Medical History
Doctor / Physician
Compiled and Edited by Michael R. Reilly
Last Revised 04/11/2006
When the first settlers arrived in what wasto become the town of Lisbon area in 1837, the closest medical doctor wasprobably in the small village of Milwaukee, a good day’s journey, if you werehealthy. The settlers had to rely on what down home medicine they, or theyclosest neighbors (even Indians) knew, and grew to learn about over time.
Sometime after 1840 and prior to the 1850 Census being taken, John U. Hillard, Physician, came to the area, when isn’t exactly known,but he lived in the township until at least 1860. Settlers relied on him andprobably others; either traveling to meet the doctor in Waukesha, Pewaukee orMenomonee Falls, or perhaps the doctor visited the developing town at varioustimes.
The 1860 Census shows three medical doctorsliving in the township, mainly in the developing village of Sussex. 1870revealed no doctor living in the township, but doesn’t indicate how long thearea may have been without a medical practitioner. The 1880 Census shows aEnglish born woman doctor. Not much is known about Hannah Russell’s medicalpractice, the area’s own version of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”; amost interesting story if uncovered!
What follows are those medical practitionersidentified so far, and some history of their existence. Though early dentistsare listed here now, eventually that profession will have its’ own web page.
Please send any added information to thiswebsite editor.
Dr. Slade Robinson
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons Ionlm (?)
Twenty years a practitioner in England, West Indies and Canada begs to offer his professional services to the inhabitants of Pewaukee, Lisbon, Menomonee, Warren, and adjoining townships, in the various branches of Medicine, Surgery, Midwifery, &c.
Pewaukee village, July 10, 1847
Source: Weekly Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 4, 1847
August 23, 1850 Census: John U. Hilliard, 37, Physician,England; wife Jane, age 35, Scotland, son John, 8, New York, Jane, 5, Wisconsin,and Louisa, 2, Wisconsin
June 23, 1860 Census: John U. Hilliard (interpreted as John N.), 48,Physician, wife Jane, 48, John H., 17, Louise age 11, nothing of dau Jane whowould be 15-16. Dec 10, 1861 (Waukesha Freeman) John U. Hillard vs. Peter N.Cushman. Action for negligence, and for recovery of money lost thereby. Estateof John U. Hillard, deceased, in probate, July 8, 1863, printed in WaukeshaFreeman on July21.
George W. Caukins (Corkins), 47, Physician, New York; wife Margaret, 47, NY;Jonah (Jariah?), 17, NY, farm laborer; Mary O., 14, NY; Catharine E., 9, NY.
Daniel H. Henshaw, 32, Physician, Massachusetts, boarded with James W.Woodruff, farming family, next door to Samuel Daugherty (Had Pewaukee PO).
Name: Daniel H Henshaw , Residence: Hartford, [Note: Even though this record indicates Res. as Hartford,he is listed as a Town of Lisbon Volunteer/Draftee.
Wisconsin Enlistment Date: 20 April 1861
Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
Side Served: Union
State Served: Wisconsin Unit Numbers: 3071 3071
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 20 April 1861
Enlisted in Company B, 1st Infantry Regiment Wisconsin on 20 April 1861.
Mustered out Company B, 1st Infantry Regiment Wisconsin on 21 August 1861 inMilwaukee, WI. May have died August 11, 1890 leaving Annie J. Henshaw as hiswidow.
1870 No doctor listed in Census
1880 Hannah C. Russell, 38, Doctor, England (first womandoctor in area). Hannah C. Russell would be daughter of John and Hannah Sr. whoseshe’s living with in 1880. John, still a farmer, is now 71, and Hannah Sr., is66.
They live next to James Russell, age 75, and his brother Charles, 63, bothretired farmers, and born in England.
In1850, Hannah, Sr. is listed as wife of John Russell, age 43, a shoemaker.Catherine, 15; Sarah, 13, Matilda, 12; Hannah, 9, Mary, 7, John, 5; and Richard,2, all born in England.
In July 1867 (Waukesha Plaindealer, August 27, 1867) has a Hannah Russell as aTown of Lisbon school teacher with 39 pupils.
Dec 11, 1879, Hannah Russell rec’d $87.70 but not $51.10 for county”medical services” rendered.
Hannah C. Russell may have married in Green county on Mar 9, 1882, vol.5 page 11to Felix C. Burnett (listed as Flic Bennett)
1900 Hannah is still a physician;immigrated and arrived July 12, 1850 at New York from London on the “Adeline”, age 58. Felix C. Burnett(b. 1839, Ohio, age 61, no profession).
In 1910 her husband has died, she’s living on “Russell Street” inMonroe City in the township of Monroe in Green county, she has three servants.Probably died between 1910 and 1920.
Dr. A. M. Stout, of Sussex, Wis., intending to removeto Chicago very soon, requests his debtors to call and settle their bills. Hehas several hundred dollars worth of drugs which he will dispose of at a greatdiscount, also a fine horse, cutter, top buggy, road cart, buffalo robe, saddle,bridle, harness, etc. Waukesha Freeman, May 1,1884, page 1.
