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.
The first full-time physician in Marinette was Dr. S.P. Jones who came in 1867. Other doctors were Dr. Frank Gregory and Dr. G.F. Coulter.
Marinette’s first Hospital
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.
The Hospital was opened in Marinette by Doctor Horace Mann who had completed his training in New York in 1874.
It was located right behind the current Knights of Columbus building on Main Street. The building prior to becoming a hospital was a boarding house ran by Mann’s mother-law Mrs. Ann Tracy.
The Hospital was located adjacent to the railroad tracks. With the nature of Lumbering, and the constant influx of inexperienced workers, accident cases were numerous and varied. This location allowed injured lumberman to be taken directly to the hospital by train. Depending on the type of injury some men were taken off the train and brought in by hand cart.
To provide medical service and to ensure payment from the transient lumberjacks, “Doctor Mann developed the first Medical Payment system in the Twin Cities. For a $10.00 annual premium the patient could receive both medical and surgical services.
“Medical Ticket” A Salesman was used to sale the tickets traveling by train, lumber camp to lumber camp. Visiting distant places in Dunbar and Goodman in Northern Marinette County as well as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Receiving $2 for every $10 Ticket.
The Boren Family impact
DOCTORS, INVENTERS AND BOAT BUILDERS
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. Miss Esther Boren served the area as a Nurse.
In 1935 the Boren family formed the Boren Clinic located on Main Street in Marinette and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1985
INVENTORS
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.
DELIVERING BABIES TO BUILDING BOATS
Dr C.H. Boren who served as an Army doctor in World War I and since returning to Marinette served with his brother Dr. Bill Boren in the family medical practice was instrumental in the formation of Marinette Marine Corporation in 1942. C.H. was named President of the corporation, Max Hellerman vice president, Louis Staudenmaier as secretary and Esther the doctors sister as treasurer.
On April 18,1943 Marinette Marine received national recognition from the Chicago Tribune for their efforts in building wooden barges for the maritime commission. The Headlines read, “Where Men of Iron Build Ships of Wood for the War” followed by ” Boss is Doctor who went from Babies to Boats”
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.
Sources include: Marinette County Wisconsin WIGenWeb, Medical care and hospital care. Carl E. Krog, Germs, lumber Jacks, Doctors, in 19th century Marinette. UW Center Marinette. Marinette Eagle Star 6/17/2013, Byelines by Larry Ebsch.
Marinette County Historical Society 