History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 171
an eighteen months' service as interne and his experience in
hospital work has been most valuable to him, giving him a broader
knowledge than could be obtained in many years of general prac-
tice. Thus well equipped, he came to Dixon at the end of his
interneship, opened an office and entered upon general practice, in
which he has been very successful. He keeps in touch with the
advanced thought of his profession through wide reading and
investigation and through the discussion of important professional
problems as heard in the meetings of the Lee County Medical
Society, the Illinois State Medical Association and the American
Medical Association. He is now secretary of the first named.
In October, ]9U3, Dr. Bokhof was united in marriage to Miss
Ann Steel, a daughter of W. B. Steel and a representative of one
of the prominent families of Chicago. Dr. and Mrs. Bokhof have
two children, Henry and Jean. Mrs. Bokhof is a member of the
Presbyterian church. The Doctor's fraternal connection is with
the Elks. He holds himself free from party ties in j)olitics, voting
independently. He is interested in matters of progressive citizen-
ship and lends his aid and support to all movements for civic
betterment.
WILLIAM H. COPPINS.
Dixon is an educational center. Few cities of its size in the
entire country can boast of so many schools of I'ecogiiized merit.
An intellectual atmosphere prevails and the standards of educa-
tion are high along classical, scientific and art lines and in the
field where students are especially prepared for business life. It is
to the latter field that William H. Coppins has always directed his
efforts and as founder and principal of the Coppins' Dixon Busi-
ness College and Normal School of Dixon lie is well known. A native
of Bureau county, Illinois, he was born in Tiskilwa in 1871 and
is a son of James and Theodosia Coppins, who were pioneer residents
of that county, settling there when the work of development
and improvement M^as in its infancy. The father was a farmer by
occupation, devoting his entire life to that pursuit. He recognized
the value of educational training as a preparation for life's work
and desired that his children should have good opportunities in
that direction. William H. Coppins after attending the public
schools was sent to the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Hli-