In recording the life work and character of the leading physicians who have resided in the City of Davenport, Iowa, in a biographical work, none is more deserving of favorable mention than the man whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Holstein, Germany, June 1, 1800, and was the son of a farmer. His own tastes were averse to the occupation of tilling the soil, and he applied himself diligently to study until he had acquired sufficient education to take up the study of medicine. After he had completed his medical studies he began practicing in Holstein, and was very successful as a practitioner from the beginning. He then entered Lutce Clinic and Hospital, in the town of Anhaltkothen, Germany, from which institution he graduated. He continued the practice of medicine in Germany, about forty years before coming to America, which was in 1860. Immediately after landing in New York he came to Davenport, Iowa, where he settled and resumed his practice. After a few months' stay in America he became very much attached to the American people and lost all desire to return to his native land. He familiarized himself with the English language very readily, and soon became one of the leading practitioners of Davenport. Dr. Wessel was a member of the homeopathic school. Before coming to America he wrote a medical book, which had a large sale throughout Germany, but decided not to translate it into English after his arrival here.
He was a man who delighted in travel and spent several years of his life visiting the more prominent parts of Europe, and making a study of everything pertaining to his profession in the various parts of the old country.
He was possessed of a wonderful constitution, and notwithstanding the exposure and hardships incident to the practice of his profession, reached his eightieth year without having experienced an attack of illness sufficient to confine him to his room for a single day.
During a very hot spell of weather in August of 1880 he was overcome by the heat, and lived but two days thereafter, expiring on the fourteenth of that month.
Dr. Wessel was twice married. Two children were born of his first marriage, one son, P. H. Wessel, who studied medicine, and now resides in Moline, Illinois, where he enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice; and one daughter, who married C. M. Arp and also resides in Moline.
The second wife of Dr. Wessel was Anna C. Heesch. They were married October 1 , 1843, in Meldorf, Holstein, Germany. By this marriage there were four children, viz: Katie, Henry, Johanna (who married H. C. Struck, cashier of the Davenport Savings Bank), and Laura, who resides with her mother at home. Mrs. Wessel, who was born March 23, 1848, is still in the enjoyment of excellent health.
Dr. Henry Wessel, Jr., only son of the elder Wessel by his cond marriage, was born May 26, 1851, in Holstein, Germany, and came to America with his parents at the age of nine years. He received his primary education in Davenport, and also attended a commercial college in this city. In 1870 he entered, as a student, the St. Louis Homeopathic College of Physicians and Surgeons, and graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago February 23, 1872. After the death of his father in 1880 he sucreeded to his practice. In 1886 he visited Europe, where he attended clinics and made researches at the hospitals of Berlin, Kiel, Zurich, London and Paris, together with many other institutions of less note. Returning to America he traveled extensively throughout the States, finally returning to Davenport and resuming his practice, in which he has been more than ordinarily successful.
He is a member of the Turner Society, and also of the Hahnemann Medical Society of Iowa. He is independent in his religious views and in politics a Democrat.
BIOGRAPHIES