Biographical Sketches
J. W. CARTLICH, M. D.
The value to any community of a professional man is not marked merely by his learning and skill, his proficiency in medical and surgical practice, but also by his character, both private and professional, his honorable adherence to medical efforts and his personal integrity and benevolence of purpose. When a physician combines these characteristics it is with great pleasure that we record his life work, and such a man do we find in Dr. Cartlich.
This well-known physician of Kansas City was born in Jackson, Ohio, November 3, 1845, and is a son of Abraham and Lucinda (Will) Cartlich. The father was a native of Virginia, and was of English lineage, while the mother was of German descent. The paternal great-grandfather of the Doctor was a general in the English army. The grandfather was educated in France, under private tutorage, and came to this country at an early day, locating in Virginia. He was a physician, a minister and a farmer, and a man of high education and scholarly attainments. When only 12 years of age he could speak 7 different languages and also possessed considerable poetical talent, being the author of many beautiful stanzas. The father of our subject was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and became very prominent in his church. He was self-educated in every respect and had to gain his knowledge by overcoming many difficulties, his own father being greatly opposed to educating his children, thinking it did them no good, as he himself had made no use of his fine talent. For 40 years Rev. Abraham Cartlich was connected with the Ohio Conference, and was especially noted as a revivalist, bringing more then 3,000 people into the church. His wife came of a very wealthy family of merchants. Her death occurred in 1852, and he was called from this life in 1889. Their family numbered 7 children, but only three are not living, namely: George W., a capitalist of Creston, Iowa; Dr. J. W., of this sketch; and Clarissa F., wife of Perry Tway, a prosperous farmer, near Mount Ayr, Iowa.
The Doctor was educated in Delaware, Ohio, and entered upon a collegiate course with the intention of devoting his life to the ministry, but his health failed and he was compelled to abandon this plan. During the war he was found among the faithful defenders of the union. In 1863 he enlisted as a member of Company K, 118th infantry, which was afterward changed to the first Ohio heavy artillery, in which he served until the close of the war. He participated in several skirmishes and met the enemy in battle at Knoxville, Nashville, Bull's Gap and Strawberry Point.
In 1867 he took up the study of medicine and engaged in practice in various parts of Iowa and Minnesota, several years being thus passed. In the meantime he became convinced of the superiority of the homeopathic school over the old school, and in 1876 adopted its practice, while in 1883 he was graduated at Pulte Medical College, of Cincinnati. However, he had previously attended the Chicago Homeopathic College and the University homeopathic department of Iowa City, Iowa. He practiced his profession in Cincinnati about 1 year, and in 1883 established an office in Carrollton, Missouri, where he remained for 9 years. Since 1892 he has resided in Kansas City and is now established in a good practice. He is making a specialty of hernia and hemorrhoids, for cases in which he charges nothing if they are not cured. He is very successful, having cured a number. His treatment of hernia is by a hypodermic method, which does not inconvenience one in his daily vocation.
The Doctor was married in May, 1873, to Virginia A. Laws, of Shenandoah, Iowa, and 4 children graced their union - Alta J., Viola E., Jessie A., and George A.
The Doctor has taken a deep interest in politics as a supporter of the greenback party. He has been frequently offered a nomination for some office, but always refused, as he was wedded to his profession. He is a member of the church in which he was reared - the Methodist Episcopal and socially is a Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the Mystic Shrine.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.