THE ALGONA HOSPITAL

I never seem to have problems coming up with topics for blog posts.  It is always my hope that you will find each subject as interesting as I do.  I certainly enjoy reading your comments and suggestions.  When I received a request for a story on the history of the hospital in Algona, I was delighted to comply.  I had done some research on the local hospitals in the past and so already had quite a bit of material gathered.  Today we are going to look at the Algona Hospital, the first of its kind in our community.

THE LOCATION SITE

This hospital was located in the northwest corner of the intersection of State and Harlan streets.  In the very early days of Algona it was the site of the R. M Bessie home according to the “History of Kossuth County” published in 1913 by B.F. Reed.  Sometime prior to 1867 the Harrison House hotel was built at that location.  Its original owner and proprietor was Frank Harrison.  It exchanged hands several times and in 1881 was once again for sale.  The business was purchased by Aaron Rutherford and was rechristened the Rutherford House.

Rutherford House

Providing lodging must have been a booming trade in Algona by 1884 because there were three hotels in town.  Despite his competition, Aaron Rutherford chose that year to expand his business.  Moving the old building back on the lot, he constructed a new modern structure 60 feet long and 22 feet high.  The old hotel was attached at the back for use as a kitchen and for other needs.  At a cost of $4,250, the new Rutherford House was declared to be one of the finest hotels in town.

The Rutherford House, sometimes known as the Kossuth County Hotel, remained an inn until 1906 when it was purchased by Dr. M.J. Kenefick for use as a hospital.

DR. M.J. KENEFICK

Dr. Michael J. Kenefick came to Algona in 1892.  Born in Ripon, Wisconsin, in May of 1861, he traveled to Iowa as a child with his parents by covered wagon.  They settled in Ackley where he graduated from high school.  Initially the young man was interested in teaching.  He received a diploma from the State Teacher’s College in 1883.  After serving for a short time as a principal at Steamboat Springs, Michael enrolled in medical school in Iowa City which he attended for two years before transferring to Rush Medical School in Chicago where he graduated just prior to his arrival in town.  He spent a few brief months in Marshalltown before deciding that Algona was the place to be. 

The new physician rented an office in the Algona Republican building and set up practice.  He was soon very busy performing surgeries, making house calls and delivering babies.  Along with another local physician, Dr. Pride, he conducted the Algona Gold Cure for treatment of patients with liquor, morphine and tobacco addictions. 

Dr. Kenefick began to contemplate the operation of a hospital in the early years of the 20^th century.  When the Rutherford House came on the market, he decided that it was time. 

THE REMODELING PROJECT

The first step in the remodeling was the installation of a basement.  The building was lifted and excavation began.  The City of Algona used the dirt which was removed for grading purposes.  A cement block basement was laid which, when completed, raised the building about 30 inches above its previous elevation.  A large portico adorned the front of the building with columns of cement block for supports.  Doors to the basement were located below.  The interior was completely renovated and a heating plant installed.  New plumbing for bathrooms and lavatories was added.  Even the roof was newly shingled.

The Rutherfords had resided at the hotel under their ownership and so when the building was remodeled residence quarters were also included for the Kenefick family.  In fact, as part of the purchase, Cora Rutherford, the widow of Aaron, received the Kenefick home on North Dodge Street in lieu of a portion of the sale price and so the two families actually exchanged living quarters. 

Dr. Kenefick moved his office to the hospital building early in 1907 while still in the midst of construction.  He also traveled to Chicago in April of that year to order suitable equipment and other necessary furnishings. 

THE HOSPITAL OPENS

An official opening of the hospital was held on September 15, 1907.  Less than a month later a Dr. Murphy from Mason City came to tour the hospital and visit with Dr. Kenefick about its operations.  It seems that Mason City did not have a hospital at that time.  Although a plan to build a hospital had been formulated, sufficient funds for construction could not be raised.  I find it quite interesting that Algona had a hospital before Mason City.

Although privately owned, Dr. Kenefick offered the use of the hospital to other area physicians.  Local as well as visiting doctors would often use the facility.  Many surgeries were performed in the operating room there with follow up patient care on site.  It was interesting to note that several articles referred to the hospital as being scrupulously neat and clean.  Obviously the doctor maintained very sanitary conditions.  Many appendicitis operations were performed there as well as cancer surgeries.  As early as 1915 the facility had an x-ray machine which was put to good use for the diagnosis of broken bones.  During a typhoid outbreak, the hospital was filled to capacity with patients from as far away as Britt and Goldfield.

Edith Kenefick, Michael’s wife, was a graduate of nursing school and a wonderful asset for the hospital operations.  In addition to caring for patients, she was in charge of training and supervising the nursing staff.  Many area women worked and studied under her guidance.  In addition, several student doctors served their residency at the Algona Hospital.

Always with a burning desire to further his education and to learn the latest in medical developments, Dr. Kenefick took many classes.  Early on in his practice, he closed his office doors for six months while he took a class in bacteriology.  Later he took post graduate work at the Postgraduate and Polyclinic hospitals in Chicago, the Minnesota university college of medicine and at Bellevue, New York. 

He served as past president of the Austin-Flint, Cedar Valley and Twin Lakes medical societies and in every office in the Kossuth County Medical Association.  Because of his statewide reputation, he also served a term as president of the Iowa State Medical Association. 

The good doctor had a reputation for treating all people equally, whether rich or poor.  No matter the weather he had to battle, Dr. Kenefick would do his best to care for his patients.  He often treated people without any expectation of payment and would turn down payments from families he felt were too destitute to afford his fees even when they would somehow scrape the funds together.

Blessed with a good sense of humor, he was full of Irish wit and loved to both share a joke and to hear one as well.  It was said that his friends were numbered by his acquaintances.

THE ALGONA HOSPITAL CLOSES

The hospital officially closed January 31, 1931 after 24 years of faithful service to the community.  There were several reasons for the closing.  Vera Ogren, the head nurse who had been managing the hospital for the last few years, had resigned to get married leaving an aging Dr. Kenefick to find an appropriate replacement.  A competing hospital was also operating in Algona making it difficult for each to pay their way.  Improvements in travel made it much easier for patients to seek treatment out of town.   

The patients and all hospital equipment were transferred to the Kossuth Hospital.  Dr. Kenefick continued to office in the building until the structure was sold a few months later to the local Masons to be transformed into a Masonic Temple.  In 1973 the building was torn down to make room for a drive up banking facility for Iowa State Bank.

The doctor moved his office to new quarters where he continued to practice.  He was delighted when his nephew, Dr. John Kenefick, moved to Algona and joined his practice.  However, their partnership did not last long.  Not in the best of health, Dr. M.J. Kenefick passed quietly from this life on August 5, 1932, from a brain hemorrhage in his sleep.

The site in 2016

The Algona Hospital became a cornerstone of downtown Algona.  The structure was admired by local citizens and visitors alike and was often included as a universally recognizable symbol of Algona.  It was pictured on postcards both on its own and grouped with other one-of-a-kind community buildings.  Thanks to these many photos, it will live on in the history of Algona.

Until next time,

Jean

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