Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

electric baths with appliances, the latest
manufactured, which would pass 'faradic. galvanic. or
static electricity into the system. or any part of it.’ This
was for the treatment of paralysis, chronic
rheumatism. and other chronic ailments. Patients
could also secure their board and other flrst class
accommodations in the institution.
Mr. C.M. Brown, in 1881, had a sorghum and sugar
cane factory. He addressed the Farmers‘ institute. in a
prophetic manner, proclaiming that. "The
adulteration of all kinds of food is coming to be looked
on as a matter subject to legislature control, and ere
long. the manufacture and seller of those vile
compounds will be compelled to brand them and sell
them on their merits: and once their character is
known, quality will be the criterion. and not color, and
a great incentive will be given capital to manufacture
honest goods. at honest prices."
In 1881, at the regular meeting of the city council. it
was resolved to pay Dr. E. Blakeslee $25 for serving as
the health physician for 1880. It was also resolved that
he, along with J .P. Scroggs and John Watters, be
appointed to a committee to examine. secure and fix up
a building suitable for a hospital outside the city limits.
in case of emergency arising from any contagious
disease. If this was accomplished, it is unknown to this
writer. Also in 1881. it was ordered and required that
every citizen in the corporate limits of the city, was to
be vaccinated by the first day of January 1882. (This
writer's notes don't include what the vaccinations were
for. Your doctor will tell you.)
In 1890, the city's Board of Health president, Dr. A.V.
Eaton, published the following notice: . . the time of
annual cleaning is at hand. We expect that everyone.
without further notice, is to thoroughly clense (sic)
their premises. Also the alleys and streets adjoining all
stock pens and stables, must be kept in perfect order
during the summer. All manure must be removed at
least every 10 days. from such pens and stables. We
further ask that people refrain from throwing papers.
rags. ashes. and vegetables into the alleys and streets.
Many things can be burned. a short and efficient way of
disposing of such refuse . . These notices were
published annually. starting in 1860 and for the next
70 years, or so.
Other doctors were: Dr.E. McGuire, Ira Bates. and
Lyman J . Adair. (the father of the nationally known Dr.
Fred Adair of an obstetrics department in Chicago).
E.W. Gawley, H.C. Parsons, S. Druet. Thomas Gorman.
Pratt Skinner, Dr. Hasard. (a homeopath). Harry
Sigworth. and his brother, M.P. Sigworth,and Dr. E.G.
Rawson.
Dr. Blakeslee was. in 1890, an eye, ears, nose and
throat doctor.
Dr. Aram Garabed Hejinian was Anamosa‘s foremost
physician and surgeon. He was born in Armenia and
came to America in 1888. and entered the Chicago
Theological Seminary - graduating in 1890. His
interests reverted to the field of medicine and he
enrolled at Rush Medical College. Upon completion, his
intentions were to return to his native land. However.
due to the severe unrest in that country. he chose to
stay in America.
In 1896. he settled in Anamosa where. two years
later. he married Bertha Stacy. Dr. Hejinian. a pioneer
surgeon in eastern Iowa, later took post-graduate work
in London, Vienna. and Berlin. His death occurred in
1934.
Anamosans will also remember Dr.He_|inian as the
one who provided funds for the. now landmark. town
clock above the city hall and veteran's memorial
building. In 1922. the good doctor stated that it was ‘his
feeling of pride in his old hometown’ which prompted
this venture.
More doctors who have served the community, more
recently include. Drs. J.D. Paul and his son. Robert.
John Byme. Edward Rogers, Robert Dolan and Gerald
F. Brown.
Presently serving the community are: A. P.
Randolph, John Bailey. Geoffry Miller and Charles
-#1 pr’
QY
_
Residence of Dr. M.D. Sigworth (Submitted by
Kathleen and Larry J. Conmey)
Dr. A. G. Hejinian (Submitted by Anamosa
Historical Society)
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