Dr. C. E. Wintermute has established an office at Sussex which he visitson Tuesdays and Thursdays, where he can more readily look after the interests ofhis patients, and at less expense to them. Waukesha Freeman,March 3, 1887.
Dr. Wintermute moves from Pewaukee to Sussex. WF 5/10/1888.Says he has a good practice in Sussex; a Dr. M. R. Hewitt is in Pewaukee.WF 5/24/1888.
Dr. C. E. Wintermute and wife lose infant son who died Monday of last week;funeral in Janesville. Mrs. Wright, mother of Dr. Wintermute visiting him fromJanesville. Waukesha Freeman, March 28, 1889.
Dr. Wintermute buys 2 acres from George Elliott for $300. WF1/17/1891
Dr. Wintermute announces he’s moving his practice to Chicago. WF4/25/1891
New MD in Sussex. WF 5/14/1891
Sussex – The friends of Dr. Wintermute will be pleased to learn he has aprosperous business in Chicago. Source: Waukesha Freeman,May 21, 1891.
Dr. E. M. Fuller,native of Merton, taking over Dr. Wintermute’s practice in Sussex.Graduated from Rush Medical College in 1890.WF 6/11/1891
Dr. Fuller marries DaisyMolster, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Molster of Waukesha (formerly ofMerton). Dr. Fuller has practiced in Waukesha a short time before moving toSussex. Waukesha Freeman, July 2, 1891.
After a short illness of diphtheria,Dr. E. M. Fuller died at his home in Sussex Monday morning and was buriedthe same day. He was twenty-five years of age, and had been married only a fewmonths. After completing his medical course he practiced here (Waukesha) for ashort time and then went to Sussex where he was doing well and had built up alarge practice. His wife was Miss Molster, of Merton, who a few years ago lostseveral brothers and sisters by an epidemic of diphtheria. Dr. Fuller was muchesteemed and respected and his death casts a gloom over the community. He issupposed to have contracted the disease from a patient. Waukesha Freeman,May 26, 1892.
Dr. Hewitt leaves Pewaukee to full timepractice in Milwaukee. Dr. C. E. Wintermute returns from Chicago to assume Dr,Hewitt’s Pewaukee practice. WF 2/11/1892
Dr.F. M. Chapman, of Nashotah, a recent graduate, will go to Sussex to takecharge of the practice of the late Dr. Fuller. WF6/16/1892
Mrs. Chapman, of Hartland, visited her son,Dr. Chapman, in Sussex. WF 5/25/1893
A Dr. Hawley worked ona case with Dr. C. E. Wintermute in Pewaukee. WF2/22/1894.
Dr.Farley in Merton recovering from accident. WF8/23/1894
George E. Vincent, an optician,from a Waukesha firm, to be in Pewaukee every Wednesday to check your eyes, freeof charge. from 9am to 12pm. JohnRice, father of Dr. John A. Rice, died at his son’s home in Mertonon Sept 9 at 5am, age 94. Sussex: Chas. R. Drake, Pewaukee undertaker andembalmer carries a full line of caskets and undertaker stock. Funeral carfurnished for funerals. WF 9/12/1895
Dr. F.M. Chapman’s sister, Mrs. Hartwell, died in Algoma, Iowa. Burial inHartland. WF 4/9/1996. A. P. Chapmanand family visit Dr. Chapman. WF 7/22/1897
Sussex:William Greenland had his leg amputated at Trinity Hospital in Milwaukee by Dr.Earl. WF 4/23/1896
Dr.Hewitt, of Milwaukee, called on Andrew Davidson, concerning his pneumonia.WF 3/31/1898
Dr.Chapman moves into a new residence in Sussex. WF10/27/1898
1900 Census Town of Lisbon
Frances M. ?, Mar 1870, 30, Wisconsin, Physician
Merton: Drs. Skinner, Nixon and Overbaugh of Hartland; Loveof Pewaukee, and Chapman of Sussex all with patients in the town this pastmonth. WF 2/14/1901
The Sussex Masonic Lodge gave a farewellreception to Dr. Chapman. Robert Chapman [the Dr.’s brother?] , of Chicago, waspresent to the doctor’s surprise. [Dr. Chapman moved his practice to Chicago.]Dr. and Mrs. Jones in Sussex. WF 4/23/1903. [Inthe WF 7/16/1903 we learn that Dr. Jones wife’s parents are from Indiana. ]
Dr. Jones discontinues hisMerton patient visits; a Dr. Clark is in the area. WF5/4/1905
Dr. Jones, assisted by Dr.Chapman of Milwaukee [same Dr. Chapman who had left for Chicago] perform anappendicitis operation on Maggie Redford. WF 5/11/1905
The Waukesha Freemanissue of October 19, 1905 says that a Dr. Jones, a Dentist, of Sussex, leftMerton for Milwaukee. Further says that Merton is in need of a M.D. [Perhapsthere were two doctor Jones in the area, one a dentist, the other a M.D. becausewe next find that in the November 23, 1905 issue, that Dr. Jones, Sussex, tookBert Harris to the Milwaukee Hospital.]
