Biographical Sketches
A. LOUIS MICHAELS, A.M., M.D.
A physician and surgeon of 15 years' successful practice in Kansas City, was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, August 25, 1854. His parents, Newton and Evaline (Mathis) Michaels, were born in Ohio, of German ancestry. The father was a stock dealer and farmer who was very successful in business and a prominent man of his county. He was a pioneer in Illinois, settling in LaSalle county in 1830, previous to the Indian troubles that broke out soon after and led by the noted chieftain, Black Hawk. Subsequently he removed to Kansas, where he died in 1881. Of his family of 8 children, our subject is the eldest.
He was reared in his native county till 14 years of age, receiving elementary instruction in the common schools and later in a private school at home. He subsequently attended the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he graduated in 1872, becoming at once an adjunct professor of natural sciences, which position he filled for 2 years. He then entered medical college at Louisville, Kentucky, where he took a course of study; and subsequently he entered the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, at which he graduated in 1881. Proceeding to Kansas City, he began practicing, and became police surgeon - a position he filled 3 years. In 1894 he was appointed professor of diseases of women and electro-therapeutics in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Kansas City, Kansas, being also a trustee of said college. He enjoys a large general practice and has an acknowledged standing in the profession. He is a surgeon of Company A, Veterans, and examiner for the Provident Bankers' Association.
In Masonry he has reached the 32 degree. His reading has been wide of scope and great thoroughness, not altogether in the line of his profession but embracing a careful research into the various sciences, literature, etc. In mineralogy he is practically interested, and among his treasures is a large cabinet of carefully selected ore specimens, which he has been years in collecting.
His marriage to Miss Z. L. Grayson, a native of Alabama, was consummated in 1882. they have 2 children: Emma E. and A. Louis, Jr. He and his estimable wife are members of the Episcopal church, and take a prominent part in the social and charitable work of the church.
Doctor Michaels ably represents what may be accomplished in getting on in the world with no other aid than one's own efforts. At the age of 14 years he became dependent upon his own resources, and with the assistance of a dollar he persistently worked his way through school and college, defraying his expenses with money earned by performing odd jobs at intervals. Courage and a willingness to do with all his might whatever his hand found to do has carried him to success and fortune. He is a gentleman of perfect physical development and sound health, is of courteous manner and address and of a pleasing, striking personality.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.