Early Female Physicians in Defiance - Dr. Kate Hoover

Around the turn of the century, and even earlier, Defiance was blessed with at least five dedicated female physicians: Dr. Belle (Craven) Slocum, Dr. Kate Hoover, Dr. Nettie Belau, Dr. Adelia Rohn and Dr. Ella White.  All dedicated themselves to the care of the people of Defiance and its immediate surroundings.

* Dr. Catherine (Kate) Hoover - 1848-1919
     
In the 1860 census, Catherine (Kate) Hoover was first located at age 12 living with her parents, Isaac and Hannah.  Her parents were a bit older - Isaac was 52 and Hannah, 50.  With them lived William McFarland, 20, a carpenter.

In 1870, Kate, 22, was still at home with her parents in Defiance, along with Emma Shopbell, 18. Kate was a teacher. By 1870, William McFarland was married and living with his wife, Orpha (Garrett) and children, Eddie, Willie, Harry and Terah Garrett, an apprentice.  Both William died in October, 1974 and Orpha died in 1874, leaving minor children.

In 1880, Isaac and Hannah Hoover still had Kate at home; she was 32 years old and still teaching.  Also with them were Nella McFarland, 9, and William McFarland, 14, named as their grandchildren. William Jr. worked at the woolen factory. The actual relationship of William McFarland, the father, who lived with the Hoovers in 1860 to the Hoovers should be researched further. Maybe he is a grandson and Nella and William Jr. are great-grandchildren?

Sometime after 1880, Kate must have begun and completed her medical training because the paper reported that in 1882, she opened an office with Dr. Belle Craven over Hengstler's Clothing Store.  By 1888, she had an office of her own over the Goodyear Building in Defiance.  The Defiance Daily Crescent reported on July 12, 1890 on page 6 that "Dr. Kate Hoover will soon have her home completed and her office fitted for occupancy."  One might conclude that her office was finally at her home.

In 1895, she unsuccessfully ran for the school board, losing to E. E. Carter by 20 votes.  In March of that year, her mother, Hannah, died at Kate's home at the age of 85.  Apparently, her father had died prior to this.

She was vice-president of the Defiance County Medical Society in 1903.  It was common for her, in later years, to winter in Long Beach, California.  She also traveled the United States for various conventions and trainings. She was truly a liberated, independent woman of her time.

When she died in February, 1919, William McFarland of Defiance was named as her executor.

Her obituary appeared in the Crescent-News on February 3, 1919: 

"Dr. Catherine Hoover
Dr. Catherine Hoover died at the home of her niece, Mrs. John Willett, at Indianapolis Saturday evening.  The remains will be brought to Defiance over the Wabash at eight o'clock this evening and will be taken to the home of H. L. Brinsmade, 630 Riverside Avenue.  The funeral will be held from the Brinsmade home Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  The body will be laid to rest at Riverside.
Dr. Hoover was aged 70 years.  She practiced for many years in Defiance and had a large circle of friends in this city."