The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-08-14
Death OF DIR. X. NJ. Macarthur.


Two weeks ago it fell to our painful lot to
announce the death of the wife Of DR.. X. NJ
MacArthur, and today the pain is duplicated
in the announcement of the Doctors own
death. The immediate cause WAS blood
poisoning, resulting from an abcess under
the arm, which made its first appearance
some six months ago, but which, receiving
the usual medical treatment, was supposed
to be under control until a month ago when
he seemed to take relapse. gradually sink
ing thenceforward until the final scene at
500 on Thursday morning of this week.
Robert NJ. Macarthur was a native of
Ayrshire, Scotland born, March 4, 1925.
He came to the United States in 1912, set
Ting at Aurora, Ill. A few years later he
studied for some time at Oberlin College, af.
ter which he came to Ottawa and entered
the Office Of DR.. c. Hard as medical student,
at the same time attending regular course
at Rush Medical College of Chicago, from
which he graduated in 1854. In 1854 lie
married Martha Hard, sister of DR.. c. Hard,
and entered into partnership with his
brotherin.law which was continued until
the breaking out Of the war, when, Dr. Mae
Arthur having been appointed examining
surgeon for the enrolling board of this con-
gressonal district, with headquarters at
Joliet, the partnership was necessarily dis
solved. He he'd that position until the
close Of the war and later, on the organiza,
ton of the pension board for this district, he
became one of the surgeons Of that board
of which he was made secretary, holding
that position until removed year ago by
the present administration.
Besides the above positions, the Doctor
held by election and reelection the Office o.
county coroner for ten years; was for nun
Der of years county physician, also city
health officer of Ottawa, and also up to his
death the local surgeon of the Rock Island
railroad. He also served several terms as a
member Of the city board Of education, was
president of the Rush College alumni for the
years 1879 and 1880, and in his time held
held various other public and honorary Pc.
sitions.
In all these positions, it is almost needless
to say, he discharged his duty with e1cep
tional ability and fidelity. His labors as
coroner, county phycician, pension surgeon
and health officer are especially remembered
his late report in the last named capacity
being model, and would lead, if its recon-
mendations were fully carried ont to results
of the highest importance to the conserva
ton of the public health.
AS physician, DR.. Macarthur was not
only skillful far beyond the ordinary grade
of the profession, but was loved and trusteS
by his patients full as much for his kindness
of heart, deep humanity and noble generos-
ity as for his great skill. He was alike
prompt and assiduous in his attentions tc
rich or poor, high or low, careless of rest
personal ease or comfort, Drawing darkness
storm or tempest at all times at the call OF
the sick or suffering, regardless of who OF
what they were that summoned him.
His parents being Scotch Presby terians
the Doctor in his youth had become connect
ed with that communion, and we believe
never became member Of any other al
though for years he had kept up a connec-
ton with the Congregational church Of this
city, and latterly with the Episcopal church,
of neither of which, however, we believe, he
ever became " member" Yet he was not
only regular and exemplary in attendance
at church, contributing his full share to its
support, but he was a sincere and honest
Christian man, as he was noble, upright,
generous and manly IN all his professional,
business and social relations,--a man Of
ripe education-of expansive mind-benev.
client to a degree, big hearted and generous
yet tender and gentle rs woman.
The funeral of Dr. Macarthur will TAX G
place from the residence this afternoon at
o clock, and having been for years On hon
ored member of the Ottawa Commandery OF
Knights Templar, his funeral will be mainly
in charge Of that order,
Great bargains in ladies and gents. gold
4