Marinette’s First Doctors
Marinette, unlike many other frontier communities, had the services of physicians from its very beginnings. Dr Jonathan Hall came to the Marinette area from the state of New York in 1840. In Halls early days, he owned and operated a sawmill on the Menominee river. When Docter Hall’s mill failed in the late 1850’s he decided to remain in the area and opened the areas first medical office. Docter Hall was the areas first practicing physician. His son Dr. Ben Hall became the first native son to become a doctor.
Dr Sherman was Marinette’s second Doctor. John came to Marinette in the 1850’s and worked with Dr. Hall, first in the lumber industry then later as a bookkeeper in Dr. Halls Medical office. Hall encouraged Sherman to study Medicine, and he became a doctor after attending Rush Medical School in Chicago. Not only a Doctor, Sherman, became the communities first schoolteacher, founded the first church, Pioneer Presbyterian and organized the regions first Masonic Lodge. He was later a reform mayor running on the prohibition platform. Nicknamed “Old Doc Sherman” he was considered one of the most influential people in converting of what was once a lumber camp into a permanent village.
Marinette’s first Hospital
Menominee River Hospital – In Marinette -1884
The Menominee River Hospital was opened in 1884 with a branch opened in Menominee 3 years later. It was incorporated as the M & M Hospital in 1899. Lumberjacks as well as anyone involved in that industry were very susceptible to injury.
To provide medical service and to insure payment from the transient lumberjacks, The Hospital organized a Hospital Insurance plan. For a $5.00 annual ticket the individual could receive all the hospital care they might need including physician’s service and surgery.
For a $10.00 a year fee the insured would receive the same care, plus a $1.00 a day while hospitalized.
John E. Boren was a patient at the Menominee River Hospital in 1885 just one year after it opened. John went on to become its superintendent. 2 of his sons and 2 of his grandsons went on to become doctors serving the Marinette area.
In 1935 the Boren family formed the Boren Clinic located on Main Street in Marinette and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1985.
The Transparent Bassinette (pictured) was developed by DR. J.W. Boren of Marinette. The bassinette provided visibility of an infant at all times. It was manufactured by Lloyd Manufacturing of Menominee, Michigan and was distributed and sold nationwide.
Marinette General Hospital est. 1940
Standing
Dr. J.D. Zeratsky, Dr. J.W. Towey, Dr. J.T. Kaye, Dr, J.V. May, Dr. F.J. Dewane, Dr. H. Barnes, Dr. C.E. Koepp, Dr J.W. Boren
Dr. H.F. Schroeder, Mr. J.O. Cedarberg (Supt), Dr. R. Shaw, Dr. S.C. Mason’ Dr. W.s. Jones, Dr. A.R. Peterson, Dr. J.W. Boren Jr. Dr. J.C. Kerwell
Seated
Dr. J.C. Scully, Dr. J.R. Duer, Dr. K.G. Pinegar (sec), Dr. A.T. Nadeau (Staff Res.), Dr. H.L. Jorgeson (Vice. Prés.) Dr. J.M. Bell (Treas.), Dr. H.T. Sethney, Dr. E. Sawbridge, Dr. M.D. Bridge.
Marinette County Historical Society 