Biographical Sketches
D'ESTAING DICKERSON
A prominent physician and surgeon, and president of the Western Medical Surgical Institute of Kansas City, was born in Watertown, New York, May 19, 1835. His parents, Dr. Hannibal S. and Abi (Richardson) Dickerson, were also natives of the Empire state, and were of Scotch, Irish, English and German lineage. The strength of the American character comes from a combination of the best traits of various nationalities and this strength is possessed by the Doctor. The Dickerson family was early founded in New York, and its representatives were valiant soldiers in the war of the Revolution, aiding the colonies in their struggle to throw off the yoke of British tyranny.
The father of our subject was a prominent physician of Jefferson county. New York, making his home in Watertown, where he had a very extensive practice and gained a high reputation. At the time of his death he was president of the Jefferson County Medical Society. He was a cousin of Dr. Guthrie, the man who discovered chloroform, and related many anecdotes in regard to its first use. He stood at the head of his profession, and was recognized as one of its most eminent representatives throughout the state of New York, doing a very large business. His name was inscribed on the rolls of the New York State Medical Society as one of its most valued members. He died in Watertown, New York, in 1844, at the age of 38 years. To Dr. Hannibal Dickerson and his wife were born 3 children: Mrs. Angelica Andrus, of Watertown, New York; the gentleman whose name heads this review; and Mrs. Victoria Moston, of Kansas City.
Dr. D'Estaing Dickerson was reared in his native town and acquired his education in the district schools and Jefferson County Institute. In his youth he developed a taste for the medical profession, and the eminence he has gained in this line seems to indicate that nature intended him for this calling. He took up the study of medicine during his youth, and when 21 years of age was graduated at the Albany Medical College, in the class of 1857. He then practiced medicine for 4 years in the vicinity of Watertown, New York, his old home, and was appointed by Governor Morgan as physician to Sing Sing prison, but remained there only a short time, for the war broke out and he entered his country's service.
In 1861 the Doctor was commissioned by Governor Morgan as assistant surgeon of the 33rd New York infantry, and in 1862 was commissioned chief surgeon of the same regiment. During the war, by order of the medical director, he was placed in charge of all the hospitals of the 6th army corps, a very responsible position, and his appointment indicates the confidence reposed in his ability. He was taken prisoner during the 7 days battle on the Chickahominy while in charge of the hospitals. He was held for 4 weeks and was then exchanged, rejoining the army at Harrison's Landing. The hospital was located on the ground where Patrick Henry was born, and the Doctor's tent stood on the very site of the house. The battles which surgeons fought with disease and death were often fully as arduous and fraught with as much danger as those fought by the boys on the field. Neither did they have the martial music, the roar of cannon, nor the inspiration of numbers to encourage them, but in the silent watches of the night with no sound perhaps save the moan of the wounded they performed their duty, keeping at bay the enemy death, to whom friend and foe must at length alike succumb.
When the war was over, Dr. Dickerson returned to his home, and in the Fall of 1865 came to Kansas City, where the following spring he hung out his shingle and began practice. He was full of energy and ambition and felt that the west was the field where he should labor. As the days passed his practice increased, and his skill and ability were demonstrated by the excellent results which followed his efforts. He worked his way steadily upward until at length, looking around him, he found that he had left far behind the ranks of the mediocrity and stood among the most able representatives of his profession in the state. In 1878, associated with Dr. Stark, he established the Western Medical and Surgical Institution, of which he has been president since the beginning.
The Doctor was married in 1863 to Miss Mary Scherrill, a native of Geneva, New York. Their only child is now deceased. Mrs. Dickerson is a lady of culture and refinement and a member of the Episcopal church. Her father, E. E. Scherrill, was a prominent man and made a famous war record. He was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, while commanding a brigade. A monument to his memory has been erected on the scene of that memorable struggle. He at one time served as a member of the state legislature of New York, and on another occasion was a member of congress.
Dr. Dickerson has always been a democrat, and in the 70's was nominated by his party as mayor of the city, but was defeated. He served as surgeon of the convent here at an early day and was city physician for 3 successive years. Socially, he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and is a member of the Loyal Legion of America. As his financial resources have increased, he has made judicious investments in real estate, and with the rise of city property this has become very valuable, and he is classed among the wealthy men of Kansas City. He is an excellent business man as well as a physician, possessing sound judgment and good executive ability, and his prosperity is due entirely to his own efforts.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.