Biographical Sketches
G. W. CORNELL, M. D.
One of the skilled and eminent representatives of the medical profession in Kansas City, Missouri, was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1844, and is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Corson) Cornell, natives of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The family has long been connected with the Keystone state. The Doctor's grandfather, Jacob Cornell, was born there and was of German lineage, served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was a farmer by occupation. Joshua Corson, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Holland, Pennsylvania, and was descended from Scotch ancestry. He too served in the second war with England, and carried on agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood. He was a successful business man, an influential politician and a popular citizen. His death occurred at the advanced age of 90 years. The father of our subject was a contractor, builder and farmer, and spent the greater part of his life in his native county, where he died in 1858, at the age of 70 years. His wife passed away in 1852. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Cornell served as elder. He also held various township offices, and was a valued citizen. The family numbered 8 children - 5 sons and 3 daughters - namely: Ann Eliza, wife of John Gill; Charles, deceased; Catherine; Richard; Hiram, deceased; David; Henrietta, wife of William Ardway; and the Doctor.
The last-named spent his youthful days on his father's farm in Bucks county, and his elementary education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a course in the State Normal School. He afterward engaged in teaching and conducted a commercial college in Philadelphia for some time. Later he commenced the study of medicine. He is a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, and enjoyed a long and scientific training in the College of Physicians and Surgeons for the medical staff of the United States army and navy. He has had most thorough preparation for his life work, having continued his studies and researches at the Philadelphia Lying-in Hospital, where he studied obstetrics and diseases of women and children; Will's Ophthalmic and Aural Hospital, studying diseases of the eye and ear; the Philadelphia School of Laryngoscopy, studying catarrhal diseases; the Philadelphia School of Practical Anatony and Operative Surgery; the Philadelphia City Dispensary; and the Philadelphia City Hospital. He has put forth every effort in his power to perfect himself in his chosen calling and has gained high standing in his profession. While in Philadelphia, he was professor of obstetrics and diseases of women and children for 3 years in the Philadelphia Medical and Surgical Institute. He was also police surgeon, and professor and surgeon in the Philadelphia School of venereal and all genito-urinary diseases. He continued in general practice in Phildelphia for 15 years and then came to the west, locating first at Fort Scott, Kansas. After 5 years he removed to Joplin, Missouri and in 1894 came to Kansas City.
On the 4th of July, 1870, Dr. Cornell was united in marriage with Miss Lucretia Mott Good, daughter of Benjamin Good, of Buckingham, Pennsylvania. They had 5 children, but Harry, Lawrence and Edward are now deceased. Howard is studying for the ministry with the exception of becoming a missionary, and will graduate at Park College, Missouri, in 1897, and will finish his studies at Princeton Seminary, New Jersey; Luella is taking a classical course in the academy of Parkville, and will graduate in 1896.
The Doctor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. During the civil war he was a member of George Hart's company of state militia, and among others participated in the battles of Antietam and Chambersburg. He has ever been a loyal citizen, interested in the general welfare of his country and resident community, but his attention is chiefly given to his profession, in which he has gained to enviable reputation.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.