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State Hospital for the Insane The Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane, located at Mendota, near Madison, was opened for patients in July, 1860. Two years later, one longitudinal and one transverse wing on the west side were completed, since which time other additions have been made. The entire length of the hospital building is 569 feet, the center building being 65 x l20 feet. The first longitudinal wing on each side of the center is 132 feet, and the last on each extremity is 119 feet. The transverse wings are 87 feet long. This commodious building is surrounded by ornamental grounds, woods and farming lands, to the extent of 497 acres and is well adapted for the care of the unfortunates needing its protection. The hospital will now accommodate comfortably 520 patients. J. Edwards Lee, M. D., was the first medical superintendent having been elected by the first board of trustees on the 22d of June, 1859, and the furniture and furnishing of the center building and first wing, and arrangements for the reception of patients, were conducted under his supervision. The second board of trustees was organized April 10, 1860, and on the 22d of May following appointed John P. Clement, M. D., to supersede Dr. Lee as superintendent, and in June, 1860, Mrs. Mary C. Halliday was appointed matron. The first patient was admitted July 14, 1860. Dr. Clement resigned Jan. 1, 1864, and from that time until April 20, the hospital was in charge of John W. Sawyer, M. D., assistant physician, when A. H. Van Norstrand, M. D., was elected superintendent. Dr. Van Norstrand resigned June 6, 1868, and was succeeded by A. S. McDill, M. D. Dr. McDill resigned in October, 1872, and on the 29th of April, 1873, Mark Ranney, M. D., was appointed superintendent, and enter upon his duties July 23. Dr. Ranney resigned and was succeeded by A. S. McDill, M. D., in April, 1875. Dr. McDill was removed by death November 12, 1875. O. F. Boughton, M. D., who had served a number of years as assistant physician in the hospital, was chosen to fill the vacancy occasioned by Dr. McDill's death, and he held that position until July 1, 1881. Dr. R. M. Wigginton, of Watertown, was chosen to replace his successor by the Board of Supervision, July 1, 1881, and having been elected to be superintendent of the Northern Hospital for the Insane, was succeeded by Dr. S. B. Buckmaster, July 1, 1884. Dr. Buckmaster held the position until December 1, 1889, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Dr. Louis R. Head, of Oakwood Retreat, at Lake Geneva, Wis. On July 21, 1891, Dr. E. P. Taylor was elected to be successor of Dr. Head and entered upon the duties of the office Aug. 1, 1981. Dr. Taylor resigned July 1, 1893, and Dr. John B. Edwards of Mauston was chosen to succeed him. Dr. Edwards resigned July 1, 18955, and was succeeded by Dr. William Lyman. There has been paid from the State Treasury, up to Oct. 1, 1900, for real estate, buildings, improvements, repairs and current expenses of the hospital, in all the sum of $4,221,639.72.
The average number of patients in the hospital the past year has been 405 as against 397 the previous year, and the current expenses of $101,120.85, as against $104,185.67.
The Blue Book of the State of
Wisconsin. Complied and published under the direction of Wm. H.
Froehlich, Secretary of State. 1901. page 514 - 515 WIGenWeb Project Resources Back to State Institutions Page Photos on this page courtesy of Penny Postcards from WI ~ a USGenWeb Archives Site. (Use your back brower button when returning from the thumbnail photos.) |