Dr. R. W. Jones left Tuesdayfor the South where he goes in the hopes of receiving benefit for throattrouble. Dr. Hutchington, of Chicago, will take charge of his practiceduring his absence. WF 5/31/1906
Dr. Jones purchased anautomobile in the July 12, 1906 issue, and the next month, August 30, 1906, heand his wife took a trip north for health. [Also mentionsa brother John Jones and wife, from Delafield. ]
Dr. Jones and his wife adopt alittle two-week old baby boy. WF 1/3/1907.
Dr. Jones taking vacation; Dr.Patridge attending his practice. Less than a month later Dr. Jones sold hisSussex residence and says he will move to Oconto July 1, 1908. WF6/11/1908 [Later newspaper entry indicates he lived in Mattoon, Wisconsin.]
May 21,1909, Dr. Jones of Wausau, comes to Sussex to assist in surgery on Mr.Walters.
Waukesha Freeman July 8, 1909 – Disappearance ofDr. C. D. Greulich of Sussex, there about a year, sold his practice to a Milwaukeean, Dr. Lawler, and left Monday for parts unknown. Had been borrowingmoney quite heavily and with the sale of his Sussex property he is thought tohad considerable money with him. No further mention of him until May 14, 1914
Evidently Dr. Greulich continued to practice in Sussex for a time, in May 14,1914, he closed a gash in Fred Stier’s head. No mention of what happened. Waukesha Freeman
April 21, 1910 – Dr. Woodhead,from Merton, makes his visits to Sussex now in an auto. He sold his gray team ofhorses to Bertsel Davidson. The Dr. and wife had their baby baptized at St.Alban’s earlier that year, as reported March 17, 1910.
Waukesha Freeman Jan 16, 1913 Dr Lawler and Dr. Barnes from Pewaukee operated toremove a needle stuck in the back of 4 year old daughter of Herman Vermelis
Waukesha Freeman May 14, 1914 Dr. Lawler his converted his front room in hishouse into an office and waiting room
Waukesha Freeman Oct 22, 1914, Dr. Greulich sells his home to Mr. Edwards.
Waukesha Freeman July 1, 1915 George Lawler has sold his property to Wm. Brown.
1920 Census taken by Geo Wileden is separated into twoenumeration districts 173 sections 1 – 18 and 174 sections 19 – 36.
George N or W. Lawler, Village Doctor, age 45; wife Selby, age 30
Cornelius Arnlich, osteopathic doctor, age 37; wife Lulu
Dr. Greulich still in Sussex in Jan 1921
Still practicing medicine in 1930 Census of Sussex, Dr.Cornelius D. Greulich.Cornelius born Aug 1882 to George and Mary Greulich in Germantown, earlyimmigrants, born 1859 and 1860, father is a farmer.
July 10, 1930 Prohibition officials revoked government liquor permit ofDr. Lawler. Waukesha Freeman
June 9, 1932 Dr. George Lawler has purchased a home in Waukesha and will movethere with his family before school opens in the fall. Waukesha Freeman. Born 1875 in Michigan
May 26, 1932 – Drs. Bernhart and VanValin. Dr. Bernhart in Dec3, 1931. Waukesha Freeman [Could be Ervin Bernhart, age 30, a doctor in 1930 Milwaukee with wifeEdith, age 25. ]
December 22, 1932 – Mrs. Van Valin and mother, have come to Sussex to make theirhome this winter with the former’s son, Dr. Erwin Van Valin. Waukesha Freeman
Waukesha Freeman March 29, 1859
Early Lisbon Doctors Were Hilliard, Rice
Among the earliest doctors who practiced in Lisbon were Dr. Hilliard, who lived in section 8, and Dr. John A. Rice, who lived just across the town line in Merton. He received his diploma from Western Reserve Medical college, of Hudson, Ohio, in 1851, coming to Merton the same year. Dr. Rice visited his patients in the surrounding community riding in a two wheeled gig, pulled by a spirited horse. His reputation was state-wide as a fine physician and surgeon when doctors had only the most crude instruments and facilities for surgery, and pitifully few medicines. Went to Mexico In 1871 the doctor joined the State Medical society, and in 1878 the State Historical society. Also in 1878 he was a member of the industrial expedition to Mexico, and was elected a member of the Sociedad Mexicana de Geografia y Estadestica, said to be the oldest scientific society in North America. Dr. Rice was an archaeologist with a national reputation and was active in politics, serving three terms in the state senate and once running for lieutenant governor. The pioneers who did not have bluff, hearty Dr. Rice for their family doctor, called Dr. Hilliard. He did not have a gig, but came galloping on horseback, his medicines and equipment in his saddlebags. Early in Sussex history, Hannah Russell practiced homeopathic medicine. She vaccinated children against smallpox as far back as 80 years ago.