Biography - James W. Sanders, M. D.
JAMES W. SANDERS, M. D. The young physician whose early success it is
our pleasure here to chronicle, is a native of this State, and as such he
should receive the encouragement and recognition that his ability and
standing in the profession merits. He was born in Pawnee, Sangamon County,
this State, February 21, 1864, and up to the age of eighteen was reared on a
farm. He early felt a sympathy with nature and the botany of the woods and
meadows became familiar to him, and in his studies later his knowledge of
simples was of great advantage to him. In selecting a field for the exercise
of his professional skill, he felt that a young man could not find a better
location than the thriving young town of Windsor and here he settled, and is
already highly regarded among the medical profession.
In his boyhood, our subject attended the common schools, pursuing his course
there until eighteen years of age. he then entered the Normal school at
Valparaiso where he remained about six months and then entered the Central
Normal College at Danville, Ind., after which he returned home and engaged
in teaching for one and a half years. It is said that a teacher always
learns more than his best pupils and doubtless Dr. Sanders found the
discipline to he of value and in teaching his pupils to be diligent in study
and obedient, the lesson was impressed upon his own mind that self-control
is of all qualities the most desirable to a professional man.
In the fall of 1886, the original of our sketch entered the Chicago Medical
College, pursuing his course there with great credit to himself. His life
also in the great metropolis, was an education to the young man in itself,
and he found many opportunities of widening his intellectual horizon outside
of lectures and clinics. He graduated in 1889 with much honor to himself and
the piece of parchment that he at that time received, bearing the signature
of some of the finest physicians in the West, who attested that his course
had been pursued with credit to himself, is a precious testimonial to him of
hours spent in preparing for the profession which was his choice. At once
after graduating he began practice at Windsor, where he is so fortunate as
already to have gained a fine patronage. He stands as one of the best
physicians in the city.
We feel that too much credit cannot be accorded to the man or woman who has
had the grit and stamina not only to be unabashed by the difficulties of a
chosen course, but also to work their way, sweeping aside any obstacle that
may intervene between them and their purpose. It redounds greatly to the
credit of our subject, that at every spare moment and during vacations, he
was working in order to gain a permanent foothold as a student, and this he
accomplished by getting a position with the Chicago Hansom Cab Company. To
him belongs the credit and honor of having organized the Chicago Medical
Nurse Bureau, which is composed of senior students of the Chicago Medical
College. This also was of great help to him in a financial way.
Our subject was married near Paris, Edgar County, this State, March 11,
1886, to Miss Ida M. Zink, who is a native of Edgar County, Ill. One little
boy has come to brighten his parents' pathway, and is the pet and pride of
both father and mother. Our subject's father was Robert E. Sanders, and his
mother was Elizabeth (Bridges) Sanders. The latter passed away in 1865 in
Pawnee Township, Sangamon County. The father still survives and is a
resident of Pawnee Township.
Doubtless Dr. Sanders' success in Windsor, as a professional man, is owing,
to a large extent, to the personal favor in which he is with the people. He
is an energetic, ambitious man, and the progress of his profession will
never leave him in the rear. He has a pleasant home, which is presided over
by his estimable wife.
Extracted 25 Apr 2020 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 668-669.
