Faithful and Untiring Doctor in the Prime of Life Yields to the Grim Reaper

As had been previously announced. Dr. F. L. Hammerstrand had volunteered his services in the U. S. Army and had made plans to leave this place and enter military service at Ft. Riley, Kansas on Oct. 19^th. A week before the appointed time he received word that a brother, also a soldier, was confined with Influenza-pneumonia in a hospital at New York City. The Doctor, though tired, and overworked with his extreme practice her left immediately for his brother’s bedside. No doubt his physical condition had much to do with his susceptibility to take the disease. He had been with his brother only a few days when he was stricken and the report of his death came like a stroke of lightning from a clear sky to his many friends and patrons of this vicinity. Words are inadequate to express the gloom that was cast over this community when the sad message conveying the news of his death came over the wires. All we can do is to join with Job and say: The Lord Gave, the Lord Taketh Away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Dr. Hammerstrand was born on a farm in the vicinity of East Linn, Ill., Oct. 11^th, 1881. He received his early education in the grammar school in the country and worked on his father’s farm until he was fourteen years of age. He next attended the Augustana College at Rock Island, Ill., taking up a business course which he served for three years as book-keeper with the Northern Milling Company of Chicago. In 1903 he again entered the collegiate department of Augustana College with the intention of preparing for a medical course. In 1905 he enters the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Medical Department of the University of Illinois from which he was graduated in 1909. He then served as interne at Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, for two years. In the fall of 1911 he located at Sacred Heart where he has since been busily engaged in the practice of medicine. He died Sunday morning Oct. 20. His body was shipped to the home of his parents at Paxton, Ill. At which place the funeral was held last Wednesday. Miss Otelia and Henning Tobenson were present at his funeral.

Dr. Hammerstrand was universally well-liked. He was one of those physicians who give so much of themselves to the sick, that they wear out prematurely. There is no doubt his system was overworked, attending the sick night and day, not taking the necessary rest at any time. He was a broad-minded man, never trying to force his opinion onto others, but giving credit to the ideas of the common people.

Dr. Hammerstrand showed his liberality in being on good terms with the Drugless practitioner of this place, and we sincerely hope we may be as fortunate in his successor.