John W. Freeman, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 40-44 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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			JOHN W. FREEMAN, M. D.  

	Dr. John W. Freeman, chief surgeon of the hospital department of 
the Homestake Mining Company of Lead, has achieved distinction in his 
profession and is very popular socially. He was born on his father's 
farm near Virden, Illinois, on the 13th of December, 1853, a son of 
Peter S. and Elizabeth Pierce (Warriner) Freeman. The father was born 
in New Jersey and was one of the pioneers of Illinois, where he 
followed farming for many years. He passed away in 1874 and his friends 
long cherished the memory of his well spent life. The mother of Dr. 
Freeman was born in Kentucky and died in 1886, having survived her 
husband for twelve years.  

	Dr. John W. Freeman was the eighth in order of birth in a family 
of eleven children. At the usual age he entered the Virden public 
schools and passed from grade to grade until he was graduated from the 
high school at that place. He subsequently attended Blackburn 
University at Carlinville, Illinois, for one year, after which he took 
a course at the Quincy Business College of Quincy, Illinois. In 1875 he 
began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. David Prince, 
of Jacksonville, Illinois. During the summers he was thus occupied, and 
in the winters attended the medical school of the New York University, 
from which he was graduated with the M. D degree in 1879. He was then 
for two years the assistant of Dr. Prince, after which he entered the 
United States government service in 1881, acting as assistant surgeon 
in the regular army stationed at Fort Meade, South Dakota, with the 
rank of first lieutenant. He remained at Fort Meade for two years and 
in January, 1884, came to Lead as surgeon for the Homestake Mining 
Company. In 1903 he was made chief surgeon of the hospital department 
of this company and in the intervening eleven years has performed with 
marked ability the onerous duties devolving upon him in that capacity 
He has the hospital maintained by the company under his charge and has 
proven not only an expert surgeon but also an able executive and the 
affairs of the institution have run smoothly under his management. The 
cooperation of doctors, nurses and all others connected with the work 
of the hospital has been secured and the institution has a fine record 
and has proved of inestimable value to the mining community whose needs 
it serves. Dr. Freeman is one of the eminent surgeons of the state and 
is widely known in professional circles here, his skillful work 
commanding the respect of his colleagues. He has successfully performed 
many difficult operations and his opinion upon any condition requiring 
surgical treatment is highly valued. Although he has achieved much, he 
is not content to rest upon his laurels, but is constantly seeking to 
increase his knowledge and efficiency, attending clinics for a month 
every year, either in this country or abroad. He also maintains 
membership in a number of professional societies, namely, the Black 
Hills Medical Society, the South Dakota State Medical Society, the 
American Medical Association, the Chicago & Northwestern Surgical 
Society, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Surgical Society, and the 
American Railway Surgeons Society He is also a fellow of the American 
College of Surgeons, which indicates his high standing in the 
profession. In addition to being chief surgeon for the hospital, he has 
been health officer for the city for the past four years. Although his 
duties as a surgeon and physician are many and make heavy demands upon 
his energy, he has also found time to devote to other interests, hawing 
been a member of the board of education for ten years and having served 
as president of that body for part of that period. For thirty years he 
has been connected with the First National Bank of Lead and is now 
second vice president.  

	In 1885 Dr. Freeman was married in Lead to Miss Hattie V. 
Dickinson, of that city. To their union have been born four children: 
Ercel Dean; Marion E., the wife of S. G. Price, of Rapid City; John B., 
who is attending the State Agricultural College at Brookings; and 
Howard.  

	In politics Dr. Freeman is a republican and takes the interest of 
a good citizen in everything relating to the public welfare. 
Fraternally he belongs to Central City (S. D.) Lodge, No. 22, A, F. & 
A. M.; Golden Belt Chapter, No, 35, R. A. M., of Lead; Lead Commandery, 
No, 18, K, T,; Black Hills Consistory, No 3, A. & A, S. R., of 
Deadwood; and Naja Temple, A. A, O. N. M. S., of Deadwood. He has held 
the principal offices in all of the above mentioned bodies and is a 
prominent Mason of the state. He also belongs to Lead Lodge, No, 747, 
B. P. O. E. Dr. Freeman is one of the foremost citizens of Lead and the 
city has benefited by his labors in her behalf. His character is such 
as wins friendship and there are many who feel for him a warm personal 
regard as well as a deep respect for his undoubted ability.