The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-02-24
KNOW YOUR
 LEGISLATOR Today: LEONARD p. DAWES

Leonard Pratt Dawes was born on April 1, 1875, in the Township of Monroe, Adams County, Wiscon- sin, a farming community Edu- cated in nearby public schools, he went on to study at teachers in- stitutes after which he taught grade school for three years.
 Giving serious though to car ger of teaching versus medicine, he decided in favor of the latter and enrolled at the University of Illinois in 1900 in the Medical Department at Chicago. During this five year course he was fortunate in being able to study for two years under cre of the highest ranking sur- geons in the United States, Dr. AL bert J. Ochsner.
 Gut of the 1905 graduating class of 240 students, only 40 were able to secure positions in hospitals the others went directly into gen. eral practice. pr. Leonard Dawes was one of the fortunate few, and did an internship of two years at St. Mary's Hospital When this was completed he was accepted by the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery as an associate professor. He taught gynecolosy there for five years.
 Comes West
 Suffering from hay fevei and asthma, he resolved to change cli- mates so in 1909 he, together with Dr. Phillips. close friend, came west to Seattle, where they at tended the Alaska-Yuk Exposi- tion. Taking their medical board examinations for the States of Washington and Oregon, they pro- cee6ed to look around for desir- able locations for the practice of medicine.
 His health greatly improved, Doctor Dawes decided to return to teaching in Chicago and left his friend in Seattle. It was not long afterwards that Dr. Phillips wrote him about a marvellous scenic cruise that he was taking to Skag- way and over the railroad to Whitehorse, and he urged Dr. Daw- es to make the same journey. This he finally did. leaving in the spring of 1910.
 Stays At Wrangell He got no furtker than Wrangell, however. for as he stepped on the wharf that April 27, and looked around this small town, he was instantly attracted and decided to remain for the summer. When he made ready to return to the States in the Fall, local townspeople pre- vailed upon him to remain as their physician. AS a result he went into business, operating the Wran- gen Drug Store for the next five years, besides practicing medicine as we'll At the end of that time he sold out with an ulterior motive in mind
 During his internship he had met talented vocalist in Chicago with whom he had corresponded fre- quently. and who, after their sep aration, had gone abroad to study. She later returned and commenced teaching music in Missouri, when he decided it was high time to persuade her that a northland home could be more attractive. On New Years Eve. 1914, small gold band supplemented the engagement ring of Miss Fife Buzard, and she became the wife of Dr. Leonard Dawes. After brief honeymoon trip to California, they sailed north to Juneau, arriving in this thriv- ing town on January 10. 1915.
 Here they remained where Dr. Dawes pursued an active practice of medicine and surgery until his retirement less than two years ago.
 Two of his many positions helld through the years were those of City Health Commissioner at Ju- neau and Commissioner of Health under Gov. Strong. All told he spent 27 years in the U. s. Public Health service. In 1928 the Ameri- can College of Surgeons conferred their degree upon Dr. Dawes. This document was signed by two fam ous doctors and surgeons, Charles Mayo, President, and Albert J. Ochsner, Treasurer. He is the only