Biography of Herman Luther Tutwiler, M.D. - McDowell Co. VA

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
pg. 272

    HERMAN LUTHER TUTWILER, M.D., is one of the leading physicians and 
surgeons of McDowell County, where he is engaged in practice at Iaeger, and 
his influence in civic affairs is indicated by his being a representative of 
McDowell County in the House of Delegates of the West Virginia Legislature.
    Doctor Tutwiler is a scion of a family founded in Virginia in an early 
day.  At Kezelltown, Rockingham County, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of 
that historic commonwealth, he was born on the 1st of April, 1873.
His parents, Peter and Sarah A. (Sandy) Tutwiler, likewise were born in 
Rockingham County, the former in 1842 and the latter in 1846.  At the time of 
his marriage Peter Tutwiler had a small farm, but his ability and energy 
gained to him cumulative success in the passing years and he became one of 
the substantial exponents of farm industry in his native county.  Soon after 
the inception of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C, Fifth Virginia 
Regiment of Infantry, which became part of the brigade commanded by Gen. 
"Stonewall" Jackson, and during the last three years of the war he was a 
sharpshooter.  He took part in many major battles, including those of 
Winchester, Petersburg, Richmond, Antietam and Gettysburg, the wound which he 
received in the thigh at Gettysburg having incapacitated him about two weeks. 
 He was a non-commissioned officer at the close of the war.  In later years 
his association with his old comrades in arms was perpetuated through his 
affiliation with the United Confederate Veterans.  Peter Tutwiler was a 
leader in the local councils and campaigns of the democratic party, was an 
influential member of the United Brethren Church, as is also his widow, and 
was a delegate to its general conventions on various occasions.  His death 
occurred in 1912, and his widow now resides at Harrisonburg, Virginia.  Four 
children likewise survive the honored father:  Eugene C. is a merchant at 
Harrisonburg, Virginia; Dr. Herman L., of this review, was next in order of 
birth; Homer S. is a resident of Harrisonburg, Virginia; and Luella is the 
wife of Rev. E. C. Spressard, pastor of a United Brethren Church at 
Hagerstown, Maryland.
    After completing a three years' course in Shenandoah Institute, Dayton, 
Virginia, Dr. Herman L. Tutwiler devoted himself to teaching in the schools 
of his native county for a period of three years.  In 1897 he matriculated in 
the Medical College of Virginia, at Richmond, and from this excellent 
institution he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1900.  For 
eighteen months thereafter he was engaged in practice at Singers Glen, 
Virginia, and he next established his headquarters at Roanoke, that state, 
but for six years his practice was mainly in railroad construction camps.  In 
1907, with headquarters at Roderfield, West Virginia, he assumed charge of 
medical and surgical service in four mining camps -- those of the Fall River 
Mining Company, Flannagan Coal Company, Hampton Roads Coal Company and Marine 
Commerce Coal Company, besides developing a large private practice of general 
order.  In 1919 he sold his practice to Dr. Glenn W. Brewster, of whom 
mention is made on other pages, and removed to Iaeger, where he has been 
established in successful practice during the development of the mines of 
this district and the building of railroads to afford the requisite 
transportation facilities.  He is now official physician and surgeon for the 
Garland Pocahontas Coal Company, the Ward Pocahontas Coal Company, the C. R. 
Ritter Lumber Company and the Castel Burey Lumber Company.
    The doctor is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the republican 
party, and as candidate on its ticket he was elected representative of 
McDowell County in the State Legislature in November, 1920.  He has proved a 
loyal and effective representative of his constituent district, has worked 
for wise legislation in general and has been assigned to many important 
committees of the House of Delegates, including those of medicine and 
sanitation, insurance, state boundaries, mines and mining and insurance.
    Doctor Tutwiler has served as vice president of the McDowell County 
Medical Society, and is a member also of the West Virginia State Medical 
Society, and the American Medical Association.  He and his wife are zealous 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in connection with which he 
is secretary of the District Sunday School Board, a member of the Holston 
Conference Church Extension Board, a member of the Board of Stewards of 
Bluefield District, and chairman of the Board of Stewards of the church in 
his home village.  In the Masonic fraternity Doctor Tutwiler is a past master 
of the Blue Lodge at Welch, a member of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at 
Northfork, a member of the Commandery of Knights Templars at Bluefield, a 
member of Bluefield Lodge of Perfection (Scottish Rite), and of the Temple of 
the Mystic Shrine in the City of Charleston.  He is a past state councilor of 
the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and is serving in 1921-2 as 
deputy national councilor of this fraternity.  He is noble grand of the 
Roderfield Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and chancellor 
commander of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Premier.
    April 17, 1901, recorded the marriage of Doctor Tutwiler and Miss Lillian 
Byerly, daughter of Peter D. Byerly, and they have one son, Herman Luther, 
Jr.  A daughter, Mabel I., died in early childhood.
    Doctor Tutwiler was active and liberal in support of patriotic service in 
connection with nation's participation in the World war, and in 1919 he was 
examiner of the Insurance, United States Department of Public Health, Bureau 
of War Risks.


Submitted by Barbara J. Maurer <BMaurer396@aol.com>

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