Person:David Stormont (1)

With the death of Dr. David Wasson Stormont, at his beautiful home in Topeka, Kansas, on August 18, 1887, was brought to a close a useful and well-rounded life, rich in good deeds and dear to the memory of thousands. He was born September 26, 1820, at Princeton, Gibson County, Indiana. His father was a substantial man of that locality who was able to give his son the advantages of a college education.

Dr. Stormont received his degree in 1845, and began and continued his practice until 1859, in the village of Grand View, Illinois, in the meantime adding to his medical knowledge and surgical skill by post-graduate courses at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1862 he sought the attractive field offered by the rapidly growing city of Topeka, with which city he was identified during the succeeding 25 years. He was connected with many medical organizations and was a strong supporter of the movement that was organized to spread a knowledge of advanced methods and to require a higher standard of medical education for the profession. For a number of years he was secretary of the State Board of Health. In practice he was all that could be desired in a physician, adding to this medical skill the true sympathy of a tender-hearted man. The influence Dr. Stormont wielded, both directly and by his stimulating example, was not confined in its effects entirely to the medical profession, but was apparent in the promotion of educational and philanthropic works.

On October 30, 1848, Dr. Stormont was married to Jane Cree Smith, of Grand View, Illinois. This estimable lady survives and it has been her pleasure to not only carry out many philanthropic plans of her late husband but to erect at Topeka enduring monuments to his memory. In the Stormont Medical Library and in The Jane C. Stormont Hospital and Training School for Nurses are public gifts which will bring blessings in their wake for generations. Other public buildings have profited by her generosity while her helping hand is continually extended in support of innumerable charities. The hospital was established in 1895, at which time Mrs. Stormont gave the building lots and the sum of $20,000. This institution has since been enlarged and has achieved grand results in the field of charity. Mrs. Stormont gave to the Stormont Medical Library books to the value of $5,000 and for its maintenance endowed the library with the same amount. She also contributed the sum of $5,000 to the support of the Topeka Free Public Library.

The late Dr. Stormont was no politician, but he always took a deep interest in public matters and was the advisor of many prominent political and business organizers, his high character and sterling integrity making his support very valuable. During the administration of President Lincoln he was. appointed receiver of public moneys at Topeka. His remains rest in the Topeka Cemetery under a monument of enduring granite, typical of the strength of his character and also of the long-continued remembrance of his fellow-citizens.

Mrs. Stormont resides in a handsome home at Ingleside, and is surrounded by many friends of long years standing. Portraits of Dr. and Mrs. Stormont accompany this sketch.

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Topeka, ED 7, Sheet 131D, Dwelling 185, Family 204, Lines 49-50, NARA microfilm publication T9-0397

DAVID WASSON STORMONT, born September 26, 1820, Princeton, Indiana. Residence, Topeka, Kansas. Educated, Princeton Seminary. Degrees, A.B., A.M. and M.D., from University of Pennsylvania. Occupation, practice of medicine.

DR. STORMONT DEAD - The Distinguished Citizen of Topeka Passes Away Suddenly
Dr. D. W. Stormont, who has been a citizen of Topeka for 25 years and who one of the most prominent physicians of the state, died last evening at his residence on Harrison Street, between Fifth and Sixth Streets.

This sudden death of one of Topeka's most highly respected citizens will be a great shock not only to the citizens of Topeka, but to many people throughout the state. Only a few of the doctor's acquaintances were aware of his illness, which has been of short duration, and until a short time before his death his relatives and friends did not realize that he was in a dangerous condition, and even a few minutes before his soul took its departure, his wife would not believe that death was near at hand.

Dr. Stormont died of gastrology, or neuralgia of the stomach and bowels - a nervous disease which comes on suddenly and completely prostrates the person who is attacked with it. Dr. Stormont has been subject to these attacks for nearly 40 years, having sometimes as many as three or four attacks in a year, and not a year has passed that he has not had one or two attacks. Heretofore these attacks had not been considered dangerous, though the doctor has on more than one occasion suffered for a short time with what has been pronounced a very serious attack. The exhaustion following three separate attacks in rapid succession was the cause of the doctor's death.

Dr. Stormont was a native of Indiana, he was born at Princeton, that state, in 1820, so that he is now 67 years of age. He received his early education at the village school, but being a young man of ambition and pluck, he did not stop at the common school. He entered the University of Indiana, and was one of the foremost student of that institution, receiving from it the degree of master of arts. When he left the university his naturally strong mind was equipped by a thorough education. He was a profound thinker and a close student, and even when a young man was thoroughly posted on all the topics of the day, and could successfully cope with older heads in a discussion of the current issues. Early in life he expressed a preference to be a physician, and soon after leaving the University of Indiana, he took a course in the Ohio medical college at Cincinnati; afterwards he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated with high honors from that institution.

He began the practice of medicine at Grand View, Ill. and at once built up a successful practice. In 1848 he was married to Miss Jane Smith, of Grand View, daughter of Colonel Tom Smith, who was an active participant in the Mexican war, and was for many years a conspicuous figure in Illinois history.

After 17 years practice at Grand View he removed to Kansas, locating in 1862 at Topeka, and he at once took an active part in advancing the welfare of the city, and from the day of his arrival to the time of his death he has been one of Topeka's recognized citizens, always in the front rank when the public interests were involved.

Dr. Stormont's reputation as a learned physician extended beyond the boundaries of the State of Kansas. For 25 years he has been a member of the American Medical Association, and at present is a member of the judicial council of that association. This council consists of nine physicians who are selected because of their superior medical education, and they are called upon to decide any question upon the subject of medicine that may be brought up. To be one of the nine men selected for this purpose is indeed a great honor.

He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was one of the staunchest supporters of that church. He has been a lifelong Republican and has always taken an active interest in politics. In every public matter he has taken a most prominent part. Especially was he of value to Topeka in her early days, when she was in her infancy. No man can look over Dr. Stormont's busy life and point to a single spot that is touched with dishonor. He was the soul of honor. At the time of his death he was a stockholder in the street railroad, a stockholder in the Topeka bank, and also the Central bank, a stockholder in the Topeka Investment company, and in the water company. He was the owner of much valuable property in Topeka, including the Stormont building on Sixth street. He was one of the founders of the city library, and has been a director and one of its strongest supporters since its establishment.

Topeka owes more to Dr Stormont than she is aware of; he was one of those quiet and unpretentious men who went about doing good without making a noise about it. His death will be mourned by every citizen. Dr Stormont's brother who resides in Sparta, Ill, has been telegraphed for, and it is probable the funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon at the Presbyterian church.