The Harris Centennial
Harris --The past 100 Years
Doctors
Page 49
The Harris Doctors and the Hospitals Are No More
The first resident physician in Harris was Dr. Putman, who arrived about 1898, and located his office above
Giles Drug Store. There are no records of how long he remained
here.
He was succeeded, by Dr. Wynn, who stayed a short time.
Dr. Clinton C. Cady opened his office in a small building west of
the IOOF Hall in 1903. Early in World War I he enlisted in the
army. Returning at the close of the war, he stayed in Harris
until 1920.
Dr. Cady, as well as his successors, Dr. Padgham and
Dr. Sporre,
was assisted in his work by Mrs. Ralph Harris, a practical nurse
who spent many years in this service.
Mrs. Elene Prose, a registered nurse, served as an army nursing
during World War I.
Dr. J. B. Padgham opened an office in 1913. He built a hospital,
which is now the Perry
Rickabaugh home, and operated it until
1918. He later moved to Ocheyedan, where he had a hospital and
practiced for many years.
Dr. Spellman was the town physician during the years 1918 and
1919.
He was followed by Dr. Knute Sporre, who remained with us until
1932. Dr. Sporre operated a hospital in the present home of Mrs.
Louis Snyder.
Mrs. Gus Moeller, who lived there, was in charge,
and it served the needs of the community for several years. Dr. Sporre left Harris to go to Rock Rapids, Iowa. He is presently
living in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
Dr. Herbert B. Paulsen, physician and surgeon, moved to Harris
from Ocheyedan in April 1932, taking over Dr. Sporre’s
practice. He moved his office from uptown to the basement of his
home, where he was assisted in his work by his wife, Benelta, a
registered nurse.
He was forced to give up surgery after a few years, due to a
painful and crippling arthritic condition, but continued to
receive patients in his office and to make house calls when it
was deemed necessary.
On January 6th of 1962, in the midst of preparations to move to
Hot Springs, South Dakota, where Dr. Paulsen had accepted a
position on the staff of the Veterans Administration Center, he
was killed in a highway accident.
The loss of his dedicated service and valued friendship is
immeasurable. We are indeed grateful for the years he spent with
us and happy that Mrs. Paulsen continues to make Harris her home.
We are proud to list here the names of boys, graduates of Harris
High School, who have made medicine a career and who are now
doctors or will soon have their M.D. degrees: Chalsea Gibson, Leo
Landhuis, Daniel Bergman, Charles Wilmarth and Jesse
Landhuis.
- by Mrs. Jesse Sroufe
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Update by Committee of 1989: Dr. K. A. Sporre is deceased. Mrs.
H. B. Paulsen moved to Omaha in 1973, and passed away October 14,
1976.