Arthur T. Stillman, D.D.S.

Dr. Arthur T. Stillman, who for almost a quarter of a century has practiced dentistry in his offices above the Citizens Bank, is one of the earliest residents in Allamakee county and the oldest dentist in active practice in Waukon. He was born in Cortland county, New York, November 13, 1851, and is a son of John Stillman, also a native of Cortland county. The father grew to maturity there and married Miss Mary Nesmith, afterward following general farming for a number of years. Six of his children were born in Cortland county and in 1853 he came with his family to Iowa, making a permanent location in Center township, Allamakee county. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, which he cleared and broke, opening up a new farm. In the course of years he placed upon it substantial improvements, erecting a comfortable residence, a good barn and the necessary outbuildings and he became one of the prosperous and successful agriculturists of this vicinity. He later moved into Waukon, where he spent the last years of his life, serving as justice of the peace for some time. He died in February, 1893, and was survived by his wife of three years. Both are buried in Oakland cemetery. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters. John J. Stillman enlisted in Company B, Twelfth Iowa volunteer Infantry, and went south with his regiment, participating in the battle at Fort Donelson, where he was killed. His body was brought home for burial and his honor the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic was given his name. Linus Stillman also joined the Union army, enlisting in Company F, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and serving through the entire war. He received his honorable discharge after Lee’s surrender and returned home, later buying the homestead, which he improved and developed for some years. After he sold the farm he purchased land near Emmetsburg and continued to reside upon it until his death. Of the other children born to Mr. and Mrs. John Stillman only one besides the subject of this review still survives. She is Mrs. Jackson Smith, of Waukon.

Dr. Stillman was reared upon his father’s farm in Allamakee county and acquired his primary education in the public schools, supplementing this by a four years’ course in the Waukon high school. He later engaged in teaching for four years and was then a clerk in a hardware store in Waukon for some time. Having determined, however, to practice dentistry, he went to the State University and took a courses in dental surgery, graduating with the class of 1889. He returned immediately to Waukon, where he secured an office in the Citizens Bank building, where he is still located, having occupied the same rooms for twenty-four years. Although one of the oldest dentists in active practice in the city, Dr. Stillman keeps in touch with the most modern thought of his profession. Throughout the years his patronage has grown steadily. He has a well equipped office, supplied with all the most modern dental appliances, and is numbered among the leaders in his profession in this section of the state.

On the 20th of February, 1878, Dr. Stillman of W. R. Pottle, who came as a pioneer to Iowa and became one of the first business men in Waukon. Mrs. Stillman was reared and educated in this city and later spent some time as a teacher of music and art. Mr. and Mrs. Stillman became the parents of a daughter, Hazel, who acquired her education in the public schools of this city and took a four years’ course at Cornell College. She is now a teacher of history and English in the Waukon public schools. Mrs. Stillman died August 20, 1909, and was laid to rest in Oakland cemetery. Immediately after his marriage Dr. Stillman purchased a home on Allamakee street, which he rebuild and remodeled, making it one on the most attractive in the city.

Fraternally Dr. Stillman is connected with the Masonic order, holding membership in the lodge and chapter. He at one time belonged to the Decorah commandery but has now demitted. He belongs to Waukon lodge, K. P., and has several through all the chairs of that organization, is now past grand chancellor and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge of Iowa. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and served as trustee for a number of years, his wife having been also an active church and Sunday school worker. She served as organist in the Waukon church for thirty years. Always interested in school matters. Dr. Stillman has done able work in the cause of education in Allamakee county, being now in the twenty-first year of his service as a member of the school board and in the eighteenth years of his activity as president of that body. During the many years of his residence in Waukon he has been constant in his support of progressive public measures and his loyalty to the general good is unquestioned. He holds to high ideals in his profession, is conscientious in the performance of his duties and has thoroughly proved that his knowledge of dentistry is of a practical as well as a comprehensive nature.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich

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