Dr. Rezin D. Myers enjoys the distinction of being the first dentist to open an office for the practice of dentistry in the City of Davenport.
He is of German antecedents, his grandfather having been an immigrant from Germany to Brownsville, Pennsylvania, from which place he removed later to Jefferson County, Ohio, to become one of the first settlers of that State. His son John, the father of Dr. R. D., was born in Jefferson County in 1792, and during most of his life was a farmer. He was an officer in the War of 1812 under General Harrison, and died in Ohio, May 10, 1850.
Dr. R. D. Myers was born near Steubenville, Ohio, November 7, 1820. He enjoyed only such educational advantages as were usually accorded to farmer lads in those days, and in 1846 began the study of medicine. After about one year spent in this study he reached the conclusion that the practice of medicine would not be to his taste, and abandoned his intention of becoming a physician, and turned his attention to the study of dentistry.
He took up this study under the preceptorship of Dr. Semple of Steubenville, and remained under his preceptorship three years. At that early day there were but two dental colleges in the United States, and no dental societies. Dr. Myers not having the means to avail himself of even the doubtful advantages of either of these institutions, was yet ambitious to become proficient in his chosen profession, and to that end determined to travel as a journeyman dentist — if the term may be allowed - and by working in the offices and side by side with some of the best practitioners of that period in our country, to familiarize himself with the best methods then in vogue. In pursuance of this plan he visited some of the principal cities of the West and South, Louisville, St. Louis and New Orleans, and in each city was fortunate enough to find employment in the offices of the leading dentists.
This practical apprenticeship was of inestimable value to him in after years. Returning from this trip to his native town of Steubenville he opened an office, and practiced there a year. Having, however, seen something of the West during his bohemian experience, and being impressed with the advantageous openings for young professional men in this region, he determined to seek a location nearer the frontier.
The fall of 1853 found him in Davenport, where a brief examination into the existing state of affairs speedily convinced him that this was the location he was seeking. He rented an office and became, as before stated, the pioneer dentist of this city. He was successful from the start, and the practice thus established was continued, with brief inter missions, through a period of thirty-three years.
For many years after his location here he worked assiduously at his chair and bench, allowing himself little or no respite. In later years, however, he began to feel the need of relaxation and recreation, and made extended visits to various parts of the country. He spent some time in Colorado, and has made several visits to New Mexico, being much impressed with the climate and scenery of that region, and deriving much benefit from his sojourns there.
Dr. Myers was one of the organizers of the first dental association of the State, and for many years was an active member of the association.
He became an Odd Fellow in 1850 at Wellsburg, Virginia. When he located in Davenport he transferred his membership to this city, and has continued a member of Davenport Lodge No. 7 up to the present time.
He was a member of Tuscan Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, and continued his connection with that lodge up to the time its charter was surrendered, in the meantime advancing to the degree of a Royal Arch Mason.
In politics he was originally a Whig, and since the organization of the Republican party has affiliated with that party.
He married in 1857 Miss Adeline Huffman of Beaver County, Penn sylvania, and brought his wife to a home which he had previously prepared for her in Davenport, and it may be mentioned as a remark able fact - especially in this western country, where there is usually so much changing of abode — that they still reside in the same house in which they began their married life. They have had born to them five children, only two of whom survive, viz: William L. and Elizabeth A., now the wife of J. M. Smith of Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Myers has now retired from the active practice of his profession, and is enjoying in quietude the results of his labors. During the years of his professional career he kept pace with the improvements in dentistry and has always been esteemed for his honesty, as well as for his skill. He has seen Davenport grow from a village to a prosperous city, and is to-day one of its respected citizens.
BIOGRAPHIES