Biographical Sketches
DR. JAMES HEATH, M. D.
Is a popular and well known scientist and physician of Kansas City, who was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, July 13, 1839. He is a son of Dr. James Heath, a graduate of Vermont Medical College, who became prominent in the profession, having practiced in Janesville for a number of years. Later he went to California, where he acquired a notable reputation as a physician, having been considered one of the ablest in the state. His death occurred in California. Of his 3 children, 2 are living: Ivon D., who was a hospital steward during the entire period of the war and now a resident of New York City; and E. R.
Our subject was reared in his native town till his 9th year, when, in 1848, accompanying his father, the long overland journey to the Pacific coast was undertaken, arriving in Sacramento City in October, 1849. This was a memorable year to California and early Californians, there being nothing in our history before or since to compare with the situation and condition that confronted the �49ers� on that coast. Although only a lad, 10 years of age, he became imbued with the spirit of the people to obtain riches, and at once began peddling candy, which proved quite a lucrative business. For 5 years he remained amid the exciting scenes of this new land of gold. In 1854 he returned to the states, making the return journey by way of the Nicaragua route, having had an experience that falls to the lives of but few men and still fewer boys.
Locating in Beloit, Wisconsin, he started to school. His education had of necessity been neglected, and he made strong efforts to make up for loss incurred by lack of opportunity. In this he succeeded admirably, having graduated at Beloit College in 1861. He now took up the study of medicine, entering the New York Homeopathic College, and graduated in 1863. Locating in Palmyra, New York, he successfully practiced till 1867, when he went to Dayton, Ohio, remaining a year. In 1868 he came to Kansas City, and the year following he went to South America as secretary of the legation to Chili, which position he filled for two years. He then went to Peru to become surgeon in chief for the Pacasmayo Railroad, then under construction by Henry Meiggs.
Here he remained until 1878, acquiring prominence in his profession. Having in view an exploring expedition to the river Beni, he returned for the purpose of procuring a proper outfit for the undertaking. His return to South America was by way of the river Amazon. He was prevailed upon to accept the position of chief surgeon at San Antonio, Brazil, for the Madeira & Marmore Railroad under construction by Collins Brothers, remaining 6 months. His next venture was into Bolivia, where he resided 2 years, and during this time successfully made the descent of the river Beni, thoroughly exploring and mapping it, then ascending the same river as far as La Paz, and returned to the coast by way of Puno and Molendo.
In 1881 he returned to the States by way of Panama and located in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1883 he enjoyed the distinction of being made a Fellow of the Royal Geographical and a member of the American Geographical Societies. In 1892 he was elected to the chair of chemistry in Kansas City Homeopathic College, and for a number of years he was connected with the United States signal service. Dr. Heath makes a specialty of kidney diseases and microscopy, and in these special lines of practice he is an acknowledged authority, being widely known throughout the southwest as a successful practitioner in his specialties. The winter of 1893-4 he spent in the coffee fields of Guatemala as administrator of an extensive plantation. Throughout North and South America he is widely known as a scientist and traveler, and in 1894 he was honored by the Bolivian government in having his name given to one of the principal rivers of that country, and has been appointed Bolivian consul, with residence in Kansas City, Missouri.
His life has been a busy one, combining an amount of travel and research that becomes the privilege of few; and fewer still would care to have undertaken the journeys of his life, which began in youth, or those of later years in a country so inaccessible and fraught with so many dangers and deprivations of comfort. He is a thorough student in all branches of knowledge, and, possessing a remarkably retentive memory and good conversational abilities, he is a most pleasing and instructive companion. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically his affiliations are with the republican party.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.