William Cole

William Henry Cole, M. D.

     Dr. William Henry Cole, the dean of the medical profession in Kewanee, who for thirty-six years has been engaged in practice in this city, was born in Tioga, Owego county, New York, October 19, 1836, a son of Cornelius Debois Hasbrouk and Sylvia (Walker) Cole. The father of Dr. Cole was a teacher for some years before taking up the study of medicine, obtaining his professional degree in Geneva, New York, after which he located for practice in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his remaining years. During the war he was surgeon of the One Hundred and Seventy-second Pennsylvania Infantry and at the close of the service the regiment presented him with a watch and chain in token of the high esteem in which they held him and of their appreciation of the excellent professional service which he rendered.
     Dr. William Henry Cole, reared in an atmosphere of intelligence and culture, was provided with good educational privileges, pursuing his studies in the Owego Academy and in the Ovid Collegiate Institute. He began teaching in the country schools when seventeen years of age and when a young man of twenty-four years was chosen principal of the public schools of Owego, New York, and remained at their head for nine years, his labors being a potent force for the improvement of educational advantages there. He also filled the position of county superintendent of schools of Tioga county, New York, for three years and the end of his term of office was presented with a full set of silver. At length determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he entered the Buffalo Medical College, and subsequently continued his studies in the Long Island College, at Brooklyn, New York. He was graduated from the latter institution in June, 1873, and came to Kewanee the same year. Here he has continued in practice to the present time, covering a period of thirty-six years, and is still an active and valued representative of the profession. He is certainly the dean of the medical fraternity in Kewanee, and probably of the county. The great majority of men who have passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten put aside the active duties and cares of life, but not so with Dr. Cole for h« continues a helpful factor in the world's work through his professional service Since engaging in active practice he has always read broadly along the line of his professional duties and his investigations and research have kept him in touch with the most advanced thought in the profession.
     On coming to Kewanee Dr. Cole joined the Galva District Medical Association, with which he has since been affiliated and has served as president of the society. He also belongs to the Henry County Medical Society and upon the organization of the medical staff of St. Francis Hospital he was made its president. He is likewise one of the organizers of the Kewanee National Bank and from its intention has been one of its directors. Not to know Dr. Cole in Kewanee and this part of the state is to argue one's self unknown. His professional service has brought him a wide acquaintance and the worth of his labors has gained him the confidence and good will of all, while his close conformity to a high standard of professional ethics has gained him the unqualified respect of his brethren of the medical fraternity.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County-1885

Submitted by Wini Caudell

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