Dr. W. R.Morrison graduated from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, then served a year at the Northern Pacific hospital at Brainerd. He came to Bemidji in 1900. Bemidji organized a fraternal order of the Modern Samaritans and Dr. Morrison held the position of Physician for the order on Feb 14, 1901. W. R. Morrison and Deda Swan were married on May 22, 1901 at Bemidji. Dr. Morrison was appointed as head of the Board of Health at a special meeting of the city council in June 1901. He first advertised his practice as surgeon and physician in the Bemidji Pioneer in August of 1901. They settled on Lake Boulevard.
The doctor received a degree in the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat post graduate school in 1904. He was appointed the city physician at a salary of $25 per month in January 1906. Dr. W. R. Morrison was appointed as medical examiner for the Travelers Life & Accident Insurance company for this district in August 1906. Dr. W. R. Morrison was appointed special physician for the Northern Pacific Railway company at Billings, Montana in 1909 and moved his family to that location. He died in 1948 in Billings. Mrs. Morrison died in 1970.
*******************************************************
In the case of Dr. W. R. Morrison versus Charles Gould, the jury found in favor of Dr. Morrison for $47. Dr. Morrison also secured a verdict of $250 against Ole Dybvig for medical attention. (Mar 26, 1903)
Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Morrison left this morning for an extensive visit to Ann Arbor, Mich., and Sarnia, Canada, where Mr. Morrison’s parents reside Prom Ann Arbor they will go to Chicago, where Mr. Morrison will complete a course in the study of the ear, nose and throat. They will be absent from the city about four months. (Aug 9, 1904)
Dr. W. R. Morrison will return to Bemidji to resume his practice October l, Dr. Morrison has been spending several months in Chicago taking postgraduate courses along special lines, his specialty being the nose and throat. Dr. Morrison has also specialized on the eye and ear and it will be a distinct advantage to the people of Bemidji and Beltrami county to have a resident physician who is a specialist along these lines. (Sept 13, 1904)
Successful Bemidji Man. Dr. W. R. Morrison Will Employ Assistant as Result of Increasing Practice. Since Dr. Morrison returned from Chicago, where he spent the summer in post graduate work, his practice has increased to such an extent that the addition of an assistant will be necessary. The doctor’s selection of Bemidji as a suitable point in this line was well warranted, as the train service is such as to make this city accessible to a large territory. The hearty support he has already received from the public, together with the endorsement by the local doctors, has served to increase his practice much. The doctor is one of the best qualified specialists in northern Minnesota. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and spent a year at the Northern Pacific hospital at Brainerd, which, together with his extensive experience in general practice, especially fits him as a specialist. The doctor received a degree in the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat post graduate school and has since that time been enjoying an increasing patronage until now he has one of the largest practices in this special line of any in Minnesota. (Dec 23, 1904)
Dr. W. R. Morrison, accompanied by Mrs. Morrison and daughter, left this morning for the south and east. Mrs. Morrison will visit her parents during the doctor’s absence while the latter, accompanied by Mr. E. A. Schneider will leave Chicago Wednesday for Florida, whence the trip to New York will be made by water. Dr. Morrison will spend six weeks in New York city taking post graduate work on the eye, ear, nose and throat, subjects in which he has specialized and in which he secured a special degree at Chicago last year. It is probable that he will be gone about three months. Dr. Fowler of Blackduck will have charge of his office and his practice during Dr. Morrison’s absence. Dr. Morrison’s practice along these special lines has been growing very rapidly and he feels that it is but due to his clients that he should put himself in touch with the best that modern medical science has to offer. Not only will he make a specialty of the diseases of these organs but he will specialize particularly as to the eye, and as an occulist, will be prepared to fit glasses, etc. One remarkable feature in modern practice is the cure of certain diseased organs without the use of the knife. A recent patient of Dr. Morrison’s is a good example. The patient was a child of well known Bemidji people; she was cross-eyed, and the usual remedy in such cases is an operation. Under special treatment however the little one’s eyes are now entirely straight and that absolutely without the use of any surgical instrument. Dr. Morrison has two remarkable photographs, taken before and after treatment, which show how thoroughly the work was accomplished. This is simply an instance of what is being done by modern methods in medical science with numerous other diseases of these special organs. (Feb 6, 1905)
Dr. and Mrs. W. R. Morrison returned last night from the east and south, where they have spent the past month. Dr. and Mrs. Morrison visited many cities and points of interest on the Atlantic coast and spent some time at Jacksonville, Florida. B A. Schneider, who accompanied Dr. and Mrs. Morrison, is expected to return home tonight. (Mar 4, 1905)
