Clarke, Jessie K., M. D.

The following data is extracted from Illustrated History of the State of Idaho.

In no field of endeavor requiring intellectuality has woman failed to demonstrate her equality with man, and more and more the different lines of professional labor are opening to her, and therein she is winning successes that are most creditable. Dr. Jessie K. Clarke, although a recent acquisition to the medical fraternity of Grangeville, has already demonstrated her right to be classed among the foremost physicians of Idaho County, and her ability is indicated by the liberal patronage she now enjoys. She makes a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and her labors have been attended by most gratifying results to patient and practitioner.

Dr. Clarke is a native of Ohio, her birth having occurred in Circleville, June 1, 1861. She is of English lineage on the paternal side and of Scotch descent on the maternal, her mother's people tracing their ancestry back to Sir William Wallace, one of the greatest heroes and patriots that his land has ever produced. The Clarkes have for generations been residents of New York. To this family belongs Dr. Elisha Clarke, a grand-uncle of the lady of whom we write. Her father, William A. Clarke, was a native of Albany, New York, was a farmer by occupation, and religiously was connected with the United Brethren church. He married Miss Sarah M. Cleveland, and to them were born eight children, all of whom are living. The father passed away in 1892, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife is now living, in her seventy-first year.

Dr. Clarke was educated in the Normal School and Business Institute, at Paola, Kansas, and in the Willamette University, in Oregon, graduating at the latter institution in the class of 1879. She pursued her medical education in the Edsworth Medical College, at St. Joseph, Missouri, where she was graduated with honors in the class of 1896, after which she spent a year in perfecting herself in her specialty in the New York Polyclinic. Thus well informed concerning the science of medicine, and particularly well versed concerning the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, she began practice in Topeka, Kansas, where she still has her office, which is now in charge of her partner, H. L. Akire. She is a valued member of the Kansas State Medical Society, also the City Medical Society and of the Academy of Medicine and Surgery in Topeka. She came to Grangeville in October, 1898, to see her mother and sister, who were ill, and was by them induced to open an office in Grangeville, where she is meeting with very gratifying success. She is a close student of her profession, and her knowledge of the science of medicine is comprehensive and accurate. Her zeal and devotion are manifest in the faithful performance of each day's duty, from which she also gains inspiration and strength for the labors of the succeeding day. She is very skillful in the diagnosing of a case, and has effected some remarkable cures.

Dr. Clarke is a lady of fine physique and most pleasing manner, is an excellent conversationalist and has a very sympathetic nature, which is manifest in her professional as well as social life. She deserves great credit for her success, for through her own efforts she has worked her way upward. By teaching she acquired the means that enabled her to pursue her professional education, and her resolution and zeal are most commendable. She has already won many friends in Grangeville and the surrounding country, and the medical fraternity accord her a leading place in their ranks.

Source: Illustrated History of the State of Idaho

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