Oliver W. Kulp, M. D. >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Kulp, Cauffman, Bettendorf. Dr. Oliver W. Kulp, physician and surgeon of Davenport, his native city, was born July 4, 1874, the son of Dr. John H. Kulp, who was a native of Sherman, Summit county, Ohio, born on the 21st of June, 1849. John H. Kulp obtained his literary education in the Mennonite Academy at Wadsworth, Ohio, an din 1869 came to Iowa, taking up the study of medicine in the medical department of the University of Iowa, which institution conferred upon him the degree of M. D. in 1872. He had studied under the direction of Professor Robertson, of Muscatine, Iowa, who was professor of the theory and practice of medicine in the University of Iowa. Prior to his graduation he entered the State Hospital for the Insane at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, as apothecary and hospital clerk and after receiving his degree he was appointed second assistant physician of that institution, which position he held for two and a half years, when he was made first assistant. He likewise spent one season at post-graduate! work in Bellevue Hospital of New York city and in 1874 opened an office at Davenport, Iowa, continuing a successful and prominent practitioner of medicine here until the time of his demise. He gradually began specializing in nervous and mental diseases and diseases of women and eventually devoted his attention exclusively to those branches. For more than twenty years he acted as trustee of Mount Pleasant Hospital, was a member of the consulting board of St. Luke's Hospital and served as alienist of the insane department at Mercy Hospital. He was likewise surgeon for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. For two terms he acted as president of the Scott County Medical Society, while in the Iowa and Illinois Central District Medical Society he was also elected to that responsible position, serving for one term. On the 24th of September, 1873, Dr. John H. Kulp was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Cauffman, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, by whom he had two sons: Oliver W., of this review; and Ray Ranney, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Both have followed in the professional footsteps of their father. John H. Kulp was a republican in his political views, while fraternally he was identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Oliver W. Kulp was educated in the public schools, wherein he continued his course until graduating from the high school. He then entered upon the study of medicine in the Iowa State University and was graduated in the class of 1896, after which he entered his father's office and practiced as his partner until the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, when he enlisted as a private of Company B, Fiftieth Iowa infantry, with which he served until stricken with swamp fever. He still remained an active member of the National Guard, holding the rank of captain until February 10, 1910, when he resigned. Since his return home he has devoted his attention to his practice. He takes a deep interest in public affairs but is not an office seeker. His political support is given to the republican party where national issues are involved but at local elections he casts an independent ballot. In 1902 Dr. Kulp wedded Miss May Bettendorf, a daughter of W. P. Bettendorf, and they have one son, John William. Dr. Kulp is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and with other fraternal societies. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES