Dr. William Freek making calls

Dr. William Freek's drug store

Dr. William Freek

He was born in Albany, Illinois September 10, 1854, son of Nicholas and Mary (Routledge) Freek - both natives of England. They came to Toronto, Canada when young and were married in that city. The father was a brick master by trade and seeking a new field, came to Albany in the spring of 1854. Dr. Freek went through the common schools of Albany and then decided upon a medical career, entered Rush Medical College of Chicago from which he graduated February 21, 1877. Following this he practiced at Albany for two years and then on September 8, 1879 came to Cordova. He was the only physician in the village in the early 1900s and his practice extended all over the township as well as across the river to Princeton, Iowa. In 1880 he established a drug store to have in conjunction with his practice.

Dr. Freek was secretary of the Cordova Public Library and held that office from 1880 into the 1910s and was also president of the village board four years and a member of the board of education as well as many other organizations and lodges.

In June 1885, Dr. Freek married Laura Johnston and she died within a year's time of their marriage in 1886. It was six years before he married again and this time to Bessie Marshall on October 2, 1892. They had two children - Mary Isola and George Marshall.