The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-08-04
At a mccting of stho Phyeicians Of

| At q mccting Of tho Physicians Of
Ottumwa, on Tuesday afternoon,
Goth inst, 70 take such measures as
might seem proper on the occasion
Of the death of DIR. Homer l.. Thrall,
which occurred at half past 10 o'cl'k
on Tuesday evening, at the residence
| of his son DR.. S. b. ThralI; DR.. G
c. Warden was called to tho chair,
and DIR. G. +. Foster was made Sec
rotary. DR.. Williamson was asked
to state the object Of tho meeting,
which he did. as IN substance men-
toned above, he added: "The de.
ceased, although an invalid since he
took up his residence amongst ~ was
well known to most of those present.
He was born Oct. Is, 1902, At Rut-,
land, Vt, and consequently was 6s
years OF age. He lost his father when
no was but three years old, and when
at the age OF twelve his mother re.
moved with her family to Ohio. The
deceased was deprived Of the advan-
tages of even q common school edu-
cation, and was strictly and emphati-
cally seIf.made man. The dry knot
and tho hickory bark, after his days
work on tho farm was done, furnish
ed the light by which he began his
literary career. Ateighteen, he CON-
menced the study Of medicine
What industry and devotion he bro't
to the task, may be imagined, where,
in eighteen years from this time, we
find him an honored professor in
Kenyon College, in the chair ofChem-
istry and Mineralogy. This place he
occupied for fourteen years; from
1887 to 1851. Leaving Kenyon Col.
lege, he went to Columbus to engage
in the practice Of medicine, and here
he was urged to accept the chair of
Materia Medica and General Thera-
peutics in Startling Medical College,
which he did for one year. Hc re-
named in Columbus in the practice
of medicine, ana in the eager pursuit
Of knowledge in every department Of
Science, until 1864, when he was at
tackled with acute Rheumatism, which
compelled him to relinquish the &C
tive duties Of his chosen profession,
and from which he never recovered.
He came to this city in the fall Of
1865 to reside with his son, but tired
of the monotony of so quiet life, in
the spring of 1867 he won't to Ports
| mouth, Ohio, and for one year taught
Chemistry, Natural History, Physi.
ology and Geology, in Rose Ridge
Female Seminary.
The last three years Of his life
has been given almost exclusively to
the study Of the Bible, and those
great questions which gather about
the future destiny Of man; and in this
animated and choered by an intelli-
gent christian hope, he has left us
for the rest beyond. l have thus
adverted TO few of the circumstan-
Cos Of his life, because they consti-
| tute the best eulogy 1 could pro-
nounce on him. He honored .
! noblo profession, and in honoring
him we honor ourselves. From him
we may learn lesson Of industry,
perseverance Under difficulties, and
zeal and self-forgetfalness,in order to
attain success"
After some remarks by others, the
chair appointed Drs. Williamson,
Douglass and Foster, committee TO
report resolutions expressive of
esteem for the deceased and sympa-
thy for the friends.
The committee reported the fol-
lowing, which were adopted:
Whereas, Through the dispensa-
ton Of on all.wise Providence, q
distinguished member of our profess
ion, DR.. Homer L.. Thrall, has been
called from the scenes Of earth to the
great realities OF the life beyond
Therefore,
| Resolred, That We the physicians
OF Ottumwa, convened, recognize in
the deceased true christian, an
original and profound thinker, ripe
scholar, an ardent and enthusiastic
lover of science and an unselfish
laborer in, and bright ornament to
the humane profession to which he
devoted his life and energies,
| Resolved, That we extend our
warmest sympathies TO tho family
and friends Of the deceased.
| Resolved, That We attend the fu-
neral in body.
| Resolved, That a copy of these
proceedings be furnished the family,
and that they be published in the
city papers, and placed upon the
records Of the Medical Association.
i BY request tho chair appointed
pall.bearers from among the physi-
clans present, which consisted of
Drs. Orr, Stewart, Lewis, Hinsey
Williamson, Mccullough, Mitchell
land Douglass.
| Meeting adjourned.
| c. G. WARDEN, Pres't.
| G. +. FOSTER, Secretary.