Last week we recalled the life of one of Tazewell County’s late 19th-century physicians and surgeons, Dr. Clarence E. McFall, M.D., of East Peoria. One of Dr. McFall’s contemporaries and colleagues in the medical profession was Dr. W. O. Cattron, M.D. (1852-1921), who came to Pekin in 1889 from Valparaiso, Indiana, and established a medical practice in downtown Pekin.
Dr. Cattron’s full name was William Orpheus Cattron, born 31 Dec. 1852 in Wanatah, LaPorte County, Indiana, a son of Samuel and Nancy Ann (Concannon) Cattron, who were Indiana farmers. William and two of his brothers, James Valentine Cattron (1848-1929) and Addison Eudorus Cattron (1862-1922), all conceived the same interest in the medical profession — James became a dentist, while William and Addison both became physicians. William studied medicine under the tutelage of Dr. C. S. Fahnestock of LaPorte, then went to Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago and pursued further studied at Cook County Hospital and the Chicago Homeopathic College.
Dr. Cattron left Valparaiso in 1889 and settled in Pekin, immediately taking an active interest in his new home, being one of the organizers of Pekin’s Knights of Pythias lodge soon after his arrival. He also was a leader of the Pekin YMCA and served as secretary of the Pekin School Board.
He lived at first at 303 Buena Vista and opened a medical practice in Room 6 in the Marshall Building on Elizabeth Street. A few years later he moved into an apartment in the Tazewell Hotel adjacent to his doctor’s office. By 1909, he had moved to a house at 406 Broadway, but by 1913 he had moved to a house at 423 Washington St. and had relocated his doctor’s office to Rooms 203-205-207 in the Arcade Building. The following year, however, we find that Dr. Cattron had again moved his doctor’s office to Rooms 11 and 12 in the Times Publishing Co. Building at 405 Court St., former home of the Pekin Daily Times. Of all the locations where Dr. Cattron lived and worked, all of the homes were demolished long ago, but the Marshall Building and the old Times Building (which was also the home of the Citizens Telephone Co.) are still there.
A biographical sketch of Dr. Cattron’s life was published on page 986 of the updated 1905 “History of Tazewell County” that was edited by Ben C. Allensworth. That sketch is as follows:
Dr. W. O. CATTRON
W. O. Cattron, M. D., a prominent physician of Pekin, was born in La Porte County, Ind., December 31, 1852, and came to Tazewell County in 1889. His paternal grandfather was Valentine Cattron, a native of Tennessee, and his maternal grandfather James Concannon, was born in Brown County, Ohio. His parents were Samuel and Nancy Ann (Concannon) Cattron, the former having been born in Indiana in 1826 and the latter, in Ohio, in the same year.
Dr. Cattron remained on his parents’ farm until he was nineteen years old, obtaining a good education in the public schools and later teaching school for a number of years. It early became his desire to follow a professional occupation and, with this idea in view, he began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. C. S. Fahnestock, at La Porte. Ind. In 1873 he entered Hahnemann Medical College, in Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1876, and at the same time took a special course in diagnosis with Professors Ross and Herring, of the Cook County Hospital, also receiving a diploma from that institution. In 1877 he obtained a diploma from the Chicago Homeopathic College.
Dr. Cattron first began the practice of his profession at Valparaiso, Ind., where he remained until 1889, when he removed to Pekin and since that year has established an excellent practice. He has been active in Y. M. C. A. matters, and was President of the Association for two years. He is also a member of the School Board, of which he was Secretary for four years. Professionally, he is a member of the Illinois Homeopathic Medical Society, of the Indiana Institute of Homeopathy and of the Society of Orificial Surgeons of Chicago, Ill. Socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum, the Modern Woodmen, and is trustee of the Baptist Church. He has two brothers, James V., a dentist in La Porte, Ind., and Dr. A. E., of Sharpsville, Pa. In politics he is a Republican.
Dr. Cattron was first married in La Porte, Ind., to Miss Lydia Ella Jones, on November 29, 1876, one child having been born of this union. Mrs. Cattron died October 6, 1882, and in 1883 Dr. Cattron was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Georgia L. Hayward. They had one daughter, Edith, who died in infancy.
Dr. Cattron passed on the evening of 8 Dec. 1921. The Directory of Deceased American Physicians 1804-1929 lists his cause of death as “hiccup attack.” His obituary was published in the Pekin Daily Times the next day on page 8, and reads as follows:
DR. CATTRON ENTERS INTO ETERNAL REST
Dr. W. O. Cattron, prominent physician and citizen, passed away last evening about 6 o’clock. He was taken seriously ill last Sunday, and gradually weaker until the end came. Few aside from his intimate friends realized the seriousness of his condition and the news of his death came as a shock to the community.
Dr. Cattron was a son of Samuel and Nancy Concannon Cattron and was born in LaPorte, Ind., December 31, 1852. He remained with his parents on the farm until 19 years of age, attending the public schools and later teaching school. Early in life he experienced a desire to practice medicine and he began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. C. S. Fahnestock, in LaPorte.
In 1873 he entered Hahneman Medical college in Chicago, graduating from that institution in 1876. He also took a special course in diagnosis under Professors Ross and Henry in the Cook County hospital, receiving a diploma, also in 1877 receiving a diploma from the Chicago Homeopathical college. He first began the practice of medicine at Valpariso, Ind., remaining there until 1889, when he came to Pekin. Here he has continued in his chosen profession ever since, building up a large and lucrative practice and being recognized as one of the leading physicians of this section.
Dr. Cattron has been active in the affairs of Pekin for many years and his passing removes from the community one of its leading and most highly esteemed citizens. He was active in Y. M. C. A. work, a member of the Congregational church, of which he was a deacon. He was a member of the Pekin school board for years, serving as its secretary for four years.
He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, being one of the organizers of the local lodge, in 1889, also of the Modern Woodmen and Royal Arcanum. Professionally, Dr. Cattron was a member of the Illinois Homeopathic Medical society, the Indiana Institute of Homeopathy and the Society of Orificial Surgeons of Chicago.
He was thrice united in marriage, his first marriage being to Miss Lydia Ellen Jones, his second to Mrs. Georgia L. Hayward, and his third to Mrs. Julia Hughes Smith, who with one daughter Mietta (sic – Sarah Mileta), wife of Fred Walker, of Concordia, Kansas, survives him. He also leaves two brothers, Dr. James V. Cattron, of LaPorte, Ind., and Dr. A. E. Cattron, of Sharpsville, Pa.
Funeral services will be held at the Congregational church, Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. Schwab, pastor of the church, officiating, and interment in Lakeside cemetery. The body of Dr. Cattron will be removed to the Congregational church tomorrow morning and lie in state. Friends may call at the church after 10 o’clock in the morning.
Dr. Cattron’s daughter Mileta was born of his first marriage to Lydia Ellen Jones. She died in 1970 in Blanding, Utah, and is buried in Blanding City Cemetery.
