Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties-William C. McRill


Portrait and Biographical Record of
Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties

Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893




WILLIAM C. McRILL, M. D., a well-known physician and surgeon of Enterprise, is a native of the Buckeye State, his birth occurring in Fostoria, Seneca County, on the 3d of September, 1846. He is a son of Elijah and Ann (Routzen) McRill, and passed his boyhood days under the parental roof. When a young man he determined to engage in the practice of medicine as his life work, and with this purpose in view he began reading with Dr. Hale, after which he entered the University of Wooster, in Cleveland, and when he had pursued a two-year course of study, was graduated with the degree of M. D. in the Class of '76.

After taking a special examination. Dr. McRill was at once appointed house physician in the hospital, where he remained for two years. During that time, the memorable Ashtabula railroad disaster occurred and fifty-seven patients were placed under his care. In that way he gained an experience in surgery that is seldom met with, and that proved a great benefit to him. On leaving the hospital he opened an office at Fostoria, and was there successfully engaged in practice for ten years. At the expiration of that time, he bade good-bye to his native State and came to Enterprise, Kan., in January 1885. He at once opened an office, and from the beginning has received a liberal patronage, which is constantly increasing and attests his skill and ability. He has a wide reputation as a surgeon and his services are greatly in demand in this line of practice.

During the late war, the Doctor responded to the last call for troops, and in 1865 became a member of the One Hundred and Eighty-ninth Ohio Infantry. He reached Nashville the day before the battle and participated in that memorable engagement. With his regiment he then followed Gen. Hood's army to Huntsville, Ala., and at that place, while raising a block-house, he was injured in the back by being thrown across a timber. Since that time his health has never been what it was before, and he has been entirely incapacitated for all manual labor. He continued in the service until the close of the war and then returned to Ohio, where he remained until coming to Kansas. He is a member of the Hancock County and Ohio Medical Societies, and has been a regular correspondent to some of the medical journals for several years. He serves as examining agent for six insurance companies, and is medical examiner and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Select Knights.

On the 17th of June, 1869, the Doctor was married to Miss Eliza A. Linhart, of Fostoria. Their union has been blessed with three children: Anna, an artist of considerable ability, is the wife of Edward Staatz, of Enterprise; Carl S. and Hattie are at home. The mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a most estimable lady. The Doctor is enjoying a large and lucrative practice, of which he may well be proud, and as a physician and surgeon he ranks high.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for Dickinson County KS AHGP