Part V. State Institutions
- Northern Hospital for the Insane
[pp. 723-724]
OFFICERS.
W. A. GORDAN, M.D. .............................................................................................................................
Superintendent
A. SHERMAN, M.D. .........................................................................................................................................
Assistant
THOMAS R. JONES, M.D. ...............................................................................................................................
Assistant
R. J. DYSART, M.D. ..........................................................................................................................................
Assistant
LUCY WARNER ...............................................................................................................................................
Assistant
J. V. N. SONN ................................................................................................................................................
Pharmacist
A. P. ALLER .......................................................................................................................................................
Steward
L. E. GILSON .......................................................................................................................................
Assistant Steward
MISS MINNIE SCHRIBER ..................................................................................................................................
Matron
In 1870 a law was passed authorizing an additional hospital
for the insane. After an examination of several sites in
different parts of the state by a commission appointed for
that purpose, choice was made of the location offered by the
citizens of Oshkosh, consisting of 337 acres of land, about four
miles north of the city, on the west shore of Lake Winnebago.
The necessary appropriations were made, and the north wing and
central building were completed and opened for the admission
of patients in 1873. Further appropriations were made from time
to time for additional wings, and in 1875, the hospital was completed
according to the original design, at a total cost to the state
of six hundred and twenty-five thousand, two hundred and fifty
dollars. Since that time some additional land has been purchased,
the original buildings modified, and others erected. This hospital
will now, without crowding, suitably accommodate 650 patients.
In December 1873, Dr. Walter Kempster, of Utica, New York,
was elected superintendent and continued to act as
such by successive re-elections, until the close of the term
ending July 1, 1884, when he was succeeded by Dr. R. M. Wiggington,
who had had several years' experience as assistant and superintendent
in the State Hospital for the Insane near Madison. Upon the close
of the official year, July 1, 1887, Dr. Walter Kempster was again
elcted superintendent but after serving three months, he resigned
the position, and Dr. Charles E. Booth, of Elroy, Wis., was elected
his successor.
On July 21, 1891, Dr. F. W. Wegge, of Milwaukee, was elected
to succeed Dr. Booth, and became superintendent
August 1, 1891.
Dr. Wegge resigned October 1, 1894, and Dr. D. G. Hathaway,
of Wauwatosa, was elected his successor. Dr.
Hathaway resigned July 1, 1895, and was succeeded by Dr.
W. A. Gordon, of Oshkosh.
There has been paid from the state treasury up to June 30,
1904, for real estate, buildings, improvements, repairs and
current expenses of the hospital, in all the sum of $4,676,210.44.
Whole number of patients admitted since the opening of the
hospital April 21, 1873 ........................... 12,333