Re: Murder of Dr Chowning
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In reply to:
Murder of Dr Chowning
connie trier 9/18/13
WILLIAM M. CHOWNING, M. D. - Vol II, pg 658-662 Dr. William M. Chowning, a man of advanced scientific attainments, has devoted much time to research and investigation along medical lines and ranks with the foremost surgeons of Minneapolis. He was born in Millersburg. Illinois, May 10, 1873, a son of Dr. John P. and Florence (Sheriff) Chowning, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Illinois. The father, who was also a successful physician, was a graduate of the Iowa Wesleyan University and the Rush Medical College of Chicago and for many years he engaged in practice at Aledo, Illinois, gaining a high standing in his profession. In that city he was assassinated by an insane patient in 1895, when fifty-two years of age. The mother passed away in 1890. Dr. Chowning loyally defended the Union cause in the Civil war, joining the army as a volunteer when but sixteen years of age. After completing his preliminary training, which was acquired in the public schools of Aledo, Illinois, William M. Chowning entered Knox College at Galesburg, that state, from which he received the Bachelor of Science degree in 1894. The next year was devoted to postgraduate work at Johns Hopkins University of Baltimore, Maryland, which conferred upon him the A. B. degree in 1895, and he afterward took up educational work, teaching physics and biology in the high school at Warren, Ohio, and also at Rock Island, Illinois. This he followed by postgraduate work in Chicago University, specializing in biology and bacteriology. In 1901 he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Minnesota and for four years was an instructor in that institution, teaching bacteriology and pathology. In the early spring of 1902 his professional services were secured by the Montana state board of health, which desired him to make an investigation of the spotted fever epidemic, which was spreading throughout the Bitter Root valley, and he was engaged in this research work until 1907, continuing it during the time that he was associated with Dr. A. W. Abbott of Minneapolis, covering a period of five years. Since 1907 he has concentrated his attention upon surgical work, in which he has developed a high degree of efficiency, and his practice is one of extensive proportions. He has been a member of the surgical staff of the City Hospital and chief surgeon for the Wells Memorial Hospital and for St. Andrew's Hospital. His studies have covered a broad field and his investigations have been most thorough, bringing him a comprehensive knowledge of the most advanced methods, discoveries and theories of the science of medicine and surgery. Dr. Chowning is a veteran of the World war. In September, 1917, he was commissioned a captain in the United States army and in February, 1918, was sent to Washington to organize the war emergency hospital and dispensary for the government employes in the District of Columbia. For six months he was commanding officer and chief of the surgical service of this hospital and during that time he was also chief of inspection of all troops stationed in the District of Columbia. In September, 1918, he was made chief of the surgical service and commanding officer of Base Hospital, No. 119, and in October he sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey, landing at Brest, France. From there he went to Savigny, France, a hospital center, and was mustered out of the service April 1, 1919, at Camp Dix, New Jersey, returning to Minneapolis, where he resumed the practice of his profession. Dr. Chowning was married May 24, 1902, to Miss Sophia Thies of Minneapolis, and they have become the parents of four children: John P., Sophia, William M., Jr., and Jane. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to the commandery, consistory and Shrine, and he is also a member of the Minneapolis Club. His professional relations are with the Hennepin County and Minnesota State Medical societies and the American Medical Association and he is also connected with Alpha Kappa Kappa, a medical fraternity. He is deeply interested in his profession, in which he has gained a position of distinction, and his life work is one of broad usefulness.