Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-06-02

stubborn fact that families are close
ly and sincerely attached to the older
physician, the old family doctor
who at some time or other has watch
ed at the bedside of a son or daugh-
ter, sister or brother, or perhaps,
mother. DR.. Clementson came at a
time when the medical fraternity of
that community was not altogether
friendly to any addition to its ranks,
and his success was mot facilitated
by any act on the part of his profess
sionaI brethren. Under such circum-
stances it is the more remarkable
that in less than two years he became
recognized as one of the leading ply
sicians of Mineral Point.
Sin his personal and professional con-
duet he invited the fullest confidence.
His gentlemanly bearing, his cleanli-
neas at all times, particularly in the
sick room, his kindly manner, his
tender and loyal devotion to his
patients, won for him the love and
esteem of all with whom he came in
contact professionally and otherwise.
''It was this unselfish devotion TO
others which brought to an untimely
end his professional career. In his
devotion to others he lost sight of
himself. He was not by nature en-
dowed with a strong physique; he
could not long endure the strain of
sleepless nights at the bedside of
others; he was not of the physically
strong type of the medical profess
sion. Had his success in his pro-
fession been less rapid it would have
been better for him; had he devoted
himself less unselfishly to his many
patients his health might not have
been impaired.
''The demands upon him profess
sionlly were more than he could ply
sically endure, and undermined his
health. l speak with first knowledge
when say that time and time again
DR. CIementson yielded to Calls from
the sick room when he himself was so
weak that his friends were fearful
that he might collapse. The effect
of overexertion soon manifested itself
in his appearance; he had overtaxed
the system. When, after much
persuasion, he submitted himself to
the operating table at one of the
Chicago hospitals, it was his wish
that / should be present. He never
wholly recovered from that operation;
complications followed resulting in
suffering such as rarely comes to any
man on earth, but his suffering is
over.
| "'He sleeps the sleep that has no
waking. He has entered that sinless,
stirless rest, THAT change which never
changes.
Ellis life was sealed in suffering.
During the years of his fatal illness
he awaited the approaching end with
out fear; he knew and understood
his own condition. / believe he
realized even before leaving Mineral
P5int that his affection was such that
the result must sooner or later be
fatal. His keen disappointment that
he must vacate his position of service
in the ranks of his fellowmen, and
thereafter sit helplessly and idly day
after day, month after month, wait
and darkened his life, life normal
ly stepped in sunshine and dedicated
to the service of others. Knowing
him intimately as l did, and at
time when he was at his best, the
impulse to enlarge upon his merits
presses strongly upon me, but nothing
can be added by multiplication
! of words. With heart deeply stir
| ed by the tender recollection of a
close friendship and a delightfully."-
pleasant companionship, / speak these
simple words to the memory of one
who was near and dear to the people
of Mineral Point. -
| think that all who knew Joe in
his boyhood here will agree with MIR.
| Fielder that his life was "steeped in
sunshine. His temperament was
buoyant, his heart tender, his hands
ever willing to help others, even
beyond his strength. When he grew
up he gave unsparingly of his vital
store, as every good man Who be-
comes physician does, mot for the
sake of gain, but from a high sense
of duty and because of the appeal
suffering humanity makes to those
who know it 80 we'll.