Boone County >> 1902 Index

A Biographical Record of Boone County, Iowa. 
Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1902.

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Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton.

JAMES H. NOYES, M. D.
 
A man's reputation is the property of the world.  The laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being submits to the controlling influence of others, or as a master spirit wields a power either for good or evil on the masses of mankind. There can be no impropriety in justly scanning the acts of any man as they effect his public and business relations.  If he is honest and eminent in his chosen field of labor investigation will brighten his fame and point the path that others may follow with like success. From among the ranks of the quiet, persevering, yet prominent citizens - prominent on account of what they have accomplished in professional and political circles - there is no one more deserving of mention in a volume of this character than Dr. Noyes.  There is much in his life that is commendable. He is a veteran of the Civil war and has accomplished great good for his fellow men in the line of his profession, has promoted commercial activity through his connection with financial interests in Ogden and has largely advanced the welfare of the city through his twenty year's service as its chief executive.  He is today the vice-president of the Ogden State Bank and is one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Boone county, where he has made his home since 1867.
 
A native of Massachusetts, the Doctor was born in Gardner, Worcester county, July 20, 1835.  His father, Henry J. Noyes, was a mechanic of that county and spent the greater part of his life there, his death occurring within its borders.  The Doctor was the only one of the family that ever came west. His early education was acquired in the common schools of the county of his nativity and later he continued his studies first in Appleton Academy in New Hampshire, and then in the Burr Seminary, in Manchester, Vermont. After three and one-half years devoted to mastering the branches taught in these institutions he regarded his literary education, as far as school work went, as finished.  With broad general learning to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge Dr. Noyes took up the study of medicine at Nashua, New Hampshire, where he continued his reading until 1859, supplementing it with a course of lectures at the University of Vermont. After this he entered the old Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city and was graduated on the completion of a course in medicine in the spring of 1861.  Well prepared for the work he had undertaken he then returned to Nashua, where he practiced until the country became involved in civil war.
 
In 1861 the Doctor offered his services to the government, enlisting as hospital steward and was soon promoted to assistant surgeon, but was afterward appointed regimental surgeon of the Sixth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry with the rank of major.  He was with both the eastern and western divisions of the army, being under Grant at Vicksburg, and Burnside in North Carolina in the second battle of Bull Run, Petersburg and Appomattox.  He was present at the following-named engagements: Camden, North Carolina, April 19, 1862;  Second Bull Run, Virginia, August 29-30, 1862; South Mountain, Maryland, September 14, 1862; Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862, when thirteen thousand were killed; Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi, July, 1863; Wilderness, Virginia, May 6, 1864; Spottsylvania, Virginia, May 12 to 18, 1864; North Anna River, May 24-25-26,  1864; Bethesda Church, June 3, 1864; Cold Harbor, June 9, 1864; advance on Petersburg June 16-18, 1864; Cemetery Hill, July 30, 1864; Weldon Railroad, Virginia, August 20, 1864; Poplar Grove Church, September 30, 1864; Pegram House, October 1, 1864; Hatchie's Run, Virginia, in October, 1864; Fort Mahone and capture of Petersburg, April 1-2, 1865.  He was also present at the grand review at Washington, D. C.  During his service Dr. Noyes was taken prisoner at Bull Run and released fourteen days later. He performed a most important service in the alleviation of human suffering, and when the country no longer needed his service he was honorably discharged at Concord, New Hampshire, in October, 1865. HIs regiment served three years and he served the same time, and he re-enlisted with his regiment for three years more, but the war closed before that time.
 
The Doctor sought a western field of labor and located in Boone county, Iowa, in 1867, becoming the first physician of Ogden, where he has made his home continuously since. He arrived here in the spring of that year, less than a year after the plating of the town, and the population then consisted of the Eighmy and Bloomberg families and a few section hands.  He saw, in situation and surroundings, the nucleus of a prosperous town and time has proved the wisdom of his resolution to identify himself with its future development and growth. In those early days he was called for miles into the surrounding country that he might give professional services to those in need of his aid, and he still continues in active practice, having a large patronage both in the village and country. His office is on Main street.  He keeps in close touch with the progress that is being continually made in the professional world, reading and research having added to his knowledge and promoted his efficiency, and many have reason to feel very grateful to Dr. Noyes for his labors in their behalf.
 
The Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Sarah F. Stone, of Nashua, New Hampshire, and they have one child, Mary S., now the wife of William Rieley Shurtz, a clerk in Boone.  Fraternally Dr. Noyes is connected with Rhodes Lodge, No. 303, F. & A. M., of Ogden, and has been worshipful master one term. He belongs to Bufford Post, No. 300, G. A. R., in which he is now the honored commander, and has spoken often in the interest of the old soldiers on Decoration days.  Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Ogden and since 1867 he has served continually as one of its trustees.
 
In his political views Dr. Noyes has been a life-long Republican, and he has always taken quite an active and prominent part in public affairs.  When the town of Ogden was incorporated in 1878 he practically became its first mayor, as Oscar W. Whitehead, who had at first been chosen, resigned three months later, when the Doctor was elected to succeed him.  He has held that office continuously since, with the exception of two terms, having thus been at the head of municipal affairs for twenty years.  No greater proof could be given of his capability and progressive service than his long continuance in the position.  His administration has been practical and resulted largely to the  benefit of the town, for he exercises his official prerogatives in support of all measures that he believed would contribute to the general good.  For the past fourteen years ha has also been a member of the pension board. He is also a representative of the financial interests of the city, having been for several years a stockholder and vice-president of the Ogden State Bank.
 
Always courteous and genial, Dr. Noyes has a very large circle of friends.  His is an upright and honorable manhood.  There is nothing selfish or narrow in his character and his broad humanitarian principles have prompted his efforts in behalf of his fellow men no only in the field of battle but in his professional life.  He is, however, free from ostentation or display in regard to what he does in behalf of his fellow men.  Honored and respected by all he well deserves representation in this volume and no history of Ogden would be complete without mention of Dr. Noyes.