A Springfield Doctor: Wilbur Condell

Wilbur Condell, born the second son of John Shepperd and Arabella Rice Condell in 1849, grew up with one older brother John S. Jr. 1847 and three younger sisters, Arabella Jane 1851, Ella 1856, and Alice 1859.Not much is known of the sibling's younger years. Their father worked as a merchant and ran a series of successful Dry Goods stores located across the street from the Illinois State Capitol. As a result of his success, the siblings grew up in Aristocracy Hill with the wealthy and influential citizens of Springfield IL as their neighbors.

Wilbur Condell graduated high school in 1863 and went to work as a teacher in a district school outside of Springfield. His stint as a teacher was short. It wasn’t long before he decided he could offer more to his community if he became a physician. In April 1869 Wilbur Condell entered Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. The school was known for its traditional medical program and its curriculum in alternative medical practice. He received his Doctor of Medicine on February 22, 1871 specializing in Homeopathic Medicine. After graduation Dr. Condell moved back to central Illinois, establishing his first medical practice in Petersburg Il in 1873. He moved his practice twice in 1874. First to Virden IL where he stayed a few months before deciding to move back to his home town.

In 1877 Illinois passed the Illinois Medical Practice Act, a law which regulates the practice of medicine. It eliminated unqualified practitioners and required all physicians to obtain a state approved license to practice medicine in Illinois. Dr. Condell received his license in 1878 and earned the reputation as a prudent medical adviser and an active member of the medical community. He formed the Springfield Scientific Academy and was elected vice president of the Medical Association, both organizations working for the mutual benefit of professionals and patrons, and encouraging the enforcement of state laws to prevent ‘irregular practitioners.’ Dr. Condell contributed his knowledge to local and out of town publications. He edited articles for Scientist and Critic, a local publication specializing in natural history, health, medical, scientific, and art topics and at the request of of Medical Call, a publication in Quincy Illinois, contributed a series of articles on diseases of the brain, spine and nerves.

Despite a gradual paralysis that began to cripple his movements, Dr. Condell continued his work as a physician. In 1888 he established the Springfield Medical Plant Laboratory. A business consisting of three warehouses used as dry houses for the roots and herbs needed in the manufacture of medical preparations. All the plants dried in the warehouses were gathered locally, in or near the city. Many citizens allowed Dr. Condell to gather plants from their own properties where they were considered ‘weeds that are a positive nuisance.’ After the plants were properly dried, they were shipped to Cincinnati, Detroit, Peoria or cities where the manufacture of medicines was common.

When asked if Springfield could become a manufacturing town for medicine Condell replied, “The inquiry is often made whether the whole process of manufacture could not be carried on in Springfield. I believe there is no reason why it should not be. I will show you a few specimens of my own manufacture from fresh roots and herbs of this season.” The reporter interviewing Dr. Condell was shown several medicines Dr. Condell had created from fresh roots, herbs, and barks. These medicines were to supply popular demand for nutritive tonic, cough syrups, healing slaves, and various other necessaries. Dr. Condell’s goal was to make his business sufficiently profitable, able to support several men and boys employed at a fair wage. He planned to grow his business to increase the cities productive capacity and wealth.

Even through his health continued to decline, Dr. Condell continued to study medicine and was looked upon as an authority in the medical field. On the afternoon of July 17, 1901 Dr. Condell was found asleep by the window in his childhood home. Despite his brother and father’s efforts they were unable to wake him. The family doctor, Dr. H.B. Buck moved Dr. Wilbur Rice Condell to his bed where he passed away without regaining consciousness. He was 52 years old.