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Elmer, Missouri - Early History
Dr. F.H. Newton
(Reprinted from the History of Macon County, 1910)
Born, reared, educated and trained in social life in the empire city of this country, and during the last seventeen years practicing medicine in a rural community in the West, Dr. Francis H. Newton of Elmer in this county has given a striking proof of his adaptability to circumstances and his readiness and capacity to meet their demands, whatever they may be. His record is a gratifying tribute to the versatility of
American manhood and an evidence of the commanding spirit of independence that dominates it.
Dr. Newton was born in New York city in 1858, a son of Lawrenceand Mary A. (Ettrick) Newton, natives of England and the parents of nine children. All the children of the household grew to maturity, the Doctor being the youngest of the nine. The father died in 1875 and the mother in 1877. The Doctor therefore became an orphan before he reached his manhood, and was left almost wholly to his own resources for advancement in life, without parental assistance or even guidance at the beginning of his career. He obtained a good elementary education and something more in the way of scholastic training in the public
schools of his native city, also attended Earlham College at Richmond, Indiana, and as soon as he completed their courses of instruction began the study of medicine. He had already chosen his life work, with the promptness of decision that has distinguished him always, and in his steady adherence to his first choice he has exemplified another characteristic
of his nature. His technical training for his professional work was secured at the Northwestern University St. Joseph, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1892, with the degree of M. D. from the medical department of that renowned and progressive institution.
In the whole history of a man, whatever of incident or adventure, of trial or triumph, it may involve, there can scarcely ever be any hour more intensely interesting or fraught with the greater weight of vital significance to him than the one in which he stands on the threshold of the big and busy world, and anxiously contemplates his own part in its work and selects the locality in which that shall be performed. Dr. Newton, no doubt, still recollects that hour in his experience with vividness, and recalls it even now with thrilling interest. But he did not dally on the verge of his responsibility. His face was set in line with the progress of the sun and the course of empire, and he promptly fell in with the moving tide and came to Missouri, a yet young but rapidly progressing portion of the country and laden with unworn opportunities for skill and ability industriously applied to any useful occupation.
He located at Elmer and began his practice. There was need for a man of his caliber in the town at the time and his arrival was at what close reasoners might call "the psychological moment." His progress was gratifying from the start and has been continuous and more and
more expansive ever since. He has devoted himself almost wholly to the demands of his business and is reaping the reward of his fidelity in an extensive and remunerative practice and a position of commanding influence in the regard and good will of the people to whose benefit he has so essentially ministered.