F. C. Skinner, M. D. >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Skinner, Wiggin, Kahlke, Hiddle, Heuring, Jensen, Williams. Dr. F. C. Skinner, although one of the younger representatives of the medical profession, is demonstrating his ability to handle complex problems in his line and has built up a good general practice in and around Le Claire. He was born in Rock Island, Illinois, may 30, 1873, a son of Almond and Augusta (Wiggin) Skinner. He is a representative of a good old New England family and has in his possession tow old land grants given to the Lees on his mother's side, during the reign of King George III, one dated July 1, 1761, and the other November 8, 1764. The Docotr is a lineal descendant of Captain Mason of Revolutionary fame and has the dagger and powder horn carried by that gentleman during the war for independence. The Doctor's father was born near Buffalo, New York, and was a painter by trade. At one time he had charge of the paint department for the Rock Island plow factory and painted the first engine that was run west by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. This engine was named Big Chief and the picture which Mr. Skinner painted on the tender of the locomotive was of an Indian chief standing on Council Bluffs. Mr. Skinner made his home in Rock Island for many years and owned the land that is now occupied by Kahlke Brothers as a boatyard. The father died when our subject was but two and a half years old and there were three other children in the family but all are now deceased except our subject. After the after the father's death, the mother, who was a native of Niles, New Hampshire, removed with her family to Rochester, Minnesota, and eventually was married to Louis Hiddle, a druggist of Mackinaw, Illinois, where they still make their home. There is one daughter of this marriage,! Maud, now the wife of John Heuring, a resident of Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Skinner was very young when he was taken by his mother to Rochester, Minnesota, and at the usual age he entered the public schools of that city and before completing his education it was necessary for him to go to school, being employed during the day. In this way, he saved enough money to pursue a college course in Davenport, while later he pursued a classical course at Eureka College, in Eureka, Illinois. In the meantime the medical profession appealed very strongly to him and eh entered the Iowa State Medical College, graduating from that institution on the 28th of March, 1898. Dr. Skinner spent some time as an employe in a hospital at Iowa City, Iowa, and then opened an office at Port Byron, Illinois. He then came to Le Claire, where he has since been engaged in general practice. Of studious nature, he is ever seeking to advance his knowledge of medicine through reading and investigation and all acknowledge his worth as a practitioner and as a man. For the past nine years he has served as health officer and in this connection is working toward more sanitary conditions. Dr. Skinner has been married twice. He was first married in 1900 to Miss Grace Jensen, a daughter of Charles Jensen, of Rock Island, Illinois. Her death occurred October 5, 1902, her remains being interred in the Rock Island cemetery. For his second wife the Doctor chose Vergie L. Williams, their marriage being celebrated on the 11th of May 1904. She is a daughter of George and Eva Williams, the former born near Norwich, New York, October 12, 1848, and the latter at McGraw, that state, November 30, 1851. The family settle in Le Claire about 1871, and the father was a fireman on steamboats which plied the Mississippi river, following that business for many years. He is also a charter member of the knights of Pythias lodge of Le Claire and is an influential and highly respected citizen of this community. Dr. Skinner belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the American Patriots. He early displayed the elemental strength of his character, when, realizing the necessity for a good education suited to the demands of the times that he might start out in life well equipped for strenuous service, he devoted his evening hours to study, and this has proved one of his strongest characteristics through life, for he still devotes his leisure hours to study. While all recognize his ability and worth of character and are ever ready to pay deference to his excellent qualities, in nature he is modest and retiring and in his expressions concerning brother practitioners is friendly and indulgent. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES