The Veterinarians of Maxwell

DAY, JEFFREY, WELLS, COZZENS, TAYLOR, KURTZ, DUNAHOO, DAVIS, STEELE, HOUSER, GOODEN, ATTERBERRY, PRICE, WARNER, OWEN, COOK, KIRK, KEAGLE, MCBRIDE, LEONARD, OTTO, RAISER

Posted By: Deborah Gilbert (email)
Date: 9/12/2016 at 13:54:37

Maxwell Book: 1883-1983

Dr. G. B. Day, Veterinary Surgeon, formerly of Nevada, served the area from June 1888 until sometime in 1890. His first office was at the barn of J. G. Wells. Later it was located in Benedict's Drug Store. In 1890, Dr. Day moved to Nevada where he shared an office with Dr. Jeffrey and continued to practice in the Maxwell area.

Dr. Harry E. Titus had an office two doors south of the Maxwell Tribune in 1899 and 1900. In May 1900 Dr. Titus moved to Lafayette, Indiana where he had purchased a half interest in Purdue University Hospital and was in charge of all surgical work at the hospital.

Dr. F. S. Cozzens, a graduate of Grand Rapids Veterinary College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, opened his office in Elliot's Feed Barn in 1910. He sold his practice to Dr. F. W. Taylor in May of 1912.

Dr. F. W. Taylor from Mt. Vernon, Iowa opened an office in the Peoples State Bank in June 1912. The June 20, 1912 issue of The Maxwell Tribune carried this announcement, "I do not own an automobile, but I can hire one, so if you want me in a hurry just call up 209A." Apparently, it got results, because the Local Events of June 27, 1912 reported that "Dr. Taylor is kept quite busy in his practice of veterinary and has been quite successful." His seven year old son was badly burned while playing with firecrackers and died June 30, 1912. In March 1916 Dr. Taylor sold his practice to Dr. F. J. Kurtz and moved to a farm near Murray, Iowa.

Dr. Frank J. Kurtz purchased the veterinary practice of Dr. F. W. Taylor on March 1, 1916. Dr. Kurtz was married to the daughter of Sam Dunahoo of Nevada, Iowa. They had a son Byron. In October 1918, Dr. Kurtz enlisted in the navy and applied for the Mechanical Department. He was sent to the Great Lakes Training Station in Chicago, Illinois. In January 1919 he wasa discharged and returned to Maxwell to resume his practice. He sold his practice to Dr. D. J. Davis of Collins in March of 1919 and moved to Red Elm, South Dakota.

Dr. D. J. Davis graduated from Grand Rapids Veterinary College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He practiced in Maxwell during the summer of 1911, was married in December 1911 and practiced in Collins until he bought Dr. Kurtz's practice in March 1919. In the September 22, 1921 issue of The Maxwell Tribune, Dr. Davis announced that he had been ill for over a year and had discontinued his practice. In November 1921 Dr. and Mrs. Davis loaded a railroad car with furniture and household goods to be shipped to their new home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Then, with daughter Virginia, they drove their automobile to Michigan. Later word was received that the roads were very muddy as far as St. Charles, Illinois, but were paved after that for some distance making travel much easier.

Dr. M. I. Steele, his wife Alma and two young sons, Arden and Marvin, moved to Maxwell in November 1921 from Harlan, Iowa. Dr. Steele purchased the practice and residence property of Dr. D. J. Davis. In 1923, five year old Arden died in a Des Moines hospital and was buried in the Maxwell Cemetery. Dr. Steele built a brick house with adjacent office in 1928. It was located on Broad Street and later owned by Dr. Houser and then by Ray Gooden. In July 1934, Dr. Steele went to Ft. Worth, Texas to assist in the governmental inspection of cattle in the drought area.

Dr. James M. Atterberry graduated from the Chicago Veterinary College in 1913. He married Gladys Price of Indianola, Iowa in 1912. They had four daughters: Francis, Katherine, Huldah and Betty. Dr. Atterberry was in the Army in WWI serving overseas in France and Belgium. In February 1935 he moved to Maxwell from New Virginia, Iowa and established a veterinary practice. His first location was the M. D. Warner residence, taking his day calls at French's Drug Store. Later his office was in his home on Broad Street. After retiring he and his wife Gladys moved to Denver, Colorado in 1967, where he died in 1971 at the age of eighty years-old.

Bill Owen graduated from Iowa State College, now Iowa State University, in June 1955. After a short stay in both Wilton Junction and Indianola, Iowa, he moved with his wife and family to Maxwell on January 15, 1956. The first offices were in their residences, the first few months in a home rented from Miles and Marie Cook which is located east of the school athletic field, then they purchased the house located northeast of the funeral home and had their office in the basement for four years. They then purchased and remodeled a building on the east side of Main Street which formerly was a hardware store. This building is still being used as a veterinary hospital. Veda Leonard, Jennie Kirk, Helen Keagle and Shirley McBride were his office employees during the time his office operated. The veterinary practice and building was sold to Central Iowa Veterinary, Melbourne, Iowa in the summer of 1973. Bill was employed as District Veterinarian for the State of Iowa for the next six years. He was then hired by Iowa State University as an Assistant Professor in Veterinary Clinical Science, a position he presently holds. Bill was granted a faculty improvement leave in 1981 to obtain an advanced degree at the University of California, Davis.

Dr. D. J. Otto graduated from Iowa State University in 1971. After a year and a half in Great Falls, Montana, he and his wife Donna moved to Maxwell in 1973. They have two daughters, Tracey Marie and Stacy Jo. In May 1981, dr. Otto sold his practice to Dr. Steven L. Raiser and took a position as a Federal Veterinary Medical Officer and moved to Knoxville, Iowa.

Dr. Steven L. Raiser graduated from Iowa State University in 1971. He purchased Dr. Otto's practice in May 1981. Previously he had practiced in Hawaii and in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Raiser and his wife Janet have two sons, Kaipo and Kealoha, and a daughter, Keola.