History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Ophthalmologyin fact the first in that city to limit himself to any specialty—was Dr. PaulDombrowski. He was born in 1856 and practiced in Peoria from 18S5 untilhis death in 1904. He was widely regarded as an outstanding clinician anda leading member of the community who attracted patients from a widearea. His residence, a landmark in the city, now houses the SchlarmanHome for Children.Dr. E. H. Bradley, born in 1861 and graduated from Vermont in 1891,practiced in Peoria from 1892 to 1933, at first as assistant to Dr. Dombrowski.He was a strict follower of medical ethics and was regarded as a goodclinician.Dr. C. H. Brobst, born in 1864 and a graduate of the College of Physiciansand Surgeons of Baltimore, practiced the specialty in Peoria from 1893 to1937, and was one of the founders of the Proctor Hospital.Others to practice the specialty in Peoria prior to 1900 included Dr. P. A.Brandom from 1885 to 1888, and Dr. A. J. Kanne from 1892 to 1937.The pioneer ophthalmologist in Galesburg was Dr. L. S. Lambert, referredto in 1923 as the Nestor of the medical profession in that city.began the practice of eye, ear, nose and throat in Galesburg shortly after1866, where he continued in active practice for over fifty years. For someyears he was a Trustee of the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, and at onetime served as the President of the Society of the 83rd Illinois, being oneof two surviving members of that organization atHe wore a goatee and always carried an umbrella. Once when asked whyHethe time of his death.he carried it, he replied that it was because of the birds in the many treesofGalesburg.Dr. Lambert was the only specialist in his field in Galesburg until 1892,when Dr. Lawrence R. Ryan opened an office. Born in Pontiac, Michigan,of Irish stock, he moved to Galesburg with his family when a child, workedfor the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad as boilermaker for tenyears, rising at the age of twenty-five to foreman. He then decided on aneducation, and attended Knox College and Jefferson Medical School, fromwhich he graduated in 1888. After four years of study in eye, ear, nose andthroat in Berlin and London, Dr. Ryan returned to Galesburg to practice.He helped organize the Galesburg Medical Society and the Knox CountvMedical Society, of which he was President in 1903. In 1896, he was acandidate for elector on the National Gold Democratic ticket. He hadseven children, traveled widelv, and after twentv vears in Galesburg:, movedto Santa Barbara, California, where he established a practice.Dr. H. E. Parry graduated from Knox College in 1890, and inappointed city physician of Galesburg. He practiced eye, ear, nose andthroat until he entered the Army Medical Corps in World War I.the war he remained in the Army, achieving the rank of Major.1897 wasAfter