Marshall County
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RICH, Dr. Kendall E.

1824 - 1890

Died, in the city of Wenona, Marshall County, Illinois, on Sunday, September, 28, 1890

Dr. Kendall E. Rich, in the 66th year of his age. Dr. Rich was born in Franklin County, Massachusetts in 1824, where he received a common school education. He afterwards entered upon his academic course at Winchester, New Hampshire, where he continued his studies, only interrupted by his financial circumstances. requiring him to teach school for means to continue his academic course; never daunted, always thorough in all his undertakings, his success was doubly sure. At the age of 19 (1841) he was enabled to turn his face westward with a good education, and grow up with the country.

On his way west, he stopped at Mt. Clemons, Michigan, about 18 months. He was engaged as a clerk in a store and teaching school. Here he obtained money sufficient to go further west. In 1845 he started for Quincy, Illinois, by way of Chicago and Galena and made the trip in 9 days, taking the three best modes of travel—by stage, canal, and steamboats—and, upon arriving at Quincy, found himself almost entirely without means.

So, he again secured a situation as a school teacher, and at the same time commenced the study of medicine under his uncle, Dr. George O. Pond, at Columbus, Adams County, Illinois.

Dr. Rich enlisted in St. Louis, MO, in about February, 1846 and served in the Mexican War one year at Vera Cruz and New Orleans. He served as a hospital steward in Co K 1st Regiment of Dragoons until July, 1848. He returned in the fall of 1848 to Adams County where he resumed the study of medicine. In the spring of 1850 he graduated at the medical department of Missouri University at St. Louis. In the fall of 1850 he boarded a steamboat from Quincy from Hall's Landing on the Illinois River, and from thence to then flourishing village of Magnolia where he located and commenced the practice of medicine.

In 1851 he was married to Miss Julia Parmelia Baker and from their union there has been born unto them three children, Charles Rich, Miss Mary Rich, and Mrs. Kate Burgess (Charles Burgess, Sr.), all of whom survive him together with his widow.

In the spring of 1862 after a successful practice of 12 years in Magnolia, he determined to go to the late war (Civil War) and enter the medical department of the army., which he did, and for this purpose, he removed his family to Henry, Illinois. In order that he might settle up his affairs that had accumulated on his hands he took all of his accounts and notes to a friend and placed them in his hands to settle, upon the condition that every account due him by those who volunteered should be marked paid, and, also, that the accounts of those too poor to pay should be marked paid. Upon these conditions the Doctor's affairs were soon settled.

In 1864 the Doctor returned from the Army and settled in the city of Wenona, Illinois, where he ever after resided as a successful practitioner in his chosen profession. The Doctor was made a Master Mason in the lodge at Magnolia. After removing to Wenona he joined the Wenona Lodge and has ever since been an exemplary member, always cherishing the principles of virtue, brotherly love, and truth.

Dr. Rich has been failing in health this past summer, having been partially paralyzed some time ago, which finally resulted in his death as before stated. His family rendered him every attention and kind care that was possible for a loving family to do, in his sad affliction; his physicians were untiring in their attention; his Masonic brethren rendered all the aid they could. In the death of Dr. Rich his family has lost a kind father and loving husband, the medical fraternity one of their ablest practitioners, the Masonic lodge one of its exemplary members, and the community and honest and upright citizen.

The funeral of Dr. Rich was conducted by the Masonic order, assisted by Rev. Coe of the Presbyterian Church. The pallbearers were Dr. E. Gaylord of Magnolia, Dr. Evans of Varna, Drs. Downey, Chewning, Potts, and Carter, of Wenona, followed by a large number of Masons and friends to his last resting place in the Wenona Cemetery. A good man has fallen; peace to his memory.

Contributed 05 Mar 2014 by Peggy Thomas


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