Nursing was founded and the fall term found eight enrolled of which two graduated. The school was accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing. At this period some forty-five doctors and twenty-four sisters were in attendance at the institution from whose roll the faculty of the School of Nursing was formed. In the fall of 1919, the maternity department of the hospital was inaugurated and licensed by the state to care for twenty patients.
In 1923 the south wing of the hospital was begun. T. X. Murphy Bros., Louisville, Ky., were the architects. In general architecture the new wing facing Douglas Street agrees with the first two units but the new wing reverses the interior plan of the institution. The main entrance, receiving room, surgical, pathological, obsterical and roentgenlogi-
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cal rooms were placed in the new building. This permits the second unit to be devoted to patients only and the first unit to be remodeled into an ideal modern nurses’ home. The new wing is constructed of solid reinforced concrete. In its plain appearance of Bedford stone and red brick it lends the atmosphere of dignity. The physical equipment included the latest improvements of medical, surgical, chemical and roentgenlogical science.
At present the personnel of the institution consists of: Reverend Chaplain, Sister Superior, doctors on staff — 65, resident doctor — 1, interns — 7, nurses on call — 18, male help and maids — 71, technicians — 6, student nurses — 43, superintendent of nurses — 1, instructress of nurses — 1.
Resume of cases received in 1926 — total, 5,107; patients admitted to surgical ward — 2876; patients admitted to obstetrical ward — 544, babies, 547; patients admitted for medical treatment — 1,140; patients admitted for X-ray and laboratory findings. Out patients — 1275. Of the total number of 6,382 patients including outpatients treated in 1926 there were 1792 free, 2394 part pay, and 2196 full pay.
EAST CHICAGO HOSPITAL, EAST CHICAGO.
The need of a modern hospital in East Chicago has been recognized for many years and by a vote of six to one the citizens some years ago expressed their willingness to bond themselves to secure this much needed institution. The true solution of the problem which will contribute so much to the happiness and welfare of the people has been solved by the Manufacturers Association of East Chicago and Indiana Harbor whereby they will contribute S465,000 and the Order of Hospital Sisters, The Poor Hand Maids of Jesus Christ will contribute $700,000, the entire amount to be expended in the construction and equipment of a 200-bed hospital which is expected to be in operation before the close of 1927. The site of the hospital comprises a full city block bounded by 143rd, Elm, 144th and Fir streets. Frank Kratzer, the eminent St. Louis architect who designed the recently completed model hospital of the Poor Hand Maids of Jesus Christ at East St. Louis, Illinois, has been selected as architect of the East Chicago Hospital. The hospital committee of the Manufacturers Association have inspected and investigated a number of hospitals in industrial localities with problems similar to East Chicago and as a result of this investigation they decided to make arrangements with the Poor Hand Maids of Jesus Christ to construct a hospital where every facility will be extended to every race, creed and color — the Sisters to have the deed of the hospital but to operate it without any further costs to the industries. The Poor Hand Maids of Jesus Christ are noted for the
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wonderful hospital service which they have rendered in other communities and operate a number of large hospitals including the Mercy Hospital at Gary. The Sisterhood have large financial resources and have been established in Indiana for seventy years. They will bring to the new institution an expert personnel and the experience of nearly three quarters of a century of hospital management with the resulting economies from the experience of operating and managing a chain of hospitals on a large scale. The hospitals conducted by the Poor Hand Maids of Jesus Christ have the highest rating of the American Hospital Association. When completed the hospital will be the largest institution of its kind in Northern Indiana and the most modern hospital in the state.
LAKE COUNTY TUBERCULOSIS SANITORIUM.
The Lake County Tuberculosis Sanitorium was officially opened September 30, 1925. Much of the preliminary organization prior to its establishment was done by Dr. James Otho Parramore, who is now superintendent and medical director of the institution. Although having been in operation but a year, the far-reaching benefit of this institution has been so apparent that new additions are contemplated for the near future.
In conjunction with the work devoted to the hospital, much prophalactic work is done throughout the county; diagnostic clinics are held at different sections of the county, and at these times many cases are unearthed and measures taken to protect the families of diseased persons. In the event that both parents are stricken, the sanitorium takes care of the children during the parents stay in the hospital. In this connection much sociological work is being done.
The other tubercular associations of the county work in conjunction with the Sanitorium, with the result that this county has a very comprehensive organization to combat the dread “White Plague.” The Sanitorium is modern in every respect, has a capacity of ninety-two beds — which are usually filled to capacity — and at this time has a waiting list of fifty. While there is no special provision for children, a summer camp is maintained and it had an attendance of fifty-six children during the summer of 1926.
The institution is under the management of a board of trustees consisting of two laymen and two physicians, who have full control of the Sanitorium and governs its activities. They in turn are responsible to the county commissioners, and file an annual report with that body. The present body consists of Herman Poppenhusen, president; Dr. John Iddings, vice president; Doctor Nesbit, of Gary and William Beatty of Hammond. A staff of nurses is maintained adequate to the demands, and
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another need — and one which will be filled in the near future according to present plans — is the establishment of a permanent medical staff.
Patients usually enter on the recommendation of physicians or others who are
official representatives of the tubercular association. The money has
already been appropriated for a sixty-bed wing to be added to the
Sanitorium, and it will soon be available for service.
NAVIGATION OF
HISTORY OF THE LAKE AND CALUMET REGION OF INDIANA
FOREWARD
AN APPRECIATION
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I - Geology and Topography
CHAPTER II - The Mound Builders
CHAPTER III - Days of Indian Occupancy
CHAPTER IV - Early Explorations
CHAPTER V - Border Warfare
CHAPTER VI - Lake and Calumet Region Becomes Part of United States
CHAPTER VII - After Wayne and Greenville - Tecumseh and the Prophet
CHAPTER VIII - Indian Peace
CHAPTER IX - Early Settlements and Pioneers - County Organization
CHAPTER X - Townships - Towns - Villages
CHAPTER XI - Pioneer Life
CHAPTER XII - The Lake Michigan Marshes
CHAPTER XIII - Agriculture and Livestock
CHAPTER XIV - Military Annals
CHAPTER XV - The Lake and Calumet Region in the World War
CHAPTER XVI - The Newspapers
CHAPTER XVII - The Medical Profession
CHAPTER XVIII - The Bench and Bar in the Lake and Calumet Region
CHAPTER XIX - Churches
CHAPTER XX - Schools
CHAPTER XXI - Libraries
CHAPTER XXII - Social Life
CHAPTER XXIII - The Dunes of Northwestern Indiana
CHAPTER XXIV - Banks and Banking
CHAPTER XXV - Transportation and Waterways
CHAPTER XXVI - Cities
CHAPTER XXVII - Industrial Development
CHAPTER XXVIII - Chambers of Commerce
Transcribed by Steven R. Shook, December 2022