Daniel H. KILLINGSWORTH, who is proprietor of the Clarinda Hospital and is also engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery in this city, came to Clarinda on the 3Oth of November, 1898, from Tingley, Iowa, where he had previously engaged in general practice. He is a native of Fayetteville, West Virginia, and a son of William and Sarah (STONE) KILLINGSWORTH, who removed from West Virginia to Centerview, Johnson county, Missouri. The father was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit in Missouri until his son Daniel was thirteen years of age, when he removed to Lorimor, Iowa. The Doctor continued in that place until he had attained his majority and in the meantime pursued his education in the public and normal schools. He then began the study of medicine and was graduated in 1888 from the medical department of Drake University at Des Moines. He then began practice in Tingley and in 1895 and 1896 he pursued a post graduate course at the New York Post Graduate College, thus augmenting his knowledge and promoting his efficiency. Returning to Tingley, he there remained until 1898, when he came to Clarinda and entered upon the general practice of medicine in this city. Again in 1901 and also in 1906 he pursued further post graduate courses in the New York Post Graduate College. In the year in which he came to Clarinda he established a hospital for the treatment of general diseases under the name of the Clarinda Hospital. It contains twelve beds and is a valuable addition to the institutions of this character in southwestern Iowa, being .well equipped with every accessory necessary to the care of the sick.

Dr. KILLINGSWORTH was united in marriage to Miss Clara STRANAHAN, of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and their children are Zell G., Virginia and Blanche, the last named now a student of music in Chicago. Dr. KILLINGSWORTH is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp at Clarinda and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the United Presbyterian church, of which he is chairman. In more strictly professional lines he is connected with the Iowa State Medical Society and the Northwestern Medical Association.

SOURCE: KERSHAW, W. L. History of Page County Iowa: Also Biographical Sketches of some Prominent Citizens of the County Vol. 11. Pp. 600-01. The S.J. Clarke Publ. Co. Chicago. 1909.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009

Ringgold Record
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Friday, June 12, 1896

Dr. D. H. KILLINGSWORTH was born November 26, 1862, in Fayetteville, West Virginia. He moved to Johnson county, Missouri, with his father in 1870. Here he worked on the farm and attended school. He went in 1874 to Union county, Iowa, making his home for seven years with J. S. LORIMOR on the place where the town of Lorimor now stands.

He completed his course in dentistry in May, 1881, locating in Mt. Ayr May 22 of that year. While practicing dentistry in Mt. Ayr for four years he studied medicine four hours each day. He attended Drake university [in Des Moines] during the years 1886-7-8, graduating March 4 of the latter year and ws president of his class. He began the practice of medicine at Tingley in 1889.

In 1895 he took a course in the New York post graduate school of medicine, winning first honor in surgery and diseases of women in a class of 400.

Dr. KILLINGSWORTH has one of the best equipped offices in southwestern Iowa snd the largest medical library in the county. He has a very large practice, many patients coming from a distance. He is especially noted for the difficult surgical operations he has successfully performed.

Dr. KILLINGSWORTH was married September 28, 1892, to Miss Clara E. STRANAHAN of Mt. Ayr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John STRANAHAN, who are among the earliest settlers and most respected citizens of the county.

Dr. KILLINGSWORTH is a member of the United Presbyterian church and a prohibitionist first, last and all the time.

The following from the Tingley Vindicator give a hint of the doctor's surgical skill:

"Dr. KILLINGSWORTH on Monday, assisted by Dr. HANNELLY, preformed on of the most difficult operations on James LORIMOR of Winterset. Four years ago Mr. LORIMOR had a cancer removed by the caustic method from just below the right eye, which had removed the lower eyelid and occluded the nasal duct. The doctor formed a new duct, then removed a flap of skin and formed a new eye lid, which has united nicely. This speaks well for the doctor, to have patients come from that distance and from so near Des Moines."

"Mrs. J. S. REED, living 12 miles southwest of Clarinda, came to Tingley to have her tonsils removed. Tingley's physician is second to none in southern Iowa."

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010