My Genealogy Hound

DAVID WASSON STORMONT, M. D.
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 geerations. 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 $5000 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.