Biographical Sketch of

Herbert D. B. Dustin

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 631 - 632


Herbert D. B. Dustin, physician and surgeon of Markesan, Wis., is a native of White River Junction, Vt., and 
is descended from old New England stock.  His father, Jonathan Dustin, was born in Windham, N. H., in 1802, 
and married Miss Elizabeth Emery, who was born in Beddeford, Me., in 1808.  She was a small child when the 
War of 1812 broke out, but well remembers seeing the red coats coming up Sago Bay.  Her father, Joseph Emery, 
was a sea captain throughout his entire life and met his death on the ocean.  She had seven brothers who were 
also captains on the sea and four of them were drowned.  They were a hardy people and were descended from an 
old New England family.
 
To Mr. and Mrs. Dustin were born seven children, four sons and three daughters--Emery, the eldest, died at 
the age of three years; Eliza is now a resident of Waltham, Mass.; Eben, who enlisted in Company A, 2nd 
Massachusetts Infantry served in the Army of the Potomac and was wounded at the battle of Antiem, a ball 
passing from his elbow to his wrist.  He died in the hospital at Harrisburg, Pa., one of the noble martyrs 
of the Union cause.  Samuel C., is a noted occulist, having charge of that department of Wright & Kay, of 
Detroit.  He married Miss Clara Root, of Oneida County, N. Y., daughter of Ward Root, one of the prominent 
settlers of that county; Gertrude L., who was partially blind from her birth until seventeen years of age, 
when she recovered her sight, is living in Waltham, Mass.; Sarah C. died in the twenty-third year of her age.
 
In early life, Mr. Dustin supported the Whigs and was a great admirer of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.  In 
his youth he learned the trade of manufacturing machinist and engaged in that business in White river Junction, 
Vt., also in Nashua, N. H.  In the latter city, while engaged at work, he received an injury in the knee which 
caused his death.  He was a man of much more than ordinary ability, respected by all who knew him and his loss 
was deeply mourned.  In early life, he united with the Congregational Church and was one of its most faithful 
members.  For many years he taught in the Sabbath-school and did all in his power to advance the cause of 
Christianity among men.  His excellent wife, who is also a member of the Congregational Church, is now living 
in Waltham, Mass., at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
 
Mr. Dustin of this sketch passed his early life in the East.  He was educated in the grammar schools at Nashua 
and in the grammar and high school at Waltham, Mass.  He did not immediately begin the study of the medical 
profession, but devoted his attention to other interests, as his health permitted.  We find him in Wisconsin 
in 1871, having left his home in New Hampshire for the West with the hope that he might be restored to health.  
It was feared that he had already become a victim of consumption but the Western air seemed to agree with him 
and he was speedily restored.  On forming the desire to become a physician, he entered the office of Dr. Pierce 
Tyrell, under whom he pursued his studies until 1877.  However, in the winter season, he attended lectures at 
the Bennett Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated on the 23d day of March, 1877.  He first 
located at Earlville, Ill., but as the water there did not agree with him he was compelled to leave his practice, 
and came to Markesan, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession with the exception of a 
short time  spent in Minnesota and Dakota.  Dr. Dustin is a great admirer of fine horses , especially pacers, 
owning "Tyrone" 1591, also "Antante" a grandson of "Almont," and several fine bred mares, believing in quality 
more than quantity.
 
Step by step, Dr. Dustin has mounted the ladder of fame until he now stands in the front rank amid his 
professional brethren of the community.  He takes great pride in keeping abreast of the times and is familiar 
with all the latest discoveries and theories pertaining to his profession.  He is a most indefatigable worker 
in whatever he undertakes and possessing intellectual abilities of a high order, has been remarkably successful 
in his chosen career.  When in Minnesota, he was chosen as surgeon of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, 
and also held the office of County Physician.  He is now serving as examiner of the Northwestern Life Insurance 
Company of Milwaukee, and is Health Officer of Markesan.  He is a member of the Wisconsin Eclectical Medical 
Society, and in 1879, was Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.  Socially, the Doctor is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, belonging to Blue Lodge, No. 59, A. F. & A. M., of Markesan; Hoka Chapter, No. 16, R. A. M., of Hoka, 
Minn.; Cordelion Commandery, No. 3, K. T., of Winona, Minn.

The reader's attention is called to the portrait of the Doctor upon another page.






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