Biographical Sketch of Dr. Edward Andruss, Holden, Johnson County, Missouri >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Dr. Edward Andruss, physician and surgeon, Holden, Missouri, is a striking example of success attained in the most beneficent of pro- fessions. As a surgeon and practitioner of the homeopathic school he has achieved a success second to none in western Missouri and the uniformity of his continued success in the treatment of diseases has been instrumental in enlightening the people on the principles and practices of the school of medicine founded by Hahnemann. For the past 20 years, Dr. Andruss has been ministering to the sick in Holden and vicinity and has not only won for himself an enviable and disting- uished place among his professional co-laborers but has endeared him- self in the hearts of his many patients as a kind, capable, and a learned practitioner. Dr. Andruss asw born in Warrensburg, Missouri, October 1, 1863, a son of Orville Rice and Wealthy Jane (Cox) Andruss, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. Orville Rice Andruss settled in Johnson county, Missouri in 1849 and was previously engaged in farm work in Lafayette county. He finally made a permanent settlement in Centerview township, this county, where he purchased a tract of land and was engaged in farming and stock raising until his death, Septem- ber 28, 1897. Mr. Andruss was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Union army with the Missouri state militia, and partici- pated in several engagements among them being the battles of Little Blue, Georgetown and Mine Creek. He was always found at his post and he attended to all military duties assigned him in a soldier like manner and like a true patriot. He was a lifelong member of the Pres- byterian Church and a highly respected and influential member of society. His wife removed with her parents to Missouri in 1847. She spent her last days with her son at Holden, Missouri and died at his home, July 6, 1900. Dr. Andruss was reared on the farm and obtained his primary education in the district school of his neighborhood. Sub- sequently, he pursued a course in the Warrensburg State Normal School, after which he entered Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois, graduating from the latter institution in February, 1892. He was then tendered the position of assistant teacher in the book keeping depart- ment of the college and filled this position until he resigned to return home, April 1, 1892. After a careful preparatory course, pre- liminary to entering medical college, he entered the Kansas City Home- opathic Medical College, which conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medicine, March 25, 1897. During his course in college, the young physician's merits were readily recognized and he was chosen assistant house surgeon. After capably filling this position for six months, he was chosen house surgeon and filled this position one year. He then came to Holden, where he opened an office and has continued in the practice of his profession with ever increasing and remunerative succ- ess. Dr. Andrus is the only representative of his school in Holden and has ably demonstrated that he is a pronounced credit to his profession. Dr. Andruss pursued a general post graduate course in New York in 1903 and a special post-graduate course in operative surgery in Chicago in 1908. Dr. Andruss was married, January 30, 1895 to Florence May Alli- son and to this marriage have been born the following children: Edward Allison and Oakley Bluhm, twins, born June 8, 1897, Edward being a descendant of patriotic ancestors imbued with a love of country, when war was declared with Germany readily volunteered his services in be- half of the Nation and enlisted with Red Cross Ambulance Corps, Number 24, under Capt. Ernest A. Cayeness, now Red Cross Ambulance Company, Number 355, Sanitary Train, Number 314, Medical Reserve Corps; Oakley Bluhm, departed this life, April 23, 1904; and Annie Onota, born Janu- ary 22, 1900, a student of the State Normal School at Warrensburg, entering on her course for a ninety-hour diploma. Florence May (Alli- son) Andruss was born and reared on a farm near Knob Noster, Missouri, and is a daughter of Oscar L. Allison of Knob Noster, a native of Vir- ginia and a Union veteran. Mrs. Andruss was educated in the State Normal School at Warrensburg and for 10 years was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Johnson county and at Harlem, Clay county, Mo. Dr. and Mrs. Andruss have a very pleasant home in Holden and enjoy the associations of a large circle of friends. In addition to his practice, Dr. Andruss finds time to supervise the work on his farm in Centerview township. Dr. Andruss is professionally identified with the Missouri Institute of Homeopathy, of which organization he has served 2 years as vice-president. He has served one term as local registrar of vital statistics. He is fraternally affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Wood- men of America, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Dr. and Mrs. Andruss and their children are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a ruling elder. A stanch republican in politics, he was a candidate of his party for coroner of Johnson county in 1900, and though defeated for election, he headed his ticket by a large vote. Dr. Andruss not only keeps abreast of the latest developments in the science of his profession but is progressive in his tendencies and views and is ever to be found in the forefront of matters which concern the welfare of his city, his county, and his nation. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. 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