Dr. Elizabeth Miner
1867-1961
Dr. Elizabeth Miner was born December 25, 1867, in Blakesburg, Iowa. She was educated in schools in Milford, Iowa, graduated from Shenandoah Teachers College in Shenandoah, Iowa, and later graduated from Denver, Colorado Medical School in 1895. She was the first female physician in McDonough County and rose against significant odds to be a statewide medical leader.
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After her first husband died, Elizabeth reassessed and decided to go to medical school. Because very few medical schools accepted women, she applied using her initials, "E. R.," and was accepted. When she arrived, she was told that the school did not accept women. She told them that they just had, so they reconsidered and admitted her. She practiced briefly in Greeley, Colorado, before marrying William Miner and moving to Macomb in 1895.
She opened her practice, and also served on the boards of the Holmes, St. Francis, and Phelps hospitals and taught in the nursing schools of each. Her medical practice was located in an upstairs office on the south side of the Square. Dr. Miner was a charter member of the McDonough County Medical society organized in 1897 and served as its first secretary. She was a candidate for the position of Supreme Medical Director of Illinois in 1897, but at the last vote she was defeated by the past director. In 1945, she was honored by the McDonough County Medical Association for having practiced medicine for 50 years.
In the community, Dr. Miner was a member of the General Macomb Chapter DAR, Delphian Society, Business and Professional Women's Club, and the First Baptist Church of Macomb. After retiring, she and her husband spent their winters in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she was an avid chess player. She was a champion player and won many tournaments. Elizabeth and William were married more than 50 years.
Dr. Miner also enjoyed singing and was a member of The Three Century Choral Group for many years and appeared in "Granddad," in a newsreel of Florida, which was played in theaters around the country.
Photo and information courtesy of Malpass Library Archives and John Hallwas.
.
After her first husband died, Elizabeth reassessed and decided to go to medical school. Because very few medical schools accepted women, she applied using her initials, "E. R.," and was accepted. When she arrived, she was told that the school did not accept women. She told them that they just had, so they reconsidered and admitted her. She practiced briefly in Greeley, Colorado, before marrying William Miner and moving to Macomb in 1895.
She opened her practice, and also served on the boards of the Holmes, St. Francis, and Phelps hospitals and taught in the nursing schools of each. Her medical practice was located in an upstairs office on the south side of the Square. Dr. Miner was a charter member of the McDonough County Medical society organized in 1897 and served as its first secretary. She was a candidate for the position of Supreme Medical Director of Illinois in 1897, but at the last vote she was defeated by the past director. In 1945, she was honored by the McDonough County Medical Association for having practiced medicine for 50 years.
In the community, Dr. Miner was a member of the General Macomb Chapter DAR, Delphian Society, Business and Professional Women's Club, and the First Baptist Church of Macomb. After retiring, she and her husband spent their winters in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she was an avid chess player. She was a champion player and won many tournaments. Elizabeth and William were married more than 50 years.
Dr. Miner also enjoyed singing and was a member of The Three Century Choral Group for many years and appeared in "Granddad," in a newsreel of Florida, which was played in theaters around the country.
Photo and information courtesy of Malpass Library Archives and John Hallwas.