The city board of health is today taking action to prevent contagion in the Bemidji public schools, and all the rooms, furniture and books at the school house are being fumigated, the work being in charge of Dr. W. R. Morrison. The fumigation of the schools at the present time is a precautionary measure and is done at the present time so that the schools will be ready for occupancy when they are opened Jan. 8 after the Christmas and New Years vacation. (Dec 29, 1905)
The health committee in its report last night recommended the acceptance of a contract with Dr. W. R. Morrison by the terms of which he will act as city physician at a salary of $25 per month, he to give medical and surgical treatment to all paupers resident in the city, the city to furnish all medicines. The report was adopted and the city attorney was instructed to prepare a contract. The health committee was instructed to make a report at the next meeting, the report to include some recommendation as to the regulation of the city dump grounds. (Jan 16, 1906)
Dr. W. R. Morrison has recently added to his equipment a Pynchon ear pump, a new device used in the treatment of diseases of the ear. The machine is a late invention, comparatively, but has been thoroughly tested and is now in use in nearly all the leading hospitals throughout the country. The instrument is for the purpose of messenging the eardrum and small bones of the ear, and is very effective. Judging from the number of patrons which the doctor receives, both from Bemidji and from other towns in this section, he is keeping up to the times in having the best possible instruments at hand for the treatment of diseases attended to by members of his profession. (Feb 2, 1906)
Health Officer W. R. Morrison is today posting notices throughout the city directing the residents to clean up all refuse, etc., as soon as possible. Unless the notice is complied with the health board will take charge of the matter and the cost of cleaning up will be assessed against the property owners. Feb 23, 1906)
The city of Bemidji will be one of the cleanest and most sanitary cities in Minnesota next summer if the plans of the city health board is carried out, and it is claimed by Dr. W. R. Morrison, the city health officer, that the ordinance relating to the cleaning up of streets, alleys and lots will be rigidly enforced. In fact Dr. Morrison has already started a crusade against filth by ordering the cleaning up of certain alleys and although objection has been made to this order by some of the residents the health officer has ordered the work done by the city scavenger and the cost will be assessed to the owners of property abutting the alleys ordered to be cleaned up. The Bemidji Townsite and Improvement company was yesterday ordered by Dr. Morrison to fill in the swamp in the block between Second and Third streets and Beltrami and Bemidji avenues, and a number of other similar places will be filled in this spring. Dr. Morrison states that he will soon accomplish the cleaning up of all rubbish in the city and that he will prosecute all persons who violate the city ordinance relating to the sanitation of the city. (Feb. 28, 1906)
Dr. W. R. Morrison, city health officer, has received a letter from the state board of health advising him of action taken by that body at its meeting Jan. 9, 1906 recommending that persons suffering with tuberculosis be not employed as teachers in the schools. Dr. Morrison states that he will enforce the recommendation. (Mar 3, 1906)
To Harness Mississippi Twelve Miles Up Stream. The Dam Will Develop Horsepower of Between 2,500 and 3.500. Congress has granted permission to William R. Morrison and H. W. Haines to build a dam across the Mississippi river in the southwestern part of Beltrami county, about twelve miles up stream from Bemidji. The dam will develop a horse-power of between 2,500 and 3,500. The Congressional Record of May 21 contains the following., etc. (May 26, 1906)
Dr. W. R. Morrison has been appointed as medical examiner for the Travelers Life & Accident Insurance company for this district, the position having been tendered him through W. E. Neal, district agent. (Aug 3, 1906)
Mrs. W. R. Morrison active in committee work for the Beltrami Couty Fair, 1908.
Dr. W. R. Morrison of this city has been appointed special physician for the Northern Pacific Railway company at Billings, Mont., and will go to that place in the near future. Dr. Morrison went to Brainerd this morning to consult with Dr. Courtney, who has charge of the N. P. hospital at that place. From there Mr. Morrison will go to Chicago the latter part of the week and take a post graduate course of study before going to Billings to assume his new duties. Dr. Morrison will leave his family in this city until next summer. Dr. Morrison came to Bemidji nine years ago from Brainerd and built up a practice which, in leaving the city, he turns over to Dr. Sanborn of Faribault in the southern part of the state. Dr. Sanborn comes to the city well recommended and is well fitted to take a place among the leading physicians of this city. (Mar 15, 1909)
Mrs. Dr. W. R. Morrison arrived here yesterday from Billings, Montana, for a several weeks visit with different friends in the city. Mrs. Morrison is a former resident of Bemidji. She will stay until about September first. Dr. Morrison will come from Billings about the first of August and will spend the month with his old friends here. (July 19, 1910)
W.R. Morrison, Billings, Montana. (1918)
Dr. W. R. Morrison and family of Billings, Mont., formerly resident of Bemidji, will arrive in the city July 10 to enjoy a brief outing. Dr. Morrison is to remain in Bemidji but several days, while his wife and daughter will probably stay several weeks. (July 1919)